Bio

Alberto Serrano was born in 1967 in Puerto Rico. He grew up in a typical family setting but faced challenges throughout his childhood. Details about his early life are limited, but it is known that he later moved to the United States, where he lived in Martin County, Florida.

As he grew up, Serrano worked various jobs, including as a carpenter and roofer. He struggled with issues related to mental health and had been hospitalized multiple times for psychiatric problems. Friends and family described him as someone who had a violent history, marked by instances of aggression and trouble with the law.

Serrano had been married twice and had an eight-year-old daughter from his second marriage. His relationships often faced difficulties, particularly due to his mental health issues and behavioral problems. Reports indicate that he sometimes stopped taking his psychiatric medication, which contributed to his struggles.

In the years leading up to 2001, Serrano had a number of run-ins with the law, including arrests for driving under the influence and other minor offenses. He was known to have aggressive tendencies, and friends recounted incidents where they felt endangered by his actions.

As his mental health declined further, he became more detached from reality, experiencing delusions and hearing voices that told him to engage in violent acts. This battle with his mental illness ultimately led to his involuntary commitment to mental health facilities in Florida.

Murder Story

On April 10, 2001, Alberto Serrano, a psychiatric patient, committed a violent act at Savannas Hospital in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Early that morning, while being checked into the hospital, Serrano attacked several people. He began by assaulting Alda Ellington, a nurse, beating her to death with his fists. Following this, he moved on to attack elderly patients in their rooms. Three of these patients, Jack Dexter, Truman Davidson, and Everett Stoneking, were severely injured and later died as a result of their injuries.

After Serrano completed his violent rampage, he left Ellington in a pool of blood. Paramedics arrived but could not save her. Serrano’s actions went unnoticed until staff members discovered the victims, some lying in their beds with injuries that would only be revealed later through autopsy. Serrano managed to escape from the locked treatment area for a brief time before he was apprehended by police.

When law enforcement arrived, they found Serrano sitting calmly outside the hospital. He appeared to have washed himself in a nearby pond. Serrano reportedly expressed confusion about the incident and his hands showed signs of injury. Following the event, it was determined that he had inflicted severe harm on all of his victims.

Serrano was arrested the same day and faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder. Throughout the process, he claimed that he attacked the victims because he thought they looked like animals and monsters, believing he had to defend himself.

Due to his mental health status, he was evaluated and later found not guilty by reason of insanity. On June 11, 2002, he was committed to a state mental hospital for treatment. The incident drew significant media attention for its shocking nature and the number of victims involved.