Sellman and Simmons, two ex-cops, were arrested for the murder of Angela Denise Barnes. All had been killed by a mysterious killer - or group of killers - who seemed to embrace the nickname that the media gave them. The investigations resulted in 53 individual charges of selling heroin, and 43 individual charges of selling crack cocaine, among other charges. Even though most of the evidence had been poorly-preserved - if it was preserved at all, and wasn't just missing - Trainum hoped that advancements in DNA technology would allow for a closer look at the Freeway Phantom killer. 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. Type They made appearances at public events, and tried to keep up with the investigation, hoping to bolster one another and present a brave face. Signature Despite their differences in beliefs regarding this case, Trainum and Jenkins agree on a number of things regarding the Freeway Phantom. She still regrets not going to the store with her older sister, believing that if they had been together, things might have ended differently. On Saturday, May 1st, 1971 - six days after the disappearance of Carol Spinks - a group of kids were playing in a grassy area behind St. Elizabeths Hospital. 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. Unlike the rest of the Freeway Phantom victims, she had been shot in the head, but her case was linked to the others in the immediate aftermath. The Phantom also stabbed his fourth victim and left a taunting note in her coat pocket. O 'cine d'aventuras ye un chenero cinematografico caracterizau por a presencia d'un heroi (ficticio u real) inspirador d'un mito, a on gosa haber-ie scenas d'aventuras y batallas, asobn de tipo caballeresco y que gosa tamin estar ambientau en epocas pasadas que se presentan de forma exalzadora, en presentando sin profundizar masiau o scenario de l'accin d'a cinta, que mesmo puet estar . Authorities could never conclusively link Edward and Tommie with the other killings and mark them as the Phantom Freeway killer. These differences seemed to point to Brenda being an outlier, perhaps even an incorrectly-labeled victim. Police investigators initially linked a total of seven slayings, including that of Barnes, to the same killer. The other victims had had their shoes taken from them. meadowbrook country club estates; michael mullen obituary; pamela gluckin obituary new york; antonio tonyboy floirendo jr biography In 1974, two more names were entered into the suspect fray: Edward Sellman - sometimes referred to as Edward Sullivan in reporting of the case - and Tommie Simmons. If that is the case, it perhaps explains the next development in the story. Females Vanished in the 70s, The Washington Post - Killings Unsolved 25 Years Later, Ivan Reports - DNA test in Freeway Phantom cold case not confirmed, Washington City Paper - Why the Freeway Phantom Still Hasnt Been Caught, The Washington Post - D.C. He might have received some kind of psychiatric treatment to help deal with negative emotions, like depression and anger towards women. Police would use that hair over the coming years to test for suspect validity, but were unsuccessful in linking them to anyone. I will admit the others when you catch me if you can! [20], Common practice at the time was that case files at MPDC Detective Divisions were retained by the detectives assigned to the case. Unfortunately, their questions regarding her fate would be answered less than a week later. They moved their investigation inside Lorton Prison, and began speaking to individual members of the Green Vega gang. In the fall of 1971, she began taking night classes at Cardozo High School, hoping to improve her working skills (such as typing). 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. Occasionally, she flipped through a thick manila folder containing smiling portraits of eight black girls forever frozen in time. He would probably be masked and not want to show his victims his face. Unknown The remains of this young victim were brought in for an evaluation and autopsy. [4] A reward of $150,000 remains open as well.[5]. "You never forget. There were long gaps between the crimes (sometimes as long as 2.5 months between each), but five young women had been killed over the span of 1971. [3] On her way home from the store, Spinks was abducted; her body was found six days later at 2:46 pm behind St. Elizabeths Hospital on a grassy embankment next to the northbound lanes of I-295, about 1,500 feet south of Suitland Parkway. james liston pressly; Tags . Carol obliged, and accepted the five dollars from her older sister. Crockett was on the other line, crying. lawrence shankland family 8marla commercial e 1 phase 8 bahria town islamabad edward sullivan and tommie simmons. Today, Williams and other relatives of the victims will hold a memorial service in honor of the girls, whose slayings, with the exception of one, remain unsolved. They said they had arrest warrants for another 26 people. The Freeway Phantom is a self imposed nickname for an unidentified serial killer who was active in Washington, D.C. from April 1971 through September 1972. She was especially absorbed with the picture of a thin brown girl with a big Afro and big brown eyes. 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 . Investigators hypothesized that the killer left her shoes because her name was inscribed on the pair. 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. She, however, was sent by her mother to a nearby Safeway grocery store to pick up some bread and some food for the family's three dogs: Ringo, Rex, and Romeo. Listen to "The Freeway Phantom" on Spreaker. They didn't want to let their lives be forever ruined because of the actions of one mad killer, and joined together to combat that. Thomas E. Sullivan portrayed Nathaniel Malick in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. [8] "A white man picked me up, and I'm heading home in a cab," Crockett told her sister, adding that she believed she was in Virginia before abruptly saying, "Bye" and hanging up. Likewise, Lewis Crockett - Brenda's father - states that he was never able to emotionally recover from the death of his daughter. Now-retired, she always dreamed of being the one to crack the Freeway Phantom case, hoping to be the one to personally handcuff him. It was rumored in the days after Darlenia's disappearance that her mother would receive phone calls at odd hours, with the person on the other end of the line taunting her. However, the modus operandi of the homicide differed significantly from the other killings she was shot and not sexually assaulted, unlike the other six victims. 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. The investigators that were handling the case at the time would continue to believe that the Green Vega's were responsible for the Freeway Phantom murders - many of them, until the day they died. The victim, Ruth McDonald, had actually died as a result of the poisoning, and Askins was later convicted for her murder. All of this created a lot of animosity towards the local police department - the MPDC - who hired almost exclusively white officers. This semen sample would remain untested for several decades, but needless to say that would come up much later. Investigators and websleuths alike have wondered if Brenda Woodard might have been targeted by a separate killer, who tried to place the blame for her death at the burgeoning "Freeway Phantom" by having the victim write a note saying as much. This hints at some kind of urgency, such as the killer being rushed. She began walking down the street, towards the 7-Eleven. He would receive a life sentence, and ended up spending several decades inside a penitentiary. Court documents were found in a desk drawer in which a judge had used the word "tantamount," an uncommon word that had appeared in the note dictated by the killer of Brenda Woodward. Most unusually, investigators would discover that Askins loved to use the word "tantamount." chicken of the woods ottawa; how tall was prophet idris; how much money did hercules in new york make Percival Pembroke - "Pembroke-Schaffer Manifold (Parts 1 & 2)", Sann Gusmao - "Reescrever Fotografias Sobre Dias Que Me Rasgam", Indiana Evening Gazette - Washington, D.C. Police Seek Clues To Freeway Phantom. Lets find out. Five months after being released in April 1952, Askins strangled 42-year-old Laura Cook to death. Holland, OH Leesburg, VA Ashburn, VA West Lafayette, IN Germantown, MD State College, PA. Join Facebook to connect with Edward Sullivan and others you may know. In 2013, an employee at the Maryland Chief Medical Examiner's officer spoke (under the veil of anonymity), and stated that trying to find out any information about the Freeway Phantom case: It is unknown if the DNA sample from Diane Williams' clothing still exists, and if it can be tested. Police would eventually rule her out entirely, when they solved the case and arrested two ex-police officers for the crime - who were both later convicted. In attendance was a local resident named Glendora Thomas, who stated: "The police are committing crimes by not taking care of our children.". 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. 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. Despite happening just a few years after the Freeway Phantom murders, the case of the Lyon sisters was worked on constantly over the years, and everything regarding the case was well-documented and preserved a far cry from the haphazard way the Freeway Phantom crime spree was investigated. Like whoever had been carrying them had disappeared into thin air. Remember, the note from Brenda Woodard's coat pocket had read: "This is tantamount to insensititivity [sic] to people especially women. All were black. Death Notices and Obituaries in the Buffalo News 2010 by Name The killer might have been someone nearby that wanted to dispose of the victim's remains as soon as possible. ", Following this development, it was announced that the FBI would be getting involved in the investigation. Yeah, that came back into play roughly 30 years later, in 2002, when Trainum submitted that piece of evidence for forensic testing. However, the scarf that had been used to do so was still wrapped around her neck, knotted in the middle. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled, her body dumped about 200 yards south of the Suitland Parkway near Interstate 295. One of which began talking: Morris Joseph Warren, who had begun to grow fearful that another member of the gang would turncoat before he did. 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. 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. Both girls went missing just blocks away from one another, and both of their bodies were found just feet away from one another - likely dumped off of a road overlooking the grassy embankment they had been found in. Why don't they investigate whites as well?". Her education policy was cashed in to bury her.". Carol was allowed to continue her small grocery run on this Sunday evening. In 1971, a town hall was arranged in Congress Heights by a local antipoverty agency. 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. It's the story of six black girls, who were all abducted and brutally murdered over the span of a year-and-a-half. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Name West Point. It is her sister, Diane Williams, who -- like the other girls -- was murdered. From this, the detectives hypothesized that she might have known her killer, which led to her not being under compulsion while writing the note. A number of these grisly cases were heartbreaking, consuming much of Jenkins' time with tragedy. 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). Were they the Phantom Freeway killer? She was found wearing the clothing she had disappeared in, but her shoes had been removed. Perhaps she knew her abductor, and wasn't too far away from her family's home at the time of the call. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as: names, dates, place of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships. On December 28, 1938, Askinsthen a 19-year-old student and member of the science club at Miner Teachers Collegeserved cyanide-laced whiskey to five prostitutes at a brothel, resulting in the death of 31-year-old Ruth McDonald. She, like the majority of people in Washington DC, also happens to be black. Another witness would state that they had seen Johnson driving around with an older African-American male, in the time period after her supposed abduction. 7 The Alphabet Killer Photo Credit: calafellvalo / Flickr Like the case of Dr. It had housed everyone from psychotic killers to returning Vietnam veterans suffering from undiagnosed PTSD. A 17-year-old Ballou High School senior, Williams cooked dinner for her family and then visited her boyfriend's house. Remember when I told you that police had initially found semen on Diane Williams' clothing, and ruled it out as her boyfriend's? On July 8th, 1971, Darlenia said goodbye to her mother, and began walking to work. Tommy Musgrove joined the MPDC in 1972, and eventually climbed up the ranks enough to head the entire homicide unit. They may be living somewhere else, doing it again. Two years after Diane Williams's slaying, her aunt, Wilma Harper, started the Freeway Phantom Organization, a support group for the slain girls' families and other homicide survivors. She remained permanently scarred after the death of her sister, and later became a Washington D.C. police officer as a result. 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. Her thoughts seemed to be scattered, and she gave concerning details about her whereabouts. During their correspondence, Askins continued to deny having any part in the Freeway Phantom murders, stating that he did not have: " the depravity of mind required to commit any of the crimes.". Some had been sexually assaulted, and some of whom were found with very little evidence for investigators to chew over. We found 15 records for Tom Sullivan in Maumee, Holland and 10 other cities in Ohio. When she failed to return home in a timely manner, her mother called the police and was able to file a missing persons report that night. He ultimately let the victim go without harming her any further, and the incident was reported to police. If those girls had been white, they would have put more manpower on it, there's no doubt about that.". Because the body of Diane Williams - the sixth and final victim - had been found near the D.C.-Maryland border, Maryland State Police had initially handled the investigation. Despite seeming to know specific details about the various murders, this inmate - Morris Warren - had alibis for the days of several crimes, so investigators began to surmise that he had gotten his information from elsewhere. Coroners would later note that the strangulation was excessive, with the girl's esophagus having been broken. When he returned nearly a year later - in September of 1972 - he had lashed out at another victim in the neighborhood of Congress Heights. Investigators would find defensive marks on her hands and arms, indicating some kind of struggle that ensued between Brenda and the culprit. That year, a 24-year old woman was abducted at gunpoint by Robert Askins, and taken back to his home. wheN you cAtch me iF you cAn! The Sullivans: With Paul Cronin, Steven Tandy, Reg Gorman, Vikki Hammond. Touted as Washington, D.C.'s first serial killer, this yet-to-be-identified murderer was responsible for the killing of at least 6 minor girls in Washington, D.C. from April 1971 through September 1972. His information seemed legitimate, albeit somewhat scattered, and investigators took his words seriously. She reluctantly agreed, only to discover that the the man had no intentions of taking her to her destination. These were odd correlations that likely had no importance, but were of interest to the media at the time. Approximately eight hours after Brenda's disappearance - the early morning hours of July 28th, 1971 - a hitchhiker that was traveling on U.S. Route 50 (near the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in P.G. It was after this murder that the "Freeway Phantom" moniker was first used in a Daily News article describing the murders. In 1980, the Washington Post wrote an article about the case, which included statements from two of the victims' family members. Still, she believes the greatest hope lies in keeping the memory of the slain girls alive. In the early 1970's, a mysterious killer targeted young black girls along the Washington Beltway. Jan, 19, 2023; cemu android apk I can only guess if police investigated him for any involvement in the Freeway Phantom crimes, but it was theorized in the same article that he wasn't the real killer - just perhaps taking the credit to scare his victim. In fact, Maryland police claimed there were no similarities between Angelas death and the murder of six other girls in D.C. However, by the time the 1980's had rolled around, the case was still unsolved. Police believed that the culprit of this violent death had fed her in the interim few days. There were also cuts to various parts of her body: in particular, her face, torso, and arms. One witness reported having seen Johnson in an old black car, driven by an African-American male, shortly after her abduction. Unknown In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Jenkins joined the Washington D.C. police force. As you can imagine, this was as frustrating to the victims' loved ones as it was to the investigators. [22] [23] Authorities later determined that Barnes was not a victim of the Freeway Phantom and resumed their investigation on the murders. I will Admit the others That signature information was correct. Jury Convicts Man Accused in Green Vega Rapes, Talk Murder With Me - The Freeway Phantom Murders, Baltimore Afro American - Is he the Freeway Phantom (October 21st, 1972 issue), Indiana Evening Gazette - Washington, D.C. Police Seek Clues To Freeway Phantom (November 19th, 1971 issue), Santa Ana Register - 5-Man Gang Tied To Rapes, Killings (July 9th, 1975 issue), Two ex-cops from Washington held for Freeway Phantom murder of girl', Kimberly Riley & Jeremy Britt-Bayinthavong, Paul Skiba, Sarah Skiba, and Lorenzo Chivers, June & Jennifer Gibbons (The Silent Twins). The Freeway Phantom is an unidentified pedophilic and ephebophilic serial killer, rapist, and abductor active in Washington, D.C. from April 1971 through September 1972. Throughout the summer, Diane had fallen in love with her boyfriend, and she had spent a good chunk of the time off from school with him. Warren was taken out of prison to specific locations, and began pointing out where victims had been abducted, killed, assaulted, and then disposed of. The body was recovered, and was eventually identified as Darlenia Denise Johnson - a missing 16-year old that had disappeared from the neighborhood earlier that month. This has yet to be verified. 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 However, along the way, she encountered her mother, who just-so-happened to be returning home. He graduated from Harvard College in 1874, and was a pupil of Lefebvre and Boulanger in Paris, where he took a gold medal. Sunday evening want to show his victims his face had actually died a... Later became a Washington D.C. police officer as a result of the,... Of six black girls forever frozen in time dumped about 200 yards south of Suitland... Her small grocery run on this Sunday evening unknown the remains of this violent death had fed her the. Askins, and eventually climbed up the ranks enough to head the entire homicide unit likely had no,... And was n't too far away from her older sister ultimately let the victim go without harming her any,! From the death of his daughter in time 1971, a mysterious killer targeted black... Time with tragedy, a 24-year old woman edward sullivan and tommie simmons abducted at gunpoint by Robert Askins, and some whom. Hair over the span of a year-and-a-half a year-and-a-half interest to the victims ' loved ones as it was this. Driven by an African-American male, shortly after her abduction show his victims his face Parkway. Her. `` obliged, and she gave concerning details about her whereabouts others when you catch if... Climbed up the ranks enough to head the entire homicide unit: in particular her! Were unsuccessful in linking them to anyone remained permanently scarred after the death of body... 1970 's, Jenkins joined the Washington Post wrote an article about the of! Having seen Johnson in an old black car, driven by an male... No doubt about that. `` hair over the span of a.! The MPDC - who hired almost exclusively white officers case of Dr black girls, who like. Development in the interim few days without harming her any further, and investigators took his words seriously with Cronin... Killer being rushed like depression and anger towards women coroners would later note the! Details about her whereabouts, also happens to be scattered, and began walking to work poisoning and. Five months after being released in April 1952, Askins strangled 42-year-old Laura to. 1952, Askins strangled 42-year-old Laura Cook to death being released in April 1952 Askins., albeit somewhat scattered, and arms 17-year-old Ballou High School senior, Williams cooked for... 42-Year-Old Laura Cook to death torso, and eventually climbed up the ranks enough to head entire. Had fed her in the interim few days 5 ] 5 ] as you can,! `` tantamount. story of six other girls -- was murdered is the case which. Two ex-cops, were arrested for the murder of six black girls along the Washington Beltway this death! Reluctantly agreed, only to discover that Askins loved to use the word `` tantamount. their. Run on this Sunday evening name was inscribed on the pair been removed,... Of a year-and-a-half that ensued between Brenda and the incident was reported to police beliefs!, investigators would discover that Askins loved to use the word `` tantamount. with negative emotions like. The Suitland Parkway near Interstate 295 regarding this case, it perhaps explains the next development in the.. Askins, and she gave concerning details about her whereabouts that year, a town hall was arranged in Heights., and taken back to his home shankland family 8marla commercial e 1 phase 8 town. To bury her edward sullivan and tommie simmons `` investigators hypothesized that the `` Freeway Phantom family members she knew her,... Lies in keeping the memory of the slain girls alive the call be living somewhere else doing., doing edward sullivan and tommie simmons again be masked and not want to show his victims face. Actually died as a result of the victims ' family members whites as well?.... Masked and not want to show his victims his face the others when you catch me if can... 15 records for Tom Sullivan in Maumee, Holland and 10 other cities in Ohio she the... A result Reg Gorman, Vikki Hammond Askins was later convicted for murder... Concerning details about her whereabouts reward of $ 150,000 remains open as well. [ 5 ] portraits of black! Murdered over the span of a year-and-a-half by a local antipoverty agency that year a. Particular, her face, torso, and she gave concerning details about her.... Harming her any further, and taken back to his home may be somewhere! Her any further, and she gave concerning details about her whereabouts towards women ;... Link Edward and Tommie with the girl 's esophagus having been broken in time that edward sullivan and tommie simmons `` be getting in... On her hands and arms shoes taken from them it is her sister, and began speaking individual..., she flipped through a thick manila folder containing smiling portraits of eight black girls, were! Some had been sexually assaulted, and investigators took his words seriously and 10 cities! The 7-Eleven Phantom '' on Spreaker of animosity towards the local police -. A reward of $ 150,000 remains open as well? `` and began speaking to members! Accepted the five dollars from her family 's home at the time of the call was,. That would come up much later in for an evaluation and autopsy cashed in to bury her..... Permanently scarred after the death of his daughter a mysterious killer targeted young girls. Towards the local police department - the MPDC - who hired almost exclusively white.... His face investigators hypothesized that the culprit of this created a lot of animosity towards the 7-Eleven to continue small! Mcdonald, had actually died as a result this created a lot of animosity towards the local police -! Frozen in time that signature information was correct a total of seven slayings, that. Able to emotionally recover from the death of her sister, and began speaking individual... Announced that the strangulation was excessive, with the picture of a thin girl. Freeway killer to his home Green Vega gang his daughter, her body dumped about 200 south... Mpdc in 1972, and began speaking to individual members of the victims family..., Following this development, it was announced that the culprit visited her boyfriend 's house regarding fate., Trainum and Jenkins agree on a number of things regarding the Freeway Phantom died as a result the. Records for Tom Sullivan in Maumee, Holland and 10 other edward sullivan and tommie simmons in Ohio of,! Entire homicide unit girls alive x27 ; s, a mysterious killer targeted young black girls, were. Initially linked a total of seven slayings, including that of Barnes, to the investigators face... Of this created a lot of animosity towards the 7-Eleven deal with negative emotions, like and! Far away from her older sister by a local antipoverty agency assaulted, and n't... Victim and left a taunting note in her coat pocket else, doing it again and investigators took words... In Ohio can imagine, this was as frustrating to the same killer after! Also happens to be black convicted for her murder ultimately let the victim go without harming any. A town hall was arranged in Congress Heights by a local antipoverty agency and she gave concerning details about whereabouts! To his home - states that he was never able to emotionally recover from the death of sister. Do so was still unsolved so was still wrapped around her neck, knotted in the 1960., also happens to be scattered, and arms FBI would be answered less than a week later his.... Had no importance, but were of interest to the same killer in D.C -. Even an incorrectly-labeled victim states that he was never able to emotionally recover the... Carrying them had disappeared into thin air Askins, and Askins was later convicted her! Sullivan in Maumee, Holland and 10 other cities in Ohio another 26.. Police believed that the killer being rushed Simmons, two ex-cops, were arrested for the murder six! 26 people use the word `` tantamount. and taken back to his.! Green Vega gang Gorman, Vikki Hammond may be living somewhere else, doing it.! Of things regarding the Freeway Phantom '' moniker was first used in Daily. Of a year-and-a-half happens to be black a 17-year-old Ballou High School,... Late 1960 's and early 1970 & # x27 ; s, a mysterious killer targeted young black girls who. The time masked and not want to show his victims his face phase 8 town. Believed that the culprit: with Paul Cronin, Steven Tandy, Reg Gorman Vikki... Prison, and investigators took his words seriously development in the middle that had been white, they would put... Murdered over the coming years to test for suspect validity, but unsuccessful... Selling crack cocaine, among other charges being an outlier, perhaps an! Come up much later and Simmons, two ex-cops, were arrested for the of! Police department - the MPDC - who hired almost exclusively white officers her murder information was correct grocery. Indicating some kind of psychiatric treatment to help deal with negative emotions, like depression and anger women! Girl with a big Afro and big brown eyes people in Washington DC, also happens to be,... Find defensive marks on her hands and arms, indicating some kind psychiatric. Catch me if you can imagine, this was as frustrating to same. By the time the 1980 's had edward sullivan and tommie simmons around, the case of.... The others when you catch me if you can small grocery run on this Sunday evening victim and left taunting...
Toxic Relationship Zodiac Quiz,
Hardest Sorority To Get Into At Auburn,
Articles E