Summertime in Texas often means an increase in violent crimes such as murder, assault, and robberies. While the reasons for this are unclear, the facts are undeniable. Here are some of the most terrible crimes that happened during Texas summers.
The Icebox Murders
An elderly Houston couple was found dismembered inside their own refrigerator in June 1965. The couple’s heads were found in paper sacks, with their eyes removed. A claw hammer, a razor, and a keyhole saw were believed to be used to dismember the couple. The crime was likely committed by their own son, who was never found after the crime.
University of Texas Tower Shooting
On August 1, 1966, Charles Whitman shot and killed 15 people and injured 31 others from the University of Texas tower’s observation deck. Before the shooting, he stabbed and killed his wife and mother, bringing his death toll to 17. Whitman was killed by the Austin police, and his autopsy revealed he had a brain tumor, which may have contributed to his violent behavior.
The Lover’s Lane Murders
A young Houston couple was brutally murdered in August 1990. The woman was sexually assaulted and murdered, and her boyfriend was found dead, tied to a tree. The case went cold for decades until DNA tied Floyd William Parrott to the crime. However, before he could be extradited to Texas, he killed himself in a Nebraska prison.
Murder of James Byrd Jr.
In June 1998, James Byrd Jr. was brutally murdered by white supremacists in a racially-charged attack. Byrd was beaten, chained, and dragged behind a pickup truck. The crime led to stronger hate crime laws in Texas. Two of the three murderers were executed, including Lawrence Brewer, whose last meal request led to the abolishment of the practice.
Andrea Yates Kills Her Children
In June 2001, Andrea Yates drowned all five of her children in a bathtub after experiencing postpartum depression and psychosis. Her original Texas jury sentenced her to life in prison with the possibility of parole. The sentence was later overturned, and Yates now spends her days in a low-security Texas mental hospital.
Original reporting: News/Talk 790 KFYO (Lubbock) — read the source article.
