TRUE CRIME ATLAS

Daveggio-Michaud Minivan Murders

Case Overview

The Daveggio-Michaud minivan murders case centered on a 1997 series of kidnappings, sexual assaults, and murder carried out in California and Nevada by James Daveggio and Michelle Michaud using a specially modified Dodge Caravan. The case was solved after the abduction, torture, and killing of Vanessa Lei Samson led investigators to the pair, and it remains notable for the deliberate way the minivan was equipped and used as a mobile torture chamber.

Key Facts

Status: Solved

Also known as: Minivan Murders, James Daveggio and Michelle Michaud, Vanessa Samson murder case

Coverage: 16 timeline events, 7 persons, and 13 locations

Sources collected: 37 sources

Categories

SolvedSerial Crime

Tags

California1990sKidnappingSexual AssaultCapital SentencesVanessa Samson

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