Bio

Syvasky Lafayette Poyner was born on April 07, 1956 in Newport News, Virginia. In 1970, at the age of 14, Poyner faced his first legal troubles. He was arrested for minor offenses. By 1981, he was convicted of two counts of burglary, which led to a prison sentence.

After serving time, Poyner was paroled in September 1983. Upon his release, he lived with an elderly minister while trying to reintegrate into society. He found work at a fast-food restaurant, hoping to build a stable life. 

Murder Story

Syvasky Lafayette Poyner committed five murders over an 11-day period in Virginia during January and February of 1984. The first victim was Joyce Baldwin, a 45-year-old hair salon owner, who was shot in the head on January 23 while at work. A week later, on January 30, Poyner killed Louise Paulett, a motel manager, and Christine Brooks, a housekeeper, at a motel in Williamsburg.

On January 31, he shot Vicki Ripple, an 18-year-old nursing student, at an ice cream parlor in Newport News. Just two days later, on February 2, he murdered Carolyn Hedrick, a candy distributor, in a church parking lot, after robbing her.

All of the victims were women. Poyner shot his victims to eliminate any witnesses to his robberies, reportedly saying that he chose women because they were more easily frightened. He stole money and items from the victims during these crimes.

On February 4, 1984, Poyner was arrested. He was initially charged with the murder of Carolyn Hedrick, but he later confessed to all five murders during his interrogation. Poyner was convicted in multiple trials and sentenced to death for his crimes.

After spending years on death row while appealing his convictions, he was executed by electrocution in Virginia on March 18, 1993.