bennett family murders address

Vanessa was saved, though she went on the live with permanent physiological affects from the assault. Only 3-year-old Vanessa, at. Recently, he was exploring forensic genealogy techniques. Thankfully, this community, these families and everyone impacted by the horrific crimes now knows this defendant will never hurt anyone ever again.". 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. 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. The very famous, more than three decades old case of Bennet family murders has recently been in the news. 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. The life sentences will be served consecutively. From 1987 to 1991, a serial offender known as Mr Cruel abducted children around Melbourne, Australia. Another resident, Donna Dixon, was also struck with a hammer. On the night of Jan. 15, a stranger broke into their home and viciously assaulted and attacked the family. Although she had no memory of the attack, what happened that night in 1984. Investigators were able to piece together the details of the horrendous ordeal through study of the evidence and the crime scene. 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. The family got a ride from someone else. First published on August 17, 2021 / 3:31 PM. This mans only motive was to inflict as much pain as possible and kill his victims. Murderer of Aurora's Bennett family sentenced to life in prison August 17, 2021 It took 37 years, but on Tuesday, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served. 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. January 27, 1984: Ewing attacks a man in Kingman, Arizona in his home; beats man's head with a hammer. Denver Post Archive Aurora Coroner's officers and police officers remove one of the three bodies from house at. 2019 Sentinel Colorado. 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. I hurt myself. Three members of the Bennett family were brutally killed in their Aurora home. 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. 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. She suffered severe injuries to her head, jaw, and neck. She too survived the attack, although she was first in a coma for some time. This horrific and cold case of Aurora, Colorado has kept everyone wondering about the culprit while this horrendous incident kept sending chills to the bones of people all around the world. After investigating, the police found similarities between the attack at the Bennett home and nearby random attacks that happened days earlier along the Highline Canal and Alameda Avenue corridor. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. Are you suggesting that initially investigators missed certain details based off the profile of the dude? The crime scene is the Bennett Family home where 3 out of 4 family members were murdered in January 1984. They are more likely to begin work before sunup rather than stay much after sundown. He raced inside and quickly found Donna in the middle of the blood-soaked bed. The bludgeoned bodies of husband and wife, Bruce and Debra Bennett, were discovered and it soon became evident that they had both attacked with a knife and beaten to death. The rapes are secondary crimes. 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. Thank you listeners! The garage door was still open. Currently all 50 states have to collect DNA for certain types of Felony crimes and submit it to CODIS. 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. Keep in mind that the offenders last known murder was in 1986, which makes the last few particularly creepy. They had recently purchased a new home in Aurora for their young family, consisting of Melissa and a younger sister who was 3 years old. He then found the couples oldest daughter, 7 year old Melissa, who tragically suffered the same terrible fate as her mother. 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. ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - It was 1984 when Connie Bennett found her family murdered in their Aurora home. She was murdered on Jan 10, 1984 by an, at that time, unknown person who raped and killed her inside her Lakewood home. If it were me, I would explore other possibilities in terms of profiling my suspect here, explore past just some guy who was currently working construction in the area or druggies who killed in a drug fueled rage. Remember me? For an overview of the case, you can review my extensive post from yesterday which covered many of the details. Expand the list of suspects because on this case it was always bigger than investigators thought it was and the killer was always the least obvious or least likely to stand out. 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. . The four of them lived together in a townhome off of West Bayaud Avenue. 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 same night he escaped, he broke into yet another couples house and attacked the male of the home. Bruce Bennett tried to climb the staircase several times in an attempt to ward off the perpetrator and save his young family. It begins with a woman killed with a hammer in Lakewood and, a week later, a family killed the same way. These crimes, which took place in January 1984, were part of a series of assaults that tore through the Denver area and have remained unsolved for thirty-four years. Why did they have to get murdered? They didnt feel that he forced his way into the home as she entered it herself due to the television, wig, and Wendys receipt being located upstairs. 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. In just two days, Melissa would turn 8 years old. Investigators had collected and stored the killer DNA from the crime scene back in 1984 and since they did not know the hammer killers identity at the time issued a warrant for the arrest of John Doe on three counts of murder, attempted murder, felony murder, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of child sexual assault in the hope that technology in the future could aid in identifying the assailant. Apparently when the killer lifted Melissa Bennett, an imprint from his shirt was made in the blood that had resulted from his assault on her. The Murder of Jaye Potter Mintz Feb 23, 1987 Leland N.C. A Catastrophic Cyber Event in the Next 2-Years. They were living in Aurora and planned to make a life together there. One of those techniques was an innovative imaging tool by Parabon Nanolabs which provides an approximation of what they offender mightve looked like at both the time of the crimes and in the current day. The hammer stuck her in the jaw, shattering the bone which splintered in an explosion of small fragments that punctured her windpipe. Patricia had only been living in Lakewood for about three and a half months, having moved there from Nebraska with her daughter, who was recently divorced. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Determine the level of organization/disorganization of each crime scene. "I didn't just lose my parents and my sister," Vanessa opened up. 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 news that the killer had been identified this year left Metz elated, he said. Her bra was wrapped around one of her wrists, and her clothing was found on the bank nearby. I lost the person who I was supposed to be.. Its my hope that this can help folks gain a better understanding of how prolific this offender was, and that insights can be gained as to perhaps why he was active at the times that he was, and why he mightve laid low during some of the quieter times. The perpetrator left with both weapons. It was taken in Arizona 11 days after the attack. 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. Dotted with impressive bridges and blanketed by thick trees, it usually provides year-round beauty and convenience for travelers. The suspect list shrinks or worse, the profile was so off an accurate suspect list from the get go is of no help and never will be. She made her way to the bedroom and went to bed. I should also note that the data becomes a bit skewed in that month because of the fact that the Snelling murder, being a homicide investigation, resulted in a much more thorough sweep of the area and more prowling incidents were recorded that wouldve otherwise been left unreported. 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. There were reportedly no signs of robbery or sexual assault both women were clothed and their purses were still with them. 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. What are Dr. Bennett's areas of care? She was born August 12, 1946 in Mississippi. A hammer. 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. KUSA reports that Vanessa recounted for the courtroom how the critical head injuries she survived left her with a lifetime of problems, including depression, anxiety, anger and struggles with heroin abuse. SOMERVILLE Sandra G. Bennett, 76, died March 2, 2023. Sadly, technology was not as advanced in the mid-eighties as it is today, and the case went cold, remaining that way for over 30 years. Before exiting the vehicle, she turned to grab her flight attendant uniform, which was hanging in the back. I look in the mirror every day and look at myself and I hate who I am. The attacker retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen and began stabbing Bruce in various places on his upper body, and once Bruce was incapacitated again the offender used the knife to slit his throat from ear to ear. A murder inquiry has been launched, and one man - a 31-year-old from Killamarsh, who was known to the family - is in custody. The 3-year-old sister, Vanessa, was the only survivor. ", She added: "I lost my sanity. The father, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnes, immediately became the prime suspect, as he abruptly disappeared after the . But new technology is getting detectives closer and closer to solving the brutal mystery. HE had to get knife in addition to the hammer just to ward off Bruce who was trying to protect his family. "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.". Jason Bennett described his heartbreak following the deaths of son John and daughter Lacey in Killamarsh. The husband then got a lock for the gate and made sure their house was locked and secure. A photo of the Bennett family. Its believed that the EAR bought his shoelaces new from the store or from some other source. This killeris more the type that would self medicate more than likely be a heavy drinker as opposed to taking medication. 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. Victims: Richard Keith Call (20) and Cassandra Lee Hailey (18) All four of them were attacked inside the home that night, only Vanessa survived. The last family member left around 9:00 PM. Investigators said he also sexually assaulted Melissa before she died from being beaten. James, who posts online from time to time, discusses how vividly the case still haunts him even to this day. Before he was sentenced, Ewing declined the chance to speak to the victim's family members, who were present in the courtroom including Vanessa Bennett, who is now 41. Before Donna Dixon was even found, another crime had taken place 26 miles to the west in the city of Lakewood. Police later linked the murder of the Bennett family with another rape and murder that happened just less than a week before. 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. He took her to the floor and sexually assaulted her. / CBS Colorado. In fact, there was a string of unsolved crimes in the area that took place just days apart from each other. There were reportedly signs of a struggle in the first case, and there may be workable DNA evidence from up to three of the scenes. 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. The 1982 call is important, because the offender hadnt killed for over a year, and it was thought that he mightve been incarcerated. That is very clear. 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. Years later, strides would start to be made in the crime lab. 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. The killer murdered two parents - Bruce and Debra Bennett - and their 7-year-old, Melissa, and left their other child severely injured. The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. The blow shed felt was the attacker striking her head with a hammer. 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. 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. I write about old, unsolved cases from the pre-DNA era. Forensics determined that the hammers used in each of the attacks were different, and that there didnt appear to be anything terribly useful in the way of fingerprints or other evidence. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. Alexander Christopher Ewing is now the behind bars, serving 40 years for two counts of attempted murder in the state of Nevada. This is a harsh, cold fact profilers must learn if they are to more accurately profile. 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. Ive provided a complete listing of known phone calls where the East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer actually spoke at this link:https://www.coldcase-earons.com/phonecalls.php. It was Monday evening, January 9th, 1984. Immediately she went over the home to investigate. Which is why a more beneficial profile from the onset is more important in fact, its critical. March 14, 2022 5:04pm Updated The Murdaugh family property where a mother and son were found dead lists for $3.9 million. Ronald worked as a pilot. "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. 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.. His use of ligatures were fairly distinct and helped tie a lot of the crimes together. Often times a profilerwill come up with a profile that fits into a box, the box was made from materials that were provided by profiles obtained from past criminals who committed similar crimes, which is a really great place to start. She recently gave an interview, which you can view here (, Summary of Press Conference on 1984 Hammer Murders, you can review my extensive post from yesterday, Secret Origin of the Golden State Killer: Visalia Ransacker, High-resolution version of Mr Cruels mask, Tribute to Robert Offerman and Debra Manning, Ligatures Used by the East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer, he almost always forced his penis into his victims bound hands, Audio Comparison of EAR Calls The Results, Phone Calls where the East Area Rapist Spoke, https://www.coldcase-earons.com/phonecalls.php, Visalia Ransacker Incident Chart: Prowlings vs Ransackings over time. Many of his victims were sex workers and transients who had no connection to him. Were happy to at least have a little bit of science behind us on this and it was worth exploring, even though the result was inconclusive. "A life sentence feels too light, but that is the most the justice system can offer. 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. Im your biggest fan. The Vampire Diaries Wiki Explore Main Page Discuss Here we have a chart that I created showing the types of incidents (mere prowling, a burglary/ransacking, and the two violent confrontations) attributed to the Visalia Ransacker throughout his known criminal career (1973-1976). 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. 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. In Aug 2018, Alexander Christopher Ewing was accused and charged in both cases. 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. KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) _ Two men were arrested Friday in the killing of an elderly man and his wife, a crime whose brutality traumatized this small town and went unsolved for more than a year. The youngest girl, Vanessa, only three years old until March, was also struck violently in the face with the hammer. I also believe this is the killers first stint at killing humans he most likely as with most serial killers did in fact kill animals earlier in life. Bruce had mentioned wanting to run to the store before bed. 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. July 23, 1993. The Ramsey family, who originally bought the . Vanessa Benn. Learn how your comment data is processed. Its bloody, painful for the victim and brutal. Residents here have lived under a dark cloud since Monday, when police found three residents dead in their home. James, a young man not even twenty-five years old yet, had married his wife Kim in August of 1982. At the conclusion of his comments, he introduced his former boss, Peter Weir. She was numb and cold, and somehow was able to get to her feet and go inside the house. Dont profile by. Theyd moved there around Thanksgiving from another place a few miles away, and had so far enjoyed their quiet, developing neighborhood. 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. She was happy to be home for a while, and eagerly awaiting the next day when her boyfriend, Ronald Holm, would be home. The family originated from Ancient Greece, then eventually settled in the town of Salem. . Investigators noted there was evidence of a struggle at the house. A 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa, was injured and survived. Here are the days of the week the alleged killer struck each victim (s). We move long-haul and short-haul loads to anywhere in the lower 48 states for commercial and government entities. Let us have a look at this unforgettable case of the Bennet family murders. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. A hammer. My best friend lived around the corner from the Bennetts, and that previous night (or night of) after dinner when she was cleaning the kitchen, she saw a man staring at her through the window. I only do research and leave active investigation of these cases to professionals. Bruce worked at the family-owned furniture store and was also taking classes to become an air traffic controller. 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. Here are a few of the notable phone calls: January 15th, 1979 DNA evidence ties Ewing to the crime. 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. This case impacted not just the victims, but it also terrorized an entire community, he said. Headquartered in McDonough, Georgia, Bennett Family of Companies provides innovative logistics and transportation for companies across America. 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. Bruce and Debra were both probably dead by the time the killer entered Melissas bedroom. This call is important because not only did it occur during an EAR quiet period, but this attack is connected by DNA. His sentence runs through 2037 but he would be eligible for parole in 2021. Sometimes to get a more clear picture of the criminal, one must see him or her as a human being, see him or her as they truly are, feel what they feel, know what they know, feel the wants, needs and desires of that person. Smith was attacked in the condo she shared with her daughter and grandchildren and the hammer was left behind. 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. Bruce had been attacked with a knife and hit in the head several times with a hammer or blunt object. If he had not done that, they may have been the unfortunately 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. She left her hometown and moved to Arizona, at one point spending half a year homeless, living under a bridge. Almost six days later, tragedy struck Aurora once again. Weve published this page today to show you the details and origin of the ligatures used in the EAR/GSK attacks. Sole survivor of 1984 Aurora hammer attack testifies on opening day of murder trial for sure the les should listen to what you say and take another look this is a refreshing take on profiles. He tossed it onto the seat of the car and began pulling her from the vehicle. Peter Weir, District Attorney of the 1st Judicial District, oversees the area where the Smith murder occurred. August 17, 2021 / 3:31 PM As an adult, she developed a drug habit and became an addict. His attacker slit his throat before eventually delivering a final fatal blow with a hammer. Its nothing more or less than that. All rights reserved. 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. There was evidence of a struggle in the bedroom. 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. Flatbed Trucking Company Bennett Motor Express is the premier open deck general freight carrier in the US. He is more introverted when he is sober and an extrovert when he isnt. 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. Investigators have been quoted as saying this was a random crime, vicious and random. On night of January 16th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora, Colorado. Bruce and Debra were brutally attacked and killed inside their home, Melissa was killed and also raped. 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. A typical way one would see this is that he likes control, that is wrong. The Bennetts didnt show up for work on Monday. Quite frankly if the suspect wasnt on the original list, spoken to or even noticed in this case it may come down to just DNA unless police have enough evidence and suspect info they can rework the case from scratch. Patricia missed her husband Oliver, who stayed behind in Nebraska, but she loved being with her daughter and two grandchildren in a bustling city. Unfortunately, they verified one by one that each family member was deceased. But thanks to modern technology and the incredible talent and dedication of several individuals, it seems this case has finally been solved. Victim #24received a call from a voice that she identified as the EARs. 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. does anyone think they are actually looking though? 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. Caller: Do you want fuck? How did you know? Other Information Between 1986 and 1989 though, a crime spree took place that left three pairs of travelers missing and another pair of travelers gone without a trace. 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. The results (if any) of the tests run on the current evidence is currently unknown. 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 begins with a woman killed with a hammer in Lakewood and, a week later, a family killed the same way in Aurora. This is a very unique activity, and it helps tie the EARONS crimes together based on M.O. Furthermore, the loving grandmother had been sexually assaulted. But he isnt going to talk about this crime to just a friend or bar mate. 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. How do you feel knowing this case was solved? She was found bludgeoned with a hammer, with about 17 wounds to the head. At the press conference, they informed the public that when authorities in Nevada went back and retroactively began swabbing and entering their inmates DNA into CODIS, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation got a hit and thats whats led to the development in this case.

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