You see it in the last known crime that the killer committed. alone. 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. Now She's Speaking Out, Mass. Yvonne Missy Woods, a DNA analyst at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was the last of 25 prosecution witnesses called to the stand in Ewings trial on multiple counts of first-degree murder in the hammer killings of Bruce and Debra Bennett and their daughter, Melissa. The Bennetts didnt show up for work on Monday. He used two methods, and announced a few weeks ago that hed struck out with his first attempt. During the winter in Colorado its difficult to find a construction crew working well into the night. DENVER- The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. One thing that hasnt been said would be that during the winter in Colorado construction slows and sometimes between Jan-March it slows to a crawl, a lot of guys get laid off or work inconsistently during the week. Serve as lead administrator of a K-3, 9-12 urban site . She said in an interview that she has big plans for the future, and reminds us that "its never too late to achieve big things. Amazingly, it was thought that spending so many hours naked on the garage floor in the freezing temperatures may have kept her from bleeding to death. The victims may not have ever known one another but the killer found them somehow, it was not random although it appears that way. When he did use something at the scene (electrical cord, towel, husbands shoelaces, necktie) it was only to supplement the ligatures that he had brought himself. 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. DENVER- The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. 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. Powered by WordPress Bruce was 27 years old and Debra was 26 in 1984. The perpetrator left with both weapons. 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. That, and the knots he used, provide a link among several scenes. Ax Handle Attacker Alex Ewing Named Suspect in Bennett Family Murders. They ended up determining that Armour had been killed, and the Fresno Bee (along with the Fresno Guarantee Savings and Loan Association) set aside $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her killer. All four of them were attacked inside the home that night, only Vanessa survived. On night of January 16th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora, Colorado. Dont profile by. From 1987 to 1991, a serial offender known as Mr Cruel abducted children around Melbourne, Australia. While meeting with the families in regards to this case reopened many old wounds and horrific memories, the Aurora Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the 18th Judicial District, and the 1st Judicial District is committed to seeing that justice is served in this case. 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. She was quickly and carefully taken to the hospital in an ambulance. He could have found other ways to feed the need. Whatever the case, this person was in and around this area for at least the first part of January and most likely stayed in the area during that time. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? In addition to photos and a summary of information, the following points are worth going over: Its also worth noting that the EAR seemed to, at times, receive gratification from tying and retying his victims. He kept the hammer. They were almost always in good shape/new condition, and lab analysis revealed almost nothing about them except the occasional hair. Alexander was not identified as a suspect until a DNA hit in July 2018 linked him to semen left at the crime scene. The family had been celebrating Melissas birthday that night. The blow shed felt was the attacker striking her head with a hammer. He attacked the couple with a hammer, bludgeoning them with it and leaving them for dead. Again, info is given only about the phone calls where the offender spoke. Other attacks had occurred off of this main road, and its believed that the killer couldve entered the area from that point. Rather than wait until 2019 when the book will be published, we thought wed at least share the results with you. The other kids at school would tease her, telling her the hammer man was going to come and finish her off. The Investigation kept ongoing. Listen and Subscribe to The Generation Why Podcast! My best friend lived around the corner from the Bennetts, and that previous night (or night of) after dinner when she was cleaning the kitchen, she saw a man staring at her through the window. We often times want answers that fit into a box and I am sorry to say in this case we will not get them. 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. I dont believe that. Blood was all over the garage floor. Blood near the front door sent him into a panic. Investigators were able to piece together the details of the horrendous ordeal through study of the evidence and the crime scene. He was among many who worked the case tirelessly for many years and is directly responsible for using some of the innovative DNA technologies, such as the Parabon Nanolabs imaging that came out a few years ago. Alexander Christopher Ewing is already behind bars, serving 40 years for two counts of attempted murder in the state of Nevada. Theres no such thing as coincidence. Bruce Bennett tried to climb the staircase several times in an attempt to ward off the perpetrator and save his young family. Thieves like to hit them for the tools the guys leave at the sites overnight. 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. 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 They were Holly Chromey, 49, and her children, Katie Zapzalka, 18, and Jared Zapzalka, 16. The four of them lived together in a townhome off of West Bayaud Avenue. The jury found Ewing guilty on. Patricia still wore her sweater and boots, but her jeans were pulled down. Even to this day, she has absolutely no recollection of the next several hours. The guy here fit the profile you provided over that of the fbi. 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. Are you suggesting that initially investigators missed certain details based off the profile of the dude? Donna was rushed to the hospital while police worked the scene. The husband then got a lock for the gate and made sure their house was locked and secure. Kevin Vaughan on Twitter: "NEW TONIGHT: #9WantsToKnow has obtained this mugshot of Alex Christopher Ewing, the suspect in two 1984 hammer murders. 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. "There is no punishment that is too harsh for you and I will do everything in my power to make sure you never draw a free breath ever again.". Ewing was not identified as a suspect until a DNA hit in July 2018 linked him to semen left at the crime scene. It was Colorado Bureau of Investigation Director John Camper who got to break the news to Aurora PD that there had been a DNA match. Bizberg Themes, Forensic Science and Cyber Forensics Quiz (Free). As she got older, unresolved anger issues caused Vanessa to clash with her grandmother who had become her primary caretaker after the death of her parents. Ewing massacred a family but left a key to his identity, Chief Deputy District Attorney Garrik Storgaard told the jury. The bodies of John Paul Bennett, 13, Lacey Bennett, 11, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11, were discovered at the property near Sheffield, on Sunday morning.. Twenty-eight-year-old Donna Dixon, fresh off a shift working as a flight attendant, had been out running some errands. Ron kept vigil and kept guard in her hospital room day and night. Ramirez heads to Sierra Madre, CA, where he attacks Whitney Bennett, 16, with a tire iron as she sleeps. Constance entered the home, encountered the grisly scene, and immediately dialed the authorities. As of December 2021, the Boulder Police Department has processed more than 1,500 pieces of evidence related to the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle spoke directly to Ewing before announcing the sentence. If he had not done that, they may have been the unfortunately victims. They lived on a peaceful cul-de-sac where most of the houses had recently been finished and were yet to be sold. Victim #24received a call from a voice that she identified as the EARs. Date: September 19th/22nd, 1987 The same night he escaped, he broke into yet another couples house and attacked the male of the home. The Bennett family was attacked either the night of Jan. 15 or the morning of Jan. 16. Taking a good long hard look at the evidence again and compare it to someone who was in and/or around that artery in Denver at the time would help to narrow the suspect list or in this case open it up. Your email address will not be published. This was the last time the Bennetts were seen alive. These crimes in Colorado are this killers first stages at killing a human. While everyone is looking for a motive it was always looking right back at investigators. SOMERVILLE Sandra G. Bennett, 76, died March 2, 2023. All four family members were assaulted, only one survived. Caller: Do you want fuck? The killer murdered two parents - Bruce and Debra Bennett - and their 7-year-old, Melissa, and left their other child severely injured. For years the case was cold, until in 2018 a DNA profile from semen the killer left at the scene was matched to Ewing. The 2001 call didnt happen too long ago and makes it a little too close for comfort, though theres something positive to be said for the idea that the offender could still be alive and could still face justice for his crimes. He likes that violent way of killing so going from a hammer to a gun would be a jump for this killer and simply would not be the first choice for him. July 5, 1985 Survivor In Sierra Madre. The FAIR School, Minneapolis Public Schools and West Metro Education Program. In fact, there was a string of unsolved crimes in the area that took place just days apart from each other. 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 Colorado killings followed two other attacks near Denver that either involved or were suspected of involving a hammer. Connie's son Bruce, his wife Debra and 7-year-old Melissa were found dead.. Constance Bennett, the mother of murder victim Bruce Bennett, is questioned defense attorney Katherine Powers Spengler during Alex Ewing's murder trial, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in an Arapahoe County Court in Centennial, Colo. Ewing is accused of killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora in January 1984. One of the signature trademarks of an EAR/GSK attack was the use of ligatures. They were living in Aurora and planned to make a life together there. The following tests were performed on the EAR calls: Long story short inconclusive. On Friday, August 10th, 2018 at 10:00 AM Mountain Time, a press conference was held to announce that two different jurisdictions in Colorado were filing charges against a man named Alex Christopher Ewing for the Patricia Smith and Bennett family homicides. We move long-haul and short-haul loads to anywhere in the lower 48 states for commercial and government entities. This phone call occurred 25 years after the attack. Your email address will not be published. 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. James, a young man not even twenty-five years old yet, had married his wife Kim in August of 1982. He is more introverted when he is sober and an extrovert when he isnt. A murder probe has opened after four people were found dead at the address yesterday, with . The rapes were opportunities and only that. 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. The world turned a painful red and Donna began to lose consciousness. Why did they have to get murdered? If it were me, I would explore other possibilities in terms of profiling my suspect here, explore past just some guy who was currently working construction in the area or druggies who killed in a drug fueled rage. Vanessa Bennett sat under a picnic shelter on a muggy Arizona morning and talked for the first time about the physical and emotional toll she bears as the only surviving victim of one of. Shippers choose our flatbed, step deck, RGN or other specialized trailers to move freight that is too large to be A photo of the Bennett family. The other kids at school would tease her, telling her the hammer man was going to come and finish her off. Before Donna Dixon was even found, another crime had taken place 26 miles to the west in the city of Lakewood. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and the murder weapon? She was happy to be home for a while, and eagerly awaiting the next day when her boyfriend, Ronald Holm, would be home. Debra was savagely beaten to death with a hammer. Safdar Ali was allegedly involved in selling weapons to gang members of Atiq Ahmed. There was no sign of forced entry. Bruce worked at the family-owned furniture store and was also taking classes to become an air traffic controller. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Figuring out anyone who was laid off or working less hours on a construction site back then, if the list doesnt exist right now may be difficult at best. 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. She recently gave an interview, which you can view here (, Summary of Press Conference on 1984 Hammer Murders, you can review my extensive post from yesterday, Secret Origin of the Golden State Killer: Visalia Ransacker, High-resolution version of Mr Cruels mask, Tribute to Robert Offerman and Debra Manning, Ligatures Used by the East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer, he almost always forced his penis into his victims bound hands, Audio Comparison of EAR Calls The Results, Phone Calls where the East Area Rapist Spoke, https://www.coldcase-earons.com/phonecalls.php, Visalia Ransacker Incident Chart: Prowlings vs Ransackings over time. 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 . No other motive like robbery could be found as the only items missing were the knife used to cut Bruce and Debras purse, yet the contents of the purse were strewn in the front yard. . 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. He is awaiting extradition to Colorado, police and prosecutors announced Friday. Juliana Kenney, 75, her husband Clayton Kenney, 83, and Mrs. Kenney's 44- year-old daughter, Adrienne Arnot, were beaten and stabbed to . Ronald worked as a pilot. When he arrived in Aurora almost four years ago Metz said he spoke to detectives about the citys cold cases and this one, which he said shocked the conscience of the community, stuck with him. 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. One lab felt that the letters were RICHAR. Another lab felt that it said PETAW C, with a space or fold between the W and the C and perhaps another fold in there as well. The crime scene is the Bennett Family home where 3 out of 4 family members were murdered in January 1984. "I didn't just lose my parents and my sister," Vanessa opened up. Ewing has been behind bars in Nevada since the summer of 1984 after he escaped there while being transported to Kingman, Arizona, from St. George, Utah, for a court appearance on attempted murder and burglary charges. After investigating, the police found similarities between the attack at the Bennett home and nearby random attacks that happened days earlier along the Highline Canal and Alameda Avenue corridor. What we do know is that he likes the level of violence a blunt object signifies. Jun 2004 - 201612 years. Not one part of this familys life would indicate such a violent predator was going to kill them. The press conference began with Aurora Chief Nicholas Metz, who recognized the hard work and dedication of many investigators who worked this case over the years. Lauer and Phelps disappeared on Labor Day weekend while on their way to Virginia Beach. And I hate what I had to go through and still go through. Like all of the EARONS victims, they were taken from this earth far too soon. The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. Alexander Christopher Ewing is now the behind bars, serving 40 years for two counts of attempted murder in the state of Nevada. A 61-year-old man learned this week he'll die behind prison bars after being sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for the 1984 murders of a Colorado couple and their 7-year-old daughter, PEOPLE confirms.