The Mad Chopper: 5 Shocking Facts About Lawrence Singleton's Reign Of Terror And Controversial Parole

Few criminals in American history have sparked the level of public outrage and legislative reform as Lawrence Bernard “Larry” Singleton. As of this deep dive in December 2025, his name remains synonymous with two separate acts of extreme violence: the horrific rape and mutilation of a teenage hitchhiker in 1978 and a cold-blooded murder committed years later following a highly controversial parole. The case of Singleton is not just a true crime story; it is a critical study in the failures of the penal system and the enduring strength of his victim, Mary Vincent, who survived his depravity.

The details of Singleton’s crimes, which earned him the chilling moniker "The Mad Chopper," continue to be examined in true crime documentaries and legal reviews, serving as a stark reminder of the potential for recidivism among violent offenders. His case directly influenced criminal justice discussions regarding sentencing, parole board accountability, and the rights of victims. This article delves into the biographical facts, the details of his heinous acts, the national fury over his release, and the subsequent crime that finally sent him to death row.

Lawrence Singleton: A Biographical Profile of a Killer

Lawrence Bernard "Larry" Singleton’s life was bracketed by violence and incarceration, culminating in a death sentence for murder. His history of criminal behavior was extensive even before the crime that made him infamous.

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• Full Name: Lawrence Bernard "Larry" Singleton
• Born: July 28, 1927
• Died: December 28, 2001 (Age 74)
• Place of Birth: Unknown
• Victims: Mary Vincent (1978), Roxanne Hayes (1997)
• Key Crimes: Rape, Kidnapping, Mutilation, First-Degree Murder
• Prior Convictions: He had a history of prior violent felony convictions, including rape and kidnapping, before the Mary Vincent attack.
• Death: Died of natural causes (liver failure) while awaiting execution on Florida's Death Row.

The 1978 Attack on Mary Vincent: The Crime That Shocked a Nation

The crime that cemented Lawrence Singleton’s place in criminal history occurred on September 29, 1978, in Northern California. It was an act of brutality so extreme it seemed to defy comprehension, earning him the nickname "The Mad Chopper."

The Abduction and Mutilation

Mary Vincent, a 15-year-old runaway, was hitchhiking near the San Francisco Bay Area, trying to get to her mother in Los Angeles, when Singleton offered her a ride.

He drove her to a remote area, where he proceeded to rape her repeatedly over two days.

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In a final, monstrous act, Singleton attacked Vincent with an axe, chopping off both of her forearms and leaving her for dead in a drainage ditch.

Despite her horrific injuries, Mary Vincent survived. She managed to crawl naked and bleeding for miles, eventually flagging down a passing motorist who saved her life.

Singleton was quickly apprehended. He had previously served time for rape and kidnapping, a fact that would fuel later controversy. He was convicted and sentenced to 14 years and four months in a California prison.

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The Controversial Parole and Public Outcry

Due to sentencing laws in place at the time of his 1978 conviction, Lawrence Singleton was scheduled for parole in 1987, serving less than 10 years for his monstrous crime. This impending release ignited a firestorm of public and political fury, particularly across California and the nation.

The Political and Social Backlash

• Early Release: Singleton was released from prison in 1987, having served only about eight years. This short sentence for such a vicious crime was a major catalyst for public outcry against California's penal system.
• Community Rejection: No community in California would accept him. Local residents and officials in multiple cities, including Alameda, demanded he be moved, staging protests and threatening violence if he attempted to settle there.
• Legislative Response: The public outcry was so intense that the California state legislature passed a law requiring the state to find a place for Singleton to live, essentially making him a ward of the state.
• Mary Vincent’s Testimony: The victim, Mary Vincent, who had been fitted with prosthetic arms, spoke out powerfully against his release, testifying against him years later during his murder trial, cementing her as a symbol of survival.

Eventually, Singleton was moved to Florida in 1988, where he was released on parole. He was a known, high-profile violent sex offender, yet he was free to walk the streets.

Recidivism: The Murder of Roxanne Hayes

The fears of the public and the warnings of law enforcement proved tragically correct. Lawrence Singleton's freedom was short-lived, and his violent tendencies resurfaced a decade after his controversial parole.

The Final Crime

In May 1997, a decade after his release, Singleton murdered 31-year-old Roxanne Hayes, a prostitute, in his Tampa, Florida home.

He stabbed Hayes to death, wrapped her body in a blanket, and dumped it in a canal.

Singleton was arrested and, unlike his California trial, this time the evidence and his history were overwhelming.

During the murder trial, the prosecution was allowed to present evidence of the Mary Vincent attack, a strategic move that illustrated his pattern of violence. Mary Vincent herself testified, confronting her attacker in court 20 years after the initial crime.

In 1998, a Florida court found Lawrence Singleton guilty of first-degree murder.

Sentencing and Death

The court sentenced Singleton to death for the murder of Roxanne Hayes, citing his prior violent felony convictions for rape and kidnapping as aggravating circumstances.

He was transferred to Florida's Death Row. Lawrence Singleton died on December 28, 2001, from liver failure while awaiting execution. He was 74 years old.

Lawrence Singleton's legacy is a dark one, forever tied to the concept of penal reform. His case remains a pivotal example in discussions about violent crime, mandatory sentencing, and the societal cost of releasing unrepentant, high-risk offenders back into the public.