Henry Busch

Henry Adolph Busch (December 30, 1931 – June 6, 1962) was an American serial killer who killed three women, including his aunt, in California in 1960. He claimed he had an irresistible urge to kill.

Events preceding murders Busch lived by himself in an apartment in Los Angeles and had no prior criminal record. He worked in a factory and sometimes had coffee before work with a fellow employee, Magdalena Parra.

Trial and execution Busch was charged with first degree murder for each killing, and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He did not take the stand in his defense. Busch was convicted of assault with intent to commit murder for the attack on Payne, second degree murder for killing Miller and Payne, and first degree murder for killing Briggs since he had brought a knife. He was sentenced to death after the jury did not recommend mercy. After his appeals failed, Busch was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on June 6, 1962.