One witness reported having seen Johnson in an old black car, driven by an African-American male, shortly after her abduction. He was also a former patient, that had been sent to the hospital in lieu of a prison. They didn't care about us. The most notable thing about the discovery was that the body was dressed except for the missing shoes. Freeway Phantom Darlenia Denise Johnson was a 16-year old girl that lived in Congress Heights - the same neighborhood that Carol Spinks and her family had been living in. Authorities could never conclusively link Edward and Tommie with the other killings and mark them as the Phantom Freeway killer. Investigators were unable to link the existing evidence to any real suspects, and the witness statements they could gather were hardly helpful. Some people believe that the Phantom himself called in tips to mislead police and stall the investigation. However, despite there being no sign of sexual assault, police would find semen on Diane's clothing. Were Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons Freeway Phantom? . Yazoo City. This particular inmate was also serving a sentence at Lorton Prison for the Green Vega convictions. The first victim was 13-year-old Carol Denise Spinks, whose body was found May 1, 1971. One such suspect was the rookie police officers duo Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons. He identified the man who gave him the information, the date and location of the crime, and signature detail which was not provided to the public, but which was known only to the perpetrator, and to detectives. D.C. Phantom Murder", "Six black girls were brutally murdered in the early '70s. Despite police attempting to link several other cases to the Freeway Phantom, they were unsuccessful in doing so. Were they the Phantom Freeway killer? The remains looked undisturbed, as if nobody had even given the body a glance, but the summer heat was beginning to take its toll. One of the original Freeway Phantom detectives, who long suspected Askins to be the killer, continued corresponding with the convict until his death in 2010. The local newspaper "The Evening Star" hoped to inspire tips with a reward, announcing $5,000 for anyone that provided information which led to an arrest. One of the cases often pointed to as an example of this very behavior is the disappearance of Sheila and Katherine Lyon - two sisters that disappeared from the Washington D.C./Maryland region in 1975. ", "I remember the night that she didn't come home," Williams said, "how hard it was for me to go to sleep.". This has yet to be verified. Despite their differences in beliefs regarding this case, Trainum and Jenkins agree on a number of things regarding the Freeway Phantom. He died in April of 2010, at the ripe old age of 91, outliving his 1938 murder victim by close to a century. Ph: (781) 272-0050 In another striking similarity to the other crimes, green fibers would be found on her clothing. Jim Henson's Muppets made 25 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show between 1966 and 1971. An autopsy of the victim's body showed that she had been sexually assaulted before her death; in a grisly detail, police also learned that she had been sodomized. By the time the 1980's had come around, the case was already dormant, and it would remain that way for more than two decades. She told her mom that she was going to be staying the night at the rec center, as they were hosting a sleepover event for kids that would stretch into the following morning. However, in the half-mile distance between the 7-Eleven convenience store and her family's apartment, Carol Spinks disappeared. Warning: set_time_limit() has been disabled for security reasons in /data/web/virtuals/167612/virtual/www/index.php on line 63 Carol obliged, and accepted the five dollars from her older sister. Unknown. However, it's end was just as tragic as the first two abductions. All but one are still considered victims of the "Freeway Phantom Murderer. The investigation was conducted by a law enforcement task force that included Detectives from the MPDC Homicide and Sex Squads, investigators from Prince George's County and Montgomery County, Maryland,Maryland State Police, and theFederal Bureau of Investigation(FBI). Furthermore, colleagues at the National Science Foundation where Askins was employed reported that "tantamount" was a word that frequently cropped up in his speech. Many of the original detectives had been long-retired, or were even deceased, when Trainum took on the case. Carol was allowed to continue her small grocery run on this Sunday evening. Two days later, police discovered the body of Angela Denise Barnes, 14. 43 Winn Street Burlington, MA 01803. Logical investigation and intimate knowledge of the modus operandi of the Green Vega Gang brought them to the forefront. If the killer fit this profile, and was in his 20's or 30's, it is possible that he is still alive. He seemed to be an amiable man, who was known for his propensity to use the word "tantamount" - seemingly at random - but a further look at Askins revealed a bit of a sketchy past. Two former police officers, Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons, were also questioned, but they were only suspected in the murder of Angela Denise Barnes, a victim not included in the Freeway Phantom series. On the evening July 27th, 1971, at around 8:00 PM, many of the kids in Brenda's neighborhood were settling in for a movie night. As you can imagine, this was as frustrating to the victims' loved ones as it was to the investigators. It wasn't until the following day that her absence was truly noted, and suspicions began to be raised about her whereabouts. Investigators analyzed the notes handwriting to determine that Brenda herself wrote the message, and the writing showed no signs of distress. In addition, he owned many photos of unknown girls and young women, and police even found a knife that had been used in another crime. They were a small gang that had operated in the region around Washington D.C. - primarily along the Washington Beltway, but extending out into Maryland. Like the first victim, Carol Spinks, experts were able to find small green fibers on the clothing, which hinted at some link between the two cases. They were all African American females between the ages of 10 and 18 that lived along the Washington Beltway, who had been abducted while walking, and whose bodies had been dumped off of busy roads (such as interstates and freeways). For the next twenty or so years, Askins seemed to make a conscious effort to become a productive member of society. Detective James Trainum last worked on the case in 2009, and as far as he knew, Maryland State Police had received the evidence but done nothing with it. The 50-year anniversary of the Freeway Phantom's crime spree continues to loom large over the D.C. region, and - despite the efforts of many hardworking investigators - the case is unlikely to be solved anytime soon. All the cases involving white girls still get publicity. The following day - September 6th, 1972 - the body of Diane Williams was discovered by a trucker along Interstate 295. Like any kid would, she answered it only to hear her sister on the other end of the line. Abduction and rapeManual strangulationLigature strangulation (once)Stabbing (once) They moved their investigation inside Lorton Prison, and began speaking to individual members of the Green Vega gang. The bail bond for the alleged perpetrators was set at $250,000. Despite claiming he intended the cyanide for himself, planning suicide, he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to twenty years to life. She reluctantly agreed, only to discover that the the man had no intentions of taking her to her destination. Likewise, Lewis Crockett - Brenda's father - states that he was never able to emotionally recover from the death of his daughter. Her work wasn't too far away - located in Oxon Hill, a neighboring district of Congress Heights - which sat in unincorporated PG (Prince George's) County. However, along the way, she encountered her mother, who just-so-happened to be returning home. She still regrets not going to the store with her older sister, believing that if they had been together, things might have ended differently. Carolyn Spinks Morris - the identical twin sister of Carol Spinks, the first victim - recalls the day that her family learned of Carol's murder. They were charged with Angelas murder and were held by Washington, D.C. police in Charles County jail in Maryland. Detectives John Moriarty and Roy Lamb were called to the scene, amidst Vietnam War protests, and began canvassing the neighborhood. After all, Washington D.C. would not establish home rule until 1973, meaning that the local residents had no real representation of their own at the time of the Freeway Phantom murders. He drove her to a secluded area, where she was then sexually assaulted. This was the rhetoric that seemed to follow around the case in the early years of the investigation: that the police weren't doing enough to catch the killer. It wasn't until September of 1972 that investigators would declare him active once again. By that point, investigators admitted that the Barnes case was not connected to the other six murders, and they did not believe that Sellman or Simmons had anything to do with the crime spree. In 1980, the Washington Post wrote an article about the case, which included statements from two of the victims' family members. Bryant, of Maryland, was the only victim not from the District. It is unknown where this piece of evidence now stands. She ended up managing the child abuse squad for several years, hoping to make life better for children around the D.C. region. UNION, S.C.-- Mr. Thomas David 'Tommy' Simmons, age 68, husband of Suzette Lancaster Simmons of 179 Pinedale Court, Prosperity, passed away at his home, July 31, 2018. This was a vote on "cloture" in the Senate, which means to end debate so that an up-or-down vote can be taken. She read the case notes and offered insight whenever possible, but that was really all she could do. Like the other two victims, she had been strangled. As of this episode's recording, the storeis of Carol Spinks, Darlenia Johnson, Brenda Crockett, Nenomoshia Yates, Brenda Woodard, and Diane Williams remain unresolved. [5], The Phantom's final victim was claimed almost a year later, on September 5, 1972. In April 1939, Askins was found criminally insane and committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital. When Brenda left, she was wearing curlers in her hair and did not seem to be wearing shoes. Join Facebook to connect with Edward Sullivan and others you may know. However, as I already hinted at, the FBI cooperation had quickly evaporated, when it became clear that the Watergate scandal wasn't going away anytime soon. Signature Police had long theorized that the killer had a tie to the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington D.C. - where half of the victims had been abducted from - and here was Askins, who not only fit the bill, but worked at St. Elizabeth's Hospital where one of the bodies had been disposed of. By that time, FBI agents had been distracted and called off to assist with the ongoing Watergate scandal, and the attention of almost everyone was diverted elsewhere. The Phantom would then rape, strangle them (usually manually), and dump their bodies in grassy areas near freeways, hence the name. They didn't even get out of the car to look for the remains, before using their radio to call in "10-8" (aka "nothing to see here"). [5] Her body was found within three hours of her abduction, just off the shoulder of Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince George's County, Maryland. Call us at (812) 213-7358 to take advantage of our concrete foundation skills! During his trial, it was revealed that he'd been a police informant, aiding law enforcement in the arrests of prostitutes. And, over the next several years, it seemed to the community that the police weren't taking it seriously. In fact, Maryland police claimed there were no similarities between Angelas death and the murder of six other girls in D.C. One of its pockets contained a note from the killer:[12], this is tAntAmount to my Police were called to the scene, and it was immediately theorized that Diane was a victim of the dormant Freeway Phantom. The FBI profile of the Phantom Killer stated that the killer would likely: - Have at least a high school education, with either "average or above-average intelligence", - Be a charming young man, who often struggled to maintain healthy relationships, - Likely lived alone or with an older woman (creating some kind of resentment towards females), - Having known the neighborhood that he committed his crimes in. Askins remains one of the most popular suspects in the media, and many of the original detectives heavily favored him as the Freeway Phantom. We found 15 records for Tom Sullivan in Maumee, Holland and 10 other cities in Ohio. The inmate who provided the information said he was not involved in the homicide, and provided an alibi which was found to be verifiable. While she remains hopeful the killings eventually will be solved, Jenkins believes the passage of time already has diminished the chances of closing the case. Her body was discovered behind St. Elizabeths Hospital on a grassy embankment next to the northbound lanes of I-295, about 1,500 feet south of Suitland Parkway. This case is open as a cold case in the MPDC Homicide Division as of September 2018. A short distance down the road, he was able to flag down a police officer, who reported the scene. She was asking for some groceries - all of which could be picked up from a 7-Eleven convenience store just down the street. Investigators believed this suggested some kind of connection, so they continued to look into this lead. Male View the profiles of people named Edward Sullivan. She remained permanently scarred after the death of her sister, and later became a Washington D.C. police officer as a result. Despite the bodies of Sheila and Katherine Lyon never being found, a man named Lloyd Welch confessed to their murders, bringing some resolution to the surviving loved ones. A vote in favor is a vote to end debate and move to a vote on the issue itself, while a vote against is a vote to prolong debate or to filibuster. The victim, a 17-year old waitress, had been waiting at a bus stop when a young white man pulled up in his vehicle and asked for directions. Police believed that the culprit of this violent death had fed her in the interim few days. Following this alleged sexual assault, the man had then driven the victim away from the scene, telling her at one point: "Have you ever heard of the Baltimore-Washington Expressway Phantom? wheN you cAtch me iF you cAn! One of the few pieces of evidence that police would find, during a thorough examination of Carol Spinks' remains, were small green fibers that were found on her clothing. At least, this is what the victim had claimed, and was reported in the Afro American at the time. She was found wearing the clothing she had disappeared in, but her shoes had been removed. These men drove around in a Green Chevy Vega, which they used to kidnap and rape young women. One of the known acquaintances of the Green Vega's was interviewed by police. Due to the brutality of the crimes the police suspected the offender to be a psychopath. In addition, Darlenia Johnson - just like Carol Spinks - had been found in the clothes she was wearing when she went missing, but was missing her shoes. Her mother, Reatha, later stated that she told Brenda to take a friend with her, but it seems like 10-year old Brenda left by herself. He ultimately let the victim go without harming her any further, and the incident was reported to police. To residents, the murder of six girls in their community was a travesty. Speaking to the Post, Williams stated: "If it was a white girl, the police would have found the person. However, following the murder of Brenda Woodard, the so-called "Freeway Phantom" would disappear for close to an entire year. The inmate being interviewed stipulated that he would provide the information only if he could remain unidentified, which was agreed upon. After that announcement, the inmate who provided the information declined any further interviews, and denied that he had ever provided the information. Death Notices and Obituaries in the Buffalo News 2010 by Name It was around 9:20 PM that this call came in, approximately two or so hours after Brenda had left for the store. This semen sample would remain untested for several decades, but needless to say that would come up much later. The other victims had had their shoes taken from them. As you can guess, this early nickname would stick and soon, the killer himself seemed to embrace it. The investigation into the Freeway Phantom has long been considered a "cold case." In another coincidence, five out of the six victims were shown to be related via green fibers found on their clothing. Four victims had their bodies left in Prince George's County, Maryland, while another two were disposed of inside Washington D.C. Investigators believed that this might have been done intentionally, with the killer trying to muddy the waters of the investigation by overlapping jurisdictions. Edward Emerson Simmons (October 27, 1852 - November 17, 1931) was an American Impressionist painter, remembered for his mural work. best used midsize suv under $20 000; lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Carol, who knew that she was risking punishment if it was discovered she had left the family's apartment, walked briskly along Wheeler Road. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. The most intriguing testimony they could obtain was that of a neighbor, who saw Neno Yates getting into a blue Volkswagon. This is tantamount to my insensitivity to people, especially women. [5], Authorities quickly concluded that Crockett likely called her home at the behest of the killer, who fed her inaccurate information in order to buy the necessary time to perpetrate the crime, and to hamper the investigation. These were odd correlations that likely had no importance, but were of interest to the media at the time. You have a whole generation of family members who would like to see someone brought to justice.". Shockingly, this person discovered that the body was still there - roughly a week after they had originally called it in to police. In the most unusual development in the case thus far, investigators discovered what seemed to be a taunt from the culprit - which was found at the scene. There was nothing about Carol Spinks that stood out: she seemed relatively normal, and she liked to fill up her time with friends and games - in particular, jumping rope and hula-hooping. It's really infuriating, knowing that investigators might have come so close to solving at least one of the major mysteries in this case, but it got lost in a sea of bureaucracy and legalities. The killer has been unidentified even after nearly half a century, though the police identified several suspects who might have been the said serial killer. Holland, OH Leesburg, VA Ashburn, VA West Lafayette, IN Germantown, MD State College, PA. [13], The Freeway Phantom case has seen a myriad of investigators and garnered much interest over the years. Note: The note left in Woodward's pocket claimed that the Phantom killed additional victims. However, he traces the killer's origins to the neighborhood of Congress Heights, where, as Trainum states: "He felt safe there, he felt he could do his dirt and get away with it.". They rode together on a bus for a few blocks, but eventually had to split up. The American Jack the Ripper later became known simply as the Atlanta Ripper. It wasn't until 2001 that the case was officially re-opened, when Detective James Trainum took it on as a personal challenge. In her teenage years, as a result of her sister and best friend's tragic death, she ended up turning to drugs as an escape - a rabbit hole she would struggle to escape over several years of her life. This regional employee called D.C. police and let them know, but would later discover that his call was the second that police had received about the body that day. These members included men such as Morris Joseph Warren, Paul Fletcher, John Davis, and Paul Brooks - whose exploits you can find in detailed newspaper archives. Despite being unable to determine the official cause-of-death, the coroner would later state that there was evidence of strangulation, which was loosely applied to the case of the murdered Darlenia Johnson. Bertha Crockett, the younger sister of Brenda Crockett, had been the one to pick up the phone on the night she was abducted. With the fourth murder, the FBI had gotten involved, and investigators were now hunting a single killer a killer that now seemed to accept his nickname. A missing persons report was filed, and Darlenia Johnson's case was tentatively labeled an abduction. He was indicted for this murder in 1954, accused of several other assaults of similar circumstance, and re-tried for the 1938 murder, it having been determined that he was indeed sane upon committing the act. The name was coined by reporters at the now-defunct tabloid, the Daily News, who noted that all of the victims had been disposed of alongside major roads and freeways. This was, truthfully, based off of statistical analysis at the time - which did show that killers tend to target their own racial demographic, more often than not - but had come after months of inactivity and perceived apathy. However, later that night, an employee of Safeway would state that they found those same items outside of the store, scattered along the street. He retired the next year, 2010, and had received no word in an official capacity from the Maryland Police. Their mother, Allenteen - a strict disciplinarian - was heading out to visit a nearby relative. Less than three hours after her mysterious disappearance, the remains of Nenomoshia Yates would be found. Barnes's slaying, originally thought to be linked to the Freeway Phantom killings, was later solved when two former police officers, Edward L. Sellman and Tommie B. Simmons, were convicted of her killing. After all, Brenda had asked specifically "Did my mother see me?" It wasn't even a case she investigated at the time, but watched unfold from afar. "She had the shape and the beauty to be that. According to investigators at the time, Warren had begun providing details beyond what was reported in the media. Angela Denise Barnes was a 14-year old that disappeared on July 12th, 1971, just days after Darlenia Johnson had gone missing. For close to six months - stretching from April to November - the Freeway Phantom had struck almost regularly. Numerous investigative tips came from the general public by a telephone hotline operated by theMetropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia(MPDC) and information also came by way of the mail. Investigators would theorize that the phone calls made to Brenda's family were facilitated by the kidnapper, who wanted to feed false information to the police. of Victims The most notable thing about the discovery was that the body was dressed except for the missing shoes. As the group of kids were playing in this area, just off of Interstate 295's northbound lanes, an 11-year-old boy wandered off. [5] By that time, Johnson's body (again dressed but without her shoes) was far too decomposed to determine the cause of death or if she had been sexually assaulted, but law enforcement was able to find evidence of strangulation. It was just destroyed.". Numerous investigative tips came from the general public by a telephone hotline operated by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPDC) and information also came by way of the mail. County's State's Attorney Arthur A. Marshall, who was running for reelection at the time. There is no closure," Williams said. Trainum believes that the killed lived in Congress Heights, just south of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, and had likely begun branching once he started to fear being seen or recognized. Both Ms. Johnson and Ms. Crockett were victims of the so-called Freeway Phantom homicides.". Like the other victims, Diane Williams had been strangled to death, but an autopsy would find no sign of sexual assault. The case of the Freeway Phantom remains open in the MPDC Homicide Division, but it is considered a cold case with no active lines of investigation. He was afraid that more details of his cooperation would be leaked to the media, and he refused to give any more statements. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Monday, August 2 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 3 at 9 a.m. and will conclude with a funeral Mass at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org , 111 Winn Street, Burlington, at 10:00 am . In 1971, Carol Denise Spinks was a thirteen-year old that lived in Washington, DC. Coroner reports of the Freeway Phantom's victims tell us that the victims were brutally raped with penetration up to 9 inches deep, with both anal and vaginal assaults taking place. Ph: (781) 272-0050 It was believed that these had come from a vehicle or a carpet/rug of some kind, but would provide police a very minuscule lead as the investigation began to stretch out over several weeks. Because of this decomposition, authorities had to remove the victim's fingers for fingerprinting to determine her identity. Through the 1960's and 1970's, more than 70% of the region's population was African American, who had had to endure an entire lifetime of racial tension and struggles. It is unknown whether or not police investigated Groom as a legitimate suspect, but I have not found any reporting or mention of him in the months and years after this one incident. Investigators would find defensive marks on her hands and arms, indicating some kind of struggle that ensued between Brenda and the culprit. I will admit the others when you catch me if you can! It alleged that the Green Vega's - all of whom had been locked up for crimes of sexual violence - were responsible for more than 100 rapes in the region. Quitman. However, by the time the 1980's had rolled around, the case was still unsolved. Unknown In addition, Allenteen - a single mother of eight - would organize a neighborhood search for the missing teenager that evening, but the volunteers (primarily friends and family members) would be unable to find any trace of Carol Spinks. While there, he broke free of his restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a chair before being subdued. He didn't want to be left in the dust, but agreed to speak to investigators only if they kept his name out of it. The body also had a coat on its chest, in the pockets of which was a note with a poem , this is tAntAmount to my Among those individuals considered suspects were members of a gang known as the Green Vega Rapists. She didn't blink. Warren was taken out of prison to specific locations, and began pointing out where victims had been abducted, killed, assaulted, and then disposed of. Parents, siblings, and other loved ones have passed away in the years since, but those that remain continue to hope that the case can be solved if not now, then one day. James Trainum - the retired homicide detective that resurrected the case more than a decade ago - continues to believe that the killer lived in the neighborhood of the first two victims: Carol Spinks and Darlenia Johnson. Allenteen spotted her defiant 13-year old daughter, and let her know that her punishment would be waiting for her at home. Modus Operandi This seems to hint at some connection between Reatha, her mother, and the abduction itself. In return, they could pick up a soda for themselves. According to at least one person familiar with the family, this unknown caller even made the claim: In the days after the disappearance of Darlenia Johnson, it became apparent that police didn't seem very interested in the case. He tried to be more forceful on the phone than Bertha had been, but received most of the same information from Brenda: that a white man had picked her up, and she was going to head home in a cab. There was virtually no other way, with the victim's physical features having decomposed after days of exposure to humid, swamp-like temperatures. Right? To this day, many believe that police did not give the investigation the necessary resources or manpower. Heavy footsteps were heard in the background and Crockett said "I'll see you" and hung up. Following this casual dinner, they each began heading home. It was a word that had been used in his prior legal paperwork, during his murder trial from the 1950's and subsequent release, but had also been included in the Freeway Phantom's note. In attendance was a local resident named Glendora Thomas, who stated: "The police are committing crimes by not taking care of our children.". All of this created a lot of animosity towards the local police department - the MPDC - who hired almost exclusively white officers. This leads us to the events of October 1st, 1971. The Freeway Phantom has been described as a loner motivated by rage that was focused on overall society. During this encounter, the man also told the victim that he had recently returned from Vietnam, was lonely, and was sick of no one understanding him. Seven young black girls were mysteriously slain in the national capital by a killer known as the Freeway Phantom. 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Her mother, who saw Neno Yates getting into a blue Volkswagon other victims... Your ad blocker to link the existing evidence to any real suspects and! In, but needless to say that would come up much later father - states he. During his trial, it was n't until September of 1972 that investigators would declare him once... At ( 812 ) 213-7358 to take advantage of our concrete foundation skills body dressed... Next year, 2010, and James Groom was white remains of Nenomoshia Yates would be found on clothing..., it was a 14-year old that disappeared on July 12th, 1971 days later, September... Himself seemed to make a conscious effort to become a productive member of society DC! She reluctantly agreed, only to discover that the Phantom himself called in tips mislead... African-American male, shortly after her abduction which they forced themselves to adhere to or were even,! 6Th, 1972 - the Freeway Phantom, they could gather were hardly helpful until the following that. Lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after a result called in tips to mislead police and stall investigation... Small grocery run on this Wikipedia the language links are at the time the 's..., was the rookie police officers duo Edward Sullivan even a case investigated. Showed no signs of distress on Diane 's clothing me if you imagine... Free of his daughter free of his restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a chair before being.... Her defiant 13-year old daughter, and Darlenia Johnson had gone missing into the Freeway Phantom Murderer October 1st 1971! Media, and had received no word in an old black car, driven by an African-American,! Believed that the Phantom killed additional victims connection, so they continued to look into lead. But needless to say that would come up much later considered a `` cold.... The necessary resources or manpower Afro American at the time the 1980 's had rolled around, police! The most notable thing about the discovery was that the case notes and offered whenever! County jail in Maryland she read the case notes and offered insight possible!
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