Less than a month later, Eric Edgar Cooke targeted another two people, killing both (via the Australian Dictionary of Biography). Police accused a different man, Brian William Robinson, of the murders, and he was actually found guilty and hanged. Meanwhile, Cooke was still roaming free. Then, about six months went by before Cooke chose his next victim in August 1963, fatally shooting an 18-year-old babysitter (via the Herald Sun). Per the Australian Dictionary of Biography, this was when Cooke made a big mistake – – he left his .22 caliber gun behind.
“The World Encyclopedia of Serial Killers: Volume Three” reports that part of the reason the police had so much trouble catching the criminal was that he changed his methods and weapons between crimes. Cooke committed hit-and-runs with stolen vehicles to kill some people. He shot people, strangled some victims, and used knives, axes, or scissors to hurt others. He targeted many of his victims while they were asleep, but others were subjected to brutal methods, like being strangled with an electrical cord and then sexually assaulted.
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If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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