Badass Heather: Escort Kills Serial Killer Who Responded to Backpage Ad

Heather Saul had no idea who she was dealing with. Not that it mattered. It could have been anyone. She wanted to live and fought for that right. As it turns out, Neal Falls was likely a serial killer responsible for the deaths of nine escorts. She shot him dead during a fight for her life.

Backpage Ad Leads to Encounter With Serial Killer

In July 2015, Heather was an escort living in Charleston, West Virginia. She shared an apartment with her mom, as both women struggled to make ends meet. Escort work wasn’t ideal; Heather despised sleeping with men for money. But it paid the rent and kept the lights on.​

Charleston is a relatively safe city, with crime rates lower than the national average. However, on July 18, the city became national news thanks to Neal Falls.

Heather frequently posted ads for adult services on Backpage. Neal responded to one of her ads.​

After arranging details for a meetup, Neal headed to Heather’s house. He called at least seven times, asking Heather for directions to her house. She had become annoyed with him at that point, but put her feelings aside when he arrived.

Two of Heather's friends usually stayed at the house when a client came over. On this day, one made a run to a grocery store, and the second took off chasing the dog, fancy, after she got off her leash and out of the yard.

Heather was alone with Neal. She later described him as a short, stocky man with no teeth.

Heather Saul Fights For Her Life

The two walked into her living room, where he asked if anyone else was in the house. Neal walked behind Heather and put a gun to her side and his arm around her neck. He asked, ‘live or die,’ and he squeezed her neck. He was strong and unafraid; he had done this before.

A struggle ensued. Neal never anticipated a fight. But that’s exactly what he’d get from Heather.

Her hands and fists flung in every direction as she hit and scratched Neal. She hit him in the groin, sending him crouching to the ground. He quickly regained his composure and pushed Heather toward the kitchen. She fought harder. She screamed for help.

She noticed a rake leaning against the wall by the back door. She grabbed it and swung it toward Neal. He grabs the rake, bending one of its metal tines. She swings again, striking him on the body. Neal grabbed Heather by the neck and choked her as he struggled to take control of the rake and hold his gun with the other hand. He made a decision he would not live to regret: he set the gun on the floor.

Heather noticed the gun and grabbed it before he could react. She pointed it directly at his head and fired.

His hand loosened from her neck. Blood spattered on her face and ran down Neal's body. He slumped over, his belt getting caught on the door handle before he hit the ground.

Heather ran out of her apartment, barefoot, gasping for air, and screaming. A neighbor heard the commotion and rushed to help. The neighbor called 911. Authorities arrived less than five minutes later.​

Neal Falls Dead

Police found Neal dead with one gunshot wound to the head. ​

A note found in his pocket contained a list of women’s names, dates of birth, and phone numbers. The women were sex workers. Police suspect the women were potential victims.

Four pairs of handcuffs were also recovered from Neal's pockets.​

More disturbing, a “kill kit” was discovered in Falls' car. This kit contained a knife, a machete, an axe, a sledgehammer, bulletproof vests, bleach, trash bags, and a change of clothing.

Heather was covered in bruises. She suffered a broken back and dislocated shoulder from the struggle with Falls. She was happy to be alive.

​Police questioned Heather about her drug use after finding evidence of purchases in her phone. She admitted that she used drugs, but insisted it wasn't a habit and that she did not owe anyone money.​

Neal Linked to Other Crimes

During the investigation, detectives found evidence linking Neal to 10 other murders across several states.

Neal lived in Kansas with his father until 1992, when his father passed away. He returned to his home state of Oregon and found work as a private security guard. In 2000, he relocated to Nevada. He lived in a hotel while working as a security guard at the Hoover Dam.​

Friends and coworkers said falls began to display odd behavior around this time. He abused animals and spent most of his free time with se workers. He developed quite an obsession with se workers. So much so that he visited the Philippines in the mid-2000s to tour the country’s massive sex industry.

He quit his security job in 2008 after allegations of sexual harassment by a sex worker. He spent the next several years traveling across the country, living in states including Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, and Texas. He eventually made his way to West Virginia.

Four sex workers disappeared when he lived in Nevada. Three of their bodies were found dismembered in Illinois, Nebraska, and California. All the women were sex workers who advertised online. Six other women disappeared from Chillicothe, OH, a two-hour drive from Charleston. While no evidence exists that he was in the area, the disappearances stopped when he was killed.

Badass Heather

Many people consider Heather a hero in her own right. She fought back against a potential serial killer -and won. Her actions likely saved countless lives. And for her bravery, Heather Saul will forever be remembered as a badass.