Daughter of ‘Happy Face’ Killer Reveals Haunting Childhood Secrets

VANCOUVER, Wash. — In a recent interview with local authorities, Melissa G. Moore recounted her turbulent childhood as the daughter of convicted serial killer Keith Jesperson, known as the “Happy Face Killer.” During an unexpected September session, Jesperson, incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary, spoke about his criminal past, including details of meeting his eighth victim at a truck stop.

Moore, who was only 15 when her father was apprehended for murdering eight women, shared her experiences in a new Paramount+ true-crime drama titled “Happy Face,” which explores the complexities of familial relationships with perpetrators. “I’m proud of this series because I think the family members of victims will feel seen, and so will family members of perpetrators,” Moore said. The show features dramatizations based on her own life story and the challenging dynamics she faced growing up in a household overshadowed by her father’s horrific actions.

Reflecting on a significant breakfast with Jesperson, Moore recalled a poignant moment when her father hinted at dark secrets. “He made an unannounced visit and asked my siblings and me if we wanted to have breakfast with him,” she said. The conversation took a serious turn when Jesperson suggested he had something to confess but stopped short, leaving her with an uneasy feeling. “Looking back on that conversation, I feel he knew that his crimes were catching up to him,” Moore stated.

Acknowledging her father’s duality, Moore described how Jesperson, a towering truck driver, was affectionate and involved as a parent. However, she also noted early signs of troubling behavior, including animal abuse that she witnessed as a child. “My dad would kill animals for sport,” she said, emphasizing that such actions were underreported within their family. “It was just Keith being Keith. Nobody really wanted to acknowledge it.”

Jesperson’s crimes, which he confessed to after being arrested in 1995, included the sexual assault and strangulation of various victims across several states, including California and Washington. Moore discovered her father’s criminal activities through her mother, who gathered the siblings to deliver the shocking news of his murder charges. “When I came home from school, my mother had called us siblings together,” she recounted. “She didn’t give any more details.”

Today, Jesperson, 69, is serving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. Despite his attempts to maintain contact through letters, Melissa Moore has chosen to distance herself from her father, stating, “He has never explained why.” She believes that his violent behavior stemmed from internal insecurities and a desire for power.

In a profound twist, Moore has forged connections with other family members of killers, creating a support network addressing the unique struggles they face. “I’m not proud of who my dad is, but I no longer feel the need to hide,” she shared. This community has provided her with a sense of purpose, helping others navigate the pain associated with their familial legacy.

As her story unfolds in the series, Moore hopes it fosters understanding of the complex emotional experiences faced by family members of notorious criminals. New episodes of “Happy Face” will drop Thursdays on Paramount+.