Yaqeen Blog

The story of Craig Price, the "Warwick Slasher," is one of the most haunting in true crime history. It isn’t just the brutality of his crimes that shocks the world; it’s the fact that he was only 13 years old when he took his first life. Between 1987 and 1989, Price lived a double life in the quiet suburbs of Warwick, Rhode Island. To his neighbors, he was a polite, baby-faced teenager who helped with groceries. To the law, he would eventually become the youngest serial killer in United States history.

1. The Vibe: Murder in Plain Sight 🏡

Craig Price’s spree began in 1987, but it remained a mystery for two long years. He grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood where he claimed to face severe bullying and racism—factors he would later cite as motives for his "psychotic rage."

• The First Strike (1987): At just 13, Price broke into the home of 27-year-old Rebecca Spencer, who lived only two houses away. He stabbed her 58 times.

• The Second Spree (1989): Two years later, a 15-year-old Price attacked the Heaton family. He murdered 39-year-old Joan Heaton and her two daughters, Jennifer (10) and Melissa (7).

• The Brutality: The attacks were so violent that the handles broke off the knives he used. He showed zero remorse during his eventual confession.

2. The Struggle: A Legal Loophole ⚖️

When Price was finally caught in September 1989, the state of Rhode Island hit a terrifying legal wall. At the time, juvenile law dictated that any minor—regardless of their crime—must be released at age 21, with their criminal record sealed.

The "Make History" Brag:

Price famously bragged to fellow inmates and guards that he would "make history" when he walked free on his 21st birthday. The thought of a serial killer being released back into the same neighborhood where he slaughtered children sparked national outrage.

📊 The Craig Price Case: Impact & Timeline

3. The Pivot: Why He is Still Behind Bars 🔓

The state couldn't retroactively change the law to keep him in for the murders, so they had to monitor him closely. Price played right into their hands by continuing his violent streak inside the prison walls.

• Contempt of Court: He refused to undergo psychological evaluations, leading to a 25-year sentence for criminal contempt.

• Prison Violence: He has been involved in numerous stabbings of both inmates and correctional officers while serving time in Rhode Island and Florida.

• Current Status: As of 2025, Price remains incarcerated. In 2019, he was sentenced to an additional 25 years for the attempted murder of a fellow inmate in Florida.

Real Talk: Why This Case Matters Today

The Craig Price case changed the American justice system forever. It forced lawmakers to ask: When does a child stop being a child and start being a monster?

The Takeaway:

1. Legal Evolution: Because of Price, "Oopala’s Law" and similar statutes now allow the state to try children as adults for heinous crimes.

2. Psychological Insight: Experts classified him as a "disorganized type" serial killer, driven by internal rages that he refused to treat or even discuss.

3. Community Vigilance: The group Citizens Opposed to the Release of Craig Price (CORCP) proved that community activism can influence the legal system when safety is at stake.

🔗 Reliable & Reputable Sources

• Wikipedia - Craig Price: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Price_(murderer)

• The New York Times Archives: Search "Craig Price Rhode Island"

• FindLaw - State v. Price (2003): Full Court Documents

• FBI Records - Juvenile Killers: https://vault.fbi.gov/

What do you think? Should a 13-year-old ever be considered "beyond rehabilitation," or was the system right to keep him locked up for life?