unsolved child murders in clark couny in the 70s (Washington: loft, crimes)

[zodiacsday]

Im trying to gather information on several child murders in the Henryville area in the early seventies. No one was ever caught or charged with the crimes. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

ZODIACSDAY

[lizt924]

I believe that the person that committed these murders died a few years ago and he that he was from Crothersville, IN I have no proof of this, but it was the talk of the town at the time.

[zslis]

I realize that it has been awhile since you posted this, however I have done some looking since I am from the area, although I was a child when this all took place. Here is a website you may be interested in.

http://www.fragmagnet.com/infinity/essay/killing.html (broken link)

[StarliteDreams]

Originally Posted by zodiacsday

Im trying to gather information on several child murders in the Henryville area in the early seventies. No one was ever caught or charged with the crimes. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

ZODIACSDAY

I had a family member that was killed in henryville in 1977.. He's body was found in the Clark County Forest.. His killer was never found... I wish I could find information on this....

[zslis]

Here is a website that is local to the Indiana area. You might find some interesting things or ideas from this blog.

Henryville Serial Murders Cold Case File - Topic Powered by eve community (http://community.cnhi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/46410611/m/2881026251/p/1 - broken link)

[Misssewgirl]

Originally Posted by StarliteDreams

I had a family member that was killed in henryville in 1977.. He's body was found in the Clark County Forest.. His killer was never found... I wish I could find information on this....

I went to school in Henryville when all that was going on and one of the murdered cildren was a close friend of my brothers. I know the boys last name was sweeney but that is all I remember. I think it is a crying shame that these murders were never solved. Someone should reopen the cases. My brother went through a very rough time at the loss of his best friend.

[pinky09]

April, 28 1977 RICHARD LEE SWEENEY age 8
Found in loft of chicken barn covered in rags and clothes.
Chicken barn was used as Bluelick Auction Barn. Still stands today.
Hands were tied, sexually assaulted and strangled.
Location of barn; Bluelick Rd Henryville Ind on family property.

RS died around 11:00 am April, 28 1977
Some feel it was a family member or neighbor.
Sweeney's owned nearly all land in this area.
Grimes Family owned a portion of land near the barn I believe the Sweeney and Grimes Family still live at these locations.


June 10, 1977 JEFFERY ALLEN BURKETT age 15 or 16
Found on June 12, 1977 in Clark State Forest in and are called Flat Rock which is located in Washington County. Located 4 miles down Hwy 160, past Henryville. Found by 2 mountain bikers. Hands were tied together over head, sexually molested, beaten and dragged through woods. Rumored to have been tied to tree with barbed wire and surgical style incisions made on body.


Attended Henryville High School
Found on property owned by a member of the Sweeney Family.
The condition of body was said to be of unimaginable condition with surgical style incisions, tied with barbed wire and dragged for a long distance in woods.
A suspect was a member of a local Doctors family
They attended HHS also.“Jack and Mack” were thought to have been involved but no one knows who this is.
Charlestown State Police Post Handled the investigation.
JB has 2 brothers and 2 sisters




Sept 27, 1977 DONALD M ABELL AGE 19
Found Oct 9, 1977 in Near Clark State Forest in woods on Bartle Knob Rd, Borden Indiana near his home. Hands were bound, beaten and platform shoes were missing. Died of skull fracture.



Was missing for 2 weeks before found.
Found on property owned by the Deatrick Family which is now owned by Mac Spainhour.
Rumored Donnie was riding a bike at the time and his bike was never found.
A hammer was said to have been taken into custody from a suspect.
A rumored suspect was an older man last name Stargel. A Stargel kid attended HHS during he 1970's also.
Charlestown State Police Post handled the investigation.


A special Thanks to the person who sent me this info...You know who you are
__________________

[PINKGIRL1980]

I have wondered about this a long time now, Jeff and Donnie were both my friends. The person whom wrote that the killer had passed away is almost correct, I do believe with every bone in my body he was one of the killers sounds like Zack and Mack were TWINS, but there are still some out there that fit that shoe and I believe as they read this posting they feel they are safe and got away But in the end judgement will come harsh and swift. You all ran as a pack but you will die alone and with only you and GOD I don't pray for your soul I pray everyday that Jeff and Donnie and the Sweeny boy are there to greet your sorry asses and GOD himself let's them push your button down!!! It is just unfortunate there were more to protect all of you pieces of crap than there were to protect Jeff and Donnie and the Sweeny boy.

[okaylee63]

I am a older brother of murder victim Richard L. Sweeney 10/08/1965 - 04/28/1974 when I first looked at this website I was very upset (because of facts). 1) at the time of my brothers death my family did not own the property where body was found. 2) at the time of Jeff Burkett's death I was 13 years old in 1977 and the property where his body was found was not owned by my family. I purchased this property in 2005. for fact info you can contact Clark,Washington County Auditor. My heart goes out to the families of Jeff and Donnie. (please understand these families have been thru a lot of heart ache) Have (FACTS)

[MzSnapCup]

Wow, this is the first I have heard of these murders.

To the Sweeney brother: To say "I'm sorry for your loss" seems to sound really cheap, but I am, and I can't imagine the Hell you and your family must have gone through with the death of your brother.