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Writer's pictureJennifer Brecheisen

This SC Serial Killer Drove a Hearse


If you live near Florence County, SC, you probably know who I'm talking about. If you don't, read on for some interesting facts about South Carolina's most prolific serial killer.





Peewee Gaskin Hearse Photo byPersonal Photos


Donald "Peewee" Gaskins was born in 1933 and raised at a time when stores still made homemade ice cream, when people didn't lock their doors at night, when people weren't suspicious of their neighbors, but "America's Meanest Man" never got to experience the good ole days that way. You see..."The Redneck Charles Manson" as he was also called, wasn't raised in the beautiful picture of southern hospitality where mama kissed your boo-boos and made pies for newcomers. No, he was raised in an environment of terror, which likely made him into the man he eventually became.


Peewee was molded into "America's Meanest Man" by allegedly being molested, neglected, and abused by family members. In fact, it's been said that he drank a bottle of kerosene at a year old and had convulsions until 3. He was also ridiculed by his peers and mother for his height coming in at 5'4" and 130 lbs as an adult. This mixture of home life, school life, and environmental issues became the cocktail that made Peewee the man he was.


His teen years and early adulthood were sprinkled with assaults, juvenile detention, and arrests. The judicial system continued to release him from his repeated violent crimes even though he killed a fellow inmate in prison and escaped.





Donald "Pewee" GaskinPhoto byPersonal Photos


Peewee was also called "The Hitchhiker's Killer" due to the many people he picked up from the side of the road he raped and murdered. He confessed to killing up to 110 people eventually, but there was only proof of 15.

Peewee also didn't seem to try to hide who he was or what he did. He drove his victims in his hearse to bury some of them in his own personal cemetary.


He was found guilty of one murder on May 28th and sentenced to death; however, it was commuted to life. Ultimately he was convicted of 8 murders.


What finally got him the electric chair you might ask? Gaskins had c4 sent to him in prison where he killed a fellow death row inmate. Ultimately he got the electric chair and was put to death on September 6, 1991, at 1:10 AM.


Written By: Jennifer


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