Robert Dale Henderson was born on March 14, 1945, in Missouri. Details about his early life are sparse, but by the early 1980s, he was known as a drifter with a criminal record that included theft and burglary. Henderson's transient lifestyle took him across various states, and he often found himself in trouble with the law.

In January 1982, Henderson embarked on a violent spree that would span several states and result in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, which included both acquaintances and strangers.

Between January 14 and February 4, 1982, Henderson committed a series of murders across multiple states, including Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana. His victims ranged from family members to hitchhikers and random individuals he encountered during his travels

One notable incident occurred on January 25, 1982, when Henderson fatally shot Dr. Murray Ferderber at his mobile home in Florida. This murder was part of a broader pattern of violence that characterized Henderson's spree.

Henderson's killing spree came to an end when he surrendered to authorities on February 6, 1982. He was subsequently convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.

On April 21, 1993, after spending over a decade on death row, Henderson was executed by electrocution at Florida State Prison in Raiford. He was pronounced dead at 7:10 a.m.