bennett family murders address
Im your biggest fan. He then found the couples oldest daughter, 7 year old Melissa, who tragically suffered the same terrible fate as her mother. Jun 2004 - 201612 years. . The money was never claimed. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. He further explained the nature of the coordinated and combined effort that contributed to the identification of this suspect, and the initial ease at which the system has thus far moved. Aurora police Chief Nick Metz said the case has haunted the families involved. He likes that violent way of killing so going from a hammer to a gun would be a jump for this killer and simply would not be the first choice for him. Peck Funeral Home assisted the family . Unfortunately, they verified one by one that each family member was deceased. At some point, either when the intruder entered the couples bedroom or before, Bruce was alerted to the intruders presence and a tremendous struggle took place. Photo: 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office A 61-year-old man learned this week he'll die behind prison bars after being sentenced to three consecutive life sentences. The hammer stuck her in the jaw, shattering the bone which splintered in an explosion of small fragments that punctured her windpipe. Being able to track the victim down (the call occurred at her workplace) meant that most likely, he was a free man and had stopped killing of his own volition. Late on Jan. 9 or early on Jan 10, a flight attendant was beaten, possibly with a hammer, and sexually assaulted after she pulled into the garage of her home in Aurora. It seemed that robbery was not the primary motive only the personal jewelry that Patricia was wearing was missing from the scene. Alexander Christopher Ewing is now the behind bars, serving 40 years for two counts of attempted murder in the state of Nevada. Thank you listeners! Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. He was brought to Colorado to face trial for the deaths of the Bennett family. I lost the person who I was supposed to be.. He viciously struck the young child in the head with a hammer. On the night of Jan. 15, 1984, the Bennett family left their garage door open. There was no sign of the couple and theyve never been found. On the night of January 16th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora. There are a few very notable ones, particularly because they occurred during quiet periods where the offender wasnt attacking. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The couple's 3-year-old daughter Vanessa was also beaten but survived with permanent injuries. Sometime between 1990 and 1992 January 10th, 1984 started just like any other day, with Patricia dropping off her daughter and grandkids at work/school. They lived on the other side of the Denver metro area, but their home and Smith's home were both near a main east-west road, Alameda Avenue, leading investigators to suspect the killer used that route. Onsale to General Public. Not one part of this familys life would indicate such a violent predator was going to kill them. Victim #42received a call that she identified as the EAR. Ax Handle Attacker Alex Ewing Named Suspect in Bennett Family Murders. These were quite commonplace, but as folks who havent read my book are learning, there were quite a few instances where he actually spoke with victims, potential victims, or even Law Enforcement. The Bennett family, consisting of Bruce (27), Debra (26), and their two young daughters, Melissa (7) and Vanessa (3), were all attacked inside their Aurora home by a serial killer named Alex. The Bennett Family Murders ~ Aurora, Colorado ~ January 16, 1984 The Bennett family was your average middle class family living the American dream. The jury agreed, and on Aug. 6, 2021, they found Ewing guilty of murder in the three deaths. Your email address will not be published. On night of January 16th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora, Colorado. It is deeper than that. January 16, 1984: Bennett family is attacked in their Aurora, Colorado home with 3 out of the 4 family members murdered by an intruder wielding a hammer. Matthew Nicholas, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, January 20, after being found guilty of 10 counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Other Information Vanessa Bennett sat under a picnic shelter on a muggy Arizona morning and talked for the first time about the physical and emotional toll she bears as the only surviving victim of one of. Currently all 50 states have to collect DNA for certain types of Felony crimes and submit it to CODIS. When they arrived home, they found it very odd that Patricias car was still there and that the television appeared to be on in the upstairs bedroom. On Jan. 4, 1984, a couple in Aurora woke up to see a man in their bedroom who hit each of them with a hammer before fleeing. Denver Post Archive Aurora Coroner's officers and police officers remove one of the three bodies from house at. Just your average everyday normal family. One thing that hasnt been said would be that during the winter in Colorado construction slows and sometimes between Jan-March it slows to a crawl, a lot of guys get laid off or work inconsistently during the week. Im going to come over and fuck you again. Lauers Chevy Nova was later discovered heading AWAY from the beach. As blood poured out of her body, he lifted her up from the bed, unknowingly leaving an imprint from his shirt on her blood-soaked pajamas. The crimes appeared to be sexually motivated, judging by the assaults that occurred on Debra and Melissa. The large hammer was recovered, still on the seat of the car where the attacker had left it. On Sunday, January 15th, 1984, several family members gathered at the Bennett home to have a birthday part for Melissa, who wouldve turned eight on Tuesday. I wouldtear everything down and start over with the evidence, the crime scene and so on. It was dusted for prints, but none were found. The jury found Ewing guilty on. for sure the les should listen to what you say and take another look this is a refreshing take on profiles. James and Kim divorced divorced in the fall of 1987. Police said in a Friday morning press conference that they linked Ewing to the crimes this year shortly after Nevada authorities uploaded his DNA to a national database. He noticed a gaping wound on the left side of her skull. A hammer lay next to her. The Colorado killings followed two other attacks near Denver that either involved or were suspected of involving a hammer. She was also left with a shattered pelvis and fell into a coma. On the night of Jan. 15, a stranger broke into their home and viciously assaulted and attacked the family. Ewing has been behind bars in Nevada since the summer of 1984 after he escaped there while being transported to Kingman, Arizona, from St. George, Utah, for a court appearance on attempted murder and burglary charges. The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were found in the desert near Victorville, California, on November 13, 2013. We offer a suite of trucking and specialized logistics services, from flatbed and step deck trucking, driveaway, manufactured housing transport and RV delivery to 3PL/4PL logistics, customs brokerage . Murders at this level are not just random. I didnt just lose my parents and my sister, she said. Alex Christopher Ewing Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle sentenced Alex Christopher Ewing, 61, for killing the couple and their 7-year-old daughter in 1984. When a telephone call came for Steve Bennett on the afternoon of July 4, 1985, his daughter, Whitney, opened her bedroom window to summon her father, who was outside watering the front yard. Between 9 p.m. January 15, 1984 and 10 a.m. January 16, 1984, twenty-seven year old Bruce Bennett, his twenty-six year old wife, Debra and their seven year old daughter Melissa, were brutally murdered inside their home located in the 16300 Block of East Center Drive. Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle spoke directly to Ewing before announcing the sentence. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Why did they have to get murdered? De Ligonnes Family. There was no sign of forced entry into the home, some articles you come across say that the killer entered through an unlocked garage door. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Bruce was 27 years old and Debra was 26 in 1984. Why was she the lone survivor? Forensic evidence was hard to retrieve due to the decomposed state of the bodies, but its been reported that the two may have been stabbed to death. The case got very little press, and unfortunately, it was never solved. Ewing, 23 at the time, killed the 27-year-old husband and his 26-year-old wife, as well as their daughter, inside their Aurora home. It was Monday evening, January 9th, 1984. Bruce Alan Bennett was twenty-seven years old. When she first woke up, she had the mentality of a two-year old. She had to relearn how to talk and couldnt speak a full sentence for almost six months. When he arrived in Aurora almost four years ago Metz said he spoke to detectives about the citys cold cases and this one, which he said shocked the conscience of the community, stuck with him. Begins: Fri, 03/03/23 10:00 AM EST. Required fields are marked *. They ended up determining that Armour had been killed, and the Fresno Bee (along with the Fresno Guarantee Savings and Loan Association) set aside $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of her killer. ~The very same day, a man using a hammer attacked flight attendant Donna Dixon in the garage of her Aurora home, leaving her in a coma. The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. During the rape series, he primarily used shoelaces. Now She's Speaking Out, Mass. He picked all of his victims for a reason, something about them attracted him to them, they all had one common denominator that drew him to those specific individuals. This was the end of the first day of what would become a futile week-long dig for the body of Keith Bennett, who was 12 years old in 1964 when he was killed by the Moors murderers, Ian Brady and . If they were used shoelaces, youd expect to find a vast array of particles and wear-and-tear. A man accused of murdering a mother and three children has also been charged with raping one of the victims, who was 11. This phone call occurred 25 years after the attack. He finds his release from the level of pain he inflicts on the victim, the level of violence he is able to achieve. Constance Bennett, the mother of murder victim Bruce Bennett, is questioned defense attorney Katherine Powers Spengler during Alex Ewing's murder trial, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in an Arapahoe County Court in Centennial, Colo. Ewing is accused of killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora in January 1984. With time, multiple surgeries, and the support of her extended family, Vanessa began to recover from her physical injuries but living a normal life after losing both her parents to a murderer who had yet to be captured and convicted made childhood difficult. Your email address will not be published. The court heard how . The killer pummeled and sexually assaulted his 26-year-old wife, Debra, and 7-year-old daughter, Melissa. From 1987 to 1991, a serial offender known as Mr Cruel abducted children around Melbourne, Australia. The force of the impact threw her head into the steering wheel. A life sentence feels too light, but that is the most the justice system can offer. I would not limit the list to any type of profession or lack of any type of profession until suspects can be eliminated. The Military also submits DNA for specific types of crimes committed by its members. The same night he escaped, he broke into yet another couples house and attacked the male of the home. Dont you feel cheated a little? Camper explained that the CBI does a nightly check of all of their profiles against the CODIS system, and at that point, in early July, there was a match. Her purse was found nearby some money had been stolen from it. But thanks to modern technology and the incredible talent and dedication of several individuals, it seems this case has finally been solved. Bruce Bennett ~ 27 ~ Found Murdered January 16, 1984 Debra Bennett ~ 26 ~ Found Murdered, Sexually Assaulted January 16, 1984 Melissa Bennett ~7 ~ Found Murdered, Sexually Assaulted January 16, 1984 Fourth Crime Scene The Ramsey family, who originally bought the . July 5, 1985 Survivor In Sierra Madre. No other motive like robbery could be found as the only items missing were the knife used to cut Bruce and Debras purse, yet the contents of the purse were strewn in the front yard. While meeting with the families in regards to this case reopened many old wounds and horrific memories, the Aurora Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the 18th Judicial District, and the 1st Judicial District is committed to seeing that justice is served in this case. Laid out in this manner, not only can you see the ratio of prowlings to ransackings, but you can get a feel for any patterns that mightve occurred, and you can clearly see when he was most active and when he was dormant. Profiling like that is a great place to start, yet it can also mean that its a great place to leave a crime long enough that it goes cold. This generated a buzz of discussion, with victims and family wondering why this information wasnt released sooner, and online sleuths pouring over leads such as previous offenders named Richard, different water company uniforms looked at, and even eyes turned toward folks who were associated with a Canadian town/military base called Petawawa in Ontario. The husband then got a lock for the gate and made sure their house was locked and secure. Never profile someone using the box as your guide. Second Crime Scene Long Prairie, Minn. Long Prairie is a town of about 3,000 people in central Minnesota's Todd County. There was no way, given the samples that we have, to determine whether the voices match or not. He took Debras purse and went out the front door, then dumped the contents out onto the snow. 26 miles away from the Smith murder, but very close to the other incidents, the Bennett family was still settling into their new home on East Center Drive in Aurora, Colorado. It would be nearly twenty-four hours total before she was found. Dont profile by LOOKING AT the behavior in an attempt to findclues to his or her psychology in an effort toaid in capturing a criminal. Bennett Family Then, just as the community was reeling from this attack, 50-year-old Patricia Smith became a murder victim at her Lakewood, Colorado, home on January 10, 1984. The Visalia Ransacker, a unique brand of offender who terrorized a very small area of California for a period of over two years, caught my attention a long time ago due to the cases possible association with the East Area Rapist. It could be the store they all shopped in, the road that they all traveled daily to and from work, school, library they attended etc. The 2001 call didnt happen too long ago and makes it a little too close for comfort, though theres something positive to be said for the idea that the offender could still be alive and could still face justice for his crimes. Ewings DNA profile was entered into CODIS (the FBI's database) this year (2018 as I write this) and the following morning his profile was matched to the DNA found at the crime scenes of both the Bennett family and Patricia Smith. EAR brought his own ligatures to almost every attack he didnt rely exclusively on what was found at the scene. Constance entered the home, encountered the grisly scene, and immediately dialed the authorities. On November 7, 2014, police announced they had arrested Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph . Thankfully, this community, these families and everyone impacted by the horrific crimes now knows this defendant will never hurt anyone ever again., 2022 - DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE 18 JUDICIAL DISTRICT, Murderer of Auroras Bennett family sentenced to life in prison, Victim Impact Statement and Restitution Information, Bad Check Restitution Program DISCONTINUED, Senior Law & Safety Summit: May 21, 2022, Peace Officer Credibility Disclosure Notification. By far, easier prey lay in wait just north which would be Colfax Ave and at the time might not have hit the news like the murder of the Bennett family did had the crime occurred in a neighborhood more near Colfax. The bludgeoned bodies of husband and wife, Bruce and Debra Bennett, were discovered and it soon became evident that both were attacked with a knife and beaten to death. The previous week, on the 10th of January,awoman in her fifties named Patricia Smith had also been murdered in her own home in a townhouse in Green Mountain, Lakewood, which is just a 25 minute drive from the Bennetts home in Aurora. She slumped over onto the passenger seat. For over thirty years, this killer has remained unidentified. Upon the capture of a suspect in the Golden State Killer case, Conner again turned to genealogical databases. The case got a jolt in 2009 when a retired FBI photographer used graphic images from the crime scenes during a class lecture. He usually tied them so tightly that circulation was restricted, used the same types of knots, and would often have the wife tie up the husband (and then retie the husband himself). Nevada court records show a jury found Ewing, under the name Alex C. Ewing, was guilty of escaping from the custody of two Arizona sheriffs deputies at a gas station in Henderson, Nevada, southeast of Las Vegas on Aug. 9, 1984, and entering an unlocked home and severely beating a woman and her husband with an ax handle in their bedroom. Two young boys were asleep in other rooms in the house. The killer was never brought to justice. There wasnt anything notable stolen from the scene, and the attack had all the hallmarks of a random crime. Patricia Smith had been laid straight, her arms crossed over her chest as if on display in a funeral home. She was also raped. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Theyd been strangled, their throats had been slashed, and rope marks were found on their necks and wrists. For the first time, Stetson Bennett is publicly addressing his January arrest for public intoxication in Texas. I write about old, unsolved cases from the pre-DNA era. This killer is indiscriminate in terms of who he kills, attacks or rapes. This phone call came just two days after the breaking news that the East Area Rapist crimes had been tied by DNA to the murders in Southern California. I didnt hear it mentioned in the press conference, but forensic genealogist incidentally identified the correct surname of the alleged killer: Ewing. This information was released in an episode of On the Case with Paula Zahn earlier this year. He reminded the public that John Doe warrants had been filed based on the DNA profile of the killer back in 2002, and mentioned that the John Doe charges have been updated to Alex Christopher Ewings name. ", She added: "I lost my sanity. Like all of the EARONS victims, they were taken from this earth far too soon. She was happy to be home for a while, and eagerly awaiting the next day when her boyfriend, Ronald Holm, would be home. A murder probe has opened after four people were found dead at the address yesterday, with . The Bennett family was your average middle class family living the American dream. The next thing Donna remembered was waking up naked in the garage. He also appealed to other district attorneys and lawmakers who might be watching (singling out Montana briefly) to change their DNA collection laws and practices and to begin participating in CODIS. Her nude body was found over a week later in the Friant-Kern Canal near Woodlake an area located northeast of Visalia and a fair distance away from where shed disappeared. SOMERVILLE Sandra G. Bennett, 76, died March 2, 2023. The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. With time, multiple surgeries and the support her extended family, Vanessa began to recover from her physical injuries, but living a normal life after losing both her parents to a murderer who had yet to be captured and convicted made childhood difficult. He used two methods, and announced a few weeks ago that hed struck out with his first attempt. It was a blitz attack for no reason, said Marvin Brandt, who investigated the case as a homicide detective between 1984 and when he retired from the Aurora Police Department in 2002. The four of them lived together in a townhome off of West Bayaud Avenue. The 1982 call is important, because the offender hadnt killed for over a year, and it was thought that he mightve been incarcerated. Bruce and Debra Bennett lived with their daughter Melissa and younger daughter, Vanessa. I only do research and leave active investigation of these cases to professionals. Constance, her grandmother, immediately set up a vigil (which she kept up for days) as the paramedics, nurses and doctors worked feverishly to save the girls life. The childs skull was caved in on the right side of her forehead and a metal plate was inserted to reshape the skull, she suffered severe injuries to her head, jaw and neck. The killer was practicing, he was unsure of himself and he was unsure of the weapon he would eventually use. The colossal 1,772-acre South Carolina hunting farm where Maggie and Paul. Prosecutors brought their case against Alex Christopher Ewing to a close using a detailed walkthrough of genetic evidence to show that his DNA was found inside the home where three members of an Aurora family were murdered in January 1984. The fact that the murders took place between Highline Canal and the Alameda Corridor is curious, in fact, I am drawn to this fact about the case more so than any other fact. Connie's son Bruce, his wife Debra and 7-year-old Melissa were found dead.. I also believe he continued to kill peeps because he is so violent he couldnt have just stopped. Lauer and Phelps disappeared on Labor Day weekend while on their way to Virginia Beach. See them as the killer did, see the victims as the killer did at that moment. Its unfortunate le didnt get him back then. When he did use something at the scene (electrical cord, towel, husbands shoelaces, necktie) it was only to supplement the ligatures that he had brought himself. And I hate what I had to go through and still go through. Blood was all over the garage floor. Your email address will not be published. There was evidence of a struggle in the bedroom. Detective Steve Conner has investigated this case for many years, taking over from an investigator named Marv Brandt. Which is why a more beneficial profile from the onset is more important in fact, its critical. Report of July 5, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Report of July 21, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Jury returns guilty verdict in mass shooting at Aurora man sentenced to decades in prison for Man sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for Parolee and former Scout leader with history of Lone Tree bowling alley shooter sentenced to 23 Report of March 3, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Colorado District Attorneys Council honors trial team for Jury finds man guilty in former CU football Report of July 5, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Aurora, Report of July 21, 2022 officer-involved shooting in Englewood, Man sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for murdering couple who responded to advertisement for used car. Evidence of wounds caused by a blade revealed that Bruce attempted to defend himself as the intruder swiped and slashed at him with a knife. Bruce and the intruder fought up and down the stairwell, and at some point Bruce was struck multiple times by a hammer. It took 37 years, but on Tuesday, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served. Although she had no memory of the attack, what happened that night in 1984 would negatively impact the rest of her life. Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. He was currently working at a family-owned furniture store, but was taking classes at the local college and would soon be working as an air traffic controller.
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