A Christmas Nightmare
The Shocking Dayton Killings and the Dark Side of the Holidays
By Malisha Dutta
“In the minds of the killers, the motive was never clear. What they had done was not murder in the traditional sense. It was something more.”
The Dayton Christmas Tragedy - 1992
The holiday season of 1992 did not bring any joy to the quaint town of Dayton, Ohio. A dark twist turned Christmas into a bloody frenzy. Between 24 and 26 December, four people were killed in cold blood, and almost two injured. Six innocent victims. By a four-member teenage clique called ‘Downtown Posse’. Motives such as robbery and revenge seem far-fetched among teenagers but not in this case. With the execution of its final member, this gruesome case shocked the whole world! Senseless violence and the holiday spirits combined to give Dayton the apprehension every man fears in his town.
WHAT HAPPENED IN DAYTON IN JUST 3 DAYS?
Our story starts with Downtown Posse, a gang of juveniles, led by Marvallous Matthew Keene. The ringleader took a vile turn on 24th December when he killed 6 people and conducted multiple robberies across the town. This gang consisted of Matthew Keene (19), Laura Taylor (16), Heather Matthews (20), and DeMarcus Smith (17).
The Brutal Christmas Crime Spree
The co-conspirators (Taylor, Keene, and Matthews) targeted 34-year-old Joseph Wilkerson under the pretext of a sexual arrangement in exchange for money. Inside Wilkerson’s bedroom, they played tricks. The victim was tied to a bed with an electrical cord while the girls went on burgling the house. Keene and Taylor used a .32 caliber Derringer (retrieved from Wilkerson’s house) to shoot him in the chest. Not just that, they used his automobile as a getaway car.
Next, the trio met with their fourth member, Smith, and planned to commit another murder. They came across 18-year-old Danita Gullette using a payphone. Smith and Keene forced the innocent mother of a two-year-old to take off her shoes and jacket. While Taylor wore Gullette’s jacket, the boys killed Danita with the same .32 gun.
A Nightmare Unfolds
After the chaos of two murders, the gang made their way to Wilkerson’s house for the night, all while planning their next victim. The ex-boyfriend of Matthews became their next target. Fortunately, after being shot four times in the leg, he was able to escape and survive in his neighbor’s house.
Christmas Day brought another violent spree when the group stole Wilkerson’s second car and went after another ex-boyfriend, Richmond Maddox (19). He was shot in the temple while driving his car. One shot, one life lost.
A Horrendous Christmas Morning
On the morning of December 26, 1992, Downtown Posse robbed a grocery store. During the armed robbery, they shot three people, killing Sarah Abraham (38) and severely injuring two more. Smith forced Sarah, the cashier, to hand over $40, before ruthlessly shooting her in the head. A mother of three children succumbed to her injuries after spending four days in the hospital.
The Ultimate Betrayal
The gang picked up two of their friends, Cottrill (16) and Washington (18), fearing exposure to the police. Despite promises that they hadn’t gone to the police, Keene shot Cottrill, and Smith shot Washington. Their bodies were found five days later.
The Christmas Nightmare Continues to Haunt Dayton
From senseless shootings to executing their own members, the Christmas of 1992 turned into a nightmare that continues to haunt Dayton to this day.
Forensic Details You Might Have Missed 🕵️♀️
The group members were arrested within 72 hours of December 26th. Matthews and Keene, being adults, faced charges of murder and robbery, while Smith and Taylor, being juveniles (under 18), were charged as adults since they were deemed incapable of rehabilitation by the juvenile system.
A series of autopsies, ballistics, and gunshot residue tests were conducted post serial murders in Dayton. Some of the victims, like Sarah Abramson, suffered more fatal shots since being fired at close range. The .32 pistol became a key piece of evidence. The gun helped connect the dots in the bigger picture, as well as the gunshot residues on the suspects.
Most of the killings and the manner of the executions indicate premeditation, which resulted in the convicts being sentenced to death by lethal injection and life imprisonment.
The Crime That Shook Dayton
The forensics behind the investigation reveal a chilling connection between the crime and the tools used, cementing the brutality of the act. This case forever altered Dayton's peace.
Impact and Legacy 💔🎄
The Dayton Christmas Killings of 1992 were like the ultimate holiday plot twist no one saw coming—except this one was real, brutal, and left the community and the whole country stunned. Not only were the murders horrific, but the cold, stone-faced lack of remorse from the perpetrators made everything even creepier. It was the kind of crime that had everyone asking, “How did this even happen?” The media had a field day, sparking conversations about everything from teen crime sprees to the influence of gang culture and how socioeconomic struggles can shape a person’s decisions—especially the bad ones.
On the flip side, the case became a prime example of how law enforcement can move like lightning when needed, showing that quick thinking and teamwork are key in solving chaotic, high-stakes situations. In the end, the whole mess made Dayton—and the world—realize that even in the midst of festive lights and holiday cheer, the darkest of tales can unfold.
