This week Beth and Wendy discuss the case of Howell Emanuel Donaldson III, who shocked the nation in 2017 when he was arrested for a string of seemingly random killings in Tampa, Florida. Dubbed the Seminole Heights Killer, Donaldson targeted four victims over 51 days, sparking fear and a massive manhunt. A break came when he handed a coworker a bag containing the murder weapon, leading to his arrest and eventual conviction.
This episode was researched & scripted by Wendy & Beth Williams and edited by Minnie Williams.
Thanks for listening! This is a weekly podcast and new episodes drop on Thursdays, so until next time… look alive guys, it’s crazy out there!
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Footnotes
Articles/Websites
Watson, Michelle; Levenson, Eric. (05/01/2023). Tampa-area serial killer pleads guilty to four murders that terrorized city in 2017. CNN. Retrieved 04/29/2025 from https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/01/us/tampa-serial-killer-guilty/index.html
Justia US Law. (04/08/2022). STATE OF FLORIDA vs HOWELL DONALDSON. Retrieved 04/29/2025 from https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/second-district-court-of-appeal/2022/21-1195.html
WFTS. (11/29/2017). Howell Emanuel Donaldson III: What we know about the suspected Seminole Heights killer. Retrieved 05/03/2025 from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-tampa/howell-emanuel-donaldson-iii-what-we-know-about-the-suspected-seminole-heights-killer
WFTS. (10/17/2017). Tampa PD: Two recent homicides appear to be related, residents urged to be vigilant. Retrieved 05/05/2025 from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/tampa-pd-two-recent-homicides-appear-to-be-related-residents-urged-to-be-vigilant
Brazzle, Kelly. (02/15/2019). Seminole Heights Killer Case: Donaldson’s ex-girlfriend says ‘I think it’s him’ in videos. WFTS. Retrieved 05/05/2025 from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/seminole-heights-serial-killer/seminole-heights-killer-case-donaldsons-ex-girlfriend-says-i-think-its-him-in-videos
Stringini, Mary. (11/29/2017). Seminole Heights Killings: Timeline of events that led to arrest of Howell Emanuel Donaldson III. WFTS. Retrieved 05/05/2025 from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-tampa/seminole-heights-killings-timeline-of-events-that-lead-to-arrest-of-howell-emanuel-donaldson-iii
Chambers, Carson; Bazzle, Kelly. (11/14/2017). Seminole Heights Shooting Victim: Ronald Felton was church volunteer, helped needy families. WFTS. Retrieved 05/05/2025 from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/seminole-heights-shooting-victim-ronald-felton-was-church-volunteer-helped-needy-families
Dawson, Anastasia. (12/25/2017). Motive still a mystery in Seminole Heights murders but crises marked suspect’s upbringing. WRAL. Retrieved 05/05/2025 from https://www.wral.com/story/motive-still-a-mystery-in-seminole-heights-murders-but-crises-marked-suspect-s-upbringing/17213174/
Levenson, Eric. (11/30/2017). What we know about Tampa’s alleged serial killer. CNN. Retrieved 05/05/2025 from https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/29/us/tampa-killings-seminole-heights-suspect-howell-donaldson
Killelea, Eric. (11/30/2017). Alleged Florida Serial Killer Arrested: What We Know. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 05/05/2025 from https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/alleged-florida-serial-killer-arrested-what-we-know-197016/
Chong, Tim. (06/08/2018). Tape of interview with Seminole Heights murder suspect released. WTSP. Retrieved 05/06/2025 from https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/tape-of-interview-with-seminole-heights-murder-suspect-released/67-562766972
Fox13. (11/30/2017). Who is Howell Donaldson III? Suspect’s background emerges
Retrieved 05/06/2025 from https://www.fox13news.com/news/who-is-howell-donaldson-iii-suspects-background-emerges
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Howell Emanuel Donaldson III. Retrieved 05/07/2025 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howell_Emanuel_Donaldson_III
Stringini, Mary. (07/02/2018). Parents of accused Seminole Heights killer released from house arrest. WFTS. Retrieved 05/07/2025 from
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/seminole-heights-serial-killer/parents-of-accused-seminole-heights-killer-released-from-house-arrest
History
Kite-Powell, Rodney. (01/21/2022). The Rise of Seminole Heights. Tampa Magazine. Retrieved 05/06/2025 from https://tampamagazines.com/the-rise-of-seminole-heights/
Florida Atlantic University. (n.d.). Map of Jim Crow America. Retrieved 05/06/2025 from https://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/pjhr/chhre/pdf/sjc-map-jim-crow-america-florida.pdf
The Florida Department of State. (n.d.). Seminole History. Retrieved 05/06/2025 from https://dos.fl.gov/florida-facts/florida-history/seminole-history/
Video
Making A Serial Killer S2E7: Howell Donaldson III
How Not to Get Murdered
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
Music
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“Bleeping Demo” & “Furious Freak” by Kevin MacLeod
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