Theresa Caroline Fillingim (May 22, 1963- c. May 1980) was one of four victims of serial killer William Mansfield, Jr found on his property in 1981. two other victims; a woman and a man remain unidentified. All of the victims were found on Mansfield's father's property in Centerwood Avenue in Weeki Wachee, Florida. Mansfield Jr. was convicted of all murders in 1982.
She was identified in 2021 through Parabon NanoLabs, but it took until July 2022 for investigators to confirm this. Her identity was released on July 20, 2022.
Case[]
Fillingim vanished in May 1980 after she didn't show up for a job interview in Tampa, Florida. She was just one week shy of her 17th birthday. Fillingim was reported missing to the Tampa Police Department by her sister, Margaret Johns, on May 16, 1980.
Case[]
The victim was estimated to have been killed between one and three years prior to the discovery of her remains, although her killer claimed he began murdering women as early as 1975. Missing individuals including Cynthia Gooding and Teresa Alfonso were excluded as potential identities. Because of the condition of her skeletonized remains, the only physical detail released was her estimated height, determined to be around 5'4.
Clothing[]
- Red polyester blouse, with elastic surrounding the waist; diameter of the blouse at the waist was approximately 32" and at the chest it was approximately 44".
- Denim pants with a zipper made of 100% cotton.
- Cream-colored nylon bra, unknown size.
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- Tampa Bay Times
- Murderpedia
- The New York Times
- UPI:
- Article #1 (3/29/81)
- Article #2 (4/9/81)
- Fox 13
- Wink News
- The Washington Post
- ↑ An article pertaining to the 2021 "Art of Forensics" workshop, it is stated that the woman was identified earlier the same year.