Edward Thomas James was born on August 4, 1961, in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a household where he was led to believe that his last name was Matlack. This belief changed when he was 10 years old, and he discovered that the man raising him was his stepfather. At the age of 11, Edward met his biological father and went to live with him. This was a significant change in his life. His biological father, who was a drug counselor, introduced Edward to drugs.

During his mid-teens, Edward returned to live with his mother in Casselberry, Florida. His life at this time was filled with fighting and drug use. He often reported having blackouts. Concerned about her son, his mother sought help from a mental health counselor, but Edward's struggles with violence and anger did not improve.

Edward left high school during his junior year. He made the choice to join the U.S. Army at the age of 17. After enlisting, he was stationed in Germany but faced issues that led to his discharge for "failure to conform." Following his time in the Army, he returned to Casselberry.

In Casselberry, Edward became friends with a man named Tim Dick. He became part of Tim's extended family. During the summer of 1993, Edward rented a room from Tim's mother, Betty.

On September 20, 1993, Edward Thomas James returned home after attending a party. He saw Betty Dick's four grandchildren sleeping in the living room. He approached 8-year-old Toni Neuner and grabbed her by the neck. He strangled her until she lost consciousness. Believing she was dead, he took her to his bedroom. There, he raped her and then placed her body between his bed and the wall. Toni later died from strangulation.

James then moved to Betty Dick's bedroom. He hit her in the head with a candlestick and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife. Dick's screams alerted Wendi, Toni's 9-year-old sister, who came to the bedroom. James tied Wendi up and placed her in the bathroom. He then returned to Dick's room with a butcher knife, stabbing her in the back. After showering and taking jewelry from the room, James fled in Dick's car.

James was captured after he was featured on the television show "America's Most Wanted." Viewers provided tips that helped authorities locate him. He was arrested on October 6, 1993. While in police custody, he provided two taped statements regarding the events.

On April 5, 1995, James pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and several other charges, including aggravated child abuse and attempted sexual battery. On August 18, 1995, he was sentenced to death for the murders of Toni Neuner and Betty Dick. He received additional sentences ranging from 15 years to life for the other charges. Currently, James is incarcerated at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida.