twosleuthspodcast
- Feb 29
- 4 min read

Richard Biegenwald: The Thrill Killer Part 2

Updated: Feb 29

Richard Biegenwald had already completed a life sentence for murder when he was accused of attempted rape. However, the latter charge was dropped after a cunning remark by Biegenwald's attorney led to him shaving his hair and likely kept him from being chosen by the victim in a police lineup.

We pick up in this episode after the rape charge was dropped and he was released back into society- again. That's when cities near the New Jersey shore began seeing an uptick in disappearances of young women.

Most of the female victims had similar profiles - they had brown hair and brown eyes and were alone at the time they dissapeared.

Listen along as we tell you about each victim and how the investigation unfolded. Most shockingly is how Biegenwald may never have been caught, which likely would have allowed his victim list to grow beyond the suspected 150 people his attorney believes he has killed.

Beyond the confirmed victims Biegenwald was charged with, there are at least two others identified as belonging to him. However, he had plans to confess to 25 more and the rest haven't been linked. That is where we need help from you sleuths to scour databases and research what unsolved cases match his M.O.

Richards's known victims:

Anna Olesiewicz

The daughter of a fire chief, she grew up with older siblings. She was closer in age to most of her nieces and nephews. She was a phenomenal aunt and wanted a big family of her own one day. Anna was a huge music lover and concert go-er with some of her favorite bands being Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath.

Maria Ciallella

Maria disappeared on Halloween in 1981 after walking home from a party.

She was an accomplished soccer player who was quiet, but loved live music. She had dreams of attending college in South Carolina the following year.

Deborah Osborne

Deborah was the oldest of three sisters.

Growing up she was a big fan of bowling and swimming. She also had a big group of friends who said she not only had a great sense of humor, but was overall extremely likable, easy going and friendly.

Betsey Bacon

Betsey was last seen by her mother around 11pm, as she left their home to walk to a nearby 7-11 to purchase cigarettes.

William Ward

William was an associate of Dherran Fitzgerald.

Believed to be additional victims of Richard

Virginia Clayton

Called "Ginny" by her family and friends, Her parents described her as an “all-around girl” who loved football and playing softball. She was also passionate about singing, drawing and had hopes to become a model.

John Patrone

An associate of Richard Biegenwald who was last seen with Richard when the two headed out for 'target practice.'

Dherran Fitzgerald (left) and Richard Biegenwald (right) at their arraignment for the murder charge of Anna Olesiewicz

Dherran Fitzgerald(left) and Biegenwald(right) at their arraignment. Photo Courtesy of Asbury Park Press

Thrill Killer Richard Biegenwald:

Biegenwald in a undated prison photograph///Courtesy: Wikipedia.com

Investigators dug up the yard of Biegenwald's former home extorting to find dozens of bodies. Below is what it looked like in the aftermath.

Biegenwald showed off one of the bodies of his victims, which he kept in this garage for a short time.

Part 2 of ‘Richard Biegenwald the Thrill Killer’ is out now! Listen anywhere you get your podcasts.

SOURCES:

Richard Biegenwald: The Thrill Killer Part 2

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