Identified! Mystery couple murdered in South Carolina, 1976 - Pamela Buckley & James Freund #10

[worm]

Good points @worldwatcher and reply as well @Betty P , I’ve thought about this quite a bit. It’s another of the many mind benders in this case. Had the weapon not been found locally, I’d be of the mindset that the traveler theory was more plausible. I remember writing earlier in the threads too that if this was somebody passing thru, they had to be the luckiest murderer around to have found this isolated spot. The flip side is that it’s just right turns off of 95 so maybe it was a stranger to the area.

 

[Betty P]

Good points @worldwatcher and reply as well @Betty P , I’ve thought about this quite a bit. It’s another of the many mind benders in this case. Had the weapon not been found locally, I’d be of the mindset that the traveler theory was more plausible. I remember writing earlier in the threads too that if this was somebody passing thru, they had to be the luckiest murderer around to have found this isolated spot. The flip side is that it’s just right turns off of 95 so maybe it was a stranger to the area.

I was just listening to the Trace Evidence podcast mentioned above and it reminded me of what @Kell1 said when I asked him about these murders (he's retired LE). He said that since they found the murder weapon, they found the killer.

The Henry's lived about an hour's drive north of the murder scene. If they did it, they may have known of the spot, but hadn't been there recently.

I also agreed with the podcast host in his discussion of the crime scene and the way the victims were shot. We've discussed this a little before, but it was unique that they were each shot 3 times with the .357. If it was a car/van robbery, that means the killer lived locally, since living victims could describe him/them to LE. Also likely they were already known to LE who might recognize them easily from a victim description.

He brought up another detail I had thought about - why didn't the shooter just shoot them in the head? With a .357, a head shot would have very likely been fatal. Why were they shot in the chest/back and throat? He said it seemed the killer might have wanted them to die more slowly. That might be another aspect to this murder - someone who was not just a car/van thief, but a twisted person who enjoys killing.

The host doesn't mention it, but we've discussed it here - how was the killer able to kill both with such accurate shooting in such low light conditions - dark road, no ambient light, late night, probably only with headlights or a flashlight? Whomever shot them was an experienced, accurate shooter, JMO.

The host brought up the idea that the killer might have been a war veteran. There would have been a lot of veterans at that time - Vietnam, Korea, WWII even. Might even add active duty.

The host also brought up the fact that Lonnie Henry and the guy who discovered the bodies were both truck drivers. He speculated that the Locklair Rd location might have been a spot where local truckers went to hang out, etc.

I'm also inclined to think it was more than one killer, possibly Lonnie and his brother. Perhaps Lonnie went along not knowing the victims would be killed. Was it a buddy of Lonnie's, another truck driver he worked with? Out joyriding, saw a couple with a snazzy van, parked somewhere, sleeping. Decided to watch, then steal the van?

 

[Betty P]

Here's a link to the YouTube video of the Trace Evidence podcast update. The first version of the epi 118 that I watched was over an hour long and had come out just several months before the ID.

Here's the update video of the #118

 

[Warwick1991]

I was just listening to the Trace Evidence podcast mentioned above and it reminded me of what @Kell1 said when I asked him about these murders (he's retired LE). He said that since they found the murder weapon, they found the killer.

The Henry's lived about an hour's drive north of the murder scene. If they did it, they may have known of the spot, but hadn't been there recently.

I also agreed with the podcast host in his discussion of the crime scene and the way the victims were shot. We've discussed this a little before, but it was unique that they were each shot 3 times with the .357. If it was a car/van robbery, that means the killer lived locally, since living victims could describe him/them to LE. Also likely they were already known to LE who might recognize them easily from a victim description.

He brought up another detail I had thought about - why didn't the shooter just shoot them in the head? With a .357, a head shot would have very likely been fatal. Why were they shot in the chest/back and throat? He said it seemed the killer might have wanted them to die more slowly. That might be another aspect to this murder - someone who was not just a car/van thief, but a twisted person who enjoys killing.

The host doesn't mention it, but we've discussed it here - how was the killer able to kill both with such accurate shooting in such low light conditions - dark road, no ambient light, late night, probably only with headlights or a flashlight? Whomever shot them was an experienced, accurate shooter, JMO.

The host brought up the idea that the killer might have been a war veteran. There would have been a lot of veterans at that time - Vietnam, Korea, WWII even. Might even add active duty.

The host also brought up the fact that Lonnie Henry and the guy who discovered the bodies were both truck drivers. He speculated that the Locklair Rd location might have been a spot where local truckers went to hang out, etc.

I'm also inclined to think it was more than one killer, possibly Lonnie and his brother. Perhaps Lonnie went along not knowing the victims would be killed. Was it a buddy of Lonnie's, another truck driver he worked with? Out joyriding, saw a couple with a snazzy van, parked somewhere, sleeping. Decided to watch, then steal the van?

BBM. Shooting at a person’s head is much more difficult from a marksmanship point of view, especially if there’s movement, and that is why LE training has instructed trainees for years to use 3 shots to the center of mass of the chest area to stop a threat. The concept is that shots to the chest area are more likely to hit a vital organ, and present a larger sight picture. Shooting at a human head presents a smaller target, and would be even more difficult in low light. I don’t think the pattern of shots means anything except intent to kill the victims. The hits at the throat might mean that they were first shot at close range in their vehicle, and then shot again to make sure they would not survive. Also, the revolver used was a .357 magnum, but it also fires the less powerful .38 caliber, which is easier to shoot and had less recoil. I believe an early thread on this case indicated that both victims were shot with .38 caliber rounds, not the more powerful .357 magnum round, but I’d have to search the old threads.

As noted on prior posts, the shooter is skilled and experienced, and probably has LE or military training. I’m not sure if Lonnie was a veteran or had LE training at one point in his life, but he had the murder weapon….

 

[worm]

Thank you Betty.

 

[worm]

I’ve read 2 versions of how they were found. The truck driver taking a rest, and a man on his way to work. This is the first I’ve heard of the cb radio being used to call for help too. My understanding was that the man who found them drove to the store and the sheriff was called. I know the cb radio was very popular back then.

I haven’t seen anything on the order of shots fired but it looks like they both were standing on the edge of the road given where their feet were at in the evidence photos. Somewhere I thought I read that the head shots were close range but I’m not sure and this water doesn’t need to get cloudier from my wild guesses.

 

[Betty P]

BBM. Shooting at a person’s head is much more difficult from a marksmanship point of view, especially if there’s movement, and that is why LE training has instructed trainees for years to use 3 shots to the center of mass of the chest area to stop a threat. The concept is that shots to the chest area are more likely to hit a vital organ, and present a larger sight picture. Shooting at a human head presents a smaller target, and would be even more difficult in low light. I don’t think the pattern of shots means anything except intent to kill the victims. The hits at the throat might mean that they were first shot at close range in their vehicle, and then shot again to make sure they would not survive. Also, the revolver used was a .357 magnum, but it also fires the less powerful .38 caliber, which is easier to shoot and had less recoil. I believe an early thread on this case indicated that both victims were shot with .38 caliber rounds, not the more powerful .357 magnum round, but I’d have to search the old threads.

As noted on prior posts, the shooter is skilled and experienced, and probably has LE or military training. I’m not sure if Lonnie was a veteran or had LE training at one point in his life, but he had the murder weapon….

Apologies, I posted that referencing the first podcast, where the host said they were shot in the throat. Second podcast he updated to say it was a shot to the head and yes, at fairly close range. That was new info released when Pam and Jim's identities were revealed and I had forgotten.

But, yes, the crime scene & gunshot wounds tell us a lot about the shooter, primarily that he was a skilled marksman.

BTW, I still consider Lonnie Henry's brother as a possible suspect. He was the one who gave Lonnie the gun, could have been any time. IIRC, LE traced the gun back to one being used in a string of burglaries. JMO

 

[fred&edna]

The 'Sumter County Does' Had Recently Met Each Other While Hitchhiking

RSBM

Do we know what type of evidence lead LE to make this determination? Was it based on a report by someone who met them prior to the murders? And, "recently" as in... a day, a week, a month?

 

[Warwick1991]

Apologies, I posted that referencing the first podcast, where the host said they were shot in the throat. Second podcast he updated to say it was a shot to the head and yes, at fairly close range. That was new info released when Pam and Jim's identities were revealed and I had forgotten.

But, yes, the crime scene & gunshot wounds tell us a lot about the shooter, primarily that he was a skilled marksman.

BTW, I still consider Lonnie Henry's brother as a possible suspect. He was the one who gave Lonnie the gun, could have been any time. IIRC, LE traced the gun back to one being used in a string of burglaries. JMO

Was Lonnie’s brother a veteran or former LE? Of course, growing up in a rural area, they might get experience shooting, especially hunting or plinking on rural acreage.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

RSBM

Do we know what type of evidence lead LE to make this determination? Was it based on a report by someone who met them prior to the murders? And, "recently" as in... a day, a week, a month?

I don’t know but I’d sure like to. I really wanna find out what happened to Earl Anthony Joggerst. He’s been missing out of Arnold, MO since 1972 when he and his girlfriend ran away. She ended up in California and he’s not been seen since. Witnesses saw them get in the car with a 30 yr old male in a red convertible. I sure do wanna find him…

 

[worm]

Was Lonnie’s brother a veteran or former LE? Of course, growing up in a rural area, they might get experience shooting, especially hunting or plinking on rural acreage.

Probably the latter and growing up around and learning firearms in a rural area myself, I don’t think these shots required expert marksman skills. The width of that road is probably 20 ft? I also note that they were wearing lighter color shirts which would show in the dark better. I’m not sure about what the moon was like but I’d bet that it was easier to see than we think. Especially if the shooter had a minute for the eyes to adjust.

 

[worm]

To add to the mix of confusion, I was just randomly searching cold cases in SC and found a site called “spotcrime” that refers to James and Pam as possibly “backpackers”. Although I think they had belongings that went somewhere, I’ve never heard a backpack mentioned in this case.

 

[T rex]

I don’t know but I’d sure like to. I really wanna find out what happened to Earl Anthony Joggerst. He’s been missing out of Arnold, MO since 1972 when he and his girlfriend ran away. She ended up in California and he’s not been seen since. Witnesses saw them get in the car with a 30 yr old male in a red convertible. I sure do wanna find him…

I don't know if Earl's case would have anything to do with this one but I do have an interest in Missouri. It would be the first days stop on a trip from Colorado Springs into the area of the crime. IIRC it's the half way point on a two day trip.
There was also a Cuddy's Farm there.

 

[T rex]

Probably the latter and growing up around and learning firearms in a rural area myself, I don’t think these shots required expert marksman skills. The width of that road is probably 20 ft? I also note that they were wearing lighter color shirts which would show in the dark better. I’m not sure about what the moon was like but I’d bet that it was easier to see than we think. Especially if the shooter had a minute for the eyes to adjust.

I don't see why it would have to be an expert or skilled marksman. It was most likely point blank and just because it was dark doesn't mean it was pitch black. You can still see someone when they're standing right in front of you or laying at your feet.JMO.

 

[worm]

According to a “calendar 12” site that I found, the moon was full 100% on August 9th, 1976.

 

[Betty P]

I don't know if Earl's case would have anything to do with this one but I do have an interest in Missouri. It would be the first days stop on a trip from Colorado Springs into the area of the crime. IIRC it's the half way point on a two day trip.
There was also a Cuddy's Farm there.

I've wondered about this. We don't know where Pam and Jim were coming from, but assume they were headed to or returning from a southern city. Having lived in MO, I know if you're traveling from there to FL, AL, GA, you wouldn't travel that far east. You'd drive south to Nashville and take one of the highways south from there.

Were they traveling between that part of the south and a city on the east coast, or in PA or OH?

Not sure if we'll ever know where they were going to or coming from, but it might help to know.

 

[worldwatcher]

I was just listening to the Trace Evidence podcast mentioned above and it reminded me of what @Kell1 said when I asked him about these murders (he's retired LE). He said that since they found the murder weapon, they found the killer.

The Henry's lived about an hour's drive north of the murder scene. If they did it, they may have known of the spot, but hadn't been there recently.


He brought up another detail I had thought about - why didn't the shooter just shoot them in the head? With a .357, a head shot would have very likely been fatal. Why were they shot in the chest/back and throat? He said it seemed the killer might have wanted them to die more slowly. That might be another aspect to this murder - someone who was not just a car/van thief, but a twisted person who enjoys killing.


The host also brought up the fact that Lonnie Henry and the guy who discovered the bodies were both truck drivers. He speculated that the Locklair Rd location might have been a spot where local truckers went to hang out, etc.

I'm also inclined to think it was more than one killer, possibly Lonnie and his brother. Perhaps Lonnie went along not knowing the victims would be killed. Was it a buddy of Lonnie's, another truck driver he worked with? Out joyriding, saw a couple with a snazzy van, parked somewhere, sleeping. Decided to watch, then steal the van?

- Snipped for focus -
In another podcast:
The Sumter County Does - Criminology - Omny.fm
About 25 min, into the podcast:
There is another claim about,how Lonnie got the gun - he bought it,from a fellow trucker...
It also is said,that the gun was stolen in 1974 ,during a home invasion.

So if the origin of the gun was idd from a home invasion,the thief(s) knew ,that the owner was keeping guns in the house...
Was it very common to have guns in your house,back early 70ss? Or have a gun in your truck?

 

[worm]

- Snipped for focus -
In another podcast:
The Sumter County Does - Criminology - Omny.fm
About 25 min, into the podcast:
There is another claim about,how Lonnie got the gun - he bought it,from a fellow trucker...
It also is said,that the gun was stolen in 1974 ,during a home invasion.

So if the origin of the gun was idd from a home invasion,the thief(s) knew ,that the owner was keeping guns in the house...
Was it very common to have guns in your house,back early 70ss? Or have a gun in your truck?

Quite common, and still is. I remember too that gun racks in trucks became popular in the 70s until stealing guns from those racks also became a thing.

 

[worldwatcher]

Quite common, and still is. I remember too that gun racks in trucks became popular in the 70s until stealing guns from those racks also became a thing.

So the possibility that Lonnie could,have bought it - from another truck driver... could be valid?

His brother Jimmy served in the US army for 2 years - worked as a meat market manager for 31 years.So..not a truck driver..?
But lived and worked in Durham..?

North Carolina Obituary and Death Notice Archive - Page 2236
“ Wadesboro – Mr. J F H, 81, of Clarksville Va., formerly of Durham,..”


812-814 LIBERTY STREET - WINN-DIXIE | Open Durham :

“The southwest corner of North Alston Ave. and Liberty St. was developed with small-scale residential structures during the early decades of the 20th century. As Alston Ave became a more heavily trafficked street during the 1950s, autmobile-scale commercial uses began to appear. During the 1960s, the aforementioned residential structures were demolished to build a new Winn-Dixie supermarket.”

(Courtesy Durham County Library / North Carolina Collection)

 

[Betty P]

- Snipped for focus -
In another podcast:
The Sumter County Does - Criminology - Omny.fm
About 25 min, into the podcast:
There is another claim about,how Lonnie got the gun - he bought it,from a fellow trucker...
It also is said,that the gun was stolen in 1974 ,during a home invasion.

So if the origin of the gun was idd from a home invasion,the thief(s) knew ,that the owner was keeping guns in the house...
Was it very common to have guns in your house,back early 70ss? Or have a gun in your truck?

Thanks! I'll make sure to listen, maybe tonight. I recall LE saying in one of the news stories around the time the gun was found that it had been traced to a string of burglaries up around Charlotte, NC. or nearby. That's how I got on a tangent researching outlaw-type biker gangs in the region at that time. There were some big MC gangs back then, with a lot of crime, murders, intra-gang fighting, etc. They were also known to steal motorcycles and sometimes cars, to earn money.

It may not have been a motorcycle gang, but it sounds like Lonnie knew some people who were into heavy criminal activity. Could be he didn't want to give any info to LE for fear something might happen to him or his family.