Among those individuals considered suspects were members of a gang known as the Green Vega Rapists. The Sullivans: With Paul Cronin, Steven Tandy, Reg Gorman, Vikki Hammond. The only notable exception wasBrenda Denise Woodard, whose body still had the shoes worn. However, in all of these cases, one kept Romaine Jenkins up at night. We know that this article of clothing was not tested for DNA by either the Maryland State Police or the FBI, but it was last in the possession of the Maryland State Police - who have not confirmed that they actually have the evidence. She was the region's first female homicide detective - a feat made all the more incredible when you factor in Jenkins' ethnicity. The following day - September 6th, 1972 - the body of Diane Williams was discovered by a trucker along Interstate 295. Prosecutors at the time said there was no evidence linking the pair to the other slayings. [5] Her stepfather asked her to have the man come to the phone. In addition, Allenteen - a single mother of eight - would organize a neighborhood search for the missing teenager that evening, but the volunteers (primarily friends and family members) would be unable to find any trace of Carol Spinks. She had also been fully clothed, minus her shoes (which were missing). Allenteen spotted her defiant 13-year old daughter, and let her know that her punishment would be waiting for her at home. [5] Her body was found within three hours of her abduction, just off the shoulder of Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince George's County, Maryland. They would be called back later on, but by that time, the case had grown stagnant. In 1980, the Washington Post wrote an article about the case, which included statements from two of the victims' family members. A 1975 memorandum order by D.C. Superior Court Judge Fred B. Ugast read: "On May 16th, Mr. Warren began to direct the government agents to the locations he had described to them regarding two Freeway deaths. All of this created a lot of animosity towards the local police department - the MPDC - who hired almost exclusively white officers. However, police struggled to come to grips with some other differences: such as the note found in Brenda's coat pocket - which seemed to taunt investigators - and the fact that Brenda was found still wearing her boots. This was just a stone's throw away from the first two abduction scenes - those of Carol Spinks and Darlenia Johnson - from more than a year beforehand. Despite claiming he intended the cyanide for himself, planning suicide, he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to twenty years to life. 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. All the cases involving white girls still get publicity. Brenda then told her younger sister that she was in Virginia, before the call came to an abrupt end. While the Freeway Phantom was never directly mentioned or referenced, he appears to have been an inspiration for the following unsubs: Criminal Minds Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. On the evening July 27th, 1971, at around 8:00 PM, many of the kids in Brenda's neighborhood were settling in for a movie night. He obtained employment at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where he worked as a computer technician, and lived a quiet life on his own. Both Ms. Johnson and Ms. Crockett were victims of the so-called Freeway Phantom homicides.". Court documents were found in a desk drawer in which a judge had used the word "tantamount," an uncommon word that had appeared in the note dictated by the killer of Brenda Woodward. edward sullivan and tommie simmonsmark anthony ontario. One of the cases often pointed to as an example of this very behavior is the disappearance of Sheila and Katherine Lyon - two sisters that disappeared from the Washington D.C./Maryland region in 1975. The next morning police found the 17-year-old's lifeless body in blue jeans and a gold sweater. The details of this confession were leaked to the press by P.G. She hopped on the next bus, and that is when her trail went cold. Investigators analyzed the notes handwriting to determine that Brenda herself wrote the message, and the writing showed no signs of distress. [21] Barnes, 14, was at one point thought to be a victim of the serial killings. One of the original Freeway Phantom detectives, who long suspected Askins to be the killer, continued corresponding with the convict until his death in 2010. One suspect that I haven't seen discussed in any major publications was a young man named James Groom, whose name was mentioned in the October 21st, 1972 edition of the Baltimore Afro American - a regional newspaper. In face, the case of the Lyon sisters was reported on frequently in the media, and in 2017 - just a year or so ago - the case was finally resolved after more than 40 years. There were long gaps between the crimes (sometimes as long as 2.5 months between each), but five young women had been killed over the span of 1971. They made appearances at public events, and tried to keep up with the investigation, hoping to bolster one another and present a brave face. Brenda's 7-year old sister, Bertha, had remained at-home while the rest of her family was out scouring the neighborhood. Like the first four victims, Woodard had been strangled but it appeared that her end had been a much more violent one. All had been killed by a mysterious killer - or group of killers - who seemed to embrace the nickname that the media gave them. There were also cuts to various parts of her body: in particular, her face, torso, and arms. This was the rhetoric that seemed to follow around the case in the early years of the investigation: that the police weren't doing enough to catch the killer. This case, which has been closed and opened a number of times over its history, is currently open as a cold case in the MPDC Homicide Division. Patricia Williams sat at a table near a window in a restaurant in Northwest Washington this week, her hands clasped. Speaking to the Post, Williams stated: "If it was a white girl, the police would have found the person. Tommy served on the USS INTREPID CVA-11 US Navy, four years MM3 Remember, the note from Brenda Woodard's coat pocket had read: "This is tantamount to insensititivity [sic] to people especially women. At 5:50 am the next day, a hitchhiker discovered Crockett's shoeless body in a conspicuous location on U.S. Route 50, near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Prince George's County, Maryland. The investigators that were handling the case at the time would continue to believe that the Green Vega's were responsible for the Freeway Phantom murders - many of them, until the day they died. He identified the man who gave him the information, the date and location of the crime, and signature detail which was not provided to the public, but which was known only to the perpetrator, and to detectives. An examination of Brenda's clothing would find two different hair samples: one of which, authorities stated, belonged to a Caucasian man. ". Carol Denise Spinks body was discovered by the authorities six days later from the day she was reported missing on April 25, 1971. January 28, 2023 tim o'neill goldman sachs net worth . The vehicle was described as an older black model, but no specific details could be given. This angry sentiment was also shared by the sister of Carol Spinks, Evander Spinks, who stated: "You better bet that if these had been white girls, the police would have solved the cases. Modus Operandi In the fall of 1971, she began taking night classes at Cardozo High School, hoping to improve her working skills (such as typing). This was a vote on "cloture" in the Senate, which means to end debate so that an up-or-down vote can be taken. Read More: Are Green Vega Rapists Freeway Phantom? During this search, they began looking for those that knew the victim, and were able to quickly link this case to the missing 13-year old that had disappeared less than a week beforehand. Rhode Island State Police said Thursday that they arrested 62 people in a sweeping investigation into welfare fraud. In 2013, an employee at the Maryland Chief Medical Examiner's officer spoke (under the veil of anonymity), and stated that trying to find out any information about the Freeway Phantom case: It is unknown if the DNA sample from Diane Williams' clothing still exists, and if it can be tested. The same coroner would state that she had been sexually assaulted before her death. Note: The note left in Woodward's pocket claimed that the Phantom killed additional victims. Immediately, the case showed some prominent similarities to that of Carol Spinks, another teenager that had been murdered a few months prior. 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. The investigations resulted in 53 individual charges of selling heroin, and 43 individual charges of selling crack cocaine, among other charges. Status The local newspaper "The Evening Star" hoped to inspire tips with a reward, announcing $5,000 for anyone that provided information which led to an arrest. However, following the murder of Brenda Woodard, the so-called "Freeway Phantom" would disappear for close to an entire year. Both girls went missing just blocks away from one another, and both of their bodies were found just feet away from one another - likely dumped off of a road overlooking the grassy embankment they had been found in. Their boss then decided to make a call to a friend of theirs - Charles Baden, a police sergeant in Washington D.C. Baden, was wasn't even on-duty that day, was able to make his way to the scene, where he finally got the police involved. episode Paradise . chicken of the woods ottawa; how tall was prophet idris; how much money did hercules in new york make With current evidence and any information of the case from when it happened, no leads produced sufficient evidence for prosecution. The inmate who provided the information said he was not involved in the homicide, and provided an alibi which was found to be verifiable. The girls' bodies were dumped near or along freeways in the District and Prince George's County, more than two decades ago. Before her death, it appeared that the victim had been brutalized, having been hit in the face more than once. It wasn't until the following day that her absence was truly noted, and suspicions began to be raised about her whereabouts. Infuriated, this caller called their boss and let them know about the police inactivity. Barnes's slaying, originally thought to be linked to the Freeway Phantom killings, was later solved when two former police officers, Edward L. Sellman and Tommie B. Simmons, were convicted of her killing. That signature information was correct. They didn't want to let their lives be forever ruined because of the actions of one mad killer, and joined together to combat that. Former Washington police officers, Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons, were convicted of murdering Angela Denise Barnes, age 14. The police later recovered one of the .38 caliber pistols reported stolen by the two police officers. In the middle of July 1971, an employee of the D.C. Department of Highways and Traffic began experiencing car troubles. 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. For the first few years of the investigation into the Freeway Phantom, police had linked Barnes' death to the unknown killer targeting young black girls in the D.C. region. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, the son of a Unitarian minister. Robert Askins would later be convicted on kidnapping and rape charges, stemming from two separate incidents - including the one that had put him on the investigators' radar. The Freeway Phantom has been described as a loner motivated by rage that was focused on overall society. 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. In addition to this . So, Trainum took back the evidence, and submitted it to the FBI forensic database where the same thing happened. Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home. [21][2] With current evidence and any information of the case from when it happened, no leads produced sufficient evidence for prosecution. [5], On July 8, 1971, Johnson, 16, from Congress Heights was abducted while on route to her summer job at Oxon Hill Recreation Center. The victim, Ruth McDonald, had actually died as a result of the poisoning, and Askins was later convicted for her murder. 43 Winn Street Burlington, MA 01803. Twenty of those appearances were included on a DVD titled Muppets Magic from the Ed Sullivan Show in 2003. All but one are still considered victims of the "Freeway Phantom Murderer. They had done the brunt of the early investigation, such as speaking to key witnesses and canvassing the neighborhoods of the abductions, but were unable to advance the case in any major way. Nonetheless, doubt continues to linger over the case, and the potential involvement of the Green Vega Rapists. It's not too late to say something. Romaine Jenkins, the retired homicide detective that I detailed in this episode's introduction, has maintained a lifelong obsession with the case. One of its pockets contained a note from the killer:[12], this is tAntAmount to my In the coming years, detectives would theorize that this implies some connection to the neighborhood Brenda Crockett lived in. Most unusually, her body appeared to have been washed prior to its abandonment alongside U.S. Route 50. Not only were the case files lost - they were altogether missing. A store clerk would later recognize the girl from photographs, and state she had purchased the items that evening, just after 7:00 PM. It was a word that had been used in his prior legal paperwork, during his murder trial from the 1950's and subsequent release, but had also been included in the Freeway Phantom's note. During this period, an election was being held in Maryland, and one of the candidates publicly announced to the press, that a break had occurred in the Freeway Phantom investigation, and provided that an inmate atLorton Prisonhad given the information. Romaine Jenkins, the homicide detective I introduced in this episode's introduction, wouldn't be directly involved in this case. Brenda Denise Woodard was an 18-year old, that lived with her family in Baltimore, Maryland, along Maryland Avenue. Among those individuals considered suspects were members of a gang known as the Green Vega Rapists. During these interviews, one gang member initially implicated another gang member, who he said told him he was involved and gave information as to one of the beltway homicides. This case is open as a cold case in the MPDC Homicide Division as of September 2018. [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. Since then, the police department found the bodies of 6 more minor black girls, all of whom were strangled, assaulted, and shoes missing. The usage of the word 'tantamount' had often stood out to investigators, and here was a prime suspect that seemed to use the word regularly - as verified by his coworkers, who said as much. He ended up walking roughly 1500 feet south of Suitland Parkway, towards a grassy embankment along the Anacostia Freeway, where he discovered the body of a murdered young woman. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Likely, it had been dictated to her by the killer. meadowbrook country club estates; michael mullen obituary; pamela gluckin obituary new york; antonio tonyboy floirendo jr biography 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. Two days later, police discovered the body of Angela Denise Barnes, 14. Unknown View the profiles of people named Edward Sullivan. Investigators and websleuths alike have wondered if Brenda Woodard might have been targeted by a separate killer, who tried to place the blame for her death at the burgeoning "Freeway Phantom" by having the victim write a note saying as much. For the next twenty or so years, Askins seemed to make a conscious effort to become a productive member of society. Now-retired, Musgrove was willing to speak to the Washington Post in 2006, in which he decried the way the victims had been treated in the years since: "Those black girls didn't mean anything to anybody - I'm talking about on the police department. Why don't they investigate whites as well?". A couple of beat cops would be sent out to investigate the scene, but made very little attempt to locate the body. He ultimately let the victim go without harming her any further, and the incident was reported to police. She, however, had been 18 years old, and likely much more aware of what was happening to her. 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. The case was investigating primarily by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia - more commonly abbreviated as the MPDC. They believe that the Freeway Phantom was a young black man in his 20's or 30's, and agree with the FBI profile. As a result, the Freeway Phantom case files have been lost, along with the associated notes, and all investigators assigned as primary or task force have either long retired, or are deceased. When investigators would examine this coat, they would find a handwritten note inside one of the jacket pockets. Right? After the 1978 rape charge, Askins' home was searched by police in connection with the Freeway Phantom murders. This semen sample would remain untested for several decades, but needless to say that would come up much later. . Written, hosted, and produced by Micheal Whelan, Borrtex - "Black Out"Blue Dot Sessions - "Arbic Tallow"Graham Bole - "Lurking"Percival Pembroke - "Pembroke-Schaffer Manifold (Parts 1 & 2)"Vitus Von Degen - "Pieta"Rest You Sleeping Giant - "Dead Waters"ROZKOL - "If These"Sann Gusmao - "Reescrever Fotografias Sobre Dias Que Me Rasgam"Organoid - "Cassini"Krackatoa - "Under An Ending Sun", Other original music created and composed by Ailsa Traves, Unsolved Child Murders: Eighteen American Cases 1956 - 1998 by Emily G. Thompson, The Washington Post - Six black girls were brutally murdered in the early 70s. Detective John Rossi, when speaking to the media about the most recent murder and its possible connection to abductions from earlier that year, stated: " there is some reason to believe that there is some connection to some similar deaths. He didn't want to be left in the dust, but agreed to speak to investigators only if they kept his name out of it. 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