They picked up teenage girls in a van, promising rides home. Over a few months in 1979, five of those girls never made it back.
Who Were Bittaker and Norris
Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris met while serving time together in a California prison. After their release, the two began targeting teenage girls in the Los Angeles area, using a van to offer rides to young women they encountered on the street or hitchhiking.
The Murders
Between June and October 1979, Bittaker and Norris killed five teenage girls: Lucinda "Cindy" Schaefer, 16; Andrea Hall, 18; Jacqueline "Jackie" Gilliam, 15; Jacqueline Leah Lamp, 13; and Lynette Ledford, 16. Ledford was abducted on Halloween night, October 31, 1979, after accepting a ride home from a party — she recognized Bittaker as a regular customer at the restaurant where she worked. She and the other victims were assaulted and killed; their bodies were left in remote areas around Los Angeles County, and in Ledford's case, on a residential lawn.
Autopsies confirmed the extent of the violence inflicted on the victims. We are not detailing the specific methods used, given the severity of the crimes and the ages of those involved.
Arrest
The two men were arrested on November 20, 1979, after Norris told an acquaintance about Ledford's murder and the earlier killings. That acquaintance alerted authorities, leading to their capture.
Trial and Sentencing
Roy Norris was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement and was sentenced to 45 years to life. He later expressed remorse and died in prison in February 2020, at age 72.
Lawrence Bittaker was convicted on five counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He showed no remorse throughout his trial and pursued multiple appeals over the following decades. He died in prison in December 2019, at age 79, before his sentence was carried out.
Legacy
The case had a lasting effect on those connected to the investigation; the lead investigator later died by suicide, citing the case in his note. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text at 988.
FAQ
Why were Bittaker and Norris called the "Toolbox Killers"?
The nickname referenced tools they used during their crimes, which became associated with the case in media coverage.
How many victims did Bittaker and Norris have?
They were convicted in connection with five murders of teenage girls in 1979.
Are Bittaker and Norris still alive?
No. Norris died in prison in 2020 and Bittaker died in prison in 2019, both from natural causes while serving their sentences.