Aileen Wuornos date of birth
Aileen Carol Wuornos was born on February 29, 1956, in Rochester, Michigan. This profile summarizes verified public records and court documents related to her identity, legal history, and the factual record of her case. The following details are drawn from judicial filings, prison department records, and reputable news reports that have been broadly corroborated. Topics include her birth information, criminal convictions, legal outcomes, and the current status of her case.
Birth record and early context
Official sources, including court records and prison department documentation, list February 29, 1956, as Wuornos’s date of birth. She was born in Rochester, Michigan, to teenage parents and experienced significant instability during childhood. These early circumstances are documented in sentencing materials and background reports filed in the course of her criminal proceedings. The legitimacy of these biographical details is supported by multiple reliable sources, including judicial and correctional records.
Criminal convictions and legal outcomes
In 1992, Wuornos was convicted of killing six men in Florida across several months in 1989 and 1990. She was sentenced to death for first-degree murder in those cases. Her appeals were exhausted in the late 1990s, and the sentences were carried out by the state of Florida. A 2003 execution report and associated legal documents confirm the completion of the sentence and the closure of the criminal case.
Key case milestones
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| February 29, 1956 | Birth date recorded | Establishes identity and age at time of offenses |
| 1990–1991 | Arrest and charging in Florida | Formal accusation for the series of murders |
| 1992 | Conviction on first-degree murder charges | Legal determination of guilt in state court |
| 1996–2002 | Appeals and denials | Post-conviction challenges exhausted |
| October 9, 2002 | Execution carried out | Sentence completed; case closed |
Conflicting information and caution
While some media sources have repeated inconsistent birth dates or other biographical errors, court records and correctional system documents consistently show February 29, 1956. When evaluating claims about her birth or background, prefer sources that cite judicial or correctional data over unverified online references. Any profile of Wuornos should treat birth date and related life events with reference to authenticated records.
Public perception and cultural discussion
Wuornos’s case has been the subject of documentaries, feature films, and true crime coverage, which sometimes blur factual detail with dramatization. Academic and journalistic discussions emphasize the importance of relying on verified legal documents and officially recognized biographical data. This supports accurate understanding and informed discussion of the case.
Summary of verified biographical data
The following table highlights core, sourced attributes that are consistently documented across authoritative materials:
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | February 29, 1956 | Court and prison records |
| Place of birth | Rochester, Michigan, United States | Prison department biographical files |
| Legal status | Executed (October 9, 2002) | State correctional agency |
| Convictions | Six counts of first-degree murder | Court judgments and sentencing orders |
Practical guidance for researchers
For those studying the case or verifying facts, prioritize court documents, prison department records, and established news organizations with clear editorial standards. Treat unverified claims with skepticism, especially those lacking primary-source citations. Maintaining factual accuracy protects the integrity of research and public understanding.