Robert Ben Rhoades was a truck stop killer, and his final victim was Regina Kay Walters. Robert killed her in 1990 by strangling her in an Illinois Barn. He killed her after photographing her, and she was completely in fear. But he was Robert’s last victim, after which the police officials arrested him.
Who was Regina Kay Walters?
Regina Kay Walters lived a happy life with her loyal boyfriend before her death. Regina was born on May 5, 1975, in Pasadena, Texas. When she was a teenager, she left her hometown to lead her life as she wanted. In Child Protective Services, she grew up with her boyfriend, Ricky Lee Jones. She fled from her home to live with her boyfriend in February 1990.

On the other hand, Ricky’s parents kicked him and his siblings out of their home. Ricky was always against the law and even broke the rules many times. At the age of 18, Ricky started dating Regina. After dating Regina, Ricky turned obedient. In February 1990, the young pair planned to start a new life together. The couple did the necessary things to execute the plan and start a new one in Mexico. While traveling from Pasadena to Mexico, the couple met Robert and became friendly with him.
Who was Robert?

Robert grew up in Council Bluffs. During his teenage years, he was arrested for illegally modifying vehicles and fighting for them. When he was 20, his father raped a 12-year girl, for which the police officials arrested him. But Robert’s father died of committing suicide before attending his trial.
Robert worked in the Marine Corps till the 1960s. Then, he started working as a truck driver in the 1970s. Then, he began to kill innocent people. Before meeting Regina and Ricky, Robert killed the first couple. The authorities didn’t reveal the crimes of Robert until many years later.
Similar to other serial killers, Robert wanted to become a police officer at once. He made several attempts to enter the law enforcement agency. But it was not successful for him, and thus, he became a truck driver. Coming to his family, he has one son and married thrice. Based on the statement of one of his wives, it is clear that he was abusive verbally and sexually towards his wife.
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Murder of Regina Kay Walters

Robert owned a truck which he changed into a homemade mobile torture chamber. This chamber became hell for victims who suffered from the torture of Robert. Regina and Ricky wanted to go to Mexico to start their new life. But unfortunately, while traveling, they met Robert and became friendly with them. Without knowing the brutal killer, Robert, the couple asked for his help. But the shocking fact about him is killing Ricky in front of Regina in his chamber.
Then, Regina spent almost a month in his truck’s compartment, accessible from the front seats. Robert used handcuffs to lock his victims. This will let him abuse victims whenever he stops his truck on US interstates.
After the missing case of Regina, the police officials began to involve in this case, finding out the man. They even got photos from Robert’s house where they saw Regina and other victims’ photos in an apparent fear pose. Furthermore, the officials found Regina’s hair and other bruises at Robert’s house. Such evidence made them understand that Regina was in captivity for a long time.
Additionally, Robert made somehow involving Regina’s father in this case. A month after Regina’s disappearance from her home, Robert called his house. He informed me that he did some changes and cut her hair. He also admitted that he made Regina live in a barn. When Regina’s father asked about his daughter’s survival, Robert said he hung her up.
After a month in captivity, Regina died from torture and abuse by Robert. He even stabbed Regina using fish hooks and then took photographs of her in a barn. Finally, a farmer found Regina’s body in a house and informed the police.
Arrest of Robert
On April 1, 1990, Arizona police arrested Robert. They got to know him when they saw his parked truck and a woman inside it. The police saw the woman naked and screaming for help. Using a pistol, the police officer charged and arrested him for various assaults. Then, the officers came to know about his three more murders.
Robert targeted mostly hitchhikers and sex workers. Almost 3 to 50+ unknown victims suffered from the brutal act of Robert. Some of the known victims were
- Douglas Zyskowski
- Candace Walsh
- Houston woman
- Regina Kay Walters
- Ricky Lee Jones
Between 1975 and 1990, Robert would have raped and killed 50+ people. For his brutal act, he is serving his life sentence now. Investigators got many photos as evidence. One of the memorable photos was Regina’s photo in which Robert cut her hair. He also made her wear a black dress and heels. Such photos were in the place where her body was found. Thus, horrific photos stayed as evidence for officers to prove the brutal act of Robert.
In Robert’s truck, the police found other evidence, such as
- Whips
- Cords
- Chains
- Pins
- Clips
- Fish hooks
- Leashes
- Dildos
Robert attempted to shave the pubic hair of female victims before murdering them. Even he shaved Regina’s pubic hair, which police found after recovering her body. Once, Robert called Regina’s father and informed him about cutting Regina’s hair. Using such proof, they finally found Robert was a brutal murderer. Robert’s last victim was Regina Walters.
The Bottom Line
This is all about the story behind the death of Regina Walters and the mysterious murderer, Robert. Read through the article to get more information about Regina and her death by Robert.
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