Johnny Ray Swindle, 19, was a Radioman Petty Officer third class in the US Navy. In 1964, his first enlistment was coming to an end and he decided to re-enlist. He decided to take some leave from his San Diego duty station and return home to Jasper, Alabama. While there, on 18 January 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce, also 19 years old.
They traveled together back to San Diego for their honeymoon. They rented an apartment on the beach and spent time together, fishing, sightseeing, and taking walks on the beach every night.
On the night of 5 February 1964, less than three weeks after their wedding, the couple was gunned down while walking along the Pacific Ocean beach. A gunman in hiding opened fire and shot Johnny and Joyce several times, disabling them. He then came up to them and shot each in the head. His weapon fired .22 long rifle hollow point bullets.
Joyce died at the scene. Johnny was taken to the hospital where he died a few hours later without regaining consciousness.
Although many have attempted to connect this murder with the Zodiac killer, the case remains unsolved.
LINKS:
John & Joyce Swindle
The Swindle Murders
This Day in History
They traveled together back to San Diego for their honeymoon. They rented an apartment on the beach and spent time together, fishing, sightseeing, and taking walks on the beach every night.
On the night of 5 February 1964, less than three weeks after their wedding, the couple was gunned down while walking along the Pacific Ocean beach. A gunman in hiding opened fire and shot Johnny and Joyce several times, disabling them. He then came up to them and shot each in the head. His weapon fired .22 long rifle hollow point bullets.
Joyce died at the scene. Johnny was taken to the hospital where he died a few hours later without regaining consciousness.
Although many have attempted to connect this murder with the Zodiac killer, the case remains unsolved.
LINKS:
John & Joyce Swindle
The Swindle Murders
This Day in History