Robert Spangler

 VICTIMS : 4

Sometimes you really have to wonder how any killer that takes time to plan and carry out his murderous action manages to get convicted. I mean, if you don't get caught actually committing the crime, and you manage to dispose of the evidence, I really can't see how you can get convicted. The case of Robert Spangler is a good example. Here was a guy that police knew killed his family, but had no conclusive evidence against him. In fact, the only reason you are getting to read about him is because he got unlucky, well he got more than unlucky, he got cancer and an attack of the fame bug.

Not long after Robert Spangler learned he was dying of cancer in late 2000, detectives came knocking at his door on the chance he had something he might want to get off his chest before the end came. They weren't disappointed with what he had to tell them.

Spangler very calmly admitted killing his family (wife and two kids) in 1978. He also told the officers that he had pushed his third wife over the Grand Canyon 15 years later. She died as well.

Based on this confession he was charged in Colorado with murdering his first wife and two children. According to prosecutors, he said that he was dissatisfied with family life. It was a pretty good plan to get rid of the family too. He had shot Nancy Spangler, 45, son David, 17, and daughter Susan, 15, in their home in suburban Denver. He had then placed the gun and a typewritten suicide note near the mother's body.

Despite this 'brilliant' plan he was nearly caught. Spangler initially told police he had been at work, but he had to explain how he happened to have gunshot residue on his hands. He told police he returned home and found his wife sitting in a chair with a gunshot wound to the head. He said he saw the gun nearby and handled it. Close call, and without solid evidence the authorities concluded the mother killed the children and then herself. Good police work, huh?

Spangler later remarried and then divorced in 1988. The ex-wife died in 1994 of a drug overdose, and Spangler has not been implicated. Interesting that they didn't try and get him to confess to this one as well. I guess that police couldn't give a fuck about a junkies death.

In 1990, Spangler married Donna Sundling, an aerobics instructor. The couple were visiting the Grand Canyon in 1993 when she fell 200 feet to her death. Spangler told police he turned away to adjust his camera and when he turned back, she had disappeared. But her relatives were pretty suspicious of this as they said she was afraid of heights and very agile. Still, if there's no conclusive evidence, then why bother charging someone. I mean, it's not he's a serial killer or anything.

Another odd thing with this second murder is the fact that Spangler had the body cremated before anyone had a chance to check the body out. Still, no conclusive evidence means no charges. This guy may have liked to push things with the law, but he was pretty smart.

Following his confession Spangler has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Phoenix in the 1993 death of Donna Sundling Spangler.

And that's pretty much all I know in the case against Robert Spangler. In August 2000 he said that he only had 6 months to live, so I'd imagine that he is probably already dead by now. If you know what happened then feel free top let me know.

And now for some Quotes & Stuff

Over the years, Spangler worked for Honeywell Corp.'s camera and instruments division, served as public relations director for a non profit organisation, and was as a part-time disc jockey at a radio station. Spangler was raised in Ames, Iowa, where a laboratory at Iowa State University is named after his father, a civil engineer.

"He's the kind of person you'd like as a next-door neighbour until you find out about him," said neighbour Joyce Williams.

"We couldn't believe it then, and we still don't believe it,'' said Nancy Spangler's stepmother, Joan Stahlman. "Robert didn't come to see her father after Nancy died. That seemed strange. We never heard a word from him."

Roy Meiworm, who was dating Spangler's daughter at the time of her death, said Spangler's confession sent him into shock. "I lost about 20 minutes of my life," said Meiworm, now 42. "I can't tell you how upsetting it is to find out everything you've been told was wrong. It's taken me 22 years to even enjoy Christmas again. I have a feeling this is going to be another tough one."

Oh, and one last thing, Spangler's new wife, Judy, was apparently quite surprised by the confession. She refused to comment to journalists, but her friend said: "Judy said she was numb. Obviously there was a side to him that none of us know. Everybody was duped."
 

MY OPINION

What can I really add here? I could have a go at the police, but you can't really blame them if the crook is smarter. I could have a go at Spangler, but who am I to criticise a man who would like a bit of fame (and maybe put some minds to rest). I think I'll just say well done to all involved. Maybe there a lessons to be learned for this criminal, but I would never dream of putting ideas into any ones head ;-)