In Arkansas, USA, a family experienced a tragic and horrific event during the typically joyous month of December and Christmas season. The perpetrator, a former military serviceman with a history in the US Navy and Air Force, committed a chilling killing spree in 1987 that left 16 people dead, including 14 of his own family members.

Ronald Gene Simmons Sr. orchestrated the deadliest familicide in US history by systematically murdering his wife, children, grandchildren, co-workers, and random strangers. The gruesome events unfolded over a week, leaving a haunting impact that still resonates today.

Beginning on December 22, Ronald embarked on a series of killings in three phases. He started by shooting his wife and oldest son before strangling his three-year-old granddaughter. Subsequently, he awaited the return of four more family members from school, whom he then individually strangled to death and disposed of in a pit on his property.

Following the initial wave of murders, Ronald continued his rampage on December 26 by killing additional family members who had gathered for Christmas. The merciless acts included shootings, strangulations, and drownings, targeting multiple generations within his own family.

After eliminating several family members, Ronald proceeded to carry out more killings in a nearby town before ultimately surrendering to the authorities without resistance. His heinous actions led to his execution by lethal injection in 1990, making him the first person in Arkansas to receive such a sentence. Ronald Gene Simmons Sr. chose not to appeal his conviction for the brutal crimes committed during that fateful December.