United States of America
WINTERS
Shirley
Active from 1979-2006, New York, USA
DID YOU KNOW...
Family Fact
Three siblings accidentally died when Winters was 8 years old
Prison Fact
Winters had spent more than a decade in jail before being tried for murder.
Sad Fact
She ordered one child, Joy, to stay inside the burning house. Joy disobeyed.
THE DISPATCH
The Beginning
Children die when they are around Shirley Winters, whether she had a hand in it or not. When she was 8 years old, three siblings died of carbon monoxide poisoning. She was a quarter mile away with her grandparents, but it was the start of bad things. In 1977, Winters married and settled into an unquiet life with her husband.
The Murders
Colleen R. Winters & John E. Winters
- September 12, 1979
- Hyde Lake, New York
On September 11, 1979, the children of a friend died in a house fire 50 miles from where Winters was staying. She had no part of it, but the next day, another fire hit – this time, closer to home. While staying at a Hyde Lake cabin, fire raged through the wooden structure. Winters’ children, Colleen, 3 and John, 1, died. Only Winters, who says she had been sleeping on the couch when the fire erupted, survived. Investigators put the cause down to an electrical problem.
Ronald J. Winters III
- November 21, 1980
- Otisco, New York
Tragedy would again strike Winters when her 5 month old son, Ronald Winters III, died in Otisco, New York. She had called 911 once before, saying her son could not breathe. First responders were able to administer CPR and Ronald was taken to hospital. He remained there a number of days before returning home.
On November 21, 1980, Ronald was not so lucky. Winters again called 911, but first responders found him dead. She had smothered him. Authorities would rule it sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but police weren’t satisfied. They knew about the previous 911 call, and the deaths of her other 2 children.
Some Arrests, Lots of Fires
In 1981, the Winters family trailer caught fire four times within just a few months. Police suspect arson each time, but Winters was charged with arson only once. She pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and was sentenced to probation and psychiatric care. She was eventually linked to 17 fires at homes where she lived, or where family members lived.
Winters was long suspected in the deaths of her children. In 1982, police once again investigate the deaths of her children. They were not able to find enough evidence for charges.
Winters had more children over the years. In 1984, Joy was born. In 1985, Ashley was born. In 1987, Clayton was born. Winters eventually divorced her husband and moved away with the children.
By 1989, Winters was on trial for arson. During the 2 trials (one deadlocked), there are many fires affecting her and her relatives. On November 12, 1989, fire ripped through her own home. Winters escaped with 2 children, and Joy, just 5 years old, escaped on her own. Joy later told her grandmother that she had been ordered by her mother to stay inside.
In January, 1990, Winters lost custody of all three children after the November fire. Her ex-husband was awarded custody. But the fires did not stop. Winters was charged with arson at a bowling alley in 1990. The homes and garages of neighbors would go up in flames. Places are destroyed, but no one dies.
Police again investigate the events surrounding Winters but are unable to lay murder charges. Winters received a 1 year term and a 3 year term on January 1, 1991. This is for attempted assault in the first degree. She is released on parole November 12, 1992.
In 1997, Winters set fire to her mother’s home with her cousin still inside. No one died, but police have enough evidence to pursue another case against the fire bug.
Winters was sentenced to 8 years in jail on August 28, 1997. She was paroled on June 14, 2005. She was rearrested for violation parole: she had a lighter.
Ryan Joseph Rivers
- November 28, 2006
- Potsdam, New York
Ryan Joseph Rivers was almost 2 years old when Winters set her sights on him. She lived in the home with the boy, his mother and step-father. On November 2, 2006, Rivers drowned in the bathtub of his grandparents’ home. He was found fully clothed and on his back. He was the first victim who was not a family member. Winters is not immediately charged.
Winters Spontaneously Confesses
- December 7, 2006
- Canton, New York
Canton police Sgt. James Santimaw stopped a truck after watching it weave across the centre line. Winters was driving. When the officer started talking to her, Winters said “The evil needs to get out.” As the Sgt. spoke further with her, she said “The baby had drowned.” Stanimaw was unaware of River’s death at the time. Winters’ face appeared to be scratched and she had blood on her clothes.
Indictments & Trial
Winters Indicted
- March 28 & September 19, 2007
- Syracuse, New York
In 2007, Winters tried to commit suicide. She was placed under protective custody in a mental institution. On March 28, 2007, she was indicted for the murder of Ronald Winters, who died in 1980. On September 19, she was indicated for the murder of Ryan Rivers, who died in 2006.
Winters Guilty of Manslaughter
- April 21 & 24, 2008
- Syracuse, New York
The Winters case was sent to the Grand Jury. As part of the investigation, the bodies of Colleen and John were exhumed and re-examined. The medical examiner, Dr. Mary Jumbelic, testified “Well, as far as Colleen goes, her cause of death is blunt head trauma occurring before the fire. And for John, his cause of death is the smoke inhalation due to the fire, but convoluted by significant blunt head trauma that occurred before the fire.”
After a second Grand Jury trial, the case against Winters proceeded.
On April 21, 2008, Winters pled guilty to the manslaughter of Ryan Rivers. Three days later, she pled guilty to the first degree manslaughter of her son, Ronald.
She received a 20 year term and a term of 8 1/3-25 years respectively. The sentences were concurrent, and she would be eligible for parole in 17 years.
This plea deal allowed Winters to avoid prosecution in the deaths of Colleen and John Winters. She was suspected but untried in multiple arsons.
Winter’s Location
As of July 29, 2021, Winters is incarcerated at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. She is eligible for parole on May 12, 2024.
SIMILAR SERIAL KILLERS
Brian Kevin Rosenfeld
Rosenfeld and Winters were both born in February, 1958
Dorothea Helen Puente
Puente, like Winters, suffered a death in the family when she was 8 years old
Diana Lumbrera
Lumbrera also had 6 children
THE STATS
Shirley Winters in a Historical Timeline
Statistical table for Shirley Winters
| Killer Name | Winters, Shirley |
| Gender | F |
| Arrest Date | March , 2007 |
| Conviction Date | April 21, 2008 |
| Sentence | 20 year term; 17 years, 1 month, 18 day term with parole eligibility in 2024 |
| Birth Location | New York, USA |
| Birth Date | February 27, 1958 |
| Status | Alive or Unknown |
| Sexual Abuse | yes |
| Sexual Preference | Straight |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Number of Children | at least 6 |
| Killer Type | Family Annihilator, Stationary |
| Institutionalized | Yes, including right before arrest |
| Psych Diagnosis | diagnosed with multiple mental health issues |
| Fire Setting | Significant use of fire and frequent fire setting |
| comment1 | Pleaded guilty, sentenced to 2 counts manslaughter |
| Total Dead Victims | 4 |
| Victims (Suspected) | 2 |
| Victims (Convicted) | 2 |
| Victim Gender | Various |
| Victim Race | White |
| Victim Type | Family members, children |
| Method of Killing | Suffocation, bludgeon, drowning |
| Washing/Water | Yes |
| Body - Left, Not Hidden | Yes |
| Previous Crimes | Arson, attempted assault |
| Previous Prison Time | 1 years, 3 years, 8 years |
Killer Rating
RESOURCES
E. Kelly Hemingway | Last updated July 30, 2021