A to Z Challenge: F (serial killers)

Roy Fontaine — The Monster Butler

Fast Facts:

  • Born Archibald Hall in 1924 in Scotland, died in 2002 in England
  • Murdered 5 people as he had a “a side of me, when aroused, that is cold and completely heartless”
  • The owner of a hotel he was staying in became suspicious and police found one of the victims with him
  • Charged with 4 murders
  • Convicted of 4 murders and sentenced by British and Scottish courts to life imprisonment

Born in Glasgow, Fontaine started stealing when he was 15, going to jail for the first time at 17. At the same time his neighbour (much older and divorced) initiated him into sex and a taste for the high life.

Using the money from his crimes Fontaine moved to London and changed his name. He briefly married but was openly bisexual and had affairs with men. He spent time in jail for con jobs and theft. During one prison stint he worked on changing himself to be able to mix with the aristocracy, changing his accent, learning about antiques and social etiquette. When released he got a position as a butler to Lady Hudson.

After saying he wanted to go straight, an ex-con and former lover was also employed by Lady Hudson. Out rabbit hunting, Fontaine shot his ex after being blackmailed. Fontaine then found a new butler position and killed his employers with two accomplices, one whom he later killed. Getting used to murder, he then killed his remaining accomplice’s brother.

He was caught when an antiques dealer, suspicious about the cheap price Fontaine wanted for stolen china and silverware, passed his car number plate to the police. The car had been rented to the second murder victim which was the key to the police “connecting the dots” between the previously unlinked murders.

Fontaine and his accomplice raised the suspicions of a hotel owner. This time police found the body of their last victim and the men were arrested.

After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Fontaine was taken to trial where he was described as a psychopath. He confessed to the five murders and was charged with four life sentences (the fifth murder case remains open). He was sentenced by both British and Scottish courts to life imprisonment.

Fontaine attempted suicide a number of times in custody. He died at the age of 78 in Kingston Prison.

20 comments on “A to Z Challenge: F (serial killers)

  1. You’re freaking me out here.

  2. He looks so clean-cut and respectable. Yikes!

    Dena
    https://denapawling.blogspot.com/

  3. Looks can be so deceiving, no?! By day, a mild mannered accountant. By night … well, come on into my study and let’s discuss it.

    • I’ve read many of your stories, John. I’ve always wondered where you got your inspiration from. Now I know…real life experience *grin*

  4. Out of all of them so far, his photo looks the least suspicious. I suppose you never can tell..

    Fight For This Love by The Wanted

  5. I agree. Makes me realise I prefer to have serial killers looking scary, because then the guy in the office next door can’t be a serial killer!

  6. While I can try and understand “passion crimes” I don’t get why people just walk around killing other people because they did what exactly to them?
    The world is a better place without that guy.

    I wonder if, by the end of this challenge, you’ll have found common features among those criminals.

    Happy Weekend!

    https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/2018/04/f-is-for-florence.html

    • There are definitely some common factors, Tamara. Having an abusive childhood, sadly, is one of the most common.

  7. An appealing looking guy. No wonder I’ve never gone on dating sites.

    F is for (The) Faraway Nearby

  8. We’re only to F and I’m already disgusted by the depravity of serial killers. How will I feel when you get to X–or Z!

  9. Just awful. I wonder the motives or born a bad seed

  10. Um, dare I say it… The butler did it? 😉

    This is a fascinating A to Z, right up my alley. I did a children’s book about the history of crime in Australia a few years ago and have never lost my fascination for the theme.

  11. I’ve seen a program on Fontaine, I think – it was amazing how he managed to change and make people trust him.
    Tasha
    Tasha’s Thinkings – Movie Monsters

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