Cheryl was killed first, which meant Andy had to look on helplessly and hear Cheryl scream in agonizing terror. Four partially deflated balloons were discovered tied to the tree above Cheryl's head, and a $20 bill was on the ground next to her. Apparently he was nearly decapitated, and the police also found a golf club and three golf balls lined up in a row pointing to Cheryl's body. Her boyfriend Andy was found tied to a tree with his throat also slashed. Cheryl had been raped and then murdered her throat was slashed and her body was covered up with pieces of wood. The couple's car was still at the scene, but their bodies were found in the woods nearby. The next day, they were found brutally murdered in a desolate, undeveloped wooded area in West Houston that was popularly known as "Lover's Lane" since many couples ventured there for alone time. On August 23, 1990, 22 year old Cheryl Henry and her 21 year old boyfriend Andy Atkinson went out for the night, never to return.
#UNSOLVED SERIAL KILLERS TEXAS FREE#
The killer still runs free today, but police say they will never give up on her case. The police have responded to thousands of leads during their investigations, but none of them led to the murderer. An autopsy confirmed she had been held alive for two days, and during that time she had been sexually assaulted. Four days later, a man walking his dog found Amber's body at the bottom of a creek bed in Arlington. They felt certain that the abductor knew the area well since the abandoned lot was popular for young kids to play at. When she screamed, he immediately called police, and they launched a massive search to find her along with volunteers and the FBI. He witnessed someone in a pickup truck pull up and snatch her. A neighbor, Jim Kevil, saw Amber riding her bike alone from his backyard. On January 13, 1996, the nine year old was riding her bicycle to an abandoned grocery store in Arlington with her five year old brother, but he went home while she stayed behind for a while. Lonnie David Franklin/Grim Sleeper.Perhaps one of the most well-known, frustrating cases ever in Texas, the murder of Amber Hagerman gained worldwide attention and even prompted officials to create Amber alerts for missing persons. Please refer to the following link for more information. Update: A suspect (likely the killer) has been arrested in the Grim Sleeper case. Thought to be still at large and will likely strike again. The Grim Sleeper, Los Angeles, California, 1985-present: At least eleven victims, the last of which was killed in 2007. The Original Night Stalker, Ventura, Dana Point and Irvine, California, 1979-1986: Killed at least ten and raped at least 50 women. The Zodiac Killer, San Francisco, California, 1968-1973: Claims in letters to have killed 37 victims, however only seven are linked to him. Other famous unsolved serial murders in the U.S. The level of grotesque skill used by Jack was also lacking in the Austin murders. However, the Servant Girl Annihilator clearly raped his victims, whereas Jack did not. This is possible, due to the time frames and the brutal nature of the killings. Some believe that the Servant Girl Annihilator went on to become Jack the Ripper. There were even more victims, but they survived. Seven women and one man were killed before the murders stopped. Italian immigrants appeared to be the target of this killer.
The murderer would then flee the scene, often leaving the murder weapon behind. In one case, the murderer also used a barber’s razor to slit the victim’s throats. The murderer would then strike at his/her victims with an axe. The murderer would enter a house through a hole in the victim’s door, which he had cut out with a chisel. The known Axeman Murders began in New Orleans in 1918, though there may have been murders before this. Here are a few famous unsolved serial murders in the United States.Īxeman of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
There is also sadness in knowing that the serial murderer was never brought to justice for the crimes they committed. However, when the killer is not caught, citizens are forced to imagine when he or she will strike again.
Many of these serial killers strike in the same area for years, others move around spreading fear in new neighborhoods and luckily, many of them are caught. Knowing that there is someone stalking the streets that you live on, looking for victims, is a very scary prospect. Serial murders are one of the most terrifying things that can happen to a community.