Katie Nelson|Sioux Falls Argus Leader
If you lived in South Dakota betweenthe mid-1990s and the early 2000s, the name Robert Leroy Anderson likely stirs memories of horrific crimes that shocked the state.
But thanks to a new book, the public is about to get a fresh look at the crimes, capture and conviction ofRobert Leroy Anderson, who was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of two local women in 1994 and 1996.
"Duct Tape Killer: The True Inside Story of Sexual sad*st & Murderer Robert Leroy Anderson"details the unknown stories behind the killings and how Anderson was eventually brought to justice. Its authors, Phil and Sandy Hamman, also penned two other local true crime books, "Gitchie Girl" and "Gitchie Girl Uncovered," about the 1973 murders of four Sioux Falls teenagers.
"It was a difficult book to write. I lost some sleep over it," Phil Hamman said of "Duct Tape Killer," which earned its title from Anderson's use of duct tape to gag his victims."One could say it’s the biggest crime story in this area.”
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Hamman said he was disturbed by how carefully Anderson planned the murders of 29-year-old Larisa Dumansky and 28-year-old Piper Streyle, and how his crime spree likely only ceased because of his capture.
“He already had other women picked out," Hamman said.
Anderson, who was sentenced to death in 1999,died from suicide on death row in 2003. He was 33 years old. While parts of Dumansky's body were later found at Lake Vermillion, Streyle's body has never been found.
Former South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long assisted in the writing of "Duct Tape Killer." Long helped prosecute the case against Anderson and used his case files and personal knowledge to help tell the story.
“I spent just short of three years … working on it daily," Long said.“Every time I see a roll of duct tape, it brings back memories.”
The book tells the stories of how citizens, police and even Anderson’s cellmate helped crack the case, Long said.
"A lot of these stories are not well known," he said.
Anderson's status as one of the most notorious murderers in South Dakota history makes the case one that will remain in the public eye.
“One of his defense attorneys later told me, 'He’s the most evil guy I’ve ever represented,'" Long said."And I agree."
"Duct Tape Killer" is available for purchase at Lewis Drug, Kaladi's Coffee Legend & Bistro, both locations of Last Stop CD Shop and Action Pawn & Gun. It is also available on Amazon.
