MD - Elizabeth Archard, 13, abducted & murdered, Prince George's Co., 28 Aug 1978

Richard · 2006-10-31T19:09:45+00:00

The following case has been posted in the thread titled Possible Links on the Featured Case of the Lyon sisters, Katherine and Sheila who went missing on 25 March 1975. There was a three year separation between the Lyon Case and the murder of Elizabeth. Still, I wonder if there might be a connection? Because Elizabeth Archard's murder is still unsolved, I felt that it should also be posted here in Cold Case files on its own thread. Here is an unsolved case of the abduction, rape, and murder of a Prince Georges County, Maryland girl, which took place on 28 August 1978. The area where this took place is not far from Bowie mall, which is one of the places where a "Tape Recorder Man" had been seen back in March of 1975. These links are to newspaper stories about the murder of Elizabeth Archard, age 13. The story includes a composite sketch of a suspect, described as a white male, about 30 years old. He was between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet one inch tall, weight 180 - 200 pounds. Hair was described both as dark, and as light. Evidently there were varying descriptions and two sketches in police files. One of those sketches is included in the first link below. Because the text is hard to read, I have transcribed the story below the links. first part with composite drawing: http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/fireangeldancer/Annapolis1.jpg and continuation here : http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/fireangeldancer/continuation1.jpg Text: --------------------------------------------------------------- Annapolis, MD Friday September, 4, 1978 Slain Girl Sexually Molested Elizabeth Archard, the 13-year-old county girl, who was slain more than a week ago , was sexually molested, contrary to earlier reports, the Evening Capitol has learned. Prince Georges County police spokesmen John Hoxie said this morning that the medical examiner's report did state that the teenager had been sexually molested but the police withheld that information even from the parents, "Initially, we didn't think so (that she was sexually molested)," Hoxie said "But the autopsy showed she was." Prince Georges County police , until now had not released any specific information from the medical examiner's report, claiming that they did not want to make public details that only the police and the suspect would know. Hoxie said this morning that the police were also trying to spare Miss Archard's parents, Philip and Barbara Hale, further grief by withholding information that their daughter had been sexually molested. The girl's body was found off Governor Bridge Road near Bowie on Aug. 29. She had been reported missing at 1 p.m. Aug, 28. Police said she was last seen riding her bicycle at Forest Drive and Spa Road from a dental appointment to her 453 Waggamon Circle home. Her new bicycle was found about 24 hours later near a pony riding ring on Spa road, about two miles from her home. Her body was found less than eight hours later. Police said she had been shot. Other reports indicate that she had been shot several times in the head. Police are still searching for a man who was probably the last person to see Miss Archard alive. At least three witnesses described the man, who was seen in a parked car near the riding ring on Spa road the day Miss Archard was reported missing. The description of the man differ. While Prince Georges Couty Police publicly say they are using the second of two drawings of the man, sources at other police agencies say they are using the first and officially unreleased drawing. They differ in some features. The key difference is in the hair. One witness told police the man had dark hair.. Two witnesses said he had light brown or blonde hair. Prince Georges County Police refused to comment on the discrepancies. The man is described as white, 30 years old, five feet eleven inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 180 to 200 pounds. He is heavy set with fair complexion. It was reported that he also had a light tan or sunburn on his face and arms . He was seen in a 1970 to 1974 mid-size car, possibly a Ford or a Mercury. The two-door car possibly had dents on the driver's side and has a vinyl roof. There are discrepancies in the descriptions of color, but most sources say it is rust-color. Police say he is not a suspect, but, since he most likely seen Miss Archard he probably has valuable information. Prince Georges County Police finished most of their interviews with residents in Wild Rose Shores, Miss Archard's community, and neighboring areas earlier this week. They are now investigating past sexual assaults and violent crimes in the area to find any possible connection with the murder of Miss Archard. Hoxie said that police would have taken that course if Miss Archard had not been sexually molested. "We would have done that anyway" he said. "We have done that from the outset." "It (sexual molestation) is most probable in this type of thing." he said. To better coordinate the effort between Ann Arundel County and Prince Georges County police departments, an Anne Arundel County police detective will now.... (continuation...) work as a liaison between the two departments. After detectives from the two departments met yesterday, Hoxie said, they decided to have one detective from Anne Arundel County work with Prince Georges County "on a formal basis". He will attend meetings and "critiques" at the Forrestville headquarters so that both departments are continually aware of what the other is doing, Hoxie Said. -------------------------------------------------- Here is her listing in the Social Security Death Index: Name ELIZABETH ARCHARD Birth 25 Sep 1964 Death Aug 1978 Last Residence 21404 (Annapolis, Anne Arundel, MD) Last Benefit (none specified) SSN 215-82-4858 State issued Maryland

Thread starter Richard
Start date Oct 31, 2006

New Posts

C
My theory of the JonBenét Ramsey murder
- Latest: Cryptic
- 10 minutes ago
JonBenet Ramsey
AZ AZ - Isabella Comas 21, last seen leaving friend's res in 11000 block Van Buren, driving red Hyundai Sonata, phone was found, Avondale, 11 Jan 2026
- Latest: MickeysVoice
- 10 minutes ago
Missing Persons Discussion
O
US threatens to annex Greenland - 2025/2026
- Latest: otto
- 11 minutes ago
TODAY! on Websleuths
TX - Elizabeth (Liz) Barraza, 29, Tomball, Shot Dead, Jan. 25, 2019, MSM, Maps,Timeline, NO DISCUSSION
- Latest: arielilane
- 11 minutes ago
Crimes In The News- Time Line - Media-Reference Fo
ARREST MADE - EX-HUSBAND OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025
- Latest: MesquiteO21
- 12 minutes ago
In the News

^ null

This post contains flagged content. To view it, please un-check the Suppress Flagged Content flag in your Account Preferences.

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

^ null

You must log in or register to reply here.

Replies: 36

Views: 41K

Sep 17, 2024

Chasingsunsets513

Found Safe MD - Khari Shelton, 29, Temple Hills, Prince George's Co, 5 Apr 2022

Replies: 2

Views: 1K

Apr 22, 2022

GuyfromCanada

Found Safe MD - Tiffanee Saunders, 52, Upper Marlboro, Prince George's County, 5 Dec 2018

Replies: 1

Views: 935

Dec 7, 2018

rainynights

Recovered/Located MD - Keith Summers, 57, Landover, Prince George’s County, 04 Apr 2019 *critical missing*

Replies: 2

Views: 643

Apr 17, 2019

doodles1211

MD - Jayz Agnew Shot Dead While Raking Leaves - Prince George’s Co

Replies: 3

Views: 932

Nov 13, 2022

mpnola

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Link

Guardians Monthly Goal

Members online

Mfleish

... and 169 more.

Total: 4,840 (members: 170, guests: 4,670)

Online statistics

Members online: 170

Guests online: 4,670

Total visitors: 4,840

Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads: 637,976

Messages: 18,721,009

Members: 244,228

Latest member: scylla_Beelz

Community Rules

Be Civil

Treat all members with respect. No personal attacks, harassment, or inflammatory language.
Victim Friendly

Always show respect for victims and their families. No victim blaming or insensitive speculation.
Fact-based Sourcing

Provide credible sources for claims. Distinguish between verified facts and personal theories.
Social Media Use

Do not post direct links to personal social media profiles of private individuals.
Copyright and Paywalls

Do not copy full articles. Summarize and link to the original source instead.
Privacy and Personal Information

Do not post personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or workplaces.
Registered Sex-Offenders

Do not name or speculate about RSOs unless officially named in connection to a case.
Stay On Topic

Keep discussions relevant to the case or topic at hand. Avoid off-topic tangents.
Accounts, Moderation, and Disputes

One account per person. Contact moderators privately for disputes or concerns.
Solicitation and Fundraising

No solicitation, fundraising, or promotion of personal ventures without approval.