Virginia Rearden McGinnis had a long string of arrests for petty crimes
and was suspected of a number of arson fires starting at the age of 18.
She was suspected of three murders. In 1972, daughter Cynthia Coates (3), child of
the second of four marriages, whose body was found by Virginia, then 35, had
supposedly hanged herself with bailing wire by accident from an 8-foot high
rafter in a barn. Virginia cut down the body before anybody could examine the
scene. Cynthia’s life insurance paid off on schedule.
Virginia’s second husband, Sylvester “Bud” Rearden (36), died
Sep. 8, 1974 in Louisville, KY. Although he died from cancer, many speculate
that Virginia caused him to die earlier than he would have. “Virginia persuaded
physicians that she was a nurse, fully qualified to inject various medicines.
Hospital records document one incident where Bud received a double dose of
powerful painkillers, but he managed to survive. The night he passed away,
Virginia gave her children money for a night out on the town, and they returned
to find him dead. She cleaned the body, waived an autopsy, and collected Bud’s
insurance when cancer was listed as the cause of death.” [Joe, Serial Killer
Central, Jul. 6, 2005]
She continued her arson career and in July 1985 burned down the Palo Alto house where she lived with her mother, collecting over $120,000.
It was two years later that Virginia committed the crime
that landed her in prison for the rest of her life. On April 1, 1987, Virginia McGinnis
(50) took out a $35,000 life insurance policy on Deana Wild, the 20-year-old girlfriend
of son James Coates. The next day Virginia and her third husband McGinnis drove
to Big Sur with Deanna Wild and then pushed her over a cliff in Big Sur. The
death was initially ruled an accident. But Wild’s mother hired a detective who
uncovered evidence that led to murder charges.
In 1992 Virginia Rearden McGinnis was found guilty of murdering
Deana Wild and sentenced to life in prison. At the sentencing hearing Virginia told
the victim's mother she does not have a guilty conscience. She died in prison
on June 25, 2011.
[Robert St. Estephe, May 9, 2020]
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CHRONOLOGY
1937 – Virginia Hoffman born,
Ithaca, New York (Tompkins County) to Christie and Mary Agnes Hoffman. Indications
of possible sexual abuse.
1953 – The Hoffman’s barn burned down. Virginia is suspected
of arson.
Fall 1954 – Virginia (17) marries Dick Coates (h #1)
Fall 1961 – Virginia’s house catches on fire.
Mar. 1967 – The Hoffman’s house where Virginia is living in
Ithaca, NY, catches on fire. Virginia falls from a second-story window and hits
her head. She is hospitalized for two weeks.
Dec. 6, 1972 – Virginia’s daughter Cynthia Elaine Coats (3),
found hanging in a Louisville, Kentucky barn by Virginia.
Feb. 19, 1969 – Virginia’s daughter, Cynthia Elaine Coates,
is born in Palo Alto, Ca.
Feb. 25, 1971 – Virginia’ and Dick’s divorce becomes
official.
Jun. 5, 1971 – Virginia marries Sylvester “Bud” Rearden (h
#2) in Santa Clara County, Ca.
1972 – Cynthia Elaine Coates (3) dies; hanging; Virginia
(35) collects life insurance money.
Sep. 8, 1974 – Virginia’s second husband, Sylvester “Bud”
Rearden (36), dies in Louisville, KY. Although he died from cancer, many
speculate that Virginia caused him to die earlier than he would have.
Apr. 14, 1984 – Virginia marries Billie Joe “B.J.” McGinnis (h
#3) at the Wedding Bells Chapel in Carson City, Nevada. This was his fifth
marriage and Virginia’s third marriage.
Jul. 23, 1985 – The house in Palo Alto, CA, where Virginia
and her mother are living, catches fire and the insurance company decides to
rebuild it rather than paying a claim.
Jul. 1985 – The house catches on fire again and burns to the
ground. The fire inspectors suspect arson but the insurance company pays
Virginia and her mother $122,255.
1986 – Virginia's mother, Mary Agnes Hoffman, dies of a
heart attack under suspicious circumstances. Virginia collects life insurance
money.
Apr. 1, 1987 – Virginia McGinnis (50)
took out a $35,000 life insurance policy on Deana Hubbard Wild (20), girlfriend
of her son, James Coates.
Apr. 2, 1987 – Last Victim, Deanna Wild (WF, 20), was found
dead in Big Sur, California. Police eventually suspect that Virginia and Bill B.J.
McGinnis drove Deanna from San Diego and then pushed her over a cliff in Big
Sur. The death was initially ruled an accident. But Wild’s mother hired a
detective who uncovered evidence that led to murder charges.
Sep. 15, 1989 – Virginia is arrested at her home in
Pittsburg, California.
Mar. 2, 1992 – The jury delivers a verdict of “Guilty of
murder in the first degree.”
Mar. 20, 1992 – Virginia was sentenced to life without parole
for the murder of Deana Hubbard Wild.
Jun. 25, 2011 – Virginia Rearden (74) dies in prison of
natural causes.
***
Full chronology and fact pattern outline:
[“Killer Feels No Guilt,” Deseret News (Palm Springs, Ca.),
March 31, 1992]
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[2078-1/3/2021; 3922-8/21/21]
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That there should be grasping, heartless monsters like this moving among us . . . .
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