Otis Ray Appleton (August 23, 1941 – October 7, 2015) was an American jazz drummer.
He played in school bands, but hearing Freddie Hubbard and James Spaulding led to a serious interest in jazz.
Appleton toured and recorded with John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Wes Montgomery and others.
Due to a car accident and diabetes, he lost part of his left leg in 1997.
[1] He reportedly received his nickname "killer" from bassist Larry Ridley and became a person of note in Indianapolis's jazz community.