The Shoe Fetish Slayer: 5 Shocking Facts About Jerry Brudos, The Necrophilic Killer Who Stored Trophies In His Freezer

Few names in American true crime history evoke a sense of bizarre horror quite like Jerome Henry "Jerry" Brudos. As of the current date, December 13, 2025, Brudos remains a chilling case study in psychopathology, often referenced in modern true crime podcasts and documentaries, including the recent Netflix series *Monster: The Ed Gein Story*. Brudos was not just a killer; he was a necrophile and a sadist whose unique, disturbing fetish for women's shoes and feet drove a terrifying murder spree in the Salem, Oregon, area during the late 1960s. His crimes were characterized by a meticulous, almost ritualistic obsession that made him one of the most notorious figures in Oregon's criminal history, earning him the terrifying moniker, "The Shoe Fetish Slayer."

The details of his crimes—from the meticulous planning to the horrific acts committed post-mortem—reveal a deep-seated psychosexual pathology rooted in a troubled childhood. Despite dying in prison nearly two decades ago, the psychological profile of the man known as "The Lust Killer" continues to be analyzed by criminal profilers and FBI experts, serving as a stark warning about the dark depths of paraphilia and sexual sadism.

The Complete Biography of Jerome Henry "Jerry" Brudos

Jerome Henry Brudos lived a seemingly normal life as a husband and father while secretly harboring a monstrous double life. His biography is a timeline of escalating deviance that culminated in a series of shocking murders in the Pacific Northwest.

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• Full Name: Jerome Henry Brudos
• Nicknames: The Lust Killer, The Shoe Fetish Slayer
• Born: January 31, 1939, in Webster, South Dakota
• Died: March 28, 2006, at the Oregon State Penitentiary, aged 67 (Cause of Death: Liver Cancer)
• Location of Crimes: Salem and Portland, Oregon
• Timeframe of Murders: Late 1960s (1968–1969)
• Victim Count: Convicted of three murders; confessed to four.
• Key Psychological Diagnoses: Necrophilia, Ephebophilia, Sexual Sadism, Paraphilia
• Conviction: Three consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder (Marion County Court).

The Early Warning Signs: A Childhood of Control and Fetishism

Brudos's dark obsessions began early in his life, deeply influenced by his relationship with his overbearing and emotionally abusive mother.

The foundation for his paraphilia was laid in his youth. He developed an intense and specific obsession with women's high-heeled shoes and feet. This fetish was reportedly linked to a deep-seated need for control, a psychological defense mechanism against the emotional neglect and control exerted by his mother.

As a teenager, his behavior escalated from stealing women's shoes to violent acts. At the age of 17, he was arrested for the attempted rape and abduction of a young woman, a crime that served as a clear precursor to his later, more horrific acts. His early run-ins with the law failed to stop the progression of his dark desires, which eventually led him down the path of serial murder.

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5 Shocking Facts That Define The Shoe Fetish Slayer's Crimes

The case of Jerry Brudos is a study in escalating deviance, showcasing a killer whose entire *modus operandi* was built around a specific, bizarre sexual fetish. The following facts highlight the truly disturbing nature of his crimes and subsequent convictions.

1. His Crimes Were Driven by an Escalating Shoe Fetish

Brudos was not a killer who simply enjoyed the act of murder; he was a fetishist who killed to acquire "trophies" and fulfill a necrophilic fantasy. His primary obsession was women's shoes, particularly high heels.

The first confirmed victim of his 1968–1969 spree was 19-year-old Linda Salee, followed by Jan Susan Whitney, Karen Sprinker, and finally, Linda Slawson. Brudos would specifically target women based on their footwear. After kidnapping and murdering his victims, he would steal their shoes and sometimes their clothing.

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In one of the most disturbing details of the case, Brudos would force his victims' feet into different pairs of shoes, often using those he had stolen or collected, as part of his post-mortem rituals. The shoes were central to his entire criminal pathology.

2. Brudos Used Victims' Bodies for Disturbing Cross-Dressing Fantasies

The term "necrophile" is a key component of Brudos's profile. After the murders, he would transport the bodies to his home, where he lived with his unsuspecting wife and child. He would dress the corpses in various outfits, including women's clothing he had stolen or purchased, and pose them.

This macabre ritual involved taking photographs of his victims dressed in different outfits and shoes, fulfilling a complex combination of necrophilia and cross-dressing fantasies. This need to control and manipulate the deceased was the ultimate expression of the power he craved, which he was unable to achieve in his normal life.

3. He Stored Body Parts and Trophies in His Home Freezer

One of the most shocking discoveries made by investigators was the evidence found inside Brudos's home. He was known to keep grotesque "trophies" from his victims.

Investigators discovered that Brudos had stored human remains—including a severed breast—in the freezer in his garage. He also kept a meticulous collection of personal items, such as the victims' shoes, purses, and articles of clothing, which he used to relive his crimes. This meticulous preservation of evidence was a key part of his compulsion, though it ultimately led to his capture.

4. The Capture Was A Result of Meticulous Police Work and a Close Call

Brudos’s final victim, Linda Slawson, a 25-year-old secretary, was the key to his downfall. In January 1969, Brudos attempted to abduct another woman, but she managed to escape and reported the license plate number of his vehicle.

The Salem Police Department, working with the Oregon State Police, used this information to track down Brudos. The discovery of a missing car battery from his vehicle, which matched one found near a crime scene, provided the initial breakthrough. When confronted, Brudos eventually confessed to the murders of four women, including the one whose first name was Karen, providing chilling details that confirmed the police’s worst fears.

5. His Case is a Cornerstone of Modern Criminal Profiling

Though the crimes occurred decades ago, Jerry Brudos remains a significant figure in the history of criminal profiling. His case, along with those of other sadistic serial killers, helped shape the understanding of paraphilias and their link to violent crime.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong has publicly discussed the Brudos case, highlighting how his deep-seated fetishes—specifically the shoe fetish and necrophilia—provided a clear blueprint for his *modus operandi*. The level of organization, planning, and ritualistic behavior demonstrated by Brudos is a classic example of the "organized serial killer" profile. His case is often studied in forensic psychology to understand the progression from childhood trauma and fetishism to full-blown sexual sadism and murder.

The Final Years: Incarceration and Death

Following his conviction for three counts of first-degree murder, Jerry Brudos was sentenced to three consecutive life terms. He spent the remainder of his life incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Oregon.

During his time in prison, Brudos became a subject of study and discussion for various true crime writers and profilers. He was known to have corresponded with people interested in his case, often providing cryptic or self-serving insights into his motivations.

Jerome Henry Brudos died in prison on March 28, 2006, at the age of 67, due to liver cancer. His death closed the final chapter on one of the most disturbing serial killer cases in Oregon history. Despite his demise, the meticulous horror of "The Shoe Fetish Slayer" continues to be a chilling reminder of the complex and dark relationship between sexual deviance and murder. His legacy persists in true crime media, ensuring that the details of his necrophilic and fetishistic crimes are never forgotten.