Bio

Marcellus Williams was born on December 30, 1968. He grew up in St. Louis City, Missouri. Not much is known about his early childhood and family life. However, it is reported that his upbringing may have been challenging, characterized by some family issues.

As a teenager, Williams faced difficulties. He had some interactions with the law in his youth. These early troubles could have contributed to the path he took later in life.

By the time he reached adulthood, he had developed a criminal record. This record included charges related to robbery and other offenses. These experiences shaped his life and directed him toward a life of crime.

Marcellus Williams was involved in several criminal activities leading up to the events that would define his later years. His life before his arrest was marked by instability and criminal behavior.

Murder Story

On August 11, 1998, Marcellus Williams committed a violent crime in University City, Missouri. He drove his grandfather's car to a bus stop and took a bus to the area where he began looking for a house to rob. He found the home of Felicia Gayle. When no one answered his knock at the door, he broke a window, unlocked the door, and entered the house.

Inside, Williams went to the second floor and heard water running in the shower. After realizing that Gayle was home, he retrieved a large butcher knife from the kitchen and waited for her to come downstairs. When Gayle exited the shower and called out, Williams attacked her. He stabbed her forty-three times, delivering seven fatal wounds.

After the attack, Williams cleaned himself up in an upstairs bathroom. He changed his clothes and took Gayle's purse, along with her husband's laptop computer. He concealed the blood on his shirt by putting on a jacket. Williams then left the house and caught a bus back to his car.

Upon returning, he met with his girlfriend, Laura Asaro. She noticed his jacket was unusual for the hot weather, and when he took it off, she saw blood on his shirt and scratches on his neck. Williams claimed he had been involved in a fight. Later, he discarded his bloody clothes in a sewer drain and sold the laptop to someone named Glenn Roberts.

A day later, Asaro found Gayle's purse in the trunk of the car. When she confronted Williams about it, he admitted it belonged to a woman he had killed. He provided details about how he had waited for Gayle to come out of the shower before attacking her. Following this, he threatened Asaro with harm if she spoke about what he had told her.

On August 31, 1998, Williams was arrested for unrelated charges and was held at the St. Louis City workhouse. While there, he shared a room with another inmate, Henry Cole. Watching a news report on Gayle's murder one evening, he confessed to Cole, providing a detailed account of the crime. After serving his time, Cole reported Williams' confession to the police.

In November 1999, police interviewed Laura Asaro, who confirmed Williams' confession about Gayle's murder. Subsequently, police found Gayle's belongings in Williams' car. The laptop was identified as belonging to Gayle. Williams was tried and convicted for the murder and other related charges.

Williams received a death sentence for the murder, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Missouri. He faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder, burglary, and robbery. His trial revealed he had a violent history, further influencing the jury's decision for the death penalty.