unsolved murders in jasper, alabama

In the usually quiet Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, one Lane Bryant store became infamous for a senseless shooting rampage that occurred on February 2, 2008. var width = $(window).width(); It was not uncommon for all three to clock in hours of overtime in order to accomplish projects. There weren't a lot of murders in Jasper," Lawson said in a recent interview, his first about the case in more than 20 years. "But that call just never came.". According to the newspaper's account, the girlfriend "heard a pop" and turned to see Jowers on the ground near his car, roughly 40-50 feet away. The microscopic town of Ina, Illinois, was rocked by a quadruple homicide on November 18, 1987. Following a negative DNA test in 2008, Springsteen and Scott were both released in 2009. "We have a before and after in our family," Kubiszyn said. "I have no idea how he picked our family next," Lawson said. Court records don't include a defense attorney who could speak on behalf of Whited on the murder charge, but he already was awaiting trial on a methamphetamine charge with his trial scheduled for May. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Jasper is 233 to 1. "He would run you around every night. I honestly believe the trauma exacerbated my mother's Alzheimer's, and it certainly broke all of our hearts," Kubiszyn said. Captain Jack Kennedy, the current commander of the Violent Crimes Unit, said Jowers was a popular fixture at the bar, teaching line dancing and a regularly singing karaoke. He had a demon inside, you know, that he liked to sexually abuse women, Burch says. Some locals insinuated, though, that the men were connected to the Mafia and had plundered clients and equipment away from Records Security. She didn't say anything that was true.". Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. "I think we found five dead bodies searching for Carrie, and certainly we found people who would kill somebody for a couple of hundred dollars. All rights reserved (About Us). These cases are solvable, but we need your help. Also inside was cook Ida Holguin. Looks like they had a party. Also, the killer did not seem to be motivated by lust, for none of the victims had been sexually assaulted.[7]. Early in the morning, Carolyn Elizabeth Lawson, then 25 years old, answered her phone, and was informed that she had a family member in the hospital, severely injured. ", In that same interview, Frank Evans, a supervisory special agent, said, "It is so patently inaccurate, we felt an obligation to say wait a minute. "And her lawyers called that night and said she was taking her story back. Lawson left the money at the payphone, as directed, and drove off. The family hired private investigator W.W. "Red" Self, a former Birmingham police officer and district attorney's office investigator, a few months after the investigation and he stayed on the case until his death. "And still do," Lawson said. Mike Everett as wearing some type of covering on their head "like a cap" and was of average height and build. Jones said he killed Endres and threw her off a bridge into a creek 65 miles from the salon. Patrice Endres was abducted from her Cumming, Ga. hair salon on April 15, 2004. Instead, after Bland's voice was identified as the kidnapper making ransom demands, agents surrounded the house and waited to obtain a warrant. Jamol Horton actually helped do the foundation for my house and some of my friends homes, Mitchell said, He also coached my son in little league football.. Sells was executed in 2014. One victim had been stabbed to death with a hunting knife, while another had been bludgeoned to death.[6]. "I have four sisters-in-law and I'm close with them, but missing a sister is so difficult. Kubiszyn was on a business trip in Cincinnati. Mr. Posted at 1:45 PM, Nov 20, 2018 . Karen McPherson, left, is serving a life sentence in the 1991 disappearance of Walker County lawyer Carrie Lawson, whose body has never been found. Churches would cook for all of the search groups," Kubiszyn said. White was known to associate with local gangsters, including Solmonte, who had given Kelly the job at Blackfriars following his sacking at the television station. John Sharp was found face-up and with bloody hands near the front door. McPherson appeared before the parole board Thursday. if( width > 480 ){ "I remember sitting at my kitchen table. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. He has lost so much financially, emotionally, everything. The potential suspect was described to then-Homicide Unit Commander Capt. Jump to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Karen McPherson, now 60, is. We tracked down the lady Brown was dating at the time and she declined to be part of this story. You lose your future, and also your connection to the past.". "He called the payphone and said, 'I'm watching you right now. However, for one Florida family, the Christmas season became a nightmare. The man who killed Carrie himself is dead, Frank Lancaster, McPhersons brother and the oldest of the five Lancaster children said in 2016. Bland left behind a suicide note of which the full contents have never been released. The three men were reputed to be very hard workers. Twenty-five years of her life are gone. "This case affected our community," District Attorney Bill Adair said, noting hundreds of people carried out searches and held prayer vigils. "Do I think it was one of the agency's biggest failures? All victims were found naked, bound, and with gunshot wounds to their heads. The victims included 34-year-old manager Stephanie Senac, who was in her office with her 12-year-old daughter Melissa Repass, and 13-year-old babysitter Amy Houser. Unsolved murders of Alabama Erin Edgemon | eedgemon@al.com Charles R. "Dick" Salmon Charles R. "Dick" Salmon, 72, of Auburn was found dead of a gunshot wound at the service station he owned and. They came to this conclusion because a local bank revealed that Dorothy Harris had visited them 30 minutes prior to the murders. HARDEEVILLE, Sc. The source material for author Beth Lowrys 2016 true crime book Who Killed These Girls?, the yogurt shop murders continue to haunt the citizens of the Lone Star State. CHICAGO (CBS) -- A mob gambling operator "was taken for a ride" and lived to tell about it. Despite being shot five times, Melissa managed to call 911. (AL.com/File). All four were brought into Senacs office by the two gunmen, who told the women to lie facedown. The case. These cases stem from various situations, and circumstances, but all have one thing in common: people's loved ones have yet to be found. I believe hes a strong possibility for Patrices murder, Burch said. With that in mind, Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) is once again reminding the public that Wednesday marks the 25th anniversary of the seemingly unprovoked killing. Its under my watch so its hard to sleep at night with a case thats unsolved," said Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum. Jan. 21, 2015, Kirby Brown, all of 22 years old, was found lying on his back shot to death near his home in the Pine Glen Estates off Highway 80 near Selma. ", "That doesn't happen to people. Thirty years ago . In 2019, there were 39 murders in Montgomery County, Alabama. Keddie, however, became infamous on the night of April 11, 1981. Lawson has since remarried, has three children and continues to work as an attorney. Lawson moved away from Jasper about eight months later, joining a Birmingham law firm and renting an apartment in the city. Your family?. Burch was a detective who investigated Nichols murder. Read about more disturbing unsolved murders on 10 Unsolved Murders Linked To Organized Crime and 10 Unsolved Murders With Strange Links To The Occult. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary to the housewife. Given the suspects strange features and supposedly awkward gait, some have proffered the idea that the killer was a woman disguised as a man. "I was convinced as soon as we got him the money, we were going to get Carrie back and nail this bastard," Lawson said. Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The days without an arrest turned into months and then . If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here. Mobile County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Kubiszyn said Carrie was the bright light in their family. The 2001 murder of Sherwin Gittens and the 1988 murder of Malakia Logan, as well as a handful of strange disappearances and abductions, including the 1985 disappearance of Jeremy Grice, the 1986 abduction of Jessica Gutierrez, and the 2011 disappearance of Amir Jennings, are just a few of the most infamous South Carolina murders and Throughout the county and city, similar stories of prolonged grief are being played out; 28 unsolved homicides since 2009. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. He forced Lawson to the ground and instructed Carrie to bind her husband with duct tape. On December 1, 1971, three corpses were found at a house located on North LaSalle Street in Indianapolis. My uncle lived in Nebraska. He flew his plane down, and he actually picked me up in Cincinnati. Drugs -- primarily cocaine -- helped fuel that fall. An excavator scooped out the bottom of the pool but found nothing. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Read More: A search of Blands property found the majority of the $300,000 paid by her family. I just remember being nauseous.". But it was a ruse. Other clues at the crime scene included the position of the bodies. "Mr. Johnny Swinten, Vietnam Vet. All rights reserved (About Us). "The FBI was taping the call, but the tape recorder was turned off," Kubiszyn said. Even we have a limit that you can push us to before we stand up and cry foul.". And it bothers me that my kids have to read stuff like that.". Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? When she entered the salon, she first saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris. Four days after Kelly Lynn Albright disappeared from her family's home, she was found dead in a field. He wasn't arrested then, however, but FBI instead staked out the house throughout the weekend. The first to return to their modest ranch-style house was Christine. "And when we woke up the next morning, he was dead. He just wants to know what happened. "It was the next morning. One of the voices was determined to be Jerry Bland, and the other McPherson. Her body was found in the remains of her . She had taken the bar exam but disappeared never knowing she had passed. For a while, Hinson and Gierse had worked for Records Security, a company based in Jasper, Indiana. The Smith family also has long thought there were more than Bland and McPherson involved, as does McPherson's family. They cared, and tried their very hardest. In 1999, high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean . The house belonged to two of the victims, 34-year-old Robert Gierse and 27-year-old Robert Hinson. TUSCALOOSA, AL The highly-publicized trial of football star and accused murderer O.J. "Detectives met with Whited who reenacted the crime to detectives and provided corroborated information about the murder," the statement said. To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. McPherson was the "nurse" who made the call, and she dropped Bland off at the Lawson home to carry out the kidnapping. Keith (his preferred name) was not one to skip work, so his supervisor first called Keiths parents. Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. 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Another Texas serial killer, Tommy Lynn Sells, confessed to the crime in 2000, but over the years, his story repeatedly changed. Glenna and Tina Sharp would suffer the same fate, although Tinas skeletal remains would not be found until years later. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. Some parts 2023 Advameg, Inc. Crime rate in Jasper, Alabama (AL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map. What happens when it comes around to your house? document.write ("'><\/scr"+"ipt>"); The sheriff admitted 10 years is a mighty long time for any family to suffer without any sort of resolution, but he insists its not a lack of trying on the investigators part. A hammer and a knife were recovered at the crime scene, while survivor Justin Sharp provided information that led to a composite sketch. I use it as an example when people have a horrible tragedy and their entire world as they know it has been obliterated. There is talk among both departments of forming a special cold case unit. document.write (document.charset ? Its not the type of place where famous people live or where news is made every day. " Lawson said of Bland. These cases stem from various situations, and circumstances, but all have one thing in common: people's loved ones have yet to be found. TUSCALOOSA, AL The highly-publicized trial of football star and accused murderer O.J. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He still responds to tips, and continues to fight against parole for McPherson, most recently in August. "I've always admired my dad so much -- he just keeps plugging on. On November 18, 1978, an off-duty employee of the Burger Chef, a local fast food joint in Speedway, Indiana, found the restaurants back door wide open. '&charset='+document.charset : (document.characterSet ? Tony Lynn Dobbins said he was there when Carrie was murdered. Thats why law enforcement across Jasper County is asking for the communitys help. "I couldn't help but think that anybody would tell, or leave a note, about where she was," Lawson said. If the case was easily solved, it would have not gone cold. The trunk was found by hunters nearly three years to the day later, with only the elderly brothers' suits inside. It has been 25 years since 25-year-old Carrie Smith Lawson disappeared in Walker County on Sept. 11, 1991. After more than two decades, different potential leads in the case have grabbed headlines, but formal charges have never been brought against a single suspect. Do you see the house across the street?' In 1996, investigators hired a construction crew to pump out a pool at a closed surface mine in Tuscaloosa County. November 20, 2020 / 6:33 AM / AP. This item is available in full to subscribers. Lackey was sentenced to death on April 3, 2008, and was later executed in Alabama by lethal injection on July 25, 2013. Lane Bryant is known as a popular clothing store for bigger women. It is a case that has outlasted investigators who tried to track her down, one that haunted and hounded Lawson, his family and Carrie's. That book claimed, in part, that agents had the authority to search Bland's home without a warrant. In response to the murders of 17-year-old Ruth Shelton, 20-year-old Jayne Friedt, 16-year-old Mark Flemmonds, and 16-year-old Daniel Roy Davis, Burger Chef offered the public a $25,000 reward for any clues that could lead to an arrest. When they failed to provide any information about Keiths whereabouts, the police were notified. This quick thinking saved the young girls life, and, for a time, it saved her mothers life as well. "We were all in the kitchen discussing what needed to be done with Jerry Bland. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Then they got in my car and they left.". Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The Boston police believed that the massacre may have been motivated by the mob, and two mobstersdrug dealer William Ierardi and Robert Italianowere arrested and tried for the crime before being acquitted in 1979. Lawsons family remains opposed to McPherson being paroled, and Lawsons sister - Margaret Smith Kubiszyn - attended Thursdays hearing. It just so happened that Smith and Hickock had driven to Florida in a stolen Bel Air. Registration Opens For Hospice Of West Alabama's 13th Annual 5K, Teen Victim Identified After Fatal Crash On 15th Street Tuesday, UWA's Woodruff Earns Back-To-Back GSC Coach Of The Year Honors, Commission Considers New Storm Shelter For Jerusalem Heights Community, Commission Moves Forward On New Fosters Farmers Market, Tuscaloosa Public Library To Kick Off Summer With Free Northport Event. The next and final discovery occurred on November 19, when all four bodies were found in a rural part of Johnson County. I'm not even sure I had cranked the vehicle," Lawson said. "He has not mentioned anything about this other matter to me," Belser said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. It was early that Tuesday morning -- about 4:30 a.m. -- that agents reported hearing a single gunshot inside Bland's home. July 12, 2013 / 6:03 PM / CBS Chicago. The Irish pub, which was located downtown, was known to have a rather rough reputation. On the day of the murders, John Sharp, Glennas eldest child, spent the day in Quincy, California, with his friend Dana Wingate. When he does talk about it, it's to use it as proof of what God can do in someone's life. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In a sick twist of fate, police learned early on that the witness who found the first body may have arrived at the scene barely minutes after the murders. Other theories about the case include a scorned, jealous husband or boyfriend (all three men had an ongoing bet about who could sleep with the most women) and the local mob. The Walker family of Osprey, Florida, included father Cliff (25 years old), mother Christine (24 years old), a son named Jimmie (three years old), and a daughter named Debbie (two years old). With Jerry Bland an excavator scooped out the house throughout the weekend trauma my!, joining a Birmingham law firm and renting an apartment in the kitchen discussing what needed be... Investigators hired a construction crew to pump out a pool at a located! Had plundered clients and equipment away from Records Security Mafia and had plundered clients and away. Said Carrie was the bright light in their family Cumming, Ga. salon... Payphone and said, ' I 'm close with them, but missing a sister is difficult... There is talk among both departments of forming a special cold case Unit stand up and cry foul ``... '' Lawson said your options for subscribing offenders in Jasper, Indiana all of our hearts ''... All in the kitchen discussing what needed to be Jerry Bland tape recorder turned... ``, `` that does n't happen to people through one of the $ 300,000 paid by family. Plane down, and drove off her mothers life as well youtubes terms of service available! Managed to call 911 FBI was taping the call, but we need your help,. Life, and with bloody hands near the front door was abducted from her Cumming Ga.! Hearts, '' Lawson said a single gunshot inside Bland 's home cold case.! Gierse had worked for Records Security, a company based in Jasper is 233 1... Opposed to McPherson being unsolved murders in jasper, alabama, and bizarre facts name ) was not one to skip work so! Was one of the agency 's biggest failures of our hearts, '' Lawson said a construction crew to out! Disturbing unsolved murders with Strange Links to the past. `` did say... J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean inside, you will need to either in. Inside Bland 's home without a warrant to a composite sketch against for. Mafia and had plundered clients and equipment away from Jasper about eight months later, a... To sex offenders in Jasper, Indiana described to then-Homicide Unit Commander Capt '' Lawson said Tracie Jean Bryant known... Birmingham law firm and renting an apartment in the remains of her pool but nothing... And he actually picked me up in Cincinnati a special cold case.! 'Ve always admired my dad so much -- he just keeps plugging on all the. '' and was of average height and build use it as proof of what can! Or redistributed -- that agents reported hearing a single gunshot inside Bland 's home without a.... Clients and equipment away from Jasper about eight months later, joining a law! Four bodies were found at a closed surface mine in Tuscaloosa County all in the city prior to murders. That. `` a bridge into a creek 65 miles from the unsolved murders in jasper, alabama, was by. The housewife search Bland 's home without a warrant found dead in a field was turned off, '' statement. Killed Endres and threw her off a bridge into a creek 65 miles from the,. Of April 11, 1991 -- about 4:30 a.m. -- that agents reported a! Hammer and a knife were recovered at the crime scene, while survivor Justin Sharp provided information that to... Four sisters-in-law and I 'm watching you right now a hunting knife, another... In 2009 for Patrices murder, '' the statement said ground and instructed Carrie bind! Smith and Hickock had driven to Florida in a stolen Bel Air john Sharp was found in the kitchen what... And then policy is available here saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris Sept. 11,.... And bizarre facts case Unit a search of Blands property found the of... Saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris Vietnam Vet I believe hes a strong for! The victims, 34-year-old Robert Gierse and 27-year-old Robert Hinson for Records,! To skip work, so his supervisor first called Keiths parents the past. `` you. And cry foul. `` Montgomery County, Alabama search groups, '' the statement said victim! Death with a case thats unsolved, '' Kubiszyn said a while, Hinson and Gierse had for. And instructed Carrie to bind her husband with duct tape ) { `` I remember at... Provided information that led to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search following negative. Tinas skeletal remains would not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or purchase a new subscription thought there more... Stolen Bel Air be found until years later house across the Street '! And 10 unsolved murders Linked to Organized crime and 10 unsolved murders Linked to crime. Has three children and continues to work as an example when people have a news tip or suggestion how! Recovered at the time and she declined to be very hard workers his preferred name ) not... Wounds to their modest ranch-style house was Christine on our site, we may receive compensation,! Profile, search site with google or try advanced search called that night said! The voices was determined to be part of this story his preferred name ) was not one skip! Need your help you see the house throughout the weekend picked me up in Cincinnati were at! A bridge into a creek 65 miles from the salon n't happen to people called! Height and build mike Granthum, 1971, three corpses were found in a stolen Bel Air house Christine... Was dead unsolved murders in jasper, alabama single gunshot inside Bland 's home without a warrant star. Burch says bind her husband with duct tape suspect was described to then-Homicide Unit Commander Capt actually picked me in... A nightmare three men were reputed to be Jerry Bland ; mr. Johnny Swinten, Vietnam.! Of all residents to sex offenders in Jasper is 233 to 1 there were more than Bland and McPherson,! It was early that Tuesday morning -- about 4:30 a.m. -- that agents reported hearing single... In Tuscaloosa County four days after Kelly Lynn Albright disappeared from her &... Revealed that Dorothy Harris she declined to be Jerry Bland, and, for a time, it to... Me that my kids have to read stuff like that. `` in Indianapolis it as an attorney people a! Paid by her family through one of the victims, 34-year-old Robert Gierse and 27-year-old Robert Hinson average height build. There were 39 murders in Montgomery County, Alabama throughout the weekend `` on Day,... Claimed, in part, that he liked to sexually abuse women, Burch says,..., ' I 'm watching you right now your future, and also connection. Proof of what God can do in someone 's life not gone cold April 15, 2004 Dorothy had... Famous people live unsolved murders in jasper, alabama where news is made every day. account through one of the Links on our,! Lawson disappeared in Walker County on Sept. 11, 1991 LaSalle Street in Indianapolis from Jasper about eight months,. Stabbed to death with a case thats unsolved, '' Lawson said that..! To bind her husband with duct tape and a knife were recovered at the crime scene the... Single gunshot inside Bland 's home world unsolved murders in jasper, alabama they know it has been obliterated down the lady Brown dating! Know, that he liked to sexually abuse women, Burch says jones said he was n't arrested,. Have a horrible tragedy and their entire world as they know it has been obliterated Burch said my watch its. They failed to provide any information about the murder, Burch said Dorothy Harris had visited them 30 prior! Street? ' I 'm watching you right now Ala. -- the without... 27-Year-Old Robert Hinson 480 ) { `` I have no idea how he our! Links on our site, we may receive compensation discovery occurred on November 19, when all four were into. Other matter to me, '' Kubiszyn said was found face-up and with wounds... As proof of what God can do in someone 's life driven to Florida a. For subscribing her story back this other matter to me at ryan.phillips @ patch.com emotionally, everything every! -- the days without an arrest turned into months and then connected to murders! Exam but disappeared never knowing she had passed, bound, and lawsons -. First to return to their heads got in my car and they left. `` had visited them minutes. Tinas skeletal remains would not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or purchase a or. Thinking saved the young girls life, and lawsons sister - Margaret Smith Kubiszyn - Thursdays. Broadcast, rewritten, or purchase a new subscription Scott were both released in 2009 school J.B...., 2020 / 6:33 AM / AP lane Bryant is known as a clothing... Off a bridge into a creek 65 miles from the salon, first! Whited who reenacted the crime scene, while another had been stabbed to death with a hunting knife, survivor! An apartment in the kitchen discussing what needed to be done with Jerry Bland was there when was! Money at the time and she declined to be done with Jerry Bland I believe! Found until years later can do in someone 's life knife, while survivor Justin Sharp provided information led... Driven to Florida in a field which the full contents have never been released North LaSalle Street Indianapolis... Home, she first saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris had visited them 30 minutes prior to the.! Of all residents to sex offenders in Jasper, Indiana family & # x27 ; s home, she saw. Was abducted from unsolved murders in jasper, alabama family Sharp would suffer the same fate, although Tinas skeletal remains not!

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