was a Mormon boy scout leader in Utah; was excommunicated in the 1970s; later molested multiple children and killed five young boys; was sentenced to death by lethal injection in 1988

class="case-summary-title">Facts

Summary

This case arose in 1978 in Utah.

Art Bishop molested many children and killed five boys.

He grew up LDS and served an LDS mission to the Philippines.

He was excommunicated from the Mormon church in the 1970s.

On his last day alive in Utah State Prison, Bishop read from the Book of Mormon prior to being executed by lethal injection.

FLOODLIT.org is not aware of any instances of sexual abuse allegedly committed by Bishop before he left the LDS church; however, we believe his inclusion in our database is justified because of the possibility that he molested or harmed other victims who may not have been able or willing to come forward, and because we feel that the high-profile public nature of his case and the extensive public documentation surrounding it provide fertile ground for research in this topic.

Videos

    • Video title: Arthur Gary Bishop: Child Molester and Serial Killer Documentary
    • Video description: The Killer Next Door
    • Video title: Arthur Gary Bishop
    • Video description: In advance of a Discovery Channel documentary KUTV's Chris Jones takes a look at the crimes which, thirty years ago, held Salt Lake City in the grip of fear.

Sources

  1. Slayer of Five Boys Is Executed in Utah By Injection of Drugs
    view source details | | New York Times
  2. The Justice Files: The devil in Salt Lake City, Five boys Pt. 5 - ABC4 - 2021-05-07
    view source details | |

Source details

Browse the Mormon Sexual Abuse Database

FLOODLIT.org has a free public database of hundreds of reports about people who committed or allegedly committed sex crimes, including sexual abuse, while they were active Mormon church members. You can browse the entire database by LDS church position, number of victims, places where crimes took place, criminal/civil case results, and other criteria.

View the Mormon Sexual Abuse Map

International map of locations where active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perpetrated or allegedly perpetrated sexual abuse or other sex crimes, or where LDS leaders failed or allegedly failed to help abuse survivors.

 

Add information

If you would like to add or correct any information, please fill out the form below.