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 FAIR School, Minneapolis Public Schools and West Metro Education Program. A hammer. Taking a good long hard look at the evidence again and compare it to someone who was in and/or around that artery in Denver at the time would help to narrow the suspect list or in this case open it up. Your email address will not be published. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. RELATED: Bennett family murders: Full coverage of suspect's trial. She recently gave an interview, which you can view here (link).. Prosecutors said they will ask Gov. 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. 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. Its our hope that something can come from this new push that will finally solve it. He kept the hammer. The life sentences will be served consecutively. Keith Hunter Jesperson (born April 6, 1955) is a Canadian-American serial killer who murdered at least eight women in the United States during the early 1990s. CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - A judge sentenced Alex Ewing to three life sentences on Tuesday after he was found guilty in the 1984 murders of three people in Aurora. DNA at both the Bennett crime Scene and the Smith crime scene were matched to the same killer in 2010. Doubts engulf dig to find body of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett Nothing else appeared to be missing. Did you know that one of the most popular places to rob are construction sites? 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. I'm a very strong person, though, but when it comes to my family that was the most important thing to me in the whole world.". Suspect in long-unsolved, brutal Aurora hammer murders has been in 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. Obviously, this guy was looking for his next target. Patricia still wore her sweater and boots, but her jeans were pulled down. I dont believe this killers blood lust was sated after all these acts of violence leading up to these murders; unless he was somehow killed (or committed suicide) soon after, my guess is he ended up in jail for something unrelated or something that somehow wasnt linked, like a violent rape. 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. Date: September 5th, 1989 This case impacted not just the victims, but it also terrorized an entire community, he said. The backyard of the home was the only one in the area without a fence, and it backed up to a dark and lonely portion of Alameda Avenue. 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. Add some text book, some psychological profiling and presto, they have a profile. Bennett Family Murders: the prosecution rests - Defrosting Cold Cases The last family member left around 9:00 PM. Ewing is arrested and incarcerated. 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. for sure the les should listen to what you say and take another look this is a refreshing take on profiles. 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 world turned a painful red and Donna began to lose consciousness. ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - It was 1984 when Connie Bennett found her family murdered in their Aurora home. There was no sign of Lauer or Phelps. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Bruce Bennett tried to climb the staircase several times in an attempt to ward off the perpetrator and save his young family. The killer was never brought to justice. The family originated from Ancient Greece, then eventually settled in the town of Salem. 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. Here are a few of the notable phone calls: January 15th, 1979 Two young boys were asleep in other rooms in the house. Police are still looking for information on the cases connected to Ewing and are asking the public for help. Another resident, Donna Dixon, was also struck with a hammer. Why was she the lone survivor? He then found the couples oldest daughter, 7 year old Melissa, who tragically suffered the same terrible fate as her mother. Arapahoe County District Judge Darren Vahle spoke directly to Ewing before announcing the sentence. Later autopsies revealed that the Bennetts had died due to blunt force trauma and that their attacker had likely used a hammer. The bodies of John Paul Bennett, 13, Lacey Bennett, 11, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey's friend Connie Gent, 11, were discovered at the property near Sheffield, on Sunday morning.. There was the sound of children and maybe a woman in the background, which couldve potentially come from a television or some other source. When they did, they noticed that the garage door was still open. Patricia Smith had been laid straight, her arms crossed over her chest as if on display in a funeral home. Before Donna Dixon was even found, another crime had taken place 26 miles to the west in the city of Lakewood. Alex Ewing on trial for the murder of three members of the Bennett family (credit: Aurora Sentinel). Over 200 Million Downloads! I dont believe that. Remember me? Forensic Yard 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. Bennett Family Murders: three life sentences - Defrosting Cold Cases 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. He faced six . DENVER- The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. Would you like to contribute as an editor or a writer on our site? 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. Additionally, an audio expert associated with an upcoming television show that were a part of was able to isolate the background sounds of the Gonna Kill You phone call, and there was a tiny bit of a surprise in there. In fact, there was a string of unsolved crimes in the area that took place just days apart from each other. On the night of Jan. 15, 1984, the Bennett family left their garage door open. August 17, 2021 / 3:31 PM Survivor of 1984 Bennett Family hammer murders shares story Dotted with impressive bridges and blanketed by thick trees, it usually provides year-round beauty and convenience for travelers. The child died from her injuries. Unsolved: The Bennett family murders | wfaa.com Alex Ewing Ordered To Serve 3 Life Sentences For 1984 Murder Of - MSN The killer then ascended the staircase and entered the couples bedroom where attacked Bruces wife, 26 year old Debra, who he raped before bludgeoning to death. 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 Ewing, who was convicted of the murders on Aug. 6, broke into the family's new home the night of the killings. Youve done this with other cases to. At approximately 2:00 AM on January 4th, 1984, an intruder came through an unlocked garage door. He was arrested for the crime but went on to escape from prison transport during a gas station break. Not one part of this familys life would indicate such a violent predator was going to kill them. Full cooperation from Nevada Law Enforcement led to a confirmation of the DNA match. He also inquired about searching various genealogical databases for a hit, but was advised at the time not to pursue that angle due to privacy issues. The victims may not have ever known one another but the killer found them somehow, it was not random although it appears that way. It was later determined to be the murder weapon. That, and the knots he used, provide a link among several scenes. On the night of Jan. 15, a stranger broke into their home and viciously assaulted and attacked the family. A day or two after receiving the DNA results, Law Enforcement met with victims and their family members. 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. 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. He is more introverted when he is sober and an extrovert when he isnt. Killing on this level requires some level of planning on the part of the perpetrator. But what about his second? Reporters and detectives subsequently learned that very little of the evidence from the scenes had been combed through using modern forensic technology, including DNA testing. </p> In just two days, Melissa would turn 8 years old. Recently, he was exploring forensic genealogy techniques. "A life sentence feels too light, but that is the most the justice system can offer. Bennett Family | The Vampire Diaries Wiki | Fandom The sprawling Colorado home where 6-year-old beauty pageant contestant JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in 1996 is listed for sale for a cool $7 million. The Bennett Family Murders | Audio Length: 52:47 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 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 family got a ride from someone else. Victim #7received a phone call, and she recognized the voice on the other end as the voice of the rapist. 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. It seems that Debra was the next victim, and she may have even been approached and incapacitated in the middle of Bruces struggle with the killer. The story has a silver lining though on another case we explored with this team, theBrandon Lawsoncase, we were able to not only make a sketchy part of his 911 call understandable, but possibly a major break in the case by preparing for LE some scientific evidence that there was another person present when he disappeared. DeAngelo was a police officer in nearby Exeter at the time, and has been confirmed by police to be tied to a string of over 100 burglaries, a murder, and an attempted murder that occurred in Visalia in 1974 and 1975. She was naked, curled up in a fetal position and groaning. January 27, 1984: Ewing attacks a man in Kingman, Arizona in his home; beats man's head with a hammer. Bruce and Debra Bennett lived with their daughter Melissa and younger daughter, Vanessa. 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. The four of them lived together in a townhome off of West Bayaud Avenue. There were reportedly no signs of robbery or sexual assault both women were clothed and their purses were still with them. 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 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Sometime between 9:00 PM on the 15th and 10:00 AM on the 16th (most likely between midnight and six), an intruder entered the Bennett home. ~ Jan. 4, 1984, a man snuck into an Aurora home and used a hammer to beat James and Kimberly Haubenschild. The Bennett family was attacked either the night of Jan. 15 or the morning of Jan. 16. He then found the couples oldest daughter, 7 year old Melissa, who tragically suffered the same terrible fate as her mother. For some reason the killer had to or wanted to be near this artery more so than the major arteries through and around Denver at that time. Bruce was 27 years old and Debra was 26 in 1984. 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. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. If you are just simply looking at it, you miss the most critical and important clues. They both survived.