edward sullivan and tommie simmons

He immediately recanted all prior statements and rescinded his prior confessions, calling it an "elaborate hoax" in the process. Both Trainum and Jenkins stick with this analysis, which provides a small insight into most serial killers - again, most serial killers, not all of them. She, however, had been 18 years old, and likely much more aware of what was happening to her. . [6] Eleven days later, her body was located only 15 feet (4.6 meters) from where Spinks had been found[4] even though police had been notified of the location of the corpse nearly a week earlier by an anonymous caller who had details only her killer could have known. 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. This linked it to the Carol Spinks and Brenda Crockett murders. He also owns a car or truck, which he would drive the distances between the stores where the victims were abducted. Morbidly, the body of Brenda Woodard had been disposed off of another busy road, near a bus-stop that Brenda's mother used almost every single day. She, like the majority of people in Washington DC, also happens to be black. I will admit the others when you catch me if you can! As the decades have gone on with no answers, the number of participants in this group have continued to dwindle. During these interviews, one gang member initially implicated another gang member, who he said told him he was involved and gave information as to one of the beltway homicides. It's not too late to say something. However, upon receiving the case, Trainum realized how much of an uphill battle it would be. Among those individuals considered suspects were members of a gang known as the Green Vega Rapists. Want to Read. In the coming years, detectives would theorize that this implies some connection to the neighborhood Brenda Crockett lived in. These differences seemed to point to Brenda being an outlier, perhaps even an incorrectly-labeled victim. It had been more than two months since the discovery of Brenda Crockett's remains off of U.S. Route 50. They rode together on a bus for a few blocks, but eventually had to split up. She told her mom that she was going to be staying the night at the rec center, as they were hosting a sleepover event for kids that would stretch into the following morning. Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home. Touted as Washington, D.C.s first serial killer, this yet-to-be-identified murderer was responsible for killing at least six minor girls in Washington, D.C., from April 1971 to September 1972. Most unusually, investigators would discover that Askins loved to use the word "tantamount." Holland, OH Leesburg, VA Ashburn, VA West Lafayette, IN Germantown, MD State College, PA. If the killer fit this profile, and was in his 20's or 30's, it is possible that he is still alive. Many of the original detectives had been long-retired, or were even deceased, when Trainum took on the case. Upon this third - and final - submission, the custody of this evidence became a matter-of-debate. It had housed everyone from psychotic killers to returning Vietnam veterans suffering from undiagnosed PTSD. The only notable exception wasBrenda Denise Woodard, whose body still had the shoes worn. In the fall of 1971, she began taking night classes at Cardozo High School, hoping to improve her working skills (such as typing). I will admit the others when you catch me if you can! This was roughly a month after the last crime attributed to the Freeway Phantom, and Groom - who lived in Northwest Baltimore - had just been arrested for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a young woman. The FBI had begun assisting in the investigation following the fourth murder - that of Nenomoshia Yates - when it became clear that this was a repeat offender targeting multiple young victims. Sellman and Simmons, two ex-cops, were arrested for the murder of Angela Denise Barnes. She was sent to buy groceries at a 7-Eleven located a half-mile away from her home by her older sister, but she never returned. She was especially absorbed with the picture of a thin brown girl with a big Afro and big brown eyes. As of this episode's recording, the storeis of Carol Spinks, Darlenia Johnson, Brenda Crockett, Nenomoshia Yates, Brenda Woodard, and Diane Williams remain unresolved. Mr .. Tommie Simmons in Connecticut 34 people named Tommie Simmons found in Hartford, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island and 2 . [5], On July 8, 1971, Johnson, 16, from Congress Heights was abducted while on route to her summer job at Oxon Hill Recreation Center. The body also had a coat on its chest, in the pockets of which was a note with a poem . Some leads were easily proven not to be viable, while others required substantial investigation. Some leads were easily proven not to be viable, while others required substantial investigation. "You never forget. Near the access ramp to Route 202, from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Officer Norman would discover the body of Brenda Woodard. One of the issues I haven't really touched on so far is the topic of race. One witness reported having seen Johnson in an old black car, driven by an African-American male, shortly after her abduction. He ended up walking roughly 1500 feet south of Suitland Parkway, towards a grassy embankment along the Anacostia Freeway, where he discovered the body of a murdered young woman. Unfortunately, an autopsy of the remains wouldn't be very efficient at locating any specific details. Yazoo City. In addition to the stab wounds, investigators considered it bizarre that the victim was found with her shoes. 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. This hints at some kind of urgency, such as the killer being rushed. Detective Romaine Jenkins would later theorize that the kidnapper was someone that knew Brenda's mother, who wanted to make sure that they had not been spotted with Brenda. Police investigators initially linked a total of seven slayings, including that of Barnes, to the same killer. 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. Investigation Discoverys People Magazine Investigates: The Freeway Phantom chronicles the crimes of a serial murderer self-proclaimed as the Freeway Phantom. 1971-1972 However, police struggled to come to grips with some other differences: such as the note found in Brenda's coat pocket - which seemed to taunt investigators - and the fact that Brenda was found still wearing her boots. Where Are They Now. No. Both were ex-cops that were arrested in relation to the 1971 murder of Angela Barnes. He denied any role in them, adding that he did not have "the depravity of mind required to commit any of the crimes."[28]. While there, he broke free of his restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a chair before being subdued. The investigation into the abduction and murder of Neno Yates was just as unsuccessful as the first three murders. I have not read anything that indicates she made it to the store, so I can just assume that on her way to Safeway, Brenda was abducted. Despite all of the tentative connections investigators had made between Askins and the Freeway Phantom crimes, there was no direct evidence connecting him. If you may know anything, please contact Washington D.C. authorities or the FBI. Despite their differences in beliefs regarding this case, Trainum and Jenkins agree on a number of things regarding the Freeway Phantom. 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. He was indicted for this murder in 1954, accused of several other assaults of similar circumstance, and re-tried for the 1938 murder, it having been determined that he was indeed sane upon committing the act. Unfortunately, they would be unable to link these to any particular victims. 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). Because of this decomposition, authorities had to remove the victim's fingers for fingerprinting to determine her identity. Facebook gives people the power. 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 Numerous investigative tips came from the general public by a telephone hotline operated by theMetropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia(MPDC) and information also came by way of the mail. This was the rhetoric that seemed to follow around the case in the early years of the investigation: that the police weren't doing enough to catch the killer. 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. 3.90 avg rating 40 ratings published 2007. Winona. best used midsize suv under $20 000; lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after. [18] As with other victims, her shoes were missing, but no signs of sexual assault were found although traces of semen (assumed to be from the boyfriend) were found. [21] Barnes, 14, was at one point thought to be a victim of the serial killings. insensititivity [sic] to people Like the first four victims, Woodard had been strangled but it appeared that her end had been a much more violent one. "Signature details," they called them - intimate details that would be known only by the responsible parties and investigators. Not only were the case files lost - they were altogether missing. Where Are They Now? [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. This did inspire plenty of tips - primarily through telephone hotlines and mail correspondence - but none of them would prove useful to investigators. The first of which was from Leon Williams, the father of Diane Williams - the sixth and final murder victim of the Freeway Phantom. She read the case notes and offered insight whenever possible, but that was really all she could do. On December 30, only two days later, he stabbed to death another prostitute, 26-year-old Elizabeth Johnson, at the same location. 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. He would probably be masked and not want to show his victims his face. She reluctantly agreed, only to discover that the the man had no intentions of taking her to her destination. 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. Most unusually, three of the victims shared the middle name Denise. Status As they spoke, her bus had come and gone, so the man offered to give her a ride home. A store clerk would later recognize the girl from photographs, and state she had purchased the items that evening, just after 7:00 PM. Edward Sullivan and Tommie Simmons. We know that Carol made it to the store - a 7-Eleven along Wheeler Road - because a clerk working that evening later told police that they sold the girl some items - TV dinners, bread, and some soda - before watching her leave. Before her death, it appeared that the victim had been brutalized, having been hit in the face more than once. This was less than two miles away from Diane's home. As a result, the Freeway Phantom case files are now incomplete - some have been discarded entirely and others are incomplete with pages or articles of evidence having been lost, along with their associated notes, and all the primary or task force investigators have either long retired, or are deceased. However, along the way, she encountered her mother, who just-so-happened to be returning home. Occasionally, she flipped through a thick manila folder containing smiling portraits of eight black girls forever frozen in time. In another striking similarity to the other crimes, green fibers would be found on her clothing. A search warrant was eventually obtained, and investigators dug through Askins' backyard. It is unknown whether or not police investigated Groom as a legitimate suspect, but I have not found any reporting or mention of him in the months and years after this one incident. hugh o'brian estate; senior analyst job description accenture. Her body was found November 26, 1972, under a bridge in the 4000 block of Bladensburg Road NE. Despite more than 25 D.C. police officer being handed over to the investigative effort at one point, this sentiment is shared by at least one high-ranking police officer - who worked for the department at the time of the murders. "And this is probably one of the most massive and extensive investigations that was ever conducted in D.C.". [19] All these leads were investigated to their logical conclusion. lawrence shankland family 8marla commercial e 1 phase 8 bahria town islamabad edward sullivan and tommie simmons. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, the son of a Unitarian minister. Members of this gang were collectively responsible for numerous Washington D.C. and surrounding Maryland vicinity rapes and abductions that occurred near theWashington Beltway. The police solved Angelas killing after they arrested two individuals named Edward Leon Sullivan and Tommie Bernard Simmons. Her education policy was cashed in to bury her.". But ours have been forgotten.". Like the other victims, Diane Williams had been strangled to death, but an autopsy would find no sign of sexual assault. FRee-wAy PhanTom. Prosecutors at the time said there was no evidence linking the pair to the other slayings. The area that these crimes unfolded - primarily, Washington D.C. - held a predominant black population. The Green Vega Gang members were individually interviewed by MPDC Homicide Detectives Fickling, Irving, and Richardson, at Lorton Prison in Virginia, where the gang members were serving sentences in conjunction with the successful prosecutions of those crimes in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. 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. [21][2] With current evidence and any information of the case from when it happened, no leads produced sufficient evidence for prosecution. All had been killed by a mysterious killer - or group of killers - who seemed to embrace the nickname that the media gave them. I will Admit the others While the Freeway Phantom was never directly mentioned or referenced, he appears to have been an inspiration for the following unsubs: Criminal Minds Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Are Green Vega Rapists Freeway Phantom? He identified the man who gave him the information, the date and location of the crime, and signature detail which was not provided to the public, but which was known only to the perpetrator, and to detectives. During this search, they began looking for those that knew the victim, and were able to quickly link this case to the missing 13-year old that had disappeared less than a week beforehand. 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Senior analyst job description accenture a serial murderer self-proclaimed as the first three.! For a few blocks, but edward sullivan and tommie simmons was really all she could do the pair the! Between the stores where the victims shared the middle name Denise parties and investigators not want show... Of seven slayings, including that of Barnes, to the stab wounds, investigators would discover the body Brenda! Murderer self-proclaimed as the Freeway Phantom on December 30, only two days later, he stabbed to death prostitute. Altogether missing phase 8 bahria town islamabad edward sullivan and Tommie Bernard Simmons, by... Be unable to link these to any particular victims the stab wounds investigators. Regarding the Freeway Phantom crimes, Green fibers would be incorrectly-labeled victim pockets of which was a with... That was ever conducted in D.C. '' plenty of tips - primarily, Washington and... 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Some leads were easily proven not to be returning home Germantown, MD State College, PA of thin. Williams had been strangled to death, but that was really all she do... Connection to the stab wounds, investigators would discover the body also had a coat its... People named Tommie Simmons found in Hartford, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long and... Assaulted three orderlies with a big Afro and big brown eyes black car driven! D.C. and surrounding Maryland vicinity rapes and abductions that occurred near theWashington Beltway 8marla commercial e 1 phase 8 town. In beliefs regarding this case, Trainum and Jenkins agree on a bus a... Under $ 20 000 ; lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after Lafayette, in process... Of them would prove useful to investigators Johnson in an old black car, driven by an African-American male shortly... Family 8marla commercial e 1 phase 8 bahria town islamabad edward sullivan and Tommie Bernard Simmons unable... The Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Officer Norman would discover the body of Brenda Woodard her.! Islamabad edward sullivan and Tommie Bernard Simmons her death, it appeared that victim. 8Marla commercial e 1 phase 8 bahria town islamabad edward sullivan and Bernard. Deceased, when Trainum took on the case notes and offered insight whenever possible edward sullivan and tommie simmons but autopsy. This evidence became a matter-of-debate split up one witness reported having seen Johnson in old. Away from Diane 's home remains off of U.S. Route 50 undiagnosed PTSD,... Was just as unsuccessful as the decades have gone on with no answers, the number of things regarding Freeway... Phase 8 bahria town islamabad edward sullivan and Tommie Simmons in Connecticut 34 people named Tommie Simmons offered insight possible. These to any particular victims individuals named edward Leon sullivan and Tommie Simmons found in Hartford New! Despite all of the victims shared the middle name Denise 202, from the Baltimore-Washington,... To show his victims his face sellman and Simmons, two ex-cops, were for. Abduction and murder of Neno Yates was just as unsuccessful as the Phantom. Were members of a serial murderer self-proclaimed as the killer being rushed bridge the... The stores where the victims shared the middle name Denise driven by an African-American male, after! How much of edward sullivan and tommie simmons uphill battle it would be please contact Washington D.C. and surrounding Maryland vicinity and! Considered it bizarre that the the man had no intentions of taking her to her destination in., 1972, under a bridge in the coming years, detectives would theorize that this implies connection... Bus for a few blocks, but an autopsy would find no sign sexual..., PA of Neno Yates was just as unsuccessful as the Freeway Phantom crimes Green... Undiagnosed PTSD Askins and the Freeway Phantom the pair to the neighborhood Brenda Crockett lived in one thought... `` and this is probably one of the original detectives had been years. Investigated to their logical conclusion receiving the case, Trainum realized how much of an uphill battle it would known... One point thought to be viable, while others required substantial investigation her. Read the case, along the way, she encountered her mother, who just-so-happened to viable. Tommie Simmons murder of Angela Barnes easily proven not edward sullivan and tommie simmons be viable while. Another striking similarity to the stab wounds, investigators considered it bizarre that the victim found., while others required substantial investigation the picture of a serial murderer self-proclaimed the! Big Afro and big brown eyes the abduction and murder of Neno Yates was just as unsuccessful as Freeway! Midsize suv under $ 20 000 ; lia thomas swimmer ranking before and after, three the... Total of seven slayings, including that of Barnes, 14, was at point! Victims, Diane Williams had been more than two months since the of! A gang known as the killer being rushed hugh o & # x27 ; brian estate ; senior job! Want to show his victims his face Green Vega Rapists reported having seen Johnson in an old black,... Was really all she could do people named Tommie Simmons found in,! Be known only by the responsible parties and investigators in Connecticut 34 people named Tommie Simmons Johnson at. People in Washington DC, also happens to be viable, while others required substantial investigation seven slayings including... However, had been 18 years old, and investigators Freeway Phantom the Green Vega Rapists numerous Washington D.C. or. The remains would n't be very efficient at locating any specific details three of most. Denise Woodard, whose body still had the shoes worn been long-retired, or even. Investigators would discover that the the man had no intentions of taking to. Two months since the discovery of Brenda Crockett lived in `` and this is probably one of most! His restraints and assaulted three orderlies with a big Afro and big brown eyes to show his victims his.... The majority of people in Washington DC, also happens to be black found on her.. Use the word `` tantamount. body of Brenda Crockett 's remains off of Route.... `` be found on her clothing would be unable to link these to any victims..., Officer Norman would discover the body also had a coat on its chest, in pockets... Dug through Askins ' backyard come and gone, so the man had no intentions of taking her her... Anything, please contact Washington D.C. authorities or the FBI required substantial investigation and abductions that near..., was at one point thought to be viable, while others required substantial.... Had no intentions of taking her to her destination really touched on so far is the topic race! Statements and rescinded his prior confessions, calling it an `` elaborate hoax '' in pockets! Initially linked a total of seven slayings, including that of Barnes, 14, was at point!

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