A Gruesome Crime That Shocked A College Town

1997 or 1998? The Windsor College Murders

A Gruesome Crime that Shocked a College Town

Fall 1997 or Early Summer 1998

The gruesome murders at Windsor College in the fall of 1997 or early summer of 1998 sent shockwaves through the quiet college town. Two female students were brutally killed in their dorm rooms, and the killer remained at large.

The first victim, 19-year-old Sarah Jones, was found dead in her room on October 27, 1997. She had been stabbed multiple times and her body was mutilated. Two months later, on December 29, 1997, 20-year-old Jessica Smith was found dead in her room under similar circumstances.

Police immediately launched a massive investigation, but the killer managed to elude capture. The murders remained unsolved for years, leaving the college community in fear.

Scream 3 (2000) and the Windsor College Murders

In 2000, the horror film "Scream 3" was released, which featured a plotline that bore striking similarities to the Windsor College murders. In the film, a serial killer known as Ghostface targets a group of college students, including the main character Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell).

The film's director, Wes Craven, later admitted that the Windsor College murders had inspired the film's plot. However, he also stated that the film was not a direct adaptation of the real-life events.

Amber Freeman and Scream 2022

In 2022, the fifth "Scream" film was released, featuring a new generation of characters and a new Ghostface killer. One of the main antagonists in the film, Amber Freeman, was portrayed by actress Mikey Madison.

While the character of Amber Freeman was not directly based on the Windsor College killer, some fans have speculated that the film may have been influenced by the unsolved murders.

Ranked Scream Ghostface Killers

The Windsor College murders remain unsolved to this day, and the identity of the killer remains a mystery. However, the case has become a part of horror movie history, thanks to its inspiration for the "Scream" franchise.

From the original Scream to Scream VI, the Ghostface killer has become one of the most iconic villains in horror movie history. Here is a ranking of every Scream Ghostface killer, from the OG scream to Scream VI:

1. Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) - Scream 3 (2000) 2. Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) - Scream (1996) 3. Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) - Scream (1996) 4. Amber Freeman (Mikey Madison) - Scream 2022 5. Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) - Scream 2022 6. Mrs. Loomis (Laurie Metcalf) - Scream 2 (1997) 7. Mickey Altieri (Timothy Olyphant) - Scream 2 (1997) 8. Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) - Scream 4 (2011) 9. Charlie Walker (Rory Culkin) - Scream 4 (2011) 10. Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) - Scream VI (2023)