Edward Spreitzer was born in 1961 and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Little is publicly known about his upbringing, but by the early 1980s, he had fallen under the influence of Robin Gecht—a man who would become the ringleader of one of the most sadistic killing sprees in Illinois history. Gecht was older, charismatic, and manipulative, and Spreitzer was often described as a follower who lacked maturity and independent thought.

By the time he became entangled with Gecht and the Kokoraleis brothers, Spreitzer was in his early twenties. He was unemployed and reportedly struggling with identity and self-worth. In court, his defense painted a picture of a simple, impressionable man who would "do almost anything" to gain approval—traits that allegedly made him susceptible to the twisted cult-like control Gecht exerted over the group.

Despite this portrayal of weakness, what Spreitzer ultimately confessed to painted a horrifying picture: a man who was not only willing to follow but also participate in some of the most depraved acts ever uncovered in the state. His chilling confessions revealed a level of involvement that would earn him a death sentence—though that sentence would later be commuted.

Edward Spreitzer was a central figure in the infamous "Chicago Rippers" or "Ripper Crew"—a sadistic, satanic-style cult made up of four men: Robin Gecht, Edward Spreitzer, and brothers Andrew and Thomas Kokoraleis. Between 1981 and 1982, the group was believed to be responsible for the abduction, sexual torture, mutilation, and murder of as many as 17 women in the Chicago area.

Their reign of terror began on May 23, 1981, with the kidnapping of Linda Sutton. Her body, found ten days later, had her left breast amputated—a signature that would appear in several of the group’s later crimes. The violence resumed nearly a year later when they abducted and killed Lorraine Borowski on May 15, 1982. More attacks followed in horrifying succession: Shui Mak on May 29, Angel York (who survived), Sandra Delaware on August 28, and Rose Davis on September 8. Many of these women were raped, stabbed, or strangled—and all showed signs of brutal mutilation.

On October 6, 1982, Spreitzer was involved in the gang’s only male-targeted attack—a random drive-by shooting of Rafael Tirado and Alberto Rosario. Tirado died, while Rosario survived. That same day, Robin Gecht attacked Beverley Washington, who survived and provided crucial details that helped police track down the suspects.

Spreitzer was arrested on November 7, 1982, and quickly confessed to several of the murders. He admitted to his role in the killings of Shui Mak, Sandra Delaware, Rose Davis, and Rafael Tirado, and described in detail how the group lured, assaulted, and mutilated the victims. His confession shocked even hardened investigators.

In 1984, Spreitzer pleaded guilty to four murders and several counts of rape, deviate sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life without parole. Two years later, in 1986, he went to trial for the murder of Linda Sutton. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Prosecutors called him “every woman’s nightmare” and emphasized the cowardly nature of the group, who hunted women in packs.

During the sentencing phase, his defense claimed he was immature and blindly followed Gecht, who acted as the dominant leader. But the prosecution’s narrative of predatory brutality ultimately prevailed. Spreitzer was placed on death row.

However, in 2003, a sweeping action by Illinois Governor George H. Ryan commuted all death sentences in the state. Spreitzer’s sentence was changed to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He remains incarcerated to this day.