5 Shocking True Crime Cases in Nebraska That Will Leave You Speechless

Nebraska may be known for its rolling plains and friendly locals, but the state has also been the site of some chilling true crime cases. From brutal murders to organized crime, Nebraska has seen it all. Here are 5 of the most shocking true crime cases in the state’s history.

1. The Starkweather-Fugate Killing Spree In the late 1950s, Charles Starkweather and his teenage girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate went on a killing spree that left 11 people dead in Nebraska and Wyoming. Their reign of terror ended when they were finally caught in Wyoming. Starkweather was executed and Fugate was sentenced to life in prison.
2. The Murders of Thomas Hunter and Shirlee Sherman In 2008, 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and 57-year-old Shirlee Sherman were found murdered in a home in Omaha. The killer, who had used a knife to commit the murders, was eventually identified as 19-year-old Kyle D. Stewart. He was sentenced to life in prison.
3. The Massacre at the Von Maur Department Store In 2007, a gunman walked into the Von Maur department store in Omaha and opened fire, killing 8 people and injuring 4 others before taking his own life. The killer was identified as Robert A. Hawkins, a troubled teenager who had a history of mental health issues.
4. The Murder of Brandon Teena In 1993, Brandon Teena, a transgender man, was raped and murdered in Humboldt, Nebraska by two men who discovered he was transgender. The case gained national attention and was later the subject of the film “Boys Don’t Cry.” The two men were sentenced to life in prison.
5. The Omaha Race Riot of 1919 The Omaha Race Riot of 1919 was a violent confrontation between white residents and black residents in Omaha. The riot began after a black man named Will Brown was accused of raping a white woman. Brown was lynched and his body was burned in the street. The riot resulted in the deaths of two white men and two black men.

These five cases represent just a small sampling of the true crime history of Nebraska. While the state may be a peaceful place on the surface, these stories serve as a reminder that darkness can lurk just beneath the surface.