Page 1 December 26, 1927.
My name is William Edward Hickman and this statement was made and witnessed on the S.P. train enroute to
Los Angeles.
This statement regards the kidnapping and murder of Marian Parker. The time of the murder was Saturday
morning - December 17 - 1927. The place was in room 15 at the Billion Arms Apts. in Los Angeles.
I wish to explain in full the motive which prompted me to commit this crime.
In the first place let me say that the only circumstances connecting my intentions of murder to Marian
Parker are purely incidental. I was not prompted by revenge in the killing of Marian Parker. Only through
my association with Mr. P.M. Parker at the First National Bank while I worked there as a page from January
to June 1927 made it possible for me to see Marian Parker and to know that she was P.M. Parkers daughter.
This was an incidental due and I merely picked it up and followed it through.
Page 2
My motives in the murder of Marian Parker are as follows:
1. Fear of detection by the police and the belief that to kill and dissect the body I would be able to evade
suspicion and arrest. I had warned Mr. P.M. Parker to keep the case secret and private but this, he was
not reasonably able to do, so that the great publicity and search which followed caused me to use what I
considered the greatest precaution in protecting myself.
After successfully dodging the authorities for two days I was overcome by such fear that I did not hesitate
even to murder to escape notice. I consider that this fear and precaution were the result of my instinct
of self protection in time of danger.
2. Marian had a strong confidence in me for her safety and I considered he own wish to return to here
father Saturday morning too deeply. However my desire to secure the money and return to college
was even greater.
Page 3
I knew that if I refused to take her back Saturday morning she might distrust me enough to give
some sign which would cause my discovery. Yet I felt that if I did take her back in day light I might
fall in a trap and be caught. So in order to go through with my plans enough to get the money and to
Marian from ever knowing while she lived that I would disappoint her confidence in me, I killed her so
suddenly and unexpectedly, as she passed beyond consciousness so quickly and unexpectedly that she
never had a fear or thought of her own death. Then in order to get her out of my apartment without notice
I was prompted after she was beyond consciousness to dissect her body.
3. For several years I had had a peculiar complex. Even though my habits have always been clean and
although my high school record is commendable I have had an uncontrollable drive to commit a great
crime.
Page 4
This peculiar feeling and I believe it borders on the edge of insanity or that it comes as a weird relief from
semiconscious or deep thought, found a means of expressing itself in the Parker case. I am very sensitive
and have a strong sense of pride. I have not been able to find a real practical value in religion or enough
satisfaction that it is based on absolute reason. My deep thought on this subject and my apparent
disappointment with my conclusion have shaken my sense of morality. However, I do not believe
that I am insane or crazy. Yet I do think this complex of mine should not be considered least among my
motives in this crime. The fact that a young man is willing to commit crimes to secure experience
through college and especially a church school helps to explain this complex of mine. I cannot
understand it myself but I do consider it a big motive in the crime.
Page 5
I do not consider crime seriously enough. I think that if I want something no matter what means I have
to use to secure it, I am justified in getting it. My record of mine illustrates this statement very
thoroughly. Even in the murder of Marian Parker I could not realize the terrible guilt. I felt that some
kind of providence was guarding and protecting me in this whole case. The facts, I believe, are
associated with my complex.
I want to make a statement here to avoid any suspicion that during my connection with Marian Parker
I took any advantage of her femininity. I can only give my word that I did not but I give this very
sincerely and truthfully.
My word is substantiated by the doctors examination of the girls body and I feel that everyone can be
assured that the girl was not molested in this way.
I would like to say that I have no bad personal habits. I have never been drunk
Page 6
or taken any intoxicating drinks. I smoke very little. I do not gamble. I have never been in any
corrupt conduct with the female sex.
In support of these statements reference can be made to my record in the juvenile court of Los Angeles.
In giving these motives I have been as honest as I know how. I have searched my mind and impulses
under all circumstances and this is my truthfull summary.
signed: William Edward Hickman
My name is William Edward Hickman and this statement was made and witnessed on the S.P. train enroute to
Los Angeles.
This statement regards the kidnapping and murder of Marian Parker. The time of the murder was Saturday
morning - December 17 - 1927. The place was in room 15 at the Billion Arms Apts. in Los Angeles.
I wish to explain in full the motive which prompted me to commit this crime.
In the first place let me say that the only circumstances connecting my intentions of murder to Marian
Parker are purely incidental. I was not prompted by revenge in the killing of Marian Parker. Only through
my association with Mr. P.M. Parker at the First National Bank while I worked there as a page from January
to June 1927 made it possible for me to see Marian Parker and to know that she was P.M. Parkers daughter.
This was an incidental due and I merely picked it up and followed it through.
Page 2
My motives in the murder of Marian Parker are as follows:
1. Fear of detection by the police and the belief that to kill and dissect the body I would be able to evade
suspicion and arrest. I had warned Mr. P.M. Parker to keep the case secret and private but this, he was
not reasonably able to do, so that the great publicity and search which followed caused me to use what I
considered the greatest precaution in protecting myself.
After successfully dodging the authorities for two days I was overcome by such fear that I did not hesitate
even to murder to escape notice. I consider that this fear and precaution were the result of my instinct
of self protection in time of danger.
2. Marian had a strong confidence in me for her safety and I considered he own wish to return to here
father Saturday morning too deeply. However my desire to secure the money and return to college
was even greater.
Page 3
I knew that if I refused to take her back Saturday morning she might distrust me enough to give
some sign which would cause my discovery. Yet I felt that if I did take her back in day light I might
fall in a trap and be caught. So in order to go through with my plans enough to get the money and to
Marian from ever knowing while she lived that I would disappoint her confidence in me, I killed her so
suddenly and unexpectedly, as she passed beyond consciousness so quickly and unexpectedly that she
never had a fear or thought of her own death. Then in order to get her out of my apartment without notice
I was prompted after she was beyond consciousness to dissect her body.
3. For several years I had had a peculiar complex. Even though my habits have always been clean and
although my high school record is commendable I have had an uncontrollable drive to commit a great
crime.
Page 4
This peculiar feeling and I believe it borders on the edge of insanity or that it comes as a weird relief from
semiconscious or deep thought, found a means of expressing itself in the Parker case. I am very sensitive
and have a strong sense of pride. I have not been able to find a real practical value in religion or enough
satisfaction that it is based on absolute reason. My deep thought on this subject and my apparent
disappointment with my conclusion have shaken my sense of morality. However, I do not believe
that I am insane or crazy. Yet I do think this complex of mine should not be considered least among my
motives in this crime. The fact that a young man is willing to commit crimes to secure experience
through college and especially a church school helps to explain this complex of mine. I cannot
understand it myself but I do consider it a big motive in the crime.
Page 5
I do not consider crime seriously enough. I think that if I want something no matter what means I have
to use to secure it, I am justified in getting it. My record of mine illustrates this statement very
thoroughly. Even in the murder of Marian Parker I could not realize the terrible guilt. I felt that some
kind of providence was guarding and protecting me in this whole case. The facts, I believe, are
associated with my complex.
I want to make a statement here to avoid any suspicion that during my connection with Marian Parker
I took any advantage of her femininity. I can only give my word that I did not but I give this very
sincerely and truthfully.
My word is substantiated by the doctors examination of the girls body and I feel that everyone can be
assured that the girl was not molested in this way.
I would like to say that I have no bad personal habits. I have never been drunk
Page 6
or taken any intoxicating drinks. I smoke very little. I do not gamble. I have never been in any
corrupt conduct with the female sex.
In support of these statements reference can be made to my record in the juvenile court of Los Angeles.
In giving these motives I have been as honest as I know how. I have searched my mind and impulses
under all circumstances and this is my truthfull summary.
signed: William Edward Hickman
Transcript of signed, handwritten confession of the murder
of Marion Parker by William Edward Hickman 12-26-27.
of Marion Parker by William Edward Hickman 12-26-27.
Images of the original signed confession as transcribed above. Written on the
train to Los Angeles.
train to Los Angeles.