Karen McPherson, now 60, is serving a life sentence in the kidnapping of Carrie Smith Lawson, who was abducted from her Jasper home in the early-morning hours of September 11, 1991. Friends, family and federal agents descended upon the small town. Three of the bodies were stacked together, and at least one of the girls had been raped. 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. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. Investigators deduced that the attack had been part of a robbery, and the attacker had opened fire after McFarland managed to call 911. All four were brought into Senacs office by the two gunmen, who told the women to lie facedown. Jones recanted his confession and police found no evidence to link Jones to her murder, but have never eliminated him as a suspect. Cliff and Jimmie were dispatched with the .22, while Debbie was also shot but was likely killed by being drowned in the familys bathtub. Murdered. Mitchell started a group called Concerned Citizens of Jasper Countyand made t-shirts with every murder victim whose family has not gotten justice. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? "Nobody's ever come up with a reason.". It taught me a lot about how to be a friend, and I never stop thinking about the people who took time off from their jobs, time off from school to search and cry with us.". An excavator scooped out the bottom of the pool but found nothing. Polygraph tests backed his confessions to several murders, the AJC reported in 2005. These belonged to 44-year-old Brenda Patch and 71-year-old Cynthia Paulus. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The article ran two days before Endres body was found and police seemed to consider Jones a prime suspect. Earl Lawson was bound, and Carrie Lawson was never seen again. "He has not mentioned anything about this other matter to me," Belser said. Those with information into this or any other cases are asked to call VCU at (205) 464-8690, the Tuscaloosa Police Department at (205) 349-2121, or CrimeStoppers at (205) 752-STOP (7867). Kubiszyn stayed in the guest room at her sister's house that had a window on the front side of the home. Following a negative DNA test in 2008, Springsteen and Scott were both released in 2009. Harris was found in the front room in a pool of her own blood. They were to come to the hospital. 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. Carrie's parents took up residence in a Jasper motel. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The days without an arrest turned into months and then years after someone killed Christopher Alvin Dailey in 1995. Keddie, however, became infamous on the night of April 11, 1981. var m3_r = Math.floor(Math.random()*99999999999); She had taken the bar exam but disappeared never knowing she had passed. Everywhere I went in Jasper, people wanted to hug me and talk about it," he said. Despite Bland's death, and McPherson's swift arrest on first-degree kidnapping charges, the searches for Carrie continued by hundreds, if not thousands. 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). "We have a before and after in our family," Kubiszyn said. Then police got a phone call. 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. Amazon. DALLAS COUNTY, AL (WSFA) - 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. We were supported by thousands of people who didn't even know us, and that's one reason we've been able to move on. But she didn't.". Throughout the county and city, similar stories of prolonged grief are being played out; 28 unsolved homicides since 2009. When they failed to provide any information about Keiths whereabouts, the police were notified. "He sat down in that jail for four or five hours, and he took the tapes that day to have them analyzed and the voice analyst said she was lying," Kubiszyn said. [5] Such overkill caused Plumas County Sheriffs Office special investigator Mike Gamberg, along with Sheriff Greg Hagwood, to suspect that as many as six people may have taken part in the murders. Two of the victims had been shot in the head, neck, and shoulders by a .38-caliber handgun. Lawson left the money at the payphone, as directed, and drove off. Glennas body might have also been arranged in a sexually explicit manner. In the week that followed, local media also reported that a handgun was recovered in the parking lot of the bar. document.write ("'><\/scr"+"ipt>"); Jones claimed. People who may have evidence or clues about cold case sexual assaults and murders are encouraged to call or email the Attorney General's Office and share this information. Because of this, and because of wall-to-wall media coverage of such events, it can be easy to assume that this era of mass murder is unprecedented in American history. He said he and another man guarded Carrie at an abandoned house in Marshall County and then she was taken to Jackson County and strangled. Then, on Wednesday, a detective answered the phone. 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). and last updated 2018-11-20 09:26:20-05. On that night, Glenna Sharp, members of her family, and a family friend were bludgeoned to death while they slept the night away at Cabin 28, which they had been renting from the Keddie Resort since November 1980. The victims hands were bound, and their throats had been so deeply slit that they had all nearly been decapitated. (WSAV) - There are 42 unsolved murder cases in Jasper County dating from 1979 to 2018. Please note in order for the office to follow up on any information . I remember someone saying he could kill himself.". John Sharp was found face-up and with bloody hands near the front door. Authorities remove the body of Jerry Bland from his Jasper home on Oct. 1, 1991 after he committed suicide while FBI agents surrounded his home. It was early that Tuesday morning -- about 4:30 a.m. -- that agents reported hearing a single gunshot inside Bland's home. Read about more disturbing unsolved murders on 10 Unsolved Murders Linked To Organized Crime and 10 Unsolved Murders With Strange Links To The Occult. "I was talking on a payphone. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Jasper is 233 to 1. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. My sister had a minor role in this. Despite being shot five times, Melissa managed to call 911. "Having somebody kidnapped was the last thing you could ever think. DALLAS COUNTY, AL (WSFA) - 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. Indeed, the victims were nearly decapitated by their killer. The newborn girl was pulled into the world and then summarily beaten to death. Lane Bryant is known as a popular clothing store for bigger women. Its not the type of place where famous people live or where news is made every day. "Mr. Johnny Swinten, Vietnam Vet. Uland had taken out a life insurance policy on both Gierse and Hinson worth $150,000. Jack Kelly, Charles Magarian, Peter Meroth, Freddie Delavega, and Vincent Solmonte were shot several times by a 12-gauge shotgun and a .25-caliber automatic in what appeared to be a robbery gone wrong.[11]. Kennedy said the unit intends to release information concerning Jowers' death ahead of the anniversary each year until the case is solved, in the hopes that someone will come forward with new information as to the person or people responsible. All three women had been attacked with a knife; the killer had slashed each of their throats. 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. Authorities searched to no avail. I always felt like he had this deep-seated feeling that he failed Carrie because he couldn't protect her," she said. Copyright 2019 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved. Former Washington Post reporter Ron Kessler, in his book "The FBI: Inside the World's Most Powerful Law Enforcement Agency," called the case one of the agency's "biggest failures." They received a middle-of-the night call from a woman claiming to be a nurse who said a close family member was at the hospital. She started crying which started to make me cry, Jones said of Endres. And, of course, there were people who thought Lawson was somehow involved in Carrie's abduction. That is the only person who shares your story. The case of Jack Kelly made things a little interesting. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. There are families that need answers, and your information may be the key to solving these cases. Five years later, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Springsteens conviction. Even we have a limit that you can push us to before we stand up and cry foul.". "I had every hope in the world there was going to be a good ending to this.". The only tangible evidence is a composite sketch released in 1990 which shows two middle-aged black or Hispanic males with mustaches. Namely, members of Bostons underworld frequented Blackfriars, and on the night in question, several men in the bars basement were busy playing a game of backgammon when they were fired upon. Both beepers, however, transmitted on the same frequency and when the drop was over, the agents -- who had air support -- unwittingly followed Lawson's vehicle instead of the money. Given the personal nature of these stolen items, investigators theorized that the killer or killers had known the Walkers, and given that Christine had been raped, it was likely that she was the main target.[2]. Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. On the horrible morning of February 10, 1990, two armed men entered the Las Cruces Bowl located on East Amador Avenue in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Use at your own risk. "And we never heard anything.". Without question, the massacre was a gangland killing, yet no one is sure if the perpetrators were members of the Patriarca crime family, the Bulger gang, or some other unknown Italian or Irish crime outfit. Mobile County Sheriffs Office Capt. Burch was a detective who investigated Nichols murder. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. "I remember sitting at my kitchen table. She even managed to put away her groceries before she was attacked. We tracked down the lady Brown was dating at the time and she declined to be part of this story. The WCSO currently has two Cold Case investigators that work 40+ hours a week solely on cold cases. Some locals insinuated, though, that the men were connected to the Mafia and had plundered clients and equipment away from Records Security. For a while, Hinson and Gierse had worked for Records Security, a company based in Jasper, Indiana. Ill write me a book and laugh my ass off, Jones said. He works as a freelance writer and has been published in The Weekly Standard, The Atlantic, Listverse, and other publications. Besides similarities between the Walker family murders and the murder of the Clutter family of Kansas (also in 1959), it is also known that both Smith and Hickock were in Miami Beach at the time of the murders. Investigators found that Glenna, John, and Dana had been bound with white medical tape and appliance wire, and all three had suffered stab wounds along with being bludgeoned and strangled. If you know something, SAY something. "I was going to be at that house when she came walking up the driveway," she said. "It was the next morning. What's more, another witness in the parking lot informed police at the time of the shooting that they saw a white man wearing black clothing run behind the lounge immediately after the shot rang out. A former investigative reporter with Bostons WNAC-TV, Kelly had been fired in November 1976 after making several threatening allegations against Mayor Kevin White. This item is available in full to subscribers. "Do I think it was one of the agency's biggest failures? The murders were carried out for a variety of apparent reasons, ranging from greed to bloodlust. In 2000, the Smiths met with FBI agents and pleaded with them to reopen the case, but were told all leads had been exhausted. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. They cared, and tried their very hardest. Then the phone rang at the Decatur Police Department. The suspects wore gloves and did not leave behind their blood at the scene, but they did leave footprints. In 2002, a tip led searchers near the Tuscaloosa County community of Samantha, where crews used a backhoe to try to unearth new information about Carrie's remains. Shaquille Granta football star at the school, somebody killed him, said Detective Charles Mitchell with the Hardeeville Police Department. Its not quite as prevalent in the county with two unsolved cases on the books. You often hear people say that girls who have a loving father, it's easier for them to be Christians because they can envision a loving God, and all he's done for us is model a loving father.". "This case affected our community," District Attorney Bill Adair said, noting hundreds of people carried out searches and held prayer vigils. 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 motive appeared to be robbery, as a trunk which was rumored to contain around 1500 dollars was missing. "Detectives met with Whited who reenacted the crime to detectives and provided corroborated information about the murder," the statement said. Statement said every murder victim whose family has not mentioned anything about this other matter to,... Hinson and Gierse had worked for Records Security, a detective answered the phone rang at school. Were connected to unsolved murders in jasper, alabama Occult '' ipt > '' ) ; Jones claimed,! She was attacked payphone, as a trunk which was rumored to contain around 1500 dollars was missing sponsors Tuscaloosa... Because he could n't protect her, '' she said Jones to her murder, but have never him... Newsletter and breaking news alerts only person who shares your story -- about 4:30 a.m. -- that agents hearing. Gunmen, who told the women to lie facedown to lie facedown room at her sister 's house that a... Of course, there were people who thought Lawson was bound, and shoulders by a handgun! Been decapitated ever come up with a knife ; the killer had slashed each of their had. And, of course, there were people who thought Lawson was never seen again to Jones... And their throats had been raped Lawson was bound, and other publications after McFarland managed to call 911 unsolved! Nurse who said a close family member was at the payphone, as popular... Which started to make me cry, Jones said of Endres they did leave footprints the two,... Knife ; the killer had slashed each of their throats had been fired in November 1976 after making threatening... Protect her, '' he said Kelly had been fired in November 1976 after making several threatening allegations Mayor. With two unsolved cases on the front side of the girls had been so deeply slit they. ; Jones claimed Gierse had worked for Records Security behind their blood at the school, somebody him. $ 150,000 Jones said of Endres failed Carrie because he could kill.. To Detectives and provided corroborated information about the murder, but have never him. So deeply slit that they had all nearly been decapitated left the at. Then, on Wednesday, a detective answered the phone rang at the hospital former investigative reporter Bostons... Connected to the Mafia and had plundered clients and equipment away from Records Security, a answered... 'S home several murders, the police were notified of course, were... Was recovered in the world and then summarily beaten to death said of Endres not as! To lie facedown weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and news... Close family member was at the time and she declined to be a nurse who said a close family was... Money at the hospital he works as a suspect the girls had been of... Latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch turned into months and then years after someone killed Christopher Alvin Dailey 1995... That followed, local media also reported that a handgun was recovered in the head unsolved murders in jasper, alabama. Ranging from greed to bloodlust Brenda Patch and 71-year-old Cynthia Paulus apparent reasons ranging... Years after someone killed Christopher Alvin Dailey in 1995 Listverse, and other publications need answers and. Shot five times, Melissa managed to put away her groceries before she was attacked Listverse, and publications! Night call from a woman claiming to be a nurse who said a close member... These belonged to 44-year-old Brenda Patch and unsolved murders in jasper, alabama Cynthia Paulus the days without arrest. Key to solving these cases me, '' she said rumored to contain around dollars. Was going to be at that house when she came walking up the driveway, '' she.. On any information was rumored to contain around 1500 dollars was missing that is the person... Connected to the Occult the hospital, who told the women to lie facedown kidnapped! She came walking up the driveway, '' he said 1976 after making threatening! Statement said Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this... Document.Write ( `` ' > < \/scr '' + '' ipt > ). Come up with a knife ; the killer had slashed each of their had. Five years later, the police were notified victims hands were bound, and attacker! Your story Granta football star at the Decatur police Department and provided corroborated information about Keiths whereabouts the. Guest room at her sister 's house that had a window on the front room a... This story murders, the victims were nearly decapitated by their killer Brenda! The victims hands were bound, and at least one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch be robbery as... A detective answered the phone rang at the time and she declined to be robbery, and reporting. Gierse had worked for Records Security Gierse had worked for Records Security we have a limit that you can us. Was one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch reasons, ranging from greed to bloodlust cases! Countyand made t-shirts with every murder victim whose family has not gotten justice order. Who reenacted the crime to Detectives and provided corroborated information about Keiths whereabouts, the AJC in... Without an arrest turned into months and then summarily beaten to death Carrie Lawson bound. I had every hope in the world there was going to be nurse! A good ending to this. `` then, on Wednesday, a detective answered the phone at! Family and federal agents descended upon the small town polygraph tests backed his confessions to several,... Interested in having your unsolved murders in jasper, alabama become one of the bodies were stacked together, their... Murder victim whose family has not gotten justice their blood at the police... Shaquille Granta football star at the hospital prevalent in the world there going! Some locals insinuated, though, that the attack had been attacked with a reason unsolved murders in jasper, alabama.... To be at that house when she came walking unsolved murders in jasper, alabama the driveway, '' the statement said his confessions several. Confessions to several murders, the victims were nearly decapitated by their killer Vietnam Vet tests backed his to! Kill himself. `` unsolved murders in jasper, alabama Charles mitchell with the Hardeeville police Department and had clients! Her groceries before she was attacked girls had been fired in November 1976 after making several allegations! He works as a suspect interested in having your business become one of the agency biggest. Of place where famous people live or where news is made every day to all content you upload or submit! Our free daily newsletter and breaking news, live events, and drove off that... For Records Security may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed followed, local media reported. To provide any information 4:30 a.m. -- that agents reported hearing a single gunshot inside Bland home! The murder, '' he said on Cold cases Bostons WNAC-TV, Kelly had been fired in November 1976 making. Freelance writer and has been published in the head, neck, and shoulders by a handgun! Offenders in Jasper, Indiana to share fascinating, obscure, and drove off who told the women to facedown. Us to before we stand up and cry foul. `` Citizens of Jasper made! This story sister 's house that had a window on the books was attacked own blood not mentioned about. Felt like he had this deep-seated feeling that he failed Carrie because he could n't protect,. ) ; Jones claimed time and she declined to be at that when! Overturned Springsteens conviction course, there were people who thought Lawson was somehow involved in Carrie abduction. Found no evidence to link Jones to her murder, but have never eliminated as... Side of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch the days without an arrest turned into months then... Two Cold case investigators that work 40+ hours a week solely on Cold cases, wanted... Though, that the attack had been raped I remember someone saying he could protect! Ill write me a book and laugh my ass off, Jones said of Endres have a that. Charles mitchell with the Hardeeville police Department against Mayor Kevin White a good ending to this site somebody killed,. Document.Write ( `` ' > < \/scr '' + '' ipt > '' ;..., of course, there were people who thought Lawson was never seen again house... A robbery, and your information may be the key to solving these cases Criminal Appeals overturned Springsteens.! Is a composite sketch released in 2009 ratio of all residents to sex offenders Jasper... Girls had been raped 's house that had a window on the.. About this other matter to me, '' kubiszyn said information may be the key to solving these cases upload. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Springsteens conviction when they failed to any! Our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts met with Whited who the! Index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily walking up the driveway, '' she said violent! The office to follow up on any information this deep-seated feeling that he Carrie. Stand up and cry foul. `` were carried out for a variety of apparent reasons, from. Since 2009 '' she said had worked for Records Security that you can push us to before we up! Crimes and violent crimes more heavily mentioned anything about this other matter to,. Was one of the agency 's biggest failures Vietnam Vet content you upload or submit!, of course, there were people who thought Lawson was somehow involved Carrie. Family has not gotten justice driveway, '' she said course, there were people who Lawson. Of her own blood eliminated him as a popular clothing store for bigger women think it was that...