Basic Information
| Name | Adam Leroy Lane |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1964-08-07 |
| Birth Place | Jonesville, North Carolina |
| Occupation | Long-haul truck driver |
| Criminal Alias | Highway Killer |
| Crime Locations | Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts |
| Crime Period | July 2007 |
| Modus Operandi | Hunting knives, choke wire, leather mask |
| Fatal Victims | 2 |
| Nonfatal Victims | 2 |
| Apprehension Date | 2007-07-30 |
| Sentences | MA:25–30 years; NJ:50 years; PA:life |
| Incarceration Location | State Correctional Institution, Fayette County, Pennsylvania |
| Media Features | Dateline NBC, 48 Hours, Nightmare Next Door, How I Caught the Killer |
| Spouses | Miriam M. Benge (divorced), Regina Lane |
| Children | 3 |
Background and Crimes
Adam Leroy Lane (born August 7, 1964) worked as a long‑haul truck driver after previous employment at a chicken processing plant. Between July 13 and July 30, 2007, he launched four knife attacks across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts, carrying two large hunting knives, choke wire and a leather mask. He also kept a DVD of the horror film Hunting Humans in his cab.
Chronology of Attacks
| Date | Victim | Age | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 13, 2007 | Darlene Ewalt | 42 | West Hanover Township, PA | Fatal stabbing |
| July 17, 2007 | Patricia Brooks | – | Conewago Township, PA | Survived attack |
| July 29, 2007 | Monica Massaro | 38 | Bloomsbury, NJ | Fatal stabbing |
| July 30, 2007 | Shea McDonough | 15 | Chelmsford, MA | Subdued attacker |
Arrest and Evidence
On July 30, 2007, Shea McDonough’s parents overpowered Lane at their Chelmsford home. Police recovered his hunting knives, matched Ewalt’s DNA to one blade, and linked him conclusively to the earlier crimes.
Legal Proceedings and Sentences
- Massachusetts (2008): Sentenced to 25–30 years for assaulting Shea McDonough on September 12, 2008.
- New Jersey (2009): Received a 50‑year term for the murder of Monica Massaro on October 22, 2009.
- Pennsylvania (2010): Pleaded guilty on May 5, 2010, to avoid the death penalty; imposed life without parole for Darlene Ewalt’s murder plus additional years for the Brooks attack.
Lane serves consecutive sentences at SCI Fayette in Pennsylvania.
Media Coverage
-
Television:
- Dateline NBC, August 3, 2009
- 48 Hours: Hunting Humans, February 26, 2011
- Nightmare Next Door (S2E2)
- Castle (S7E5)
-
Documentaries:
- I Survived A Serial Killer (2013, featuring Shea McDonough)
- How I Caught the Killer: The Highway Hunter (Apple TV+, August 2024)
-
Podcasts: Method & Madness, Backwoods Murder, Keystone State of Mind, Trucking True Crime
Family and Personal Life
Lane married Miriam M. Benge in 1992 (divorced 1993) and later wed Regina Lane. He fathered three daughters and lived with his family in a trailer during his trucking career. His relatives have remained out of the public eye.
Latest Developments
In August 2024, Apple TV+ released How I Caught the Killer: The Highway Hunter, renewing focus on Lane’s crimes. True‑crime outlets revisited the case in mid‑2024, but no new legal motions or parole hearings have emerged.
FAQ
What is Adam Leroy Lane’s criminal alias?
He earned the nickname “Highway Killer” for targeting victims near interstate roads in summer 2007.
How many sentences does he serve?
He serves three consecutive sentences: 25–30 years (MA), 50 years (NJ) and life without parole (PA).
Who survived Lane’s attacks?
Patricia Brooks and 15‑year‑old Shea McDonough both survived his assaults.
Where is Lane incarcerated?
He is housed at the State Correctional Institution in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
Has any family member spoken publicly?
Lane’s relatives have stayed silent and avoided media interviews.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Leroy_Lane | Adam Leroy Lane was born on August 7, 1964, in Jonesville, North Carolina, and used knives and choke wire in his attacks. |
| https://www.methodandmadnesspodcast.com/episodes/episode-24murder-by-miles | The Method & Madness podcast produced an episode detailing Adam Leroy Lane’s crimes and investigation. |
| https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/the-highway-hunter-adam-leroy-lane/umc.cmc.605z5bctoe9t2nemkj15sg7zd?showId=umc.cmc.5gfb1kmq9465i8cs0nvzi7eb4 | The Apple TV+ docuseries “How I Caught the Killer: The Highway Hunter” premiered in August 2024, revisiting the Massaro and McDonough cases. |
| https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-to-tell-hunting-humans/id965818306?i=1000661800831 | The ‘Live to Tell: Hunting Humans’ episode on 48 Hours+ aired in July 2024, revisiting Lane’s case. |
| https://www.courts.michigan.gov/4a5367/siteassets/publications/coa-bound-volumes/bv_miapp325_final.pdf | The Michigan Court of Appeals PDF provides detailed legal documentation and appeals context referenced in the case summary. |
| https://www.cbsnews.com/news/family-under-attack-stops-serial-killer/ | CBS News reported how Shea McDonough’s parents subdued Adam Leroy Lane in a chokehold, leading to his capture. |
