And no arrests were made. On Dec. 9, officers responded to 109 Brandywine Lane in reference to a murder/suicide. Outraged, Melissa demanded a second DNA test, but the results were the same. "We don't give up on these cases. 4 min read Mary, Thomas and son David Johnson were found stabbed to death in the bedroom of their Cedar Street home in Clifton in early 1993. In other cases, they may no longer be afraid the killer will come after them. Could he have committed the crime or hired someone else to carry it out? Six people were shot and two were killed during the incident and standoff. ", More: Gunshot deaths, reports down in Spartanburg after violent summer; residents push forward. She was also the mother of two children and had recently separated from her husband Mike. Man who confessed to killing 90 people helps SC sheriff solve cold case It wasn't a far-fetched idea. I turned on the news and there was Crystals house burning, she said. Long story short, Brian ended up saying to her, 'This is my mother, I want you to treat her with respect,' and it started to become a confrontation," said Lorraine. During an interview, she nervously explained that she came face to facewith the man for just a second. He was shot. They were very serious and they said 'We've had something come up and we need to talk to you about it,' I said OK, and they said to me, 'You were here about a month ago, you changed a diaper here at the sheriff's office, and we sent it off and compared it to the blood from the crime scene, and your son's DNA does not match up with his father's.'". Cold Case deck cards produced in 2015 for distribution in the SC Department of Corrections. On August 9, 1976, two unidentified homicide victims, later nicknamed . Hes gone to prisons to talk to people who may have information. |, Presented by TD Bank, TD SYNNEX & The YMCA, The People and Places That Helped Shape Greenville, Junior League of Greenville now recruiting, Hoop dreams: A history of womens basketball in the Upstate, Celebration of life for Greenvilles Bo Matheny to be held March 6, Jerome Jerry Richardson, Carolina Panthers founder and Wofford College alum, dies at 86, Weekly Dish: Biscuits, burgers and goodbyes, Glimpses of Greenville: Sullivan Hardware served Greenville for generations, International African American Museum to open in Charleston this June, Day in the Life: Line Service Technician GSP, Best Buddies fosters friendship and much more. And there were even more damning clues: On the last day of his life, Brian Lucas was looking at a new house, apparently without his wife's knowledge. for Employment of Handicapped). Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. The suspect, Franklin Loden, was arrested later and charged with assault and battery high and aggravated. Seven minutes, four lives, one gun. 21-year-old James Byrd, of Spartanburg, has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, deputies said. WITH THE ADVANCEMENT OF ADN TECHNOLOGY, DEPUTIES SAY THEY HAVE EVIDENCE BEING EXAMINEDY B SLED THAT WILL GIVE NEW INFORMATION ON THIS CASE. Year over year crime in Spartanburg has increased by 2%. More than a year after the shootings, sometime after the birth of Melissa Ponder's son, Scotty Junior, Melissa Ponder was summoned to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Department. Among those shot were two employees with Spartanburg Water, one employee with Spectrum (Perry McIntyre, deceased), a Spartanburg County Sheriffs deputy and the suspect, Shannon Earl Smith, who was killed during the gunfire exchange with law enforcement. T. he witness saidthe Vick vehicle was not a perfect match with the one hed seen, though. Witnesses said the man tried to stop anybody from going into the house. Spartanburg County deputies released this flier of a man investigators want to talk to about the unsolved killings of four people on the Superbike Motorsports motorcycle shop in Chesnee, S.C., in . BACK IN 1993, THOMAS AND MARY JOHNSON AND EITHR SON VIDDA WHERE KILLED IN THEIR HOME. Lets Eat at Waynes Lunchbox in Spindale, N.C. Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, Chris Rock to finally have his say in new stand-up, Coincidence prompted Powerball winner to buy ticket, Driver dead after MD tanker explosion, fire, Shelby girl drives, chips, putts her way to Augusta, Driver who nearly hit kids at bus stop arrested, Firefighters battle blaze in Hong Kong shopping district, Harry, Meghan asked to leave UK home in further royal, Death toll keeps rising in Greeces deadliest train, Fiery Greece train collision kills 26, injures at, Drones fly deep inside Russia; Putin orders border, A time bomb: Indias sinking holy town faces grim, Zelensky declares Ukraine year of invincibility, Russia launches rescue ship to space station after, Fifth person cured of HIV, researchers say, New quake hits battered Turkey, Syria; 3 dead, hundreds, Sneaking a president from DC to Kyiv without anyone, Bodies of 18 migrants found in abandoned truck in, Love blossoms between Ukrainian, Russian enemies, Rescuers push to find survivors of disaster of the, Day care in Canada struck by city bus; 2 children, Quake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills more than 3,400, Ukraine warns Russia massing 500,000 troops on border, Australia is removing British monarchy from its bank, Unions buoyant as 1.27 million French protest pension, 2 dead, 2 missing as rain pounds New Zealands largest, Earths core may have stopped spin, reversed: study, Ex-SEAL dies in Ukraine; 6th known American killed, Hundreds flee after fire spreads through Seoul neighborhood, Ja Morant investigated by NBA over Instagram post, Mortgage rates have little reason to fall in March, 1 killed amid turbulence event on business jet. But the problem in many cases is evidence that could be used wasnt collected, he said. She had been picking blackberries with her parents, went to a nearby store, and was later found beaten to a pulp in a closet of an abandoned house. Spartanburg Police Department indicates eight homicides resulting in 11 deaths in 2021 have been solved, according to Police Maj. Art Littlejohn. Detectives are seeking information from witnesses and/or from anyone who may have knowledge about these cases. The attached picture is not the actual suspect vehicle, but it is a similar make and model. Days after the brutal killing, Vick, then 17, threatened his life, Pace said, so he kept his mouth shut. Map Browse By State. This case is unsolved. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Detectives turned their attention to a witness report ofseeing a white and blue vehicle in the area that raised a red flag. They scoured Roebuck for the vehicle and turned up a possible match: Mary Ann Vick, one of Dana's customers, had a similar car. Theres also a new billboard up in Boiling Springs, with Bradshaws face and name, not far from where she lived. NWS confirms tornado damage in Laurens, Spartanburg, Car buyers frustrated after dealership closes, Murdaugh judges own legal story unfolded in South, Man arrested after 2 found dead inside business, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. No ID or clothing was found at the scene. White Sr. Blvd. Investigators were acutely aware of the time, too. This case is unsolved. Was Wright the perpetrator of the Blue Ridge Bank murders, and could he have also gunned down four people at Superbike Motorsports just five months later? Name. But whoever that was was believed to have been the shooter.". "They actually told Melissa that Scott wasn't the father of the baby -- that Brian was," said Terry Guy. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Terms of Use | At 8:33 p.m., Philadelphia Police officers responded to the scene and found Isaiah lying in the street. 2. "At that point in time the lead detective said to me 'We now have two DNA tests that show that he's not the father of your baby,'" said Melissa. These cases are still open and are being investigated by detectives from the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office. The fire was contained in the roof, which fell in. She was also a mother. South Carolina Crime Stoppers View Source Square with arrow pointing upper right. Is your conscious turned off?. Today, the case remains. We Connect. This crime is one of the oldest unsolved murder cases in Oregon history. Not only that, but they know who did it: 39-year-old career criminal Emmerson Wright. There were approximately 17,721 homicides in South Carolina between 1980 and 2019, according to the Project: Cold Case website for unsolved homicide statistics. I guess its knowing what she was trying to do to better her life for herself and her child. On July 8, officers responded to 348 Winsmith Ave. On July 9, officers responded to 1605 John B. In 1963, the homicide clearance rate nationwide was 91 percent. DNA has enabled police to solve cases that are decades old. Each Internet browser has a different method of accessing these keys: Please note: Internet Explorer users may also need to hit the enter key to activate a link. Adding to the tragedy, Melissa and other family members now fear all the time authorities spent focusing on her may have let the real killer slip through the cracks, a killer who could very well strike again. Quadrupel Murders in Chesnee, SC 11/6/2003 A very Hot Case, need your help. Investigators combed the house and surrounding area, looking for clues. To date, no one has been charged for killing Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, who were shot to death multiple times near dog kennels on the 1,700-acre property. The Herald-Journal has filed Freedom of Information Act requests related to this incident with each of these agencies. In an effort to help get answers for Bradshaws family, the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office announced a $25,000 cash reward is now being offered for information that could help solve the case. It is believed that the subjects were attempting to rob his neighbor's apartment. With such an extreme act of violence carried out in broad daylight, it's not long before authorities receive their first solid tip. You will find on this page information about the unsolved homicides being. A year went by, then two. ", "Mary was one of the most Godly women I've ever known," Moore said in the days that followed the tragedy. "They labeled Brian as Beverly's son based on DNA, but clearly Scott is Beverly's son," said reporter Daniel Gross. Privacy Policy | The problem, law enforcement officials said, is with time, witnesses die, move away and cease to cooperate, and memories fade. Spartanburg crime rates are 234% higher than the national average. They managed to secure both. Authorities chase down that and multiple other leads while continuing to hunt for the man in their sketch. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. The witness saidthe Vick vehicle was not a perfect match with the one hed seen, though. The victim, Ellen Anderson, and her deceased husband, Harlan Anderson, the suspect, were found in the residence. Unsolved: On Nov. 16, officers responded to 101 E. Wood St. in reference to a person suffering from an assault. Spartanburg, SC 29303. In all of the unsolved homicide cases, Gary has re-interviewed witnesses. The Richland County Cold Case Squad was formed to provide closure to family members of those who have been murdered and hold offenders accountable for what they have done. "The Barnes family was seen driving three minutes later to the bank.". NY Post Composite HAMPTON, S.C. Maggie Kennedy Branstetter was a pretty blond sorority girl at the University of South. Bradshaws murder is one of 40 unsolved homicide cases for the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office. And was someone willing to kill because of it? The University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement & Safety and Midlands Crimestoppers need your help identifying three suspects involved in over twenty incidents of vehicle tampering and thefts from vehicles located in the Greek Village area at 800 Blossom St., Columbia, SC. Detectives turned their attention to a witness report ofseeing a white and blue vehicle in the area that raised a red flag. Days after the brutal killing, Vick, then 17, threatened . Science doesnt lie, said Gregory, adding that the team was back to square one.. The victim, Timothy Pitts, fell to the ground striking his head on the sidewalk. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. Ad Choices. Herald-Journal 0:06 1:07 Spartanburg Police Department indicates eight homicides resulting in 11 deaths in 2021 have been solved, according to Police Maj. Art Littlejohn. "They never bothered anyone," Ken Coggins, minister of music at Second Baptist Church in Clifton, told the Herald-Journal at the time. And of course, we have our legendary tale of the "swamp man." "Strangely enough Brian was looking at a home without any knowledge from his wife," said Lorraine Lucas. Melissa was adamant that police had it all wrong. In the hours after the bank murders, investigators review surveillance cameras from a nearby convenience store, and get their first lead. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Roebuck is a small town and the officer recognized the lifeless victim as Dana Satterfield. She was found not guilty in 2015. Today, the building stands vacant, a makeshift mausoleum in an empty lot in Chesnee, South Carolina. Prior to police arrival, the homeowner and others asked the unknown male to leave the property a second time. I said to them, 'You no longer have the liberty to talk to me anymore. You just learn how to live with it, so this is kind of my way of living with it., To learn more about the case, watch In Ice Cold Blood, airing. Sign up to receive breaking True Crime Daily news, exclusive stories and behind-the-scenes info. The playing cards are distributed in all of SC 28 Correction Facilities as well as local jails and detention centers. Open or Unsolved Transgender Homicides; 2023 The male was suffering from a gunshot wound to his neck. The Unsolved Quadruple Murder at Superbike Motorsports in Chesnee REDUX. Get Alerts Map; Browse By State; Submit a Crime Tip Square with arrow pointing upper right. [1] Early life [ edit] But then, Eb and Maggie Barnes interrupted, and all three were killed. Coroner's Case Number C-98-8289 ( NamUs Number UP8962) On May 13, 1998 the nude body of an unidentified female of Asian descent was found on the frontage road adjacent to the south bound lane of I- 85 ( Casual Dr). Another year, and it seems like it was an eternity, Maxine Kennedy said. While investigators awaited results of the rape kit sent to the crime lab for processing, they spent months painstakingly interviewing Danas customers. Earlier this month, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt.. Gary said none of Bradshaws customers at work are the focus of the investigation. (and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act In some cases, people may be ready to tell what they know to get it off their chests, he said. "Me and Melissa sat down and talked, and I told her, I said, 'I'm going to ask you a question, I want you to be honest: Did you have anything to do with it? The elder Johnsons were retired from Clifton Mill Number Two. He said investigators had some suspects, but they lacked evidence linking anyone to the crime. The incidents occurred during the early morning hours of February 28, 2021. But Mr. Murdaugh, 53, was for years a well-connected player in the clubby South Carolina legal world; the family law firm, based in the tiny city of Hampton, has long been considered a powerhouse . Criminal justice officials say one reason fewer cases nationwide are being solved is because of an increase in drug-related and gang-related murders. The Charleston Police Department is reinvestigating unsolved homicides, also known as "cold cases." This site is an attempt to reach out to the members of our community and develop leads and information that will aid in the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for these crimes. Based on those details, police believe the person in the red car entered the bank to rob its lone teller, Sylvia Holtzclaw. You put them in your heart and hold them there, and you know what kind of person she was, and you hold on to your memories and you never let them go, she said. A son. Chris was the first one shot.". I cant say he did it. New evidence from a triple homicide in Spartanburg County in 1993 is now being analyzed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.