Ronald Hinton was born on September 17, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a difficult home. His mother was abusive and often beat him and his siblings with a belt. She believed that her children had been affected by evil. This environment made it hard for Ronald to have a normal childhood. Eventually, his mother left the family, which added to the struggles that Ronald and his siblings faced.

As he grew older, Ronald had many problems. He struggled with drug addiction. His addiction became worse after the death of his son. He also had a daughter before he started committing crimes. Before his involvement in serious criminal acts, Ronald had a long history with the law. He was convicted of robbery several times.

On December 6, 1996, Ronald Hinton entered the apartment of 17-year-old Felicia Mullins in Rogers Park. He assaulted and strangled her to death. After the crime, Mullins' boyfriend found her body hours later and alerted the police. The coroner confirmed that Mullins had died from strangulation.

On August 18, 1998, Hinton, along with Michael Sanders, invaded the apartment of 36-year-old Keary Gagnier. They attacked her in her bedroom. Hinton strangled Gagnier after they had partially stripped and raped her. They stole items from her apartment and discarded them in a nearby trash can. Her body was later discovered, and city workers found her belongings in the trash.

On February 13, 1999, Hinton, Sanders, and David Wales broke into the apartment of 31-year-old Merceda Ares. They raped her before Hinton strangled her to death. The trio took her belongings, including her bank card, which they used at an ATM. They were captured on surveillance cameras, leading Hinton's daughter to recognize him and report his involvement. DNA evidence linked Hinton and Sanders to the previous murders as well.

Hinton was charged with all three murders and took a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, receiving three life sentences without parole. He is incarcerated at Hill Correctional Center.