Sean Lannon

Last updated
Sean M. Lannon
BornMarch 3, 1974 [1]
Conviction(s) New Jersey: First degree murder (1 count)
New Mexico: Second degree murder (4 counts)
Criminal penaltyNew Jersey: 35 years
New Mexico: 60 years
Details
Victims5 convicted
16 claimed
Span of crimes
January –March, 2021
CountryUnited States
State(s) New Mexico and New Jersey

Sean M. Lannon is an American serial killer who killed at least five people in New Mexico and New Jersey, including his ex-wife, but has claimed to have killed 16. [2]

Contents

Crimes

On March 5, 2021, the bodies of four people were found in a vehicle at the Albuquerque International Sunport parking garage. They were identified of Jennifer Lannon (ne Whitman), 39, who was Lannon's ex-wife, Matthew Miller, 21, Jesten Mata, 40 and Randal Apostalon, 60, three of whom were reported missing in January. [3] Three days later, 66-year-old Michael Dabkowski was found bludgeoned to death at his home in East Greenwich Township, New Jersey. Lannon was arrested two days later in Missouri after he was caught driving Dabkowski's car which he had stolen. [4] Following his arrest, he was brought back to New Jersey where he claimed to have killed 16 people, 15 of which were in New Mexico. He also claimed to have been sexually abused as a minor by Dabkowski. [5]

Trials

Lannon was first put on trial for Dabkowski's murder in New Jersey. In October 2022, Lannon pleaded guilty to the murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison two months later. [6] Following that, he was brought back to New Mexico to face trial for the other murders. Investigators believe he killed and dismembered Jennifer Lannon, Mata and Miller, then had Apostolan load the remains into a pickup truck before being killed himself. [7] In May 2024, Lannon pleaded guilty to the remaining murders and was given four consecutive 15-year sentences for each victim. As part of the plea agreement, Lannon will serve his 35-year sentence in New Jersey, then be returned to New Mexico to serve the 60-year combined total sentence. [8]

Victims

The following is a chronology of Lannon's crimes. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ "Offender Details-Sean Lannon". State of New Jersey Department of Corrections.
  2. ↑ Breed, Allen Breed (March 20, 2021). "Prosecutor: Man accused of 1 murder says he really killed 16". Associated Press. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  3. ↑ Balsamo, Michael (March 21, 2024). "Official confirms man now linked to 5 deaths". Associated Press. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  4. ↑ Brandt, Joe; Long, Cydney (March 13, 2021). "Man Picked Up After Multi-State Manhunt for Quadruple Murder Charged in NJ Slaying". WNBC. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  5. ↑ Hall, Gray (March 19, 2021). "Prosecutor: Sean Lannon claims he killed 16 people in NJ, New Mexico". WABC-TV. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Man linked to 5 killings in 2 states sentenced for murder". Associated Press. December 30, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Man accused of 4 murders 'stands silent' at plea hearing". KOB. June 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  8. ↑ Reisen, Matthew (May 23, 2024). "Grants man pleads guilty to four slayings in grisly 2021 case". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  9. ↑ Gray, Matt (May 31, 2024). "Convicted spree killer Sean Lannon sentenced in last of 5 violent murders". NJ.com. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
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