Tommy Lynn Sells
The Cross Country Killer
Active for 20 years
(1980-1999) in United States
3
CONFIRMED
VICTIMS
70
POSSIBLE
VICTIMS
Jump to:
- Summary
- Serial Killer Profile
- Serial Killer Type
- General Information
- Characteristics
- Childhood
- Cognitive Ability
- Incarceration
- Death
- 10 Timeline Events
- Serial Killers Active During Spree
- Boolean Statistical Questions
- 21 Books Written About Tommy Lynn Sells
- 9 External References
- Internal References
Tommy Lynn Sells an American serial killer and drifter known as The Cross Country Killer. Sells was active throughout the United States killing children and multiple victims after breaking into their homes. He was arrested when a ten-year-old girl survived his attack and provided his description to the authorities. In 2000, Sells pleaded guilty and was convicted of the capital murder of Kaylene Harris and attempted murder of Krystal Surles. In 2003, Sells was indicted for the 1997 Missouri murder of Stephanie Mahane and pleaded guilty to strangling to death nine-year-old Mary Bea Perez, for which he received a life sentence. In 2014, Tommy Lynn Sells was executed by lethal injection in Texas.
Tommy Lynn Sells Serial Killer Profile
Serial Killer Tommy Lynn Sells (aka) The Cross Country Killer, was active for 20 years between 1980-1999, known to have ( 3 confirmed / 70 possible ) victims. This Serial Killer was active in the following countries: United States
Tommy Lynn Sells was born on June 28th 1964 in Oakland, California, US. He was raised by his aunt, Bonnie Woodall, in Holcomb, Missouri until age (Age 5), biological mother until (Age 13). He had four including one twin sister. His mother, Nina Sells. During his education he had academic, social or discipline problems. Tommy Lynn Sells was sexually and abused at some point of his life.
Tommy Lynn Sells a heterosexual male citizen of the United States of America, with religious ties and/or beliefs connected with the atheism religion, organization or belief system. He took an intelligence quotient test before or after his crimes, Tommy Lynn Sells had an IQ of 100. He completed 8 years of school, no degree received. He married multiple times. He had no children. He had a medical condition: bipolar disorder.
Prior to his spree he had killed, commited crimes, served time in jail, and served time in prison. He was known to abuse alcohol and drugs.
In 1980 (Age 15/16) Tommy Lynn Sells started his killing spree, during his crimes as a serial killer he was known to rob, strangle, rape, and murder his victims. Tommy Lynn Sells used a weapon and was in possession of a firearm during his crimes. He was known to kill at both his home and the home of the victim. He positioned or posed at least one body after death. At the time of his crimes he was living with himself, alone as a homeless man in multiple locations, where he was known to work as a serial killer.
He was arrested on January 2nd 2000 (Age 35), convicted on September 18th 2000 (Age 36), sentenced to death lethal injection at Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, US. He was convicted on charges of murder and other possible charges during his lifetime. Tommy Lynn Sells was executed on April 3rd 2014 (Age 49).
Tommy Lynn Sells died on April 3rd 2014 (Age 49), cause of death: capital punishment, executed by lethal injection at Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, US.
Profile Completeness: 94%
serial killers by profile completenessTommy Lynn Sells has been listed on Killer.Cloud since November of 2016 and was last updated 5 years ago.
Tommy Lynn Sells a known:
( 651 killers ) SERIAL KILLER
The unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events. Serial Killer as defined by the FBI at the 2005 symposium.
( 308 killers ) RAPIST
Rape is usually defined as having sexual intercourse with a person who does not want to, or cannot consent.
( 251 killers ) STRANGLER
Strangulation is death by compressing the neck until the supply of oxygen is cut off. Stranglers kill by Strangulation.
Tommy Lynn Sells
Serial Killer Profile:
Updated: 2019-04-21 Collected by Killer.Cloud
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Tommy Lynn Sells |
| Nickname: | The Cross Country Killer |
| Victims: | 3 - 70 |
| Years Active: | 1980 - 1999 |
| Ages Active: | 15/16 - 34/35 |
| Active Countries: | United States |
| Convicted Of: | murder |
| Life Span: | 1964 - 2014 |
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Sexual Preference: | heterosexual |
| Religious Affiliation: | atheism |
| Medical Condition: | bipolar disorder |
| Astrological Sign: | ♋ Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 23 |
| Birth Month: | June |
| Marital Status: | married multiple times |
| Children: | no children |
| Living With: | himself, alone as a homeless man in multiple locations |
| Occupation: | serial killer |
| Childhood Information | |
|---|---|
| D.O.B.: | Jun 28, 1964 |
| Given Name: | Tommy |
| Birth Location: | Oakland, California, US |
| Birth Order: | N/A |
| Siblings: | four including one twin sister |
| Raised By: | his aunt, Bonnie Woodall, in Holcomb, Missouri until age (Age 5), biological mother until (Age 13) |
| Birth Category: | N/A |
| Mother: | Nina Sells |
| Father: | N/A |
| Cognitive Ability | |
|---|---|
| IQ: | 100 |
| Highest School: | 8 years of school |
| Highest Degree: | no degree received |
| Incarceration | |
|---|---|
| Arrested: | Jan 2, 2000 (Age 35) |
| Convicted: | Sep 18, 2000 (Age 36) |
| Sentence: | death lethal injection |
| Prison Location: | Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, US |
| Executed: | Apr 3, 2014 (Age 49) |
| Previous Crimes: | TRUE |
| Previous Jail: | TRUE |
| Previous Prison: | TRUE |
| Death Information | |
|---|---|
| Death Date: | Apr 3, 2014 (Age 49) |
| Manner of Death: | capital punishment |
| Cause of Death: | executed by lethal injection |
| Death Location: | Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, US |
| Killed In Prison: | FALSE |
| Suicide: | FALSE |
10 Timeline Events of Serial Killer
Tommy Lynn Sells
The 10 dates listed below represent a timeline of the life and crimes of serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells. A complete collection of serial killer events can be found on our Serial Killer Timeline.
| Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| Jun 28 1964 | Tommy Lynn Sells was born in Oakland, California, US. #19640628 |
| 1980 (Age 15/16) | Tommy Lynn Sells started his serial killing spree. #1980 |
| Jun 28 1984 (Age 20) | 20th Birthday |
| Jun 28 1994 (Age 30) | 30th Birthday |
| 1999 (Age 34/35) | Tommy Lynn Sells ended his serial killing spree. #1999 |
| Jan 02 2000 (Age 35) | Tommy Lynn Sells arrested. #20000102 |
| Sep 18 2000 (Age 36) | Tommy Lynn Sells was convictedand sentenced to death lethal injection at Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, US. #20000918 |
| Jun 28 2004 (Age 40) | 40th Birthday |
| Apr 03 2014 (Age 49) | Tommy Lynn Sellswas executed.cause of death:capital punishment,executed by lethal injectionat Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, US. #20140403 |
| Jun 28 2014 (Age 50) | 50th Birthday |
Back to top Serial Killers Active During
The following serial killers were active during the same time span as Tommy Lynn Sells (1980-1999).
Serial Killers By Active Year
| 37 / 40 ANSWEREDSerial Killer Boolean Questions: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killer Question | Killer Answer | Total Answered | ||
| problems in school | TRUE | 221 | ||
| sexually abused | TRUE | 226 | ||
| drug abuse | TRUE | 226 | ||
| alcohol abuse | TRUE | 226 | ||
| previous crimes | TRUE | 367 | ||
| previous jail | TRUE | 352 | ||
| previous prision | TRUE | 336 | ||
| previous killed | TRUE | 208 | ||
| kill at killers home | TRUE | 320 | ||
| kill at victims home | TRUE | 323 | ||
| used weapon | TRUE | 453 | ||
| used gun | TRUE | 451 | ||
| rape | TRUE | 453 | ||
| strangle | TRUE | 443 | ||
| posed body | TRUE | 365 | ||
| robbed | TRUE | 418 | ||
| living with children | FALSE | 268 | ||
| suicide | FALSE | 225 | ||
| killed in prison | FALSE | 218 | ||
| teased in school | FALSE | 218 | ||
| physically defect | FALSE | 300 | ||
| speach defect | FALSE | 300 | ||
| head injury | FALSE | 299 | ||
| physically abused | FALSE | 231 | ||
| psychologically abused | FALSE | 224 | ||
| psychologist | FALSE | 258 | ||
| forensic hospital | FALSE | 257 | ||
| torture | FALSE | 426 | ||
| stalk | FALSE | 418 | ||
| blindfold | FALSE | 363 | ||
| bound | FALSE | 406 | ||
| sex with body | FALSE | 430 | ||
| mutilated | FALSE | 447 | ||
| ate part of body | FALSE | 451 | ||
| drank blood | FALSE | 442 | ||
| totem body part | FALSE | 365 | ||
| totem personal item | FALSE | 354 | ||
Books that Mention Tommy Lynn Sells
Kevin Smith
Serial Killer Stranglers
Kevin Smith
Serial Killer Rapists
Ann Rule
Green River, Running Red
Rabia Chaudry
Adnan's Story
Pete Earley
The Serial Killer Whisperer
Diane Fanning
Through the Window
Diane Fanning
Through the Window
Diane Fanning
Gone Forever
21 Books that mention Serial Killer
Tommy Lynn Sells
Tommy Lynn Sells (June 28, 1964 – April 3, 2014) was an American serial killer. He was convicted of one murder, for which he was executed. Authorities believe he committed at least another 21 murders.
External References
- Tommy Lynn Sells on en.wikipedia.org, Retrieved on Sep 14, 2018.
- Juan Ignacio Blanco, Tommy Lynn SELLS on murderpedia.org, Retrieved on Sep 14, 2018.
- Catherine Rowe, Nicole Ruggiero, Sells, Tommy Lynn on maamodt.asp.radford.edu, Retrieved on Sep 14, 2018.
- Q1364334 on www.wikidata.org, Retrieved on Oct 9, 2018.
- Charles Montaldo, Profile of Serial Killer Tommy Lynn Sells on www.thoughtco.com, Retrieved on Jan 21, 2019.
- Graphic Excerpts From Tommy Lynn Sells' Transcripts on www.14news.com, Retrieved on Jan 21, 2019.
- Execution Report: Tommy Sells on www.txexecutions.org, Retrieved on Jan 21, 2019.
- Roxanna Sherwood, Serial Killer Tommy Lynn Sells Executed in Texas on abcnews.go.com, Retrieved on Jan 21, 2019.
- Tommy Lynn Sells on www.serienkillers.de, Retrieved on Feb 18, 2019.
Internal References
Tommy Lynn Sells is included in the following pages on Killer.Cloud the Serial Killer Database
- #30 of 34[ Page 2 ] of Cancer Serial Killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
- #30 of 34[ Page 2 ] of Serial Killers with birthdays in June
- #39 of 72[ Page 3 ] of serial killers sorted by IQ Level
- #51 of 651[ Page 4 ] of serial killers sorted by Years Active
- #75 of 651[ Page 5 ] of serial killers sorted by Profile Completeness
- #238 of 250[ Page 16 ] of Serial Killer Stranglers sorted by Confirmed Victims
- #295 of 307[ Page 20 ] of Serial Killer Rapist sorted by Confirmed Victims
- #303 of 327[ Page 21 ] of Serial Killers active in the United States
- #533 of 651[ Page 36 ] of the A-Z List of Serial Killers
- #613 of 651[ Page 41 ] of serial killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
- Statistics:
- Serial Killers Statistics, charts Tommy Lynn Sells is included in: Active Serial Killers by Country, Serial Killers By Gender, Age of Serial Killer by Date, Killers By Astrological Sign, Killers By Birth Month, Serial Killers IQ Level, Years of School Completed, Highest Degree Achieved, Sexual Preference, Mannor of Death, Active Serial Killers by Year and Statistical Boolean Questions.
- Years Active: