Kendall Francois, a serial killer active in Poughkeepsie, New York, from 1996 to 1998, is a chilling figure in the annals of American crime. His actions not only devastated families but also exposed significant gaps in law enforcement and social support systems for vulnerable populations, particularly sex workers.

Early Life and Background

Born on July 26, 1971, Francois grew up in a typical suburban environment. He excelled in athletics at Arlington High School before enlisting in the United States Army. However, his military career ended prematurely due to obesity. After returning to Poughkeepsie, he enrolled in Dutchess Community College and worked as a student monitor. Despite his ordinary upbringing, his later actions would reveal a profoundly disturbed psyche.

Criminal Activities

Francois’s criminal activities began in earnest in 1996. His first victim, Wendy Meyers, was murdered in October of that year. Over the next two years, he claimed the lives of eight women, primarily sex workers, using methods that included choking and strangulation. The bodies were later discovered hidden in the attic of his family home, prompting widespread horror in the community.

Investigation and Arrest

Despite being known to local law enforcement for his violent behavior towards sex workers, Francois managed to evade capture for years. The investigation took a critical turn when Christine Sala, a survivor of his assault, reported the crime. This led to a police search of Francois’s home, where the remains of several victims were found.

Trial and Sentencing

In 1998, Kendall Francois was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder. He ultimately pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder in 2000, receiving a life sentence without parole. He died in 2014 from AIDS-related complications.

The Most Head-Scratching List Of Upstate New York Trivia You Have Ever Read!

Wait....is that Mr. Ed in the photo above? What on earth could that talking horse have to do with Upstate New York?

OK...trivia time! Where is the geographic center of New York State? Where are all the lollipop, corn dog, and cotton candy sticks made? Where is the oldest (and shortest) covered bridge in the U.S.? Where is the most visited celebrity grave of all located? Is there really such a thing as a two-story brick outhouse, and if so where the heck is it?

Well, if you answered "Upstate New York" to all of these you are right. And you will definitely enjoy this delicious list of trivia about our region!

Everybody loves a good story, or some head-scratching trivia facts. This list pulls the curtain back on nearly 40 amazing pieces of Upstate New York history you probably didn't know about. Are they earth-shaking? No. Are they interesting? Definitely!

Whatever happened to "that kid" in the Willie Wonka movie? Where was the first grand slam home run in organized baseball hit? Where is the oldest mini-golf in America located? Tell us the story of Binghamton's Kentucky Derby winner! Tell us the story about TV's "Mr. Ed" and his connection to Upstate New York! How could the oldest continuously operating Boy Scout troop be in a tiny Upstate New York village? And what was that controversy over famous singer Kate's Smith's Lake Placid, NY grave all about?

The answer to all of these questions and many more lie in Upstate New York.

Enjoy!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

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