A Missing Detail In The Lover’s Lane Murders That Has Me Triggered
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In the annals of unsolved mysteries, few cases captivate and perplex quite like the Lover’s Lane Murders of 1990. Set against the backdrop of Houston, Texas, this chilling crime has remained an enigma for over three decades, leaving investigators and armchair sleuths alike grasping for answers. As the years pass, the question looms: who was responsible for the brutal slaying of two young lovers on that fateful night?
The Crime:
On August 23, 1990, in the quiet enclave of Houston’s Lover’s Lane, the tranquility of the night was shattered by a senseless act of violence. Cheryl Henry, 22, and Andy Atkinson, 21, were found brutally murdered, their bodies discarded near a secluded wooded area. Both victims had been tied to trees and slashed with a knife multiple times, and their deaths sent shockwaves through the community that still resonate today.
The Investigation:
Despite an exhaustive investigation by law enforcement, the case quickly grew cold. Several clues were left at the scene, such as a $20 bill (about $200 in today’s money) as well as deflated balloons strung around the tree where Cheryl had been assaulted. As months turned into years, and years into decades, the Lover’s Lane Murders remained unsolved, haunting the memories of those touched by the tragedy.
A Break in the Case:
In a surprising turn of events, a potential breakthrough emerged 17 years later when it was learned that an attack just prior to Lover’s Lane had the same DNA left behind. A man who victimized a dancer — she survived the attack — was the same man who killed Andy and Cheryl. It’s just that there wasn’t a hit in CODIS to make any more traction.
The only positive thing that came out of the DNA match was that cops now had a sketch of the killer, a critical piece of evidence the dancer was able to provide investigators. The perpetrator used a gun to control his victim. He held it to her throat, but he didn’t use it. It’s my belief he had also used a gun to separate Andy and Cheryl. The gun was a tool and a way to warrant control over his targets. That said, the last thing he would want to do is fire the weapon. Firing the gun wasn’t part of his M.O. I think it’s important to consider this as a possibility. After 34 years… what else is there to go on?
Curiously, some unknown person — reports say a “security guard” — called Cheryl’s family to let them know he had found her shoes and purse in “her car.” This call was made sometime within 24 hours of the murders because of the remoteness of the place and other factors that made it difficult to locate the couple immediately.
Thing is… it was Andy’s car.
Why then did the caller assume the car had belonged to Cheryl?
Did this person follow the couple from the last place they were seen alive that night? Was Cheryl driving Andy’s car? Was she in the driver’s seat when they were parked in the Lover’s Lane area?
The possibility of a gun for the purpose of scaring his victims into action rather than the intent to use it really does trigger me here. The phone call to the family from a security guard who assumed it was “her car” is another thing that triggers me as well. From the clues left at the scene, it’s obvious the killer wanted her to be found, assuming that Andy would be more visible since he was tied to a tree. (Cheryl had been tied to another tree but then cut down before her body was covered up by boards.)
As the Lover’s Lane Murders of 1990 continue to confound investigators, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities of criminal justice. For the families of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson, the passage of time has done little to ease the pain of their loss. Yet, their unwavering pursuit of truth and closure serves as a beacon of hope for resolution in the face of adversity.
The Lover’s Lane Murders of 1990 stand as a testament to the enduring power of mystery and the resilience of the human spirit. As we reflect on this tragic chapter in Houston’s history, may we remain vigilant in our quest for justice and unwavering in our commitment to honor the memories of those lost.
