Serial Killer James Robert Cruz, Jr. & 'Spring Dawn'
March 22, 1993: Dawn Marie Birnbaum was a 17 year old runaway from the Elan School in Poland Springs, Maine. She was picked up locally by James Robert Cruz, Jr., a truck driver with the New Century Trucking Company of New Waterford, Ohio. On March 23, 1993 he murdered Birnbaum and dumped her half-clothed body on a snow bank at the northbound on-ramp of State Route 26 off route 550 in Spring Township, less than a mile from where Brenda Condon went missing just 2 years earlier.
Birnbaum remained unidentified for a time and was called 'Spring Dawn' by the locals. Through the stellar investigative efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police and FBI, Birnbaum was later identified and her murderer was brought to justice.
Birnbaum remained unidentified for a time and was called 'Spring Dawn' by the locals. Through the stellar investigative efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police and FBI, Birnbaum was later identified and her murderer was brought to justice.
the monster: James Robert Cruz, Jr
Cruz was convicted of Birnbaum's rape and murder and is currently residing at SCI-Fayette for life as prisoner CL1798. It has been suggested on some media outlets that Cruz may be responsible for other murders along his trucking route in the Midwest and the East (though they do not list specific cases). He is mentioned as a serial killer on some websites.
The James Cruz, Jr. episode of Evil Lives Here (S1, E6)
"Home Sweet Nightmare"
"Home Sweet Nightmare"
Is Cruz possibly connected to Brenda CONDON's disappearance?
Left and Right: James Robert Cruz, Jr. from Investigation Discovery's Evil Lives Here Season 1 Episode 6
Center: Pennsylvania State Police artist composite of 1 of 3 men who were allegedly at the bar on the night of Brenda's disappearance. Police have not been able to identify these individuals, who are wanted for questioning.
Center: Pennsylvania State Police artist composite of 1 of 3 men who were allegedly at the bar on the night of Brenda's disappearance. Police have not been able to identify these individuals, who are wanted for questioning.
Reasons Cruz should at least be investigated for Brenda's disappearance:
1. He dumped a homicide victim (Birnbaum) less than a mile from where Brenda Condon went missing just 2 years earlier. Cosmic coincidence or was Cruz revisiting the scene of the crime?
2. Cruz bears a stunning resemblance to the Pennsylvania State Police artist composite of 1 of 3 men who were allegedly at the bar on the night of Brenda's disappearance. Police have not been able to identify these individuals, who are wanted for questioning.
3. Cruz was a long distance truck driver. In Investigation Discovery's Evil Lives Here (Season 1, Episode 6), Cruz's ex wife, Sheila Janutolo-Thiry, stated that he traveled all over the country as a truck driver.
4. It is possible that he is connected to other similar homicides in the country, especially along interstate corridors.
Also, see the article at http://www.robertkellerauthor.com/2020/12/murder-most-vile-volume-32.html
Note for Investigators:
It is said that Cruz used the following on Birnbaum, and may have done the same on other unsolved cases:
"...yellow nylon rope had been wrapped around the victim’s neck and tied in a "granny (style) knot". It was also noted that the victim’s hands had been bound with lengths of the same rope and she was nude from the waist down."
Cruz's ex-wife Sheila stated that she found similar rope with knots in a shed at her residence after he was arrested.
In Memorium:
Sheila L (Janutolo) Thiry
February 15, 1958 ~ December 7, 2019
Sheila L (Janutolo) Thiry
February 15, 1958 ~ December 7, 2019
James Robert Cruz Prison Photos
Courtesy PA DOC
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Courtesy PA DOC
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