The monster still claims to be innocent – despite once etching the word ‘killer’ on his teeth (Image: FOX News)
A death row inmate, who had the word “killer” inscribed on his teeth after being condemned to death, is now seeking companionship.
Joseph Zieler, also known for assaulting his lawyer in court, is set to be executed for the evil murder of an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter.
However, before this heinous child murderer faces his fate, he hopes to find a female companion from behind bars. The Mirror has discovered that he has created a profile on Wire of Hope, a pen pal site founded by a woman who relocated 4,000 miles to wed and have a child with a death row prisoner.
Despite his chilling crimes, women can now directly reach out to Zieler, 62, and initiate a romantic relationship. He posted two pictures on his profile, one of which shows him at a much younger age, and bragged about his “good sense of humour”.
In his quest for connection, Zieler, hailing from Fort Myers, Florida, penned: “I am a straight guy who is looking for a female penfriend. I love music and am a skilled guitarist. I also enjoy handicrafts such as shoe mending.
He raped and murdered his two victims – Robin Cornell and Lisa Story – in 1990 (Image: Supplied)
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“I have been a passionate sailor and love all kinds of boats as well as motorbikes and cars. I am fit and keep up with a rigorous exercise program in prison. I am a believer and take comfort in the Catholic religion.”
The child killer concluded his profile with: “I have a good sense of humour and enjoy a good joke and a laugh. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!”
Joseph Zieler’s double homicide involved Robin Cornell, 11, and her babysitter, Lisa Story, 32, who were killed in an apartment in Cape Coral, Florida, in 1990.
Jan Cornell, mother of victim Robin, discovered the horrifying scene after spending the night at her boyfriend’s house. Both victims had been asphyxiated and sexually assaulted. Her daughter was found face down in the bathroom, a chilling contrast to Jan’s last words to her: “Good night, I’m going to Donnie’s, I love you.”
The shameless online profile of Zieler (Image: Wire Of Hope)
The case went cold for over two decades until a DNA breakthrough linked Zieler to the gruesome crime scene, with his semen found on the bedsheet where Robin had been sleeping. Zieler was arrested in 2016, and during his trial, it was suggested that the murders were personal, as he allegedly “had it out” for Jan, even sending her a letter from prison which resulted in an additional harassment charge.
He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death in June 2023. In a bizarre courtroom incident, he elbowed his own lawyer and displayed the word “killer” etched onto his teeth.
His attorney, Kevin Shirley, told Fox4: “It seemed like he didn’t want our conversation to be picked up by the microphones. So he waved me down and I bent over, and he struck me.”
Despite all evidence, Zieler barked in court: “I have nothing to do with this. I maintain my innocence.”
This is one of the photographs Zieler shared of himself online (Image: Wire Of Hope)
The man, convicted of rape and murder, is now set to appeal his death sentence. In a conversation with The News-Press last month, Jan expressed her faith in the justice system: “I’m keeping my faith in the justice system, and it’s going to prove that the justice system works. Everyone knew that this was going to happen. It’s not a shock.”
Wire of Hope meanwhile, an initiative started by two friends, advocates for prison correspondence as a means for inmates to “escape the daily monotony and darkness, feel human again, appreciated, and sometimes even loved”. One of the founders, Sigrid, relocated from France to be near Florida’s Union Correctional Institution.
Zieler remains on death row after his sentencing two years ago (Image: FOX News)
This move enabled her to regularly visit Alan Wade, a death row inmate she had been corresponding with. Wade was sentenced for the murder of retired couple Reggie and Carol Summer, whom he and his accomplices buried alive 20 years ago.
His death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Despite his incarceration, Wade fathered a child with Sigrid. Reflecting on their relationship in 2021, she said: “I started writing to death row inmates because I was against the death penalty. I believe in second chances and rehabilitation.”
Zieler also shared a younger picture of himself on the site (Image: Wire Of Hope)
She continued: “When I started to realise I was having feelings for him and him for me, we both got scared. We took a step back and we tried to stop writing to each other and we were both miserable. And after six weeks he wrote back – his first words were ‘I love you’.”
Sigrid admitted her family disapproved, viewing her as the “worst person ever”, but she questioned why her relationship caused such discomfort to others.