Bio

James Van Adams was born on January 30, 1964. He grew up in a typical American family. Details about his early childhood are not well documented, but he was raised in the United States. As he got older, Adams showed signs of troubled behavior.

In his adult life, Adams faced legal issues. He was accused of crimes related to sexual assault. In California, he was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape. This led to prison time for Adams. He later moved to Arizona, where his life would take a much darker turn.

Adams struggled to maintain stable relationships and employment. He had a history of interactions with women that raised concerns. People who encountered him noted that he often made them feel uneasy. Adams was known to visit model homes, pretending to be interested in buying property. During these visits, he would try to engage sales agents in ways that made them uncomfortable.

He became a registered sex offender after his conviction in California. This label should have alerted those around him to his dangerous past. However, he was able to continue his life in Arizona, where he eventually committed a serious crime. He was reportedly living in the Phoenix area when he was involved in a high-profile case that would lead to his arrest and conviction.

James Van Adams's life before the crimes he committed was marked by his troubled history and legal issues. He had a pattern of behavior that foreshadowed the violent actions he would later take.

Murder Story

On February 9, 1996, James Van Adams went to a model home in Maricopa County, Arizona. He was with 22-year-old Michelle Lee Anglin, who was a real estate salesperson. During their visit, Adams attacked her in an upstairs bedroom. He choked her while tearing off her clothing and attempted to sexually assault her.

While struggling for her life, Anglin fought back. The struggle led to damage in the bedroom, and buttons from her blouse were found later in the closet. Despite her efforts, Anglin was killed by asphyxiation. When she did not return home, her family grew worried. They could not reach her by pager and called the police for a welfare check. Officers found her body hidden under the bed in the master bedroom.

Adams was arrested and faced several charges related to the crime. He was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, and second-degree burglary. The trial began on July 1, 1997, and the jury reached a verdict on July 14, 1997. Adams was sentenced to death on November 21, 1997.

Over the years, there were legal proceedings regarding his execution. On July 8, 2004, a stay of execution was issued by the US District Court. This meant that the planned execution was delayed. After years on death row, Adams committed suicide in prison on March 15, 2010.