In Arkansas, USA, a family experienced a tragic and horrifying event during the typically joyful month of December and Christmas season. A former military member with a long service record in the US Navy and Air Force committed one of the most horrific killing sprees in American history by brutally murdering 16 people, including 14 of his own family members.
The dreadful massacre occurred over a week in December 1987 but continues to evoke fear and sorrow to this day. Ronald Gene Simmons Sr., known for perpetrating the deadliest familicide in US history, meticulously executed his wife, children, grandchildren, some co-workers, and random individuals in a targeted spree of violence.
Starting on December 22, Ronald carried out his killings in three stages. He began by shooting his wife and oldest son before strangling his three-year-old granddaughter. Subsequently, he waited for four more of his children to return home for the Christmas break, where he mercilessly murdered them through suffocation by submerging their heads in water. After slaughtering his immediate family members, he extended his brutality to more relatives who visited for Christmas.
Following these heinous acts, Ronald, in a chillingly composed manner, proceeded to purchase Christmas gifts for his deceased family, then casually went for a drink at a private club. He then continued his spree by murdering others in different locations before eventually surrendering to the police without resistance.
The horrific events ultimately led to Ronald Gene Simmons Sr. being the first person in Arkansas to face execution by lethal injection on June 25, 1990, at the age of 49. He chose to forgo any appeals and was convicted of the gruesome murders in separate trials in 1988 and 1989.