True Crime Victims

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Mia Zapata was on the verge of music stardom when she was murdered. The crime became one of Seattle's toughest cold cases. Police used DNA evidence to tie Jesus Mezquia, 48, to the slaying. Mia's Murder One Of Seattle's Toughest Cold Cases

Victims of the Green River Killer

Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye -- by Michael Eric Dyson -- Twenty years after his murder at the hands of his own father, Marvin Gaye defines the Motown generation. His career spanned the history of rhythm and blues, from doo-wop to the sultriest of soul music, Gaye magnified the contradictions that defined America in the tumultuous 1970s. Marvin Gaye's stellar achievements and stunning personal decline. Through interviews with those close to Gaye--from his musical beginnings in a Washington, D.C., black church in to his days as a "ladies' man" in Motown, from the artistic heights of the landmark album What's Going On? to struggles with addiction and domestic violence, an indelible portrait of contemporary urban America: economic adversity, the drug industry, racism, and the long legacy of hardship. Published to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Gaye's death in 1984, infused with Mercy, Mercy Me is a celebration of an American icon and a lost generation's moods, music, and morals.

Sheila Bellush -- Millionaire Convicted in Murder-For-Hire -- Texas millionaire, Allen Blackthorne, 45, was convicted of arranging the murder of his ex-wife, Sheila Bellush, 35. She who was found by their 13-year-old daughter, shot with her throat slit as her 2-year-old quadruplets crawled in her blood. Case Updates and Overview.

Every Breath You Take: A True Story of Obsession, Revenge, and Murder Ann Rule Ann Rule, untangles a horrific web of lies that culminated in Sheila's savage murder more than ten years after she left Blackthorne.

John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Outside New York's Dakota apartment building on the evening of December 8, 1980, John Lennon, lay hemorrhaging from 4 bullets blasted into his back by Mark David Chapman. His wife Yoko Ono screamed.

John Lennon Assassination -- He was a troubled man whose boyhood fascination with one of the world's greatest stars turned into a psychotic obsession. Mark David Chapman was one of John Lennon's biggest fans. Before he killed the superstar, he made sure to get the last autograph Lennon signed. After he fired four shots as Lennon entered Manhattan's Dakota apartment building, he waited for police to arrest him. Six months later, he was sentenced to 20 years to life. Forensic psychiatrists explore Chapman's life, where the line between celebrity worship and stalking blurred.

Cherica Adams -- Nicknamed "Cookie" -- Cherica was as bright and outgoing. At West Charlotte High, she was involved in Students Against Violence Everywhere. She modeled professionally while still in high school. She interned with the Panthers. She started her own company and managed her brother's rap group. When she learned she was pregnant she was ecstatic.

Theresa Andrews -- On September 28, a woman 9 months pregnant, was reported missing. On the night of October 2, their worst fears were realized when Theresa Andrews' body was found in a shallow grave less than a half mile from her home with her abdomen cut open and the baby removed. Michelle Bica, a neighbor who was caring for the child as her own.

Joie Ruth Armstrong -- Yosemite National Institutes YNI remains deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Joie Armstrong, who was murdered on July 21, 1999 in Yosemite National Park.

Avery Family -- Cleansing Sacrifice and Blood Atonement - America was shocked by the discovery of the brutal murder of the Avery family in Ohio, by a self-proclaimed prophet, turned madman,Valerie Wilson. Jeffrey Lundgren, the leader of The Family, an RLDS offshoot, was eventually arrested and charged with "five counts of aggravated murder." The idea of a cleansing sacrifice can be traced back to the early history of Mormonism. Brigham Young, the successor to Joseph Smith, taught a similar doctrine called Blood Atonement.

Barry Scott Brewster -- On the morning of July 16, 1998, 26 year old Barry Scott Brewster was found dead. Barry's nude, brutally beaten body was spotted by a jogger that morning under an arroyo bridge on Indian School NE at the edge of Snow Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

James Byrd Jr. Jasper Texas -- A well-known figure who walked everywhere. He was known as "Toe" because his toe had been cut off in an accident. He was on his way home from a party early on June 7, 1998, when he accepted a ride with 3 white men in a pickup.

Clarissa Ann -- Carrie Culberson 22 -- Carrie disappeared in a whirlwind of suspicion aimed at her off again and on again boyfriend. - Vince Doan - Ohio v. Doan - On November 5, 1997, after a day-and-a half of deliberations, a jury recommended that Vincent Doan be sentenced to life in prison without parole. A federal court jury ordered Clinton County to pay $3.75 million to relatives of Carrie.

Ahmed Diallo, 22, -- Unarmed street peddler returned home from selling his wares. Diallo left the apartment for a bottle of juice or something to eat. As he returned he was gunned down at close range by four plain clothes cops who fired 41 bullets.

Anne Scripps Douglas-- Heiress' Mom: Judge Let Abusive Hubby Stay - The mother of murdered newspaper heiress blasted the judge who allowed her daughter's husband to stay in the home after she sought court protection.

Helen Foster-El -- Helen was shot protecting children from gunfire. The man whose home she cleaned eulogizes the housekeeper-turned-local hero whose death has galvanized the city.

Helen Virginia Jackson AKA Helen Cooper - LAS VEGAS - Bones found in the yard of an apartment complex have been identified as the remains of a 40-year-old woman missing since 1997.

Patrick Sean Kelly -- An Unexplained Death in Mexico of a 22 year old student in Tiajuana.

Jennifer Levin, 18, was found in New York's Central Park, August 26, 1986. The "Preppie Murder," as it came to be known, created a tabloid frenzy with accusations of rough sex. Robert Chambers was sentenced to 15 years. Ellen Levin, Jennifer's mother, is scared Chambers might kill again.

Jonathan Levin, 31-year-old -- English teacher in one of New York's toughest public schools, has become the latest martyr to violence in our society. His murder, for which two men -- one a former student -- have been arrested

Holly Maddux -- Dedicated to the memory of Holly Maddux.

Susan Meyung -- July 14, 1992, 38 year old Susan Meyung's body was discovered at her residence in Albuquerque, NM. An autopsy revealed that she had been beaten and strangled to death. Evidence suggests she was killed sometime between Friday, July 11, 1992 and Saturday, July 12, 1992.

Spring Miller -- On January 29, 1988, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Spring Miller and her sister, April, approached an entryway to apartments, they waited for a blue and white truck to leave. The driver grinned and motioned with his hand for them to go on. When Spring and April were in front of the vehicle he accelerated and hit the girls. April recovered. Spring died.

Stephanie Murphey, 37 -- April 15th, 1999, Stephanie pulled in to her driveway in Rio Rancho, NM. It was the last time she was seen alive. On the evening of April 19, 1999 her body was found in her abandoned vehicle, a blue 1988 Chevy Sprint, license plate of MIRCLME in Albuquerque. Autopsy results showed a probability she had been sexually assaulted.

March 15, 2001, 21-year-old Danny Petrole, son of a retired Secret Service agent, was gunned down near Manassas, Va. A college student, Petrole was shot 9 times as he sat in his car, outside his townhouse. Within days, police traced the murder weapon to a 21-year-old named Owen Barber.

Edwina H. Rogers & Fred C. Rogers -- Ice Box Murders - Houston, TX -- Father's Day, June 20, 1965, was Houston's most grisly double homicide. Fred C. Rogers 81, and his wife, Edwina H. Rogers 72, were murdered. Three nights later their bodies were found in the refrigerator of their home. . (Excerpts from "The Ice Box Murders" (c)2000 Hugh E. Gardenier, III and Martha Leonard Hughes)

Jennifer Lynn Shirm, 22 -- May 29, 1985 Jennifer was found dead laying in the street. Her body had been dumped in Albuquerque, NM. It is believed that her body had been there for 10 to 12 hours. She had been brutally beaten to death.

Elizabeth Short -- Black Dahlia - January 15, 1947, Elizabeth Short's body was found in a lot. Her nude, mutilated body was severed in half at the waist. Both halves had been drained of blood and washed clean. Short, 22, came to Hollywood to be a star.

Matt Shepard encountered Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney in the Fireside Bar; he left with them, they drove him in a pickup truck to the edge of town. Henderson tied him to a fence, McKinney beat him with a .357 Magnum. They took his shoes and wallet intending to rob his apartment but instead returned to town and got into a fight with Jeremy Herrera and Emiliano Morales. Police picked up Henderson, after being released that night, Henderson, his girlfriend, Chastity Pasley, McKinney, his girlfriend, Kristen Price, hatched false alibis, Matt remained tied to the fence.

Brandon Teena Murder -- Brandon Teena, from Lincoln, Nebraska moved to nearby Humboldt in 1993, after beginning to live as a man in preparation for sex-change surgery. Brandon was discovered to be legally female by local police during an arrest on a misdemeanor. Police released this information to the Falls City Journal. One week later, Christmas Day 1993, Brandon was raped and assaulted by 2 men, identified as Marvin Thomas Nissen and John Lotter. Charges of rape and assault were not filed against them until after Brandon's slaying.