Coral Eugene Watts, a young man with disturbing fantasies of violence and murder, confessed to his first killing at the age of 15. Born in Texas in 1953, Watts later moved to Detroit, where he began his deadly spree after a traumatic childhood illness altered his demeanor.
Despite initially showing promise as a college football player, Watts’ violent tendencies resurfaced, leading to his expulsion for stalking women. This marked the beginning of a series of brutal attacks, including the murder of Gloria Steele, his first known victim, and the suspected killing of Zenaida Tomes.
Dubbed the “Sunday Morning Slasher,” Watts terrorized Detroit with a string of murders targeting young, blonde women. His victims included news reporter Jeanne Clyne and others before he fled to Michigan, where he continued his killing spree.
Watts’ reign of terror ended in 1982 when Melinda Aguilar managed to escape his attack and helped authorities capture him. His trail of violence spanned multiple states, culminating in his confession to 13 murders. Despite his initial 60-year prison sentence being reduced due to a legal technicality, Watts died in 2007 while serving time in Michigan.
The notorious serial killer’s chilling legacy serves as a grim reminder of the darkness that lurks within some individuals.