HistoryData
general1997

1997 mass murder in Bellevue, Washington

January 1, 1997

A 1997 quadruple homicide in Bellevue, Washington, committed by two 17-year-olds who killed for the experience of killing.

Quick Facts

Year
1997
Category
general

Key Facts

Date
Night of January 3–4, 1997
Victims
Kimberly, Bill, Rose, and Julia Wilson
Number of victims
4 people
Perpetrators
Alex Kevin Baranyi and David Carpenter Anderson
Age of perpetrators
17 at time of crime
Sentences
Four consecutive life sentences without parole (later reduced)

By the Numbers

3
Date
4people
Number of victims
17
Age of perpetrators

Location

Map of Bellevue, United StatesMap of Bellevue, United StatesBellevue, United States

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Alex Kevin Baranyi and David Anderson, both 17, displayed signs of psychological disturbance and expressed a desire to kill. According to their own testimonies, they sought the experience of killing without any specific grievance against the Wilson family. Baranyi reportedly stated he wanted to kill someone because he was 'in a rut.'

Event

On the night of January 3–4, 1997, Baranyi and Anderson lured Kimberly Ann Wilson, 20, to a park in Bellevue, Washington, and murdered her. They then entered her family home and killed her father Bill Wilson, his wife Rose Wilson, and her sister Julia Wilson, resulting in four deaths total.

Consequence

Both perpetrators were convicted and sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Because they were minors at the time of the crimes, their sentences were subsequently reduced. The murders drew attention to juvenile perpetrators of premeditated mass violence and the difficulty of establishing clear motive in such cases.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19971997199419951996199819992000EuroBasket 1997 — 1997 edition of the Eurobasket1997 UEFA Super Cup — tournament1997–98 UEFA Cup — 27th season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA1997 Asian financial crisis — financial crisis in many East/Southeast Asian countries starting in 19971997 World Men's Handball Championship — 1997 edition of the World Men's Handball ChampionshipEurovision Song Contest 1997 — 42nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest1997 Formula One World Championship — sports seasonUEFA Women's Euro 1997 — 1997 edition of the UEFA Women's Eurobellevue-massacre-1997