Both district attorneys addressed the possibility of capital punishment being on the table, discussing that 1984 laws do seem to allow the possibility, and that its the hardest decision that a DA has to make and it wont be one thats made lightly. Serve as lead administrator of a K-3, 9-12 urban site . . Nevada inmate accused of Colorado murders says he'll fight extradition. Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. Your email address will not be published. Police are still looking for information on the cases connected to Ewing and are asking the public for help. On the night of November 15th, 1974, a fifteen-year-old Visalia-area girl named Jennifer Lynn Armour disappeared while on her way to a local football game. ~ Jan. 4, 1984, a man snuck into an Aurora home and used a hammer to beat James and Kimberly Haubenschild. During sentencing Aug. 17, members of the Bennett and Large families submitted impact statements and came to the courtroom. Vanessa Bennett sat under a picnic shelter on a muggy Arizona morning and talked for the first time about the physical and emotional toll she bears as the only surviving victim of one of. Investigators noted there was evidence of a struggle at the house. When they did, they noticed that the garage door was still open. Reporters and detectives subsequently learned that very little of the evidence from the scenes had been combed through using modern forensic technology, including DNA testing. This killer strikes with such violence that it is difficult to understand, see or know of a possible motive. Long Prairie, Minn. Long Prairie is a town of about 3,000 people in central Minnesota's Todd County. He was currently working at a family-owned furniture store, but was taking classes at the local college and would soon be working as an air traffic controller. Try plastic surgery for autographs, No cow needed: Oat and soy can be called milk, FDA, Fowl-free: McDonalds debuts plant-based McNuggets, Study hints healthier school lunch can reduce obesity, New Mexico considers roasted chile as official state aroma, Cloud-like meringues offer simple path to French royalty, MLB sets up local media group, could broadcast 17 teams, including, Mercer has goal, 3 assists as Devils beat Avalanche 7-5, Flurry of NHL trades continue with Avs, Canes making moves, Avalanche take winning streak into home matchup against the Devils, Jokic has 100th triple-double; Nuggets down Rockets 133-112, BRANDON JOHANSSON: A labor of love and angst ends covering the best news town ever for the Sentinel, Black Vietnam vet at last getting his due: Medal of Honor, Alex Murdaugh gets life in prison in murder of wife, son. When she first woke up, she had the mentality of a two-year old. She had to relearn how to talk and couldnt speak a full sentence for almost six months. CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - A judge sentenced Alex Ewing to three life sentences on Tuesday after he was found guilty in the 1984 murders of three people in Aurora. Between 1986 and 1989 though, a crime spree took place that left three pairs of travelers missing and another pair of travelers gone without a trace. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. KUSA reports that Vanessa recounted for the courtroom how the critical head injuries she survived left her with a lifetime of problems, including depression, anxiety, anger and struggles with heroin abuse. The wheels were put into motion to submit dozens of pieces of evidence to the FBI lab. Thought to be the work of a serial killer, the crimes have remained unsolved for thirty years. Not only was she left with physical injuries and scars as a reminder of the attack, but she was also left with ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. He finds his release from the level of pain he inflicts on the victim, the level of violence he is able to achieve. Keith Hunter Jesperson (born April 6, 1955) is a Canadian-American serial killer who murdered at least eight women in the United States during the early 1990s. There is no punishment that is too harsh for you and I will do everything in my power to make sure you never draw a free breath ever again.. Amazing!!!!!!!! Victims: Richard Keith Call (20) and Cassandra Lee Hailey (18) The Colorado killings followed two other attacks near Denver that either involved or were suspected of involving a hammer. Many of his victims were sex workers and transients who had no connection to him. How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator in India? Ewing would not stop hitting her the entire time and eventually the woman realized that she would have to play dead in order to get him to stop. He took her to the floor and sexually assaulted her. The childs skull was caved in on the right side of her forehead and a metal plate was inserted to reshape the skull. Is it not true that you usually get police closer to a suspect faster than they ever could without using dna? The family had been celebrating Melissas birthday that night. A man accused of murdering a mother and three children has also been charged with raping one of the victims, who was 11. Matthew Nicholas, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, January 20, after being found guilty of 10 counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. Seemingly, nothing they did showed investigators any reason someone would want to kill them. Police felt that the killer brought his own weapon to the scene it didnt appear that any of the tools or hammers at the home had been rifled through. His wife, Debra, was sexually assaulted and bludgeoned. A 61-year-old man learned this week he'll die behind prison bars after being sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for the 1984 murders of a Colorado couple and their 7-year-old daughter, PEOPLE confirms. Here are the days of the week the alleged killer struck each victim (s). The Bennett Family (Latin: Benedictus; English: Benedict; translates as "blessed" or "one who is blessed") is one of the main families in The Vampire Diaries and a matriarchal bloodline of powerful witches. She was found bludgeoned with a hammer, with about 17 wounds to the head. There was no way, given the samples that we have, to determine whether the voices match or not. They need renewed media attention. In the papers, the most attention is paid to the last state witness, the DNA analyst at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Wedged between the bed and the wall was three-year-old Vanessa, choking of fragments of her own jaw bone and barely clinging to life. Its my hope that this can help folks gain a better understanding of how prolific this offender was, and that insights can be gained as to perhaps why he was active at the times that he was, and why he mightve laid low during some of the quieter times. Thank you listeners! The backyard of the home was the only one in the area without a fence, and it backed up to a dark and lonely portion of Alameda Avenue. There was the sound of children and maybe a woman in the background, which couldve potentially come from a television or some other source. Bruce had mentioned wanting to run to the store before bed. Only the calls or phone events where the caller was believed to be the rapist are included. A hammer lay next to her. The couple's 3-year-old daughter Vanessa was also beaten but survived with permanent injuries. At least, until they came to Vanessas bed. The press conference began with Aurora Chief Nicholas Metz, who recognized the hard work and dedication of many investigators who worked this case over the years. Darkness had just fallen. We offer a suite of trucking and specialized logistics services, from flatbed and step deck trucking, driveaway, manufactured housing transport and RV delivery to 3PL/4PL logistics, customs brokerage . But he isnt going to talk about this crime to just a friend or bar mate. The Deadly Night of Incident For Bennet Family On the night of January 16 th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora. No immediate leads could be generated in the case. The police after searching the home believe that the intruder brought his own weapon, a hammer or some other type of blunt object yet, he took a knife from the kitchen which is what he used to slash and cut Bruce with. Sometimes to get a more clear picture of the criminal, one must see him or her as a human being, see him or her as they truly are, feel what they feel, know what they know, feel the wants, needs and desires of that person. He then found the couples oldest daughter, 7 year old Melissa, who tragically suffered the same terrible fate as her mother. On Jan. 4, 1984, a couple in Aurora woke up to see a man in their bedroom who hit each of them with a hammer before fleeing. He shouted her name, but she could only groan in response. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Report of July 5, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Report of July 21, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Jury returns guilty verdict in mass shooting at Aurora man sentenced to decades in prison for Man sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for Parolee and former Scout leader with history of Lone Tree bowling alley shooter sentenced to 23 Report of March 3, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Colorado District Attorneys Council honors trial team for Jury finds man guilty in former CU football Report of July 5, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Aurora, Report of July 21, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Englewood, Man sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for murdering couple who responded to advertisement for used car. He utilized the bindings in another distinct way he almost always forced his penis into his victims bound hands. He usually held his victims captive for a period of time and then released them, but hes suspected of abducting and murdering13-year-oldKarmein Chan in 1991. The case got very little press, and unfortunately, it was never solved. Expand the list of suspects because on this case it was always bigger than investigators thought it was and the killer was always the least obvious or least likely to stand out. He was arrested for the crime but went on to escape from prison transport during a gas station break. He tore her clothes off, tossed them about the garage, and then he raped her on the concrete floor. There wasnt anything notable stolen from the scene, and the attack had all the hallmarks of a random crime. I only do research and leave active investigation of these cases to professionals. James and Kim divorced divorced in the fall of 1987. RELATED: Bennett family murders: Full coverage of suspect's trial. for sure the les should listen to what you say and take another look this is a refreshing take on profiles. A day or two after receiving the DNA results, Law Enforcement met with victims and their family members. <p>Bruce Bennett, 27, was fatally stabbed and bludgeoned. It was determined that she had been killed sometime between the hours of 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Kevin Vaughan on Twitter: "NEW TONIGHT: #9WantsToKnow has obtained this mugshot of Alex Christopher Ewing, the suspect in two 1984 hammer murders. When a telephone call came for Steve Bennett on the afternoon of July 4, 1985, his daughter, Whitney, opened her bedroom window to summon her father, who was outside watering the front yard. Dr. Robert Offerman and Dr. Debra Manning were young and had bright futures. There are some instances where a strange phone call was received, but its not thought to be the offender. His sentence runs through 2037 but he would be eligible for parole in 2021. They had recently purchased a new home in Aurora for their young family, consisting of Melissa and a younger sister who was 3 years old. Ewing, 57, has also been charged with murder for the slaying of a Lakewood grandmother a few weeks prior to the Bennett killings, a crime police linked to the Bennett murders in 2010 through DNA. The husband then got a lock for the gate and made sure their house was locked and secure. It would also be a really good idea to look at troubled or violent teens in the area because I do not believe the killer was over the age of 25. Vanessa was saved, though she went on the live with permanent physiological affects from the assault. This killer is indiscriminate in terms of who he kills, attacks or rapes. Order your tickets today to see Small Town Murder in Atlanta, GA. Ron kept vigil and kept guard in her hospital room day and night. They lived on the other side of the Denver metro area, but their home and Smith's home were both near a main east-west road, Alameda Avenue, leading investigators to suspect the killer used that route. He stayed on the prosecution team with Storgaard and Senior Deputy District Attorney Megan Brewer. The last family member left around 9:00 PM. Required fields are marked *. The results (if any) of the tests run on the current evidence is currently unknown. It took 37 years, but on Tuesday, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served. Peter Weir, District Attorney of the 1st Judicial District, oversees the area where the Smith murder occurred. Its probably nothing that will move the case forward, but that show is coming out pretty soon so youll be able to find out what that is in just a couple months! Sole survivor of 1984 Aurora hammer attack testifies on opening day of murder trial It was a match, proving that the same unknown offender had killed all four victims. Book Synopsis . Onsale to General Public. There was no sign of Lauer or Phelps. When he arrived in Aurora almost four years ago Metz said he spoke to detectives about the citys cold cases and this one, which he said shocked the conscience of the community, stuck with him. There were very few leads to go on only a hazy physical description from Kim. He further explained the nature of the coordinated and combined effort that contributed to the identification of this suspect, and the initial ease at which the system has thus far moved. He took Debras purse and went out the front door, then dumped the contents out onto the snow. This killer did in fact re-offend, the issuehe was in the learning phase of actually killing humans during this time frame in Colorado. Taking a good long hard look at the evidence again and compare it to someone who was in and/or around that artery in Denver at the time would help to narrow the suspect list or in this case open it up. On the 4th of January James and Kimberly Haubenschild were also attacked with a hammer at their home in Aurora, but both survived. A murder inquiry has been launched, and one man - a 31-year-old from Killamarsh, who was known to the family - is in custody. She was quickly and carefully taken to the hospital in an ambulance. 28 year old Bruce Bennett had jumped into action when the attacker entered the family home and a struggle broke out between the two as Bennett attempted to protect his family. Ewing has been locked up since. Its unfortunate le didnt get him back then. It, and the floor around it, was soaked in blood. You can also see what seems to be escalation and a frenzy of activity at certain points. It would be nearly twenty-four hours total before she was found. The caller whispered harshly into the phone, saying You know who this is or Do you know who this is? The victim was on the line with him for about a minute. Dotted with impressive bridges and blanketed by thick trees, it usually provides year-round beauty and convenience for travelers. The childs skull was caved in on the right side of her forehead and a metal plate was inserted to reshape the skull, she suffered severe injuries to her head, jaw and neck. De Ligonnes Family. She was also left with a shattered pelvis and fell into in a coma. At the press conference, they informed the public that when authorities in Nevada went back and retroactively began swabbing and entering their inmates DNA into CODIS, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation got a hit and thats whats led to the development in this case. Weve been given a hi-resolution copy to share, which you can view by clicking below: Around this time, on this very night 38 years ago, the EAR/GSK beganlaying siege to Goleta, California. The bludgeoned bodies of husband and wife, Bruce and Debra Bennett, were discovered and it soon became evident that both were attacked with a knife and beaten to death. Autor do artigo Por ; Data do artigo estranged from family and happy; benson funeral home worthington, mn obituaries em bennett family murders address em bennett family murders address Bruce Alan Bennett was twenty-seven years old. The womens bodies were found inside Thomas vehicle. Vanessa, now 38 years old, received a call from the Aurora sheriffs department informing her that her parents killer had been identified as 57 year old Alexander Christopher Ewing. It begins with a woman killed with a hammer in Lakewood and, a week later, a family killed the same way. In just two days,. For over thirty years, this killer has remained unidentified. Aurora police Chief Nick Metz said the case has haunted the families involved. I should also note that the data becomes a bit skewed in that month because of the fact that the Snelling murder, being a homicide investigation, resulted in a much more thorough sweep of the area and more prowling incidents were recorded that wouldve otherwise been left unreported. The killer murdered two parents - Bruce and Debra Bennett - and their 7-year-old, Melissa, and left their other child severely injured. It was a blitz attack for no reason, said Marvin Brandt, who investigated the case as a homicide detective between 1984 and when he retired from the Aurora Police Department in 2002. The world turned a painful red and Donna began to lose consciousness. Donna pulled into the driveway, hit the remote to open the garage, and pulled her car in. Later autopsies would reveal that the Bennetts had died due to blunt force trauma and that their attacker had likely used a hammer. He then tries to strangle her with a telephone . The police found footprints in the snow that led up to and away from other homes in the same area and on the same street, leading them to believe that the offender was simply looking for an easy opportunity to lash out. Flatbed Trucking Company Bennett Motor Express is the premier open deck general freight carrier in the US. Just your average everyday normal family. One of the interesting parts of the East Area Rapists MO was that he seemingly made many, many hang-up phone calls to victims, usually in the weeks before an attack, but sometimes afterward as well. In 2015, information leaked that there was important clue found at the Bennett scene. After multiple surgeries,Vanessa was saved, though she went on the live with permanent physiological affects from the assault. This call occurred over a month after her attack. Did you know that one of the most popular places to rob are construction sites? Evidence that an aristocrat has gone missing--and was possibly murdered--near Sandringham House sets Queen Elizabeth II on the path to discover unsavory family secrets and much more in this new installment of the series the New York Times Book Review calls "sheer entertainment." Queen Elizabeth II is looking forward to a traditional Christmas gathering with her family in . Its our hope that something can come from this new push that will finally solve it. Its also interesting to note that the first incidence of violence, the Snelling murder, didnt stop him, but he did seem to be gradually slowing down after what appears on the surface to be the 1975 peak. Furthermore, the loving grandmother had been sexually assaulted. A life sentence feels too light, but that is the most the justice system can offer. Why did they have to get murdered? The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were found in the desert near Victorville, California, on November 13, 2013. The Colonial Parkway is a scenic highway in Virginia that runs through historic areas like Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Jamestown. With time, multiple surgeries and the support her extended family, Vanessa began to recover from her physical injuries, but living a normal life after losing both her parents to a murderer who had yet to be captured and convicted made childhood difficult. She screamed because he would have had to go through an open gate into their yard. The crimes appeared to be sexually motivated, judging by the assaults that occurred on Debra and Melissa. Yvonne Woods was on the stand for more than three hours . Ewings DNA profile was entered into CODIS (the FBIs database) in 2018 and his profile was matched to the DNA found at the crime scenes of both the Bennett family and Patricia Smith. Peck Funeral Home assisted the family . On the night of Jan. 15, 1984, the Bennett family left their garage door open. Investigators did not forget about the hammer murders, however, nor did the town of Aurora. Upon the capture of a suspect in the Golden State Killer case, Conner again turned to genealogical databases. The hammer struck her in the jaw, shattering the bone which splintered in an explosion of small fragments that punctured her windpipe. Forensics determined that the hammers used in each of the attacks were different, and that there didnt appear to be anything terribly useful in the way of fingerprints or other evidence. Lauers Chevy Nova was later discovered heading AWAY from the beach. My best friend lived around the corner from the Bennetts, and that previous night (or night of) after dinner when she was cleaning the kitchen, she saw a man staring at her through the window. He'd been in the Navy, where he worked on high-tech sonar equipment at Pearl Harbor. Despite the trauma of the attack and losing an incredible amount of blood, the doctors and nurses were able to save her life. James, a young man not even twenty-five years old yet, had married his wife Kim in August of 1982. Ewing, 23 at the time, killed the 27-year-old husband and his 26-year-old wife, as well as their daughter, inside their Aurora home. Constance entered the home, encountered the grisly scene, and immediately dialed the authorities. Fourth Crime Scene He attacked the couple with a hammer, bludgeoning them with it and leaving them for dead. He viciously struck the young child in the head with a hammer. AURORA | Police and prosecutors say they have solved the brutal 1984 hammer slayings of the Bennett family in Aurora, one of the citys most-shocking and tough-to-crack cold cases. During the winter in Colorado its difficult to find a construction crew working well into the night. I just read this article and Im completely blown away so much of what you speculated turned out to be spot on. Dont profile by. An autopsy found that Debra died from blunt force trauma. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. Let us have a look at this unforgettable case of the Bennet family murders. She was born August 12, 1946 in Mississippi. Theyd moved there around Thanksgiving from another place a few miles away, and had so far enjoyed their quiet, developing neighborhood. At some point, either when the intruder entered the couples bedroom or before, Bruce was alerted to the intruders presence and a tremendous struggle took place. Ewings DNA profile was entered into CODIS (the FBI's database) this year (2018 as I write this) and the following morning his profile was matched to the DNA found at the crime scenes of both the Bennett family and Patricia Smith. There, lying on the floor next to the couch and just a few feet away from the front door, was the carefully posed body of their grandmother. At the conclusion of his comments, he introduced his former boss, Peter Weir. ~Then on Jan. 10, 1984, someone used a hammer to strike 50-year-old Patricia Louise Smith several times in the head in her Lakewood home thus killing her sometime between 3pm and 5pm.