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

[dotr]

Is the perp into numbers for some reason? Does anyone know the balloon colour/s ?
Just giving this a try..
Golf club- resembles a #1
Couple ? $20.00= #2
3 golf balls- #3
4 balloons - #4

 

[Rocky1]

Not only are the balloons a mystery, but so are the boards Cheryl was covered up with.
Where did they come from, and how did the killer(s) and Cheryl end up in that spot?
We know that where they were parked wasn't the so called "Lovers Lane" that MSM talks about and where everyone hung out, but it was down the street some. So, who hung out there? Kids? Why would boards be out in the woods? Did the boards/balloons come from an old fort that kids made? I know that area was being developed. Were the boards new and perhaps kids took a few from a job site?
I'm wondering if there was a trail or a path that the killer(s) walked, and they stumbled upon that particular area where the boards were.
Just throwing out a few thoughts.

 

[Snoods]

I agree. It does seem like the easiest way to solve this crime.
So why wouldn't they do it?
There are only two reasons that I can think of.
1. LE is trying to protect someone, and wants to make sure that this case is never solved.
2. Egos are getting in the way, someone wants to make a name for themselves, and therefore doesn't want anyone else getting the credit for solving such a high profile case.

IMO, this is nothing but a travesty of justice... a slap in the face.

I’m going to set all emotions aside and get down to cold, hard facts. Even though this is certainly a high profile crime, the murders were in 1990. No other murders or rapes have been tied to the perpetrator. (Consider EAR.)

Houston’s police force is notoriously understaffed and there are approximately 300 murders a year here, which they try to solve within the first few days.

Considering it took 19 years to run the DNA collected from the rape victim (definitely a travesty) which was connected to Cheryl’s rapist and murderer, I think it’s just a matter of time.

I have no doubt that it will eventually happen. No doubt. We have no idea what is happening behind the scenes, police aren’t going to tell us. I believe they are working on it.

Cheryl’s Mom’s letter was heartbreaking. Damn, it really broke my heart for her. Her guilt over not letting Cheryl wear her white jacket that night is so gut-wrenching. It just shows what a normal, fantastic mom she is that she feels guilty about such a common mom/ daughter occurrence. I can’t imagine her pain. 30 years and she still carries that guilt with her, oh honey. It makes you a fabulous mom, not a bad mom.

 

[Snoods]

Not only are the balloons a mystery, but so are the boards Cheryl was covered up with.
Where did they come from, and how did the killer(s) and Cheryl end up in that spot?
We know that where they were parked wasn't the so called "Lovers Lane" that MSM talks about and where everyone hung out, but it was down the street some. So, who hung out there? Kids? Why would boards be out in the woods? Did the boards/balloons come from an old fort that kids made? I know that area was being developed. Were the boards new and perhaps kids took a few from a job site?
I'm wondering if there was a trail or a path that the killer(s) walked, and they stumbled upon that particular area where the boards were.
Just throwing out a few thoughts.

I think the staging of the golf balls, balloons, etc. was just to f’ck with everyone. No deeper meaning at all, other than he’s a murdering halfwit. Someone so base probably loves everyone talking about it, like why did he do this or that?

The boards I don’t know. There was a lot of development going on in the surrounding areas so he could have gotten them from a house being built.

I still believe he followed them from Bayou Mama’s.

 

[Tbone144]

Couple of questions I have that I don’t think I missed in the read:
1. Was the club they were at a usual hangout for either one or both? I feel like they were followed from the club after Cheryl caught the killers eye. I think he followed the initial rape victim to her by home and then seized the opportunity either the same night or stalked her until he knew she was alone. I think he followed the victims and seized the opportunity with them being alone in the dark and unaware.
2, I agree 100 yards in the dark is to far to see but not too far to hear. I’m curious if they could tell who was killed first. If Andy was killed first then it was just to get Cheryl alone, just like the other rape victim. If Andy was killed later, he wanted him to hear what was happening. My middle pasture is a bit more than 100 yards. On moonless night I can’t see the back fence line other than the outline of the trees but I can hear my neighbor two houses down water feature in his pool, he’s at least a quarter mile away.
3. What kind of shoes was Cheryl wearing? If they were anything other than sneakers (unlikely club wear) I can see slipping them off to hit a few golf balls. Plus unless they were standing on the pavement, who wants to wear heels in the grass. I know there has been discussion about it being too dark but as a transplant here from rural MN, ND and WY it stays light around Houston especially if there is cloud cover which is possible with the storms indicated that night. I never really thought about it until my friend from Chicago visited and she said she had never been anywhere so dark before. I routinely walk to my barn at night without a flashlight and I’m 25 miles from Houston. On nights with cloud cover I could probably hit a golf ball, especially if I wanted to show off my skill. Akin to hitting a golf ball blindfolded, if he was an avid golfer he may have been trying to impress her. Is the rumored bloody club blood match the perps dna, if it even exists. Tonight with 15.3% of a moon I could see the toes of my boots in the middle of yard on my way to the barn and I can see stars so limited cloud cover (had to look up moon phase, didn’t see it out there). Houston lights up the night sky even 25 miles from it and acts like a nightlight. Unless you have seen the alternative of truly being out away from the city for many miles you don’t realize how much light the city puts off.

 

[SAMS]

Following

 

[Snoods]

Tbone, I’ll try to answer your questions the best I can.

1) Bayou Mama’s was a very popular hangout at the time. I don’t know how often either Cheryl or Andy hung out there, separately or together. Mocity would know. I agree with you that he followed them.

2) I don’t know, but I would guess Andy died first. Eliminate the threat, to be blunt. Especially if he was working alone.

3) I don’t believe they were hitting golf balls. Cheryl ripped the visor from the car as she was trying to save herself from being pulled out and there was blood found on Andy’s seat.

 

[Snoods]

Mocity, you may not want to read this.

Just wanted to add, I do believe Andy willingly let himself be tied to the tree because he was told they wouldn’t die. Cooperate and y’all will live. They were under control of most likely a gun and a knife. Obviously if he knew they were both going to die, what would he have to lose by fighting back as hard as he could?

Cheryl DID put up a fight, which to me means she knew Andy had been murdered and she knew her fate. She had nothing to lose at that point. Poor girl wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

 

[Rocky1]

If I remember right, Andy had just moved to Houston from the Carolinas, so if he did hang at Bayou Mamas, it couldn't have been for more than a few weeks.

 

[Rocky1]

Mocity, you may not want to read this.

Just wanted to add, I do believe Andy willingly let himself be tied to the tree because he was told they wouldn’t die. Cooperate and y’all will live. They were under control of most likely a gun and a knife. Obviously if he knew they were both going to die, what would he have to lose by fighting back as hard as he could?

Cheryl DID put up a fight, which to me means she knew Andy had been murdered and she knew her fate. She had nothing to lose at that point. Poor girl wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

You may be right, but my opinion is that neither went willingly or at least in the beginning. That's why there was blood on the head rest and the visor was pulled off. I believe Andy was either hit with the golf club, or tortured with superficial knife wounds, and was subdued so he'd either stop fighting, or would shut up. I don't believe that he was stabbed in the car because there was only blood on the headrest, and not dripping down the seat.

 

[Rocky1]

Couple of questions I have that I don’t think I missed in the read:
1. Was the club they were at a usual hangout for either one or both? I feel like they were followed from the club after Cheryl caught the killers eye. I think he followed the initial rape victim to her by home and then seized the opportunity either the same night or stalked her until he knew she was alone. I think he followed the victims and seized the opportunity with them being alone in the dark and unaware.
2, I agree 100 yards in the dark is to far to see but not too far to hear. I’m curious if they could tell who was killed first. If Andy was killed first then it was just to get Cheryl alone, just like the other rape victim. If Andy was killed later, he wanted him to hear what was happening. My middle pasture is a bit more than 100 yards. On moonless night I can’t see the back fence line other than the outline of the trees but I can hear my neighbor two houses down water feature in his pool, he’s at least a quarter mile away.
3. What kind of shoes was Cheryl wearing? If they were anything other than sneakers (unlikely club wear) I can see slipping them off to hit a few golf balls. Plus unless they were standing on the pavement, who wants to wear heels in the grass. I know there has been discussion about it being too dark but as a transplant here from rural MN, ND and WY it stays light around Houston especially if there is cloud cover which is possible with the storms indicated that night. I never really thought about it until my friend from Chicago visited and she said she had never been anywhere so dark before. I routinely walk to my barn at night without a flashlight and I’m 25 miles from Houston. On nights with cloud cover I could probably hit a golf ball, especially if I wanted to show off my skill. Akin to hitting a golf ball blindfolded, if he was an avid golfer he may have been trying to impress her. Is the rumored bloody club blood match the perps dna, if it even exists. Tonight with 15.3% of a moon I could see the toes of my boots in the middle of yard on my way to the barn and I can see stars so limited cloud cover (had to look up moon phase, didn’t see it out there). Houston lights up the night sky even 25 miles from it and acts like a nightlight. Unless you have seen the alternative of truly being out away from the city for many miles you don’t realize how much light the city puts off.

That all makes sense to me.
I think he followed them from Bayou Mamas and also the rape victim.
I have had thoughts though in regards to waiting for the rape victim's bf to leave town. The thought has crossed my mind that he may have wanted him to be there so he could witness his gf being raped.
I'm sure there were many single women at Bayou Mamas that night. He had many to choose from. There was something specific about Cheryl and Andy that made him/them choose those two, imo, if indeed they were followed from there.

 

[Snoods]

You may be right, but my opinion is that neither went willingly or at least in the beginning. That's why there was blood on the head rest and the visor was pulled off. I believe Andy was either hit with the golf club, or tortured with superficial knife wounds, and was subdued so he'd either stop fighting, or would shut up. I don't believe that he was stabbed in the car because there was only blood on the headrest, and not dripping down the seat.

Willingly may be the wrong word, more like a deal with the devil if their lives would be spared. I think we are agreeing on this point but in different ways.

Do we know Andy was hit with the golf club or is this speculation? I don’t remember reading this detail, but I could be wrong.

 

[Rocky1]

Willingly may be the wrong word, more like a deal with the devil if their lives would be spared. I think we are agreeing on this point but in different ways.

Do we know Andy was hit with the golf club or is this speculation? I don’t remember reading this detail, but I could be wrong.

No, we don't know if Andy was hit with the golf club. I was speculating when I stated that either he was hit with the golf club, or tortured with superficial knife wounds.
I read somewhere that the golf club had blood on it. I don't remember where.
I think it's fair to say that Andy was wounded somehow, due to the blood on the head rest.

 

[Rocky1]

Willingly may be the wrong word, more like a deal with the devil if their lives would be spared. I think we are agreeing on this point but in different ways.

Do we know Andy was hit with the golf club or is this speculation? I don’t remember reading this detail, but I could be wrong.

You could be right as far as the deal with the devil goes, but imo Andy was struck/cut while still in the car. I may be wrong but my guess is he wouldn't have been touched if he was willing to go unchallenged. Imo, I believe they knew this wasn't going to end well before they left the car. I think if they thought it would end ok that Cheryl wouldn't have fought either.
Again, all speculation on my part.

 

[Snoods]

No, we don't know if Andy was hit with the golf club. I was speculating when I stated that either he was hit with the golf club, or tortured with superficial knife wounds.
I read somewhere that the golf club had blood on it. I don't remember where.
I think it's fair to say that Andy was wounded somehow, due to the blood on the head rest.

Oh yes, definitely he was injured and subdued somehow while in the car. Sorry if I appeared argumentative.

The blood only on the headrest. I don’t know what Andy’s more superficial injuries were before he was walked to the tree. I do think it would be hard to swing a golf club at someone while they were seated inside a car, considering the length of a golf club, the distance the person would have to be away from Andy etc. I don’t believe Andy had any defensive wounds, which puzzles me if true.

Plus the murderer would have had to somehow subdue them both inside the car while perusing the trunk of Andy’s car (Andy would have just driven away, the keys were found in the ignition), found the golf club and then hit him with it.

 

[Snoods]

You could be right as far as the deal with the devil goes, but imo Andy was struck/cut while still in the car. I may be wrong but my guess is he wouldn't have been touched if he was willing to go unchallenged. Imo, I believe they knew this wasn't going to end well before they left the car. I think if they thought it would end ok that Cheryl wouldn't have fought either.
Again, all speculation on my part.

I agree that Cheryl knew it wasn’t going to end well for her. I think she knew what happened to Andy, so she fought for her life.

 

[Rocky1]

Mocity, you may not want to read this.

Just wanted to add, I do believe Andy willingly let himself be tied to the tree because he was told they wouldn’t die. Cooperate and y’all will live. They were under control of most likely a gun and a knife. Obviously if he knew they were both going to die, what would he have to lose by fighting back as hard as he could?

Cheryl DID put up a fight, which to me means she knew Andy had been murdered and she knew her fate. She had nothing to lose at that point. Poor girl wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

If Andy had been murdered before Cheryl put up a fight, that means that Cheryl must have been left in the car while Andy was led in the woods. She couldn't have had her hands tied, because she was able to grab the head rest. The keys were in the ignition meaning she could have driven off while Andy/the killer were in the woods.
That's why I believe there would have had to be two killers. One watching Cheryl, and one watching Andy.

 

[Rocky1]

Oh yes, definitely he was injured and subdued somehow while in the car. Sorry if I appeared argumentative.

The blood only on the headrest. I don’t know what Andy’s more superficial injuries were before he was walked to the tree. I do think it would be hard to swing a golf club at someone while they were seated inside a car, considering the length of a golf club, the distance the person would have to be away from Andy etc. I don’t believe Andy had any defensive wounds, which puzzles me if true.

Plus the murderer would have had to somehow subdue them both inside the car while perusing the trunk of Andy’s car (Andy would have just driven away, the keys were found in the ignition), found the golf club and then hit him with it.

I didn't think you were being argumentative at all. The more thoughts discussed, the better as far as I am concerned. It's anyone's guess because we just don't know what happened.

 

[Rocky1]

Oh yes, definitely he was injured and subdued somehow while in the car. Sorry if I appeared argumentative.

The blood only on the headrest. I don’t know what Andy’s more superficial injuries were before he was walked to the tree. I do think it would be hard to swing a golf club at someone while they were seated inside a car, considering the length of a golf club, the distance the person would have to be away from Andy etc. I don’t believe Andy had any defensive wounds, which puzzles me if true.

Plus the murderer would have had to somehow subdue them both inside the car while perusing the trunk of Andy’s car (Andy would have just driven away, the keys were found in the ignition), found the golf club and then hit him with it.

I think if the killer had a gun he could have subdued them from the rear of the car. Then again, it's my belief there was more than one killer.
If you go back and read post # 703 and #708 I explain why imo.

 

[Snoods]

If Andy had been murdered before Cheryl put up a fight, that means that Cheryl must have been left in the car while Andy was led in the woods. She couldn't have had her hands tied, because she was able to grab the head rest. The keys were in the ignition meaning she could have driven off while Andy/the killer were in the woods.
That's why I believe there would have had to be two killers. One watching Cheryl, and one watching Andy.

Man, I keep going back and forth on that. I have always been one that believes there was only one killer. Singular DNA evidence, previous MO working alone. But he certainly changed his MO from rape to a brutal double murder, right?

Sometimes I think there may have been more than one killer. I think of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.

I also think they both could have been controlled with a gun pointed at their heads. Knock Andy in the head with the gun, go around to Cheryl.

Plus the element of surprise when he approached them. Make them both get out of the car at the same time, then tie up Andy the threat first. Cheryl is defenseless. Even if she ran she didn’t stand a chance.