He either got turned on by the prospect of killing or used the rapes as a way to cover up the true motive which was to murder. He also discarded the knife hed used to kill Bruce. There were very few leads to go on only a hazy physical description from Kim. Lakewood Chief Dan McCasky was among those echoing those sentiments, and mentioned that the Smith family members will be releasing a statement later in the day. I have seen all kinds of evil and wickedness nothing compares to the level of depravity that your actions show in this case, Vahle told Ewing. Bruce and the intruder fought up and down the stairwell, and at some point Bruce was struck multiple times by a hammer. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 What are Dr. Bennett's areas of care? She was found bludgeoned with a hammer, with about 17 wounds to the head. He tore her clothes off, tossed them about the garage, and then he raped her on the concrete floor. Nothing else appeared to be missing. A hammer lay next to her. Jason Bennett, who is understood to be the father of two of the. Vanessa was saved, though she went on the live with permanent physiological affects from the assault. 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. George Brauchler, District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (which includes Aurora), emphasized that this individual is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. Part of our book involves some very in-depth detective and forensic work. The wheels were put into motion to submit dozens of pieces of evidence to the FBI lab. The colossal 1,772-acre South Carolina hunting farm where Maggie and Paul. The police after searching the home believe that the intruder brought his own weapon, a hammer or some other type of blunt object yet, he took a knife from the kitchen which is what he used to slash and cut Bruce with. In just two days, Melissa would turn 8 years old. How do you feel knowing this case was solved? Ronald worked as a pilot. JonBenet was 6 years old when she was reported missing on Dec. 26, 1996, after her family reported finding a ransom note inside their home in the 700 block of 15th Street. Many of his victims were sex workers and transients who had no connection to him. Bruce was 27 years old and Debra was 26 in 1984. 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. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. Add some text book, some psychological profiling and presto, they have a profile. This killers only motive was to kill. Thought to be the work of a serial killer, the crimes have remained unsolved for thirty years. He shouted her name, but she could only groan in response. The 3-year-old sister, Vanessa, was the only survivor. As an adult, she developed a drug habit and became an addict. About a week later, a different hammer was used to kill the Bennetts and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora. 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. Two young boys were asleep in other rooms in the house. Sometime between 1990 and 1992 It was determined that she had been killed sometime between the hours of 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Although she had no memory of the attack, what happened that night in 1984 would negatively impact the rest of her life. 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. Dont you feel cheated a little? Donna was rushed to the hospital while police worked the scene. These crimes in Colorado are this killers first stages at killing a human. The first sign of trouble came in the afternoon, when Patricia failed to pick them up. Its also interesting to note that the first incidence of violence, the Snelling murder, didnt stop him, but he did seem to be gradually slowing down after what appears on the surface to be the 1975 peak. 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. 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. On the night of Jan. 15, a stranger broke into their home and viciously assaulted and attacked the family. It begins with a woman killed with a hammer in Lakewood and, a week later, a family killed the same way in Aurora. Not only was he hanging on the situation for any sign of improvement, but he was afraid that the killer would find out that she survived, might be able to identify him, and might come back to attack her again. Bruce had been attacked with a knife and hit in the head several times with a hammer or blunt object. The police found footprints in the snow that led up to and away from other homes in the same area and on the same street, leading them to believe that the offender was simply looking for an easy opportunity to lash out. Im going to come over and fuck you again. Ewing, who was convicted of the murders on Aug. 6, broke into the family's new home the night of the killings. The couples youngest daughter, 3 year old Vanessa, was also attacked by the hammer wielding assailant. 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. Ewing was convicted of killing 27-year-old Bruce and 26 year-old Debra Bennett, as well as their 7-year-old daughter Melissa, in Aurora. A hammer. If you are just simply looking at it, you miss the most critical and important clues. Patricia missed her husband Oliver, who stayed behind in Nebraska, but she loved being with her daughter and two grandchildren in a bustling city. Designed by Vanessa, now 38 years old, received a call from the Aurora sheriffs department informing her that her parents killer had been identified as 57 year old Alexander Christopher Ewing. Victim #24received a call from a voice that she identified as the EARs. De Ligonnes Family. It was believed that the main garage door was left open throughout the night and that the door leading from the garage to the house was possibly left unlocked. Bruce finally succumbed to his injuries and the family was left vulnerable. Weve been given a hi-resolution copy to share, which you can view by clicking below: Around this time, on this very night 38 years ago, the EAR/GSK beganlaying siege to Goleta, California. Peck Funeral Home assisted the family . Shippers choose our flatbed, step deck, RGN or other specialized trailers to move freight that is too large to be Why was she the lone survivor? Its our hope that something can come from this new push that will finally solve it. 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. It would also be a really good idea to look at troubled or violent teens in the area because I do not believe the killer was over the age of 25. AURORA | Police and prosecutors say they have solved the brutal 1984 hammer slayings of the Bennett family in Aurora, one of the citys most-shocking and tough-to-crack cold cases. During the winter in Colorado its difficult to find a construction crew working well into the night. A photo of the Bennett family. Juliana Kenney, 75, her husband Clayton Kenney, 83, and Mrs. Kenney's 44- year-old daughter, Adrienne Arnot, were beaten and stabbed to . 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. Your email address will not be published. Theyd moved there around Thanksgiving from another place a few miles away, and had so far enjoyed their quiet, developing neighborhood. They do value daylight hours and work them whenever they can during the winter months. Youve done this with other cases to. 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. Listen and Subscribe to The Generation Why Podcast! Before Donna Dixon was even found, another crime had taken place 26 miles to the west in the city of Lakewood. All four of them were attacked inside the home that night, only Vanessa survived. There was blood all over the car. Blood near the front door sent him into a panic. Book Synopsis . Twenty-eight-year-old Donna Dixon, fresh off a shift working as a flight attendant, had been out running some errands. This call is important because not only did it occur during an EAR quiet period, but this attack is connected by DNA. Another resident, Donna Dixon, was also struck with a hammer. Not only was she left with physical injuries and scars as a reminder of the attack, she was also left with ADHD, PTSD and bipolar disorder. Most likely it appears quite small in your browser window simply click on it to enlarge it. Her parents, Bruce and Deborah Bennett, were also killed. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. He'd been in the Navy, where he worked on high-tech sonar equipment at Pearl Harbor. The same night he escaped, he broke into yet another couples house and attacked the male of the home. Your email address will not be published. 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. Kevin Vaughan on Twitter: "NEW TONIGHT: #9WantsToKnow has obtained this mugshot of Alex Christopher Ewing, the suspect in two 1984 hammer murders. If you were living in La Jolla in the early 80s, you knew the Brodericks. 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. Police later linked the murder of the Bennett family with another rape and murder that happened just less than a week before. 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. Most importantly take the need to judge them and all of your own emotions and personal beliefs out of the picture. Autor do artigo Por ; Data do artigo estranged from family and happy; benson funeral home worthington, mn obituaries em bennett family murders address em bennett family murders address I believe he killed again no way he stopped. 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. Investigators did not forget about the hammer murders, however, nor did the town of Aurora. Her body was found in a basement . 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. Ax Handle Attacker Alex Ewing Named Suspect in Bennett Family Murders. Connie's son Bruce, his wife Debra and 7-year-old Melissa were found dead.. 28 year old Bruce Bennett had jumped into action when the attacker entered the family home and a struggle broke out between the two as Bennett attempted to protect his family. It helps bring the other EAR phone escapades into the fold. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Are you suggesting that initially investigators missed certain details based off the profile of the dude? This case impacted not just the victims, but it also terrorized an entire community, he said. DNA at both the Bennett crime Scene and the Smith crime scene were matched to the same killer in 2010. Here are the days of the week the alleged killer struck each victim (s). 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. The victims may not have ever known one another but the killer found them somehow, it was not random although it appears that way. "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.". Determine the level of organization/disorganization of each crime scene. Not only was she left with physical injuries and scars as a reminder of the attack, but she was also left with ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Caller: Do you want fuck? Investigators have been quoted as saying this was a random crime, vicious and random. Nevada inmate accused of Colorado murders says he'll fight extradition. The rapes are secondary crimes. 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. March 14, 2022 5:04pm Updated The Murdaugh family property where a mother and son were found dead lists for $3.9 million. But some states were slow to add DNA to CODIS and the Damn ACLU had to butt its nose into it and doesnt like how some states collect DNA beyond certain felony charges or convictions. In just two days,. There was no sign of Lauer or Phelps. The case got very little press, and unfortunately, it was never solved. "I have seen all kinds of evil and wickedness nothing compares to the level of depravity that your actions show in this case," Vahle told Ewing. 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. In June 2002, former Arapahoe County Colorado, District Attorney Jim Peters obtained a John Doe arrest warrant in the Bennett killings based on the DNA. The family overall lead a very quiet and peaceful life. Bruce and Debra were both probably dead by the time the killer entered Melissas bedroom. She was quickly and carefully taken to the hospital in an ambulance. 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. You got the age closer than the fbi and police you described exactly what the guy was feeling when he was killing them. He usually held his victims captive for a period of time and then released them, but hes suspected of abducting and murdering13-year-oldKarmein Chan in 1991. Vanessa, after a wait of 3 decades received a call from the Aurora sheriffs department informing her that her parents killer had been identified as 57-year-old Alexander Christopher Ewing. Both district attorneys addressed the possibility of capital punishment being on the table, discussing that 1984 laws do seem to allow the possibility, and that its the hardest decision that a DA has to make and it wont be one thats made lightly. Residents here have lived under a dark cloud since Monday, when police found three residents dead in their home. He viciously struck the young child in the head with a hammer. Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein is at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where. After multiple surgeries,Vanessa was saved, though she went on the live with permanent physiological affects from the assault. 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Sole survivor of 1984 Aurora hammer attack testifies on opening day of murder trial They saw her parents killer as a boogeyman who would attack and them and kill them if they went anywhere near little Vanessas home for parties or play dates. Perhaps one of the most famous murders in La Jolla history, the story of Daniel and Linda Broderick's death in 1989 shocked the seaside community and reverberated throughout San Diego. She recently gave an interview, which you can view here (link).. 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 While everyone is looking for a motive it was always looking right back at investigators. Hed been in the Navy, where he worked on high-tech sonar equipment at Pearl Harbor. On the night of Jan. 15, 1984, the Bennett family left their garage door open. In addition to photos and a summary of information, the following points are worth going over: Its also worth noting that the EAR seemed to, at times, receive gratification from tying and retying his victims. 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. They remain married to this day. 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. The couple, especially Ron, wanted to show that their love was truly for better or for worse and that it would survive any challenge. The family got a ride from someone else. She was happy to be home for a while, and eagerly awaiting the next day when her boyfriend, Ronald Holm, would be home.
March 11, 2023