Serial Killers Hunted for ‘Jewish-Sounding’ Victims
A white supremacist couple accused of four West Coast murders said they intended to “kill more Jews,” according to court documents.
David Joseph Pedersen and Holly Grigsby were arrested north of Sacramento, Calif., last week after allegedly killing Pedersen’s father, stepmother and two strangers, including 19-year old Cody Myers, in a monthlong killing spree that spanned California, Washington and Oregon.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 12 Oregon, Grigsby told detectives that the couple killed Myers because they believed he was Jewish based on his last name.
“Grigsby also reportedly commented that when arrested, the couple were on their way to Sacramento to ‘kill more Jews,’ ” said the document.
In a jailhouse interview Monday, Pedersen told the Appeal-Democrat that he was guilty of all four murders, but that Grigsby was forced to participate under duress.
Oregon State Police officials told JTA that they have not yet established probable cause to suspect a hate crime.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
