David Edwin Mason was born on December 2, 1956, in Statesboro, Georgia. He was the eldest son and the fourth of eight children in the Mason family. His parents, Harris and Margie Mason, were strict fundamentalist Pentecostals. According to his father, David was born after an unwanted pregnancy. Margie had tried to induce a miscarriage by engaging in physical activities like lifting furniture and riding horses. Shortly after David’s birth, the family moved to Oakland, California.

As children, David and his siblings spent much of their time at home or in church. Their parents enforced strict religious practices and were harsh toward their children. They inflicted physical and verbal punishment for what they considered a lack of enthusiasm in religious activities. David and his siblings later recalled the severe discipline they faced, which included being beaten for minor reasons.

By the time he reached school age, David faced relentless bullying from his peers. He struggled with emotional and mental well-being. At just five years old, he attempted suicide by swallowing a large number of tablets. His parents later acknowledged that they frequently beat him. David claimed that his mother physically punished him over a hundred times for small misbehaviors.

As he grew older, David exhibited troubling behavior. At eight years old, his father caught him with a knife in front of his younger brother's crib. This incident led to further punishment. To control David’s outbursts, his parents confined him to his room for long periods, even installing steel bars on his window. David faced further humiliation when his mother forced him to wear soiled underwear on his head after an accident while locked in what he called "the dungeon."

Throughout his childhood, David made several suicide attempts. He expressed his pain through actions that harmed himself and others. He became known as a bully and got into trouble for trying to set fires, including at his school and church. In 1970, after being arrested for petty offenses, he reported his parents' abuse to authorities. A psychiatric evaluation revealed he had an average IQ but showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With permission from his parents, he was sent to a boarding school.

David attempted to escape from the boarding school multiple times. He claimed he had been sexually abused by staff and other students but was repeatedly returned home. In 1973, he was convicted of arson and spent time in a juvenile detention center. After his release, he dropped out of school just before finishing 11th grade and joined the Marine Corps. However, he soon became disinterested in military life. Within four months, he was dismissed from the Marines and returned to live with his parents.

On March 6, 1980, David Mason's first murder occurred when he attacked 73-year-old Joan Picard in her home. After knowing her for years, he threatened her with a weapon and demanded her collection of rare coins and other valuables. When she attempted to activate her alarm, he choked her unconscious. Afterward, he stole her belongings and strangled her to eliminate any witnesses. Her body was discovered two days later.

Mason's second victim was 83-year-old Arthur Jennings, who he killed on August 18, 1980. After entering Jennings' home, Mason strangled him and stole $16 and a ring.

On November 16, 1980, Mason targeted 75-year-old Antoinette Brown in her apartment. He beat her before strangling her with clothing and stole rings and money.

His last murder of an elderly woman occurred on December 6, 1980, when he attacked 72-year-old Dorothy Lang. During this violent encounter, he used a wrench to hit her multiple times before ultimately strangling her and stealing valuable items from her home.

After these murders, Mason was arrested on February 4, 1981, after a series of confessions on a cassette tape began to circulate. He also confessed to the murder of his former lover, Robert Groff, which happened late in 1980. Mason claimed he shot Groff while he slept, following a heated argument.

On May 8, 1982, while awaiting trial, Mason took part in the death of fellow inmate Boyd Wayne Johnson. Mason and another inmate attacked Johnson, ultimately strangling him and trying to disguise the murder as a suicide.

Mason's trial for the five murders began in late 1983. He denied the charges, but despite his claims of alibi, he was found guilty of all five murders in January 1984 and sentenced to death.

Mason was executed by gas chamber on August 24, 1993. He had spent years on death row, during which he expressed remorse for his actions and ultimately chose not to pursue further appeals.