Serial Killer Danny Figueroa #truecrime

Danny Figueroa

Imagine the panic you would feel if residents in your community were being gunned down at random. This is exactly what happened in Southern California during just 2 months in 1986. 3 people would lose their lives to a self described survivalist in a rampage that struck fear into people just trying to live their lives. One victim was killed while doing yard work, one while driving to work, and the last while walking her dog. No one was safe during this reign of terror at the hands of Danny Figueroa, the Backwoods Sniper.

Danny Figueroa was born in Moreno Valley California on September 24 1959. He was a troubled child, said to enjoy spending time in the wilderness more than with his family or other people. As he grew older it was clear that something was not right with Danny. He was described as having the mental abilities of a child and preferred hanging around kids who he taught how to camp and hunt with BB guns.

His hometown, Perris California, became an imaginary battlefield where Figueroa and his young friends fought countless wars. But, to Danny, the battles became all too real in 1986. He came out of the wilderness dressed like a soldier and began a series of murders that gripped the area with fear.

On May 13, 1986, 53 year old Reynold Johnson was working in his yard. Figueroa killed him with a single shot from his rifle. A strange man had been seen lurking in the neighborhood dressed in military fatigues earlier in the day, but no one knew who the man was… yet.

Once Figueroa had crossed the line to murder and brought his fantasies to life, he was eager to kill again. Barely 2 weeks later, on May 29, he struck again. A 19 year old named Ray Webber was working on a ranch near San Timoteo canyon in Riverside county. He was found in his truck dead from a single shotgun blast that destroyed his skull.

5 days later, an undocumented migrant was walking through a field on his way to meet with some friends who were going to take him to LA. He was approached by a man wearing a military uniform and carrying a rifle, but it was not a border patrol officer like he had thought. Instead of arresting him, the man shot him and left him there bleeding. Thankfully the victim was able to crawl to get help and was rushed to a hospital.

Once he recovered and could speak the man gave a description of his attacker to police. Soon afterward police found Danny Figueroa creeping around in his military paraphernalia. They took his weapon and questioned him about the shooting which he denied. Unfortunately the victim did not identify Danny as his attacker and the killer was let go.

Only days later, Danny was on the prowl again looking for a victim. He came across Robert Jimenez barbecuing in his backyard in Indio California. Danny was walking in the area behind his home and waved to Jimenez before raising his rifle. His bullets hit their target multiple times and Danny continued firing as Jimenez ran to a neighbors house to find cover. Eventually the killer stopped shooting and fled, and thankfully Jimenez survived.

9 days later on June 17 1986, Figueroa killed his final victim. The last time anyone heard from 72 year old Mary Lengrich alive, she was going to walk her dog in San Timoteo canyon. Danny came across her and shot her 5 times in the back. When her husband reported her missing, police searched the area she had gone to and found her body. They also met 2 construction workers who had seen a man in military clothing fleeing the area.

Putting 2 and 2 together the police sought out Danny as he matched the description of the suspicious man seen near the murder scene. They spent the next week searching the desert and open space where Danny’s family said he was camping. Using dogs, helicopters, and infrared scopes they eventually caught Figueroa on June 28th.

He had been seen by hikers only 2 miles from his home. The helicopters and police zeroed in on the location and took him into custody without a shot fired. He was charged with 3 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder for the shooting of Robert Jimenez.

Danny confessed to the murders, claiming that the he had killed Raymond Webber out of self defense after the 19 year old had followed him in his truck as he hiked. Anxious to avoid a death penalty, Figueroa plead guilty and in late June of 1987 he was sentenced to 66 years to life in prison. Danny Figueroa died on December 20th 1998 at age 39.
#serialkillerdocumentary #crime #truecrimedocumentary