Edward Wayne Edwards was an American serial killer, rapist, prison escapee, and fugitive who gained notoriety for a decades-long criminal career. After committing a series of gas station robberies in the 1950s and 1960s, he was placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, leading to his capture. Paroled in the late 1960s, Edwards presented himself as reformed, married, and became a motivational speaker, appearing on shows such as To Tell the Truth and What’s My Line? Between the 1970s and 1990s, he murdered at least five people, including couples in Ohio and Wisconsin and his own foster son in a scheme to collect insurance money. His crimes were eventually uncovered with the assistance of his daughter, April Balascio, who tipped offEdward Wayne Edwards was an American serial killer, rapist, prison escapee, and fugitive who gained notoriety for a decades-long criminal career. After committing a series of gas station robberies in the 1950s and 1960s, he was placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, leading to his capture. Paroled in the late 1960s, Edwards presented himself as reformed, married, and became a motivational speaker, appearing on shows such as To Tell the Truth and What’s My Line? Between the 1970s and 1990s, he murdered at least five people, including couples in Ohio and Wisconsin and his own foster son in a scheme to collect insurance money. His crimes were eventually uncovered with the assistance of his daughter, April Balascio, who tipped off authorities about his involvement in the so-called “Sweetheart Murders.” Edwards was arrested in 2009, pleaded guilty to multiple murders, and received a death sentence for his final confirmed killing. He died in prison shortly after. Law enforcement and researchers suspect he may have committed additional murders, with some controversial theories linking him to high-profile cases such as the Zodiac killings. His story has been featured in numerous documentaries, television episodes, and podcasts, including Cold Case Files, People Magazine Investigates, It Was Him: The Many Murders of Ed Edwards, and The Clearing. ...more
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