Crime Stories TV - Catching Killers TV -
January 1990 Portland, Oregon: a young woman [Taunja Bennett] disappeared after playing a game of pool with some men at a local bar. Days later her body was discovered: the victim of a brutal rape and murder. Crime Stories: The Happy Face Killer, 2009
The first in a string of grizzly killings. One of the worst serial crimes in Oregon’s history ... The story of the Happy Faced Killer. ibid.
Sosnovske was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for fifteen years ... The case of the elderly murderer [Pavlinac] and her boyfriend. ibid.
An anonymous letter arrived at the Oregon court-house. ibid.
A few weeks later a second letter arrived at the local newspaper, also signed with a happy face. ibid.
Four other women who the author claimed to have killed. ibid.
Jespersen confessed to authorities that he was the Happy Face Killer. ibid.
We were hoping to find anything that may relate back ot John [Sosnovske] having known Taunja Bennett. Catching Killers III: True Lies I: The Happy Face Killer, rozzer, Netflix 2021
He [John] told me to take the rope and uh put it around her neck … I had my eyes shut. I knew what he was doing and I didn’t want to observe it. ibid. John’s partner & grandma Laverne Pavlinac’s false confession
1991: As we were getting ready for the trial L was now contending that her confession was basically a fabrication and a lie. ibid. rozzer
Laverne Pavlinac was convicted by a jury of 12 for felony murder. ibid.
1994: Letters started to surface that were written by an individual claiming responsibility for Taunja Bennett’s murder. ibid.
The letter writer claimed five murders but I needed more proof. Catching Killers III: True Lies II: The Happy Face Killer, rozzer
Laverne Pavlinac and John Sosnovske were released in November 1995, after being incarcerated for more than 5 years. ibid.
Keith Jesperson was convicted on multiple counts of murder. He will never be released from prison. ibid.