'Tool Box Killer' Lawrence Bittaker dies on death row

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Convicted serial killer Lawrence Bittaker has died while awaiting execution at a California prison, from natural causes at the age of 79, state correctional officials said.

Bittaker died Friday at San Quentin State Prison, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Monday. The cause of death will be determined by the Marin County coroner.

Known as the "Tool Box Killers" for the instruments they used during their crimes, Bittaker and accomplice Roy Lewis Norris, 71, kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed five teenage girls between the ages of 13 and 18 in 1979.

The crimes began on June 14 of that year with the death of Lucinda Lynn Schaefer, 16, and then Andrea Joy Hall on July 8. Two months later, the pair killed Jacqueline Doris Gilliam, 15, and Jacqueline Leah Lamp, 13. Their final victim was Shirley Lynette Ledford, 16. The bodies of Schaefer and Hall were never found.

Norris pleaded guilty and testified as the state's chief witness against Bittaker in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Bittaker's defense argued at trial their client was framed by Norris, and Bittaker testified he was unaware the five girls had died until after his arrest.

Prosecutor Stephen Kay called Bittaker and Norris "human monsters."

"It's like we've been watching a science fiction horror movie with two aliens from outer space who come to earth and rape, torture and murder five teenage girls," he said.

Kay told the jury Bittaker was "an extremely violent, very brilliant man" and that all five victims were picked up while hitchhiking. Some were photographed and their screams recorded.

Bittaker was convicted on all 26 charges, including five counts of murder, five counts of kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, sex abuse and unlawfully possessing a firearm. He was sentenced to death in 1981 and admitted to death row immediately.

Norris has been in state prison since May 1981, where he is serving 45 years to life.

Since California reinstated capital punishment in 1978, 82 condemned inmates have died from natural causes, the corrections department said. There are 729 offenders awaiting execution.