“The Taco Bell Strangler” is Henry Louis Wallace, a series rapist and killer from North Carolina, who murdered 11 women between 1990 and 1994, before being arrested and confessing to his crimes. In “Bad Henry,” author Ron Chepesiuk documents his troubled youth, often being beaten by his controlling mother. Wallace claims to have witnessed a young lady being gang rapped when he was only 8 years old, and being turned on by it.
Wallace enlisted in the Navy, after struggling academically in college. There is a suspicion that “Bad Henry” may have started his killing spree while in the service, but no evidence has surfaced thus far. At an early age, Wallace became addicted to drugs, and it would be this habit that drove “Bad Henry” to steal, selling whatever he could to satisfy his addiction. He would eventually become a crack cocaine junkie.
The cunning Wallace knew each of his victim’s, often working with them at fast food establishments. In many of these cases, “Bad Henry” charmed and was trusted by his victims. In a strange twist, Wallace even attended the funerals of multiple victims. “Bad Henry” developed a serial pattern of killing young Black women, usually raping and strangling them. His methodically was evident, but somehow the Charlotte Police Department failed to connect the dots.
As a result, the police would come under intense scrutiny for the community. Chepesiuk effectively documents law enforcement failures in not capturing “Bad Henry” sooner. There was also a feeling that since the victims were young black women, their cases didn’t receive the proper priority to solve them. Not to mention, there was also the stereotype that most serial killers are white. “Bad Henry” would watch TV newscasts, and be dumbfounded himself by the lack of progress made by the PD. The author does outline the changes made by the Charlotte PD, and their efforts in creating community harmony.
Finally, “Bad Henry” became sloppy in covering up evidence, and was finally arrested. He would be convicted of 29 crimes, including 9 first degree murders. He received the death penalty, and is on death row. No date of execution has been set, and “Bad Henry” has remained on death row for over 25 years. A sad story, but an important one to realize what happens in our fragile judicial system.
By: Ron Chepesiuk
Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby
Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
Release date: 08-29-23
Publisher: Tantor Audio