WordPress. The jury found Ewing guilty on. Murders at this level are not just random. Date: April 9th/10th, 1988 Thankfully, this community, these families and everyone impacted by the horrific crimes now knows this defendant will never hurt anyone ever again.". 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. Quite frankly if the suspect wasnt on the original list, spoken to or even noticed in this case it may come down to just DNA unless police have enough evidence and suspect info they can rework the case from scratch. 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. Would you like to contribute as an editor or a writer on our site? This is a harsh, cold fact profilers must learn if they are to more accurately profile. The jury found Ewing guilty on all counts. 21-year-old Polish national, Julia Faustyna, claims to be Madeleine McCann- the story so far, CCTV Footage from New Jersey Gas Station Shows Woman Escaping Alleged Captor, Two men arrested in connection with the 1975 murder of Indiana teenager Laurel Jean Mitchell. They lived on a peaceful cul-de-sac where most of the houses had recently been finished and were yet to be sold. There wasnt anything notable stolen from the scene, and the attack had all the hallmarks of a random crime. This guy is not going to be easy to find because he can easily change his MO and would change it if need be. Debra Marie Bennett, twenty-six years old, had married Bruce before his Navy deployment in 1976. I believe he killed again no way he stopped. He took her to the floor and sexually assaulted her. Her purse was found nearby some money had been stolen from it. By far, easier prey lay in wait just north which would be Colfax Ave and at the time might not have hit the news like the murder of the Bennett family did had the crime occurred in a neighborhood more near Colfax. They didnt feel that he forced his way into the home as she entered it herself due to the television, wig, and Wendys receipt being located upstairs. "I lost the person who I was supposed to be. The money was never claimed. The couples youngest daughter, 3-year-old Vanessa, was also attacked by the hammer-wielding assailant. Other Information He then found the couples oldest daughter, 7 year old Melissa, who tragically suffered the same terrible fate as her mother. Family medicine doctors are primary-care physicians trained. April 6th, 2001 Upon the capture of a suspect in the Golden State Killer case, Conner again turned to genealogical databases. "The Crown prosecutor who is prosecuting my case in September seems like a dog with a . 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). Ewing, then 23, was arrested again two days later about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away by park rangers at Lake Mead. Two different crime labs analyzed the fuzzy imprint, and they came up with different results. The youngest girl, Vanessa, only three years old until March, was also struck violently in the face with the hammer. Bruce worked at the family-owned furniture store and was also taking classes to become an air traffic controller. Order your tickets today to see Small Town Murder in Atlanta, GA. He picked all of his victims for a reason, something about them attracted him to them, they all had one common denominator that drew him to those specific individuals. The highest maximum penalty for the financial crimes is for money laundering in an amount exceeding $100,000 - which carries a potential 20-year sentence - on that front, Alex Murdaugh has . The fact that the murders took place between Highline Canal and the Alameda Corridor is curious, in fact, I am drawn to this fact about the case more so than any other fact. 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. July 23, 1993. These were quite commonplace, but as folks who havent read my book are learning, there were quite a few instances where he actually spoke with victims, potential victims, or even Law Enforcement. The victim was fifty-year-old Patricia Louise Smith. Being able to track the victim down (the call occurred at her workplace) meant that most likely, he was a free man and had stopped killing of his own volition. According to some sources, they were able to match a shoe print from the Bennett household to a shoe print found in the garage at the Donna Dixon assault. Between 9 p.m. January 15, 1984 and 10 a.m. January 16, 1984, twenty-seven year old Bruce Bennett, his twenty-six year old wife, Debra and their seven year old daughter Melissa, were brutally murdered inside their home located in the 16300 Block of East Center Drive. Lauer and Phelps disappeared on Labor Day weekend while on their way to Virginia Beach. EAR brought his own ligatures to almost every attack he didnt rely exclusively on what was found at the scene. I just read this article and Im completely blown away so much of what you speculated turned out to be spot on. 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. Recently, the Sun-Gazette has reported that Joseph DeAngelo, the man arrested for the Visalia Ransacker / Golden State Killer crimes, has been added to the suspect list. Keep in mind that the offenders last known murder was in 1986, which makes the last few particularly creepy. Alexander Ewings list of seemingly endless violent crimes are described throughout the many articles published about him since he has been identified as the man behind the murder of the Bennett family. A murder probe has opened after four people were found dead at the address yesterday, with . Investigators have been quoted as saying this was a random crime, vicious and random. 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. Investigators had collected and stored the killers DNA from the crime scene back in 1984 and since they did not know the hammer killers identity at the time issued a warrant for the arrest of John Doe on three counts of murder, attempted murder, felony murder, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of child sexual assault in the hope that technology in the future could aid in identifying the assailant. According to property records, the couple stayed in the same house after the attack. 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He viciously struck the young child in the head with a hammer. Its believed that the EAR bought his shoelaces new from the store or from some other source. Begins: Fri, 03/03/23 10:00 AM EST. 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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. 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. I look in the mirror every day and look at myself and I hate who I am. For over thirty years, this killer has remained unidentified. This killer is indiscriminate in terms of who he kills, attacks or rapes. I was a drug addict for so many years. 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. 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. RELATED: Bennett family murders: Full coverage of suspect's trial. The same night he escaped, he broke into yet another couples house and attacked the male of the home. For the first time, Stetson Bennett is publicly addressing his January arrest for public intoxication in Texas. Sadly, technology was not as advanced in the mid-eighties as it is today, and the case went cold, remaining that way for over 30 years. How do you feel knowing this case was solved? The Colorado killings followed two other attacks near Denver that either involved or were suspected of involving a hammer. The victims may not have ever known one another but the killer found them somehow, it was not random although it appears that way. ~ Jan. 4, 1984, a man snuck into an Aurora home and used a hammer to beat James and Kimberly Haubenschild. In just two days,. 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. Investigators did not forget about the hammer murders, however, nor did the town of Aurora; for years the authorities and true crime sleuths never gave up trying to identify the sick individual responsible for the murders and assaults that happened that year. He is more introverted when he is sober and an extrovert when he isnt. After failing with the EAR, we needed a sidebar showing that the techniques actually work because they do! Currently all 50 states have to collect DNA for certain types of Felony crimes and submit it to CODIS. The first sign of trouble came in the afternoon, when Patricia failed to pick them up. The killer then ascended the staircase and entered the couples bedroom where he attacked Bruces 26 years old wife, Debra, simultaneously he raped and killed her. Police examining the scene were able to reconstruct the basic chain of events. She was happy to be home for a while, and eagerly awaiting the next day when her boyfriend, Ronald Holm, would be home. The press conference panel continually emphasized the destruction that this case has left on the lives of those affected. January 10th, 1984 started just like any other day, with Patricia dropping off her daughter and grandkids at work/school. JonBenet was 6 years old when she was reported missing on Dec. 26, 1996, after her family reported finding a ransom note inside their home in the 700 block of 15th Street. 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. Residents here have lived under a dark cloud since Monday, when police found three residents dead in their home. The 1982 call is important, because the offender hadnt killed for over a year, and it was thought that he mightve been incarcerated. The blow shed felt was the attacker striking her head with a hammer. The childs skull was caved in on the right side of her forehead and a metal plate was inserted to reshape the skull. She left her hometown and moved to Arizona, at one point spending half a year homeless, living under a bridge. Investigators were able to piece together the details of the horrendous ordeal through study of the evidence and the crime scene. A neatly-folded Winnie the Pooh comforter lay under her, a portion of it obscuring her head. / CBS Colorado. As of December 2021, the Boulder Police Department has processed more than 1,500 pieces of evidence related to the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Required fields are marked *. Dotted with impressive bridges and blanketed by thick trees, it usually provides year-round beauty and convenience for travelers. Bruce Alan Bennett was twenty-seven years old. The jury found Ewing guilty on. alone. Damien Bendall, 31, is now alleged to have raped and murdered Lacey Bennett . March 14, 2022 5:04pm Updated The Murdaugh family property where a mother and son were found dead lists for $3.9 million. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Juliana Kenney, 75, her husband Clayton Kenney, 83, and Mrs. Kenney's 44- year-old daughter, Adrienne Arnot, were beaten and stabbed to . They need renewed media attention. 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. for sure the les should listen to what you say and take another look this is a refreshing take on profiles. Family photo Police say DNA evidence links Alex Ewing to the 1984 murders of three members of Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa, left. Medical professionals werent sure if the hammer attack would leaveVanessa with permanent brain damage or not, but the girls family held on to the hope that she would make a full recovery. Years later, strides would start to be made in the crime lab. Her nude body was found over a week later in the Friant-Kern Canal near Woodlake an area located northeast of Visalia and a fair distance away from where shed disappeared. The results (if any) of the tests run on the current evidence is currently unknown. The court heard how . They saw her parents killer as a boogeyman who would attack and them and kill them if they went anywhere near little Vanessas home for parties or play dates. 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. The other victim murdered in the terrifying crime spree. 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. Bruce had mentioned wanting to run to the store before bed. Ron showed his commitment to Donna by marrying her in May 1984, just a few months after the ghastly attack and before she was even fully recovered. 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. Ewing has been locked up since. Obviously, this guy was looking for his next target. October 21st, 1982 Jason Bennett, who is understood to be the father of two of the. The mandatory minimum sentence for each count is life with possibility of parole after 20 years, according to the prosecution. In 2015, information leaked that there was important clue found at the Bennett scene. ~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. Law enforcement today is actually better than it was then. She had no idea how she got there and she didnt feel any pain. It is deeper than that. Forensic evidence was hard to retrieve due to the decomposed state of the bodies, but its been reported that the two may have been stabbed to death. 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. Ronald worked as a pilot. Bizberg Themes, Forensic Science and Cyber Forensics Quiz (Free). 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. These crimes in Colorado are this killers first stages at killing a human. This phone call came just two days after the breaking news that the East Area Rapist crimes had been tied by DNA to the murders in Southern California. About a week later, a different hammer was used to kill the Bennetts and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora. Sometime between 1990 and 1992 He faced six counts of first-degree murder. 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. 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. John Hickenlooper to request Ewings extradition today but the process could take weeks or months depending on a host of legal factors. Remember me? Bennett Family Then, just as the community was reeling from this attack, 50-year-old Patricia Smith became a murder victim at her Lakewood, Colorado, home on January 10, 1984. There was evidence of a struggle in the bedroom. The killer pummeled and sexually assaulted his 26-year-old wife, Debra, and 7-year-old daughter, Melissa. 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. Add some text book, some psychological profiling and presto, they have a profile. She suffered severe injuries to her head, jaw, and neck. The Bennett family. 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. Its quite possible that she wasnt even conscious for any of it. The hammer stuck her in the jaw, shattering the bone which splintered in an explosion of small fragments that punctured her windpipe. The Investigation kept ongoing. Required fields are marked *. A murder inquiry has been launched, and one man - a 31-year-old from Killamarsh, who was known to the family - is in custody. Perhaps one of the most famous murders in La Jolla history, the story of Daniel and Linda Broderick's death in 1989 shocked the seaside community and reverberated throughout San Diego. The life sentences will be served consecutively. The guy here fit the profile you provided over that of the fbi. 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. Powered by WordPress That, and the knots he used, provide a link among several scenes. It took 37 years, but on Tuesday, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served. The following tests were performed on the EAR calls: Long story short inconclusive. A man accused of murdering a mother and three children has also been charged with raping one of the victims, who was 11. 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. Those were the sentencing rules in 1984, and since these crimes were committed at that time, Ewing is grandfathered into those standards. How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator in India? 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. A photo of the Bennett family. 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 previous week, on the 10th of January, a woman 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 minutes drive from Bennets home in Aurora. "I didn't just lose my parents and my sister," Vanessa opened up. There was no sign of forced entry into the home, some articles you come across say that the killer entered through an unlocked garage door. Prosecutors said they will ask Gov. The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. Alex Christopher Ewing Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle sentenced Alex Christopher Ewing, 61, for killing the couple and their 7-year-old daughter in 1984. So I guess Ill be the first to post. The killer then ascended the staircase and entered the couples bedroom where attacked Bruces wife, 26 year old Debra, who he raped before bludgeoning to death. Here are a few of the notable phone calls: January 15th, 1979 The crimes appeared to be sexually motivated, judging by the assaults that occurred on Debra and Melissa. 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. She was last seen at about 8:30 PM while on her way to meet friends. 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. Before he was sentenced, Ewing declined the chance to speak to the victim's family members, who were present in the courtroom including Vanessa Bennett, who is now 41. 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. Police later linked the murder of the Bennett family with another rape and murder that happened just less than a week before. January 16, 1984: Bennett family is attacked in their Aurora, Colorado home with 3 out of the 4 family members murdered by an intruder wielding a hammer. On the night of Jan. 15, a stranger broke into their home and viciously assaulted and attacked the family. Both survived. He may have been in the system at some point but it is difficult to determinewhether it would have been on felony charges or misdemeanor because his crimes may have stopped altogether. Alexander Christopher Ewing is now the behind bars, serving 40 years for two counts of attempted murder in the state of Nevada. In fact, there was a string of unsolved crimes in the area that took place just days apart from each other. There was no sign of the couple and theyve never been found. Kevin Vaughan on Twitter: "NEW TONIGHT: #9WantsToKnow has obtained this mugshot of Alex Christopher Ewing, the suspect in two 1984 hammer murders. Youre going to suck my cock again.. Shippers choose our flatbed, step deck, RGN or other specialized trailers to move freight that is too large to be We move long-haul and short-haul loads to anywhere in the lower 48 states for commercial and government entities. The crime spree known as the Colorado Hammer murders seemed to begin in Aurora in the early morning hours of January 4th, 1984. HE had to get knife in addition to the hammer just to ward off Bruce who was trying to protect his family. Vanessa Bennett was shocked to receive the phone call identifying the man who murdered her entire family and attempted to murder her in 1984and admits it hasnt quite sunk in. Dr. Bennett's office is located at UH Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. Debra was savagely beaten to death with a hammer. 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. Connie's son Bruce, his wife Debra and 7-year-old Melissa were found dead.. This is a very unique activity, and it helps tie the EARONS crimes together based on M.O. She was born August 12, 1946 in Mississippi. If he had not done that, they may have been the unfortunately victims. Its nothing more or less than that. Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. Ron kept vigil and kept guard in her hospital room day and night. He finds his release from the level of pain he inflicts on the victim, the level of violence he is able to achieve. Patricia still wore her sweater and boots, but her jeans were pulled down. This was the end of the first day of what would become a futile week-long dig for the body of Keith Bennett, who was 12 years old in 1964 when he was killed by the Moors murderers, Ian Brady and . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Read on to learn about the devastation and challenges faced in this crime series, the investigative leads that were undertaken, and the tremendous news that closure is within reach. 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. 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. 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. Thieves like to hit them for the tools the guys leave at the sites overnight. 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 .
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