Bio

Roy Lee Pippin was born on April 30, 1955, in Harris County, Texas. He grew up in a working-class family. Pippin later became a tradesman, running an air conditioning business called Pippin Services in Houston, Texas. He had completed 12 years of education, which provided him with the basic skills to start his business.

In the early 1990s, Pippin became involved in illegal activities linked to drug trafficking. He started a money laundering scheme utilizing his air conditioning business. He allegedly helped transfer and hide drug money that originated from Colombian cocaine sales. 

By December 1993, Pippin's business was connected to a larger Colombian drug ring. As time passed, difficulties arose in managing these illicit operations. In mid-April 1994, Pippin noticed that a large sum of money—approximately $1.8 to $2 million—was missing from his operations. 

He was arrested on June 28, 1994, and went through a lengthy legal process, later being convicted of serious crimes.

Murder Story

Roy Lee Pippin kidnapped Elmer and Fabio Buitrago on April 27, 1994. Pippin suspected them of stealing about $2 million in drug money from his operation. He had them held captive at a motel in Houston for several days. During that time, Pippin and his employees tried to get information from them about the missing money.

Early on May 4, 1994, Pippin, along with an accomplice named Abraham Pacheco, transported the Buitragos to Pippin's warehouse. There, Pippin shot both men multiple times using a pillow to muffle the sound of gunfire. After the shooting, Elmer Buitrago, although critically injured, managed to escape the warehouse. He ran to a nearby apartment complex and shouted for help, identifying Pippin as his attacker to the police.

Elmer was found by a police officer, who was informed that he had been shot by Pippin. He later died from his injuries at the hospital. The body of Fabio Buitrago was discovered in the warehouse the following day.

Roy Pippin was arrested on June 28, 1994. During his trial, he admitted his role in the kidnapping but claimed he was not present during the murders. On September 15, 1995, he was convicted of capital murder for the deaths of Elmer and Fabio Buitrago.

Pippin was sentenced to death. His appeals were denied, and he was executed by lethal injection on March 29, 2007. Before his execution, Pippin maintained his innocence, blaming others in the drug operation for the killings.