True Crime Friday: Brenda Spencer, the "I Don't Like Mondays" Spree Killer
Brenda Ann Spencer went on a killing spree at the Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, California. This was back when a school shooting was big news not an everyday occurrences like it is today. January 29, 1979, Brenda Spencer killed the school principal and a custodian, shot eight children and a police officer before being apprehended. Brenda Spencer was 16 years old when she committed her murderous crimes. She lived across the street from the school. She was caught and charged as an adult. Spencer pleaded guilty to two counts of murder. She also pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon. She was sentences to twenty five years to life with the eligibility for parole. She is still in prison as of this writing. Shortly after the murders a reporter spoke to Spencer and asked why she had committed the murders she told the reporter that “I don’t like Mondays” hence the moniker of “I Don’t Like Mondays” spree killer. There have been several songs written regarding this case.
The Early Childhood of Brenda Spencer
Brenda Ann Spencer was brought into the world on April 3, 1962 to Dorothy Nadine and Wallace Edward Spencer. The parents was married on December 12, 1954. Brenda was the youngest of three children. Brenda’s mother found out that her husband had affairs with several women throughout the marriage. She divorced him in 1972. Brenda’s mother left her with her father where they lived in poverty. At parole hearings, she claimed to have been the subject of abuse and neglect from her mother. She stated she suffered sexual abuse from her father. Both parents denied the accusations.It was said that Spencer expressed hostility toward authorities. She had expressed to friends that she wanted to do something to get on television. Spencer had talent as a photographer. She won first prize in a photography competition but she was not interested in school. Spencer suffered an injury to the temporal lobe of the brain when she had a biking accident. Brenda Spencer was arrested previously for minor crimes such as shoplifting. Her then probation officer recommended she be admitted to a mental hospital for depression but her father refused to give permission.
Instead of therapy he gave her a semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic lens and with 500 rounds ammunition. Brenda said she asked for a radio but got a rifle for Christmas. She felt her father brought her the rifle to kill herself.
The Victims of Brenda Spencer
- Burton Wragg, 53
- Michael Suchar, 56
The Survivors of Brenda Spencer
- Cam Miller, 9
- Robert Robb, 28
- Daryl Barnes
- Seven Unknown Children
In the months following the shooting, one of Brenda Spencer's first cellmates, a 17-year-old girl, moved in with Spencer's father and she eventually marrying him 1980. They had a daughter together after which she left the household and eventually divorced Wallace Spencer to raise their child alone.
Lady Justice
Spencer was charged as an adult. She pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and assault with a deadly weapon. In prison, Spencer was diagnosed with epilepsy and received medication to treat epilepsy and depression. Under the terms of her sentencing, Spencer is eligible for parole but as of now it has not be granted by the parole board.Reference
Brenda Spencer | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderersCleveland Elementary School shooting (San Diego) - Wikipedia
What Happened To Brenda Spencer After The Cleveland Elementary School Shooting Of 1979?