The Story Of Glennon Engleman, A Serial Killer Who Terrorized Missouri, Is Truly Frightening
By Beth Price-Williams|Published November 18, 2021
×
Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Missouri has seen quite a few serial killers during its long and storied history. Some, including Robert Berdella, have become better known than others. Dr. Glennon Engleman’s name, for example, didn’t hit the headlines until more than two decades after he committed his first murder. By the time his name became better-known in Missouri, he’d already killed eight people. Here’s the story of just one serial killer in Missouri.
Dr. Glennon Engleman was, by all accounts, the trusted dentist of a loyal clientele in St. Louis, who lived a secret, dark double life. He was, in fact, a contract killer and a serial killer, responsible for the deaths of seven people, although authorities believe he murdered far more.
Engleman committed his first murder in 1958. He shot his victim, James Bullock, as part of what police believed was a scheme to collect insurance money. At the time of his murder, Bullock was married to Engleman’s former wife.
The former Mrs. Engleman received $65,000 after her husband’s murder then invested a substantial sum in one of Glennon’s business adventures.
Advertisement
The Missouri serial killer murdered at least six people before he was finally caught after having murdered Sophie Barrera, his seventh victim, in 1980. The dentist had used the services of Barrera’s dental lab but had failed to pay what he owed.
Throughout the years, Engleman had several accomplices, mainly his former wives, and none spoke out. Until 1980. Following Barerra’s death, Engelman’s former wife, Ruth, told the police everything she knew.
Engelman’s other victims included Peter Halm in Pacific in 1976 and Arthur and Vernita Gusewelle in Illinois in 1977. Just a year later, Engelmann would murder the Gusewelle’s son, Ron. Ron’s death, however, had been contracted by his wife.
Engleman would spend the rest of his life in prison, garnering two life sentences for the deaths of Halm and Barrerra. Although he confessed to or police had evidence of at least seven murders, authorities believed Engelman killed a dozen or more individuals. The serial killer died in 1999.
Had you heard the story of this serial killer in Missouri? What do you think? Join the conversation in the comments! Fascinated by crime? Read about six notorious criminals in Missouri, of whom you’ve probably already heard.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
