All articles tagged with #unsolved murders
Detective Matt Hutchison solved decades-old California cold cases using DNA evidence and genealogical methods, leading to the conviction of killers in the 1982 murder of 15-year-old Karen Stitt and the 1979 murder of Estella Mena, highlighting the impact of forensic science on solving long-standing crimes.
After over 30 years, police in Austin, Texas, have identified Robert Eugene Brashers as a suspect in the 1991 murders of four girls at a yogurt shop, using DNA testing. Brashers, who died by suicide in 1999, was linked to the case through DNA evidence, and the investigation remains open as authorities continue to seek justice for the victims.
This article highlights the month's best new thriller books that explore themes of troubled individuals returning to their small hometowns to confront past traumas and unsolved murders, offering fresh takes on familiar narratives.
Rex Heuermann, charged in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, may have started preying on women over 30 years ago, with his earliest known victim found in 1993. Heuermann, an architect living a seemingly quiet life, is now linked to multiple murders, including the 2000 death of Valeria Mack. Experts believe he could be connected to as many as 50 unsolved cases. The investigation into Heuermann's activities was revived in 2022, leading to his recent charges.
Elroy Harrison, 65, has been indicted for the 1986 killing of Jacqueline Lard and is a suspect in the 1989 slaying of Amy Baker, with authorities using genetic genealogy to link him to both cases. Lard was found dead in a wooded area after a struggle at her workplace, while Baker was discovered strangled near her abandoned car. Harrison was arrested and is being held without bond, with detectives seeking charges in Baker's death.
A California woman suspects her step-grandfather, Jim Mordecai, may have been the Santa Rosa serial killer responsible for the unsolved murders of several young women in the 1970s. After learning about Mordecai's history of sexual abuse within the family, Sierra Barter gave some of his belongings to the police for DNA testing. The investigation is ongoing, and while she waits for answers, Barter feels free from Mordecai's shadow and is hopeful for closure for the families of the victims.
Sierra Barter suspects her step-grandfather, Jim Mordecai, could have been a serial killer after uncovering family secrets about his alleged history of physical violence and sexual assault against women and girls. A new documentary, "The Truth About Jim," explores her quest for the truth and the unsettling revelations about Mordecai's past. Barter has handed over some of Mordecai’s personal belongings containing possible DNA to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, and hopes for justice for the victims of the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders, which took place in the North Bay Area between 1972 and 1973.
Monique Olivier, the ex-wife of French serial killer Michel Fourniret, is on trial as an accomplice in the kidnapping and murder of three females, two of whom remain missing. Olivier, already serving a life sentence for her role in four murders, expressed regret for her actions. Fourniret confessed to killing eleven people before his death in 2021. Families of the victims are seeking justice and hope Olivier will provide information on the unsolved cases.
The recent arrest in the murder of Tupac Shakur has raised questions about the unsolved murder of Christopher Wallace, also known as Biggie Smalls. Both rappers were influential figures in the hip-hop industry and their deaths have been extensively examined. The two murders have always been culturally connected, and investigators have theorized that they may be related. With the renewed attention on Shakur's case, there is hope for progress in Wallace's murder investigation and the possibility of justice for their loved ones.
Kerri Rawson, the daughter of serial killer Dennis Rader, also known as BTK, has spoken out following a property search in Park City. Law enforcement from Oklahoma conducted the search to determine if Rader had any ties to unsolved murder or missing person cases. Rawson revealed that she became aware of an investigation involving the 1976 disappearance of Cynthia Kinney and has been assisting in the investigation. She expressed her support for law enforcement agencies and called for inter-agency cooperation to solve cold cases and provide closure to grieving families.
A Florida death row inmate, scheduled to be executed, confessed in a documentary to two additional killings, including the case of a missing teenager in 1986. James Barnes claimed responsibility for the murder of Chester Wetmore and Brenda Fletcher, but authorities found no evidence to support his claims. Barnes is set to be executed for the 1988 murder of Patricia Miller. The documentary filmmaker, Werner Herzog, warned that Barnes may be manipulating law enforcement through false confessions. Barnes is not fighting his death sentence and expressed a desire to "clean the slate" and provide closure to the victims' families.
The recent arrest in the Long Island serial killings case has brought attention to the many unsolved murders of sex workers across the United States. Similar cases, like the "Eastbound Strangler" in Atlantic City, remain open, highlighting the difficulty in solving crimes against marginalized individuals. Serial killers have historically targeted sex workers because they believed they would not be missed quickly. The FBI has not disclosed the number of unsolved killings of sex workers in the country. Families of victims express frustration and hopelessness, while advocates emphasize the need for law enforcement to take these cases seriously.
Four women, Kim Raffo, Tracy Ann Roberts, Barbara V. Breidor, and Molly Jean Dilts, were found dead in a drainage ditch outside Atlantic City in 2006. They all had different backgrounds but were connected by their involvement in prostitution and drug use. The circumstances surrounding their deaths varied, with some showing signs of strangulation and others having lethal levels of heroin in their systems. The cases remain unsolved, leaving their families and authorities searching for answers.
Rex Heuermann, the suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, allegedly exhibited aggressive behavior towards an ex-cop on a train, leading to a verbal altercation. The former officer described Heuermann as a bully who felt entitled to confront and voice his opinions. Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, was arrested and charged with the murders of three women in 2010, and is considered the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman. Police fear he may be responsible for other unsolved crimes. Heuermann's obsession with true crime and his collection of over 200 firearms have also come to light.
Authorities in Portland, Oregon have identified a person of interest in the "serial killings" of four women whose deaths were previously thought to be unrelated. The victims, Kristin Smith, Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leann Webster, and Ashley Real, were found either near or on the sides of roads between February and May. Police have not released the identity of the person of interest or filed any charges. Concerns about a possible connection between the deaths were initially downplayed by police, but new interviews have led investigators to link the cases. The cause of death for each victim has not been determined. Authorities are asking the public for any information that could help in the investigation.