Second Crime Scene The very famous, more than three decades old case of Bennet family murders has recently been in the news. Victim #24received a call from a voice that she identified as the EARs. He is more introverted when he is sober and an extrovert when he isnt. Its quite possible that she wasnt even conscious for any of it. 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! Bennett Family Murder Case Reaches "Critical Stage," Media Warned The prints taken from the Bennett crime scene were fuzzy and not usable, the concrete floor they took that had a footprint would be unusable at this point. Even though Vanessas jaw was crushed, sending jagged bones into her windpipe, she survived after her grandmother, Constance Bennett, checked on the family later that morning when they didnt show up to work at a family-owned furniture store. 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. An autopsy found that Debra died from blunt force trauma. In just two days,. It could be the store they all shopped in, the road that they all traveled daily to and from work, school, library they attended etc. The truck was in a designated parking area with the radio and windshield wipers turned on. A man accused of murdering a mother and three children has also been charged with raping one of the victims, who was 11. 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. Are you suggesting that initially investigators missed certain details based off the profile of the dude? The guy here fit the profile you provided over that of the fbi. As one of the investigations were doing for the book,we hired an audio expert to do some work on the three recordings attributed to EAR: The dumb fuckers call, the Is Ray there? call, and the Gonna Kill You call. A photo of the Bennett family. Full cooperation from Nevada Law Enforcement led to a confirmation of the DNA match. Ewing is arrested and incarcerated. bennett family murders address - leopardi.store They lived on the other side of the Denver metro area, but their home and Smiths home were both near a main east-west road, Alameda Avenue, leading investigators to suspect the killer used that route. I dont I think they are just waiting on a dna match thats all they ever do. He utilized the bindings in another distinct way he almost always forced his penis into his victims bound hands. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. Suspect in long-unsolved, brutal Aurora hammer murders has been in The police found her posed with her arms crossed over her chest, as if she was in a coffin. It was determined that she had been killed sometime between the hours of 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Victims were shot to death on the shore of the James River, some distance from Knoblings pickup truck. Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich on what comes next | National Post Bruce and Debra Bennett lived with their daughter Melissa and younger daughter, Vanessa. This call is important because not only did it occur during an EAR quiet period, but this attack is connected by DNA. Bruce had mentioned wanting to run to the store before bed. We move long-haul and short-haul loads to anywhere in the lower 48 states for commercial and government entities. Why did they have to get murdered? Murdaugh's double murder trial jury is sent out to find a verdict Investigators have been quoted as saying this was a random crime, vicious and random. He didnt hate his victims and quite frankly he didnt know any of them personally, he just wanted to kill. Victim #42received a call that she identified as the EAR. 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. View the map. 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. ~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. Victim Tearfully Tells Night Stalker Jurors of Attack in Bedroom 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. The first sign of trouble came in the afternoon, when Patricia failed to pick them up. She suffered severe injuries to her head, jaw, and neck. Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle spoke directly to Ewing before announcing the sentence. The blow was so severe that her jaw was shattered and her skull was fractured in several places. How do you feel knowing this case was solved? How can you describe what he feels during the crime? Its bloody, painful for the victim and brutal. There was the sound of children and maybe a woman in the background, which couldve potentially come from a television or some other source. Defendants jailed in Bristol for offences against children Almost six days later, tragedy struck Aurora once again. That, and the knots he used, provide a link among several scenes. 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. All rights reserved. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 Nevada inmate charged in 1984 hammer killing of Lakewood grandmother. His attacker slit his throat before eventually delivering a final fatal blow with a hammer. Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. The case got a jolt in 2009 when a retired FBI photographer used graphic images from the crime scenes during a class lecture. Colo. Man Sentenced for Killing Family in 1984 with Hammer - Peoplemag One of those techniques was an innovative imaging tool by Parabon Nanolabs which provides an approximation of what they offender mightve looked like at both the time of the crimes and in the current day. Here we have a chart that I created showing the types of incidents (mere prowling, a burglary/ransacking, and the two violent confrontations) attributed to the Visalia Ransacker throughout his known criminal career (1973-1976). The killer had doused the vehicle with fuel in an apparent attempt to incinerate the crime scene, but apparently failed to start a fire. He used two methods, and announced a few weeks ago that hed struck out with his first attempt. The jury agreed, and on Aug. 6, 2021, they found Ewing guilty of murder in the three deaths. That is what drove him into such an uncontrollable frenzy so fast and that is precisely what stopped the attacks so fast. She made her way to the bedroom and went to bed. Book Synopsis . He also isnt killing with this level of violence often enough to track. It was later determined to be the murder weapon. Rather than wait until 2019 when the book will be published, we thought wed at least share the results with you. 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. Immediately she went over the home to investigate. Donna underwent several operations. The victims may not have ever known one another but the killer found them somehow, it was not random although it appears that way. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Part of our book involves some very in-depth detective and forensic work. It begins with a woman killed with a hammer in Lakewood and, a week later, a family killed the same way. I hurt myself. 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. 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. Victims: Daniel Lauer (21) and Annamaria Phelps (18). I just read this article and Im completely blown away so much of what you speculated turned out to be spot on. 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. There were reportedly no signs of robbery or sexual assault both women were clothed and their purses were still with them. 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. Date: April 9th/10th, 1988 He assured the public that theyll move with all appropriate speed.. Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Twelve Twenty-Six Seventy-Five by Tony Reid, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Or any of the other angles he was pursuing? House where JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in 1996 is on the market Its nothing more or less than that. She left her hometown and moved to Arizona, at one point spending half a year homeless, living under a bridge. I only do research and leave active investigation of these cases to professionals. Later autopsies would reveal that the Bennetts had died due to blunt force trauma and that their attacker had likely used a hammer. The blow shed felt was the attacker striking her head with a hammer. With time, multiple surgeries, and the support of 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. The results (if any) of the tests run on the current evidence is currently unknown. Smith was attacked in the condo she shared with her daughter and grandchildren and the hammer was left behind. 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. 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. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The case lacked any apparent motive. She was numb and cold, and somehow was able to get to her feet and go inside the house. Police are still looking for information on the cases connected to Ewing and are asking the public for help. Prosecutors alleged Ewing raped Melissa Bennett before killing her. 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. Listen and Subscribe to The Generation Why Podcast! At least, until they came to Vanessas bed. He tossed it onto the seat of the car and began pulling her from the vehicle. Mendelian Genetics | Mendelian Theory, Principles & Applications, The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: Composition & Important Sections, Indian Penal Code, 1860: Amendments, Composition & Provisions, Difference Between Autonomous vs Automate Process With Examples, Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Amendments & Important Sections. At approximately 2:00 AM on January 4th, 1984, an intruder came through an unlocked garage door. Bennett Motor Express - Lincoln Park, MI - Bennett Family of Companies Survivor of 1984 Bennett Family hammer murders shares story 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. Debra was savagely beaten to death with a hammer. I would re-profile the killer, re-examine the details of each victims daily life, re-examine the suspect pool, re-examine the crime scenes without any emotion whatsoever. It was taken in Arizona 11 days after the attack. Famous Unsolved Murders of Families - Ranker 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. Perhaps, though put in tp the system (and hopefully still there, maybe for good), his DNA was never taken to match the DNA from the crime scenes. 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 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. The 1982 call is important, because the offender hadnt killed for over a year, and it was thought that he mightve been incarcerated. Twenty-eight-year-old Donna Dixon, fresh off a shift working as a flight attendant, had been out running some errands. Alex Ewing guilty in 1984 "Hammer Killer" murders of Aurora family The suspect list shrinks or worse, the profile was so off an accurate suspect list from the get go is of no help and never will be. Order your tickets today to see Small Town Murder in Atlanta, GA. She was happy to be home for a while, and eagerly awaiting the next day when her boyfriend, Ronald Holm, would be home. Obviously, this guy was looking for his next target. DNA evidence ties Ewing to the crime. During sentencing Aug. 17, members of the Bennett and Large families submitted impact statements and came to the courtroom. It is deeper than that. Dr. Angela M. Bennett, MD | Cleveland, OH | Family Medicine Doctor | US Patricia still wore her sweater and boots, but her jeans were pulled down. Theres no such thing as coincidence. Killamarsh 'murders': Brother, sister and mum among 4 found dead in The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. Yvonne Woods was on the stand for more than three hours . JonBenet Ramsey (Homicide) | City of Boulder Hed been in the Navy, where he worked on high-tech sonar equipment at Pearl Harbor. 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. On the night of Jan. 15, 1984, the Bennett family left their garage door open. I believe he killed again no way he stopped. Ron kept vigil and kept guard in her hospital room day and night. 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. 2019 Sentinel Colorado. It took 37 years, but on Tuesday, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served. Toward the end of that series and during the murders, he began experimenting with different types of bindings plastic ties, twine, drapery cord, etc. Peter Weir, District Attorney of the 1st Judicial District, oversees the area where the Smith murder occurred. During the rape series, he primarily used shoelaces. For over thirty years, this killer has remained unidentified. There were reportedly signs of a struggle in the first case, and there may be workable DNA evidence from up to three of the scenes. He faced six . I dont believe that. Kevin Bennett - Senior Program Officer and Racial Equity Lead - GHR 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. The hammer stuck her in the jaw, shattering the bone which splintered in an explosion of small fragments that punctured her windpipe. The jury found Ewing guilty on. Jury finds man guilty in 'hammer killer' murders of Aurora family 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. Alexander Christopher Ewing, who is serving a prison sentence in Nevada for beating a couple there with an axe handle, has been charged with killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter, as well as trying to kill their 3-year-old daughter, as well as a charge for sexual assault. I also believe this is the killers first stint at killing humans he most likely as with most serial killers did in fact kill animals earlier in life. You see it in the last known crime that the killer committed. Its also safe to assume that up until the Bennett murders his weapon of choice was a blunt object, after those murders he quite possibly changed the weapon of choice if he had that overwhelming urge to kill again. Investigators were able to determine that the girl had died by drowning, but at first they couldnt agree on whether it had been accidental or whether there was foul play involved. The family overall lead a very quiet and peaceful life. Even to this day, she has absolutely no recollection of the next several hours. It helps bring the other EAR phone escapades into the fold. You called it in a recent case again how did you know? In just two days, Melissa would turn 8 years old. But what about his second? Despite the trauma of the attack and losing an incredible amount of blood, the doctors and nurses were able to save her life. Onsale to General Public. On November 7, 2014, police announced they had arrested Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph . His sentence runs through 2037 but he would be eligible for parole in 2021. This is a very unique activity, and it helps tie the EARONS crimes together based on M.O. Caller: Hi, its me again. Lauers Chevy Nova was later discovered heading AWAY from the beach. Ronald worked as a pilot. The family got a ride from someone else. Bennett Family Murders: three life sentences - Defrosting Cold Cases Your email address will not be published. It seems that Debra was the next victim, and she may have even been approached and incapacitated in the middle of Bruces struggle with the killer. All three were beaten to death with a claw hammer. Bruce and Debra were brutally attacked and killed inside their home, Melissa was killed and also raped. On the 4th of January James and Kimberly Haubenschild were also attacked with a hammer at their home in Aurora, but both survived. 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. 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. He tore her clothes off, tossed them about the garage, and then he raped her on the concrete floor. Required fields are marked *. When they did, they noticed that the garage door was still open. Jury Finds Alex Ewing Guilty On All Counts In 1984 Murder Of Aurora Family 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. The sprawling Colorado home where 6-year-old beauty pageant contestant JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in 1996 is listed for sale for a cool $7 million. Note: We cover the Armour case and the other Visalia Ransacker crimes in our new book, Secret Origin of the Golden State Killer: Visalia Ransacker. District Attorney John Kellner filed the murder charges against Ewing when he headed up the Cold Case Unit in the office. There was no sign of the couple and theyve never been found. Logistics & Transportation Provider - Bennett Family of Companies . 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. There are a few very notable ones, particularly because they occurred during quiet periods where the offender wasnt attacking. 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. 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. The couples youngest daughter, 3-year-old Vanessa, was also attacked by the hammer-wielding assailant. 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. Alexander was not identified as a suspect until a DNA hit in July 2018 linked him to semen left at the crime scene. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. Shed left the garage door open and most likely left the door unlocked as she went upstairs, removed her wig, and turned the television on. What are Dr. Bennett's areas of care? My heart hurts that this happened! Alex Ewing on trial for the murder of three members of the Bennett family (credit: Aurora Sentinel). WordPress. DENVER- The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. In the papers, the most attention is paid to the last state witness, the DNA analyst at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Dr. Robert Offerman and Dr. Debra Manning were young and had bright futures. The youngest girl, Vanessa, only three years old until March, was also struck violently in the face with the hammer. And I hate what I had to go through and still go through. Bruce and the intruder fought up and down the stairwell, and at some point Bruce was struck multiple times by a hammer. He'd been in the Navy, where he worked on high-tech sonar equipment at Pearl Harbor. Evidence of wounds caused by a blade revealed that Bruce attempted to defend himself as the intruder swiped and slashed at him with a knife. He could have found other ways to feed the need. Ewing was convicted of killing 27-year-old Bruce and 26 year-old Debra Bennett, as well as their 7-year-old daughter Melissa, in Aurora. The family was discovered by Constance Bennett who has since raised little Vanessa. It was a case that they were not giving up on and were continuing to move forward on, he said. Killing on this level requires some level of planning on the part of the perpetrator. 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. James and Kim divorced divorced in the fall of 1987. Prosecutors brought their case against Alex Christopher Ewing to a close using a detailed walkthrough of genetic evidence to show that his DNA was found inside the home where three members of an Aurora family were murdered in January 1984.