Naman Shrestha
In the sixth episode of Oxygen’s ‘Unknown Serial Killers of America: The Cross-Country Killer’ season 2, the focus is on the series of killings, armed robberies, shootings, and arsons that haunted the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, and the surrounding areas in 2005 and 2006. Several of them were committed by Mark Goudeau, also known as the Baseline Killer. Meanwhile, two roommates, Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman, worked as a duo to carry out multiple killings and arsons across the city.
Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman Were Roommates Turned Into Serial Killer Duo
Born on February 4, 1973, in Arizona, Dale Shawn Hausner married Karen Ledford, with whom he had two sons, by 1994. That year, while driving near Corsicana, Texas, the family of four was involved in an accident as their car tumbled into a creek. While Dale and Karen survived, they lost their two sons. The tragedy drove him into a severe depression, and the couple separated. By 1999, he landed a job at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as a custodian. Later in his professional career, he also served as a boxing photojournalist for RingSports and Fightnews. Around 2005, Dale was introduced to Samuel John Dieteman at a bar in Glendale by his brother, Jeff. Born on October 17, 1975, Samuel was originally from Minnesota with a history of petty crimes like drunk driving and shoplifting.
Just like Dale, Samuel was a divorced father of two daughters. At the time, he had been looking for a place to live after losing his apartment and being kicked out of his mother’s and stepfather’s place. Dale allowed him to move into his apartment, and the two became close friends. Soon, Dale and Samuel ran a small illegal operation, wherein the latter would shoplift CDs and alcohol, and Dale would sell them to his coworkers. The petty crimes soon turned into deadly ones, with the duo ultimately being held legally responsible for the deaths of eight individuals between May 2005 and August 2006 in the Phoenix area, using a .22 rifle or a .410-gauge shotgun.
Samuel Dieteman’s Drinking Buddy Helped the Authorities Apprehend the Killers
As per reports, authorities linked Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman to at least 29 other drive-by shootings and multiple arsons. The duo reportedly targeted pedestrians and animals while allegedly being under the influence of methamphetamine. During the spree, they were involved in the killings of multiple individuals, including David Estrada, Nathaniel Shoffner, Jose Ortiz, Marco Carillo, Claudia Gutierrez-Cruz, and Robin Blasnek. By the end of July 2006, Samuel bragged about his random shootings to his drinking buddy, Ron Horton, who notified the Phoenix Police Department about the same. Thus, on July 31, 2006, Dale and Samuel were identified as suspects, with Ron working with the authorities to apprehend the murderous duo. In the following days, the detectives trailed the two men on the streets, observing their activities.
On August 2, 2006, the investigators wiretapped Dale’s apartment and car, recording about 15 hours of conversations between the suspects who discussed their shootings and victims. Finally, on the night of August 3, 2006, Dale and Samuel were arrested outside their apartment in Mesa in connection with the serial shootings in the Phoenix area. The authorities also connected them to two arson fires at Wal-Mart stores in Glendale, Arizona. Upon searching the apartment and their car, they found a city map with 12 dots on it, news clippings, newscast recordings about the shootings, and firearms, including two .410 shotguns and a .12 gauge shotgun. Dale was charged with a total of 88 crimes, including eight murders, 18 attempted murders, 26 drive-by shootings, 10 animal cruelty charges, and two arson charges. Although Dale admitted to owning firearms and ammunition, he didn’t admit to any of the crimes.
While Dale Passed Away in Prison, Samuel is Serving His Sentence in an Arizona Prison
On August 7, 2006, Dale Hausner participated in a press conference, where he maintained his innocence. Later, Samuel Dieteman pleaded guilty to two killings and conspiracy to commit several others. In exchange for a reduced sentence, he also agreed to testify against Dale during his trial. In 2009, Dale’s trial commenced, during which Samuel told the jury how he and Dale used to cruise around and shoot random strangers. Meanwhile, the defendant took the stand and defended himself, denying any involvement in the crimes. He also offered alibis, such as shopping at the grocery store, being with his girlfriends at their houses, spending time with his daughter, and driving around other parts of the Phoenix area. He also suggested that Samuel was solely responsible for some of the attacks.
On March 13, 2009, Dale was found guilty of 80 out of 88 felony charges against him, including six murders and dozens of other crimes. Nearly two weeks later, on March 27, his sentencing hearing took place. The convict took the stand and apologized to his family, stating, “I’m not up here to point the finger at anybody else and say, ‘Have mercy on my poor and withered soul.’ I’m willing to accept my punishment like a man without blaming anybody.” Ultimately, he received six death sentences for six murder convictions. Dale also reportedly waived his right to file appeals and requested that his death penalty be executed as soon as possible.
Later that year, in July, Samuel Dieteman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. About four years later, on June 19, 2013, 40-year-old Dale was found unresponsive in his one-person cell at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Eyman in Florence, Arizona. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later. The autopsy revealed that he took his own life by overdosing on an antidepressant. As per reports, he also tried to die by suicide while awaiting trial. As for Samuel Dieteman, the 50-year-old killer is currently incarcerated at Tonto Unit in the Arizona State Prison Complex – Safford in Safford, Arizona.
Read More: Jerry Leon Johns: How Did the Alleged Serial Killer Die?
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