Charlies Nielsen is now behind bars, serving multiple murder sentences far from the quiet bed-and-breakfast where prosecutors say he carried out a horrific four-person killing.
The case began unfolding on Sept. 4, 2006, when Maine authorities responded to the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast in Newry. What investigators found at the inn would expose a deadly Labor Day weekend rampage and the remains of several victims.
Nielsen later admitted guilt to four murder counts in the deaths of Black Bear owner Julie Bullard, 65; her daughter, Selby Bullard, 30; Selby’s friend Cindy Beatson, 43; and James Whitehurst, a 50-year-old visitor from Arkansas, the Associated Press reported.
At the time, Nielsen had been staying at the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast, where he encountered Whitehurst. Authorities said Whitehurst became the first victim in what turned into a days-long series of killings.
Investigators said the three additional victims were killed as Nielsen tried to conceal Whitehurst’s death. According to the AP, Nielsen also acknowledged dismembering all four victims and burning Whitehurst’s remains in a wooded area.
attempted to locate a current attorney for Nielsen for comment, but was unsuccessful.
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After Nielsen’s arrest, according to the AP, he revealed that he couldn’t explain why he committed the killings. He also said he had discussed his motive with his legal team but “never came up with anything concrete.”
Psychologists testified at a competency hearing that Nielsen suffered from schizoid personality disorder and potentially other mental health conditions, such as Asperger’s syndrome, the outlet reported.
Prosecutor Andrew Benson said in court at the time that the only motive Nielsen ever offered for killing Whitehurst was that he was “objectionable,” per the AP.
Nielsen was given four life sentences to be served concurrently, one for each victim from the 2006 mass murder.
Nielsen is currently serving out his sentences at Maine State Prison in Warren, Maine, according to jail records reviewed by Oxygen.