Early Life and Background:
David Alan Gore was born on August 21, 1953, in Florida. Described as a large man, weighing 275 pounds, he fit the stereotypical image of a redneck. Gore had a troubling history from an early age, with deviant behavior that first surfaced during his teenage years. His first job as a gas station attendant ended abruptly after his boss discovered that Gore had drilled a hole into the wall, allowing him to peep into the women's restroom.
Despite his troubling past, Gore later became an auxiliary police officer—a volunteer position that still carried a certain level of authority and respect. Unfortunately, this position of trust enabled him to commit his later crimes with alarming ease. By day, Gore worked as a caretaker in a local citrus grove, a job that provided him with a secluded area to carry out his horrific acts.
Fred Waterfield, Gore’s cousin, was born in New Jersey on September 29, 1952. Unlike Gore, Waterfield had a relatively stable life, having played football in high school. However, he had a known violent streak and a penchant for rough intercourse, traits that would later play into his role as an accomplice in Gore’s crimes. The press would eventually dub them the "Killer Cousins."
The Formation of a Deadly Duo:
David and Fred’s partnership in crime began when Fred offered David $1,000 for every "pretty woman" he could bring to him. This gruesome arrangement marked the beginning of a killing spree that would leave a trail of devastation across Florida.
Their first known victims were a mother and daughter, Hsiang Huang Ling, 48, and Yina Hua Ling, 17. On February 19, 1981, Gore used his police badge to abduct Yina as she was getting off her school bus. He then drove her to her home, where her mother was waiting. The two women were kidnapped, taken to a secluded wooded area, and brutally murdered. Hsiang was tied to a tree and slowly choked to death while Gore and Waterfield assaulted her daughter before killing her as well. The bodies were dismembered, placed in oil drums, and buried.
Escalation of Violence:
The cousins' next victim was Judith Daley, a 35-year-old blonde woman. On July 15, 1981, Gore disabled Judith's car while she was at the beach and then offered to drive her to a phone to call for help. Instead, he took her to a secluded area where Fred was waiting. After assaulting and murdering her, they disposed of her body in a swamp, possibly feeding her remains to alligators. Fred, satisfied with the victim, paid Gore $1,000 for his "services."
Just a week after Judith's murder, Gore attempted to abduct a teenage girl but failed. The girl’s father filed a complaint, leading to Gore losing his badge. However, this didn’t stop him. Days later, Gore was arrested for armed trespassing after being found hiding in a woman's car with a police scanner, handcuffs, and a gun. He was sentenced to five years in prison but served only two before being paroled in March 1983.
The Final Spree:
Upon his release, Gore quickly resumed his killing spree. In May 1983, he and Waterfield targeted two 14-year-old hitchhikers from Orlando, Barbara Byer and Angelica LaValle. Both girls were assaulted and murdered. Barbara’s body was dismembered and buried in a shallow grave, while Angelica’s body was dumped in a canal. These are the murders that led to Waterfield receiving two life sentences, with the possibility of parole after 50 years.
On July 26, 1983, the cousins claimed their last known victims, Lynn Elliott, 17, and Regan Martin, 14. The girls were hitchhiking to Wabasso Beach when they were kidnapped and taken to a home owned by Gore's family. After Fred left, Gore tied the girls up in separate rooms and assaulted them. Lynn managed to escape but was caught and shot in the head by Gore. A neighbor's son witnessed the murder and alerted the police. Gore was arrested after a 90-minute standoff, and Regan was found alive, handcuffed to the rafters in the attic.
The Aftermath:
Gore’s arrest led to his confession to multiple murders and the discovery of the remains of several victims. He was sentenced to death for the murder of Lynn Elliott and spent 28 years on death row before being executed by lethal injection on April 12, 2012. His last words expressed remorse, but Lynn Elliott's family remained unconvinced of his sincerity.
Fred Waterfield, who was convicted of two murders, continues to serve his life sentences. He maintains his innocence, claiming that he was another victim of Gore’s manipulations. His family, including his twin daughters, has been vocal in supporting his claims of innocence.
Conclusion:
The case of David Alan Gore and Fred Waterfield, the Killer Cousins, remains one of the most chilling in Florida’s history. Their ability to evade capture for so long and the brutality of their crimes have left a lasting scar on the community. While Gore has been executed, the questions surrounding Waterfield’s involvement continue to spark debate. However, for the families of the victims, justice was served with Gore’s execution, even if it couldn’t bring their loved ones back.