Sean Lannon
{{Short description|American serial killer}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Sean M. Lannon
| image =
| image_size =
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|03|03}}{{cite web|url=https://www-doc.state.nj.us/DOC_Inmate/details?x=1571415&n=0|title=Offender Details-Sean Lannon|website=State of New Jersey Department of Corrections}}
| birth_place =
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| conviction = New Jersey
Murder
New Mexico
Second degree murder (4 counts)
| sentence = New Jersey
35 years imprisonment
New Mexico
60 years imprisonment
| victims = 5 convicted
16 claimed
| beginyear = January
| endyear = March 2021
| country = United States
| states = New Mexico and New Jersey
}}
Sean M. Lannon (born March 3, 1974) is an American serial killer who killed at least five people in New Mexico and New Jersey, including his ex-wife, but has claimed to have killed 16.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/us-news-woodbury-new-jersey-new-mexico-missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-d2ac672be586e5332a7bc36e3b9e47c0|title=Prosecutor: Man accused of 1 murder says he really killed 16|last=Breed|first=Allen Breed|agency=Associated Press|date=March 20, 2021|accessdate=December 30, 2024}}
Crimes
On March 5, 2021, the bodies of four people were found in a vehicle at the Albuquerque International Sunport parking garage. They were identified as Jennifer Lannon (née Whitman), 39, who was Lannon's ex-wife, Matthew Miller, 21, Jesten Mata, 40, and Randal Apostalon, 60, three of whom were reported missing in January.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/us-news-new-mexico-c56435cf16606bd4b511bdba2a145947|title=Official confirms man now linked to 5 deaths|last=Balsamo|first=Michael|agency=Associated Press|date=March 21, 2024|accessdate=December 30, 2024}} Three days later, 66-year-old Michael Dabkowski was found bludgeoned to death at his home in East Greenwich Township, New Jersey. Lannon was arrested two days later in Missouri after he was caught driving Dabkowski's car, which he had stolen.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/man-picked-up-after-multi-state-manhunt-for-quadruple-murder-charged-in-nj-slaying/2942073/?os=firetvno_journeystrue&ref=app|title=Man Picked Up After Multi-State Manhunt for Quadruple Murder Charged in NJ Slaying|last1=Brandt|first1=Joe|last2=Long|first2=Cydney|agency=WNBC|date=March 13, 2021|accessdate=December 30, 2024}} Following his arrest, he was brought back to New Jersey, where he claimed to have killed 16 people, 15 of whom were in New Mexico. Lannon also claimed to have been sexually abused as a minor by Dabkowski.{{cite news|url=https://abc7ny.com/sean-lannon-update-m-serial-killer-salem-county-jail/10433916/|title=Prosecutor: Sean Lannon claims he killed 16 people in NJ, New Mexico|last=Hall|first=Gray|agency=WABC-TV|date=March 19, 2021|accessdate=December 30, 2024}}
Trials
Lannon was first put on trial for Dabkowski's murder in New Jersey. In October 2022, Lannon pleaded guilty to the murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison two months later.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-jersey-c7343b01e1306d350aedfc86da2a91f3|title=Man linked to 5 killings in 2 states sentenced for murder|work=Associated Press|date=December 30, 2024}} Following that, he was brought back to New Mexico to face trial for the other murders. Investigators believe he killed and dismembered Jennifer Lannon, Mata, and Miller, then had Apostolan load the remains into a pickup truck before being killed himself.{{cite news|url=https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/man-accused-of-4-murders-stands-silent-at-plea-hearing/|title=Man accused of 4 murders 'stands silent' at plea hearing|work=KOB|date=June 30, 2023|accessdate=December 30, 2024}} In May 2024, Lannon pleaded guilty to the remaining murders and was given four consecutive 15-year sentences for each victim. As part of the plea agreement, Lannon will serve his 35-year sentence in New Jersey, then be returned to New Mexico to serve the 60-year combined total sentence.{{cite news|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_17263604-188e-11ef-91bb-cbd68c0cb296.html|title=Grants man pleads guilty to four slayings in grisly 2021 case|last=Reisen|first=Matthew|agency=Albuquerque Journal|date=May 23, 2024|accessdate=December 30, 2024}}
Victims
The following is a chronology of Lannon's crimes.{{cite news|url=https://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/2024/05/convicted-spree-killer-sean-lannon-sentenced-in-last-of-5-violent-murders.html&subscribed=auth0%7C6772e063e086e7d45aa19465|title=Convicted spree killer Sean Lannon sentenced in last of 5 violent murders|last=Gray|first=Matt|agency=NJ.com|date=May 31, 2024|accessdate=December 30, 2024}}
- Jennifer Lannon (née Whitman), 39 - January 2021, Grants, New Mexico
- Jesten Mata, 40 - January 2021, Grants, New Mexico
- Matthew Miller, 21 - January 2021, Grants, New Mexico
- Randall Apostolan, 60 - February 2021, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Michael Dabkowski, 66 - March 8, 2021, East Greenwich Township, New Jersey