Death Space: The true story of a deaf serial killer at Gallaudet University

by Teresa Crowe

Four weeks into Gallaudet University’s fall semester of 2000, a freshman smelled something funny coming from his friend Eric Plunkett’s dorm room across the hall. Eric’s bloodied, broken, and battered body lie in the middle of the floor. Fear seized the close-knit, insulated world of Gallaudet’s deaf community, and the language barrier created chaos between police, media, and the Gallaudet community.

By the end of the semester, the investigation continued with no arrest. When students returned to campus in January 2001, they brought a premature sense of renewal and hope. One morning early in the semester, someone pulled a fire alarm in Cogswell Hall dormitory. The alarm strobed bright, powerful lights designed to wake the sleeping deaf students. A resident adviser found the mutilated body of freshman Ben Varner. The Washington, D.C. chief of police brought his top homicide investigators into the case, determined to stop the serial killer no matter what it took.

Death Space is the true story of the murders of two deaf first-year college students at Gallaudet University and its effects on the deaf population worldwide. The book chronicles the discovery of the bodies, the victim’s friends’ reactions, the police investigations, the court convictions, and the present-day life of the murderer in prison from an interview with one of Gallaudet University staff members, Dr. Teresa Crowe.

451 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2022

About the author

Teresa Crowe has a Ph.D. in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She specializes in behavioral health with deaf and hard-of-hearing adults. Since 2000, she has been a professor in the master of social work program at Gallaudet University. Dr. Crowe is fluent in American Sign Language and has been involved with the deaf community since 1987 when she learned ASL and later began working at the Maryland School for the Deaf. She has a master of fine arts degree in creative nonfiction from Goucher College. She lives with her husband and two dogs in Edgewater, Maryland, two blocks from Chesapeake Bay.

Teresa Crowe, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland and the District of Columbia specializing in behavioral health with deaf and hard-of-hearing adults. She is a professor in the master of social work program at Gallaudet University and is fluent in American Sign Language. She lives with her husband and two dogs in Edgewater, Maryland, two blocks from Chesapeake Bay.

Reviews

[Sylvia S. Kupferer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand that the author was giving a blow by blow a count of her Interaction with JJ And the people was involved with over time. The book read very much like a case study. I would guess that mental health professionals would be more interested in the book than the average person reading for enjoyment.

[E.G. Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC in exchange for an honest review, and purchased the eBook after reviewing it.

DEATH SPACE by Teresa Crowe is an interesting true crime about the serial killer that struck Gallaudet University. It reads like an autobiography combined with a crime show. It is divided into three parts. Part one takes the reader into the deaf world, exploring Gallaudet like its freshman from the view of the students who knew the victims. Then the narrative circles closer and closer to the murders, tension and questions rising. Part two dived into the police's investigation and perspectives, trying to find the killer, accusing an innocent man, and finally leading the killer to court.

Part three is the most creepy, with Teresa Crowe's interview of the killer and his explanations of why. It not only sends chills down one's spine, but also makes you wonder who around you might also be inclided to murder.

This is a powerful look into the deaf community and the serieal killer who rocked that community worldwide. Crowe's writing is strong and the book is edited well. I also researched the university story and saw that Teresa was interviewed by A&E for this story. She is the real deal and the perfect person to share this story.

I'm not a big fan of true crime, but the unique take on it and the elements of deaf culture makes DEATH SPACE a must read.

[Alena Orrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting, in-depth look into the mind of a serial killer. Teresa interviewed the murderer! And with her background in social work, she is in a unique position to ask him the questions that mattered most. The fact that this takes place on a deaf college campus makes it even more intriguing. It’s obvious that Teresa did extensive research before taking on the writing of this book. She pulled from court transcripts, police records, and interviewed some friends and family of the killer and the victims. I don’t usually read true crime and I loved it!

[Virginia Rand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw the author asking for people to have a look at the book when it came out and I thought 'this sounds like the kind of thing I'm interested in,' and I stick by that, but this seems to be the authors first book and she could have done with a bit more input and a hard edit.

There's a problem with repetition, both in the description of the case and the prose, and I would have enjoyed a lot more background information about the deaf community.

[Teresa Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My manuscript is edited and plugged into online publishers. Excited to see it release on May 15th.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Chronological set of events


Teresa Crowe writes about the serial killer at Gallaudet University in Death Space: The true story of a deaf serial killer at Gallaudet University. I am a fan of true crime stories. This is the first book written by this author that I've read. The story of the killer, Joseph M. Mesa Jr. and his victims. The Gallaudet University is a college for deaf students. Mesa killed two 19-year-olds, Eric Plunkett and Benjamin Varner. The book was very informative, but it had a factual read to it, where it was words on a paper, and even though there were interviews, police involvement, and other interesting facts, it read just as that, a chronological order. When I read a true crime, I want to feel something about what is going on, and even if the writer is not directly involved, there should be parts of that writer in the book, telling the story. Just because it's a factual nonfiction true crime book, doesn't mean it shouldn't invoke emotions. It was a good factual story, and that's how it was presented to me. I will always read a good true crime story, because the intriguing human nature of how someone could just start killing others, has always had the debate of good versus evil, and if people can be truly monsters. Mesa tried to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, but the jury didn't buy it. The read was detailed and very thorough in telling the story. Death Space: The true story of a deaf serial killer at Gallaudet University is recommended by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Death Space: The true story of a deaf serial killer at Gallaudet University” takes place starting in the fall semester of 2000 at Gallaudet University, a University designed for hard of hearing and deaf individuals. When a student, Eric Plunkett, is found dead, it sets the school and community into chaos.

Overall, I found this story interesting. I’m a little true crime obsessed, so I jumped at the chance to read about a case and a culture I was less familiar with. A little semantics at the beginning. I understand the definition of a serial killer to be a little different than the author’s. This is a true crime story about two victims from the same community killed over a period of 6 months by the same assailant. I have no doubt this guy probably would have turned into a serial killer if not caught, but found the subtitle a little misleading. The biggest thing I enjoyed about this book is how much insider knowledge and research the author put in to it. The full review can be found at heatherlbarksdale.com

I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.