Just your average everyday normal family. July 5, 1985 Survivor In Sierra Madre. But what about his second? On night of January 16 th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora, Colorado. The world turned a painful red and Donna began to lose consciousness. Umesh Pal murder case: Bulldozer action against Atiq Ahmad's close aides continues in Uttar Pradesh. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. In that homicide, DNA evidence was found matching Ewing. The Bennett family was attacked either the night of Jan. 15 or the morning of Jan. 16. While closure and peace may be forever out of reach, the panelists hope for a sense of justice among those affected. Investigators noted there was evidence of a struggle at the house. On the night of Jan. 15, 1984, the Bennett family left their garage door open. Here are the days of the week the alleged killer struck each victim (s). If it were me, I would explore other possibilities in terms of profiling my suspect here, explore past just some guy who was currently working construction in the area or druggies who killed in a drug fueled rage. One of the most terrifying aspects of the case is the sketch of his mask, made with the assistance of survivors who caught a glimpse of him. Those were the sentencing rules in 1984, and since these crimes were committed at that time, Ewing is grandfathered into those standards. He faced six counts of first-degree murder. In just two days, Melissa would turn 8 years old. The press conference began with Aurora Chief Nicholas Metz, who recognized the hard work and dedication of many investigators who worked this case over the years. Rather than wait until 2019 when the book will be published, we thought wed at least share the results with you. The bludgeoned bodies of husband and wife, Bruce and Debra Bennett, were discovered and it soon became evident that they had both attacked with a knife and beaten to death. The fact that the murders took place between Highline Canal and the Alameda Corridor is curious, in fact, I am drawn to this fact about the case more so than any other fact. EAR brought his own ligatures to almost every attack he didnt rely exclusively on what was found at the scene. You can also see what seems to be escalation and a frenzy of activity at certain points. It was later determined to be the murder weapon. From 1987 to 1991, a serial offender known as Mr Cruel abducted children around Melbourne, Australia. The jury found Ewing guilty on. All rights reserved. Here we have a chart that I created showing the types of incidents (mere prowling, a burglary/ransacking, and the two violent confrontations) attributed to the Visalia Ransacker throughout his known criminal career (1973-1976). I should also note that the data becomes a bit skewed in that month because of the fact that the Snelling murder, being a homicide investigation, resulted in a much more thorough sweep of the area and more prowling incidents were recorded that wouldve otherwise been left unreported. They are asking tipsters who know anything about the Aurora case to call 303-739-6400 and the Lakewood case to call 303-763-6800. He either got turned on by the prospect of killing or used the rapes as a way to cover up the true motive which was to murder. Murderer of Aurora's Bennett family sentenced to life in prison August 17, 2021 It took 37 years, but on Tuesday, the families of Bruce and Debra Bennett saw justice served. I dont believe this killers blood lust was sated after all these acts of violence leading up to these murders; unless he was somehow killed (or committed suicide) soon after, my guess is he ended up in jail for something unrelated or something that somehow wasnt linked, like a violent rape. I was a drug addict for so many years. He was among many who worked the case tirelessly for many years and is directly responsible for using some of the innovative DNA technologies, such as the Parabon Nanolabs imaging that came out a few years ago. Only 3-year-old Vanessa, at. I also believe this is the killers first stint at killing humans he most likely as with most serial killers did in fact kill animals earlier in life. CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - A judge sentenced Alex Ewing to three life sentences on Tuesday after he was found guilty in the 1984 murders of three people in Aurora. The mandatory minimum sentence for each count is life with possibility of parole after 20 years, according to the prosecution. I have seen all kinds of evil and wickedness nothing compares to the level of depravity that your actions show in this case, Vahle told Ewing. Ronald worked as a pilot. This killer did in fact re-offend, the issuehe was in the learning phase of actually killing humans during this time frame in Colorado. Atlanta, GA. Fri, Sep 8, 2023 08:00 PM. It seemed that robbery was not the primary motive only the personal jewelry that Patricia was wearing was missing from the scene. The case got very little press, and unfortunately, it was never solved. Recently, the Sun-Gazette has reported that Joseph DeAngelo, the man arrested for the Visalia Ransacker / Golden State Killer crimes, has been added to the suspect list. Most importantly take the need to judge them and all of your own emotions and personal beliefs out of the picture. The police found footprints in the snow that led up to and away from other homes in the same area and on the same street, leading them to believe that the offender was simply looking for an easy opportunity to lash out. This case impacted not just the victims, but it also terrorized an entire community, he said. A man accused of murdering a mother and three children has also been charged with raping one of the victims, who was 11. Apparently when the killer lifted Melissa Bennett, an imprint from his shirt was made in the blood that had resulted from his assault on her. He tossed it onto the seat of the car and began pulling her from the vehicle. She was also raped. The crime scene is the Bennett Family home where 3 out of 4 family members were murdered in January 1984. The other victim murdered in the terrifying crime spree. He fed the need. As an adult, she developed a drug habit and became an addict. The investigators looked at everything from construction workers to drug addicts in the areas around the attacks because at the time a lot of construction was happening, they looked at the fact that the attacks happened around the holidays so maybe that was a trigger for this killer, even looked at the possibility that the killer was in some sort of drug fueled rage. Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. When he did use something at the scene (electrical cord, towel, husbands shoelaces, necktie) it was only to supplement the ligatures that he had brought himself. He picked all of his victims for a reason, something about them attracted him to them, they all had one common denominator that drew him to those specific individuals. With time, multiple surgeries and the support her extended family, Vanessa began to recover from her physical injuries, but living a normal life after losing both her parents to a murderer who had yet to be captured and convicted made childhood difficult. The jury found Ewing guilty on. Perhaps one of the most famous murders in La Jolla history, the story of Daniel and Linda Broderick's death in 1989 shocked the seaside community and reverberated throughout San Diego. There wasnt anything notable stolen from the scene, and the attack had all the hallmarks of a random crime. In addition to photos and a summary of information, the following points are worth going over: Its also worth noting that the EAR seemed to, at times, receive gratification from tying and retying his victims. Determine the level of organization/disorganization of each crime scene. This call is important because not only did it occur during an EAR quiet period, but this attack is connected by DNA. They were almost always in good shape/new condition, and lab analysis revealed almost nothing about them except the occasional hair. Youve done this with other cases to. Amazing!!!!!!!! It was taken in Arizona 11 days after the attack. Alex Ewing on trial for the murder of three members of the Bennett family (credit: Aurora Sentinel). They had recently purchased a new home in Aurora for their young family, consisting of Melissa and a younger sister who was 3 years old. The bludgeoned bodies of husband and wife, Bruce and Debra Bennett, were discovered and it soon became evident that both were attacked with a knife and beaten to death. So I guess Ill be the first to post. Advancements in DNA evidence led investigators to a match with Ewing and samples collected from the crime scene as well as one of the victims 34 years later. There was no sign of Lauer or Phelps. Remember me? This guy is not going to be easy to find because he can easily change his MO and would change it if need be. Required fields are marked *. This killers only motive was to kill. The family originated from Ancient Greece, then eventually settled in the town of Salem. The Deadly Night of Incident For Bennet Family On the night of January 16 th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora. When they did, they noticed that the garage door was still open. No fingerprints or any other usable evidence could be found at the scene. Victim #24received a call from a voice that she identified as the EARs. DNA evidence ties Ewing to the crime. Because of these phone calls, we can start to determine whether the offender was incarcerated or not at certain times (most likely he wasnt), and even where he lived due to the locations of the victims during the time period that he called them. Nevada inmate charged in 1984 hammer killing of Lakewood grandmother. Read on to learn about the devastation and challenges faced in this crime series, the investigative leads that were undertaken, and the tremendous news that closure is within reach. The killer pummeled and sexually assaulted his 26-year-old wife, Debra, and 7-year-old daughter, Melissa. Her bra was wrapped around one of her wrists, and her clothing was found on the bank nearby. They both survived. It seems that Debra was the next victim, and she may have even been approached and incapacitated in the middle of Bruces struggle with the killer. She too worked at the family-owned furniture store, and was happily helping raise the couples two children, Melissa (seven-years old, about to turn eight) and Vanessa (three years old), with the man that she loved. Blood was all over the garage floor. I also believe he continued to kill peeps because he is so violent he couldnt have just stopped. The womens bodies were found inside Thomas vehicle. Bruce Bennett tried to climb the staircase several times in an attempt to ward off the perpetrator and save his young family. Alexander Christopher Ewing, who is serving a prison sentence in Nevada for beating a couple there with an axe handle, has been charged with killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter, as well as trying to kill their 3-year-old daughter, as well as a charge for sexual assault. Ewing is arrested and incarcerated. Killing on this level requires some level of planning on the part of the perpetrator. Calls Toyota Celica was found at a river overlook several hours after he and Hailey went on their first date. Nevada court records show a jury found Ewing, under the name Alex C. Ewing, was guilty of escaping from the custody of two Arizona sheriffs deputies at a gas station in Henderson, Nevada, southeast of Las Vegas on Aug. 9, 1984, and entering an unlocked home and severely beating a woman and her husband with an ax handle in their bedroom. ~Then on Jan. 10, 1984, someone used a hammer to strike 50-year-old Patricia Louise Smith several times in the head in her Lakewood home thus killing her sometime between 3pm and 5pm. Prosecutors said they will ask Gov. On the night of Jan. 15, a stranger broke into their home and viciously assaulted and attacked the family. Ewing, 23 at the time, killed the 27-year-old husband and his 26-year-old wife, as well as their daughter, inside their Aurora home. Theyd moved there around Thanksgiving from another place a few miles away, and had so far enjoyed their quiet, developing neighborhood. Thankfully, this community, these families and everyone impacted by the horrific crimes now knows this defendant will never hurt anyone ever again., 2022 - DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE 18 JUDICIAL DISTRICT, Murderer of Auroras Bennett family sentenced to life in prison, Victim Impact Statement and Restitution Information, Bad Check Restitution Program DISCONTINUED, Senior Law & Safety Summit: May 21, 2022, Peace Officer Credibility Disclosure Notification. Recently, he was exploring forensic genealogy techniques. He also shattered the face of Bruce Bennetts 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. Part of our book involves some very in-depth detective and forensic work. He also discarded the knife hed used to kill Bruce. 28-year-old Bruce Bennett had jumped into action when the attacker entered the family home and a struggle broke out between the two as Bennett attempted to protect his family. Its quite possible that he changed his method of killing in an effort to keep police from tying him to these murders on the off chance he was caught for lets say rape. The police after searching the home believe that the intruder brought his own weapon, a hammer or some other type of blunt object yet, he took a knife from the kitchen which is what he used to slash and cut Bruce with. He raced inside and quickly found Donna in the middle of the blood-soaked bed. Police examining the scene were able to reconstruct the basic chain of events. For years the authorities and true crime sleuths never gave up trying to identify the sick individual responsible for the murders and assaults that happened that year. For some reason the killer had to or wanted to be near this artery more so than the major arteries through and around Denver at that time. She was found bludgeoned with a hammer, with about 17 wounds to the head. The victim was fifty-year-old Patricia Louise Smith. Profiling like that is a great place to start, yet it can also mean that its a great place to leave a crime long enough that it goes cold. The large hammer was recovered, still on the seat of the car where the attacker had left it. There was the sound of children and maybe a woman in the background, which couldve potentially come from a television or some other source. The previous week, on the 10th of January,awoman in her fifties named Patricia Smith had also been murdered in her own home in a townhouse in Green Mountain, Lakewood, which is just a 25 minute drive from the Bennetts home in Aurora. On the 4th of January James and Kimberly Haubenschild were also attacked with a hammer at their home in Aurora, but both survived. The jury found Ewing guilty on Aug. 6 of killing three members of the Bennett family with a hammer. A hammer. 21-year-old Polish national, Julia Faustyna, claims to be Madeleine McCann- the story so far, CCTV Footage from New Jersey Gas Station Shows Woman Escaping Alleged Captor, Two men arrested in connection with the 1975 murder of Indiana teenager Laurel Jean Mitchell. Which is why a more beneficial profile from the onset is more important in fact, its critical. There was no sign of forced entry into the home, some articles you come across say that the killer entered through an unlocked garage door. A murder inquiry has been launched, and one man - a 31-year-old from Killamarsh, who was known to the family - is in custody. He was brought to Colorado to face trial for the deaths of the Bennett family. Third Crime Scene He took her to the floor and sexually assaulted her. He was currently working at a family-owned furniture store, but was taking classes at the local college and would soon be working as an air traffic controller. I believe he killed again no way he stopped. George Brauchler, District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (which includes Aurora), emphasized that this individual is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. 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Bruce Bennett ~ 27 ~ Found Murdered January 16, 1984, Debra Bennett ~ 26 ~ Found Murdered, Sexually Assaulted January 16, 1984, Melissa Bennett ~7 ~ Found Murdered, Sexually Assaulted January 16, 1984, Vanessa Bennett ~ 3 ~ Found Alive,Jaw Crushed, Severly Beaten About the Face. The Bennett family was attacked either the night of Jan. 15 or the morning of Jan. 16. The cases are commonly known as the 1984 Colorado Hammer Murders. Alexander Ewings list of seemingly endless violent crimes are described throughout the many articles published about him since he has been identified as the man behind the murder of the Bennett family. In the papers, the most attention is paid to the last state witness, the DNA analyst at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. All four of them were attacked inside the home that night, only Vanessa survived. Most likely it appears quite small in your browser window simply click on it to enlarge it. The Bennett family was attacked in their home in Aurora, Colorado in Jan. 16,1984. Or any of the other angles he was pursuing? With time, multiple surgeries, and the support of her extended family, Vanessa began to recover from her physical injuries but living a normal life after losing both her parents to a murderer who had yet to be captured and convicted made childhood difficult. The husband then got a lock for the gate and made sure their house was locked and secure. Investigators believed the killers attacks escalated from just beating someone with a hammer to actually murdering them. You got the age closer than the fbi and police you described exactly what the guy was feeling when he was killing them. Not only was she left with physical injuries and scars as a reminder of the attack, she was also left with ADHD, PTSD and bipolar disorder. These crimes in Colorado are this killers first stages at killing a human. ': Ohio Man Sentenced for Murdering Family of 8, Accused Stockton Serial Killer Charged with 4 More Murders, Bringing Total to 7, She Saw Her Family Murdered by a Hammer-Wielding Stranger When She Was 3. There was no way, given the samples that we have, to determine whether the voices match or not. These were quite commonplace, but as folks who havent read my book are learning, there were quite a few instances where he actually spoke with victims, potential victims, or even Law Enforcement.