Michigan’s Most Sadistic Serial Killer: ‘I Take Pleasure in Pain – Theirs’

Michigan has, unfortunately, been home to more than a few serial killers. The likes of "the Ypsilanti Ripper", John Norman Collins; East Lansing murderer of 4, Don Miller; and Aileen Wuornos, who was played by Charlize Theron in the 2003 movie Monster.

Related: The Rochester Hills Childhood Home of Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos

There are more, but none that seem quite as...evil...as Matthew 'Chili' Macon.

Serial Killer on the Loose: The 2007 Summer of Fear in Lansing, Michigan

Macon grew up in Lansing, Michigan and no doubt walked on the same streets and by some of the same houses where he would later brutally rape, torture, and murder 7 women. Were it not for a very loyal and protective dog, there may have been 8.

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In the summer of 2007, Macon killed 5 women in the span of 4 weeks. Using whatever implements were available at the time, Macon would bludgeon, stab, and even torture his victims.

While attempting to kill a 6th victim in a 4-week span, Macon met a formidable foe by the name of Cheyenne. Linda Jackson went to the back door of her Lansing home on August 28, 2007, after a Macon, going under the name 'Chili Smith' asked if she had any odd jobs that needed to be done. Already suspicious, Jackson warned Macon not to come in the house as she had a dog that wouldn't like him.

Related: Michigan Crime: The 'Jenny Jones Show' 1995 Murder Site

Despite the warning he entered, grabbed an empty beer bottle, and began beating Jackson. It was at this point that Cheyenne, a chow mix who had been sleeping upstairs, charged down the steps and chased Macon off. Jackson immediately called the police and gave them the contact information Macon had left for handyman services. He had given her a former address, which eventually led police to make his arrest.

After an 8-hour interrogation session, he confessed to killing 6 women, including one that took place in 2004. In a 2010 Lansing State Journal article, Macon was quoted as telling police:

I get pleasure off pain. ... Theirs. ...No. I ain't never hurt myself. I just like to see fear in people face.

During his 2008 trial, Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Catherine Emerson was quoted by MLive in her opening arguments as saying:

Chili's passion was murder

Matthew Macon was convicted of two counts of 1st-degree murder, plus one count each of torture, home invasion, and assault in May of 2008. He would be sentenced to life in prison without parole and is currently serving time at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, Michigan.

Related: The Ypsilanti Ripper and the Victims of the 1960s Michigan Murders