On December 15, 1996, Baltimore police discovered the body of twenty-three-year-old Kimberly Spicer buried under a trailer on the property of a pallet factory in the city’s southwest side. Later that day, police arrested Joseph Methainy, a man who lived and worked at the factory where Spicer’s body was discovered. It didn’t take long for police to solidly connect Methainy to the murders of two additional Baltimore women as well. In his wild confessions he claimed massive victim numbers and even cannibalism.

Thanks to Dave White for research assistance!

References

Associated Press. 1997. "Man's trial in slaying of 2 women is postponed; change of venue sought." Baltimore Sun, July 8: 4B.

—. 1996. "Accused killer called fun-loving." Daily Times, December 20: 2.

—. 1997. "Mount Airy scientits finds where the bones are buried." Star-Democrat, February 5: 13.

—. 1998. "Officials: Methainy attempted suicide ." Star-Democrat, March 24: 6.

—. 1996. "'Practical joker' held in 3 slayings." The Capital, December 20: 14.

—. 1997. "Suspected serial killer indicted." The Daily Times, January 29: 2.

Hermann, Peter. 1996. "Suspect charged in 2 more slayings." Baltimore Sun, December 19: 25.

—. 1996. "Suspect gives police details of 4 slayings." Baltimore Sun, December 21: 1A.

—. 1996. "Suspect in slaying says he killed 2 others Police searches yield." Baltimore Sun, December 18.

Higham, Scott. 1998. "Methainy found guilty of killing woman." Baltimore Sun, May 15: 8B.

Hopper, Dale. 1997. "Murder suspect convicted of kidnapping, assault." Star-Democrat, November 18: 3.

Investigation Discovery. 2016. Serial killer Joe 'The Cannibal' Methainy, served human burgers at his BBQ stand, dead in cell. December 19. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/serial-killer/joe-the-cannibal-Methainy-the-serial-killer-with-a-penchant-for-human-flesh-burgers.

Irwin, Richard. 1996. "2 men charged in woman's stabbing death." Baltimore Sun, December 16: 2B.

Jacobson, Joan. 2000. "Court voids death verdict." Baltimore Sun, July 25: 11.

—. 1998. "Killer given death penalty." Baltimore Sun, November 14: 1.

—. 1998. "Methainy sentencing testimony begins." Baltimore Sun, November 10: 27.

James, Michael. 1997. "As police sift claims, families seek solace." Baltimore Sun, January 13: 1.

Methainy v. State of Maryland. 2000. 149 (Court of Appeals of Maryland, July 24).

Pekkanen, Sarah. 1998. "Suspect's confession to killing played in court." Baltimore Sun, May 1: 1B.

Penn, Ivan. 1997. "Slaying suspect on trial in attempted murder." Baltimore Sun, November 6: 11B.

—. 1997. "Woman describes night of attack." Baltimore Sun, November 7: 7B.

Prudente, Tim. 2017. "Convicted murderer dead in his cell." Baltimore Sun, August 8: A2.

Shatzkin, Kate. 1997. "Death penalty to be sought in slayings of 2." Baltimore Sun, March 21.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.