On February 22, 1994, four teens from Jefferson County, Alabama, committed a horrific murder in the name of Satan. Trace Royal Duncan, 17, Carey Dale Grayson, 19, Kenny Loggins, 17, and Louis Mangione, 16, drove around town indulging in hard drugs and alcohol when they came across a young female hitchhiker walking alongside the road.

Vicki Deblieux & Hitchhiking in the 1990s

Hitchhiking was common back in the 1990s. People traveling long distances without automobiles considered it a fun, affordable way to get around. Drivers often felt compelled to pick up hitchhikers when they ‘thumbed a ride.’

Most hitchhiking trips went smoothly and safely, although people like Ted Bundy and Ed Kemper existed and people were starting to learn better. Sadly, Vicki accepted a ride from the wrong people and became a prime example of why accepting rides from strangers remains extremely dangerous.

Vicki Lynn Deblieux had hitchhiked from her home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Jefferson County. Her final destination was Louisiana, where she planned to move in with her mom.

The teens pulled the car over to the side of the road immediately after Vickie stuck out her thumb, the symbol used by hitchhikers to indicate they wanted a ride. Vickie hopped into the car, and the group was soon on their way. The teens agreed to take Vicki the remainder of the way to Louisiana.

Vicki hit it off with the teens and formed an instant friendship. The group told Vickie they needed to stop in Trussville, Alabama, to pick up another car. While they waited, the group partied in the woods. 

The Murder of Vicki Deblieux

The four boys began cursing and throwing beer bottles at Vicki. She tried to run, but they caught her and tackled her to the ground. The boys then started kicking her all over her body. Grayson and Loggins stood on her throat, causing her to gurgle blood.

Vicki died from her injuries during the early morning hours of February 22, 1994. The boys put her bags and her body inside the back of a pickup truck drove to Bald Rock Mountain, stole her rings and clothes, and sexually assaulted her body, leaving it lying in an open space.

The teens beat Vicki so badly that it broke every bone in her face and her skull, knocked out one of her teeth, collapsed her left eye, and caused hemorrhaging to the right eye.

The group drove to Pell City to clean the vehicle, disposed of Vicki’s luggage in the woods, and headed to Birmingham to drop off Mangione. The other three teens returned to Bald Rock Mountain where they mutilated Vicki’s body by stabbing and cutting her 180 times. The boys amputated her fingers, thumb, and part of her lung to take home with them as souvenirs.

The group drove back to Birmingham and fell asleep in the truck. Grayson’s girlfriend found them covered in blood and mud the next day.

Three days later, three rock climbers discovered Vicki’s mutilated remains.

Show Off Confesses to Murder

Meanwhile, Louis began showing friends and family the mutilated finger he received as a souvenir, ultimately leading to his arrest. He confessed to Vicki’s murder, saying that it was part of a Satanic ritual. He led the police to the other three boys.

Police found Satanic symbols, books, and materials inside the pickup truck.

In April 1994, all four teens were charged with her torture and murder. Trace Duncan was the first of the teens convicted of Vicki’s murder. He was sentenced to death. Louis Mangione was spared death and sentenced to life without parole. Kenneth Loggins was sentenced to death, and so was Carey Grayson. Loggins and Duncan’s death sentences were later commuted to life with the possibility of parole after the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Roper v. Simmons case.

Mangione is currently incarcerated at the Elmore Correctional Facility in Elmore, AL. Duncan is incarcerated at the St. Claire Correctional Facility in Springville, AL. Loggins is an inmate at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility. Grayson is currently on death row at Holman Prison.

Understanding Satanism

Satanism is a set of ideological, philosophical, and spiritual beliefs using the image of Satan as a symbol of personal freedom, rebellion, and individualism. It is often misunderstood and brings stigma due to misconceptions and media portrayals. 

It’s categorized into different branches, with LaVeyan Satanism the most commonly practiced.

Founded by Anton LaVey in 1966, The Church of Satan practices emphasizes atheism and humanism and promotes skepticism towards traditional religion, self-indulgence, and empowerment. This branch does not promote violence nor worship the devil.

Other branches include:

• The Satanic Temple: This organization advocates for the separation of church and state. They use satire to challenge religious privilege and spend much of their time focusing on social justice and activism versus traditional worship.
• Theistic Satanism: Practitioners believe Satan is a deity and worship him as such. They use their personal interpretation of Satanism. Many people who practice Theirsti Satanism view Satan as a force of chaos.
• Luciferianism: This practice focuses on the figure of Lucifer as a symbol of enlightenment. People involved in Luciferianism share a pursuit of knowledge and desire personal growth.

People involved in Satanism generally separate themselves from violence and seek to promote the well-being of all people. Those who do initiate violence do not represent the broader system of beliefs followed by most Satanists but instead fail to distinguish sensationalized media portrayals and beliefs.

Sources & More Case Information:

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/al-court-of-criminal-appeals/1116876.htm

https://www.al.com/spotnews/2012/02/hitchhikers_brutal_slaying_set.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-03-10-9603100309-story.html

https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914d3a0add7b049348456b5

https://law.justia.com/cases/alabama/court-of-appeals-criminal/1995/cr-93-1801-0.html

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154936395/vicki-lynn-deblieux