TX TX - Cheryl Henry, 22, & Andy Atkinson, 21, Houston, 21 Aug 1990

[Dewclaw]

I thought this a pretty close fit. The first composite is from the Bennett Family murders in Aurora CO.

 

[margarita25]

Lots at this article!

Hoping for anewer in 2018!!!


Missing Pieces: Police using new technology to help solve 'Lovers Lane murders'
http://www.khou.com/news/investigat...y-to-help-solve-lovers-lane-murders/492796954

"While investigators await those results, DNA testing has already made one important, though very late, link: Two months before the murders, an exotic dancer was raped in north Harris County. DNA testing was relatively new and expensive. It would take 17 years for HPD's beleaguered crime lab, to run the sample. It turned out to be a match to the Lovers Lane killer.

The rape victim helped generate a sketch of her attacker, which was also aged.

Something else that stood out about the rapist: The victim told Shorten, “He had a very forceful, military-type stance about himself.” That suggested a law enforcement or military background.

There remain many other bizarre twists to this case. A $20 bill was found next to Cheryl’s body. Shorten calls it “very odd”.

Could the killer have frequented clubs, where tipping was common?"

 

[cnmccarthy]

lots at this article!

Hoping for anewer in 2018!!!


Missing pieces: Police using new technology to help solve 'lovers lane murders'
http://www.khou.com/news/investigat...y-to-help-solve-lovers-lane-murders/492796954

"while investigators await those results, dna testing has already made one important, though very late, link: Two months before the murders, an exotic dancer was raped in north harris county. Dna testing was relatively new and expensive. It would take 17 years for hpd's beleaguered crime lab, to run the sample. It turned out to be a match to the lovers lane killer.

The rape victim helped generate a sketch of her attacker, which was also aged.

Something else that stood out about the rapist: The victim told shorten, “he had a very forceful, military-type stance about himself.” that suggested a law enforcement or military background.

There remain many other bizarre twists to this case. A $20 bill was found next to cheryl’s body. Shorten calls it “very odd”.

Could the killer have frequented clubs, where tipping was common?"

omg!!!!!!!

 

[kirkassoc]

The new video showed quite a bit more information than was normally known, it would seem. For instance, the golf club and golf balls pointing to where Cheryl was found (and yet he covered her with the rotten wood planks) and the twenty dollar bill. So strange. Would love to see Dateline or 48 hours do a special on this case. The perpetrator may be deceased by now, but the familial DNA may reveal who he was, if that is the case. He may also have been incarcerated not long after he committed this crime, and the LE didn't collect DNA as far back as that. Perhaps he was imprisoned for a crime committed in 1991-1994 (before they collected DNA for such crimes). It would be interesting if they took DNA samples from all convicted killers which are still alive and imprisoned and kept them on file for future crimes. Such a lovely couple! So many broken hearts. So sorry for your loss.

 

[mocity]

One thing we have learned is that they run a familia dna test when they have someone they are specifically targeting. They aren’t just running it against everyone. In this case anyway. I wonder if that is how it is always done?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rocky1]

One thing we have learned is that they run a familia dna test when they have someone they are specifically targeting. They aren’t just running it against everyone. In this case anyway. I wonder if that is how it is always done?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is the way it is done most of the time.
The DNA is run through Codis. If there is no match then Familial DNA is used in the ten states ( and growing fast) that allow it.
In your state, (Tx) they can use Familial DNA testing only after all other avenues are exhausted.
Say for example Codis has no hits. Then a sample can be run in that state that may pinpoint a brother or a son that may be in the system. That narrows down the search.
The last I knew Familial DNA only works on males. It has been highly successful in the UK , however, it is highly controversial due to our 4th amendment ,here in the US.
Where I am from, in most cases, if LE wants a DNA sample from a potential suspect, they will follow that person around, wait for him/her to toss a cup, or a ciggy, gather the DNA, and if it's a match bring him/her in for questioning and ask for a sample, or get a warrant for one.Sometimes they get tricky and send something in the mail saying that person for example has won something, and for the person to respond my mail. Then they have the DNA on the licked envelope.
I really hope that the Detective sends a sample to Parabon and gets "Snapshot" testing done. That will tell ancestry, eye color, the shape of the persons face, hair color, skin color and if this person had freckles. It will also spit out a picture of this person. I know it's been a while, but if that picture is posted on MSM, someone is bound to remember who this person is. It can also be enhanced to show what that person may look like today.

 

[mocity]

This is the way it is done most of the time.
The DNA is run through Codis. If there is no match then Familial DNA is used in the ten states ( and growing fast) that allow it.
In your state, (Tx) they can use Familial DNA testing only after all other avenues are exhausted.
Say for example Codis has no hits. Then a sample can be run in that state that may pinpoint a brother or a son that may be in the system. That narrows down the search.
The last I knew Familial DNA only works on males. It has been highly successful in the UK , however, it is highly controversial due to our 4th amendment ,here in the US.
Where I am from, in most cases, if LE wants a DNA sample from a potential suspect, they will follow that person around, wait for him/her to toss a cup, or a ciggy, gather the DNA, and if it's a match bring him/her in for questioning and ask for a sample, or get a warrant for one.Sometimes they get tricky and send something in the mail saying that person for example has won something, and for the person to respond my mail. Then they have the DNA on the licked envelope.
I really hope that the Detective sends a sample to Parabon and gets "Snapshot" testing done. That will tell ancestry, eye color, the shape of the persons face, hair color, skin color and if this person had freckles. It will also spit out a picture of this person. I know it's been a while, but if that picture is posted on MSM, someone is bound to remember who this person is. It can also be enhanced to show what that person may look like today.

Thanks Rocky. I always love to hear your insights. We did meet with the new (new to our case) detective which is an improvement over the others since our original has retired. We have the DNA from Cheryl and rape case and it is in CODIS. I thought they could re-run it to see if there was familial hit but she told me they are using it if they have a lead on someone. For example, they had a lead on a guy that wouldn't give a DNA sample. They got a sample from his daughter which ruled him out. She said it is used in situations like that. We also asked about Parabon. Get this, we were told that they will only do that when all leads are exhausted. What? Its been 27 years. I highly doubt they have any hot leads.

 

[Rocky1]

Thanks Rocky. I always love to hear your insights. We did meet with the new (new to our case) detective which is an improvement over the others since our original has retired. We have the DNA from Cheryl and rape case and it is in CODIS. I thought they could re-run it to see if there was familial hit but she told me they are using it if they have a lead on someone. For example, they had a lead on a guy that wouldn't give a DNA sample. They got a sample from his daughter which ruled him out. She said it is used in situations like that. We also asked about Parabon. Get this, we were told that they will only do that when all leads are exhausted. What? Its been 27 years. I highly doubt they have any hot leads.

After wondering why LE told you they only are using Familial DNA so limited in your case, I started researching deeper. I stand corrected as far as the use of Familial in the national CODIS data base.
I was under the assumption that those 10 states where Familial DNA is legal, information is shared between those states. After digging deeper, I learned that there is no software developed for a national search yet.
Tx however, has been using Familial DNA searches in the State data base since 2010.
This may be the reason why they are using it in the manner you stated. It is restricted to Tx only at the moment in your case.
I agree. Enough time has passed. They should send a sample to Parabon. Don't give up hope. There have been several cases solved since phenotyping was introduced in 1999, and it is used more and more as time goes on. Within the past few years, they have solved cold cases dating back to the early 1970s. The process has improved a lot as well.

Here's a PDF dated Dec. 2017, on the FBI and the national CODIS and how it works. If you scroll down, you will see a chapter on Familial DNA and the restrictions.
https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis

 

[margarita25]

Thanks Rocky. I always love to hear your insights. We did meet with the new (new to our case) detective which is an improvement over the others since our original has retired. We have the DNA from Cheryl and rape case and it is in CODIS. I thought they could re-run it to see if there was familial hit but she told me they are using it if they have a lead on someone. For example, they had a lead on a guy that wouldn't give a DNA sample. They got a sample from his daughter which ruled him out. She said it is used in situations like that. We also asked about Parabon. Get this, we were told that they will only do that when all leads are exhausted. What? Its been 27 years. I highly doubt they have any hot leads.

After wondering why LE told you they only are using Familial DNA so limited in your case, I started researching deeper. I stand corrected as far as the use of Familial in the national CODIS data base.
I was under the assumption that those 10 states where Familial DNA is legal, information is shared between those states. After digging deeper, I learned that there is no software developed for a national search yet.
Tx however, has been using Familial DNA searches in the State data base since 2010.
This may be the reason why they are using it in the manner you stated. It is restricted to Tx only at the moment in your case.
I agree. Enough time has passed. They should send a sample to Parabon. Don't give up hope. There have been several cases solved since phenotyping was introduced in 1999, and it is used more and more as time goes on. Within the past few years, they have solved cold cases dating back to the early 1970s. The process has improved a lot as well.

Here's a PDF dated Dec. 2017, on the FBI and the national CODIS and how it works. If you scroll down, you will see a chapter on Familial DNA and the restrictions.
https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis

There is also a state of the art DNA lab in Miami, iirc, which specializes in retesting, retrieving minute samples, etc. I saw this on the "Killing Field" show with Detective Brody.

I think about Cheryl and Andy's case a lot. I just saw a case on People Investigates about SK Ed Edwards, responsible for the "Sweetheart Murders"...he has since died in prison...what was his arrest date? He moved around a lot. Need to check the timeline.


Also, I just had an idea? SHSU is one of top Criminal Justice schools in the country, just a hop away. Maybe contact the Dept. there to perhaps to open some kind of case study via the students? Just a thought...young, fresh eyes with social media, increased resources...

 

[Rocky1]

mocity..
After reviewing unsolved cases in Houston, I happened to notice a woman that disappeared in Aug of 1992. Her name is Tara Breckenridge. She was a waitress at The Mens Club. After checking Google Maps, The Mens club is not far from Gigis, where the rape victim worked a few months before your sister was killed.
Although I would think that detectives tried to include/exclude this case as being connected to your sister by now, do you know if they processed her red Pontiac Fiero for DNA and/or fingerprints?
Here's the link.
http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cold_cases/featured_cases.htm

 

[mocity]

mocity..
After reviewing unsolved cases in Houston, I happened to notice a woman that disappeared in Aug of 1992. Her name is Tara Breckenridge. She was a waitress at The Mens Club. After checking Google Maps, The Mens club is not far from Gigis, where the rape victim worked a few months before your sister was killed.
Although I would think that detectives tried to include/exclude this case as being connected to your sister by now, do you know if they processed her red Pontiac Fiero for DNA and/or fingerprints?
Here's the link.
http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cold_cases/featured_cases.htm

Hi Rocky - Yes, they have looked into this to see if they are related. They haven't established any link that they have told us about. A friend of mine pointed out there was a note left in Tara's case (I can't remember the circumstances right now) and my friend thinks the handwriting is similar to the note in Cheryl's case that was sent to HPD. Thanks for pointing it out. I am going to look it over again especially now that we have a detective that is communicating with our family.

 

[mocity]

Posting a picture of the note that was sent to HPD related to Cheryl and Andy's case and a picture of the note in the Tara Breckenridge case. A friend of mine pointed it out and thought they appear similar. Thoughts?

 

[margarita25]

Mocity,

What about a possible relation to Stephanie Bueller's disappearance?
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/s...8-Houston-8-Sept-1990&p=12973200#post12973200

 

[margarita25]

There has goooot to be another similar crime(s) out there that can be linked...jmo

Hmmmmm....seems I anticipated this before it happened...

I'm thinking there maybe more out there in some cold case boxes...

 

[mocity]

Hmmmmm....seems I anticipated this before it happened...

I'm thinking there maybe more out there in some cold case boxes...

Yes this one is on their radar too. Nothing has linked them yet.

 

[Rocky1]

Posting a picture of the note that was sent to HPD related to Cheryl and Andy's case and a picture of the note in the Tara Breckenridge case. A friend of mine pointed it out and thought they appear similar. Thoughts?

After reviewing both notes, this is what I think.
The note that was sent to HPD, (Cheryls) has deliberate discrepancies made to throw off LE, IMO.
For example:
If you look at the "w" in "who" (first sentence) you will notice how sharp the bottom of the "w" is compared to the "w" in the word "will" further down. You may have to zoom to notice.
If you look, some "t's" are lower case, and others are upper case.
In the first sentence, the word "you" is spelled out. Further down, the word "you" is abbreviated with the letter "u."
If you look at all the upper case "A's, the right side of the "A" is curved, however, at the very bottom, in the word "Anom," both sides of the "A" are straight.

The differences I see between the two notes:
In Cheryls note, all the letters in each word start out with an upper case letter, followed by lower case letters.
In Tara's note, the letters are all upper case.

The similarities:
In both notes, the upper case "P" in the words "Personal" (Cheryls) and especially in the word "Play" (Cheryls) are the same as in the word "Please" (Taras)
In both notes, the upper case "T"s both have long tops where they are crossed at the top (first sentence in Cheryls note in the word "To", last sentence in the word "To") along with all of the "T"s in Taras note, especially in the word "ThaT" in the last sentence. The same is true in the letter "I" in the second sentence on Cheryls note. Long crosses top and bottom.
In both notes, with the exception of the first "Y" in Cheryls note, the left part of the "y" looks the same. At the very bottom on the left part, they seem to hook in an "L" shape.
Both notes have misspelled words (Cheryls "Mak") (Taras "Marrie")

It would be nice to know the circumstances of when and how Taras note was discovered, and whether others were aware of who this guy may be before she disappeared.
I couldn't make out the name at the bottom. Larry? Gary?
Any other thoughts?

 

[margarita25]

Yes this one is on their radar too. Nothing has linked them yet.

Hmmmmm....

This is important, imo.

Stephanie....

 

[Rocky1]

Mocity,

What about a possible relation to Stephanie Bueller's disappearance?
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/s...8-Houston-8-Sept-1990&p=12973200#post12973200

I just read up on her case, and I would like to know the time of day/night she got that flat tire.
This is why:
All 3 of these cases Cheryl, Tara, and the rape victim happened after the clubs closed.
I see other similarities that I will post, but I'd like to finish reading this entire thread before I comment.

 

[mocity]

Hmmmmm....

This is important, imo.

Stephanie....

Bringing over a map CountingCrows had posted on the Stephanie Buehler thread. Where Stephanies car was found was close to the nightclub Cheryl and Andy had been at earlier in their evening, Bayou Mamas.

 

[Rocky1]

Bringing over a map CountingCrows had posted on the Stephanie Buehler thread. Where Stephanies car was found was close to the nightclub Cheryl and Andy had been at earlier in their evening, Bayou Mamas.

I am adding a map to show the distance between the Mens Club,( where Tara Breckenridge was working the night she disappeared) and where Stephanies car was found.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/29....81aacf9eb50511!2m2!1d-95.4661357!2d29.7335421

The distance is just over 5 miles, on the same road. (Westheimer)
Mocity. I know you said that LE has not connected these cases to your Step Sister, but have they ruled them out?