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. Date of Death: October 25, 2011 Location: 15 Spartanburg Court, Apt. The crime became known as "The Superbike Murders" and it seemed as senseless as it was cold-blooded. Science doesnt lie, said Gregory, adding that the team was back to square one.. I turned on the news and there was Crystals house burning, she said. Bill Coffey was sheriff at the time. Charles Wade Hampton were eventually charged with Malakia's murder, but the mystery remains unsolved. But it wasn't that long ago that this was the home of Superbike Motorsports, a high-performance motorcycle shop owned by Scott Ponder. 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. In all of the unsolved homicide cases, Gary has re-interviewed witnesses. It might take luck to solve some, but luck can be generated by hard work, Gary said. CLIFTON, S.C. . Not only that, but they know who did it: 39-year-old career criminal Emmerson Wright. On July 11, officers responded to Concord Avenue and Norris Street in reference to a shooting. for Employment of Handicapped). The playing cards are distributed . The witness ran for help and asked people in a nearby house to call 911. 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. We never do.". Save Article. South Carolina Crime Stoppers View Source Square with arrow pointing upper right. Why her? But in 2005, the case broke wide open, thanks to a chance encounter between Danas then-18-year-old daughterand Michael Pace, a local resident whod harbored a dark secret foryears. Year over year crime in Spartanburg has increased by 2%. But Wright is a person of interest they'll never get the chance to question. The Spartanburg County sheriff's office has . This book is a protest and an anniversary marker, written 63 years after the killing night. The victim, Timothy Pitts, fell to the ground striking his head on the sidewalk. "They extensively interviewed Melissa and I know that our daughter-in-law was spoken to at the house," said Lorraine. When the victim in a homicide is married, those are standard questions. "I was one of probably the second or third or maybe fourth to get there. Gary said Bradshaw had been into drugs, but had been clean for a while. A 17-year-old male, Elijah Briggs, was found on the ground near the bus stop. While the city with highest number of murders period? He was transported to the hospital where he died later. Waiting for your permission to load facebook comments. How do you eat? Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. BACK IN 1993, THOMAS AND MARY JOHNSON AND EITHR SON VIDDA WHERE KILLED IN THEIR HOME. Police then talkedto Danas husband, Mike, who downplayed stories that the couples marriage was in trouble. But there were also four incidents involving five deaths resulting from gunshots and blunt trauma that have not been solved. Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul (inset) were shot and killed at Moselle. Witnesses told police that the victim was speaking with another male when shots were fired. But some of the comments he made indicated he may have known Bradshaw was inside, the investigator said. The witness ran for help and asked people in a nearby house to call 911. A South Carolina man accused of holding a woman chained inside a storage container was denied bond Sunday after investigators say he also confessed to an unsolved quadruple murder that. 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? Nothing was missing and there was no evidence of a sexual assault, he said. A son. Here is a brief look at each homicide case in 2021, as provided by the Spartanburg Police Department: On Jan. 15, officers responded to 688 Asheville Highway in reference to a shooting. Now. Pedestrian Killed in Hit and Run Accident. He said the family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the prosecution of the person responsible for this crime. Police hurried to the salon, where they found a woman who appeared to have been strangled with a duffel bag strap and was left hanging from a hot water heater. (Spinx Station), officers responded to Concord Avenue and Norris Street. 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. She had overcome the adversities she had dealt with her whole life, Gary said. Six people were shot and two were killed during the incident and standoff. No ID or clothing was found at the scene. This site contains a number of keyboard shortcuts, called "accesskeys," to assist in navigating. And right now I'm heading over to his office to have his body exhumed so I can have a DNA test done.'". The investigation revealed that the deceased was the primary aggressor. But after several months, the investigation stalls. 'It was chaos': Neighbors describe tense Spartanburg standoff scene near Cleveland Park. There have been four decks produced. Police identified the couple, though officially they have only been treated as witnesses, and have never been connected to the crime. Then on June 3, 2007, someone killed her and set the house on fire to try to cover up the crime. Together as a community, we can bring justice for this family.". "We are continuing to work on the unsolved . But who knows, maybe in time they'll solve it.". [Spartanburg City] On February 9, 2010, Sharon Elaine Bryant (B/F - 50) was found murdered at her home, 547 S. Center Street, Spartanburg, SC. Jonathan Vick, the son of Mary Ann Vick, planned to visit Dana the night she died, according to Pace. (The US average is 22.7) Spartanburg property crime is 90.2. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Kohlhepp was was denied bond Sunday after investigators say he confessed to an unsolved quadruple murder that happened 13 years ago. Dana Satterfield was brutally attacked and left hanging from a heater in her salon. among 46 cases in Spartanburg County dating back to 1970. Sheriff Chuck Wright "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? But there were also four. Those are the things you start telling yourself: Did I bring home the wrong baby from the hospital? Teen Dies from Gunshot Wound May 10, 2008 Submit a Tip [Spartanburg City] On May 10, 2008, Marion J. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Today, the building stands vacant, a makeshift mausoleum in an empty lot in Chesnee, South Carolina. "They won't tell us nothing," Elizabeth Johnson in April 1993 said of investigators. Authorities, after all, had already connected Little to the September 1978 murder of 19-year . [1] Early life [ edit] 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.'". [Highway Patrol] On 5/30/2003 at 0225 hrs, a Harley Davidson was traveling north on If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Concerned, the hairdresser called Johnson's daughter-in-law, and the two went to her two-story Clifton home on Cedar Street to check on her. The suspect, Franklin Loden, was arrested later and charged with assault and battery high and aggravated. Potentially every one of these cases could be cleared, said William Gary, the investigator assigned to the departments cold cases. Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Bradshaw's murder is one of 40 unsolved homicide cases for the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. Saturday, February 3, 2007. "We continue to receive tips through social media. Its possible this person just saw the fire and it captured his attention. 27 Comments. Is your conscious turned off?. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, USC defeats Georgia 61-55 to secure first SEC home, Trapped Californians rescued from snow, helped by, NC schools see spike in reported violence numbers, Chase Elliott out of NASCAR indefinitely after tibia, Top seeded USC cruises past Ole Miss 80-51 to reach, Furman uses a 32-6 second half run to defeat Mercer, Hornung hits go-ahead 3-run HR in 7th to lead #23, CCES rolls past Scotts Branch 63-41 to win 1A Boys, The Foreign Landers Perform on Your Carolina, NorthStar Financial Wants you to be Ready for Retirement. "We've tried to be as open as we can with them, but there are just things we cannot discuss with them to maintain the integrity of the case," Coffey told the Herald-Journal in 1993. This incident has been ruled as a justifiable homicide. All rights reserved. Spartanburg Police Department indicates eight homicides resulting in 11deaths in 2021 have been solved, according to Police Maj. Art Littlejohn. Another year, and it seems like it was an eternity, Maxine Kennedy said. Three months after the murders, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Johnson, the surviving son Keith's wife, expressed frustration at extensive questioning of her and her husband. before returning with a guilty verdict ofall counts:murder, criminal sexual conduct, and kidnapping. All four victims were transported by ambulance to Spartanburg Medical Center to be treated for their injuries. . ", Rev. Dana was discovered partially naked, and detectives suspected that there had been a sexual assault. Her contact number is 864-503-4556, and her email address is dlestage@spartanburgcounty.org. The whole scene was shocking, period," said Greer Police Lt. Eric Pressley. Mary Johnson, 77; her husband, Thomas Johnson, 81; and her son David Johnson, 43, were all found stabbed to death at their home at 270 Cedar St. in Clifton on Jan. 9, 1993.On Friday, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright held a news conference to discuss the case and announced a reward. The number of unsolved homicides in the United States is increasing. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/us/16land.html?emc=eta1, http://www.crimeinfo.net/CSW/688/Pictures/SC_Face.PDF. I know there are people out there who know about these cases.. How do you go on with your life? SC Unsolved Homicide Playing Cards. They scoured Roebuck for the vehicle and turned up a possible match: Mary Ann Vick, one of Dana's customers, had a similar car. "What he said was that they compared my husband's DNA to his mother's DNA, which was all gathered at the crime scene, and they did not match up," said Melissa. Lori Reaves Richardson, Charleston/Columbia, SC vtengr4047/Flickr Another son was killed in a car accident 10 years earlier. On February 28, 1987, the married couple Columbia with 29. Could he have committed the crime or hired someone else to carry it out? Christopher Reese's 2014 murder in Notus, Idaho remains unsolved. 8045 Howard St. Spartanburg, SC 29303 Spartanburg Sheriff youtube Unsolved Homicides Page 2 Continue to Page 3 Divisions Careers Media Room About Us Resources Contact Unsolved Homicides Breaking News Alerts The Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer (and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act for Employment of Handicapped) I cant say he didnt do it by any means, the investigator said. Gary said she died of blunt force trauma, likely several hours before the fire was discovered. Michael Hinson was an 11th grade baseball player at Dorman High. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WYFF-TV. 48 Cause of Death. The victim, David Pugach, was shot in the parking lot after a confrontation with a male who was riding a moped. Landry said there have been eight to nine unsolved murders, but the Abbeville Police Department has given information on only five. This site contains a number of keyboard shortcuts, called "accesskeys," to assist in navigating. Can you bring your vape pen or e-cigarette on a plane? How do you lie down and sleep at night? Gary said he keeps up with the advances in crime scene technology. This case is unsolved. We Inspire. The SLED Forensic Art Unit assists local law enforcement agencies in Unidentified Remains cases. "About two weeks before his death I was trying to have a conversation with him and his wife was sitting behind him and making faces. Featuring cold cases throughout the state of SC. |, 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. "Brian Lucas and Scott Ponder were both found dead. A friend. He said the family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the prosecution of the person responsible for this crime. Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. Cold Case deck cards produced in 2015 for distribution in the SC Department of Corrections. On April 26, 1970, 11-year-old Terrence "Terry" Bowers was found deceased, suffering from multiple stab wounds while on a Boy Scout camping trip. The cards are also available to the public and all Crime Stopper organization in SC. But some cases just stick with you more.. We dont know, Gary said. "An electronic billboard about the case and the new reward is also now up next to the Sub Station on East Main Street in Spartanburg. 8045 Howard St. As time passed, approximately 13,853 of those murders were solved, leaving the state with approximately 3,868 unsolved murders in South Carolina as of the last website update. "Except Brian's is out here closest to the sidewalk near the door there. The Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer The jury deliberated for less than 20 minutes. Spartanburg, SC 29303. If proof comes out that you did, wherever you're at, I'll come and get you and bring you back myself.'". More than 30 years later, Fisher's estranged wife was charged with first-degree murder. But in 2005, the case broke wide open, thanks to a chance encounter between Dana's then-18-year-old daughter and Michael Pace, a local resident who'd harbored a dark secret for years. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) - Thursday, June 3rd, marked the 14th anniversary of a Spartanburg County woman's murder. "They did tell me that the blood had been mislabeled because Brian's body and Scott's body were next to each other at the crime scene and they had just put the wrong name on the blood vial," said Melissa. On Sept. 12, Hinson was riding around with some others in a car. Thats where the investigation into the brutal murder stayed for a decade. 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. Crystal Bradshaw was getting her life back together. The violence of the attack made it seem personal, Rick Gregory, a Spartanburg County Solicitors Office investigator,told In Ice Cold Blood, airing Sundays at 7/6c on Oxygen. Netflix's rebooted version of Unsolved Mysteries is already on the path of, ahem, solving one of its more vexing cases. He died laterat the hospital. Could these gruesome murders be connected to an eerily similar triple homicide that happened just five months before in a neighboring town? In 1997, four and a half years after the murders, Coffey announced that Spartanburg Public Safety Director Tony Fisher created a special unit to study old homicide cases. The jury deliberated for less than 20 minutesbefore returning with a guilty verdict ofall counts:murder, criminal sexual conduct, and kidnapping. But for the next year and a half, investigators continued scrutinizing Melissa's every action. The attached picture is not the actual suspect vehicle, but it is a similar make and model. Though theawful ache of losing her mother has never gone away, her daughter Ashley has helped herself heal by becoming a dedicated victims advocate. She also said hed threatened her as they drove past Danas shop. He killed himself two years after the Greer incident during a police pursuit. "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. By 2008, it had fallen to 63 percent of the cases nationwide. ", "Mary was one of the most Godly women I've ever known," Moore said in the days that followed the tragedy. "There are some people that have direct knowledge but whatever information you have, please call to report what you know about this case. The person left before officials could talk to him, investigators said. In Spartanburg you have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim of crime. 21-year-old James Byrd, of Spartanburg, has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, deputies said. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. "We don't give up on these cases. 6 talking about this. Whatever the motive, this horrific case still remains unsolved and police need the public's help bringing the killer to justice. And no arrests were made. "There was a red car that was seen driving to the bank on the frontage road at about 1:24 p.m.," said Greer Police Captain Matt Hamby. A woman at the home reportedly was shot several times on April 3 and was taken to a. Gun violence affecting kids: Why we need to talk about gun violence affecting kids. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. housing. In the arrest warrant, investigators said Kohlhepp "gave details specific that only the killer would know.". White Sr. Blvd. Kennedy told 7 News she has so many questions that have been left unanswered. Thats not my baby. "It was a rather warm day and he was looking at a motorcycle that he acted like he never had any motorcycle experience.". On August 9, 1976, two unidentified homicide victims, later nicknamed . Meanwhile, 28 years after the Clifton triple-murder, some people who were initiallyinterviewed by the Herald-Journal have died, and others could not be reached for comment. You can call Investigator Diane Lestage at (864) 503-4556. Then, her home, on Northbrook Drive in Boiling Springs, was set on fire. In some cases, people may be ready to tell what they know to get it off their chests, he said. The incidents occurred during the early morning hours of February 28, 2021. On November 6th, 2003, four people Brian Thomas Lucas, Scott Ponder, Beverly Guy and Chris Sherbert were murdered in cold blood at Superbike Motorsports on Parris Bridge Road, Chesnee, SC. She was also the mother of two children and had recently separated from her husband Mike. News of the triple murder spread quickly through the mill village of 2,000 residents. Outraged, Melissa demanded a second DNA test, but the results were the same. After a certain window, homicides are extremely difficult to solve,Trey Gowdy, Spartanburg County Solicitors Office former prosecutor, explained to producers. There were approximately 17,721 homicides in South Carolina between 1980 and 2019, according to the Project: Cold Case website for unsolved homicide statistics. Not long after their sketch was released, an even more promising lead comes in from the last person to see the victims alive. "[Scott's wife] Melissa was newly pregnant, and after the baby was born they did do a DNA test on a diaper they took from there," said Lorraine. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Spartanburg crime rates are 234% higher than the national average. Detectives turned their attention to a witness report ofseeing a white and blue vehicle in the area that raised a red flag. THAT NUMBER IS LISTED ON Y. In many of these cases, there were witnesses, but they may not be willing to share the needed information for the investigators to prosecute cases. 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. Hes now 21 and, still, no one has been arrested for his mothers murder. What did she do to you? "There are some people that have direct knowledge but whatever information you have, please call to report what you know about this case. An electronic billboard about the case and the new reward is also now up next to the Sub Station on East Main Street in Spartanburg. In some of the cases, detectives think they know who did it, but dont have enough evidence to make an arrest and successfully prosecute the case in court, Gary said. "They actually told Melissa that Scott wasn't the father of the baby -- that Brian was," said Terry Guy. This crime is one of the oldest unsolved murder cases in Oregon history. Police then talkedto Danas husband, Mike, who downplayed stories that the couples marriage was in trouble. Delta 88. Theres also a new billboard up in Boiling Springs, with Bradshaws face and name, not far from where she lived. In September 2019, Sheriff Chuck Wright announced that a 1988 murder case in Pauline had been solved with the help of DNA evidence. Detectives are seeking information from witnesses and/or from anyone who may have knowledge about these cases. At the time, Bradshaw was working at the Peach Blossom Diner nearby. After the first day or two, it gets more difficult, Gary said. Hes gone to prisons to talk to people who may have information. The Greenville County Sheriff's Office was called inbecause the Spartanburg Police Department, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, and the S.C. Law Enforcement Division were all involved in the case. Isaiah Odom was struck by gunfire on the 1200 block of South 23rd Street on Thursday, February 2, 2023. Related Stories From YourTango: . 11-06-03 Superbike Motorsports Chesnee, S.C. Unsolved for 3 years, 3 months and 12 days Victims: Scott Ponder, Brian Lucas, Beverly Guy and Christopher Sherbert . Given the growth of our sub over the last eight months, I'm revisiting . He said investigators had some suspects, but they lacked evidence linking anyone to the crime. Spartanburg is safer than 1% of the cities in the United States. Today, the case remains. The problem, law enforcement officials said, is with time, witnesses die, move away and cease to cooperate, and memories fade. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! He also has cleared some people who bragged about the case. Man Found Deceased on Collins Ave. April 17, 1998 Submit a Tip May 22, 2017. Everyone is urged to participate in the program and is encouraged to develop the idea in their city and or state. Police immediately canvassed the area, but the search failed to turn up a lead. This case is unsolved. But the problem in many cases is evidence that could be used wasnt collected, he said. Bond for the weapons charge was set at $3,500 on Sunday. Myrtle Styles Hembree, an 11 year old girl, was raped and brutally murdered in July 1947 in the small community of Una near Spartanburg, SC. 2023 Spartanburg Sheriff. 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