Lewis Gratz Fell was a wealthy and respected businessman who had a short-lived and turbulent marriage with Aileen Wuornos, one of the most notorious female serial killers in American history. Fell was 69 when he met the 20-year-old Wuornos in 1976 and fell in love with her. However, he soon discovered that his young bride was a violent and troubled woman with a history of prostitution, theft and assault. Here is the story of Lewis Gratz Fell and his ill-fated relationship with Aileen Wuornos.

Who Was Lewis Gratz Fell?

He came from a prominent family rooted in the American Revolution and the Civil War. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in business administration. He then worked as a manager for several companies, including the Philadelphia Electric Company and the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company.

Fell was married twice before he met Wuornos. His first wife was Katherine Reeves Royce, whom he married in 1928. They had a daughter named Katherine Fell, who was born in 1930. His second wife was Elizabeth, whom he married sometime after his divorce from Royce. He moved to Florida in the early 1970s and became the president of a local yacht club.

How Did He Meet Aileen Wuornos?

Fell met Wuornos in 1976 at a bar in Daytona Beach, Florida. Wuornos was a hitchhiking prostitute who had run away from her abusive home in Michigan at 15. She was arrested several times for robbery, forgery and car theft.

Fell was instantly attracted to Wuornos and proposed to her after a few weeks of dating. He saw her as a beautiful, innocent woman who needed his protection and care. He also hoped to help her overcome her problems and start a new life with him. Wuornos accepted his proposal and saw him as a ticket to wealth and stability.

What Happened to Their Marriage?

Fell and Wuornos married in Clearwater, Florida, on May 27, 1976. Their wedding was announced in the local newspaper's society pages, which drew attention to their age difference and background. Fell introduced Wuornos to his daughter Katherine and his friends, who were sceptical of his choice of bride.

Their marriage soon turned sour as Wuornos continued her violent and erratic behaviour. She fought at bars, assaulted strangers, vandalized property and threatened to kill herself. She also cheated on him with other men, including some of her former clients.

Fell realized he had made a mistake by marrying Wuornos and ended their relationship. He obtained a restraining order against her after she attacked him with his cane. He then filed for an annulment of their marriage on July 21, 1976. Their marriage lasted only nine weeks.

Conclusion:

Wuornos was executed on October 9, 2002, at 46. She was the tenth woman to be executed in the United States since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. She was also the first woman to be classified as a serial killer by the FBI. Her life and crimes inspired several books, documentaries and films, including the 2003 movie "Monster", starring Charlize Theron as Wuornos.