Bio

Charles Arnett Stevens was born in 1969. He grew up in a troubled home in California. His mother struggled with alcohol addiction and was known to be violent. She passed away in 1986 when Charles was about 17 years old. This loss had a significant effect on him. He often spoke about his mother as if she were still alive, which shows how much he might have missed her.

In school, Charles was described as shy and had few friends. He attended Oakland Technical High School, where he was a senior while other students were in their sophomore year. A classmate named Mia Chatman remembered him as a kind but quiet boy. He often wore clothes that did not fit in with the popular styles. This may have contributed to his feelings of embarrassment and social anxiety.

Charles and Mia briefly dated while in school. Mia would invite him to lunch, but he would often decline, not wanting to admit he didn't have money. She recalled him running home quickly after school, suggesting he may have had responsibilities at home.

After high school, not much is known about Stevens' life before he became involved in crime. However, it is clear that the challenges he faced in his early life shaped him in some way. His upbringing, including the loss of his mother and the environment he grew up in, likely contributed to his later actions.

Murder Story

Charles Arnett Stevens was involved in a series of murders in Oakland, California, from April to July in 1989. During this time, he killed four people: Leslie Ann Noyer, Lori Anne Rochon, Laquann Sloan, and Raymond August. The victims were shot at close range with a .357-caliber handgun. Noyer and Sloan were targeted while standing near the streets, while Rochon and August were killed as they drove on the freeway.

In addition to the four confirmed victims, Stevens attempted to kill six other individuals, including Karen Alice Anderson, Janell Lee, Julia Peters, Paul Fenn, Upendra de Silva, and Rodney Stokes. The shootings created a climate of fear in the community. People were worried about driving on the freeways, as the attacks were random and unpredictable.

The killing spree ended when Stevens was arrested on July 27, 1989, after he shot August. Rodney Stokes, a witness, noticed Stevens shooting and followed him, ultimately leading police to his location. When police arrived, they found Stevens in a vehicle with a handgun.

In 1993, Stevens was tried and sentenced to death for the murders he committed. Over the years, he made several appeals regarding his conviction and death sentence, but these were ultimately rejected by the California Supreme Court.

In June 2007, connections were made linking Stevens to another murder that occurred the same year as his spree. This murder was the stabbing of Brenda Belvins, which had gone unsolved until DNA evidence matched Stevens to the crime.