Leslie Irvin was born on April 2, 1924, in Evansville, Indiana.

Leslie Irvin's killing spree started on December 2, 1954, in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. His first victim was Mary Holland, who was shot in the head at close range while she was at work. She was pregnant at the time. Irvin's second murder followed on December 23, 1954, when Wesley Kerr was also shot in the head at close range at work. Both murders were believed to be motivated by robbery.

The violence continued on March 21, 1955, when Irvin killed Wilhelmina Sailer, a housewife in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. She was shot in the head in her own home during a burglary. A week later, on March 28, 1955, Irvin committed a series of murders in Henderson County, Kentucky. He killed Goebel Duncan, his son Raymond, and Raymond's wife, Maple Elizabeth. During this attack, Goebel's wife survived but was left permanently blinded. Maple had a two-year-old daughter who was spared during the incident.

Irvin's criminal activities extended beyond these murders. He was found to have confessed to numerous burglaries and robberies during his police interrogation. The investigation into his crimes led to his capture on April 8, 1955, when witnesses recalled seeing his car near the Duncan property just before the murders occurred. The police later discovered weapons and other evidence linking him to the crimes.

Irvin's trial began with much public attention. He was convicted of first-degree murder for the killing of Wesley Kerr and sentenced to death. After escaping from jail in January 1956, he was recaptured in February of the same year when he attempted to pawn stolen rings. Following a lengthy legal process, his initial conviction was reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1961 due to prejudicial publicity, and he was retried. In June 1962, he was found guilty again and sentenced to life in prison.

Irvin spent the rest of his life in Indiana State Prison, where he focused on hand-made leatherwork. He died there on November 9, 1983, from lung cancer at the age of 59.