
The murder of Richard Mallory is considered the first killing attributed to Aileen Wuornos. She later claimed the act was committed in self-defense during an attempted assault. The case marked the beginning of a series of highway murders in Florida.
Wuornos shot Mallory and left his body in a remote location. The attack established her pattern of targeting men she encountered while hitchhiking.
The case was initially treated as an isolated homicide.