Texas Serial Killer William Reece Fights Oklahoma Death Sentence

UPDATE: Texas serial killer William Lewis Reece is vigorously contesting his death sentence in Oklahoma, with critical developments unfolding just days ago. Recently transferred back to Oklahoma, Reece, 66, is appealing his 2021 death sentence, which was denied by an Oklahoma court in July 2025, followed by a denied rehearing in September 2025.

Officials from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office confirm that Reece has a direct appeal pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. They indicated that no execution date will be sought until all of Reece’s appeals are fully exhausted, highlighting the ongoing legal complexities surrounding this notorious case.

Reece’s criminal history is chilling. He grew up in Oklahoma but moved to Texas in the 1980s. He previously served nearly ten years in an Oklahoma prison for the 1986 rapes of two women. After his release, he relocated to Harris County, Texas, where his violent crimes escalated.

In April 1997, Reece kidnapped and murdered Laura Smither while she was jogging in Friendswood, Texas. Her body was discovered weeks later in a Pasadena retention pond. Just weeks later, in May 1997, he abducted Sandra Sapaugh from a convenience store; Sapaugh managed to escape by jumping from his moving truck.

The horror continued as Reece kidnapped Kelli Cox in July 1997 and later murdered Tiffany Johnston at a car wash in Bethany, Oklahoma, the same month. In August 1997, he kidnapped and killed Jessica Cain while she was driving home in Galveston County.

Reece was apprehended in October 1997 for Sapaugh’s kidnapping and subsequently sentenced to 60 years in prison. He maintained his innocence regarding the murders until new DNA evidence linked him to Johnston’s murder in 2015. By 2016, he began cooperating with investigators, leading them to the locations of both Cain’s and Cox’s bodies.

In 2022, after being returned to Texas, Reece pleaded guilty to the murders of Smither, Cain, and Cox, receiving life sentences for each. Recently, he was transferred back to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections on December 29, 2022.

The ongoing battle over Reece’s death sentence continues to capture public attention, with legal experts and advocacy groups closely monitoring the developments. As appeals progress through the courts, the emotional impact on the victims’ families remains profound, with many seeking justice for their loved ones.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Reece’s appeals unfold.