The Murder of Denise Vasseur
For this case, I watched an episode of The Killer Beside Me. It’s season 3 episode 5, titled ‘Carpool Predator.’
A wildlife researcher disappears one morning on her way to work.
Background
Denise Abigail Vasseur was born on September 16, 1969. She met her future husband, Charles Vasseur, in 1994. Charles was in the Marines Corps, and Denise worked for the Jane Goodall Chimp Center. They married in September 1996, and settled down in Oceanside, California.
Denise put her application to go back to school, and was attending Cal State San Marcos. Denise was also working at the San Diego Zoo in the safari park.
Denise had always loved working with animals, and had worked in Africa and Japan. She loved to travel and help others.
Denise Vasseur
The Disappearance Timeline
On Friday, September 22, 2000, Denise had gotten up around 4:30am to leave for work. That night, she was scheduled to work the Roar and Snore event, an overnight animal observation event.
Denise and a co-worker of hers named Patrick Hamilton, had planned to carpool as they did often. Patrick called the safari park, and said they had car issues and would be late for work.
By the next day, Saturday, September 23, the police were notified about Denise and Patrick. They never showed up for work, and were both missing.
By 2pm, Charles was aware that his wife was missing. He went outside to get some air, and noticed Denise’s car parked just 3 houses down. Charles said the car was hard parked in a weird angle. One of the tires had lost air, a rearview mirror was missing, a crack was in the windshield and the keys were still in the ignition. Charles also noticed that the drivers seat was pushed all the way back. Denise hadn’t been driving because she was only about 5’3.”
Charles said he went to the house where the car was parked, but the neighbors hadn’t seen anything suspicious.
Patrick’s Behavior
The police were looking into Patrick because he was also missing at this point. Patrick Hamilton was in his early 40’s, and had recently been through a divorce.
Everyone at the safari park knew Patrick. Patrick had recently gotten a promotion in the primate area, and had worked in the park for almost 20 years.
There was a lot of talk between the employees at the park. Patrick had a tendency to flirt with the young new hires at the park. Many of the other female employees had warned the new hires about Patrick.
The police interviewed many women who all said Patrick had two different personalities. Patrick didn’t take rejection well, and he was also abusive. He had even propositioned one co-worker about paying her for sex. He was obsessive and would stalk his exes.
The police looked into the possibility that Patrick had abducted Denise.
Charles said he had seen Patrick had his home once, while he was there working with Denise and few other co-workers. Charles said he just had a weird feeling about Patrick, and knew that he could probably manipulate Denise, who saw the best in everyone.
Tracking a Potential Killer
The police tried to track Patrick down by looking into his bank and cell phone records.
They learned that Patrick had called his brother, and spoke to him for almost 20 minutes. In this call, Patrick had admitted to stalking Denise. He had gone to her house, looked through the window, and became jealous when he saw her with her husband.
The police learned from Patrick’s bank records that he was driven north. He made several stops in San Diego County, Temecula and eventually stopped in Gilroy. Gilroy was about an 8-10 hour drive from Oceanside, the San Diego Sheriff’s Office contacted the California Highway Patrol to search for Patrick’s vehicle.
On Wednesday, September 27, 2000, an off duty police officer contacted the highway patrol. He had spotted Patrick’s car, and a high speed chase ensued. Patrick accelerated, fishtailed, and jumped out of the car. He landed on his knees and skidded on the pavement. He was arrested, and taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.
The Search for Denise
Patrick was read his rights, and was interviewed at the hospital.
The police learned that Patrick had made a series of calls to friends and relatives. He admitted to them that he had strangled Denise because he snapped. He had gotten into her car, and tried to talk to her about a potential relationship.
Patrick said after he killed her, he drove her out to the desert. He said he propped her body up against a tree. Patrick agreed to show the police where he put Denise’s body. They drove from Gilroy to San Diego, but Patrick couldn’t remember. He even tried to suggest that Denise was still alive.
Patrick had also called his mom, and left her a voicemail. In the voicemail, he said he had killed Denise, and wanted to bury her on his mom’s property. The police searched the property, but there was no sign of Denise.
On Friday, September 29, 2000, Patrick was charged with murder. He was now refusing to talk about where he placed Denise.
The Conviction
On August 27, 2001, Patrick went on trial.
The prosecution said that Denise was most likely dead. Although they didn’t have a body, Denise hadn’t spoken to her husband, family, and friends since she disappeared. Denise was a citizen of the U.K., but her passport was left at home, so she didn’t flee.
Patrick pled guilty to second degree murder. On December 14, 2001, Patrick Hamilton was sentenced to 15 years to life.
On December 20, Patrick again agreed to show the police where Denise was. He pointed out a spot in the desert, but again nothing was found.
Her body has never been found.
Patrick Hamilton
Other
A plaque was made in honor of Denise and her contribution to the research she helped with at the safari park.
In 2002, Denise’s colleagues finished her degree posthumously.
Patrick’s request to withdraw his second degree murder plea has been denied.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t have much to say other than Patrick is a predator and killer. He took advantage of Denise’s kindness, and thought that she wanted a relationship with him. Denise didn't and was happily married. Denise probably told Patrick she didn’t want a relationship with him, and Patrick didn’t like that. The least he could is tell Denise and her family where she is. He will never do that though, and can rot in prison.
Sources
https://charleyproject.org/case/denise-abigail-vasseur
https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/3173dfca.html
https://thecinemaholic.com/denise-vasseur-disappearance/
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/US+killer+to+appeal+over+desert+killing.-a0109827341
