Unwed Lovers Murdered In Their Sleep

In 1972, Leif Carlsson and Ann Durrant planned a romantic getaway under the stars on Vancouver Island. But not everyone believes young love is grand-- police say religious fanatic Joseph Henry Burgess bumped into the young couple near their campsite and learned the two were cohabitating out of wedlock.

On the evening of June 22, 1972, cops say Joseph Burgess waited in the bushes nearby as the young couple snuggled together. Cops believe he was waiting for them to fall asleep--and when they finally did, cops say Burgess crept up to them with a .22 caliber rifle and shot them in the head, point blank. Police believe Burgess' motive was religion--he killed the young couple because he believed premarital sex was wrong.

Character Inconsistencies

Joseph Henry Burgess was born and raised in New Jersey, but cops say he ran away to Canada to avoid the draft during the Vietnam war. At the time, there were a large number of draft evaders living on the beaches of Vancouver Island. Many teenagers described Burgess as a religious fanatic, frequently ending his phrases with the word "Amen."

Cops say Joseph Burgess lived among this hippie community in a carefree environment.  However, Burgess did not believe in free sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  He apparently lived among the group because it was easy to blend in.  Cops say Burgess was mentally unstable and hid his violent tendencies behind a religious facade.

Same Crime, Same Guy?

For 30 years, Joseph Burgess has remained one of Canada's most wanted fugitives. But now cops have a new reason to actively hunt for Burgess--they have discovered a possible link to an almost identical crime in northern California.

The murders of Lindsay Cutshall and Jason Allen in August 2004 are remarkably similar to the murders of Leif Carlsson and Ann Durrant in Canada 30 years ago. Both were young, unmarried couples and were murdered while camping. Police now wonder if Joseph Henry Burgess could have struck again.

Burgess Also Known As "Cookie Bandit" Killed In NM

Cops in New Mexico were looking for the "Cookie Bandit". It turned out the bandit was also wanted in connection to a murder in Canada and his real name was Joseph Heny Burgess.
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A man wanted in connection to a 1972 murder in Canada is now dead. With the help of fingerprints, cops in New Mexico confirmed that the man known to residents of Sandoval County as the "Cookie Bandit" was Joseph Henry Burgess.

The "Cookie Bandit" had been breaking into local cabins to get food and clothing for more than ten years. And on July 16, 2009, officers with the Sandoval Sheriff's Office were determined to put an end to his criminal acts.

Two officers were inside a cabin waiting for the "Cookie Bandit" to show up. But when he did, a shootout ensued. Sergeant Joe Harris from the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office was shot in the femoral artery during the confrontation and died from the injury two hours later. The "Cookie Bandit" was killed and died on the scene.

Sergeant Joe Harris received two medals posthumously for his courageous act.