Thread: US Hitler fan on killing spree in Panama

US couple suspected of nine murders in Panama paradise
RORY CARROLL
August 4, 2010 - 12:05PM

For American expatriates, Bocas del Toro seemed the ideal retreat: an archipelago of white sand beaches, coconut palms and guesthouses off Panama's Caribbean coast. It was relaxed, friendly and sunny. Then people started to disappear.

It was a fluid community, people always coming and going, so there was no immediate alarm. Why worry? The only danger in this tranquil haven, it seemed, was the tap water.

But there was another menace: the cheerful husband and wife who ran a hostel were, it is alleged, serial killers who murdered up to nine people for their property and money.

Accused ... William Holbert is reportedly fascinated with Adolf Hitler.

William Dathan Holbert and Laura Michelle Reese are now in a jail in Panama Citysuspected of conning and killing seven fellow US expatriates and two Panamanians in cold blood.

The man known to neighbours as "Wild Bill" has confessed to murdering seven people, said Angel Calderon, a prosecuting lawyer. "He has told us how many people he killed, why he killed them, how he killed them and where he buried them."

Posing as wealthy entrepreneurs, the couple allegedly befriended residents before shooting them in the head, burying them and taking over their homes and businesses. "He picked out his victims after making their acquaintance," Calderon told reporters. "Knowing that nobody would ask about them, he got rid of them."

Refused to speak to police ... Laura Michelle Reese.

President Ricardo Martinelli called it "one of the first cases of serial murders" in the central American country.

The tale has shades of The Talented Mr Ripley, the novel - and later film starring Matt Damon - about an expatriate killer, except that Holbert reportedly started out with bodybuilding, steroids, white supremacy and a fascination with Adolf Hitler.

The case broke when authorities found the bodies of Cheryl Lynn Hughes, a hostel owner from Missouri, and Bo Icelar, a retired gallery owner from New Mexico, in shallow graves. Suspicion turned to Holbert and Reese, who had lived in the archipelago under the aliases William Adolfo Cortez and Jane Cortez. They had supposedly bought Hughes's hostel and Icelar's house just before the disappearances.

Authorities have also linked the couple to the disappearance three years ago of Mike Brown, his wife and young son. Brown was wanted on drug charges and living under an assumed name, Calderon said. "Seeing that he had a lot of money and bank accounts, [Holbert] shot him in the head." The other two suspected victims were Panamanian workers.

Nicaraguan soldiers held the couple last Thursday as they attempted to enter the country illegally from Costa Rica. They were extradited in shackles and greeted in Panama City with a tumult of television cameras and questions.

Before disappearing into a cell, Holbert, 30, appearing upbeat, told a local TV channel: "The people of Panama are very friendly, and I like living here." Asked about the deaths, he laughed and said: "I need to speak to them [the authorities] about that. I just want to say, thanks for the trip." His wife reportedly said nothing beyond asking for a lawyer and US consular help. Both suspects were due to be given psychological evaluations.

US couple suspected of nine murders in Panama paradise

Originally Posted by genghis61

Posing as wealthy entrepreneurs

Is that a joke?????

timeline here of their crime spree - too much to copy here - except for the last paragraph:

Panama's Deputy Attorney General Angel Calderon
"If anyone has any information which could potentially lead us to other
possible victims, I would ask those people to please come forward with
that information immediately."If you know of anyone who just went missing
one day, and the next day their property is all of a sudden "owned" by
"Wild Bill" and Jane Cortez, then please let the authorities know. There
are reportedly dozens of members of the community of English speaking
expatriates missing in Costa Rica who have never been found. That's why
"Wild Bill" and Jane Cortez could live as millionaires.

Panamanian officials are continuing to dig for victims.
Authorities expect the number of murder victims could to rise to as many as 20.

Holbert has only confessed to 5.

Source: SERIAL KILLER(S) WILLIAM HOLBERT & LAURA MICHELLE REESE PREYED ON EXPATS & LOCALS IN COSTA RICA & PANAMA

Some quotes from above article:

"You know that HBO show The Sopranos?
He wanted to be Tony Soprano for a while — he's got that mindset."

Holbert's method of killing victims remniscent of Genickschuss: German for "a shot to the nape of the neck." It comes from the German concentration camps in WWII.

In another "homage" to his hero Hitler, Holbert removed the fillings from his
victim's teeth.
"

It appears that William Holbert, alias "Wild Bill", even tore out his victim's gold fillings, according to evidence found yesterday, Wednesday, at his house located in the community of Aguacate in the area of Tierra Oscura, in Bocas del Toro, where five bodies were found buried. The officials could not mask their expressions of surprise and disgust when they found a glass jar containing pieces of gold teeth. By their condition, apparently they were extracted while the victims were still alive."

Americans at it again

Originally Posted by mr Fred

Americans at it again

Heh...ól Fred...at it again with the 'Merkin bashing...

Scrungy looking fellow. Looks as if he missed the bathing chapter.

Serious moobs problem too

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by mr Fred

Americans at it again

Heh...ól Fred...at it again with the 'Merkin bashing...

I wonder if Mr Fred has ever been to 'Merkin land in all of his travels?

if 20 is the real figure . . . has he makings of a book or movie.