Quiet Killer: How Patrick Kearney Became the Trash Bag Killer

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Patrick Kearney lived an ordinary life as an engineer, but secretly he was the notorious 'Trash Bag Killer,' confessing to 28 murders over 15 years. His crimes involved kidnapping, necrophilia, and dismemberment of young men and boys. This article explores Kearney's troubled childhood, his double life, and how he managed to evade capture for over a decade before finally being caught.

Why it matters

Kearney's case illustrates the danger of 'quiet evil' - how someone can appear normal on the outside while harboring horrific darkness within. It serves as a reminder that evil does not always present itself in an obvious way, and that society often overlooks the warning signs.

The details

Kearney, born in 1939 in East Los Angeles, was a shy, sickly child who was bullied and struggled to fit in. After a troubled stint in the Air Force, he settled into an engineering job at Hughes Aircraft, where he appeared polite and professional. But behind closed doors, he was abducting, sexually assaulting, and dismembering young men and boys, leaving their remains in trash bags on roadsides. He was meticulous in covering his tracks, avoiding patterns and not leaving clues, until a 17-year-old victim's disappearance finally led police to him and his partner, David Hill.

• Kearney was born on September 24, 1939.
• He began his killing spree as the 'Trash Bag Killer' in the early 1960s, continuing for over 15 years.
• In 1977, police questioned Kearney and his partner David Hill after the disappearance of 17-year-old John LaMay, leading to their arrest and Kearney's confession.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Kearney is currently serving 21 life sentences at Mule Creek State Prison in California and has never applied for parole. His case continues to be studied by law enforcement to understand the psychology of quiet, methodical killers.