Billy Chemirmir is known as one of the most infamous serial killers in Texas history. He is suspected of killing 22 elderly women, aged 76 to 94, in retirement homes around Dallas between 2016 and 2018. Many of his victims were initially believed to have died of natural causes, but authorities grew suspicious when valuable jewelry went missing from their homes.
Chemirmir was eventually convicted of murdering two women, Mary Brooks (87) and Lu Thi Harris (81). He received two life sentences without the possibility of parole. Throughout both trials, he maintained his innocence.
How Chemirmir Committed His Crimes Investigators discovered that Chemirmir, originally from Kenya, often pretended to be a healthcare or maintenance worker. This allowed him to gain access to elderly victims, whom he then smothered before stealing their valuables.
Authorities first became suspicious in December 2017 and began linking him to multiple deaths. The strongest case against him was the murder of Lu Thi Harris, which led to his initial conviction.
Legal Struggles and Conviction The first trial against Chemirmir in 2021 ended in a mistrial when the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict, with 11 jurors voting guilty and one disagreeing. Despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prosecutors gathered strong evidence, including surveillance footage, receipts linking him to crime scenes, and testimony from Mary Bartel, a woman who survived his attack.
In 2022, a new jury found him guilty of the capital murder of Mary Brooks. Her grandson had discovered her body when checking on her, and at first, it seemed like she had died of natural causes. However, further investigation revealed she had been at a Walmart shortly before her death. Security footage showed Chemirmir in the same store, following her before allegedly attacking her at home.
Chemirmir’s Death in Prison In September 2023, at the age of 50, Chemirmir was found dead in his prison cell. He had been murdered by his cellmate.
His crimes left a deep impact on the families of his victims and raised concerns about the safety of elderly individuals in retirement communities. His case also led to discussions about improving protections for vulnerable seniors.
Chemirmir’s conviction brought some closure to the families, though many believe he was responsible for more deaths than those officially linked to him.
