Bio

Jeffery Ray Williams was born on June 30, 1961, in Coos County, Oregon. He grew up in a rural environment, typical of many families in that area. Details about his early childhood and family life are limited.

As a teenager, Williams faced challenges that are often common in youth, but specific events from his teenage years are not widely documented. He likely attended local schools in the Coos County area. By the time he reached adulthood, he began to live a life that would later lead him to serious criminal activity.

Williams became involved in various activities, including hitchhiking, which may have played a role in his later crimes. He formed connections with individuals who would be part of his life, including David Lynn Simonsen, who would later be implicated in his criminal activities.

Williams’s life before the crimes he committed is not extensively recorded, making it difficult to trace the exact path that led him to become a convicted murderer.

Murder Story

On September 1, 1988, two German tourists named Unna Tuxen and Kathrin Reith were murdered in Coos County, Oregon. They were hitchhiking along the West Coast and were last seen seeking a ride. Ten days later, on September 3, their bodies were discovered in a remote area near Coquille.

The investigation revealed that both women had been shot in the head at close range with a shotgun. Their bodies were found nude from the waist down and tied together at the wrists. Police collected substantial physical evidence at the crime scene, including tire tracks from a small car.

As the investigation continued, it became clear that the victims were from West Germany. Witnesses reported hearing a man named Jeffery Ray Williams talking about being involved in the murders. These witnesses came forward about a week after the bodies were found.

On September 11, 1988, law enforcement arrested Jeffery Ray Williams. He, along with an accomplice named David Lynn Simonsen, was charged with aggravated murder. Williams was later identified as the dominant partner in the crime. Witnesses described Simonsen as his follower.

On May 16, 1989, both men were found guilty and sentenced to death for their roles in the murders.