The Family That Caught Suspected Serial Killer Adam Leroy Lane

April 21, 2008

As a writer who makes his living from the true-crime genre, I am frequently contacted by people who have a story to tell, usually an unpleasant one that doesn't have a happy ending.  Such was the case, I thought, when Chelmsford, Massachusetts resident Jeannie McDonough, 47, e-mailed me recently to tell me how she, her husband, Kevin, and then-15-year-old daughter, Shea, had collectively joined forces to fight off a masked intruder last July 30 as he attempted to assault Shea.  Imagine my further surprise when Jeannie told me that they had later learned that the suspect, Adam Leroy Lane, 43, was a suspected serial killer who, police said, had allegedly stabbed a woman to death a day earlier.  Fortunately, the McDonough family lived to tell their story, and it had a reasonably happy ending, for them at least.  It could have turned out much worse.  Jeannie and her family are, naturally, concerned about how much can be said about their case without jeopardizing other ongoing investigations involving Lane and the other families that he has allegedly victimized and, as such, kept what she told me to a minimum out of respect for the police and the other families involved.  Nonetheless, here's what I pieced together from what Jeannie McDonough told me, as well as from other sources, about a case in which the victims survived.

Continue reading: The Family That Caught Suspected Serial Killer Adam Leroy Lane

Comments

[KC]

Hi Gary,

Not sure if you're still tracking this story, but I thought I'd add my two cents...

I am the Mom of the fourteen year in your story. That was probably one of the most unfortunate and scary events in our lives. Although we were unscathed, it was horrific at best. My heart goes out to Shea and her parents. I wish he could have been stopped before he got that far.

[Gary C. King]

Hi KC,

Thanks for the update. You and your daughter, and anyone else who may have been in your home at the time of Lane's "prowling," are very lucky indeed. It could have turned out much worse, and thankfully Lane was apprehended before he could attack and/or kill anyone else.

I haven't heard any additional news from Shea's family, but have often wondered if there were any new developments in the case. Are you aware of anything new, such as trial dates, etc.? I'll make some inquiries and when I find something of interest I'll report it here.

Thanks for your post!

[KC]

I don't think you understand me. I am of the Shea family. The forth victim's first name was Shea. Adam Lane assaulted my family second. He stalked and attacked my 14 year old daughter and myself at about 2 AM. I ran in the house. He chased me. The police were called. It's all on tape. Thank God the Police came quickly. He left. But I don't think the Police believed what I said because I live in a trailer park. I told them he looked like a Navy Seal with holsters. They didn't want a statement. I don't think they even looked. Then the next day they called for a description. Well, you know what, maybe if they took it serious earlier, the whole thing could have been avoided. The McDonough's house was actually the forth house hit that night. Did you know that?

[KC]

I dont know if you've evaluated the previous postings, but if you haven't, please delete the previous posting by me. It has no credence. Thanks.

[The Bergers]

We were extremely close friends with Monica for over 20 years who he senselessly murdered last summer. Our friend who works the fire department says that they are preparing to bring him down to Hunterdon County Jail to stand trial for Monicas murder. We did not sleep for weeks afterwards and from the begining we told the detectives we thought it was from that truck stop. We know almost every one of Monicas aqaintences and friends and just knew it was none of them. To bad we do not uphold the death penalty in Jersey right now cause this beast needs to be fried.

[A Friend]

http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0708/535192.html The latest update from PA on Adam Leroy Lane

[Jacqueline Brooks]

This was the first time i really looked anything up about Adam Lane. But it's been a year since a man came into my home at two am in Pa and attacked my mother while she was sleeping a couple of days before he began to search for his next victims. It's been a year and i still remember that night like it happened last night. My three year old who also witnessed it still talks about it to this day also. I just wanted to let the McDonough family know that there is someone out there that feels their pain. Im not sure if you guys are aware but there is two survivors from Adam Lane and thats Shea and my mother. I thank god every single day because unlike the other victims families our loved ones survived. Shea if you ever read this your really lucky to have such a strong dad and i dont even know him but im thankful because of him he stopped others from having to feel that feeling we get late at night or even when your by your self during the day.

God Bless,
Jacqueline
York,pa

[marie6116]

hello im marie
im intering in serial killer
as that alot to know about then
they crazy but very smart
human began.
wow i read you story
glad he didt get

[Jeannie McDonough]

Jacqueline,
A friend of mine just made me aware of your post. Thank you so much for the kind words, we are all really lucky to be alive. Our family has thought about your mom and your family constantly in hopes that you are all somehow putting your lives back together and healing. I'm so sorry for the trauma of what you were faced with. You are all in our prayers.

We wish you the very best and hope to meet you when Lane is finally sentenced in PA.

I hope that you check back periodically and see that we finally responded to your earlier post and I apologize that we didn't see it sooner.

God Bless you all,
The McDonough Family

[Amy]

What was this guy up to during the winter of '00-'01?

We were living along the PA border on the NY side (Waverly,NY) for a few months.
One night we woke up and there was a man in a similar getup standing in our driveway facing our teenage daughter's window. Just standing there with his arms raised up.

We called police but he had disappeared by the time they got there.

[MARY]

I live a few doors down from the Ewalt woman that was killed on her deck by Adam leroy. The night before she was killed my dog was barking constantly at all my windows and doors, she has never done that before, i mentioned it to my husband the next morning and that evening the dog was going nuts again at 2am. Little did we know at 2am when my dog was going nuts he was killing Mrs. Ewalt a few doors away. My advise is KEEP YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS LOCKED AT ALL TIMES!

[Sandra L Baker]

I wonder if it iss more widespread becuz we have a closer way of exposing each other to the murders that seem to happen on a daily basis. I speak not of the usual hum drum murdewrs domestic and otherwise but the horrific ones that seem to interest many people on many levels. I find myself enthralled and disgusted at the same time. I am happy to see this website I hope I can make a positive input.

[David McDonnell]

To any and all who were affected by this, God Bless you all and I hope you are healing from the damage done by thsi evil #@$%...!!

Specifically to Kevin and Jean, and their incredibly brave daughter Shea, All I can say is you are heroes, I have a daughter the same age as Shea, and I can't imaging the terror of finding an intruder assaulting my daughter. Kevin if you ever read this, you are my hero, and in my prayers. Jean, I cannot imagine how terrible this was for you as her mother, and to Shea, above all, as a father, I can only pray that my own daughter has the strength that you do to fight back if she ever has the need to.. God Bless you all... David M - Cecil PA

[Jeannie McDonough]

David,
Thank you so much for your kind words. Our family truly appreciates the outpouring of support that we have received. As we said, we definitely had a higher power with us that night and I feel that the spirit of those women were with us when we were able to overtake that SOB. They said "enough" and so it was.

Our daughter is amazing and her composure that night saved all our lives. Our family is blessed. Our son was sleeping at a friend's house that night and I know that if he had been there, things could have turned out very differently. So all in all, for our family, it has renewed our faith in God.

Best wishes to you and your family and thank again for your kindness.

Jeannie

[Dave McDonnell]

Jeannie,

Take strength in the fact that when this evil SOB meets his maker, he will cower in the face of true vengeance. The three ladies who lent you, Kevin, and Shea their strength and love from beyond the grave are God's angels, and they will ultimately bring him to his fate.

[michelle]

I am glad that he is off the streets. I live right up the road from the town where he lived in north csrolina and had to pass by his place many times while i was on my way to and from church. I shudder to think what might have happened to my daughters and myself if i had broken down on the road where he lived. They think he was also responsible for killing a police man too. crazy goon. i hope they execute him. prison is too good for him. I think he hated and despised women.

[KC]

Jeannie,

I hope you, Kevin and Shea are doing ok. Sorry about what I wrote earlier. That is a long story.

God Bless you and your family!

KC