John Martin Crawford: The Forgotten Canadian Serial Killer Who Preyed on Indigenous Women

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John Martin Crawford: The Forgotten Canadian Serial Killer Who Preyed on Indigenous Women

John Martin Crawford was a violent and sadistic serial killer who murdered at least four Indigenous women in Canada between 1981 and 1992. Unlike infamous Canadian killers like Robert Pickton or Paul Bernardo, Crawford’s crimes received little media coverage, highlighting the systemic racism and neglect faced by missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) in Canada.

For more than a decade, Crawford escaped justice, despite a history of sexual violence, assault, and murder. Even after he was convicted of his first killing in 1981, the justice system failed his future victims by granting him early parole—allowing him to continue his killing spree.

This blog post explores his life, his crimes, and how he was finally brought to justice.

Early Life and Troubled Beginnings

Born in 1952 in Steinbach, Manitoba, but spent most of his life in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Described as dim-witted, violent, and deeply misogynistic—he lacked the intelligence or charm that many serial killers use to manipulate others.
Came from a troubled, possibly abusive background and had a long history of run-ins with the law.
Developed a pattern of violent behavior toward women from a young age.
Frequently arrested for assault, theft, and other petty crimes, but never faced serious consequences.
Targeted Indigenous women, believing that their disappearances would go unnoticed due to racism and police neglect.

The First Murder: Mary Jane Serloin (1981)

Victim: Mary Jane Serloin, an Indigenous woman from Lethbridge, Alberta.
Crime: Raped, brutally beaten, and killed in 1981.
Arrest & Conviction: Charged with manslaughter, not murder, and sentenced to just 10 years in prison.
Early Release: Served only six years before being granted parole in 1987.
Missed Opportunity: If he had been given a life sentence, his later victims would still be alive.

The 1992 Saskatoon Murders

After his early release from prison, Crawford resumed his killing spree, murdering three Indigenous women in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, between May and December 1992.

Victim #2: Eva Taysup

Age: 30
Last seen alive: May 1992
Cause of death: Severe physical trauma and strangulation
Discovery: Her remains were found in a shallow grave outside Saskatoon.

Victim #3: Calinda Waterhen

Age: 22
Last seen alive: November 1992
Cause of death: Extreme blunt force injuries, strangulation
Discovery: Her body was found in the same area as Eva Taysup.

Victim #4: Shelley Napope

Age: 16
Last seen alive: December 1992
Cause of death: Sexual assault, strangulation, and stabbing
Discovery: Found buried in a remote area outside Saskatoon.
All three victims showed signs of prolonged torture before they were killed.
Their murders were largely ignored by the media at the time, despite the brutal nature of the crimes.

How Crawford Was Finally Caught

Despite his growing body count, Crawford was not initially a suspect—largely due to the lack of urgency in investigating missing Indigenous women. His own arrogance led to his downfall.

His Own Words Led to His Arrest

Crawford boasted about his crimes to his friends, describing the killings in graphic detail.
He recorded conversations where he laughed about raping and murdering Indigenous women.
He referred to his victims as "squaws"—a racist slur—showing no remorse for his actions.
One of his acquaintances, disturbed by his confessions, reported him to the police.

The Investigation and Arrest

Once police began investigating, they uncovered shocking evidence:

Trophies taken from his victims found in his home.
Writings describing his fantasies of torturing and killing women.
Forensic evidence linking him to the murders.
In 1995, Crawford was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

The Trial and Conviction

Crawford’s trial took place in 1996 but received little national media attention, despite the gruesome details of his crimes.

During the Trial, It Was Revealed That:

Crawford took pleasure in torturing and killing his victims.
He had a history of violent assaults against women before becoming a serial killer.
There were likely more victims, but police never investigated further.

Verdict and Sentence

Convicted of three counts of first-degree murder.
Sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
Believed to have more victims, but authorities never pursued further investigations.

Life in Prison and Death

Crawford spent the rest of his life in a maximum-security prison.
He did not seek media attention or give interviews, unlike other serial killers.
In 2020, Crawford died in prison at the age of 68.
Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed, but believed to be from natural causes.

Why Did It Take So Long to Catch Him?

One of the most disturbing aspects of Crawford’s case is how easily he was able to continue killing.

The Justice System Failed: He was paroled early after his first murder.
Police Ignored Missing Indigenous Women: They did not investigate disappearances seriously.
Apathy Toward Indigenous Victims: His crimes received little media attention, even after his arrest.
No Serial Killer Profile: Authorities did not connect the murders until it was too late.

If police had acted sooner, three more women might still be alive today.

Final Thoughts: The Forgotten Victims

John Martin Crawford is not as well-known as other Canadian serial killers, but his case is a dark example of how Canada’s justice system failed Indigenous women.

His crimes highlight systemic racism in policing.
The lack of media attention showed how Indigenous victims were ignored.
Even in death, he remains largely forgotten, but his victims should never be.

John Martin Crawford: The Forgotten Canadian Serial Killer Who Preyed on Indigenous Women