What Happened to Dorothea Helen Puente?
Dorothea Helen Puente, known as the "Death House Landlady," was an American serial killer and financial fraudster who operated a boarding house in Sacramento, California, in the 1980s. She murdered elderly and mentally disabled tenants, often by poisoning, to steal their Social Security checks, burying their bodies in her backyard. Puente was convicted of three murders in 1993 and died in prison in 2011.
Quick Answer
Dorothea Puente was a notorious American serial killer who ran a boarding house in Sacramento, California, during the 1980s. She preyed on vulnerable elderly and mentally disabled tenants, drugging and murdering them to collect their government benefit checks. After her crimes were uncovered in 1988 with the discovery of seven bodies buried in her yard, she was convicted of three murders in 1993 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Puente died of natural causes in prison on March 27, 2011, at the age of 82. Her infamous house continues to draw public interest, and an HBO crime series about her is reportedly in the works as of July 2026.
đKey Facts
đ Complete Timeline13 events
Born Dorothea Helen Gray
Dorothea Helen Gray was born in Redlands, California.
Father Dies
Her father died of tuberculosis when she was eight years old.
Mother Dies; Sent to Orphanage
Her mother died in a motorcycle accident, leading to Dorothea being sent to an orphanage where she experienced sexual abuse.
First Suspected Murder (Ruth Munroe)
Ruth Munroe, a friend and business partner, died of an overdose while living in an apartment owned by Puente; police initially ruled it a suicide.
Convicted of Theft
Puente was convicted of drugging and stealing from 74-year-old Malcolm McKenzie, receiving a five-year prison sentence.
Released from Prison
After serving three years, Puente was released from prison and began a pen-pal relationship with Everson Gillmouth.
Everson Gillmouth's Body Found
The decomposed body of Everson Gillmouth, Puente's boyfriend, was found in a wooden box in a riverbank in Sutter County, though he wasn't identified for three years.
Discovery of First Body in Yard
Police, investigating the disappearance of tenant Alvaro Montoya, began searching Puente's Sacramento boarding house and found the first of seven bodies buried in her yard.
Puente Arrested in Los Angeles
After fleeing Sacramento, Puente was recognized by a pensioner in Los Angeles and arrested.
Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
Puente was convicted of three murders (Dorothy Miller, Benjamin Fink, and Leona Carpenter) and sentenced to life without parole.
Dies in Prison
Dorothea Puente died of natural causes at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla at the age of 82.
Former Home on Historic Tour
Puente's former Sacramento boarding house at 1426 F Street is announced as one of the properties on Preservation Sacramento's 50th Annual Historic Home Tour in September 2026.
HBO Series 'Dorothea' Announced
HBO announces a new true crime series titled 'Dorothea,' starring Geena Davis as Dorothea Puente, set to explore her crimes.
đDeep Dive Analysis
Dorothea Helen Puente (nÊe Gray), born on January 9, 1929, in Redlands, California, had a troubled early life marked by the deaths of her alcoholic parents and experiences in orphanages and foster homes where she was allegedly sexually abused. Her criminal history began early, with convictions for fraud, theft, and forgery, often targeting vulnerable individuals.
In the 1980s, Puente established a boarding house at 1426 F Street in Sacramento, California, presenting herself as a compassionate caregiver for the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill. However, this facade concealed a sinister operation. Puente systematically drugged her tenants, primarily with sedatives like Dalmane, then murdered them and buried their bodies in her backyard or disposed of them elsewhere. Her primary motive was financial gain, as she continued to cash her victims' Social Security and disability checks after their deaths.
The unraveling of Puente's crimes began in November 1988 when a social worker reported a mentally disabled tenant, Alvaro Montoya, missing. A police search of her property led to the discovery of seven bodies buried in the yard. Puente fled to Los Angeles but was apprehended five days later. She was charged with nine murders, including those of Ruth Munroe (who died in 1982) and Everson Gillmouth (whose body was found in 1986).
Her highly publicized trial, which was moved to Monterey County due to extensive media coverage in Sacramento, began in 1993. After 35 days of deliberation, the jury convicted Puente of three counts of murder: two first-degree murders for Dorothy Miller and Benjamin Fink, and one second-degree murder for Leona Carpenter. The jury deadlocked on the remaining six charges. On December 10, 1993, she was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Dorothea Puente maintained her innocence until her death from natural causes on March 27, 2011, at the age of 82, while incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla. Her case continues to fascinate the public and true crime enthusiasts. As of July 2026, HBO has announced a new crime series titled 'Dorothea,' starring Geena Davis as Puente, further cementing her place in true crime history. Additionally, her former Sacramento home remains a site of public interest and is included in historic home tours.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Dorothea Helen Puente made different choices?