Michael Wayne McGray: The Chilling Crimes of Canada’s Most Disturbing Serial Killer
Unlike many serial killers who try to hide their crimes, Michael Wayne McGray openly admitted to his murders, boasting about how he killed for pleasure. He claimed to have killed at least 16 people, though authorities were only able to confirm six victims.
Even after he was arrested and imprisoned, McGray continued to kill, proving that he had no remorse and no intention of stopping.
His case remains one of the most chilling in Canadian history—a story of ignored warnings, a failed justice system, and a psychopath who craved murder.
Who Was Michael Wayne McGray?
Early Life
Michael Wayne McGray was born on July 11, 1965, in Canada, but little is known about his childhood.
Unlike many serial killers who experience abuse, neglect, or traumatic events in early life, McGray’s background appears relatively normal. There are no known reports of him being abused, suffering major trauma, or experiencing significant hardships growing up.
However, he displayed violent tendencies early on, and by the time he was a teenager, he had already committed murder.
First Murder at 17
McGray later confessed to killing his first victim at the age of 17, in 1985.
This murder, however, went unnoticed for years, and it would take another 13 years before police would finally connect McGray to his brutal crimes.
The Murders: A Serial Killer Without a Pattern
Unlike most serial killers who target specific types of victims, McGray was completely random in his selection.
His victims included:
Men and women
People of different ages (from an 11-year-old girl to a 59-year-old man)
Both strangers and acquaintances
Victims from different provinces (Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia)
This randomness made tracking him extremely difficult, allowing him to continue his killing spree for nearly two decades.
1. Elizabeth Gail Tucker (17)
Murdered: 1985
Location: Digby, Nova Scotia
Method: Stabbed multiple times
Victim Profile: A teenage girl hitchhiking alone.
The Crime
Elizabeth Tucker, a 17-year-old girl, was hitchhiking along a rural road in Nova Scotia when McGray picked her up.
Instead of taking her to her destination, McGray drove her to an isolated area, overpowered her, and stabbed her to death.
Her body was found discarded in a wooded area, but for years, police had no suspects.
How He Was Caught
It was only after McGray’s arrest in 1998—13 years later—that he confessed to killing Elizabeth Tucker.
2. Joan Hicks (48) & Nina Hicks (11)
Murdered: 1998
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick
Method: Stabbed (Joan), Strangled (Nina)
Victim Profile: A single mother and her young daughter.
The Crime
On March 20, 1998, McGray broke into Joan Hicks’ apartment in Moncton.
He attacked Joan and stabbed her multiple times.
When her 11-year-old daughter, Nina, walked in, he strangled her to death.
This brutal double murder finally led to McGray’s arrest.
How He Was Caught
Witnesses placed McGray near the crime scene.
DNA evidence linked him to the crime.
When arrested, McGray immediately confessed—but not just to this crime.
He told police he had killed at least 16 people.
3. Robert Assaly (59) & Gaétan Ethier (45)
Murdered: 1991
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Method: Stabbed to death
Victim Profile: Two gay men.
The Crime
McGray met Robert Assaly and Gaétan Ethier in a Montreal bar.
After drinking with them, he lured them into a secluded place, where he stabbed them both to death.
Their murders remained unsolved for years, until McGray confessed in 1998.
4. A Random Man in Saint John, New Brunswick
Murdered: 1987
Location: Saint John, NB
Method: Stabbed
Victim Profile: A random bar patron.
The Crime
In 1987, McGray met a man at a bar in Saint John.
After drinking together, McGray followed him outside and stabbed him repeatedly, leaving his body in an alleyway.
To this day, police have not been able to identify this victim.
The Confessions: Shocking Truths
When arrested in 1998, McGray shocked investigators by casually admitting to more murders.
He claimed:
He had been killing since 1985.
He had murdered at least 16 people.
He had no pattern—he killed whenever he felt like it.
He could have killed even more if he hadn’t been caught.
His most chilling statement:
"If I was released, I’d do it again."
The Murders in Prison
Even being in prison didn’t stop McGray.
5. The Murder of His Cellmate, Jeremy Phillips (33)
Murdered: 2010
Location: Mountain Institution, BC
Method: Strangled
Victim Profile: His own cellmate.
The Crime
In 2010, McGray was placed in a shared cell with Jeremy Phillips.
Within 24 hours, Phillips was found strangled to death.
McGray later said:
"I told them not to put anyone in my cell."
This avoidable murder led to outrage against prison authorities.
Trial and Sentencing
Convictions
McGray was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 25 years.
Prison Warnings Ignored
He warned staff he would kill again.
They ignored the risk, which led to Jeremy Phillips’ death.
The Impact of His Crimes
Reopened cold cases across Canada.
Stricter prison policies for high-risk inmates.
More awareness of “thrill killers” who murder without motive.
Final Thoughts: A Killer with No Regret
Michael Wayne McGray never showed remorse. He loved killing and would have continued if he hadn’t been caught.
To this day, investigators believe he may have more victims that remain undiscovered.
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