A man who killed three young boys and a family in North Idaho has died of brain cancer while serving his sentence on federal death row.
Joseph E. Duncan was sentenced to death in 2007 for the murder of 13-year-old Slade Groene, 9-year-old Dylan Groene, 40-year-old Brenda Groene, and 37-year-old Mark McKenzie.
In 2011, he revealed that he killed another boy, 10-year-old Anthony Martinez.
Last year, Duncan’s lawyers said that he had terminal brain cancer and he didn’t have long to live.
He died at a hospital in Indiana while serving his sentence on federal death row.
Diana Martinez, Anthony’s mother, said: “The sun is a little brighter today. My soul is lighter. The world is a more beautiful place without the evil that is Joseph Duncan.
“God chose to make his end a long suffering and I believe that is fitting. The horror of his thoughts consumed him.”
Anthony’s father, Ernesto, also said: “While I would’ve liked to witness his execution, knowing he is now standing before God being held accountable for what he has done, what he did to my son, and the horrible crimes he committed to others, that is the real justice.”
Marcos, Anthony’s younger brother, said: “Nothing can bring my brother back, but now Duncan can never hurt anyone again. Because of him, I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to fight against any evil left in the world.”
It was in May 2005 when Duncan was detained for killing the Groene family. He had broken into their home and kidnapped 9-year-old Dylan and 8-year-old Shasta Groene before bludgeoning Mark, Slade, and Brenda to death.
Reports said that he held the children captive for several weeks in a cabin. He molested and killed Dylan before returning Shasta to a Couer d’Alene restaurant.
DNA evidence also linked him to the 1997 murder of 10-year-old Martinez from Beaumont, California.
The young boy was kidnapped and murdered while Duncan was on parole for a rape charge in Washington.
Duncan was also linked to the 1990s murders of two young girls in Seattle.
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Replaced!