SALEM, Oregon – Keith Jesperson, also known as the Happy Face Killer, is a notorious serial killer who confessed to the murder of at least 8 women in the early 1990s. His chilling crimes terrorized the nation and led to the wrongful conviction of two innocent people.
In 1995, while being questioned for the murder of Julie Winningham, Jesperson confessed to his crimes and turned himself in. He was a long-haul truck driver and a divorced father of three at the time of his confession. Shockingly, it was later discovered that an innocent woman, Laverne Pavlinac, had been convicted of one of his murders based on a false confession. This wrongful conviction led to Jesperson walking free and being able to kill seven more people in the following five years.
Known for leaving notes with smiley faces at the crime scenes, Jesperson earned the moniker ‘Happy Face Killer.’ His heinous acts were characterized by a lack of a specific age group for his victims, and he was known for preying on strangers. Despite being convicted in 2010 and serving three consecutive life sentences, authorities as recently as 2023 identified another victim of Jesperson – Suzanne Kjellenberg, who had remained unidentified until then.
Jesperson is known to have suffered from a narcissistic personality and took pride in his crimes, even bragging about them in his confession. His tale has been documented in the Amazon Documentary series ‘Mind of a Monster,’ offering a chilling glimpse into the mind of the Happy Face Killer.
The legacy of Keith Jesperson, the Happy Face Killer, continues to haunt the public, serving as a stark reminder of the darkness that resides within some individuals. His acts of violence and manipulation not only ended the lives of his victims but also forever altered the course of those wrongfully convicted due to his deceitful methods. The impact of his crimes continues to reverberate through the criminal justice system, demonstrating the enduring significance of his case.