Full cooperation from Nevada Law Enforcement led to a confirmation of the DNA match. James, who posts online from time to time, discusses how vividly the case still haunts him even to this day. The press conference panel continually emphasized the destruction that this case has left on the lives of those affected. Murdaugh, 54, is accused of shooting his wife Maggie, 52, and youngest son, Paul, 22, at the kennels of their 1,800-acre hunting estate in Moselle, South Carolina on the night of June 7, 2021. I didnt hear it mentioned in the press conference, but forensic genealogist incidentally identified the correct surname of the alleged killer: Ewing. This information was released in an episode of On the Case with Paula Zahn earlier this year. He shouted her name, but she could only groan in response. 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 The Bennett family was attacked either the night of Jan. 15 or the morning of Jan. 16. Hecontinued to attack the child causing severe injuries, but the 3 years old held on to her life and was alive the next morning when she was discovered by her grandmother. The money was never claimed. Small Town Murder at Tabernacle in Atlanta Sep 8th, 2023 - presale code Constance Bennett, the mother of murder victim Bruce Bennett, is questioned defense attorney Katherine Powers Spengler during Alex Ewing's murder trial, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in an Arapahoe County Court in Centennial, Colo. Ewing is accused of killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora in January 1984. Victims: Daniel Lauer (21) and Annamaria Phelps (18). Why did they have to get murdered? Police are still looking for information on the cases connected to Ewing and are asking the public for help. I have seen all kinds of evil and wickedness nothing compares to the level of depravity that your actions show in this case, Vahle told Ewing. 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. Dont you feel cheated a little? for sure the les should listen to what you say and take another look this is a refreshing take on profiles. Bruce had mentioned wanting to run to the store before bed. 'I apologized to my family:' Stetson Bennett addresses public Lakewood Chief Dan McCasky was among those echoing those sentiments, and mentioned that the Smith family members will be releasing a statement later in the day. Donna was rushed to the hospital while police worked the scene. Victims were shot to death on the shore of the James River, some distance from Knoblings pickup truck. He also discarded the knife hed used to kill Bruce. 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. After failing with the EAR, we needed a sidebar showing that the techniques actually work because they do! All rights reserved. The police swarmed through the residence, quickly assessing the condition of each family member as they cordoned off certain areas of the home to gather evidence. About a week later, a different hammer was used to kill the Bennetts and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora. First published on August 17, 2021 / 3:31 PM. A life sentence feels too light, but that is the most the justice system can offer. He raced inside and quickly found Donna in the middle of the blood-soaked bed. Dont you think the police could have gotten the guy long ago had they given you the evidence they had? Murder Most Royal - (her Majesty The Queen Investigates) By Sj Bennett There wasnt anything notable stolen from the scene, and the attack had all the hallmarks of a random crime. Prosecutors said they will ask Gov. Obviously, this guy was looking for his next target. Despite the trauma of the attack and losing an incredible amount of blood, the doctors and nurses were able to save her life. As of December 2021, the Boulder Police Department has processed more than 1,500 pieces of evidence related to the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Its nothing more or less than that. On night of January 16 th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora, Colorado. Ewing has been behind bars in Nevada since the summer of 1984 after he escaped there while being transported to Kingman, Arizona, from St. George, Utah, for a court appearance on attempted murder and burglary charges. Investigators said he also sexually assaulted Melissa before she died from being beaten. Dont profile by. He noticed a gaping wound on the left side of her skull. On the 4th of January James and Kimberly Haubenschild were also attacked with a hammer at their home in Aurora, but both survived. Dont forget to follow Generation Why on FB [X] , Instagram [X] and Twitter [X]. 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. Not only was he hanging on the situation for any sign of improvement, but he was afraid that the killer would find out that she survived, might be able to identify him, and might come back to attack her again. The previous week, on the 10th of January,awoman in her fifties named Patricia Smith had also been murdered in her own home in a townhouse in Green Mountain, Lakewood, which is just a 25 minute drive from the Bennetts home in Aurora. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 He didnt hate his victims and quite frankly he didnt know any of them personally, he just wanted to kill. April 6th, 2001 Patricia missed her husband Oliver, who stayed behind in Nebraska, but she loved being with her daughter and two grandchildren in a bustling city. The father, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnes, immediately became the prime suspect, as he abruptly disappeared after the . This phone call occurred 25 years after the attack. 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! 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. Bruce and Debra Bennett lived with their daughter Melissa and younger daughter, Vanessa. She too worked at the family-owned furniture store, and was happily helping raise the couples two children, Melissa (seven-years old, about to turn eight) and Vanessa (three years old), with the man that she loved. Victim Tearfully Tells Night Stalker Jurors of Attack in Bedroom I look in the mirror every day and look at myself and I hate who I am. 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. 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. It was taken in Arizona 11 days after the attack. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. Serve as lead administrator of a K-3, 9-12 urban site . 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. While meeting with the families in regards to this case reopened many old wounds and horrific memories, the Aurora Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the 18th Judicial District, and the 1st Judicial District is committed to seeing that justice is served in this case. In fact, there was a string of unsolved crimes in the area that took place just days apart from each other. Photo: 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office A 61-year-old man learned this week he'll die behind prison bars after being sentenced to three consecutive life sentences. 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. Which is why a more beneficial profile from the onset is more important in fact, its critical. I'm a very strong person, though, but when it comes to my family that was the most important thing to me in the whole world.". The Bennett family, consisting of Bruce (27), Debra (26), and their two young daughters, Melissa (7) and Vanessa (3), were all attacked inside their Aurora home by a serial killer named Alex. Bruce worked at the family-owned furniture store and was also taking classes to become an air traffic controller. He viciously struck the young child in the head with a hammer. The couple, especially Ron, wanted to show that their love was truly for better or for worse and that it would survive any challenge. He utilized the bindings in another distinct way he almost always forced his penis into his victims bound hands. He either got turned on by the prospect of killing or used the rapes as a way to cover up the true motive which was to murder. Victim #42received a call that she identified as the EAR. You got the age closer than the fbi and police you described exactly what the guy was feeling when he was killing them. 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. Your email address will not be published. Donna pulled into the driveway, hit the remote to open the garage, and pulled her car in. There was the sound of children and maybe a woman in the background, which couldve potentially come from a television or some other source. Its unfortunate le didnt get him back then. The bodies of John Paul Bennett, 13, Lacey Bennett, 11, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11, were discovered at the property near Sheffield, on Sunday morning.. If you are just simply looking at it, you miss the most critical and important clues. Profiling like that is a great place to start, yet it can also mean that its a great place to leave a crime long enough that it goes cold. Two young boys were asleep in other rooms in the house. On the night of Jan. 15, 1984, the Bennett family left their garage door open. There are potentially other crimes that Ewing could be charged for, and Brauchler emphasized that he wont prosecute a crime that he cant ethically prove theres a high standard for evidence in these types of cases. The family overall lead a very quiet and peaceful life. Family killed in Killamarsh: Everything we know after three Murdaugh's double murder trial jury is sent out to find a verdict As an adult, she developed a drug habit and became an addict. He kept the hammer. I would not limit the list to any type of profession or lack of any type of profession until suspects can be eliminated. The case got very little press, and unfortunately, it was never solved. Patricia had only been living in Lakewood for about three and a half months, having moved there from Nebraska with her daughter, who was recently divorced. Designed by Defendants jailed in Bristol for offences against children Bennett family murders The world turned a painful red and Donna began to lose consciousness. Amazingly, it was thought that spending so many hours naked on the garage floor in the freezing temperatures may have kept her from bleeding to death. The bludgeoned bodies of husband and wife, Bruce and Debra Bennett, were discovered and it soon became evident that they had both attacked with a knife and beaten to death. Some of the ligatures matched across scenes. He usually tied them so tightly that circulation was restricted, used the same types of knots, and would often have the wife tie up the husband (and then retie the husband himself). The Ramsey family, who originally bought the . One of the signature trademarks of an EAR/GSK attack was the use of ligatures. ~ Jan. 4, 1984, a man snuck into an Aurora home and used a hammer to beat James and Kimberly Haubenschild. Bruce finally succumbed to his injuries and the family was left vulnerable. Ive provided a complete listing of known phone calls where the East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer actually spoke at this link:https://www.coldcase-earons.com/phonecalls.php. 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. She recently gave an interview, which you can view here (link).. HE had to get knife in addition to the hammer just to ward off Bruce who was trying to protect his family. Vanessa, after a wait of 3 decades received a call from the Aurora sheriffs department informing her that her parents killer had been identified as 57-year-old Alexander Christopher Ewing. Vanessa Benn. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. The large hammer was recovered, still on the seat of the car where the attacker had left it. But some states were slow to add DNA to CODIS and the Damn ACLU had to butt its nose into it and doesnt like how some states collect DNA beyond certain felony charges or convictions. 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. Additionally, an audio expert associated with an upcoming television show that were a part of was able to isolate the background sounds of the Gonna Kill You phone call, and there was a tiny bit of a surprise in there. She left her hometown and moved to Arizona, at one point spending half a year homeless, living under a bridge. Yvonne Woods was on the stand for more than three hours . By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The case lacked any apparent motive. Doubts engulf dig to find body of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett It begins with a woman killed with a hammer in Lakewood and, a week later, a family killed the same way. The scene in the home traumatized the daughter and grandchildren for life. I dont I think they are just waiting on a dna match thats all they ever do. In 2015, information leaked that there was important clue found at the Bennett scene. Bruce Bennett tried to climb the staircase several times in an attempt to ward off the perpetrator and save his young family. Whatever the case, this person was in and around this area for at least the first part of January and most likely stayed in the area during that time. The Attack happened between midnight and 6 a.m. on Jan. 16, 1984. In the papers, the most attention is paid to the last state witness, the DNA analyst at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. De Ligonnes Family. She said in an interview that she has big plans for the future, and reminds us that "its never too late to achieve big things. John Hickenlooper to request Ewings extradition today but the process could take weeks or months depending on a host of legal factors. More details will be forthcoming in the case as more is learned about the alleged killer and an affidavit is circulated containing the evidence used to charge him with these crimes. Recently, he was exploring forensic genealogy techniques. Bizberg Themes, Forensic Science and Cyber Forensics Quiz (Free). They were Holly Chromey, 49, and her children, Katie Zapzalka, 18, and Jared Zapzalka, 16. 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 was known as the "Happy Face Killer" because he drew smiley faces on his many letters to the media and authorities. This killer strikes with such violence that it is difficult to understand, see or know of a possible motive. Not only was she left with physical injuries and scars as a reminder of the attack, she was also left with ADHD, PTSD and bipolar disorder. This murder, which has sat on the cold case shelves for far too long, is in desperate need of this new media attention and the new investigative resources. This article in the Denver post describes how after he murdered the Bennetts he went on to enter the house of a man in Kingman, Arizona and attempted to bludgeon the man to death with a 20lb rock. File photo Editor's note: At an August 10 press conference, authorities revealed that Nevada inmate Alex Ewing has been named in an arrest warrant for the. Just your average everyday normal family. They lived on a peaceful cul-de-sac where most of the houses had recently been finished and were yet to be sold. Now we know that Patricia's murder is connected to the Bennett Family murders in Aurora, Colorado. There was evidence of a struggle in the bedroom. And I hate what I had to go through and still go through. He assured the public that theyll move with all appropriate speed.. The other victim murdered in the terrifying crime spree. The victim was fifty-year-old Patricia Louise Smith. The killer also may have completely changed his MO from victim type to weapon used, to less grisly murdering, became better at leaving no DNA behind Because he committed the murders in Colorado during his learning phase if you will it is difficult to determine what he went on to be if anything. Bruce's mother would discover the family the next day inside the home, after no one answered calls to their landline. Often times a profilerwill come up with a profile that fits into a box, the box was made from materials that were provided by profiles obtained from past criminals who committed similar crimes, which is a really great place to start. A childhood photo of Vanessa Bennett, who survived the hammer attack, and Alex Ewing as seen in a mid-1980s booking photo . The hammer stuck her in the jaw, shattering the bone which splintered in an explosion of small fragments that punctured her windpipe. Darkness had just fallen. The Aurora Hammer Slayer SOLVED! | The Theorem Factory It begins with a woman killed with a hammer in Lakewood and, a week later, a family killed the same way in Aurora. The same night he escaped, he broke into yet another couples house and attacked the male of the home. The jury found Ewing guilty on. Jury finds man guilty in 'hammer killer' murders of Aurora family Listen and Subscribe to The Generation Why Podcast! The perpetrator left with both weapons. He'd been in the Navy, where he worked on high-tech sonar equipment at Pearl Harbor. Ron kept vigil and kept guard in her hospital room day and night. Logistics & Transportation Provider - Bennett Family of Companies August 17, 2021 / 3:31 PM The force of the impact threw her head into the steering wheel. For some reason the killer had to or wanted to be near this artery more so than the major arteries through and around Denver at that time. The intruder, apparently thinking she was dead, began to make his escape. It was Monday evening, January 9th, 1984. They ended up determining that Armour had been killed, and the Fresno Bee (along with the Fresno Guarantee Savings and Loan Association) set aside $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her killer. 2019 Sentinel Colorado. The FAIR School, Minneapolis Public Schools and West Metro Education Program. Photo: 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images, Inside Idaho Murder Suspect's Alleged Chat Room Posts: I Can Do 'Whatever I Want with Little Remorse', Chilling Details Revealed as Probable Cause Affidavit is Released in University of Idaho Murder Case, 'Why Did You Kill My Daddy? 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. Add some text book, some psychological profiling and presto, they have a profile. The Bennett family. Theres no such thing as coincidence. A neatly-folded Winnie the Pooh comforter lay under her, a portion of it obscuring her head. 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. July 5, 1985 Survivor In Sierra Madre. Who Were Alex Ewing's Victims? Where is He Now? - The Cinemaholic Debra was savagely beaten to death with a hammer. If the list does exist its worth a look at as well as look at reports of crimes at the local job sites involving missing tools. Broderick was denied parole for a second time just this past January. Two Arrested In Triple Murder That Terrorized Town | AP News WordPress. 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. Alexander Christopher Ewing is already behind bars, serving 40 years for two counts of attempted murder in the state of Nevada. All three were beaten to death with a claw hammer. Most importantly take the need to judge them and all of your own emotions and personal beliefs out of the picture. Blood near the front door sent him into a panic. This guy is not going to be easy to find because he can easily change his MO and would change it if need be. Ewing was not identified as a suspect until a DNA hit in July 2018 linked him to semen left at the crime scene. "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.". 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