MICHAEL BEAR CARSON | Along With His Wife, Suzan Carson, Dubbed "The San Francisco Witch Killers"; Considered Suspects In Nearly A Dozen Other Deaths In The U.S. And Europe | Autographed Letter Signed

Michael Bear Carson. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Ione, CA. December 12, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Michael Bear Carson: Overview and Criminal Activities

Background Information

Michael Bear Carson, born James Clifford Carson in 1950, is an American serial killer known for his involvement in a series of murders alongside his wife, Suzan Carson. Their criminal activities took place primarily between 1981 and 1983 in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Carsons became notorious for their belief that they were engaged in a form of witch-hunting, which they claimed justified their violent actions.

Early Life and Relationships

Carson’s early life was marked by significant personal turmoil. In 1977, while living in Phoenix, Arizona, he experienced severe behavioral changes that led to the dissolution of his first marriage. Following this, he began a relationship with Susan Barnes, who would later become Suzan Bear Carson. The couple became deeply involved in illicit drug use and mysticism, which played a crucial role in shaping their worldview and subsequent criminal behavior.

By 1980, after returning from a year-long trip to Europe, the Carsons settled in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco – a hub for counterculture movements. During this period, Michael’s former wife took drastic measures to protect herself and their daughter from him due to fears of potential harm.

The Murders

The Carsons’ first known murder occurred in March 1981 when they killed Karen Barnes (no relation to Suzan), a 23-year-old aspiring actress who had been living with them. She was brutally stabbed thirteen times and had her skull crushed before being concealed in a blanket within their apartment. The couple fled before authorities could apprehend them.

In May 1982, while living on a marijuana farm in Alderpoint, California, Michael shot and killed Clark Stephens following a dispute. He attempted to dispose of Stephens’ body by burning it and burying it under chicken fertilizer. This murder drew further scrutiny from law enforcement as they continued to investigate the Carsons.

The final murder attributed to the Carsons occurred in January 1983 when they hitchhiked with Jon Charles Hellyar. Suzan believed Hellyar was a witch that needed to be killed. A confrontation ensued during which Suzan stabbed Hellyar while Michael shot him dead during the struggle over a firearm. This incident was witnessed by passing motorists who alerted the police.

Confessions and Legal Proceedings

Following their arrest after the murder of Hellyar, the Carsons initially confessed to all three murders but later recanted their statements and pleaded not guilty at trial. They were ultimately convicted: first for Karen Barnes’ murder (receiving a sentence of 25 years), then for Clark Stephens’ murder (50 years to life), and finally for Jon Hellyar’s murder (75 years to life). Their convictions were upheld through appeals.

As of now, Michael Bear Carson is incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison while Suzan is held at Central California Women’s Facility.

Conclusion

Michael Bear Carson’s case illustrates how personal crises combined with radical beliefs can lead individuals down paths of extreme violence. His story remains one of the more chilling examples of serial killings motivated by delusional ideologies related to witchcraft.

VIDEO: I Lived With A Killer | Season 1 | Episode 8 | The San Francisco Witch Killers | https://youtu.be/VeUvtLmt0jk

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