His first known victim was Taunja Bennett on January 23, 1990, near Portland, Oregon, United States. He introduced himself to Bennett at a bar and invited her to the house he was renting. He brought her home with the idea of having sexual intercourse with her, and when Bennett refused, he proceeded to strike and beat her. Worried that she would report this to the police, he then 'put his fist in her mouth' and killed her. He established an alibi by going back out for some drinks, being sure to converse with others, before returning to retrieve Bennett's body and belongings to dispose of them. He was back on the road the next day. The body was found a few days later, but there were 3 suspects and 666 leads.