In her basement apartment, Terry Boland slept undisturbed. George Bragg might have invested his entire career into capturing on film people and places in his native southern West Virginia, but a trip to purchase some furniture from an estate in Mount Hope altered his life forever. The 1986 murder of Theresa Ann Woods, the 1963 murder of Irene Wilson, the 1982 murder of LaRoy Earl Gorman, and the 2008 murder of Judith Lynn Petty are among the unsolved central West Virginia murders, in addition tothe 1945 kidnapping and mysteriousdisappearance of the Sodder Children. . However, police were ever able to prove any involvement in the disappearance of Sue Roop. Eight years after the 911 call, only one fact remains indisputable. Initially officers theorized that in his intoxicated condition, Jonathan had either fallen over a hill or been struck by a vehicle. They were the first victims of the person who would become known as the Axeman of New Orleans. It was obvious that 24-year-old Jonathan Skaggs had had far too much to drink that night. In addition, the clothing found with the body indicated a person dressed for cold weather. Anyone with information about the murder of Ramon Lara should call the Austin Police Homicide tip line at 512-477-3588 or the Homicide Unit Main Line at 512-974-5210. Police stepped up patrols in the area and a juvenile believed to be the leader of a gang was arrested. Clawson claimed in the interview that he deposited the heads in a coke oven, a critical point that no one could ever verify, Bragg said. Thursday, February 20, 1986 began as just another day. Contributions included trash, tires, and wood. As for Pamela Drennen Cummings, her mother's murder 21 years earlier remained unsolved, and one of the two men later both she was convinced killed her mom escaped justice in her mind. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations 2019 Uniform Crime Report (UCR), the violent crime rate in West Virginiawas about 316.6 per 100,000 people. Her remain were not found. The perpetrator would appear to be distraughtover the victims death. Detectives decided to make another visit to Alfred Clinton Toney. In this pursuit, he was also a pro knowing if he never carried a gun during a break-in he couldn't be charged with the more serious armed-robbery felonies. You may callGEM Publicationsat 304-256-8400 to buythe book containing this story and the stories of many other unsolved murders in WV: West Virginia Unsolved Murders The cost of the book is 20.00. To save the confusion of explaining the name change to her students in the middle of the year, Cynthia wanted to get married before school started. Deputy S. D. Snuffer went to Clinton Toneys residence on Dempsey Branch road seeking information concerning the whereabouts of Jonathan Skaggs. He remembers that Eddie looked up with what Bills later described as a bewildered or deer in the headlights look on his face. Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock Steven Fisher, 20, and his girlfriend Melisa Gregory, 17, were bludgeoned to death on a ranch northwest of Newton, Iowa, in 1983. If there was one citizen in particular who manifested the best of the Kincaid and Page area, it was Dewey Edward Eddie Brown. . When the children returned home from school they found a note signed "Mommy" telling them "to go to Carol`s." But during a decade spent more inside prison than out, Wickline became more and more deeply involved with what one friend of his called the "prison mainstream. This is a group of inmates who use fear and violence to control most of the illicit activities within prison populations. The fact thatMargie had approached the car behind her of her own free will made officers theorize that she had known the driver or that someone posing as a police officer had pulled her over and she took her purse intending to show her registration and license. However, when Jonathan had still not returned home by Tuesday, Bibb and his wife worried enough to contact the deputy again. The description of the female matched that of Patricia Richmond exactly, right down to the long black hair and blue sweater with a red scarf aroundher hair. Though confirmation would take several days, several items belonging to Theresa as well as tufts of red hair found at the scene led investigators to believe they had found the missing girl. . Apparently, the school teacher put a load of clothes in the basement washer and returned to work on her Avon orders because she telephoned her Avon manager around 9:00 to discuss some problems with the orders. Just hover over the cold case database tab in the menu bar and you will see a drop down menu with the index and summaries all split up in three parts. Investigators spent the next few months conducting interviews of everyone who had any connection to the case. After the argument, Wickline asked Lerch to come with him to the upstairs bathroom to help him fix a clogged tub drain. For Robert Eugene Carroll, 64, of Charlton Heights, it meant the fresh air of freedom filled his lungs for the first time in more than two years. Lt.Paul Blume with Beckley City Police Department has continued the investigation into the murder of Cynthia Miller as recently as 2006. A tradition for the past 18 years, they visit the memorial near where her body was found, and Nicoles grave where her son places fresh roses. Some of the more popular West Virginia murders include: the 1977 murder of Roberta Elam, the 1963 murder of Irene Wilson, the 1980 double-murder of Vicki Durian and Nancy Santomero, and the 2005 Prom Night Homicides of Eddrick Clark, Megan Poston, Michael Dillon, and Ward are among the most infamous West Virginia murders. He is now serving multiple life sentences without possibility of parole. It was immediately obvious that this was no false alarm. His final words, "May tomorrow see the courts shaped by more wisdom and less politics.". Although Manson did not personally commit the killings famously perpetrated by his cult, Manson was convicted of first-degree murder for giving the orders to kill the victims. A Wednesday investigation by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, the Chief Medical Examiner's Office and other agencies uncovered an intact skeleton, buried in a shallow grave. Pete had lived with Sue for the past year, but eager to help her build a new life, he had recently joined the service and planned to send for her and the children after basic training. Every possible avenue that promised leads was pursued. That code number is your name to Crime Stoppers. There was so much blood that it took her a moment to realize that it was her old friend, Eddie. . . . The hip-hugger pants and platform shoes found with the body were indicatove the 1970`s style. They then return to the house for a meal and, of course, birthday cake. Harsent was six months pregnant at the time of her death. We believe the more resources we can provide to digital volunteers and citizen solvers mean more citizen detective communities. Her husband, Kent Dodd, told police that Margie`s purse had a torn flap and that she always carried it carefully to prevent any articles from falling out. Dr. Stoneking made the following recommendation in his report: If there is sufficient compelling other evidence to support the claim that the remains are those of Sue Roop, then the mtDNA ahalsis should be repeated in an independent sample.". The bride told her that Gary had gone to Princeton to visit his father. He will go down in West Virginia and Ohio's history as one of the most sadistic killers ever known in society. The rapist was eventually arrested and no connection could be made between the rapist and Dodd. If there was one resident of Kincaid who was not worried, it was probably Eddie Brown, who had literally lived there his entire life. The Unsolved Ohio Murder of Patsy Sparks Gets Fresh Look In 1992, Patsy Sparks, then 18, went to a bar in Parkersburg, West Virginia, about 15 miles from her home. At approximately 8:30 AM, neighbor Sadie Holstein saw Sue come out of her apartment and get into what was either a blue truck with a camper top or a van. . . . Wickline developed an affinity for knives, police believe he used a 15- inch-long folding knife with a serrated blade to dismember the Lerches while building a reputation as a man not to be crossed. Thank you! . On June 6, 1987, Tammy was still missing. For the next 29 days, Eddie lay in the hospital, weak and helpless. He was once charged and convicted, but requested a new trial. ; The person's identity could not be established after they were found dead. Sheriff Department detectives G. E. Burke and Steve Kessler began conducting an official investigation into the disappearance of Jonathan Skaggs. . Youve almost definitely came across one of West Virginiaserial murderers without even noticing it espeically if youve glanced through any kind of serial killer list. . Chief Deputy Steele detected deception in Toneys responses to the relevant questions, Did you kill Johnny Skaggs? and Do you know who killed Johnny Skaggs?. Afterwards, they left the area and traveled to Ingram Branch. Sherry said its the simple absence of her daughter that hurts the most. I really consider it to be unsolved.. . Theresa would not tell him what was wrong. . Quarters from schoolchildren mixed with donations from their parents poured in and the fund rapidly reached $2000. There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . At 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds, Eddie had the physical size to be intimidating but his sweet smile and laughing eyes soon unveiled his warm and gentle heart. Rumor maintained that one of the regulars had departed for Florida shortly after the attack. Kanawha County in West Virginia now has a population of approximately 334,000 people. At first, the crime seemed an obvious one. Not only would she not have gotten into a vehicle with a person she was unfamiliar with, she would not have been out at dark alone either. The number of homicides stood at 2 - an increase of 1 compared to 2018. . At first, he tried to avoid them but later met with them and offered proof that he was not in the Page area that night. In the 1960s, seven people in Fayette County went missing, and various dismembered body parts were later found strewn around the mountains. Anyone with information regarding any of these cases is urged to contact the assigned detective at the contact information . . On February 20, 1992, Eddie slipped away to a kinder world. For the past eight years, Chief Deputy Steve Kessler and the Fayette County Sheriffs Department Detective Unit have amassed volumes of testimony as witnesses were questioned repeatedly in the determined effort. This vehicle disappeared the same time as Cherice. But this time was different. Although he was known for his kindness, he would have defended himself if he had seen the blow coming. When Terry arrived home, the gate was closed and the dog was running loose. . This case remains one of West Virginia's unsolved mysteries. Schoolchildren lost a protector. He had offered the two young men a ride but they refused. . For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation develops and publishes a complete uniform crime report each year that gives extensive information on the various types of crime, crime rates, and locations in most cities and counties across the country. . . Officers began to question all customers of the bank who had conducted business with Margie at the bank on the day of her abduction. The body discovered on Bolt Mountain was found with a gold ing bearing a 1/8 ct diamond. The victims of the so-called "Whitechapel Murders" Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly all had their throats slashed, and most of them had. "He was found in a cave in Lobelia. Theres food, fellowship, and even a birthday cake. He told the detective that he might have burned Skaggs in the fire at his home. On June 4, 1993, a jury convicted Beard in the killings of Durian and Santomero and sentenced him to life in prison without parole. There was no evidence of any disturbance at the station other than that caused by Brown himself as he stumbled confused and bleeding in the darkness. Crime Stoppers will pay areward up to $5,000.00 to Tipster who provides sufficient information to lead law enforcement to make an arrest on this case. When he did, he withdrew his hand in horror. You will be assigned a code number. But the guest of honor - Nicole - has missed every birthday, every milestone, since she disappeared in January 2003, just two weeks before her 17th birthday. Officers were familiar with the Toney residence. Other unsolved murders in West Virginia featured in cold case lists are the many east West Virginia unsolved murders. On Wednesday, September 7, 1977, Margaret Dodd left her job at the Cardinal Bank in the Raleigh Mall and headed toward home in Shady Spring in her green, 1977 Chevette. The death of Jonathan Skaggs has not been forgotten nor has the investigation been abandoned. All skeletal elements were represented in the remains. In January 2000, the bone fragments were positively identified as those of Jonathan Skaggs. To test the question, investigators returned to the home onMiller Ave. and fired several shots at the location of Cynthias death with a 25 caliber automatic. These terrifying serial killers have one thing in common: they all spent time in West Virginia. In all, 34 murder cases are chronicled. Theresa was adorned in a lavender shirt, a blue jean jacket, blue jeans and gray suede boots with a fur lining. Toney told her that he was cleaning up and getting rid of things hedidnt want anymore. Citizens were nervous and fearful. When Patricia failed to return home that evening, her parents filed a missing person report with the WV State Police. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. "He was the most dangerous criminal I've ever run across in this state" said a West Virginia police detective. . 13 year old Theresa Ann Woods readied herself for the school day ahead unaware of what fate was to befall her. He said that he looked out his window and saw several people from the Thomas party in his driveway. Then you can explore a comprehensive list of the quantity ofunsolved homicides in each state on the Project: Cold Case website in addition to each states homicide clearance rate. Theresa was described by her father as a scaredy cat. Theresa excelled academically, loved playing the saxophone and was a member of the school band. During one confinement, he took some college-level psychology courses; during another he was taught to be a butcher. The Black male passenger had a broad face and was wearing a black hat with fur around it and no bill. The most chilling clues came from the circular stone fire pit located against the hillside adjacent to the cinder block home. Although its awful to think that such people have lived in our state, its worthwhile to be aware of history. oak hill wv unsolved murders. FAIRMONT, W.Va. - It's been 31 years since 14-year-old Fame Cooper's remains were found. Gruesome Homecoming At 11:35, Terry was awoken by a telephone call from her father. Struck him, not once, but four times. Children still waited for the school bus inside Vias Sunoco Station under the protective eye of Eddie Brown. One was wearing army pants and carrying an army jacket and was wearing a square-faced diver`s watch with a wide band. Pete and Sue exchanged letters almost every day. 1. Then in his late 30s, Bragg was examining some articles of furniture in the basement of the house when he accidentally kicked a magazine onto the floor. Skaggs had arrived at the Thomas home around 11:00 PM. Cynthia expressed an interest in going with him and then reconsidered. As is customary with the discovery of unidentified bodies, Detective Tanner began his attempt to match the skeletal remains and the articles found with it with descriptions from missing persons reports. Informants told Columbus-area police that Wickline may have accepted a contract to execute a man in Florida in early 1983. Or visit www.crimestopperswv.com to submit a tip anonymously. At the time of her disappearance, Norman Stephens worked for UPS. Wickline continued living an active outlaw life after he moved and police sources claim he was part of a burglary ring that specialized in breaking into drugstores, then dealing the stolen narcotics. Although FBI examiners indicated that the watches were very similar, the photograph was not clear enough for a positive identification. Beard's lawyers petitioned the state, presenting both Franklin's original confession and new eyewitness testimony that placed Beard elsewhere on the day of the murders. The doctor told Glen Brown that his brothers skull looked like a road map of holes and fractures. The subject continued to call the Horans and an FBI phone tap indicated that the calls were coming from pay phones in Akron, Ohio. She enjoyed fitness and was a member of the L.A. East Gym in Beckley. WhenTerry tried the door, she had a problem with her keys so she asked Cynthia to open the door for her. There was no gravel at the station. Property values declined and a new breed of resident began to emerge. On the morning of January 22, 1992 Eddie began his day in the usual way. All of the rape charges against him were dropped by authorities, and some of the charges were never pursued at all. Her father has since passed on never knowing what fate befell his only daughter. West Virginia authors Geoffrey Fuller and S. James McLaughlin recently released a book with what they found during their decades-long investigation of the coed murders. Finally, investigators from various investigative and law enforcement agencies around the state will continue to investigate the remaining unsolved cases until all of West Virginias true crimes are solved. As she walked through the house, for a moment she thought she heard muffled voices outside. For Glen and Howard Brown, the quest for justice continues over 15 years later. Former Wood County WV prosecutor Harry Deitzler summed it up. Chances of solving the crime appeared very good. UNSOLVED: The Murder of Theresa Woods; A West Virginia Cold Case Mysterious WV 83.9K subscribers Subscribe 258K views 3 years ago PLEASE SHARE: Theresa Ann Woods disappeared from in front. . For example, evidence can range from blood, saliva, semen, skin cells, or other DNA evidence, to cell phone pings, to gunpowder residue, and most often include Kanawha County murders crime scene photos, to show the jury the environment surrounding the crime as well as show the potential ferocity of the crime. . They moved into a small home next door to their employers Billie and Robert Skaggs. Toney stated that Jason Rinehart, Nicole Thomas, Sean Andrews and several others were at his home when Officer Feltner dropped Jonathan Skaggs off there. . . Near Oak Hill (Fayette Co) WV August 15, 1999 . Detectives questioned Tammy`s husband about the stains, but no explanation was provided. He was anything but a charmer." Hayden John Dixon, 28, of Oak Hill is charged with murder in the death of Trinity McCallister, 35, of Oak Hill, according to a news release from the Oak Hill Police Department.. At the time of her disappearance, Cherice Gwinn was married to Norman Stephens. Tanner received yet another disappointing answer: The body on Bolt Mountain matched the DNA of Sue Roop`s family in 25 of 26 points. The smell was so bad that he began vomiting. They searched her apartment. He left around midnight following an altercation. . Wickline was reportedly involved with a group that engaged in animal- sacrifice rituals in which a male member of the group would use his chest as a human altar on which the animal was sacrificed. . Huntington case counted among murder suspect's decades of crime. Henry Lee Lucas spent 10 years in prison for the murder of his mother, before he was released in 1970 because of prison overcrowding. I produce video features concering unsolved crimes, cold cases as well as missing persons and John & Jane Does in the State of West Virginia. The pair moved to Oak Hill from Powellton with Theresa to be closer to their work at B & B Convalescent. Concerned that Eddie had been taken ill, the couple pulled onto the lot and approached the station. DNA samples from the bone fragments were submitted to the Smithsonian Institute for a detailed comparison to family members of Skaggs. As Boland opened the gate, Cynthia called out and asked her to leave the gate open so that she could bring the dog in. At the hospital, Eddies clothes were turned over to his family. However, she was gone from 11:40 until about thesame time that police arrived. . . The body had been abandoned in a forested area, but had nt been buried deep enough to protect it from exposure or discovery. Gary was relieved when he arrived home to see Cynthias car in the driveway. Clinton Toney agreed to take a Computer Voice Analysis Test on 08/19/1999. SueFaye Roop seemed to be preoccupied on the night of February 11, 1979. According to Thomas, Skaggs got involved in an altercation with Shaun Tincher and that was broken up by James Jones. She loved life. His curiosity piqued, Bragg retrieved the magazine from the floor and asked the man showing him the furniture for an explanation. The purse contained a money order that Sue had received from Peter Brown. This was the work of a coldblooded murderer who fired repeatedly at close range. While investigating the dumpsite, officers smelled what they believed to be charred human flesh and witnessed what appeared to be bone fragments in the ash. A brief summary of each case is provided. Theresa Ann Woods. Clue by clue, statement by statement, the case will be built until prosecution is assured. His car had broken down and he asked Terry to come and give him a ride. Deputies Steele and Burke were busy tracking down every lead. Sue had sufferedsome very unpleasant situations: a serious gash to her head after being run off the road in her automobile, her houseburned mysteriously while the children were at their fathers and Sue was spending the night with her sister and Raymond had taken her to court attempting to get a portion of the insurance money. When they scraped all the ashes, looking for bones and body parts and all, they never found anything, Bragg said. Police began an intense questioning of known and suspected sex violators in the area, but no connection could be made between of them and the missing woman. That victim, headless and minus his feet and hands, turned up in a lonely spot in Pineville.