The Killer Landlady: 7 Shocking Facts About Sacramento’s Serial Killer, Dorothea Puente, And Her Death House Today

The case of Dorothea Puente remains one of the most chilling and bizarre chapters in American true crime, particularly in Sacramento, California. As of late 2025, public fascination with the "Killer Landlady" is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by new true-crime documentaries and the enduring, macabre legacy of her former boarding house at 1426 F Street. The seemingly kindly, elderly woman who preyed on vulnerable tenants in the 1980s has become a permanent fixture in the city's dark history, with the "Death House" now a morbid tourist attraction. The ongoing interest is not just historical; it is a current cultural phenomenon. Recent years have seen the property's owners embrace its notorious past, even installing a QR code outside for curious visitors to learn the horrific details of the murders that took place on the premises. This blend of historical horror and modern accessibility keeps the story of the Sacramento female serial killer, Dorothea Puente, fresh and relevant to a new generation of true-crime enthusiasts.

Dorothea Puente: A Portrait of the "Death House Landlady"

The life of Dorothea Helen Puente (née Gray) was a long, complex path of deception, petty crime, and ultimately, calculated murder. Her biography paints a picture of a woman who perfected the art of preying on the most vulnerable members of society.

• Full Name: Dorothea Helen Gray (later Puente)
• Born: January 9, 1929, in Redlands, San Bernardino County, California
• Died: March 27, 2011 (Aged 82) at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla
• Aliases: Killer Landlady, Death House Landlady, Dolly
• Motive: Financial gain, specifically cashing the Social Security and disability checks of her elderly and disabled tenants.
• Crimes: Convicted of three murders, though suspected of nine. The bodies of seven victims were ultimately discovered buried in her yard.
• Modus Operandi: She would drug her tenants, often using the sedative Phenobarbital, and then suffocate or strangle them before burying them in the meticulously maintained yard of her Sacramento boarding house.
• Conviction: Sentenced in 1993 to two life sentences without the possibility of parole.

The Deadly Sacramento Boarding House at 1426 F Street

The unassuming two-story Victorian house in Sacramento’s downtown area became the epicenter of Puente’s deadly enterprise. She cultivated an image as a compassionate caretaker, specifically targeting elderly, mentally disabled, or alcoholic tenants who had few family ties, making their disappearance less likely to be immediately noticed. Puente’s operation was sophisticated for a serial killer of her type. She would take control of her tenants' finances, intercepting their mail and cashing their monthly government assistance checks, which was her primary motivation for the murders. She essentially ran a deadly elder abuse and financial fraud scheme. The investigation began in November 1988 after social worker Peggy Nickerson reported the disappearance of Alvaro "Bert" Montoya, a developmentally disabled man she had placed in Puente’s care. When police arrived to question Puente, they noticed disturbed earth in the yard. Puente, maintaining her innocent façade, suggested the digging was due to a gopher problem.

The Shocking Discovery of the Buried Victims

The subsequent excavation of the yard at 1426 F Street uncovered a macabre scene. Investigators, using shovels and forensic tools, systematically unearthed seven bodies. The discovery sent shockwaves through the Sacramento community and made international headlines, solidifying the house’s grim nickname: the "Death House." The victims, all vulnerable individuals, were identified through dental records and other forensic evidence. Toxicology reports later confirmed the presence of various sedatives, including Phenobarbital, in the remains, consistent with Puente’s method of incapacitating her victims before their demise. The full list of victims whose remains were found at the property includes:

• Leona Carpenter: Age 78
• Alvaro "Bert" Montoya: Age 51 (His disappearance triggered the investigation)
• Dorothy Miller: Age 64
• Benjamin Fink: Age 55
• James Gallop: Age 62
• Vera Faye Martin: Age 64
• Betty Palmer: Age 78

Two other victims, Ruth Munroe (age 61) and Everson Gillmouth (age 77), were also definitively linked to Puente, though their bodies were disposed of off-site—Munroe's body was found in a box by the Sacramento River. In total, Puente was charged with nine murders, highlighting the extent of her crimes against the elderly and disabled.

The Enduring Legacy of the Sacramento Serial Killer

The trial of Dorothea Puente in 1993 was a media circus, lasting five months and involving testimony from over 130 witnesses. Despite her defense team's efforts to portray her as a benevolent but troubled woman, the overwhelming evidence of financial fraud, elder abuse, and the bodies in the garden led to her conviction. She was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, where she remained until her death in 2011. The story’s topical authority has remained strong, resurfacing through various media, including the popular Netflix true-crime documentary *Worst Roommate Ever*, which dedicated an episode to her crimes. This constant media coverage ensures that the name Dorothea Puente and the chilling history of 1426 F Street are continually introduced to new audiences.

The Current Status of the Death House

What makes the "sacramento female serial killer" story particularly unique today is the status of the crime scene itself. The house at 1426 F Street is still a private residence and has become a pilgrimage site for true-crime enthusiasts. The current owners have taken a distinctive approach to living in one of America's most infamous homes. They have reportedly embraced the house's history, even installing a small, decorative fence with a QR code sign. Scanning the code directs visitors to a website detailing the gruesome history of the *Killer Landlady* and her victims. This modern, almost meta-approach to a historical crime keeps the story of Dorothea Puente perpetually in the news cycle. This property, now a dark monument to the 1980s serial killings, serves as a constant, tangible reminder of the danger that can lurk behind a seemingly friendly face. The house is a stark symbol of how financial exploitation and the calculated murder of vulnerable individuals defined the reign of Sacramento’s most notorious female serial killer. The ongoing public curiosity ensures that the tragic stories of Ruth Munroe, Alvaro Montoya, and the other victims will not be forgotten.

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