Ronald Joseph Dominique, often known as "The Bayou Strangler," was an American serial killer and rapist who murdered at least 23 men and boys in Louisiana from 1997 to 2006. Dominique was born into poverty and suffered from low self-esteem and health concerns, making him a target for bullying. He dropped out of Nicholls State University and began his criminal career with minor offenses such as sexual harassment in 1985. His more violent offenses began in 1997, targeting young African-American men aged 16 to 46. Dominique was arrested in 2008 and convicted to life without parole. His case is still notable owing to the enormous death toll and protracted duration.
Ronald Dominique. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Baton Rouge, LA. January 10, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.
Ronald Joseph Dominique: Overview
Classification: Serial killer
Characteristics: Rape - He did not want to return to jail after raping the men
Number of victims: 8 - 23
Date of murders: 1997 - 2006
Date of arrest: December 1, 2006
Date of birth: January 9, 1964
Victims profile: Kenneth Randolph / Michael Barnett / Leon Lirette / August Watkins / Kurt Cunningham / Alonzo Hogan / Chris Deville / Wayne Smith / Nicholas Pellegrin (men aged between 16 to 46 years
Method of murder: Strangulation - Suffocation
Location: Louisiana, USA
Status: Pleaded guilty to eight murders. Sentenced to eight life sentences in prison on September 23, 2008
Biography
Ronald Joseph Dominique, born on January 9, 1964, in Thibodaux, Louisiana, is an American serial killer and rapist known as “The Bayou Strangler.” He is notorious for murdering at least 23 men and boys in Louisiana between 1997 and 2006. His early life was marked by poverty; he was the youngest of six children in a family of poor laborers living in a trailer park. Dominique struggled with low self-esteem and health issues during his childhood, which made him a target for bullying. After graduating from high school in 1983, he briefly attended Nicholls State University but dropped out due to a lack of interest.
Criminal History
Dominique’s criminal behavior began with minor offenses such as sexual harassment via telephone in 1985. Over the years, he faced various legal issues including drunk driving and assault charges. Notably, in August 1996, he was accused of raping a male youth who escaped from his sister’s residence but the case was dismissed due to the inability to locate the victim.
His more serious crimes began in July 1997 when he started his murder spree. Dominique typically targeted young men aged between 16 and 46, most of whom were African-American. He would often meet these victims at gay bars or lure them with offers of alcohol or drugs before overpowering them at his trailer. The modus operandi involved binding, raping, and ultimately strangling his victims before disposing of their bodies in remote areas across several parishes.
Arrest and Conviction
Dominique’s killing spree continued until he was arrested on September 23, 2008. Following his arrest, he was found guilty of multiple counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) described his case as one of the most significant serial homicide cases in the United States over two decades due to its high death toll and prolonged duration.
Despite the severity of his crimes and the number of victims involved, Dominique’s case received limited media attention outside Louisiana.
Conclusion
Ronald Joseph Dominique remains a significant figure in discussions about serial killers due to both the scale of his crimes and the sociocultural factors surrounding them. His life story reflects themes of bullying, isolation, and eventual violence that culminated in one of America’s notable serial murder cases.
VIDEO: Louisiana’s Most Prolific Serial Killer | World's Most Evil Killers
| https://youtu.be/1hqoQYh0Ar0
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