What if the man you loved and trusted most was hiding a monstrous secret? At just 15 years old, Melissa Moore’s world shattered when she discovered that her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, was the notorious “Happy Face Killer”—a sadistic murderer who taunted law enforcement with cryptic confessions.

For years, the Happy Face Killer taunted law enforcement with cryptic letters signed with a smiley face. Behind that twisted signature was Keith Hunter Jesperson, a long-haul trucker turned serial murderer, who left a trail of victims across the country.

Torn between love for the father she once knew and the horror of his crimes, Melissa was forced to navigate a life forever marked by his sinister legacy. As she struggled to distance herself from his darkness, she found herself asking impossible questions: Can you ever escape the shadow of a killer? Is redemption possible when your past is written in blood?

This chilling true crime account delves deep into Jesperson’s horrific killing spree, uncovering the brutal methods he used to evade capture and the psychological torment he inflicted on his victims. From his first murder to his eventual arrest, Happy Face Killer explores the shocking details of his crimes and the investigation that finally ended his reign of terror.

But this story doesn’t end with his conviction. Decades later, Jesperson’s daughter, Melissa Moore, has revisited his case in the gripping new documentary Happy Face (2025), revealing new insights into his crimes and the devastating impact they had on the families left behind. This book not only chronicles Jesperson’s dark legacy but also examines how his daughter has spent her life reckoning with the truth.

For true crime readers fascinated by the psychology of serial killers and the lasting scars they leave, Happy Face Killer: A Daughter’s Journey to Truth is an unflinching look at one of America’s most disturbing murderers.

Order your copy today to uncover the full story behind the mask of the Happy Face Killer.

Criminals & Outlaws