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

About Arthur Bishop

  • Lived: 1952 - 1988
  • alias(es): Art Bishop, Roger Downs
  • LDS mission: yes - 1971-1973 Philippine Islands / Philippines

  • LDS temple marriage: no

  • Criminal case result:

Arthur Bishop Mormon Sex Crime Case 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.

LDS Sex Abuse: FLOODLIT Reader Poll


The poll below is completely anonymous. We love hearing from you! View all polls results

What best describes you? (everyone is welcome here)

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Videos: Arthur Bishop Mormon sex crime case

    • 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.

 

Add information on Arthur Bishop

"*" indicates required fields

Share details to help us improve our records. To report an unlisted abuser, email us at tips@floodlit.org. We'll keep you anonymous unless you tell us otherwise. Anything you share via this form will be privately reviewed by the FLOODLIT team to see if it's something we can publish.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Donate to help us research Mormon sex abuse cases.

Browse our LDS sexual abuse database.

 

Do a case review about Arthur Bishop

You can help Floodlit.org improve our database by reviewing this case and letting us know what we can change or add.

Mormon sex abuse cases: latest updates

Browse our most recently updated cases below or view all accused LDS church members.

Mormon sex abuse map

The map below shows places where alleged or confirmed sex crimes by Mormon church members took place, where the accused lived, where they were arrested, and where they served prison time. Visit the FLOODLIT map.

+Add map marker