Mystery couple murdered in South Carolina, 1976 - #3

[christine2448]

Continue here.

Link to 1st thread:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54847

[Marie]

Thanks for the new thread - we needed it. I hope everyone will move their photos and important info over to this one

[Marie]

Doe Network:

Unidentified Male - Case File 198UMSC

Unidentified Female - Case File 189UFSC



Sumter County Sheriff's Office Unsolved/Cold Cases Files:

Unknown Persons (John & Jane Doe)

Unidentified Persons


Crime Library:

The Mystery Couple: Handsome Mystery Couple Found Murdered in South Carolina

[Marie]

John's Stone of Destiny - originally posted 9-10-2007

(John was found wearing a gray Linde Star ring (linde star = an artificial star sapphire; Sapphire is the birthstone associated with September) in a 14 K yellow-gold mounting with the initials J.P.F. - *the coroner has confirmed that the middle initial "P" is larger than the two outside initials (leading to the assumption that P is the last name and J is the first name and F is the middle name = J.F.P.)).
__________________________________________________ ____
Today I decided to research John's ring. I found some very interesting information. I wish his stone would speak to us!!

Linde star sapphire ("Linde stars") are synthetic star sapphires that were first made by the Linde Air Products Company in 1947. The Linde company later became a division of Union Carbide. The Linde company went out of business in the late 70's.

Linde Stars (Artificial Star Sapphires) -Stone is created in a lab, along with the star and color. Linde stars were manufactured en masse by the Linde division of Union Carbide since about the early 1950’s.

Star Sapphire Legends and Lore:

Few if any gemstones have the mystery, the mystique, the legend and history of star sapphire and star ruby. Treasured since the dawn of man, they are a stone that's hard to compare.

This stone is know as the Destiny Stone or the Stone of Destiny. 3-crossed lines represent 'faith, hope, and destiny.' Many people believe the star to be a good luck piece.

The ancients regarded star sapphires as a very powerful talisman, a guiding star for travelers and seekers of all kinds. They were so powerful, they were said to continue to protect the wearer even after being passed on to someone else.

People have thought that they had demons or angels of light living in them. And because they turned dark at night, they were thought to go to sleep, just like people.

People have worn them for protection from evil spirits or attackers, they carried them in medicine and healing pouches, they are powerful spirits in the shamanistic world.

People use them for saying and seeing the future or for objects of meditation. They are said to speak for, or are the voices of the mineral world spirits.

The stars in all stones are believed to increase the gemstones magical powers, because it's the all seeing eye of the spirit contained in the stone.

They speak only when in the light and their voice is one of movement and shadow light shades. They are the symbol of the heavens.

[Marie]

The Bulova Accutron Watch- originally posted 9-10-2007

Date Code = M8 = 1968 (=8 years before John Doe found)
Serial Code = H918803 = made in the USA __________________________________________________ __
The Bulova Accutron was first sold to the public in November of 1960.

During the Accutron’s heyday from 1960 to about 1970, only about two million units were sold.

The two (of six total) model considered most collectible are the model 214 and 218.

The 214, which came out first, has the set mechanism in the back of the watch. It is a small semi-circular lever that is lifted with a fingernail.

The 218 is distinguished by a conventional crown along the side of the watch, located at the 4 o’clock position.

Bulova introduced the 218 in 1965 and gradually phased out the 214 for several reasons.

Various models of the 218 were produced until 1977.

Bulova provided a unique dating system on their cases beginning in 1949 which allows accurate dating of any Accutron. The codes were used as follows:

A9 = 1949 (this was the first dating done)
L0-L9 - 1950's. L2 = 1952, etc.
M0-M9 - 1960's. M6 = 1966, etc.
N0-N9 - 1970's. N3 = 1973, etc.

The date code can be found at the bottom of the case back. It will be a two digit alpha/numeric code, not to be confused with the longer alpha/numeric case reference above it.

Serial numbers that begin with a letter were made in the USA.
The serial number contains no other useful information about the watch. Inside of the back cover there is a 4 digit case number printed or stamped. That number is the key to all information about the model.
__________________________________________________ __________

A Reply regarding the Watch - originally posted 9-11-2007
__________________________________________________ __________
Just received this...and I've answered back with a LOT of questions (*I had contacted an expert on Bulova watches)

I'm afraid that the serial number contains no useful information. This is thanks to the lack of foresight on the part of Bulova when they trashed virtually everything associated with early Accutron watches.

I do keep very good records and a computer search for H918803 turned up nothing. It's my habit to add a dash and then the date code after the serial number on all of my invoices so I tried H918803-M8 but again, no luck. I would have been pleased to contribute to your search but unfortunately, I have nothing for you.
__________________________________________________ _____________

More from the gentleman I emailed about the watch: originally posted 9-12-2007
__________________________________________________ ______
The Accutron watch was a high tech instrument in its day. It had a connection to the space program and was very popular with young people. It was cool, and relatively expensive starting at $125. Most of the ones that I repair were originally gifts from parents, wives, or friends.

Bulova was a world class manufacturer at the time, with manufacturing facilities in New York and Switzerland. Components were made in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The total number of watches made during the 17 years of production (1960 to 1977) has been variously put at anywhere between 17 and 24 million.

They were marketed everywhere and sold with a sizeable discount to GI's at military PX's all over the world.

Finally, when an old watch is opened to reveal the works, you can often find the initials and date of the various repairers who had worked on it scratched somewhere on the case or movement. (*this was later checked by the coroner and no information was found inside the watch)

[MaryLiz]

Thanks for starting thread #2 on here.

And thank you Marie, for moving the pertinent info into the new thread. I don't know how it works, but is there any way to merge the thread from Cold Cases into this one so the Mystery Couple are only in the Unidentified Category? Maybe we need the thread in Cold Cases too, I don't know. It's just kind of confusing with it being in 2 different categories.

[Sable]

Originally Posted by Marie

(John was found wearing a gray Linde Star ring (linde star = an artificial star sapphire; Sapphire is the birthstone associated with September) in a 14 K yellow-gold mounting with the initials J.P.F. - *the coroner has confirmed that the middle initial "P" is larger than the two outside initials (leading to the assumption that P is the last name and J is the first name and F is the middle name = J.F.P.))

I might have another explanation for the size of the initials. While looking at wedding invitations and such, it dawned on me that the ring could possibly be a wedding/engagement ring or anniversary gift. Some of the things I've seen such as invitations and other engraved items can be personalized with the bride and grooms initials, similar to the way the initials are engraved on the ring (center initial larger than first and last). So JPF could be: J for jacques/jock, P for his last name, and F for wife's first name?

[Marie]

Yes, I've seen those too and it could be a possibility. Certainly something to keep in mind while looking for the identity of John Doe. He could have also bought or traded the ring from someone else and the initials might not even be his.

I want so badly for these two to be given back their names!!

Originally Posted by Sable

I might have another explanation for the size of the initials. While looking at wedding invitations and such, it dawned on me that the ring could possibly be a wedding/engagement ring or anniversary gift. Some of the things I've seen such as invitations and other engraved items can be personalized with the bride and grooms initials, similar to the way the initials are engraved on the ring (center initial larger than first and last). So JPF could be: J for jacques/jock, P for his last name, and F for wife's first name?

[MaryLiz]

Originally Posted by Sable

I might have another explanation for the size of the initials. While looking at wedding invitations and such, it dawned on me that the ring could possibly be a wedding/engagement ring or anniversary gift. Some of the things I've seen such as invitations and other engraved items can be personalized with the bride and grooms initials, similar to the way the initials are engraved on the ring (center initial larger than first and last). So JPF could be: J for jacques/jock, P for his last name, and F for wife's first name?

That's a good suggestion, Sable. It had been talked about before and I even e-mailed the Sumter County Sheriff to see if we could get a photograph of the initials on the ring to see if they were all the same size. Unfortunately, he e-mailed me back and said the initials were too faded after 30+ years and would not show up well in a photo.

[SeriouslySearching]

I wonder where Gary Hilton was back then? Hey, he had to start somewhere and they were at campgrounds possibly up and down the coast. His stomping ground and he had to start somewhere. You just never know where or when.

[Teresa Larson]

Originally Posted by liz325

That's a good suggestion, Sable. It had been talked about before and I even e-mailed the Sumter County Sheriff to see if we could get a photograph of the initials on the ring to see if they were all the same size. Unfortunately, he e-mailed me back and said the initials were too faded after 30+ years and would not show up well in a photo.

The engraved initials would NOT fade away on the band. The only way that happens is if someone wore them away from wearing it for years but even then that would take a lot especially since they were on the inside of the ring and not exposed to wear and tear. It isn't and never was an expensive ring. None of the jewelry they had on them was expensive. It's even possible the ring belonged to some one else.

[MaryLiz]

Originally Posted by Teresa Larson

The engraved initials would NOT fade away on the band. The only way that happens is if someone wore them away from wearing it for years but even then that would take a lot especially since they were on the inside of the ring and not exposed to wear and tear. It isn't and never was an expensive ring. None of the jewelry they had on them was expensive. It's even possible the ring belonged to some one else.

I had trouble believing they were THAT faded just sitting in a storage place too. Sumter County Coroner Verna Moore is the one who is really investigating this case. Apparently the sheriff's dept and other LE in Sumter don't think this case will ever be solved and aren't very helpful when approached with questions about the case. At one point Ms. Moore, and a detective who is helping her with the case, was supposed to look at the couple's belongings again and possibly take some more pictures but I don't know if that has happened yet.

[phenolred]

I could have sworn that somewhere on the old thread they said that the letters were all the SAME size. And I remember Verna saying something about the pyschic saying his name was Fitz something. I know dont beat me up for talking about the pyschics LOL

[raindrops300]

Originally Posted by phenolred

I could have sworn that somewhere on the old thread they said that the letters were all the SAME size. ........

From Angie4b1g, post 397, page 16 of the original thread:

"Someone asked about the middle initial being bigger and the ME or detective (forget which) confirmed that all 3 initials were the same size."

[MaryLiz]

Originally Posted by raindrops300

From Angie4b1g, post 397, page 16 of the original thread:

"Someone asked about the middle initial being bigger and the ME or detective (forget which) confirmed that all 3 initials were the same size."

Thanks! I didn't have time to go back and find the original posts that talked about the size of the initials.

[gardenmom]

Originally Posted by SeriouslySearching

I wonder where Gary Hilton was back then? Hey, he had to start somewhere and they were at campgrounds possibly up and down the coast. His stomping ground and he had to start somewhere. You just never know where or when.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw this thread. Did you post it in Hilton's forum under SC possible victims?

[raindrops300]

Although anything is possible, they did have a suspect at the time. They did find the weapon that killed the couple.
I couldn't find the link, but this information is in the first thread, page 13, post 302, posted by phenolred.

[MaryLiz]

Originally Posted by raindrops300

Although anything is possible, they did have a suspect at the time. They did find the weapon that killed the couple.
I couldn't find the link, but this information is in the first thread, page 13, post 302, posted by phenolred.

Here is the link to the page on the Crime Library article that talks about finding the weapon.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notoriou..._couple/4.html

[believe09]

Back from lurking-I took a look at a few Surname websites to get a sense of the most common French surnames for example, although I can't remember if it was clear that he might have been Gallic vs say Scottish. In any case, I am not a master at the internet, but here is a link to the site:
http://www.searchforancestors.com/su...hsurnames.html

I thought it might be worth a thought to run the names, either most common or those that may be associated with a wealthy family, to see if anyone comes up. I don't have the time to devote to this and do a proper job, I have to say and you might have already done this.

Back to lurking...

[Teresa Larson]

Whatever happen to them testing their DNA to see if they were related? Has anybody ever heard anything??

[phenolred]

yes, The DNA results have NOT came back yet....still waiting

[phenolred]

Back on the old thread someone had wondered about happenings in the area, around the time of the murders. They had even stated any large EVENTS that would have drawn crowds etc.
I had started some reasearch on the T-shirt he was wearing, since we have so closely looked the the ring, the watch and the matches, I thought why not the Shirt, it could hold some clues into what he was like or his interest.
The T-shirt was for IMSA Camel GT series race. Actually the Sebring( florida) race in 1975. That race was in January 1975. I went back and looked at the racing schedule for 1975 and 1976.
What I found very interesting is this, There was a race August 7, 1976 in Talladega Alabama. They were killed August 9, 1976. The next race on the schedule was for August 15th 1976 in the Poconos. Pennsalvainya.
So, I wondered maybe he was a big racing fan, or a crew member of some sort.
Maybe they left the race Aug 7, and were on their way to the race in Penn, they would have been traveling in the right direction for that.
There were alot of foreign race car drivers in this series, which could have attracted alot of foreign race fans. Also, the race just PRIOR to the Aug 7th race was in Sonoma California on July 25th 1976. So, if they were travelling the country following these races, they could have left Cali, and went thru New Mexico, WHERE THEY COULD HAVE got the Matches, since this as one of the ONLY states they could get those. Also, those type of rings she was wearing.
So here is the BIGGY and actually what led me to research along these lines. I was looking up drug smuggling in the 1970's and I found out that there was a BIG DRUG SMUGGLING Ring among some of the MAJOR racing teams in this racing series. Yep the IMSA had a big drug scandal and people went to jail, there were attempted murders etc etc. They were smuggling drugs to finance their racing teams. These were rich and powerful people. Of of the major players was a man named John Paul Sr.
The man the actually found the racing series even SAID IMSA COULD STAND FOR THE "INTERNATIONAL DRUG SMUGGLERS ASSOCIATION"

[phenolred]

I found this info


It seems he is once again a wanted fugitive this time for the disappearace of his girlfriend at the time, in Florida

John Paul Sr., the former race car driver who fled to Switzerland and forfeited a $500,000 bond rather than face an attempted-murder charge in Florida, has been returned to the state to stand trial. The 46-year-old Paul, who also faces Federal drug charges that he conspired to import 200,000 tons of Colombian marijuana into the United States from 1975 to 1983, is accused of shooting a Federal drug witness at a Florida boat dock in 1983.
March 30, 1986
In the early 1980s, IMSA sportscar racing was rife with drug scandals. These involved John Paul Sr and Jr, Randy Lanier and the Whittington Brothers. John Paul Jr was jailed from June 1986 to October 1988 after pleading guilty to racketeering, while John Paul Sr was given a 25 year sentence after pleading guilty to importing marijuana, tax evasion, possession of a false passport and shooting a federal witness. John Paul Sr had shot Stephen Carson, a witness in the Federal inquiry on narcotics smuggling in north Florida, on April 19 1982 at a boat ramp. Carson actually survived 5 bullets at close range and it was his testimony that made for a quick conviction.

On Dec 13th 1983 he failed to appear for sentencing and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Judge Richard Weinberg of St. Johns County Circuit Court ordered his $500,000 bond forfeited. He was on the run for several years and was eventually arrested in Geneva, Switzerland, by FBI officers.
He finally got out of jail in 1992 and bought a 55-foot yacht which he lived on. He changed the name of his boat to from "Island Girl" to "Diamond Girl." John Paul Sr. disappeared again in 2001 and was wanted for questioning regarding his missing ex-girlfriend in Miami.



hr

[MaryLiz]

Originally Posted by phenolred

I found this info


It seems he is once again a wanted fugitive this time for the disappearace of his girlfriend at the time, in Florida

John Paul Sr., the former race car driver who fled to Switzerland and forfeited a $500,000 bond rather than face an attempted-murder charge in Florida, has been returned to the state to stand trial. The 46-year-old Paul, who also faces Federal drug charges that he conspired to import 200,000 tons of Colombian marijuana into the United States from 1975 to 1983, is accused of shooting a Federal drug witness at a Florida boat dock in 1983.
March 30, 1986
In the early 1980s, IMSA sportscar racing was rife with drug scandals. These involved John Paul Sr and Jr, Randy Lanier and the Whittington Brothers. John Paul Jr was jailed from June 1986 to October 1988 after pleading guilty to racketeering, while John Paul Sr was given a 25 year sentence after pleading guilty to importing marijuana, tax evasion, possession of a false passport and shooting a federal witness. John Paul Sr had shot Stephen Carson, a witness in the Federal inquiry on narcotics smuggling in north Florida, on April 19 1982 at a boat ramp. Carson actually survived 5 bullets at close range and it was his testimony that made for a quick conviction.

On Dec 13th 1983 he failed to appear for sentencing and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Judge Richard Weinberg of St. Johns County Circuit Court ordered his $500,000 bond forfeited. He was on the run for several years and was eventually arrested in Geneva, Switzerland, by FBI officers.
He finally got out of jail in 1992 and bought a 55-foot yacht which he lived on. He changed the name of his boat to from "Island Girl" to "Diamond Girl." John Paul Sr. disappeared again in 2001 and was wanted for questioning regarding his missing ex-girlfriend in Miami.



hr

Great find, phenolred! Many of us have always thought drugs had something to do with this but never connected it to racing. This information could be very significant in pointing the investgation in a new direction!

[Teresa Larson]

Originally Posted by phenolred

Back on the old thread someone had wondered about happenings in the area, around the time of the murders. They had even stated any large EVENTS that would have drawn crowds etc.
I had started some reasearch on the T-shirt he was wearing, since we have so closely looked the the ring, the watch and the matches, I thought why not the Shirt, it could hold some clues into what he was like or his interest.
The T-shirt was for IMSA Camel GT series race. Actually the Sebring( florida) race in 1975. That race was in January 1975. I went back and looked at the racing schedule for 1975 and 1976.
What I found very interesting is this, There was a race August 7, 1976 in Talladega Alabama. They were killed August 9, 1976. The next race on the schedule was for August 15th 1976 in the Poconos. Pennsalvainya.
So, I wondered maybe he was a big racing fan, or a crew member of some sort.
Maybe they left the race Aug 7, and were on their way to the race in Penn, they would have been traveling in the right direction for that.
There were alot of foreign race car drivers in this series, which could have attracted alot of foreign race fans. Also, the race just PRIOR to the Aug 7th race was in Sonoma California on July 25th 1976. So, if they were travelling the country following these races, they could have left Cali, and went thru New Mexico, WHERE THEY COULD HAVE got the Matches, since this as one of the ONLY states they could get those. Also, those type of rings she was wearing.
So here is the BIGGY and actually what led me to research along these lines. I was looking up drug smuggling in the 1970's and I found out that there was a BIG DRUG SMUGGLING Ring among some of the MAJOR racing teams in this racing series. Yep the IMSA had a big drug scandal and people went to jail, there were attempted murders etc etc. They were smuggling drugs to finance their racing teams. These were rich and powerful people. Of of the major players was a man named John Paul Sr.
The man the actually found the racing series even SAID IMSA COULD STAND FOR THE "INTERNATIONAL DRUG SMUGGLERS ASSOCIATION"

The matches could have also come from the Grants Truck Stops in New Mexico, Nebraska or Idaho. I also think IF they were drug dealers they would of had lots of money I have never known a drug dealer that was broke. I think the guy that had the gun that killed them has something to do with killing John and Jane Doe. I think somebody covered something up there.
http://www.myspace.com/helpidunknownman1976

http://www.myspace.com/helpidunknownwoman1976