Dana Sue Gray was born Dana Sue Armbrust on December 6, 1957, in California. She was the daughter of Beverly and Russell Armbrust. Her father worked as a hairdresser and had been married three times before he married Beverly, who was a former beauty queen and MGM starlet. Dana's parents faced several hardships, including multiple miscarriages, before she was born. Their marriage ended when Dana was just two years old, leading to limited contact between her and her father.

As a child, Dana struggled for attention, especially after her parents' divorce. She often acted out, stealing money to buy candy and showing signs of aggression. In school, Dana had difficulties getting along with classmates and did poorly in her studies. She was frequently suspended for forging notes to avoid classes.

When Dana turned 14, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Watching nurses care for her mother inspired Dana to want to become a nurse. After her mother passed away in 1975, Dana moved in with her father but left shortly after when her stepmother discovered drugs in her room. In her late teens, Dana began a relationship with a skydiving instructor. This relationship led to two pregnancies, both of which her partner urged her to terminate. Dana later experienced several miscarriages, which contributed to her struggles with depression and led her to seek psychotropic medications.

Dana graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1976. After high school, she continued to live with her skydiving instructor, who supported her nursing education. She became skilled in skydiving and graduated from nursing school in 1981. Dana had an on-again, off-again relationship with a windsurfer named Chris Dodson, during which they enjoyed windsurfing and golfing together.

In October 1987, Dana married Tom Gray, an old school acquaintance who shared her love for sports. Shortly after their marriage, Dana began to accumulate debt, which strained their relationship. At this time, she had limited contact with her family due to a dispute over her aunt's will. Dana worked as a labor and delivery nurse but was fired from her job in November 1993 for stealing drugs. In early 1993, she left her husband and moved in with a friend, Jim Wilkins.

On February 16, 1994, the body of Norma Davis, an 86-year-old woman, was discovered in her home. She had been dead for two days. A wood-handled utility knife was found sticking out of her neck, and a fillet knife was in her chest. There were no signs of forced entry into the house, and Norma had a $148 Social Security check that was not taken. A bloodstain was found on an armchair, and a ripped phone cord was also present.

Twelve days later, on February 28, 1994, 66-year-old June Roberts was killed in her home. She had allowed a visitor, Dana Gray, to enter, believing Gray wanted to borrow a book. While Roberts searched for the book, Gray unplugged the phone and strangled Roberts with the cord. After killing her, Gray stole some credit cards and went shopping at a local mall, where she used the stolen cards.

On March 16, 1994, Gray attacked 87-year-old Dora Beebe after asking her for directions. Beebe welcomed Gray into her home and was subsequently killed just moments after returning from a doctor's appointment. Gray used Beebe's credit card shortly after the murder to buy items at various stores.

Between these murders, on March 10, 1994, Gray attacked Dorinda Hawkins at an antique store where Hawkins worked alone. Hawkins was able to survive the attack, although Gray stole some cash during the incident and subsequently went shopping using the credit card from another victim.

The series of killings caused significant alarm among residents in the gated community of Canyon Lake. Fearful of their safety, many moved in with family or banded together for security until the case was resolved. The investigation faced many challenges, with detectives exploring different leads before identifying Gray as a suspect.

Detective Joseph Greco discovered evidence linking Dana Gray to the murders and obtained a search warrant for her home. The investigation revealed that Dana Gray used her victims' credit cards, which helped law enforcement build a case against her. At the time of her arrest, Gray denied having committed the murders and claimed she had simply found the credit cards.

Eventually, she was charged with the murders and other crimes. Following her arrest, Gray pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, avoiding the death penalty but receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.