Murder of Joanne Ena Lynn
On September 19, 1949, 11-year-old Joanne Ena Lynn left her home in Hemlock, New York at 8 a.m. This was not unusual for the girl as she walked to school every weekday morning. When Joanne passed the Smith's home she waved a hollered at Mrs. Smith. "Good morning Mrs. Smith. It's a nice morning isn't it?" Mrs. Smith responded with a yes. Joanne continued down the road and Mrs. Smith told her 7-year-old son Eddie to catch up with her. When he rushed to try to catch her he did not see her when he got to the highway. This was the last time she was seen alive.
When she didn't return home from school her parents worried for her and called the police. A search was done for the missing girl. The hills and gullies were combed and lakes were dragged in the surrounding area. After four days the national guard was called in and on the 23rd guardsmen searched in the pouring rain.
On September 24th 14-year-old Norma Marsden was gathering butternuts four miles from Hemlock and 7 miles away from where she was last seen. In the pasture, Joanne's body was found. She had been shot twice. Joanne was fully clothed, but her undergarments and sweater were missing.
It's believed that she was either coaxed or forced into a car and her abductor possibly waited a day before killing her as people in the area stated they heard gunshots on Tuesday. Her killer had attempted to sexually assault her.
The killer then took her to a grove of locust trees and shot her. One bullet entered her arm and then forehead as she was blocking her face. She was shot a second time through her left breast and the bullet came out of her back. Her fingernail scrapping suggested she fought hard with her attacker.
The gun used was a 9mm German Luger semi-automatic pistol. The gun was possibly well taken care of.
SOURCES:
New York State Police
Kidnapping, Murder, and Mayhem
Hemlock and Candice Lakes
Find a Grave
The Daily Messenger September 27, 1949
Democrat and Chronicle October 1, 1949
Democrat and Chronicle September 1, 1963
LINK:
Count Every Mystery: Murder of Joanne Ena Lynn
On September 19, 1949, 11-year-old Joanne Ena Lynn left her home in Hemlock, New York at 8 a.m. This was not unusual for the girl as she walked to school every weekday morning. When Joanne passed the Smith's home she waved a hollered at Mrs. Smith. "Good morning Mrs. Smith. It's a nice morning isn't it?" Mrs. Smith responded with a yes. Joanne continued down the road and Mrs. Smith told her 7-year-old son Eddie to catch up with her. When he rushed to try to catch her he did not see her when he got to the highway. This was the last time she was seen alive.
When she didn't return home from school her parents worried for her and called the police. A search was done for the missing girl. The hills and gullies were combed and lakes were dragged in the surrounding area. After four days the national guard was called in and on the 23rd guardsmen searched in the pouring rain.
On September 24th 14-year-old Norma Marsden was gathering butternuts four miles from Hemlock and 7 miles away from where she was last seen. In the pasture, Joanne's body was found. She had been shot twice. Joanne was fully clothed, but her undergarments and sweater were missing.
It's believed that she was either coaxed or forced into a car and her abductor possibly waited a day before killing her as people in the area stated they heard gunshots on Tuesday. Her killer had attempted to sexually assault her.
The killer then took her to a grove of locust trees and shot her. One bullet entered her arm and then forehead as she was blocking her face. She was shot a second time through her left breast and the bullet came out of her back. Her fingernail scrapping suggested she fought hard with her attacker.
The gun used was a 9mm German Luger semi-automatic pistol. The gun was possibly well taken care of.
SOURCES:
New York State Police
Kidnapping, Murder, and Mayhem
Hemlock and Candice Lakes
Find a Grave
The Daily Messenger September 27, 1949
Democrat and Chronicle October 1, 1949
Democrat and Chronicle September 1, 1963
LINK:
Count Every Mystery: Murder of Joanne Ena Lynn
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