Published: Dec. 22, 2011 at 4:30 PM EST | Updated: Dec. 23, 2011 at 4:01 AM EST Bonnie Marrow. Despite maintaining his innocence until his death, Spencer was the first person ever convicted of a capital crime based on DNA evidence. Family pleads for justice in murder of 'beloved' son, father - WTVR It was a pitiful sight: The skinny 43-pound, 3-foot-9-inch young boy was face down, clad only in white briefs and a pair of tube socks, his ankles and wrists bound tightly with rope. Another helpful resource is Project: Cold Case, a nonprofit whose mission is to publicize all unsolved murders in the United States, as well as connect details, law enforcement, and families in order to assist in the solving of cold cases. It needs to be acknowledged that they are treating Ms. Parent with more respect, and they appear to be working on the case with more enthusiasm. In fact, after the Richmond Times-Dispatch published a story revisiting Vicki Parents murder in late 2003, police received a tip and, working from that tip, identified and questioned a suspect in March, Benjamin says. Around 17,601 of the killings were solved throughout the years, leaving around 5,516 unsolved homicides in Virginia alone. Neighbors reported seeing three men flee the scene. When arrests are made, families get closure, but closure doesnt bring back the dead. Police believe Alex was dropped off, alive and tied up, about 250 yards inside the woods at an undetermined time before he was found. Its never been easier or more important. The first deck of cards are cases that Richmond major crimes detectives believe they are. Theres really no way to say how or why a serial killer is created, but the destruction they leave behind is undeniable. If you are interested in learning more about data or statistics for the number of murders in Virginia by year, this information is available on law enforcement sites such as the Virginia State Police, which provide information and analysis in their annual reports. Unsolved Homicides - Henrico County, Virginia Henrico, VA 23273-0775, 4301 East Parham Road It is about the fact you have someone willing to commit capital murder who is still out there.. NCSTL The neighbor also saw a suspicious vehicle, a red-and-black pickup truck, parked in the driveway of Alexs mothers house. Like most serial killers, Spencer was clever and left little evidence or so he thought. Over the years, 17,601 of thosemurders were solved,leaving authoritieswith approximately 5,516 unsolved murders in Virginia. They lived near Floyd and Colonial and could have been in position to see the killer flee. Get more stories delivered right to your email. WWBT FCC Public File. To me, it has to be deeper than that," Harris said. That would be Petersburg with 76.9 murders per 100,000 people. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1980, it had been a week and a half since 6-year-old Alex Glanzs babysitter unexpectedly quit. The sisters, called "the Black Sisters" because of their black clothing, came to Christiansburg around 1902, where Virginia Wardlaw ran the Montgomery Female Academy. [] 2004 10/21 Soloman Hollie 40 5700 Old Richmond Ave Stabbing 2005 10/5 Harry Thomas Phillips Jr 39 Citgo, 2610 Darbytown Rd Gunshot 2006 4/11 Herbert William Fleming III 21 2420 Williams Street Gunshot Irving said it's an idea she's been trying for years to help cold case detectives. Dig deeper They may talk to a person on the outside on the phone and ask if they've heard about someone and a lot of the guys say that's what they want to do.". Here's an update. Another witness claimed to see three people flee the scene. Arnettes Ice Cream Shop, 2711 Williard Rd. In Richmond, 49 of the city's 94 murders last year are still unsolved. Three days later, at 9 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 6, deer hunter Amon V. Stinson Jr. came across Alexs body about six miles northeast from Alexs home, lying in a Hanover County field about 20 yards off Cold Harbor Road between state routes 619 and 630. Today, we will look at a few of the mysteries from history that help to remind us that Virginia may be many things, but never boring. My feelings of course are like any parentall over the place, Foster said. Given the nature of the young man's wounds, investigators and his mother believe Tahj knew his killer and the murder was personal. White tried to get police in New Jersey, where Lewis was living above a boxing gym, to take Lewis palm prints in a search warrant to compare against prints found in the Murphy house after the murder. White. RICHMOND, Va. -- Could a deck of playing cards help police solve cold cases? Police believe her husband killed her, Richmond nurse disappeared after a rough week at work, She wants to know who killed her mom and threw her body in the river, Person of interest in Keeshae Jacobs case charged with killing another woman. Golden Years Murders - Wikipedia Quick later interviewed a thief known to discard property in North Side but didnt get anywhere. The Southside Strangler inspired several books, including "Stalking Justice: The Dramatic True Story of the Detective Who First Used DNA Testing to Catch a Serial Killer", by Paul Mones, Chapter 11 of John Douglas' 1996 memoir, "Journey into Darkness" and possibly Patricia Cornwell's bestselling novel "Postmortem", which showed considerable plot similarities to Spencers real-life crimes. 17 Unsolved Northern Virginia Cold Cases Also, Hewlett says, We believe he probably approached other children in this truck.. You may freely explore more about each unsolved murder in most places inVirginia by accessing Project: Cold Cases database as well as cold case or unsolved homicide webpages inside numerous Virginia law enforcement departments. During this period, at least thirteen elderly women were murdered in a similar manner, leading local authorities to suspect that they were dealing with a serial killer. "To help solve a crime and to bring a bit of peace and resolution to a family.". Richmond with 66. His is one of at least 200,000 unsolved murder cases in the U.S. since the 1960s. Patricia Anne Moore, 10, went missing from 7359 Clifton Road in Clifton on July 5, 1970. It shows each victim's photo and case details. The victims included 3 couples, whose bodies were all found in the surrounding area, and another couple who remains missing. For more information, call 804-646-6754. Vicki was up for two weeks and poof! It's like this thing happened to him and it's not solved. The trainer, hes been interviewed, and its been determined that hes been less than truthful. Nobody has said anything," Sharie Harris said about the 2018 murder of her son Tahjmere Hopkins. During their time there, a number of mysterious events occurred, including the "disappearance" of an illegitimate baby birthed by one of the students and the death of Marys son, John, found burned to death in his bed. When Patti Parent noted in an e-mail in summer 2003 to the chief of police and detectives how massive resources were devoted to the murder of Officer Doug Wendell that were not devoted to her daughters murder, Chief Parker responded in an e-mail to Patti Parent that despite the tone and tenor of your correspondence, please know that we will continue to seek the person or persons responsible for your daughters death.. The families of victims of unsolved homicides live in constant limbo, a daily seesaw of mystery and fear. More than two decades later, the case is still unsolved. The only suspect ever named in the case was Darrell Rice, a Maryland man who was arrested for an attempted kidnapping near the time of Reynolds murder. Social Media PolicyAdditional Contact InformationEmail is not monitored 24 hours a day.Please call 911 if you have an emergency. Beale's Treasure. While Richmond Sheriff Antoinette Irving thinks so, not everyone is on board with the idea. Rape Cases in Virginia Often Go Unsolved | Richmond, VA Patch "The fact that they tied him up. The 1st main suspect is Elvis Cornelius Epps, also from Richmond. "I'm sure there's evidence on that. Sullivan, his partner in Henricos two-man cold-case homicide unit, were both rookie patrolmen then and participated in the search. Richmond, VA 23225 (804) 230-1212; publicfile@nbc12.com - 804-230-1212. Keandre N. Robinson was killed on Creighton Road on March 7, 2020. "You put fifty-two families on there without the consent of those families, said Whitlow. Between the years of 1986 and 1989, at least 8 people disappeared along the stretch of highway connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Her husband, Kenneth, 31, came out of the downstairs back bedroom, wearing only a T-shirt and underwear, to see what was happening. Caroline was convicted of murder and sentenced to 7 years in a state mental hospital where she later died. The websites of different municipal and county law enforcement agencies include information on most, if not all, unsolved Virginia murders split into various categories. Wooded area behind Brookhill Shopping Center, Wooded area behind Kings Crossing Apartments. You got him naked," Harris said. After rescue workers arrived and loaded him into an ambulance, Murphy said the names of some men but didnt say whether they were the shooters, says Richmond Police Det. Location: Off Cold Harbor Road, Hanover County, In the pines, in the pines, where the sun never shines, I would shiver the whole night through. In the Pines, Traditional blues song. From inside her car, between a garage and her apartment building, Sarah heard yelling or a scuffle. Press down arrow to expand menu for DEPARTMENTS, Emergency Management and Workplace Safety, Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District. Richmond, Virginia homicides appear to be significantlymore prevalent than murdersin other Virginia cities given its size and population. Additional categories that you may be able to find among the lists are unsolved murders Richmond, Virginia, which include the 2002 murder of Nancy Cho, the 2002 murder of Victoria Ann Parent, the 2001 murder of Erica Brown, the 2000 double-murder of Kenneth and Anjanette Murphy, the 1999 murder of Daniel Roop, and the 1996 double-murder of Cynthia and Heather Johnson, among many others. You just never know. Matt is considered a person of interest in the murder, and Henrico detectives are seeking information about him. Mary pleaded guilty but got off on a technicality and fled to Colorado. However, since Benjamin and DesPortes took on the Parent case, police have been more open, DesPortes says. The first category, northern Virginia unsolved murders, include the following: the 2001 murder of Ursula Haberland, the 1980 murder of Terry Blackstock, the 1986 murder of James Campbell, the 1997 double-murder of Bobby and Patricia Quisenberry, and the 2001 murder of Ho Young Park, along with the 2012 unsolved disappearance of Sage Smith. Name. It shows each victims photo and case details. Just 20 at the time of his arrest for the Sutton girls abductions, Crawford worked for his father at Mechanicsville-based Crawford Exterminating Inc. Crawford also was arrested in March 1980 and charged with sodomizing a 4-year-old Hanover boy while under the boys home doing extermination work. RICHMOND, Va. -- Re-examining unsolved murders. Although he died in prison within a couple of years of his arrest, further investigations into 2 other murders occurring at the same time can be linked to Burchart based on testimonies he gave. Far from a conclusive outcome, the mystery of the Black Sisters and their serial crimes remain unsolved. To restate, Project: Cold Case reports that there are presently only around 311 unresolved cases in Virginia, a figure that has decreased drastically as law enforcement continues to investigate the remainingunsolved crimes. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. Travis Christian, who became Petersburg Chief of Police in 2020, said he has assigned another detective to the case and urged neighbors to come forward with information. Both methods are anonymous and you could receive a cash reward up to $1,000. If he had lived, Alex Glanz would have been 30 this year. Clint Eastwoods character, Bill Munny, said it best in the 1992 Western Unforgiven: Its a hell of a thing killin a man. The unsolved cases include the death of Shevan Rochester, a 32-year-old security guard killed at work on Nov.. His case is unsolved and is included in the deck of cards, too. Now 43 and jailed at Brunswick Correctional Center, a medium-security prison near the Virginia-North Carolina border, Crawford is scheduled for mandatory parole at age 45 in September 2006. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! 1996-2023. (She could not be reached for this story.) When Leslie Leon Burchart was arrested in 2000, he admitted to murdering at least 7 elderly women in 1996 during a killing spree that spanned 6 months. Between 1986 and 1989, at least 8 people disappeared along the stretch of highway connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. Weve gotten several reactions from inmates, and they are really enthusiastic about helping out, Irving said. Police Chief Gerald Smith said cold case detectives chose from a list of cases that are on the verge of being solved. The fact that you got him tied around the neck. You take away all hes got and all hes ever gonna have.. Missing persons cases along U.S. Route 29 in Virginia It was one of the most brutal murders that Ive ever seen, former Petersburg Police Chief Emanuel Chambliss said at the time. No more murders have occurred matching the killers profile, but a case like this leaves you wondering if hes still out therewaiting. Some of the most infamous Virginia murders include the 2012 murder of Sage Smith, and the 1986-1989 Colonial Parkway Murders, among many others. In the couple days before Alex was found, temperatures dipped to overnight lows from 28 to 40 degrees. End of sub menu for contact, press up arrow to close. And, because of the social implications, many of the Melungeon people shunned the idea of African ancestry. All rights reserved. . You can also submit your tip through Crime Stoppers by calling (804) 780-1000 or using the P3 Tips App. "The goal of the playing cards is to ensure we can get just a little bit more information, Irving said. Want NBC12s top stories in your inbox each morning? Unsolved Homicides Unsolved Traffic Fatalities Missing Persons If you have information or would like an update on your loved one's case, contact Cold Case Investigators at (804) 501-5304. Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. Those kind of cold cases you have where they frustrate a detective more than anything. Shakur was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996, which led to his death six days later. The day before, he attended a musical at Collegiate School with a young, clean-cut white male with medium-length black hair who went by the name of Matt, which may have been an alias. An HIV-positive homeless man, Northington, 39, was disliked in local gay clubs for being pushy but was a talented piano player. Our goal was to just help families, she said. Word on the street is that Thomas Jefferson Beale and a team of 30 men unexpectedly discovered a mother lode of gold and silver in Colorado. John Martin. If you have any information, call 788-4444. Timothy Spencer, commonly known as the Southside Strangler, is another serial killer from the Richmond, Virginia area who murdered four women between 1984 and 1987. She was last seen driving with an unknown man in her silver-blue Volkswagen Beetle through a Powhite Parkway toll. A suspect who police say was with Northington the night he died remains in a New York prison for an unrelated crime but will not talk. Central Virginia's unsolved homicides - newsadvance.com "I haven't had any word," says Mark Legaspi about the murder of his cousin, friend and business partner Artgel Anabo Jr., 39, who was known as Jun. Continue reading Henrico Extension to offer water-testing clinic for residents on private wells, P.O. Unfortunately, it appears that there will never be an end to the number of Virginia homicide and true crime stories in Virginia. "How deep does this go? RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)Its a brand-new push for justice for dozens of families across Richmond. However, the most typical piece of evidence exhibited in homicide cases is generally Henrico County murders crime scene photos, which are shown to show the jury the area surrounding the event as well as any items of evidence. Sarah pulled into her off-street parking space, and Vicki had parked on the street and was heading up the walkway to Sarahs apartment building when a man approached Vicki. Sarah called 911 and rescuers took Vicki to the hospital, where she died the next morning of a gunshot wound to her head. Patti Parent then began calling witnesses whose names had been entered into the police report by responding patrol officers at the murder scene. With a number of high profile coldcases over the years, including a few recently, there is no doubtthat unsolved murders send chills down your spine and your sympathies to the victims families. Despite Halls active searching in 1938 and additional research by "Baconists" as recently as 2006, nothing has been uncovered. Caroline was convicted of murder and sentenced to 7 years in a state mental hospital where she later died. Patti Parent says Parker later told her that Vaughn was subjected to an administrative review because of his handling of the case. A precocious first-grader at Highland Springs Elementary, Alex had quickly gotten used to his new routine as a latchkey kid. After the school bus dropped him off at his house around 3:30 p.m., he would let himself in and call his mother, Diane Glanz, at work to let her know he had gotten home safely. In many, if not most, of the unsolved cases . In a March 7, 2003, letter, Parker apologized to Parent for the manner in which things were initially handled, and wrote, I have taken appropriate steps to address the personnel related issues you raised., When you see that detectives fail to interview eyewitnesses to capital murders in even the good parts of town, Im left to conclude they dont care, says lawyer Steve Benjamin, whos also representing Patti Parent. Her sisters, Caroline and Mary, were widows who helped the unmarried Virginian run the boarding school for girls. The Murder Capitals Of Virginia For 2022 - RoadSnacks Mary Snead, Caroline Martin and Virginia Wardlaw may have committed their crimes more than 100 years ago but their legend remains very much alive today. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Unfortunately, says Henrico Police investigator Robert Hewlett, on Dec. 3, 1980, she didnt get a call.. Some of the unsolved murders in northern Virginia include the 2001 murder of Ursula Haberland, the 1980 murder of Terry Blackstock, the 1986 murder of James Campbell, the 1994 murder of Jeanette Copeland, and the 2001 murder of Ho Young Park, as well as the 2012 disappearance of Sage Smith. If you love true crime, you might be interested in serial killers. Even though Delestons case wasnt chosen for this deck of cards, she hopes answers to his case will come soon. Patti Parent found that, in the six weeks following the murder, only Vickis friend Sarah had been interviewed by Vaughn, the detective. If you have gunshots going off in the neighborhood, somebody's paying attention, somebody's going to look," Chief Christian said. People hear things. Kenneth Murphy later died at the hospital. 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Call Police (non-emergency)-(804) 501-5000, Call Mental Health Emergency Services-(804) 727-8484, Press down arrow to expand menu for SERVICES, Water, Sewer & Refuse Collection Application, Plans of Development and Site Plan - Application Forms, EngAGE in Henrico: Resources for Older Citizens. While it was never confirmed, Evonitz was also suspected of being the Route 29 Stalker. RICHMOND, Va. -- It may seem like 2021 has started off deadlier in the city of Richmond than it was in 2020, but homicide numbers are the same at this point -- a total of 16. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. At Uncovered, we strive to provide both a safe space for thoughtful, true crime discussion and a centralized location for the most comprehensive cold case information. Police ID 2 killed on N. 35th St. in Richmond - NBC12 Of 50,000 murders in major U.S. cities since 2007, the majority more than 26,000 have never resulted in an arrest, the Washington Post reports. The victims included 3 couples, whose bodies were all found in the surrounding area, and another couple who still remains missing. The next morning, Tahj's body was found on the porch about two miles away. (One of the supervisors of the investigation was then-Henrico Police Capt. On March 2, 1996, Reynolds was traveling from Baltimore to spend the day with her mother just outside of Charlottesville when witnesses say they saw her talking to man in a blue pickup by the side of the road. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Unfortunately, for centuries in America, being "of color," regardless of the origin, was socially isolating. Tell me what you know. If my kids dont deserve nothing else, they deserve justice. she said. In hindsight, detectives had claimed that it was highly unlikely to have multiple offenders in one area at one time. Every time I went by there, I could see him laying there. Understandably, there arent as many Virginiaserial murderers as you might think, but they do occasionally appear on any list of serial killers in Virginia. The city's website reports that at least 41 of the 2021 homicides remain unsolved. He was bound and gagged. Neither black, nor white, nor Native American, they appeared to be a mix of all three and spoke broken English, Elizabethan English, and mixed Indian dialects. Just one week before, his mother and aunts had taken out a sizeable life insurance policy on him. Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. If you have any information, contact Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000 or our Cold Case Investigators at (804) 501-5304. ", "I'm not aware of all the evidence that was collected from the scene," Chief Christian said when asked why the chair remained outside the home. Beale promised to mail Morriss a key that he could use to decipher the codes should 10 years pass with no word from Beale or his men. 130 cases of statutory rape; 39% of them were cleared. Mary pleaded guilty but got off on a technicality and fled to Colorado. Continue reading Virginia Sports Hall of Fame to open exhibit at Henrico Sports & Events Center, Continue reading Henrico 4-H to offer Explorers of the Deep workshop for youth May 6 and 20, Continue reading Henrico Extension to offer water-testing clinic for residents on private wells. "He just was evil," Harris said about the man named in the court documents. The Golden Years Murders is the name given to an unsolved series of murders in the West End of Richmond, Virginia, from 1990 to 1996. Unsolved Pt. 1 - Richmond Times-Dispatch If he had been in there, I would have seen that. While convicted for the death of Ocey, the full extent of these womens crimes went with them to the grave. RICHMOND, Va. -- A Richmond family is pleading for justice in the unsolved murder of a "beloved" son, brother, and father of two. Download the free 8News and StormTracker 8 mobile apps! As a result of local media coverage, Benjamin and DesPortes offered their services for free to Patti Parent and so did a private investigator. [] In what looks to be undeniably the work of a serial killer, the Colonial Parkway Murders remain unsolved nearly 30 years later. Nov 19, 2022 Photo of the Winston brothers via Henrico County Police. His number one thing was his kids, his family. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots around dusk that evening. Mom seeks justice after son tortured, killed on porch - WTVR Playing a game of cards could solve some of - Richmond, Virginia Ferguson was a VCU art student who may have gotten into trouble with marijuana dealers over missing money. Open Cases: Why One-Third Of Murders In America Go Unresolved All that exists is a composite sketch and a lot of questions. RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Police are identifying three people killed in weekend murders in Richmond. Out of 600 inmates at the Richmond Justice Center, more than half are incarcerated for violent crimes so some are serving serious time.