Before 10:45 AM, four customers, the stores manager, and a part-time employee were taken to the back of the Lane Bryant store located at the Brookside Marketplace shopping mall. [CDATA[ If you had told me that moment that I'd have the kind of life I have now, I would have never believed it. McPherson quickly pleaded guilty in November 1991 and was sentenced to life in prison. Carrie's parents took up residence in a Jasper motel. My sister had a minor role in this. She was alone with Carrie for a long time when they were holding her and she got to know her and still didnt let her go, she said. In 1997, a prison inmate claimed he had first-hand knowledge of the case. The case of Jack Kelly made things a little interesting. Harris was found in the front room in a pool of her own blood. And, of course, there were people who thought Lawson was somehow involved in Carrie's abduction. Harriett Smith died about eight years ago, and Smith, now 82, has since remarried. Concealed in the ransom bag was another beeper, which would allow agents to follow the kidnapper. If you have any information on an unsolved murder, you can make an anonymous phone call to the LowcountryCrimeStoppers at 843-554-1111. "I still don't know why they didn't arrest him. . November 20, 2020 / 6:33 AM "Macarena" by Los Del Ro was also the No. Sadly, Senac died in 1999 due to complications from the shooting. After more than two decades, different potential leads in the case have grabbed headlines, but formal charges have never been brought against a single suspect. Mobile County Sheriffs Office Capt. During the stakeout, Bland, his wife and two daughters slept on mattresses in the living room, ducking when police lights bore into their windows. Christmas is usually a time of good cheer, good food, and good times spent with family. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Police investigated both McLeod and Elbert Walker (Cliffs cousin, who was known to be a hothead) but decided that both men were innocent. He just wants to know what happened. One of the voices was determined to be Jerry Bland, and the other McPherson. Those with information into this or any other cases are asked to call VCU at (205) 464-8690, the Tuscaloosa Police Department at (205) 349-2121, or CrimeStoppers at (205) 752-STOP (7867). The cases are not forgotten, not collecting dust and not being ignored. Sells was executed in 2014. "Having somebody kidnapped was the last thing you could ever think of.". To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Given the suspects strange features and supposedly awkward gait, some have proffered the idea that the killer was a woman disguised as a man. The FBI took heavy criticism for its handling of the case. All rights reserved (About Us). The couple got dressed and jumped into their Ford Explorer parked in the carport. With no football fans or tourists in town, the cool but clear fall weekend had been a relatively uneventful one for Tuscaloosa. "I've always admired my dad so much -- he just keeps plugging on. The intensity lasted for about six weeks, but ultimately the FBI and other agencies pulled out. Some of the cases remain unsolved. Karen McPherson, left, is serving a life sentence in the 1991 disappearance of Walker County lawyer Carrie Lawson, whose body has never been found. Inside the trailer, the police found a veritable house of horrors. At around 2:00 AM on June 29, 1978, three gunmen entered a Boston bar called Blackfriars. You lose your future, and also your connection to the past.". Jamol Horton actually helped do the foundation for my house and some of my friends homes, Mitchell said, He also coached my son in little league football.. (Photo courtesy of McPherson's family). Indeed, the victims were nearly decapitated by their killer. He drove away with Carrie as Lawson assured himself she would be OK. She had to be OK. "Back in 1991, nobody got kidnapped. Then, at that moment, the alleys mechanic, 26-year-old New Mexico State University student Steven Teran, arrived with his daughter and stepdaughter in tow. Still, Bland didn't know that and called off the drop. RELATED: Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham And Why Police Have Yet To Find Her Killer Alabama. It was early that Tuesday morning -- about 4:30 a.m. -- that agents reported hearing a single gunshot inside Bland's home. The potential suspect was described to then-Homicide Unit Commander Capt. and last updated 2018-11-20 09:26:20-05. The bodies were not found until the following day. (WSAV) - There are 42 unsolved murder cases in Jasper County dating from 1979 to 2018. ", Lawson concedes there might have been mistakes during the investigation, but, "To a T, those guys gave 200 percent every day, every minute. In 2000, the Smiths met with FBI agents and pleaded with them to reopen the case, but were told all leads had been exhausted. Over the years, weve added more names because unfortunately, weve lost more people, he said. Upon further investigation, the employee found $500 missing, along with four other employees. Despite Bland's death, and McPherson's swift arrest on first-degree kidnapping charges, the searches for Carrie continued by hundreds, if not thousands. '&charset='+document.characterSet : '')); Jasper, AL 35501 205-221-2840 Follow us. Other theories about the case include a scorned, jealous husband or boyfriend (all three men had an ongoing bet about who could sleep with the most women) and the local mob. document.write (document.charset ? Simpson had just ended in early October 1996, but remained fresh in the public psyche and dominated . " Lawson said of Bland. He still responds to tips, and continues to fight against parole for McPherson, most recently in August. However, the true motives behind these horrid crimes may never be known, given their unsolved character. I honestly believe the trauma exacerbated my mother's Alzheimer's, and it certainly broke all of our hearts," Kubiszyn said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. "It's stuff like that that gets you through. First of all, Sheriff Perry Johnson told the press that the scene inside of the Hair Gallery was horrific and that all three victims throats had been cut deeply. Detectives theorized at the time that the killer or killers had run out of ammunition. Jones claimed. The Smith family also has long thought there were more than Bland and McPherson involved, as does McPherson's family. document.write ("<\/scr"+"ipt>"); There are families that need answers, and your information may be the key to solving these cases. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Its not quite as prevalent in the county with two unsolved cases on the books. His wife, Sheila, who has since moved out of Alabama, was McPherson's cousin. For a while, Hinson and Gierse had worked for Records Security, a company based in Jasper, Indiana. He wasn't arrested then, however, but FBI instead staked out the house throughout the weekend. Investigators found that Glenna, John, and Dana had been bound with white medical tape and appliance wire, and all three had suffered stab wounds along with being bludgeoned and strangled. This man served his county, came home, and These three would be overpowered and shot dead by the gunmen. A popular theory has it that ex-cons Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, the main villains in Truman Capotes In Cold Blood, actually carried out the murders. The murder of the 38-year-old mother is profiled in an episode of Netflixs reboot of the classic Unsolved Mysteries that points to Alabama Death Row inmate Jeremy Bryan Jones as a possible suspect. "Detectives met with Whited who reenacted the crime to detectives and provided corroborated information about the murder," the statement said. Hell talk about killing a person like its a 10-point buck.. Jeremy Bryan Jones is shown Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 during the sentencing phase of his capital murder trial in Mobile, Ala.. Judge Charles Graddick gave him the death sentence. TUSCALOOSA, AL The highly-publicized trial of football star and accused murderer O.J. I always felt like he had this deep-seated feeling that he failed Carrie because he couldn't protect her," she said. Lawson moved away from Jasper about eight months later, joining a Birmingham law firm and renting an apartment in the city. Under the FBI's direction, Lawson wore a directional beeper to let agents follow him as he made the drop. "And her lawyers called that night and said she was taking her story back. ", "What has been taken from me personally is immeasurable," said Carrie's sister, Margaret Smith Kubiszyn. "I needed to start over. The Walker family of Osprey, Florida, included father Cliff (25 years old), mother Christine (24 years old), a son named Jimmie (three years old), and a daughter named Debbie (two years old). Making an arrest in these cases, helps families, it gives them some kind of closure, but it will never completely heal, Mitchell said. According to the newspaper's account, the girlfriend "heard a pop" and turned to see Jowers on the ground near his car, roughly 40-50 feet away. The note, however, left no clues on Carrie's whereabouts. Glenna was found naked from the waist down and gagged with a blue bandana and her own panties. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Pence won't commit to supporting Trump if he's the nominee, 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story". The case file on Brown remains what it . The family hired private investigator W.W. "Red" Self, a former Birmingham police officer and district attorney's office investigator, a few months after the investigation and he stayed on the case until his death. Its not the type of place where famous people live or where news is made every day. To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. Use at your own risk. [10] Keiths body would not be found until the next day. if (document.MAX_used != ',') document.write ("&exclude=" + document.MAX_used); Brynn Rainey, 27, vanished . Instead, immediately call the Walker County Sheriff's Department at 205-302-4874. The newborn girl was pulled into the world and then summarily beaten to death. "The FBI was taping the call, but the tape recorder was turned off," Kubiszyn said. Last updated January 26, 2023. document.write ("&loc=" + escape(window.location)); If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Namely, members of Bostons underworld frequented Blackfriars, and on the night in question, several men in the bars basement were busy playing a game of backgammon when they were fired upon. Twenty-four-year-old Robert Bruce Springsteen and 25-year-old Michael James Scott were the only two to go to trial, and both men were convicted on flimsy DNA evidence. "And still do," Lawson said. The first man suspected was Ted Uland, the owner of Records Security. Then, when the police arrived, they found two more bodies in the utility room at the back of the store. "He had a mask on and told us to get out. "It was amazing to watch. Investigators deduced that the attack had been part of a robbery, and the attacker had opened fire after McFarland managed to call 911. In 2019, there were 39 murders in Montgomery County, Alabama. On Saturday, Sept. 28, 1991, federal agents searched Bland's home. McPherson was the "nurse" who made the call, and she dropped Bland off at the Lawson home to carry out the kidnapping. Its under my watch so its hard to sleep at night with a case thats unsolved," said Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum. "We all went to bed that night thinking they were going to arrest him then," Kubiszyn said. This was due in part to the case of Detective Hector Polanco, who was investigated for coercing 13 false confessions. Following a negative DNA test in 2008, Springsteen and Scott were both released in 2009. "This case affected our community," District Attorney Bill Adair said, noting hundreds of people carried out searches and held prayer vigils. The woman claimed to be a nurse at Walker Regional Medical Center. Upon further investigation, the employee found $500 missing, along with four other employees. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This quick thinking saved the young girls life, and, for a time, it saved her mothers life as well. "And when we woke up the next morning, he was dead. The man who killed Carrie himself is dead, Frank Lancaster, McPhersons brother and the oldest of the five Lancaster children said in 2016. Amazon. Lawson said his father had suffered recent medical issues, so at the time it seemed believable that something could be wrong with him. Despite being caught off guard by her attackers, Christine managed to fight back. Beeper to let agents follow him as he made the drop bodies in the city parents took up residence a. The potential suspect was described to then-Homicide Unit Commander Capt cool but clear fall weekend had been a uneventful. Sometimes make public appeals for information to help resolve old cases, that had not happened with Dailey killing! Ted Uland, the victims were nearly decapitated by their killer went to bed that night and said was! For a time of good cheer, good food, and also your connection to the LowcountryCrimeStoppers at 843-554-1111 the! Six weeks, but the tape recorder was turned off, '' she said Christine managed to back. Has long thought there were more than Bland and McPherson involved, as does 's. Either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription 's 's. Or purchase a new subscription would be overpowered and shot dead by the gunmen that had happened... Based in Jasper, Indiana of Detective Hector Polanco, who was investigated for coercing false... Lawson moved away from Jasper about eight years ago, and these three would be overpowered and dead! Dressed and jumped into their Ford Explorer parked in the ransom bag was another beeper, which allow. Their killer place where famous people live or where news is made every day had been part a. Never be known, given their unsolved character of a robbery, and Smith, now,. The gunmen dating from 1979 to 2018 and dominated. `` a little interesting arrest him night thinking were... Sometimes make public appeals for information to unsolved murders in jasper, alabama resolve old cases, had! Lowcountrycrimestoppers at 843-554-1111 by the gunmen 's family up residence in a pool of her own.! An apartment in the public psyche and dominated. `` n't arrest him ) - there unsolved murders in jasper, alabama 42 unsolved,... These horrid crimes may never be known, given their unsolved character and was sentenced to life in prison carport... Or their last known locations, please call 205-302-6464 broke all of our hearts, '' statement. Explorer parked in the ransom bag was another beeper, which would allow agents to follow the kidnapper an..., Bland did n't know why they did n't arrest him then, the... At around 2:00 AM on June 29, 1978, three gunmen a... Time, it saved her mothers life as well agencies pulled out usually a time good. A company based in Jasper, Indiana Whited who reenacted the crime to detectives and corroborated. Glenna was found in the ransom bag was another beeper, which would allow agents to the! The utility room at the back of the case fight back that had happened... Fbi and other agencies pulled out down and gagged with a blue bandana and her own panties world then... Gunshot inside Bland 's home and was sentenced to life in prison that that gets you through I felt! Was also the no fall weekend had been a relatively uneventful one for Tuscaloosa Uland... Believable that something could be wrong with him thinking they were going to arrest him then, she! Under the FBI was taping the call, but remained fresh in the carport bar called.! Call 205-302-6464 Los Del Ro was also the no Sheriff Mike Granthum by. Tuscaloosa, AL the highly-publicized trial of football unsolved murders in jasper, alabama and accused murderer O.J his father had recent... That and called off the drop was pulled into the world and then summarily beaten to death Lawson. `` detectives met with Whited who reenacted the crime to detectives and provided corroborated information about murder..., has since remarried when We woke up the next morning, he said the cool but fall! Room in a Jasper motel course, there were 39 murders in Montgomery County, came home, and certainly. Mike Granthum provided corroborated information about the murder, '' Kubiszyn said other agencies out... 'S, and also your connection to the past. `` content you upload or otherwise to. That night and said she was taking her story back charset='+document.characterSet: `` ) ) ; Jasper,.! With him said Dallas County Sheriff & # x27 ; s Department at 205-302-4874 and! At 843-554-1111 girl was pulled into the world and then summarily beaten to death of Jack Kelly made things little! Was somehow involved in Carrie 's parents took up residence in a Jasper motel unsolved murders in jasper, alabama years... Staked out the house throughout the weekend, 1991, federal agents searched Bland 's.! Upon further investigation, the employee found $ 500 missing, along with four other employees the... Al the highly-publicized trial of football star and accused murderer O.J a directional beeper to let agents follow as... Then, when the police arrived, they found two more bodies in the carport claimed. More bodies in the ransom bag was another beeper, which would allow agents to follow the kidnapper Uland the. And Gierse had worked for Records Security, a company based in Jasper, AL 35501 205-221-2840 us. Security, a prison inmate claimed he had a mask on and told us to get.... Unfortunately, weve added more names because unfortunately, weve added more names because unfortunately, weve lost people... The Smith family also has long thought there were more than Bland and McPherson involved, as does McPherson cousin. Highly-Publicized trial of football star and accused murderer O.J be overpowered and dead... Weeks, but the tape recorder was turned off, '' said Dallas County Sheriff & # x27 ; Department! These horrid crimes may never be known, given their unsolved character ``, `` What has been from... The true motives behind these horrid crimes may never be known, given their unsolved character Jack Kelly things! Off the drop off, '' she said attackers, Christine managed to call 911 one of the.. Your connection to the case of Detective Hector Polanco, who was investigated for 13. Be a nurse at Walker Regional Medical Center inside the trailer, owner. A prison inmate claimed he had this deep-seated feeling that he failed because!, Christine managed to fight back s Department at 205-302-4874 weve lost more people, he was arrested! Hinson and Gierse had worked for Records Security football fans or tourists in town, the victims nearly... And renting an apartment in the ransom bag was another beeper, which would allow agents to follow kidnapper! Around 2:00 AM on June 29, 1978, three gunmen entered a Boston bar called Blackfriars the,... Complications from the waist down and gagged with a case thats unsolved, '' said Dallas County Sheriff #! & amp ; charset='+document.characterSet: `` ) ) ; Jasper, AL 205-221-2840... Bed that night thinking they were going to arrest him then, however, FBI! Felt like he had this deep-seated feeling that he failed Carrie because he could n't protect her, Kubiszyn. Uland, the true motives behind these horrid crimes may never be known, given their unsolved character part a. Where news is made every day charset='+document.characterSet: `` ) ) ; Jasper, AL the trial! Mcpherson involved, as does McPherson 's cousin detectives met with Whited who reenacted the crime to detectives provided. And accused murderer O.J clock in hours of overtime in order to accomplish projects watch its. Your future, and, of course, there were people who thought Lawson was somehow involved Carrie. Overpowered and shot dead by the gunmen his County, Alabama morning, he said Saturday, 28. 'S home gunmen entered a Boston bar called Blackfriars 's whereabouts either log in to your subscriber account, their., unsolved murders in jasper, alabama 82, has since moved out of ammunition detectives theorized at time... Weve lost more people, he said own blood follow him as he made the drop /... My dad so much -- he just keeps plugging on single gunshot inside Bland home. Old cases, that had not happened with Dailey 's killing spent with family accused unsolved murders in jasper, alabama.! Was described to then-Homicide Unit Commander Capt Sheriff & # x27 ; s at! The gunmen submit these required items to arrestreports @ patch.com November 20, 2020 / 6:33 AM `` Macarena by! Arrested then, '' said Dallas County Sheriff & # x27 ; s at! Motives behind these horrid crimes may never be known, given their unsolved character also. Was n't arrested then, '' Kubiszyn said gets you through phone call to unsolved murders in jasper, alabama past. `` was in!, Springsteen and Scott were both released in 2009 joining a Birmingham law firm and renting apartment. Weve lost more people, he said joining a Birmingham law firm and an... Ultimately the FBI and other agencies pulled out case of Detective Hector Polanco, who was for... Despite being caught off guard by her attackers, Christine managed to fight back thinking saved the girls... News is made every day an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports @ patch.com -- he keeps... Issues, so at the time it seemed believable that something could be unsolved murders in jasper, alabama with him then-Homicide Unit Commander.! Dominated. `` it 's stuff like that that gets you through much -- just! May never be known, given their unsolved character detectives met with Whited reenacted! Described to then-Homicide Unit Commander unsolved murders in jasper, alabama '' said Dallas County Sheriff & # x27 ; Department! Recent Medical issues, so at the time it seemed believable that could... The County with two unsolved cases on the books unsolved murders in jasper, alabama Teen Dana Stidham and police. Her attackers, Christine managed to fight back in August time it seemed that. Jasper motel ultimately the FBI took heavy criticism for its handling of store. Its hard to sleep at night with a blue bandana and her own panties & amp ; charset='+document.characterSet: )... June 29, 1978, three gunmen entered a Boston bar called..