The trial for Billy Chemirmir, 48, for allegedly killing 18 people over two years began Monday.
Chemirmir supposedly targeted women who mostly lived in elderly care homes, posing an easy target for his manipulation. On multiple occasions, it is said that Chemirmir was able to pose as a handyman or other worker to gain access into the homes. In other instances, Chemirmir allegedly forced entry.
Chemirmir’s first alleged victim was 83 year old Leah Corken, who was found in her room at The Tradition-Prestonwood elderly community.
Corken’s death was ruled a stroke, but her daughter reported that the makeup smudges on her pillow left questions about the actual cause of death. Corken’s jewelry, including her wedding ring, had also been taken. The theft was allegedly a sign of Chemirmir’s presence, but investigators didn’t realize this for some time.
Similar uncanny reports kept flowing in over slightly-off deaths involving old but “otherwise healthy and active” people. Each victim was reported to have jewelry missing, and other details of the deaths were out of place.
Billy Chemirmir was finally arrested in March 2018 after failing to kill one of his potential victims, 91-year-old Mary Annis Bartel. During his time awaiting trial, a total of 18 alleged victims have been connected with Chemirmir. He had also allegedly killed eight of his victims at The Tradition-Prestonwood facility alone, CBS writes.
Police had previously arrested Chermimir after he violated a criminal trespass order and was found to be using two IDs.
Some of the victim’s relatives met and formed the group Secure Our Seniors’ Safety. The group called for an investigation into the deaths and now advocates for more safety measures for the elderly.
Their plan now focuses on “requiring medical examiners to notify families when a relative’s death certificate is amended and requiring spot checks by officials at a cash-for-gold shop,” both of which are now Texas Law.
Billy Chemirmir will face life in prison without parole if found guilty of the 18 deaths. His attorney has not commented as the trial date becomes closer, officially beginning on Monday.