Bio

Robert Rimmer was born on December 26, 1967. He grew up in a suburban area in Florida. He reported having issues with mental health later in life, which included a diagnosed schizophrenia.

Rimmer's family background is not extensively documented. He had a troubled adolescence, which may have contributed to the problems he faced as an adult. He had a history of difficulty in forming stable relationships and maintaining steady employment.

As a young adult, Rimmer struggled with his life choices. He became involved in petty crimes, which led to further issues with the law. His life took a serious turn as he entered into more serious criminal activities.

He eventually settled in Broward County, Florida, where he was living at the time of his criminal actions in 1998. Rimmer's life before the crimes was marked by instability and challenges that eventually culminated in his arrest and sentencing.

Murder Story

On May 2, 1998, Robert Rimmer and Kevin Parker entered the Audio Logic store in Wilton Manors, Florida. They were armed and ordered the employees, Bradley Krause and Aaron Knight, to lie face down on the floor. The employees' hands were bound with tape. Rimmer carried a .380 caliber semi-automatic firearm. Some customers were present, including Joe Moore, who was stopped from leaving the store, and Louis Rosario, who was outside smoking. They were also ordered into the installation bay and had their hands bound.

Kimberly Davis Burke was in the waiting area with her daughter when she noticed two cars pull into the parking lot. Parker entered the store, while Rimmer followed and told her that Moore was looking for her. Burke went into the installation bay and saw the situation unfold. She sat on the ground with her daughter as Rimmer and Parker loaded stereo equipment into one of the cars.

Rimmer asked Knight for the cash register keys and whether anyone owned a weapon. Knight revealed he had a firearm in the desk, which Rimmer took. Rimmer then asked if there were any surveillance cameras, and the employees said there were not. After loading the equipment, Rimmer ordered Burke to move away.

Rimmer drove the Ford Probe partially out of the bay and returned to talk to Knight. He claimed Knight knew him, but Knight said he did not. Rimmer shot Knight in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Moore attempted to get up, but Rimmer ordered him back down. Rimmer then shot Krause in the back of the head. Krause died later at the hospital. Rimmer thanked the others for their cooperation and told them to "have a nice day."

On May 4, Burke helped police create a sketch of the shooter. This sketch was shared with Audio Logic store owners. John Ercolano, an owner of another store, recognized Rimmer from the sketch. Rimmer had previously visited Ercolano's store for stereo repairs. Burke and Moore later identified Rimmer in a photo lineup and a live lineup.

On May 10, after leading police on a high-speed chase, Rimmer was arrested. During the chase, he discarded items from his car, including Moore's wallet and the firearm used in the murders. Rimmer's wife arrived at their home driving the Ford Probe used during the crime.

Police impounded the vehicles linked to the robberies and high-speed chase. In Rimmer's Oldsmobile, they found a leasing agreement for a storage unit rented shortly after the murders. When they searched the unit, they discovered the stolen stereo equipment, with fingerprints linking Rimmer and Parker to the crime.

Rimmer's defense claimed he was not at the scene and that he needed glasses, which the shooter did not wear. A psychologist testified that Rimmer had a schizophrenia disorder.

Kevin Parker, Rimmer's accomplice, was arrested on May 12, 1998, and they were both tried on multiple charges, including First-Degree Murder. Rimmer was found guilty of all counts on January 28, 1999. On March 19, 1999, he was sentenced to death for the murders of Krause and Knight. Rimmer appealed to higher courts, but his convictions were upheld. His legal issues continued with various motions following his conviction.