All The Damn Crime

The .22 Caliber Killers: Murder and Fear in East St. Louis

John and Joel Season 2 Episode 61

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 1:01:42

Send us Fan Mail

On December 8, 1978, Davis and Holman committed their first murder. And on that day, they allegedly robbed and killed 78-year-old Frieda Mueller. The two were alleged to have fatally shot her before stealing her television set, billfold, and checkbook. Davis and Holman were never tried for killing Mueller, but her murder was mentioned during their trials.[6]

On December 22, 1978, exactly two weeks after they killed their first victim, 89-year-old Charles Biebel, who used a wheelchair, was fatally shot inside his trailer home. His daughter, Jean Biebel Moore, discovered his body later that evening. Davis and Holman stole two watches, a billfold, "a number of guns," and a television set. Holman was the triggerman for this murder. Before they were arrested, Jean Moore offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her father's killers.[6]

Less than five months later, on May 12, 1979, Davis and Holman robbed and murdered 84-year-old John Oertel in his trailer. Oertel was shot and stabbed. Davis was the triggerman for this murder.[7]

On July 13, 1979, Davis and Holman shot 83-year-old Esther Sepmeyer, a blind woman, execution-style as she was kneeling in front of her bed, praying for her life. Her grandson, Rodney Sepmeyer, found her body. A lawnmower, a replica antique radio, a stereo, a color TV, and a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle were stolen. Holman was triggerman for this murder.[8]

Davis and Holman were arrested after a botched hold-up at an auto parts store on August 30, 1979.