Skip to contentIn the dead of night on May 24, 1987, Kenneth Parks drove 23 kilometers from his Toronto home to his in-laws’ house in Scarborough, entered quietly, and brutally attacked them with a tire iron: killing his mother-in-law, Barbara Woods, and severely injuring his father-in-law, Dennis. He then surrendered at a police station, claiming no memory of the events.
Searches for “Kenneth Parks sleepwalking killer,” “Kenneth Parks automatism defense,” and “Kenneth Parks still alive 2025” continue to surge, driven by true crime podcasts and recent similar cases like a 2025 Victorian sleep-killing acquittal. As of October 2025, Parks’ story remains a landmark in criminal law: the first successful “sleepwalking defense” for murder. This deep dive explores his troubled life, the shocking crime, trial twists, and modern echoes. If you’re into bizarre defenses like those in Randy Kraft or Green River Killer cases, read on, but question if justice truly slept through this one.
Who Was Kenneth Parks? Early Life and the Path to Tragedy
Born in 1963 in Toronto, Canada, Kenneth James Parks grew up in a fractured home: raised by a single mother until her remarriage, then living with grandparents after clashing with his stepfather. Dropping out in 11th grade, he worked odd jobs before marrying high schooler Karen Woods at 20 (she was 18). Her parents, Barbara and Dennis Woods, embraced him as family, nicknaming the 6’5″, 230-pound “gentle giant.”
- Family Man Facade: By 1986, with a newborn daughter, Parks seemed stable: employed at Revere Electric, loving husband. But hidden gambling addiction spiraled: A beginner’s lucky win at Woodbine Racetrack hooked him, leading to $60,000+ debt.
- Descent into Crisis: Embezzling $30,000 from work to chase losses, he was fired and charged in March 1987. Stress mounted: Chest pains mimicked a heart attack; insomnia plagued him. He joined Gamblers Anonymous, but anxiety peaked before a planned May 24 family meeting.
- Sleep Issues Emerge: Family history of parasomnias (sleepwalking, talking) surfaced later: Parks was a deep sleeper, hard to wake, with abnormal brain waves.
This backdrop set the stage for that fateful night.
The Crime: A Midnight Drive and Brutal Attack
Dozing on the couch watching Saturday Night Live around 1:30 a.m., Parks “woke” at the police station hours later, hands bloodied, confessing: “I think I killed someone.” What happened?
- The Sequence: Drove 23 km to in-laws’ home, entered with a spare key, bludgeoned Barbara (five blows, fatal stab), and strangled Dennis (who survived).
- No Motive?: No prior violence; he adored his in-laws. But debt confession loomed.
- Surrender: At the station, severed hand tendons went unnoticed until arrival: “My hands are killing me.”
Parks claimed amnesia: Sleepwalking through it all. Read more here: Is The Pusher Real? Manchester Canal Deaths: Accident or Serial Killer?
The Trial: Pioneering the Sleepwalking Defense
Charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, Parks’ 1988 trial hinged on “non-insane automatism”: Unconscious actions due to a sleep disorder, not mental illness.
Key Evidence:
| Aspect | Details | Expert Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep History | Deep sleeper, family parasomnias. | An inherited disorder is likely. |
| Brain Scans | Abnormal waves during deep sleep. | Supports automatism. |
| Stress Triggers | Gambling debt, job loss, insomnia. | Heightens sleepwalking. |
| No Memory | Consistent amnesia post-event. | Inherited disorder is likely. |
Five experts (neurologists, psychiatrists) testified: Parks was asleep, no faking possible. Prosecution argued intent: Driving, selective violence. The jury acquitted on all counts; the Supreme Court upheld the verdict in 1992.
Kenneth Parks 2025: Where Is He Now? Life After Acquittal
Now 62, Parks lives privately in Canada: remarried, with five more children, and no further incidents. Divorced Karen in 1991; attempted a 2025 Relevance: Referenced in a Victorian woman’s dropped sleep-killing charges (Feb 2025). Podcasts like “True Crime Sleep Stories” (Aug 2025) revive it. X discussions: “Kenneth Parks’ sleepwalking murder: Real defense or loophole?” The 2006 school board run failed amid backlash.
Similar Sleepwalking Defense Cases: Fact or Fiction?
Parks set a precedent: Over 68 cases by 2005.
Esther Griggs (1845): Threw baby from window, dreaming of fire; acquitted.
Simon Fraser (1878): Killed his son, mistaking him for an intruder; locked room order.
Recent: Joseph Mitchell (2025 mention) strangled a child; ongoing.
