Fixed Term Killers

Blake Linkous became known in true crime coverage after being convicted in the murder of Natalie Martin during a graduation trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Linkous was only 18 years old at the time of the killing, a fact that intensified public attention surrounding the case and contributed to widespread media coverage across regional and national outlets. The homicide drew major attention because the killing occurred during what was supposed to be a celebratory beach trip involving teenagers and young adults. Prosecutors alleged the violence erupted following escalating conflict and emotional instability inside a shared vacation environment. The case later became heavily discussed because of Linkous’ age, the chaotic timeline surrounding the murder, and the emotional courtroom testimony that followed during prosecution proceedings.

Bradley Clifford is a British convicted murderer responsible for a fatal road-rage killing in Enfield, North London, in 2017. His crime involved a sustained and deliberate act of violence following a perceived slight, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old victim. He was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, with the case highlighting how rapidly uncontrolled anger can escalate into lethal violence in a public setting.

Brandon Andrew Clark became one of the most notorious killers in recent American criminal history after murdering 17-year-old internet personality Bianca Devins in Utica, New York, on July 14, 2019. The case received worldwide attention after Clark posted graphic photographs of the crime scene on social media, prompting renewed debate about online communities, the rapid spread of violent content, and the responsibilities of social media platforms. Clark later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Brian Steven Smith is a South African-born convicted murderer who was found guilty of killing two Alaska Native women, Kathleen Jo Henry and Veronica Abouchuk, in Anchorage, Alaska. The case became known as the “Memory Card Murders” after a sex worker stole Smith's cellphone and discovered footage of Henry being tortured and killed. She copied the footage to an SD memory card and gave it to police, providing the breakthrough that connected Smith to the murders. Smith was convicted of all 14 charges against him in February 2024 and sentenced to 226 years in prison.

Bruce Koklich became known in true crime coverage after being convicted in connection with the disappearance and presumed murder of his wife, millionaire real estate broker Jana Koklich, in Michigan. The case generated major media attention because Jana vanished without a trace in 2009, leaving investigators to pursue a homicide prosecution despite never recovering her body.

Charles Boney became infamous for his role in the murders of Kimberly "Kim" Camm and her two children, Brad and Jill Camm, in Georgetown, Indiana, on September 28, 2000. A convicted violent offender with a history of crimes against women, Boney was eventually identified as being connected to the crime scene through forensic evidence, including a sweatshirt recovered near the victims' bodies. The case gained national attention because David Camm, Kim's husband and a former Indiana State Trooper, was initially blamed for the murders and spent years in prison before being acquitted. Prosecutors ultimately argued that Boney participated in the killings, while Boney attempted to shift responsibility onto Camm. The case became one of the most notorious murder investigations in Indiana history and remains closely associated with wrongful conviction debates and forensic controversy.

Chris Dawson is an Australian former schoolteacher and rugby league player who was convicted of murdering his wife, Lynette Dawson, who disappeared in 1982. For decades, he maintained that she had voluntarily left, but suspicions persisted due to inconsistencies in his account and his relationship with a teenage student. The case was revived decades later following investigative journalism and public interest, ultimately leading to his conviction in 2022. The court found that he killed his wife to pursue a relationship with his student, highlighting issues of manipulation, grooming, and abuse of power.

Christopher McGowan murdered his girlfriend, Claire Inglis, in Stirling, Scotland, in November 2021 after being released on bail to live at her home despite an extensive history of violent offending. Claire had begun a relationship with McGowan unaware of his violent past, and after he moved into her home she became trapped in an escalating pattern of coercive control, abuse and violence. McGowan subjected her to a prolonged and sadistic assault before strangling her to death. In 2023, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years.