Book SummaryThe Want-Ad Killer, by Ann Rule

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Want-Ad Killer

Carignan's early life and initial infractions of the law.

Harvey Carignan's trajectory towards crime was heavily shaped by a challenging upbringing marked by early criminal encounters, a past marred by childhood trauma, and a pattern of escalating violence that ultimately led to severe legal repercussions.

Carignan's character, which was characterized by a lack of respect for societal norms, was molded by his chaotic and harmful early life experiences.

Carignan bore the psychological and emotional marks of early sexual abuse, and he grappled with the shame of being born to unwed parents, which led to experiences of rejection.

Harvey Carignan carried the burden of being born out of wedlock from the very beginning of his life. His mother's early exit laid the groundwork for a life characterized by feelings of desertion and an absence of family affection. Various relatives alternated in taking responsibility for him, yet each ultimately concluded that they did not want to provide care. This perpetual rebuff deepened his sense of unworthiness and significantly impeded his psychological development. During his formative years, Carignan was subjected to sexual misconduct by several individuals, an ordeal that had a deep impact on his psychological well-being.

Doctors eventually concluded that his deeply ingrained antisocial behavior, likely developed during his early developmental stages, is marked by a lack of ethical direction and the capacity for empathy, but does not constitute full-blown psychosis. Carignan's background illustrates how early...

The Want-Ad Killer Summary During the 1970s, Carignan committed multiple brutal murders and assaults in different states.

In the 1970s, a wave of brutal murders and assaults instilled fear in the community, as Harvey Carignan committed heinous acts against teenagers and young women in various states.

Carignan preyed upon adolescents and young females across multiple states.

In Washington, Carignan was responsible for the deaths of Kathy Miller and Laura Brock, whereas Kathy Sylvester withstood and lived through his brutal assault.

The vanishing of Laura Leslie Brock, a youthful university attendee, during her attempt to hitch a ride, sowed seeds of dread throughout Washington state, and the subsequent finding of her unclothed remains in a dense forest escalated the horror. Kathy Miller's belongings were found far from the location where she was last seen, cementing the unfortunate reality. The ordeal that Kathy Sylvester endured contributed further proof to the growing body of signs pointing to a series of assaults by the same perpetrator.

Kathy Schultz and Eileen Hunley suffered...

The Want-Ad Killer Summary The path to securing justice was complex, requiring a rebuttal to claims of mental incompetence made by Carignan.

The author explores the intricate path navigated by law enforcement and the judicial system to obtain a conviction in a case where concrete evidence was limited and the defendant's claims of mental instability introduced additional complications.

The scarcity of concrete proof posed considerable obstacles for the police in constructing a case against Carignan.

The prospect of Harvey Carignan evading apprehension was a source of concern for Detectives Duane Homan and Billy Baughman, particularly in light of the absence of tangible evidence to detain him. It was difficult for investigators to establish Carignan's involvement in the crimes as they needed to match unique weapon marks on the victims' broken skulls. The only enduring clue, a tire tread mark found at the scene of the crime, was traced back to a belted-pattern tire manufactured by Atlas. Building a strong case was challenging for the prosecution due to a lack of substantial evidence.

The defense...

The Want-Ad Killer Summary The consequences of Carignan's crimes have profoundly impacted not only the victims but also their families.

Harvey Carignan's atrocious crimes have inflicted profound and diverse consequences on his victims and their families, encompassing bodily injuries, psychological trauma, and an enduring sense of loss.

The individuals who endured the attack experienced profound physical and emotional distress.

Gwen Burton experienced the lasting effects of Carignan's attacks.

Gwen Burton and Jerri Billings carry deep emotional and physical marks as survivors of Carignan's brutal assault. Burton endured severe injuries that mirrored the profound physical torment she experienced. She hastily exited the judicial chamber, visibly shaken, as Carignan addressed the court, showing no signs of regret.

The traumatic events endured by these women have permanently scarred their existence. Burton's injuries sustained during the assaults hindered his ability to continue participating in athletic pursuits, despite his previous active involvement in sports. Billings, who narrowly survived a lethal assault,...

The Want-Ad Killer Summary Carignan's final imprisonment and the fate of his victims

The story leads us through the events that led to the imprisonment of Harvey Carignan and the lasting impact it had on his victims, although the details are not explicitly described.

Carignan was sentenced to life imprisonment for taking the life of Eileen Hunley, and he received an additional sentence that totaled more than one hundred years.

The text suggests that Carignan was subjected to severe punishment but fails to detail the exact nature of his ultimate conviction. Throughout his existence, Carignan constantly faced the possibility of severe imprisonment, including an instance when he was convicted for a vicious sexual assault and an attempted murder, which might have resulted in a sentence of up to fifty years, before he was confronted with another charge. His history with law enforcement was marked by...