Bio

Tommy David Strickler was born in 1966 in the United States. He grew up in a troubled household in Virginia. Strickler became an adult during the 1980s, where he found himself involved in a number of minor offenses. His behavior began to escalate, leading to serious legal troubles. Over the years, he became known to law enforcement.

Strickler's life took a dramatic turn in the late 1980s. During this time, he became involved in serious criminal activities that would ultimately lead to his conviction for murder. This shift in his life marked the beginning of a disturbing chapter that captured public attention.

In addition to his criminal behavior, Strickler's relationships with people around him were strained. He had a limited circle of friends and acquaintances, who were often involved in similar activities as him. As he navigated his adult life, Strickler became increasingly isolated from a positive social environment.

By 1989, Strickler's path led him to commit serious crimes. His life was filled with turmoil, leading him to a tragic destiny that would define him for many years to come.

Murder Story

On January 5, 1990, Leann Whitlock, a 19-year-old college student, was kidnapped from a mall in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Tommy David Strickler and his accomplice, Ronald Lee Henderson, abducted her. They took her to a remote area in Augusta County. There, they brutally murdered her by using a large rock to crush her head.

After the murder, they stole Whitlock's car, credit cards, and other belongings. Her body was discovered a few days later, lying in the cold. The police found a 69-pound rock nearby that was covered in her blood.

Strickler and Henderson were arrested and tried for their crimes. During the investigation, several witnesses, including Anne Stoltzfus, provided testimony about the events leading up to the abduction and murder. Stoltzfus described seeing Whitlock being attacked in the mall parking lot. At trial, her eyewitness account was crucial in establishing Strickler's role in the crime.

Strickler was convicted of capital murder, robbery, and abduction. He received the death penalty, while Henderson was given a life sentence. Strickler maintained his innocence, claiming that an accomplice had committed the murder.

Despite multiple appeals and a clemency petition, Strickler was executed by lethal injection on July 21, 1999. He was the 9th inmate executed in Virginia that year. His case generated considerable attention and controversy, particularly regarding the legal challenges surrounding his trial and conviction. Strickler's last words expressed his love for his family and his continued claims of innocence.