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. Flatbed Trucking Company Bennett Motor Express is the premier open deck general freight carrier in the US. Wedged between the bed and the wall was three-year-old Vanessa, choking of fragments of her own jaw bone and barely clinging to life. A coworker informed Bruces mother, Constance, about their absence. The couple, especially Ron, wanted to show that their love was truly for better or for worse and that it would survive any challenge. All rights reserved. Recently, the Sun-Gazette has reported that Joseph DeAngelo, the man arrested for the Visalia Ransacker / Golden State Killer crimes, has been added to the suspect list. The last family member left around 9:00 PM. How did you know? The guy here fit the profile you provided over that of the fbi. Medical professionals werent sure if the hammer attack would leaveVanessa with permanent brain damage or not, but the girls family held on to the hope that she would make a full recovery. Coincidence is just an illusion that we all tell ourselves myself included, when we are unable to explain how something actually came to be. Advancements in DNA evidence led investigators to a match with Ewing and samples collected from the crime scene as well as one of the victims 34 years later. He is awaiting extradition to Colorado, police and prosecutors announced Friday. While everyone is looking for a motive it was always looking right back at investigators. Even to this day, she has absolutely no recollection of the next several hours. "There is no punishment that is too harsh for you and I will do everything in my power to make sure you never draw a free breath ever again.". Dont profile by. 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 He then found the couples oldest daughter, 7 year old Melissa, who tragically suffered the same terrible fate as her mother. Bruce had mentioned wanting to run to the store before bed. ~Then on Jan. 10, 1984, someone used a hammer to strike 50-year-old Patricia Louise Smith several times in the head in her Lakewood home thus killing her sometime between 3pm and 5pm. They are asking tipsters who know anything about the Aurora case to call 303-739-6400 and the Lakewood case to call 303-763-6800. He faced six counts of first-degree murder. The killer had doused the vehicle with fuel in an apparent attempt to incinerate the crime scene, but apparently failed to start a fire. Is it not true that you usually get police closer to a suspect faster than they ever could without using dna? It was taken in Arizona 11 days after the attack. Ewing, then 23, was arrested again two days later about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away by park rangers at Lake Mead. There was evidence of a struggle in the bedroom. 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. I also believe he continued to kill peeps because he is so violent he couldnt have just stopped. A brief question and answer session involved the police asking any residents or witnesses to come forward with anything they might know in relation to these crimes so that the prosecution can continue to build its case. His wife, Debra, was sexually assaulted and bludgeoned. Become a Patreon Supporter for bonus content! Ewing is arrested and incarcerated. He tossed it onto the seat of the car and began pulling her from the vehicle. Note: We cover the Armour case and the other Visalia Ransacker crimes in our new book, Secret Origin of the Golden State Killer: Visalia Ransacker. Her parents, Bruce and Deborah Bennett, were also killed. As she turned to leave the car, she felt a tremendous blow on the left side of her head. Because of these phone calls, we can start to determine whether the offender was incarcerated or not at certain times (most likely he wasnt), and even where he lived due to the locations of the victims during the time period that he called them. How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator in India? Furthermore, the loving grandmother had been sexually assaulted. She was quickly and carefully taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I wouldtear everything down and start over with the evidence, the crime scene and so on. The truck was in a designated parking area with the radio and windshield wipers turned on. In just two days,. During the rape series, he primarily used shoelaces. The killer also may have completely changed his MO from victim type to weapon used, to less grisly murdering, became better at leaving no DNA behind Because he committed the murders in Colorado during his learning phase if you will it is difficult to determine what he went on to be if anything. Bruce worked at the family-owned furniture store and was also taking classes to become an air traffic controller. SOMERVILLE Sandra G. Bennett, 76, died March 2, 2023. The previous week, on the 10th of January, a woman 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 minutes drive from Bennets home in Aurora. For over thirty years, this killer has remained unidentified. Add some text book, some psychological profiling and presto, they have a profile. 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. A hammer. He went into the process of requesting extradition of the suspect, with the request soon going to the governors office and the process taking up to a couple of months. Ewing, 57, has also been charged with murder for the slaying of a Lakewood grandmother a few weeks prior to the Bennett killings, a crime police linked to the Bennett murders in 2010 through DNA. I write about old, unsolved cases from the pre-DNA era. James, who posts online from time to time, discusses how vividly the case still haunts him even to this day. On the night of January 16th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora. He viciously struck the young child in the head with a hammer. Her purse was found nearby some money had been stolen from it. The jury found Ewing guilty on all counts. On the night of November 15th, 1974, a fifteen-year-old Visalia-area girl named Jennifer Lynn Armour disappeared while on her way to a local football game. Theres no such thing as coincidence. This killeris more the type that would self medicate more than likely be a heavy drinker as opposed to taking medication. In 2011, Agnes Dupont de Ligonnes and her four children, ages 13 to 21, were shot and killed with a .22 rifle with a silencer on it while asleep in their beds in Western France, along with their two Labradors. Law enforcement today is actually better than it was then. 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. Yvonne Missy Woods, a DNA analyst at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was the last of 25 prosecution witnesses called to the stand in Ewings trial on multiple counts of first-degree murder in the hammer killings of Bruce and Debra Bennett and their daughter, Melissa. As she got older, unresolved anger issues caused Vanessa to clash with her grandmother who had become her primary caretaker after the death of her parents. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. You see it in the last known crime that the killer committed. Theyd moved there around Thanksgiving from another place a few miles away, and had so far enjoyed their quiet, developing neighborhood. Read more true crime, cold cases and unsolved mysteries from meHERE<<. Vanessa Bennett was shocked to receive the phone call identifying the man who murdered her entire family and attempted to murder her in 1984and admits it hasnt quite sunk in. James and Kim divorced divorced in the fall of 1987. The Bennett family was attacked in their home in Aurora, Colorado in Jan. 16,1984. The crimes appeared to be sexually motivated, judging by the assaults that occurred on Debra and Melissa. Determine the level of organization/disorganization of each crime scene. EAR brought his own ligatures to almost every attack he didnt rely exclusively on what was found at the scene. Investigators noted there was evidence of a struggle at the house. Since they could find no signs of forced entry, police felt that the killer entered through the unlocked door and attacked her. Currently all 50 states have to collect DNA for certain types of Felony crimes and submit it to CODIS. ~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. What we do know is that he likes the level of violence a blunt object signifies. DENVER- The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. Later autopsies would reveal that the Bennetts had died due to blunt force trauma and that their attacker had likely used a hammer. Residents here have lived under a dark cloud since Monday, when police found three residents dead in their home. Photo: 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images, Inside Idaho Murder Suspect's Alleged Chat Room Posts: I Can Do 'Whatever I Want with Little Remorse', Chilling Details Revealed as Probable Cause Affidavit is Released in University of Idaho Murder Case, 'Why Did You Kill My Daddy? Blood near the front door sent him into a panic. He shouted her name, but she could only groan in response. As one of the investigations were doing for the book,we hired an audio expert to do some work on the three recordings attributed to EAR: The dumb fuckers call, the Is Ray there? call, and the Gonna Kill You call. Ewing massacred a family but left a key to his identity, Chief Deputy District Attorney Garrik Storgaard told the jury. Tabernacle. Victims: Daniel Lauer (21) and Annamaria Phelps (18). Patricia still wore her sweater and boots, but her jeans were pulled down. The next thing Donna remembered was waking up naked in the garage. He faced six . The other kids at school would tease her, telling her the hammer man was going to come and finish her off. There were reportedly no signs of robbery or sexual assault both women were clothed and their purses were still with them. She was also left with a shattered pelvis and fell into a coma. An autopsy found that Debra died from blunt force trauma. 21-year-old Polish national, Julia Faustyna, claims to be Madeleine McCann- the story so far, CCTV Footage from New Jersey Gas Station Shows Woman Escaping Alleged Captor, Two men arrested in connection with the 1975 murder of Indiana teenager Laurel Jean Mitchell. The press conference panel continually emphasized the destruction that this case has left on the lives of those affected. More details will be forthcoming in the case as more is learned about the alleged killer and an affidavit is circulated containing the evidence used to charge him with these crimes. The prosecution compared the Bennett family murders to another murder where a woman, Patricia Smith of Lakewood, was also murdered with a hammer earlier that same month. 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. Other attacks had occurred off of this main road, and its believed that the killer couldve entered the area from that point. Investigators did not forget about the hammer murders, however, nor did the town of Aurora; for years the authorities and true crime sleuths never gave up trying to identify the sick individual responsible for the murders and assaults that happened that year. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and the murder weapon? The caller whispered harshly into the phone, saying You know who this is or Do you know who this is? The victim was on the line with him for about a minute. Third Crime Scene I would re-profile the killer, re-examine the details of each victims daily life, re-examine the suspect pool, re-examine the crime scenes without any emotion whatsoever. 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. In just two days, Melissa would turn 8 years old. Rather than wait until 2019 when the book will be published, we thought wed at least share the results with you. The prints taken from the Bennett crime scene were fuzzy and not usable, the concrete floor they took that had a footprint would be unusable at this point. 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. All rights reserved. He knew he was going to kill the family, Father, Mother and Children, so he clearly wasnt afraid to go after a man and thought he would be able to easily kill a man. Youve done this with other cases to. 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. Victim #14received a phone call from a man who whispered Remember when we played? She positively identified the man as the voice of the East Area Rapist. Whatever the case, this person was in and around this area for at least the first part of January and most likely stayed in the area during that time. Investigators did not forget about the hammer murders, however, nor did the town of Aurora. They need renewed media attention. This phone call occurred 25 years after the attack. Date: September 19th/22nd, 1987 The couple's 3-year-old daughter Vanessa was also beaten but survived with permanent injuries. A hammer lay next to her. Over 200 Million Downloads! During the winter in Colorado its difficult to find a construction crew working well into the night. Alexander Ewings list of seemingly endless violent crimes are described throughout the many articles published about him since he has been identified as the man behind the murder of the Bennett family. Its quite possible that she wasnt even conscious for any of it. 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, Vanessa Bennett ~ 3 ~ Found Alive,Jaw Crushed, Severly Beaten About the Face. It, and the floor around it, was soaked in blood. Although she had no memory of the attack, what happened that night in 1984 would negatively impact the rest of her life. Thankfully, this community, these families and everyone impacted by the horrific crimes now knows this defendant will never hurt anyone ever again.". Now we know that Patricia's murder is connected to the Bennett Family murders in Aurora, Colorado. They were living in Aurora and planned to make a life together there. Nevada inmate accused of Colorado murders says he'll fight extradition. This is a very unique activity, and it helps tie the EARONS crimes together based on M.O. 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. There wasnt anything notable stolen from the scene, and the attack had all the hallmarks of a random crime. 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. 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 Military also submits DNA for specific types of crimes committed by its members. Debra was savagely beaten to death with a hammer. On November 7, 2014, police announced they had arrested Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph . The victim was fifty-year-old Patricia Louise Smith. Toward the end of that series and during the murders, he began experimenting with different types of bindings plastic ties, twine, drapery cord, etc. There are potentially other crimes that Ewing could be charged for, and Brauchler emphasized that he wont prosecute a crime that he cant ethically prove theres a high standard for evidence in these types of cases. The jury found Ewing guilty on. Victims: David Knobling (20) and Robin Edwards (14) Bruce and Debra Bennett lived with their daughter Melissa and younger daughter, Vanessa. Read on to learn about the devastation and challenges faced in this crime series, the investigative leads that were undertaken, and the tremendous news that closure is within reach. One of the signature trademarks of an EAR/GSK attack was the use of ligatures. Victims: Richard Keith Call (20) and Cassandra Lee Hailey (18) The husband then got a lock for the gate and made sure their house was locked and secure. For years the authorities and true crime sleuths never gave up trying to identify the sick individual responsible for the murders and assaults that happened that year.