In Arkansas, USA, a family experienced a tragic and horrifying event during the festive month of December. A former military serviceman, with a history of serving in the US Navy and Air Force for over 20 years, carried out a brutal killing spree that claimed the lives of 16 individuals, including 14 of his family members.
The chilling massacre unfolded over a week in December 1987, leaving a haunting impact that lingers to this day. Ronald Gene Simmons Sr. orchestrated the deadliest familicide in US history by systematically murdering his wife, children, grandchildren, co-workers, and even strangers.
Starting on December 22, Ronald’s murderous acts occurred in three phases. He began by shooting his wife and oldest son with a pistol before strangling his three-year-old granddaughter. Subsequently, he awaited the return of four more of his children from school during the Christmas break, individually ending their lives through suffocation in a barrel of water. The victims’ bodies were disposed of in a pit on his property.
Days later, on December 26, Ronald continued his killing spree as more family members visited for Christmas. He shot his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson before targeting his daughter and her family, resulting in more tragic deaths.
Following the heinous acts, Ronald nonchalantly collected pre-ordered Christmas gifts for his deceased family members and went out for a drink. He then proceeded to commit further murders at various locations before surrendering to the authorities without resistance.
The Christmastime atrocities led to Ronald Gene Simmons Sr. becoming the first person in Arkansas to receive a lethal injection as punishment for his crimes. He chose to forgo any appeals and was convicted in separate trials in 1988 and 1989 before facing execution on June 25, 1990, at the age of 49.
