Joseph Duncan
Joseph Edward Duncan III was already a convicted child sex offender when he killed three people in Idaho in 2005. After killing Brenda Groene, her 13-year-old son Slade Groene and her boyfriend Mark McKenzie, he kidnapped Brenda's eight-year-old daughter, Shasta Groene, and her nine-year-old son, Dylan Groene. Duncan filmed the torture and sexual abuse of Dylan, who was then killed. Shasta and Dylan were held captive for nearly seven weeks. Shasta was finally spotted at a Denny's restaurant with her abductor and was rescued.1
Duncan was given three death sentences in August 2008 for the murder, kidnapping and sexual assault of Dylan. On November 3, 2008, Duncan was sentenced to three additional life sentences on charges related to the kidnappings and murders in 2005.2
Fast Facts
- Born: February 25, 1963
- Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington
- Spent 18 years in prison for raping a 14-year-old at gunpoint, released in 2000
- Registered sex offender
- Posts blogs to his personal Web site while in prison through a "ghost writer"3
Groene Murders
Duncan broke into the Groene home on May 16, 2005, and killed the mother Brenda Groene, her boyfriend Mark McKenzie, and oldest son Slade Groene with a hammer. He then kidnapped Shasta, eight, and Dylan, nine, and took them to a campsite in Montana where he sexually abused them both, and killed Dylan. Shasta was found on July 2, 2005, in a Denny's restaurant. A waitress recognized her after seeing news reports and posters around town. Police arrived and arrested Duncan immediately. Dylan's body was found just days later in a woodland area in Montana.4
Joseph Duncan Trial
On October 16, 2006, Duncan plead guilty to three counts of first degree murder and three counts of kidnapping. In a plea deal, Duncan agreed to receive three consecutive life sentences on the kidnapping charges. On November 3, 2008, Duncan was sentenced on seven counts of kidnapping and additional charges, he received three additional life sentences.25
Criminal History
In the 1980s, when Duncan was in his late teens, he was convicted of raping a younger boy at gunpoint. While in prison, he was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Duncan was arrested in 2004 for groping the genitals of a six-year-old boy.4
Related Pages on Mahalo
Shasta Groene | Dylan Groene | Idaho | Montana
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