Who Is Jerry Brudos? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on January 31, 1939, Jerry Brudos was an American serial killer who gained infamy in the late 1960s. His criminal activities left a lasting mark on American crime history. As of 2025, Brudos would have been 86 years old if he were still alive. His life is a compelling mix of dark psychology and criminal behavior, which continues to fascinate those interested in criminal phenomena.
| Occupation | Serial Killers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 31, 1939 |
| Age | 67 Years |
| Birth Place | Webster, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 28 March, 2006 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Jerry Brudos's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although Jerry Brudos was known more for his grotesque actions than for his physical attributes, he stood at an average height of around 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). His weight fluctuated during his life, but post-mortem records suggest he was likely in the range of 180-200 pounds (81-91 kg) during his time of arrest. Body statistics are not commonly discussed in the context of his crimes; however, his physical appearance and mannerisms are often described in the psychological evaluations conducted during his trial.
Brudos then bound Sprinker's hands behind her back before placing a rope around her neck. He then asked her if the rope was too tight; Sprinker replied that it was. In response, he threw the rope over a ceiling beam and pulled, causing Sprinker to be winched from the ground, whereupon she "kicked a little and died".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Jerry Brudos had a complicated family life. He was married to a woman named Joann, and together they had two children. Reports indicate that his marriage was troubled due to his behavioral issues and criminal inclinations. His relationships, particularly his marriage, were significantly affected by his psychological struggles and criminal behavior. In 2025, discussions of his relationships focus largely on understanding the impacts of his actions on his family rather than any romantic endeavors.
His mother had wanted her second child to be a girl and was very displeased that she gave birth to another son; she would frequently emotionally abuse and belittle her younger son, making no secret of the fact to Brudos she had wanted a daughter as opposed to another son. By contrast, Brudos's mother doted on her older son, James.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2006, Jerry Brudos was not known to have acquired significant wealth. Most of his life was consumed by the crimes for which he was infamously recognized. In 2025, discussions around his net worth are non-existent in a conventional sense, as his notoriety did not yield any legitimate income streams. Instead, he became a subject of fascination in criminal studies, documentaries, and true crime content across various platforms.
On September 30, 1961, Brudos and Schwinler — one month pregnant at the time — married. The newlyweds initially resided in Portland, Oregon, before relocating to a small house in a suburb of Salem in the summer of 1968. Their marriage ultimately produced two children: a daughter, Theresa (b.1962) and a son, Brian (b. 1967).
To supplement the family income, Brudos occasionally repaired vehicles in the family garage.
Career, Business and Investments
Jerry Brudos did not have a conventional career path due to his criminal activity. His "work" included the heinous crimes he committed, leading to his life sentence in prison. While he was described as having skillful hands — largely due to his fascination with women’s footwear and his background in electronics — these skills were tragically misdirected towards his criminal enterprises. Any form of business or investment was overshadowed by his criminal activities, leaving a legacy that is predominantly about serial murder rather than entrepreneurship.
Salee was a 22-year-old removal firm secretary and part-time Portland State University student from Beaverton, Oregon, whom Brudos abducted from the grounds of the Lloyd Center shopping mall late in the afternoon of April 23, 1969.
Salee had purchased a pair of slacks and a watchband as birthday gifts for her fiancé from the mall and was returning to her vehicle when approached by Brudos, who deceived her into believing he was a police officer by displaying a fake police badge and informing her she was being arrested for shoplifting.
Although Salee protested her innocence, she agreed to accompany Brudos to his vehicle, where she was informed she was being kidnapped for ransom.
Social Network
In the context of social media and public perception in 2025, Jerry Brudos remains a figure of historical significance. Various true crime enthusiasts and historians discuss his life through platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit, focusing on the psychological aspects of his crimes. There are numerous fan pages and discussion forums where people share insights about his life and the societal impacts of his actions.
All of Brudos's murders were committed inside either his car or the basement or garage workshop of the two homes in which he resided during the period he committed his murders. Each victim was killed by strangulation; several victims were photographed before and/or after death, and three of his victims underwent post-mortem dismemberment.
Brudos is known to have engaged in acts of necrophilia with his victims' bodies and to have retained selective body parts—invariably the severed breasts or feet—of three of his victims to both demonstrate his domination and to satiate his sexual fetish for women's feet, lingerie, and shoes.
Education
Jerry Brudos's educational background was marked by instability. He attended high school but exhibited behavioral issues that plagued his academic career. His education did not extend to a formal degree, as his life spiraled into criminality during his formative years. Discussions in 2025 often contextualize his lack of education within the framework of understanding criminal behavior and the direction it can take in the absence of positive influences.
Brudos was an unremarkable and sickly child with few friends and who frequently complained of throat pains and migraines; he typically achieved average grades as opposed to his academically achieving and popular brother. At high school, Brudos remained an unremarkable individual to his peers and teachers alike.
He seldom engaged in extracurricular activities, although he is known to have been the secretary-treasurer of a youth club in his early teens.
