Charlene Adell Gallego, born Charlene Adell Williams, came into the world on October 10, 1956, in Stockton, California. She grew up as a smart and shy child from a supportive family. Her father was well-known in the community as the vice president of a supermarket chain. Because of his job, her parents traveled often. After a serious car accident left her mother injured, Charlene took on her mother’s responsibilities and began accompanying her father on business trips. During these trips, she was often praised by his clients for being articulate and educated.

As she grew older, Charlene's life began to change. In her early adult years, she started using drugs and alcohol. At work, her flirtatious behavior led to negative views among her male co-workers, and she earned a reputation that affected her relationships. Charlene first married a wealthy young man who struggled with heroin addiction. Their marriage suffered due to his drug problems and her parents' involvement in their lives, which led to their divorce.

Charlene's next marriage was to a soldier whom she described as a "mother's boy." However, she grew bored of him, and they separated. Her personal life continued to be tumultuous. After a failed relationship with a married man, Charlene attempted suicide but survived.

Charlene's life took another turn when she met Gerald. They met on September 10, 1977, at a poker club in Sacramento. Just days after their first meeting, she moved in with him.

Charlene Adell Gallego and her partner, Gerald Gallego, were responsible for the abduction and murder of several young victims between 1978 and 1980 in various locations in the United States.

Their first known victim was 16-year-old Sandra Kaye Butler, who disappeared on June 26, 1978, in Sparks, Nevada. She was last seen biking to a rodeo. Sandra was believed to be a runaway at the time, so the police conducted little investigation. It was later believed that the Gallegos were involved in her disappearance, although they were never charged in her case.

On September 10, 1978, Charlene and Gerald kidnapped two teenagers, Kippi Vaught and Rhonda Scheffler, from a mall in Sacramento, California. Gerald threatened the girls with a firearm and assaulted them throughout the night. The following day, he murdered them and disposed of their bodies in Sloughhouse, California.

A year later, on June 24, 1979, they abducted 14-year-old Brenda Judd and 13-year-old Sandra Colley from the Washoe County Fair. The girls were lured into the couple's van with a false promise of work. Gerald assaulted them and later killed them in a remote area, hiding their bodies in a grave.

On April 24, 1980, they targeted two more teenagers, 17-year-olds Stacy Ann Redican and Karen Chipman-Twiggs. After kidnapping them, Gerald assaulted the girls and later murdered them. Their remains were discovered later that year in shallow graves.

Gerald and Charlene continued their crime spree when they abducted 21-year-old Linda Teresa Aguilar on June 6, 1980, in Oregon. She was killed and buried in a shallow grave. Shortly after, on July 17, 1980, they abducted 31-year-old Virginia Mochel, a bartender they knew. Gerald assaulted and strangled her, and her remains were found months later.

Their last known victims were 22-year-old Craig Miller and his fiancée, 21-year-old Mary Elizabeth Sowers, who were abducted on November 1, 1980. Gerald shot Craig in front of Mary and later killed her as well. They were discovered due to a witness who reported the abduction.

Charlene and Gerald were eventually caught after the friend reported the license plate of their car. They were arrested on November 17, 1980. After their capture, Charlene eventually testified against Gerald in exchange for a reduced sentence. Gerald was sentenced to death for his crimes, while Charlene served a shorter sentence and was released in 1997.