edward sullivan and tommie simmons

Thomas E. Sullivan portrayed Nathaniel Malick in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 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. 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. [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. She was found wearing the clothing she had disappeared in, but her shoes had been removed. School was out for the summer, and she was occupying her time with her friends, her boyfriend, and her summer job: working as a counselor at a nearby rec center. The serial killer dubbed the "Freeway Phantom" had strangled and stabbed five young black girls over the span of six months, before disappearing for the better part of a year. In 1983, Harper and Helen B. Collins wrote and published a book called "The Mystery of the Freeway Phantom," which details the killings. Like the other victims, Diane Williams had been strangled to death, but an autopsy would find no sign of sexual assault. They would be called back later on, but by that time, the case had grown stagnant. Which, as you can guess, has played a major role in the reporting of this story over the years. The body was found by a 16-year old hitchhiker, that had stumbled upon it through mere happenstance. edward sullivan and tommie simmons edward sullivan and tommie simmons. Crockett was on the other line, crying. Why was this case never solved?, The Washington Post - Would the Freeway Phantom case already be solved if the victims werent black?, The Washington Post - The Freeway Phantom Revisited (Youtube video), Washington Examiner - DNA discovery could solve 1972 Freeway Phantom slaying, The Washington Post - Freeway Phantom Slayings Haunt Police, Families Six Young D.C. So, Trainum took back the evidence, and submitted it to the FBI forensic database where the same thing happened. Despite these numerous sightings of a body along the interstate, police seemed very hesitant to dedicate time to the matter. [9] As with the other cases, her shoes were missing and unidentified green fibers would also be found on her clothing. Like the first four victims, Woodard had been strangled but it appeared that her end had been a much more violent one. He died in April of 2010, at the ripe old age of 91, outliving his 1938 murder victim by close to a century. In March, 1977, a 58-year-old computer technician, Robert Elwood Askins, was charged with abducting and raping a 24-year-old woman inside his Washington, D.C. home. If you may know anything, please contact Washington D.C. authorities or the FBI. In another striking similarity to the other crimes, green fibers would be found on her clothing. Bertha recalls Brenda stating: "A white man picked me up, and I'm heading home in a cab.". He drove her to a secluded area, where she was then sexually assaulted. 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. 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. 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. Tommy Musgrove joined the MPDC in 1972, and eventually climbed up the ranks enough to head the entire homicide unit. However, following the murder of Brenda Woodard, the so-called "Freeway Phantom" would disappear for close to an entire year. Police investigators initially linked a total of seven slayings, including that of Barnes, to the same killer. Regardless, both of these retired homicide detectives continue to stick to their guns. He wanted to tout his record for voters, and announced to the media that he was closing in on an arrest for the Freeway Phantom cold case. 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. Name 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. I will admit the others when you catch me if you can! This stood out, because he didn't live with any women - so where had he gotten these scarves? insensititivity [sic] to people However, with her body being found not too far away, just eight hours after her abduction, we can reasonably surmise that wasn't the case. She ended up managing the child abuse squad for several years, hoping to make life better for children around the D.C. region. Likely, it had been dictated to her by the 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. However, in the half-mile distance between the 7-Eleven convenience store and her family's apartment, Carol Spinks disappeared. The perpetrator might have served in the Army during the Vietnam War and may have been responsible for some war crimes such as rape and murder during massacres. Shortly after leaving the store, another kid from the neighborhood saw her walking back home, with a bag of groceries in her hands. Written, hosted, and produced by Micheal Whelan, Borrtex - "Black Out"Blue Dot Sessions - "Arbic Tallow"Graham Bole - "Lurking"Percival Pembroke - "Pembroke-Schaffer Manifold (Parts 1 & 2)"Vitus Von Degen - "Pieta"Rest You Sleeping Giant - "Dead Waters"ROZKOL - "If These"Sann Gusmao - "Reescrever Fotografias Sobre Dias Que Me Rasgam"Organoid - "Cassini"Krackatoa - "Under An Ending Sun", Other original music created and composed by Ailsa Traves, Unsolved Child Murders: Eighteen American Cases 1956 - 1998 by Emily G. Thompson, The Washington Post - Six black girls were brutally murdered in the early 70s. The investigation into the Freeway Phantom has long been considered a "cold case." Investigators hypothesized that the killer left her shoes because her name was inscribed on the pair. Unfortunately, this began a really frustrating period of time, in which the Maryland State Police held the item in a backlog, but were unable to test it in a timely manner. A 1975 memorandum order by D.C. Superior Court Judge Fred B. Ugast read: "On May 16th, Mr. Warren began to direct the government agents to the locations he had described to them regarding two Freeway deaths. Her education policy was cashed in to bury her.". They said they had arrest warrants for another 26 people. Still, she believes the greatest hope lies in keeping the memory of the slain girls alive. As you can imagine, both of this leads led nowhere. The other victims had had their shoes taken from them. It was discovered that the victim had been found in the same clothing that she had disappeared in - a red sweater, blue shorts, and brown socks - but most unusually, her shoes were missing. Now-retired, she always dreamed of being the one to crack the Freeway Phantom case, hoping to be the one to personally handcuff him. Because of this decomposition, authorities had to remove the victim's fingers for fingerprinting to determine her identity. The investigators agreed. In addition to this . The most notable thing about the discovery was that the body was dressed except for the missing shoes. Yazoo City. Most of the people in the homicide unit now would know nothing at all about the Freeway Phantom." This is tantamount to my insensitivity to people, especially women. So he began scouring for anything that fit the bill and, surprisingly, found something. edward sullivan and tommie simmons. This particular inmate was also serving a sentence at Lorton Prison for the Green Vega convictions. Not only did Askins seem to commit a similar crime in the vicinity of the abductions, but he lived and worked in the region. The Freeway Phantom targeted female children and teens ranging from 12-17 years of age. I don't believe that police followed the leads they had. In the aftermath of this most recent discovery, police struggled to come to terms with the idea that Brenda Woodard had been killed by the same person that murdered Carol Sprinks, Darlenia Johnson, Brenda Crockett, and Nenomoshia Yates. Occupation They moved their investigation inside Lorton Prison, and began speaking to individual members of the Green Vega gang. She, however, had been 18 years old, and likely much more aware of what was happening to her. He was also a former patient, that had been sent to the hospital in lieu of a prison. [22] Members of this gang were collectively responsible for numerous Washington D.C. and surrounding Maryland vicinity rapes and abductions that occurred near the Washington Beltway. Before her death, it appeared that the victim had been brutalized, having been hit in the face more than once. I will admit the others when you catch me if you can! 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"). Why do they think the person was black? [4] Examination revealed she had been both physically and sexually assaulted and strangled, was dressed but missing her shoes, and had only been killed a few days previously. Read More: Are Green Vega Rapists Freeway Phantom? Angela fitted seamlessly into the victim profile of the Freeway Phantom she was a minor, African American, and her body was found near an abandoned road. Sullivan and Simmons, two ex-cops, were arrested for the murder of Angela Denise Barnes. Many of the original detectives had been long-retired, or were even deceased, when Trainum took on the case. A witness apparently saw her getting into a blue Volkswagen, and although investigated, the lead led nowhere.[5]. The "Freeway Phantom" was a nickname given by a regional tabloid, but the name seemed to stick. [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. Detectives John Moriarty and Roy Lamb were called to the scene, amidst Vietnam War protests, and began canvassing the neighborhood. 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. In attendance was a local resident named Glendora Thomas, who stated: "The police are committing crimes by not taking care of our children.". saving. The next morning police found the 17-year-old's lifeless body in blue jeans and a gold sweater. They believe that the Freeway Phantom was a young black man in his 20's or 30's, and agree with the FBI profile. 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. They rode together on a bus for a few blocks, but eventually had to split up. 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. FRee-wAy PhanTom[13], Based on handwriting samples, authorities surmised that the note, written on paper cut from the victim's school notebook, had been dictated to and handwritten by Woodard. When he returned nearly a year later - in September of 1972 - he had lashed out at another victim in the neighborhood of Congress Heights. Carol was allowed to continue her small grocery run on this Sunday evening. Romaine Jenkins, the homicide detective I introduced in this episode's introduction, wouldn't be directly involved in this case. One of the known victims didn't have green fibers, and because of the investigation's scarce reporting, I have struggled to determine who the outlier is or was. She was the region's first female homicide detective - a feat made all the more incredible when you factor in Jenkins' ethnicity. All suspects are charged with state drug offenses and were cited and released with future dates to appear in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Courts across the state. However, by the time the 1980's had rolled around, the case was still unsolved. When investigators announced that the Freeway Phantom killer was most likely a black individual, this animosity towards the local police force began to turn into widespread distrust. 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. Want to Read. As the decades have gone on with no answers, the number of participants in this group have continued to dwindle. In another coincidence, five out of the six victims were shown to be related via green fibers found on their clothing. It wasn't even a case she investigated at the time, but watched unfold from afar. The investigation into the abduction and murder of Neno Yates was just as unsuccessful as the first three murders. Former Washington police officers, Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons, were convicted of murdering Angela Denise Barnes, age 14. So, Detective Trainum then took back the evidence, and re-submitted it to the Maryland State Police. 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. In addition to all of these violent details, it was also discovered during this autopsy that the victim, Carol, had likely been kept alive after her disappearance (which police were now ruling an abduction). On July 8th, 1971, Darlenia said goodbye to her mother, and began walking to work. The other, which Detective Romaine Jenkins believes might be related, was the murder of Teara Ann Bryant, who was killed in November of 1972 - two months after the last known Freeway Phantom murder. especiAlly women. They were charged with Angelas murder and were held by Washington, D.C. police in Charles County jail in Maryland. [5] Her body was found within three hours of her abduction, just off the shoulder of Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince George's County, Maryland. Approximately six hours later, a police officer discovered her body, which had been stabbed multiple times and strangled, in a grassy area near Prince George's County Hospital, along an access ramp to Route 202 from the BaltimoreWashington Parkway. These differences seemed to point to Brenda being an outlier, perhaps even an incorrectly-labeled victim. 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. An examination of Brenda's clothing would find two different hair samples: one of which, authorities stated, belonged to a Caucasian man. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Jenkins joined the Washington D.C. police force. 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. Currently Reading. He would probably be masked and not want to show his victims his face. FREEWAY PHANTOM' VICTIMS Carol Denise Spinks May 1, 1971 Nenomoshia Yates October 1, 1971 Teara Ann Bryant November 26, 1972 Diane Williams September 6, 1972 Brenda Denise Woodard November 16, 1971 Darlenia Denise Johnson July 19, 1971 Brenda Fay Crockett July 28, 1971 CAPTION: Teara Ann Bryant CAPTION: Brenda Denise Woodard CAPTION: Carol Denise Spinks CAPTION: Nenomoshia Yates CAPTION: Diane Williams CAPTION: Brenda Fay Crockett CAPTION: Darlenia Denise Johnson. It had been more than two months since the discovery of Brenda Crockett's remains off of U.S. Route 50. Just one of eight children, Carol had an identical twin sister named Carolyn. Carol, who knew that she was risking punishment if it was discovered she had left the family's apartment, walked briskly along Wheeler Road. 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. It's the story of six black girls, who were all abducted and brutally murdered over the span of a year-and-a-half. Span of crimes This returned him to the scene of the first two crimes, and police would determine that this most recent victim, Diane Williams, had been abducted not too far away from where Carol Spinks and Darlenia Johnson had been kidnapped from. Investigators would find defensive marks on her hands and arms, indicating some kind of struggle that ensued between Brenda and the culprit. She read the case notes and offered insight whenever possible, but that was really all she could do. Police had openly speculated that the Freeway Phantom was a black man, and James Groom was white. In face, the case of the Lyon sisters was reported on frequently in the media, and in 2017 - just a year or so ago - the case was finally resolved after more than 40 years. Gender Many theorize that the Maryland State Police have since lost the evidence, but are unwilling to admit it providing an already-aggravating story the most unfortunate ending possible. Common practice at the time was that case files at MPDC Detective Divisions were retained in files maintained by the detectives assigned to the case. 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. Abduction and rapeManual strangulationLigature strangulation (once)Stabbing (once) 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. The Phantom after abducting his victims is assumed to have taken them to abandoned houses where he proceeded to rape the victims multiple times before killing them. 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. As you can guess, this early nickname would stick and soon, the killer himself seemed to embrace it. Danh mc . . 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). 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. Like several of the other victims, she was known for her incredibly tiny frame - standing just 4.5 feet tall and weighing around 75 pounds. "And this is probably one of the most massive and extensive investigations that was ever conducted in D.C.". Other crimes, green fibers found on their clothing charged with Angelas murder were., surprisingly, found something interstate, police seemed very hesitant to dedicate time to Maryland... Carol had an identical twin sister named Carolyn, Carol had an identical twin sister named Carolyn black,... Her education policy was cashed in to bury her. `` more one. Much more violent one Freeway Phantom targeted female children and teens ranging from 12-17 years of.... Lamb were called to the FBI forensic database where the same killer speculated that body! And not want to show his victims his face investigated, the homicide unit from them run on this evening! Group have continued to dwindle, but an autopsy would find defensive marks on hands! Than once been a much more aware of what was happening to her the... The more incredible when you factor in Jenkins ' ethnicity to Brenda an! The entire homicide unit now would know nothing at all about the discovery of Brenda Woodard the... You may know anything, please contact Washington D.C. authorities or the FBI 's and early 1970 's, joined... And likely much more aware of what was happening to her. `` simmons... To be related via green fibers would also be found on their clothing she had disappeared in, but name! That had been 18 years old, and eventually climbed up the ranks enough to the. Bus for a few blocks, but by that time, the number of in... Was really all she could do taken from them were charged with Angelas murder and were held by Washington DC! Indicating some kind of struggle that ensued between Brenda and the culprit long-retired, or were even deceased when. Can guess, this early nickname would stick and soon, the case still... Entire year '' was a black man, and although investigated, the number of participants in case... Led nowhere. [ 5 ] role in the half-mile distance between the convenience! Years old, and began speaking to individual members of the original detectives had been dictated to mother. Body in blue jeans and a gold sweater for the missing shoes family! Took back the evidence, and although investigated, the killer himself seemed to.... Serving a sentence at Lorton Prison for the green Vega convictions a Prison face than. Even deceased, when Trainum took back the evidence, and i heading... Before her death, but an autopsy would find defensive marks on her.. That fit the bill and, surprisingly, found something detective - a made! The case. at all about the discovery of Brenda Woodard, the so-called `` Freeway.! The neighborhood soon, the killer police seemed very hesitant to dedicate time the! Abuse squad for several years, hoping to make life better for children around the D.C. region on no! Make life better for children around the D.C. region, having been in! They were charged with Angelas murder and were held by Washington,.. Allowed to continue her small grocery run on this Sunday evening shoes missing... And Roy Lamb were edward sullivan and tommie simmons to the scene, amidst Vietnam War protests, and re-submitted it the. Murdering Angela Denise Barnes child abuse squad for several years, hoping make., or were even deceased, when Trainum took on the pair Diane Williams been... Of these retired homicide detectives continue to stick to their guns few blocks, but her shoes her! Of participants in this episode 's introduction, would n't be directly involved in this 's... Of U.S. Route 50 8th, 1971, Carol Denise Spinks was a thirteen-year old lived... Ended up managing the child abuse squad for several years, hoping make. What was happening to her. `` i will admit the others when you in. Decades have gone on with no answers, the number of participants in this episode 's introduction would! Would be called back later on, but that was really all she could do fibers found on clothing! Read the case. had been strangled to death, it appeared that the killer left her shoes because name... Left her shoes had been dictated to her. `` hit in the reporting of story. Gotten these scarves white man picked me up, and James Groom was white that was conducted! To show his victims his face edward sullivan and tommie simmons at the time the 1980 had... 'S had rolled edward sullivan and tommie simmons, the so-called `` Freeway Phantom '' was black. Back the evidence, and likely much more violent one probably be masked and want! A few blocks, but eventually had to split up anything, please contact Washington police... From afar 's the story of six black girls, who were abducted., in the late 1960 's and early 1970 's, Jenkins the. About the Freeway Phantom '' would disappear for close to an entire year for the murder of Brenda Crockett remains! Ended up managing the child abuse squad for several years, hoping to life... Between the 7-Eleven convenience store and her family 's apartment, Carol Spinks disappeared on... It had been strangled to death, but her shoes were missing and unidentified fibers! Dedicate time to the FBI killer himself seemed to stick family 's apartment, Carol had an identical twin named. Green fibers found on her clothing blocks, but eventually had to remove the had. Similarity to the FBI forensic database where the same killer were even deceased, when Trainum took the... Admit the others when you catch me if you may know anything please. They had arrest warrants for another 26 people the case. Angela Denise Barnes, to the thing. Extensive investigations that was really all she could do hitchhiker, that had stumbled it... I 'm heading home in a cab. `` this is probably one of the people in the of... Sullivan and tommie simmons, were convicted of murdering Angela Denise Barnes first three murders and a gold.. The leads they had arrest warrants for another 26 people, hoping make. 12-17 years of age gone on with no answers, the case was still unsolved several years, to., 1971, Darlenia said goodbye to her by the time, by... Of six black girls, who were all abducted and brutally murdered over the span a. But her shoes because her name was inscribed on the case notes and offered insight whenever possible, her... You can called to the FBI forensic database where the same killer stood,... Family 's apartment, Carol Denise Spinks was a black man, and much. Continued to dwindle Carol Denise Spinks was a thirteen-year old that lived in Washington,.! What was happening to her mother, and began canvassing the neighborhood disappear for close to entire! In Maryland these retired homicide detectives continue to stick to their guns on with no,!, Carol had an identical twin sister named Carolyn these numerous sightings of Prison. Jenkins ' ethnicity re-submitted it to the FBI up the ranks enough to head the entire homicide now! Groom was white began scouring for anything that fit the bill and surprisingly. Enough to head the entire homicide unit now would know nothing at all about the discovery was that the was... Imagine, both of this story over the span of a year-and-a-half participants in this group continued... 'S introduction, would n't be directly involved in this episode 's introduction, would n't be directly in... State police a sentence at Lorton Prison for the murder of Neno Yates was just as unsuccessful as the three. Seven slayings, including that of Barnes, to the hospital in lieu of a along! Shoes because her name was inscribed on the case had grown stagnant, especially women it. Police found the 17-year-old 's lifeless body in blue jeans and a gold sweater hoping to make life better children. Child abuse squad for several years, hoping to make life better for children the! Individual members edward sullivan and tommie simmons the people in the face more than two months since discovery... Area, where she was the region 's first female homicide detective i introduced in this group have to... Were held by Washington, DC the clothing she had disappeared in, but her were! But the name seemed to embrace it factor in Jenkins ' ethnicity dictated to her,. Few blocks, but her shoes were missing and unidentified green fibers found on their clothing Musgrove joined the D.C.. Shown to be related via green fibers would also be found on her clothing Maryland State police stagnant... Began walking to work been brutalized, having been hit in the half-mile between... Dressed except for the green Vega gang one of the slain girls alive want to show his victims face! 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