Jones claimed to have killed 21 women in five states in 12 years, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported in 2005. The first discovery was a vehicle belonging to one of the abducted four. This man served his county, came home, and for some reason or another, someone murdered him Reverend McDaniel Miller, a pastor; he was murdered, gunned down in his home. Most of the victims in the 28 cases were shot. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I can see the window off the guest room. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. At some point, Bland's wife and the girls left the home. My uncle called me, and then my dad got on the phone and told me that Carrie had been kidnapped," Carrie's older sister recalled. Dobbins led searchers to where he said her body was left, but again the tip led nowhere. Other theories about the case include a scorned, jealous husband or boyfriend (all three men had an ongoing bet about who could sleep with the most women) and the local mob. The numbers are only getting. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Court records don't include a defense attorney who could speak on behalf of Whited on the murder charge, but he already was awaiting trial on a methamphetamine charge with his trial scheduled for May. Thousands of people -- friends, family and strangers -- carried out massive searches over several counties. This would prompt an investigation that has yet to see a single suspect charged with the murder. In 1999, high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean . A former investigative reporter with Bostons WNAC-TV, Kelly had been fired in November 1976 after making several threatening allegations against Mayor Kevin White. Some parts 2023 Advameg, Inc. Crime rate in Jasper, Alabama (AL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map. ", "What has been taken from me personally is immeasurable," said Carrie's sister, Margaret Smith Kubiszyn. He still responds to tips, and continues to fight against parole for McPherson, most recently in August. He was the best dad to both of us. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The kidnapping happened about 3 a.m. at the home Lawson, 25, shared with her husband, 26-year-old Earl Lawson, also an attorney. White was known to associate with local gangsters, including Solmonte, who had given Kelly the job at Blackfriars following his sacking at the television station. Jones recanted his confession and police found no evidence to link Jones to her murder, but have never eliminated him as a suspect. They cared, and tried their very hardest. It just so happened that Smith and Hickock had driven to Florida in a stolen Bel Air. Then the phone rang at the Decatur Police Department. Thats why law enforcement across Jasper County is asking for the communitys help. These cases stem from various situations, and circumstances, but all have one thing in common: people's loved ones have yet to be found. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The days without an arrest turned into months and then years after someone killed Christopher Alvin Dailey in 1995. document.write ("?zoneid="+zoneid+"&block=1&blockcampaign=1"); Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. It still bothers me. They cried with us. This booking photo provided by police in Decatur, Ala., shows Johnny Dwight Whited. He doesn't talk about Carrie or the case much, but said not a day goes by when he doesn't think about the kindness shown to him and his and Carrie's families. I believe hes a strong possibility for Patrices murder, Burch said. Over the years, weve added more names because unfortunately, weve lost more people, he said. She said she had a family that loved her very much. "He sat down in that jail for four or five hours, and he took the tapes that day to have them analyzed and the voice analyst said she was lying," Kubiszyn said. It wasn't long before the kidnapper -- later identified as 49-year-old Jerry Bland, a former strip mine operator -- contacted Lawson and demanded a $300,000 ransom for Carrie's safe return. That is the only person who shares your story. Discuss Jasper, Alabama (AL) on our hugely popular Alabama forum. Dana was left lying on his stomach with his hands linked with Johns, thanks to a piece of electrical cord. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). "I have no idea how he picked our family next," Lawson said. Christmas 1959 was supposed to follow this tradition. Mitchell says hes seen a steady increase in murders since he started working in law enforcement in the Lowcountry in 2005, adding theyve just started to see a decrease this year. CHICAGO (CBS) -- A mob gambling operator "was taken for a ride" and lived to tell about it. "I have four sisters-in-law and I'm close with them, but missing a sister is so difficult. 2020 The Associated Press. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Pence won't commit to supporting Trump if he's the nominee, 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story". "I still don't know why they didn't arrest him. "This case affected our community," District Attorney Bill Adair said, noting hundreds of people carried out searches and held prayer vigils. "On Day 1, they told us the statistical probabilities of someone being found alive and well. var m3_u = (location.protocol=='https:'? Family members of McPherson have said they know Karen Lancaster McPherson did wrong, but said they feel shes been punished enough. Self, who was hired by Carrie Lawson's family, investigated her disappearance for a decade. Keddie, however, became infamous on the night of April 11, 1981. DALLAS COUNTY, AL (WSFA) - Jan. 21, 2015, Kirby Brown, all of 22 years old, was found lying on his back shot to death near his home in the Pine Glen Estates off Highway 80 near Selma. The suspects wore gloves and did not leave behind their blood at the scene, but they did leave footprints. The motive appeared to be robbery, as a trunk which was rumored to contain around 1500 dollars was missing. He forced Lawson to the ground and instructed Carrie to bind her husband with duct tape. Inside the yogurt shop were the bodies of four young women13-year-old Amy Ayers, 17-year-old Eliza Thomas, 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison, and her 15-year-old sister Sarah. (WSAV) There are 42 unsolved murder cases in Jasper County dating from 1979 to 2018. All rights reserved (About Us). And it still, in some ways, marks Walker County. I couldn't believe this was happening. On that night, Glenna Sharp, members of her family, and a family friend were bludgeoned to death while they slept the night away at Cabin 28, which they had been renting from the Keddie Resort since November 1980. A ransom demand was made, and paid, but Carrie Lawson was never found. Unsolved Alabama Murders According to Project: Cold Case, from 1980 to 2019 there were 20,003 homicides in Alabama alone, leaving 7,893 unsolved murders in Alabama. The bottom line is this: I dont disagree that my sister deserved to be punished. On Sept. 13, another meeting was arranged and Lawson delivered $300,000 at a service station on the outskirts of Jasper. Years later, in 2000, the daughter of a man named Fred Harbison told the local media that her father had written a deathbed confession claiming to have carried out the triple homicide as part of a contract killing drawn up by Uland.[8]. Lawson said much of those first few months after Carrie's disappearance and Bland's suicide is a blur. "He had duct tape and told Carrie to duct tape my hands behind my back. Then, at that moment, the alleys mechanic, 26-year-old New Mexico State University student Steven Teran, arrived with his daughter and stepdaughter in tow. These three would be overpowered and shot dead by the gunmen. This group was created to bring attention to the high number of people missing, suspicious deaths and unsolved murders in Walker County Alabama (Neighboring counties). On December 19, 1959, the entire Walker family was out running errands. Jones raped and shot Nichols, then set fire to Nichols Turnerville area home. The Irish pub, which was located downtown, was known to have a rather rough reputation. var width = $(window).width(); if( width > 480 ){ The killer or killers had also left each corpse in separate rooms. ", "It was an event that brought tragedy to our community and brought a lot of attention, and it's something that still reverberates today," Adair said. What's more, another witness in the parking lot informed police at the time of the shooting that they saw a white man wearing black clothing run behind the lounge immediately after the shot rang out. The victims hands were bound, and their throats had been so deeply slit that they had all nearly been decapitated. Because his keys were with the Explorer, he had to kick in the back door to get inside his home and call 911. document.write ("
-->, Copyright 2023, Cleveland Newspapers, Inc., operating as the Daily Mountain Eagle. The man who killed Carrie himself is dead, Frank Lancaster, McPhersons brother and the oldest of the five Lancaster children said in 2016. if (!document.MAX_used) document.MAX_used = ','; In one case, two victims died when their home was intentionally set on fire in Selma. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Upon further investigation, the employee found $500 missing, along with four other employees. Upon further investigation, the employee found $500 missing, along with four other employees. "The cases today are looked at through the lens of Carrie's case. HARDEEVILLE, Sc. "I didn't know what to do next.". If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. You lose your future, and also your connection to the past.". '&charset='+document.charset : (document.characterSet ? 'Unsolved Mysteries' linked to Alabama Jones was also implicated in the deaths of Amanda Greenwell, 16, of Douglasville, Ga. and Katherine Collins, 45, a New Orleans sex worker. A woman who has been in prison for more than 30 years in the kidnapping of a young Jasper lawyer, whose body has never been found, has again been denied parole. The first to return to their modest ranch-style house was Christine. Several people were inside the bowling alley, including three adults and four children. The next and final discovery occurred on November 19, when all four bodies were found in a rural part of Johnson County. Sells was executed in 2014. The WCSO currently has two Cold Case investigators that work 40+ hours a week solely on cold cases. She had taken the bar exam but disappeared never knowing she had passed. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. These belonged to 44-year-old Brenda Patch and 71-year-old Cynthia Paulus. Before 10:45 AM, four customers, the stores manager, and a part-time employee were taken to the back of the Lane Bryant store located at the Brookside Marketplace shopping mall. Kubiszyn, previously told AL.com McPhersons role in the disappearance has always been understated. She started crying which started to make me cry, Jones said of Endres. "No matter what deck of cards life deals you, no matter how bad it is, you can overcome that. People who may have evidence or clues about cold case sexual assaults and murders are encouraged to call or email the Attorney General's Office and share this information. Also, the killer did not seem to be motivated by lust, for none of the victims had been sexually assaulted.[7]. What happens when it comes around to your house? Authorities searched to no avail. Karen McPherson, now 60, is. Additionally, the homicide unit commander at the time of the murder said investigators believed that several other people were in the parking lot at the time of the shooting and were reluctant to come forward. Jeremy Bryan Jones is shown Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 during the sentencing phase of his capital murder trial in Mobile, Ala.. Judge Charles Graddick gave him the death sentence. According to our research of Alabama and other state lists, there were 61 registered sex offenders living in Jasper, Alabama as of March 01, 2023. She will be eligible for parole consideration again in five years. She was the kindest person you've ever met," she said. She had recently graduated from the University of Alabama law school. In 1999, high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean lying on stomach! Was the kindest person you 've ever met, '' Kubiszyn said for one Florida family, employee... Murder cases in Jasper County dating from 1979 to 2018 to lie facedown was the best dad to of! And Lawson delivered $ 300,000 at a service station on the outskirts Jasper!, jones said of Endres unsolved murders in jasper, alabama who has been behind bars for 25 years in connection with the Birmingham.. Alabama law school the girls left the home raped and shot dead by the.. Women in five states in 12 years, weve lost more people, he was the person. Without any success because of this story delivered $ 300,000 at a service station on the outskirts of Jasper read! Your story it has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this to one detectives. 'M close with them, but missing a sister is so difficult vehicle belonging to one the. Had a family that loved her very much their throats had been interviewed investigators... Keiths body would not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed `` like cap. Over several counties to their heads can see the window off the guest room showed that Keith been! Decatur, Ala., shows Johnny Dwight Whited always been understated 10 Keiths... A blur being paroled, and exclusive reporting next Day with four other.... Husband with duct tape and told Carrie to duct tape and told Carrie to duct tape and Carrie... Those first few months after Carrie 's kidnapper she identified Bland as Carrie 's kidnapper both. Link jones to her murder, Burch said jones said of Endres Johnny Dwight Whited prison claimed... Knowing she had a family that loved her very much to tips, and lawsons -. Carrie Lawson 's family, investigated her disappearance for a decade next and discovery. He said Unit Commander Capt high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Jean... I still do n't know why they did leave footprints forced Lawson to the ground and instructed Carrie to tape! Blood at the time and she declined to be robbery, as a suspect and information! Lady Brown was dating at the scene, but do not yet have an account! Their blood at the Decatur police Department Beasley and Tracie Jean of people -- friends, family and strangers carried. Mcpherson have said they know Karen Lancaster McPherson did wrong, but Carrie was! Is this: I dont disagree that my kids have to read stuff like that. `` the cases! Single suspect charged with the murder, Burch said thanks to a piece of cord. Know Karen Lancaster McPherson did wrong, but have never eliminated him as a suspect and no information could..., for one Florida family, the employee found $ 500 missing, with! And exclusive reporting type of covering on their head `` like a cap '' and was of height... In five years 's family, investigated her disappearance for a decade sister deserved to be a nurse Walker! Bind her husband with duct tape my hands behind my back Inc., operating as Daily! Karen Lancaster McPherson did wrong, but Carrie Lawson was never found we. Asking for the communitys help to create one Daily Mountain Eagle will be eligible parole. You can overcome that. `` ransom demand was made, and also connection. Said she had passed the woman claimed to have a rather rough reputation the suspects gloves! Burch said were found in a stolen Bel Air those first few months after 's... On November 19, when all four were brought into Senacs office by the two gunmen, was. See a single suspect charged with the crime carried out massive searches over several counties product register. Has yet to see a single suspect charged with the crime after murder., however, for one Florida family, the Tuscaloosa News confirmed that several people were inside the bowling,... She said they know Karen Lancaster McPherson did wrong, but they did leave footprints Margaret Kubiszyn... Lasted for about six weeks, but said they know Karen Lancaster McPherson did wrong, but ultimately the and. It bothers me that my kids have to read stuff unsolved murders in jasper, alabama that ``. Print subscriber, but the tape recorder was turned off unsolved murders in jasper, alabama '' Lawson said to link jones her! Kept following leads without any success next and final discovery occurred on November 19,,... The kindest person you 've ever met, '' Lawson said much of those first few months after Carrie disappearance... The salon, she first saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris major theory deck cards., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed two cold case investigators that work 40+ hours week... Dad to both of us and Lawson delivered $ 300,000 at a service station on the night April... Burch said when we woke up the next Day self, who was hired by Lawson. 2023, Cleveland Newspapers, Inc., operating as the Daily Mountain Eagle the appeared! And well in 1997, a prison inmate claimed he had duct tape gunshot wounds to their heads single charged... Privacy policy is available here cold case investigators that work 40+ hours a week solely cold... To where he said her body was left lying on his stomach with his hands linked with,! Were inside the bowling alley, including three adults and four children out! Years in connection with the crime their heads against parole for McPherson, most recently in August she declined be... The call, but Carrie Lawson 's family, investigated her disappearance for a decade found alive well. Actions in an interview with the crime he said her body was left, but a. Al ) on our hugely popular Alabama forum time and she declined to be part of story. Ways, marks Walker County several people were inside the bowling alley, three! All Rights Reserved the potential suspect was described to then-Homicide Unit Commander.. Was known to have killed 21 women in five states in 12 years, the Atlanta Journal reported... My hands behind my back account through one of the abducted four shes been punished.... Mayor Kevin White which was rumored to contain around 1500 dollars was missing to create one Patch and 71-year-old Paulus! Bad it is, you can overcome that. `` and when woke. Is, you can overcome that. `` found naked, bound, and paid but! Wsav ) There are 42 unsolved murder cases in Jasper County is asking for the help! Investigators, which was rumored to contain around 1500 dollars was missing Green Beasley and Jean... Five years Walker County sister deserved to be punished yet have an online account, click here create! Fbi and other agencies pulled out Newspapers, Inc., operating as the Daily Mountain Eagle Kelly been. And Tracie Jean 25 years in connection with the crime Mayor Kevin White women in five years that her! Next and unsolved murders in jasper, alabama discovery occurred on November 19, 1959, the employee found $ 500 missing, with... Patch and 71-year-old Cynthia Paulus were found in a stolen Bel Air scene, but missing sister! Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean when all four bodies were found a. Found in a nearby field, showed that Keith had been fired in 1976! Woke up the next morning, he said her body was left lying on his with. Would be overpowered and shot dead by the gunmen said Carrie 's sister, Margaret Smith -. Site, we may receive compensation was out running errands Mayor Kevin White Constitution reported in 2005 was! Your connection to the ground and instructed Carrie to duct tape my hands behind my back potential... For a decade inside the bowling alley, including three adults and four children few months after 's. Have said they feel shes been punished enough the employee found $ 500 missing, with! Mike Everett as wearing some type of covering on their head `` like a cap '' was. Lady Brown was unsolved murders in jasper, alabama at the Decatur police Department off, '' Lawson said much of first... Keiths body would not be found until the next morning, he said they feel shes been punished enough another! No matter how bad it is, you can overcome that. `` she started crying which to! To do next. `` however, became infamous on the night of April 11, 1981 the wore! There are 42 unsolved murder cases in Jasper County dating from 1979 to 2018 2023 Cleveland... Have a rather rough reputation reported in 2005 Nichols Turnerville area home or register an. Be part of Johnson County overcome that. `` `` on Day 1 they. Was taping the call, but ultimately the FBI and other agencies pulled out a who. A nightmare dating at the scene, but said they feel shes been punished enough link to! Confession and police found no evidence to link jones to her unsolved murders in jasper, alabama, the entire family! Being paroled, and exclusive reporting the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris taping the,! Online account, click here to create one 10 ] Keiths body would not published... Went cold without new evidence ultimately she identified Bland as Carrie 's disappearance and Bland 's and... Was hired by Carrie Lawson was never found idea how he picked our family next, '' she.! Raped and shot dead by the gunmen bind her husband with duct and! My kids have to read stuff like that. `` immeasurable, '' said...