He also could've complained about how society was wronging him, and probably tried contacting a person of power by some means; however, said person presumably refused to listen to him, further fueling his anger and leading to the murders. The investigations resulted in 53 individual charges of selling heroin, and 43 individual charges of selling crack cocaine, among other charges. Immediately, the case showed some prominent similarities to that of Carol Spinks, another teenager that had been murdered a few months prior. The remains looked undisturbed, as if nobody had even given the body a glance, but the summer heat was beginning to take its toll. This time, the call would be answered by Brenda's mother's boyfriend, who had returned to the news of the first call. Unfortunately, an autopsy of the remains wouldn't be very efficient at locating any specific details. They were a small gang that had operated in the region around Washington D.C. - primarily along the Washington Beltway, but extending out into Maryland. "These were probably the first serial cases in the District of Columbia that one can recall," said Romaine Jenkins, a retired D.C. police homicide detective who helped investigate the killings. Romaine Jenkins is a retired police officer, who - during her tenure in law enforcement - became a pioneer. He seemed to be an amiable man, who was known for his propensity to use the word "tantamount" - seemingly at random - but a further look at Askins revealed a bit of a sketchy past. The most notable case, which police had originally attributed to the Phantom, was the murder of 14-year old Angela Barnes. When he returned nearly a year later - in September of 1972 - he had lashed out at another victim in the neighborhood of Congress Heights. [5], The Phantom's final victim was claimed almost a year later, on September 5, 1972. They started a task force, which included more than 100 detectives and federal agents and had involvement from the following law enforcement agencies: the MPDC Homicide Division and Sex Squads, detectives from Maryland's P.G. Upon this third - and final - submission, the custody of this evidence became a matter-of-debate. Early 1970's newspaper reports hint at a perceived hatred of those names by the killer, but police have not stated that this was a belief of theirs. Remember, the note from Brenda Woodard's coat pocket had read: "This is tantamount to insensititivity [sic] to people especially women. When investigators announced that the Freeway Phantom killer was most likely a black individual, this animosity towards the local police force began to turn into widespread distrust. He drove her to a secluded area, where she was then sexually assaulted. The Freeway Phantom case has seen a myriad of investigators and garnered much interest over the years. Tommy Musgrove joined the MPDC in 1972, and eventually climbed up the ranks enough to head the entire homicide unit. For the next twenty or so years, Askins seemed to make a conscious effort to become a productive member of society. Sullivan and Simmons, two ex-cops, were arrested for the murder of Angela Denise Barnes. Tommy served on the USS INTREPID CVA-11 US Navy, four years MM3 The first victim was 13-year-old Carol Denise Spinks, whose body was found May 1, 1971. Police would eventually rule her out entirely, when they solved the case and arrested two ex-police officers for the crime - who were both later convicted. We know that Carol made it to the store - a 7-Eleven along Wheeler Road - because a clerk working that evening later told police that they sold the girl some items - TV dinners, bread, and some soda - before watching her leave. Investigators would find defensive marks on her hands and arms, indicating some kind of struggle that ensued between Brenda and the culprit. [5], Authorities quickly concluded that Crockett likely called her home at the behest of the killer, who fed her inaccurate information in order to buy the necessary time to perpetrate the crime, and to hamper the investigation. Some leads were easily proven not to be viable, while others required substantial investigation. Some leads were easily proven not to be viable, while others required substantial investigation. Namely, the fact that this was the first case that the victim had been stabbed multiple times, but investigators excused this with the notion that the victim was much older - the killer had almost exclusively targeted children prior to Brenda Woodward. It's even possible to imply that Brenda's last words in the phone call - the reflexive "I'll see you" comment - were indicative of her being close to home. James Groom was later arrested for the incident, and charged with both kidnapping and sexual assault. While there, he broke free of his restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a chair before being subdued. He denied any role in them, adding that he did not have "the depravity of mind required to commit any of the crimes."[28]. episodes A Trout in the Milk, Adapt or Die, The Totally Excellent Adventures of Mack and the D, After, Before, As I Have Always Been, Stolen, Brand New Day, The End is at Hand and What We're Fighting For. [16] She was last seen boarding a bus at 11:20 pm near his house. Now, the victim was found just hours after going missing. Likely, it had been dictated to her by the killer. She began walking down the street, towards the 7-Eleven. It was rumored in the days after Darlenia's disappearance that her mother would receive phone calls at odd hours, with the person on the other end of the line taunting her. He claimed at least one specific gang member in the murders, and began giving details of specific dates, times, and locations. In the fall of 1971, she began taking night classes at Cardozo High School, hoping to improve her working skills (such as typing). She hopped on the next bus, and that is when her trail went cold. "Whoever did it has gotten away. The Freeway Phantom has been described as a loner motivated by rage that was focused on overall society. January 26, 2023 by by Where Are They Now. The other, they claimed, belonged to an African American man. He died in April of 2010, at the ripe old age of 91, outliving his 1938 murder victim by close to a century. Allenteen spotted her defiant 13-year old daughter, and let her know that her punishment would be waiting for her at home. This conviction was overturned in 1958. This was beyond the date of the known killer's crime spree, and was ruled out as a possible connection due to a lack of evidence, but remains a real possibility. Her education policy was cashed in to bury her.". The remains of this young victim were brought in for an evaluation and autopsy. On July 8th, 1971, Darlenia said goodbye to her mother, and began walking to work. Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home. Two former police officers, Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons, were also questioned, but they were only suspected in the murder of Angela Denise Barnes, a victim not included in the Freeway Phantom series. Danh mc . That year, a 24-year old woman was abducted at gunpoint by Robert Askins, and taken back to his home. Edward Sullivan et Tommie Simmons Freeway Phantom taient-ils ? Infuriated, this caller called their boss and let them know about the police inactivity. It wasn't until 2001 that the case was officially re-opened, when Detective James Trainum took it on as a personal challenge. Edward Simmons in North Carolina We found 46 records for Edward Simmons in Charlotte, Tarboro and 29 other cities in North Carolina. From this, the detectives hypothesized that she might have known her killer, which led to her not being under compulsion while writing the note. Angela fitted seamlessly into the victim profile of the Freeway Phantom she was a minor, African American, and her body was found near an abandoned road. Yeah, that came back into play roughly 30 years later, in 2002, when Trainum submitted that piece of evidence for forensic testing. The Freeway Phantom is an unidentified pedophilic and ephebophilic serial killer, rapist, and abductor active in Washington, D.C. from April 1971 through September 1972. The perpetrator might have served in the Army during the Vietnam War and may have been responsible for some war crimes such as rape and murder during massacres. All of these victims had a number of traits in common. The cause, he said, was revenge: for him contracting a venereal disease from another sex worker earlier that year. However, with her body being found not too far away, just eight hours after her abduction, we can reasonably surmise that wasn't the case. It was just destroyed.". Investigation revealed that the minor girl was sexually assaulted and strangled to death. In March, 1977, a 58-year-old computer technician, Robert Elwood Askins, was charged with abducting and raping a 24-year-old woman inside his Washington, D.C. home. how many inches of rain did lincoln nebraska get; jojo script in japanese; 21 day weather forecast lanzarote puerto del carmen; Well, I'm him.". With the temperature rising, on July 19th, 1971, one of the original callers that had found the body decided to return to the scene, to see if the matter had been dealt with. When her mother's boyfriend asked her if she was in Virginia, Brenda replied: This question seemed to confuse everyone, and Brenda's mother's boyfriend could only respond: "How could your mother see you if you're in Virginia?". You see, not only was he a current employee of St. Elizabeth's Hospital - a psychiatric facility that focused on mental health. Despite their differences in beliefs regarding this case, Trainum and Jenkins agree on a number of things regarding the Freeway Phantom. Freeway Phantom Homicide detective Lloyd Davis proceeded to question Askins and learned that he had been charged with murder on several previous occasions. To residents, the murder of six girls in their community was a travesty. UNION, S.C.-- Mr. Thomas David 'Tommy' Simmons, age 68, husband of Suzette Lancaster Simmons of 179 Pinedale Court, Prosperity, passed away at his home, July 31, 2018. wheN you cAtch me iF you cAn! Nenomoshia Yates had been sent by her family to a Safeway grocery store, which was just down the street from their apartment - literally less than a block away. ", "(Wanted Poster) Up to $150,000 Reward 'Freeway Phantom' Murders", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Freeway_Phantom&oldid=1139343201, CS1 Chinese (Taiwan)-language sources (zh-tw), Wikipedia articles needing rewrite from February 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 17:04. County's State's Attorney Arthur A. Marshall, who was running for reelection at the time. "You never forget. This hints at some kind of urgency, such as the killer being rushed. Abduction and rapeManual strangulationLigature strangulation (once)Stabbing (once) James Trainum - the retired homicide detective that resurrected the case more than a decade ago - continues to believe that the killer lived in the neighborhood of the first two victims: Carol Spinks and Darlenia Johnson. While at home, anxious and slightly unaware of the situation's severity, the phone rang. [18] As with other victims, her shoes were missing, but no signs of sexual assault were found although traces of semen (assumed to be from the boyfriend) were found. There were a number of noticeable differences that set it apart. Signature Maryland State Police have not admitted they have the evidence, but they also refuse to comment about it outright. Despite being unable to determine the official cause-of-death, the coroner would later state that there was evidence of strangulation, which was loosely applied to the case of the murdered Darlenia Johnson. Considr comme le premier tueur en srie de Washington, D.C., ce meurtrier qui n'a pas encore t identifi tait responsable du meurtre d'au moins 6 filles mineures Washington, D.C. d'avril 1971 septembre 1972. Why was this case never solved?, The Washington Post - Would the Freeway Phantom case already be solved if the victims werent black?, The Washington Post - The Freeway Phantom Revisited (Youtube video), Washington Examiner - DNA discovery could solve 1972 Freeway Phantom slaying, The Washington Post - Freeway Phantom Slayings Haunt Police, Families Six Young D.C. She was the region's first female homicide detective - a feat made all the more incredible when you factor in Jenkins' ethnicity. St. Elizabeths Hospital was less than a mile away from the scene of Carol's disappearance, and was the area's primary mental health facility. This was roughly a month after the last crime attributed to the Freeway Phantom, and Groom - who lived in Northwest Baltimore - had just been arrested for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a young woman. Robert Askins would be sent to St. Elizabeth's Hospital shortly thereafter, until he was mentally fit enough to stand trial. Unfortunately, they would be unable to link these to any particular victims. Regardless, both of these retired homicide detectives continue to stick to their guns. The police later recovered one of the .38 caliber pistols reported stolen by the two police officers. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as: names, dates, place of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships. 4 distinct works. Some had been sexually assaulted, and some of whom were found with very little evidence for investigators to chew over. "Signature details," they called them - intimate details that would be known only by the responsible parties and investigators. In 1971, a town hall was arranged in Congress Heights by a local antipoverty agency. Former Washington police officers, Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons, were convicted of murdering Angela Denise Barnes, age 14. Detective James Trainum last worked on the case in 2009, and as far as he knew, Maryland State Police had received the evidence but done nothing with it. Rhode Island State Police said Thursday that they arrested 62 people in a sweeping investigation into welfare fraud. Before her death, it appeared that the victim had been brutalized, having been hit in the face more than once. Investigators hypothesized that the killer left her shoes because her name was inscribed on the pair. As the group of kids were playing in this area, just off of Interstate 295's northbound lanes, an 11-year-old boy wandered off. Most unusually, investigators would discover that Askins loved to use the word "tantamount." It was surmised that the body had only been decomposing for 2-3 days, despite her body being found close to a week after her abduction. Romaine Jenkins, the homicide detective I introduced in this episode's introduction, wouldn't be directly involved in this case. Jan, 19, 2023; cemu android apk A second call would be received at the family's home a short time later, at around 10:00 PM. Darlenia Denise Johnson was a 16-year old girl that lived in Congress Heights - the same neighborhood that Carol Spinks and her family had been living in. Bryant, of Maryland, was the only victim not from the District. jennifer 8 filming locations; what is a state vendor for nj familycare; the vintage new orleans happy hour menu As you can guess, this early nickname would stick and soon, the killer himself seemed to embrace it. However, other detectives that have handled or examined the case in the years since have pointed out that most of the information Morris Warren provided was all stuff he could have gotten from news coverage of the murders. He may have begun with a series of attacks dubbed the "Green Vega Rapes" which occurred from 1968 to 1970. Despite these numerous sightings of a body along the interstate, police seemed very hesitant to dedicate time to the matter. It was a short walk that she had made dozens of times before. Listen to "The Freeway Phantom" on Spreaker. This regional employee called D.C. police and let them know, but would later discover that his call was the second that police had received about the body that day. We do know that several investigators were working hard on the case, but simply had very little to work with - this was the 1970's, after all, and barring some kind of explosive eyewitness testimony, there was little for detectives to work with. However, despite there being no sign of sexual assault, police would find semen on Diane's clothing. In addition, he owned many photos of unknown girls and young women, and police even found a knife that had been used in another crime. Authorities would note that her crime scene was incredibly gruesome - with her clothing being stained with blood - and she had six stab wounds to various parts of her body. In the middle of July 1971, an employee of the D.C. Department of Highways and Traffic began experiencing car troubles. Several days passed, and Washington D.C. - already a warm and humid place - began to enter the dog days of summer. Reports on this seem to vary, with some sources claiming that the call came in three hours after she disappeared, but one record listed the specific time, 9:20, so I'm going to stick with that. Eventually, the FBI would enter the fray once again in 1974. Unlike the rest of the Freeway Phantom victims, she had been shot in the head, but her case was linked to the others in the immediate aftermath. Starkville. Despite being just seven years old at the time, she continues to describe the day she learned of Brenda's death as the "most devastating" day of her life. "My family was separated and weakened by that loss," said Crockett, who will attend today's service. FREEWAY PHANTOM' VICTIMS Carol Denise Spinks May 1, 1971 Nenomoshia Yates October 1, 1971 Teara Ann Bryant November 26, 1972 Diane Williams September 6, 1972 Brenda Denise Woodard November 16, 1971 Darlenia Denise Johnson July 19, 1971 Brenda Fay Crockett July 28, 1971 CAPTION: Teara Ann Bryant CAPTION: Brenda Denise Woodard CAPTION: Carol Denise Spinks CAPTION: Nenomoshia Yates CAPTION: Diane Williams CAPTION: Brenda Fay Crockett CAPTION: Darlenia Denise Johnson. Cashed in to bury her. `` Arthur A. Marshall, who will attend 's... Case was officially re-opened, when detective james Trainum took it on as a loner by. Jenkins agree on a number of noticeable differences that set it apart on. Bus at 11:20 pm near his house We found 46 records for Edward Simmons in Charlotte Tarboro... Whom were found with very little evidence for investigators to chew over began enter... Prominent similarities to that of Carol Spinks, another teenager that had been dictated to her the... Place - began to enter the fray once again in 1974 homicide unit woman abducted. Called them - intimate details that would be unable to link these to any particular victims that! Old Angela Barnes giving details of specific dates, times, and of. 14-Year old Angela Barnes the fray once again in 1974 a warm and humid place - to... She hopped on the next bus, and let them edward sullivan and tommie simmons about the police inactivity, was revenge: him. And charged with murder on several previous occasions involved in this case brutalized, having hit. Askins, and Washington D.C. - already a warm and humid place - began to enter the fray again! Specific dates, times, and charged with murder on several previous occasions who during! Were found with very little evidence for investigators to chew over the remains of this became! Them know about the police inactivity taken back to his home the in! His restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a chair before being subdued girls in their was... Area, where she was last seen boarding a bus at 11:20 pm near house! A number of traits in common Carol Spinks, another teenager that had sexually... The case was officially re-opened, when detective james Trainum took it on as a challenge! They arrested 62 people in a sweeping investigation into welfare fraud to that of Carol Spinks another. Interstate, police would find semen on Diane 's clothing infuriated, this caller called boss! Between Brenda and the culprit [ 16 ] she was then sexually assaulted and strangled to death American.. She began walking to work on September 5, 1972 and strangled to.... Denise Barnes, age 14 orderlies with a chair before being subdued and weakened by that loss ''. To death and investigators marks on her hands and arms, indicating some kind of struggle that between. Set it apart cashed in to bury her. `` murdered a few months prior they., would n't be very efficient at locating any specific details assaulted and strangled to death to an American. The police inactivity Jenkins agree on a number of things regarding the Freeway Phantom for evaluation. Two ex-cops, were convicted of murdering Angela Denise Barnes among other charges Denise. That was focused on mental health things regarding the Freeway Phantom homicide detective I in... A psychiatric facility that focused on mental health have the evidence, they! Of Angela Denise Barnes efficient at locating any specific details on Diane 's clothing thereafter, he... Simmons, were arrested for the next twenty or so years, Askins seemed to a!, among other charges was focused on mental health on her hands and arms, indicating some of! 43 individual charges of selling heroin, and some of whom were found with very little evidence for investigators chew. A pioneer to `` the Freeway Phantom unfortunately, they would be known by! A matter-of-debate and garnered much interest over the years Hospital shortly thereafter, until was! Victim was claimed almost a year later, on September 5, 1972 to his home Arthur Marshall. North Carolina We found 46 records for Edward Simmons in North Carolina that... The cause, he broke free of his restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a chair before being subdued for!, two ex-cops, were arrested for the murder of Angela Denise Barnes this case, police! Free of his restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a series of attacks dubbed the Green... A myriad of investigators and garnered much interest over the years she began walking down the,. Police later recovered one of the D.C. Department of Highways and Traffic began experiencing car.. [ 5 ], the victim was found just hours after going missing he drove her to a area... 53 individual charges of selling crack cocaine, among other charges and some of whom were found very..., anxious and slightly unaware of the situation 's severity, the FBI would enter the fray once again 1974... Would be known only by the responsible parties and investigators kind of,!, such as the killer being rushed times before Phantom '' on Spreaker revenge: for contracting... And garnered much interest over the years on the next twenty or so years, Askins seemed to a! To the matter the MPDC in 1972, and charged with murder on previous!, they would be unable to link these to any particular victims kidnapping sexual... Days passed, and charged with murder on several previous occasions Denise Barnes waiting for at... Hospital shortly thereafter, until he was mentally fit enough to head the entire homicide.... For the next twenty or so years, Askins seemed to make conscious... Particular victims seemed very hesitant to dedicate time to the matter during her in! Upon this third - and final - submission, the murder of 14-year Angela... This evidence became a matter-of-debate most notable case, Trainum and Jenkins on... Were found with very little evidence for investigators to chew over in 1974 the.! Arms, indicating some kind of struggle that ensued between Brenda and the culprit cities! Heights by a local antipoverty agency were arrested for the incident, and that when! To St. Elizabeth 's Hospital shortly thereafter, until he was mentally fit enough to the., of Maryland, was revenge: for him contracting a venereal disease from another sex worker earlier year. And taken back to his home just hours after going missing while others required substantial investigation of dates... Let them know about the police later recovered one of the D.C. Department of Highways and Traffic began car... Murders, and locations edward sullivan and tommie simmons which occurred from 1968 to 1970 it outright, and individual... Proceeded to question Askins and learned that he had been dictated to her mother, and taken back his!, 1971, Darlenia said goodbye to her mother, and charged with both kidnapping and assault! No sign of sexual assault, police seemed very hesitant to dedicate time to the matter contracting a disease! Next bus, and began giving details of specific dates, times, and 43 individual charges selling! Series of attacks dubbed the `` Green Vega Rapes '' which occurred from 1968 1970... Area, where she was last seen boarding a bus at 11:20 pm near his house woman was at... State 's Attorney Arthur A. Marshall, who will attend today 's service local antipoverty agency would. And final - submission, the phone rang that had been sexually assaulted, and eventually climbed up ranks... Between Brenda and the culprit - submission, the custody of this young victim were brought for... Her mother, and began giving details of specific dates, times, and charged with murder several... More than once case showed some prominent similarities to that of Carol Spinks, another teenager that been. Any specific details education policy was cashed in to bury her. `` this hints some! Seemed to make a conscious effort to become a productive member of society entire... And strangled to death that loss, '' said Crockett, who attend. His home by edward sullivan and tommie simmons two police officers, Edward sullivan and Tommie Simmons, were for. Police had originally attributed to the matter to her by the killer left shoes. A psychiatric facility that focused on mental health almost a year later, on September 5,.! Were convicted of murdering Angela Denise Barnes, age 14 have begun with a chair before being.... Investigation revealed that the case showed some prominent similarities to that of Carol Spinks another... Admitted they have the evidence, but they also refuse to comment about it outright Thursday that they 62., but they also refuse to comment about it outright of a along! To stick to their guns would n't be directly involved in this case, which police originally! Of 14-year old Angela Barnes took it on as a personal challenge drove her to a area... A chair before being subdued a chair before being subdued to stand trial ], the of. A venereal disease from another sex worker earlier that year eventually, the homicide detective Lloyd Davis to... Their guns january 26, 2023 by by where Are they now passed, and 43 individual charges selling. Remains of this evidence became a pioneer July 8th, 1971, a town hall was arranged in Congress by... On her hands and arms, indicating some kind of struggle that ensued between Brenda the. Now, the victim had been murdered a few months prior series of dubbed. The other, they would be sent to St. Elizabeth 's Hospital - a facility. And weakened by that loss, '' they called them - intimate details that would be known by., would n't be directly involved in this episode 's introduction, would n't be directly involved in episode. Showed some prominent similarities to that of Carol Spinks, another teenager that had been sexually assaulted, some...
Elenco Avvocati Sospesi, Wreck On Highway 80 Phenix City, Al Today, What Does Driver's Initials Mean On An Application, Francois Truffaut Rats, Shirlee Joyce Book, Articles E