Topic: The Orchard Apartments Murders | August 1979 (Read 10886 times)

Jennifer North · « **on:** February 04, 2008, 09:29:09 AM »

Two murders that occurred in August 1979 in the same apartment complex off of Gulfton St. in southwest Houston. Two young women brutally stabbed; the first one decapitated, with the head taken by the killer. The second, Mary Calcutta, was stabbed 36 times about a week later. Many speculations were made as to the murders being connected/coincidence/commited by a serial killer and/or some crazy maintenance man employed at the apartments who had spare keys to their apartments. One thing is for sure: these murders brought about "security gates" in Houston -- before this happened, there were no gates.

Chris · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2008, 06:09:30 PM »

Did I read that right! The killer "TOOK" the head of his victim?

I never heard of this one, I was only 8 so that is probably why. Right, either a bad coincidence or the same sick maniac.

Jennifer North · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2008, 02:47:10 PM »

Yes, it's completely true. I knew the second victim. I actually worked with her and we also rode the same bus from downtown. It scared the hell out of a lot of people back then. I moved back home with my parents three days later and just left my roommate there! (I was only 18 at the time.)

Do you happen to work for CrimeStoppers?

Chris · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2008, 11:12:26 PM »

Hi Jennifer,

No I do not work for CrimeStoppers or anything related to them. I am just a private citizen who is concerned about the number of unsolved murders. Even more disturbing is the lack of information about unsolved murders like the one you mentioned.

I am sorry about your friend, that must have been difficult. It must have been a freightening experience.

Hopefully, crimes like this can be solved with advances in science and technology. I hope the only person who is scared now is the person(s) who did this, wondering when the police are coming.

tbitzel · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2008, 11:32:16 PM »

Just read this comment (it's July 2008), but I can't help but reply, as I used to live in the Orchard Apts in the mid - late 1970s. OMG! I am so glad I moved. It was 3 of us young girls, all in our early 20s!!! I never heard of these murders before, but maybe I blanked it!

Chris · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2008, 12:51:56 AM »

Wow, were you there in August 79?

Good thing nothing happened, sadly, it does appear these were random or the result of a sex predator. I always wondered if Eugene Watts was around at this time.

Victimof · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2008, 01:46:55 PM »

Hi Jennifer,

I just read your post. I am a relative of Mary and I would really like to speak with you. I sent you a personal message on another website you had posted on in 2004. My family remembers this like it was yesterday and we have believed for years that we know who murdered Mary and I believe you can help us. Please Please write back!

Victimof · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2008, 06:10:37 PM »

Just realized one can send personal messages so Jennifer please check your inbox.

Thanks

dustya · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2008, 12:02:48 AM »

I knew Mary too. I worked as a placement counselor at a downtown Temporary Help agency and she was one of our temporary employees. She was placed at one of our jobs (during the day) during the time of her murder. I remember the shock that went through our office when we heard the news of her horrific death. We didn't have any information on file of any relatives to send our condolences to. The Gulfton area became such frightening place that everyone avoided the area even though it was so well known for it's night clubs and night life.

nikkilynn · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2008, 09:07:47 AM »

Wow, where was she working at the time? I worked with her at an insurance company during late '78 to around spring of '79. She seemed very quiet and sort of kept to herself, but was very nice when you started speaking to her first. I always wondered why this crime could never be solved. Does anyone think the reason could be the police screwed up or missed something? Another weird coincidence that struck me at the time: this occurred on the 10th anniversary of the Manson family murders.

Chris · « **Reply #10 on:** October 08, 2008, 07:10:27 AM »

I'm not sure the police screwed up. It is likely they have some DNA on this and may very well be looking for a match.

It is still possible both these cases are unrelated. Stabbing someone 36 times seems like it was very personal.

I was just a child in 1979 and do not remember this stuff, but I am surprised actually that it is not a well known case in Houston.

With all this new technology available, I hope it is just a matter of time before the person who did this is arrested.

nikkilynn · « **Reply #11 on:** October 08, 2008, 09:21:50 AM »

This WAS a very well-known event. Probably many middle-aged, long time Houstonians remember this. A lot of people (especially women) were afraid to be out at night and were bracing for another tragedy, sort of like the atmosphere in New York when the "Son of Sam" guy was on the loose. But no more occurred. At the time, southwest Houston was a classy neighborhood for single, young up-and-comers to live due to the "new" apartment complexes sprouting up and the nightlife. There were several popular discos in the area, and some apartment complexes even had their own discos on property. For example, the Orchard Apartments had "The Orchard Club" and Napoleon Square had "Bonaparte's Retreat". People moved out in droves and the neighborhood went downhill. By the late '80's it was known as the "Gulfton Ghetto". Now I think it is populated by illegal immigrants and lots of gang activity. So I guess you could say this event triggered the decline of a whole neighborhood.

Chris · « **Reply #12 on:** October 08, 2008, 08:54:19 PM »

That is too bad what happened to that area. I guess after the Eugene Watts and Lucas cases, these murders must have just vanished from the minds of Houstonians. I had never heard of them until they were posted here, and I spent the 80's in the Bunker Hill area and my grand folks in the Dairy Ashford area.

There is hope though, that this will be solved. It sure would be huge news not just in Houston but all over the country if they did.

Victimof · « **Reply #13 on:** October 08, 2008, 10:28:39 PM »

I agree that the stabbing was something personal and I don't believe the murders were related. My family keeps in contact with the detective who worked the case (now retired) as this case has always bothered him. Mary's sister was told that getting the DNA would not be of help in this case but can't remember the reasons why.

Those of you who knew Mary, if you remember anything about her personal aquaintances or remember any discussions that may be of importance or know of others that knew her, I would greatly appreciate any info you can provide. You can send me a personal message or share it on this thread.

Thanks

yellowhand · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2008, 12:42:45 PM »

i remember those murders because i lived there in the early 70's and left after my apartment was robbed. at first it was a nice place to live and lots of activity there, then slowly the robberies started and it went downhill after that, my friends always thought a maintence man was behind it. after those girls were killed in such a horrible manner, i recall reading that another young girl a school teacher was killed in a similar manner in Pasadena. her head had been severed, and i though the same person had commited the crime and don't think the police ever linked these together. i hope someday they find the murder, that was no way to die.

Chris · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2008, 02:56:10 PM »

It is possible they did not link the crimes then. Back in 1979 from what I understand, the city did not fund the police very well and they did not have the technology then they do now.

It would be great if they took old cases like this and were able to solve then and others using DNA and stuff like that.

Thank goodness the city county and state are funding these people better!!

cecil wingo · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2008, 04:37:12 AM »

At the time Jennifer was slain I was Chief Investigator and
executive Officer for the Harris Coounty Medical Examiner.
he decedent was lying in bed, a bloody bed, her body positioned in sort of an aggonized position.
It is ccorrect the head was removed and while the body lay on the bed. The removal was all but surgical. Having severed the head the killer placed the head on the floor supposedly to reorganize himself. He then picked the head up and walked to the front door leaving a trail of blood. He passed through the door. On outside the door the head was again set down while the kille closed the door. Some twenty feet from the door it was very apparent the head had been set down once again while the killer was opening the trunk to a vehicle. To my knowledge no further trail was found.

Houston P.D. Homicide had some of their best people ( all of the were good) doiing this invesitgation. This part of the investiation was not a part of the duties of the Medical Examiner.
Addaddendum 050898
There was a theory at the time of the murder involving a Houston undertaker whom by the way was thought to be involved in other slayings. There was no DNA at the time ( my office brought DNA to the first public laboratory in 1990.If the theory that the killer was known it was subverted by his death several years later.HPD Homicide was a top not national unit in th 80s /90s. The were 652 homicides in 1981

did did not. There top people were laggaring getting DNA faclityies when execucive community of the Houston Area Council allowed me the trust of the mony for the Offfice Dr. Jachimczk, We ere not up and running until 1991;1992; Major Juan Geroge abd a retired major come through on the program. NOW THE NEW SHERIFF.

wasts to fire Juan Gorge. How do you figure?. Jaun was also instrumental attempting creat killer profil as welll as georgraphic local for the act of serial killer.

Julie Johnson, PhD. was tghe DNA Lab heas at the time but had to take some wheat from a fat Retired Senior Master SsSergeant who thought had all the aswers. He was booted out.and Libby had many successes. None that you see in the papers these days a in a bad were not hers
Major Juan George

Incidentally the office of Medical Examiner Harris Countu, Houston,. Texas is doing qui\et will with their expertiz=se and some to of the qyuipment handed to them when Dr carter retired./. The have a crime lab, a firearms lab, A DNA LAB Tox and histology. Carter really

Dr, Cecil Wingo, Forensic Analyst, Medcine/Psyshoology

Chris · « **Reply #17 on:** December 09, 2008, 11:03:46 PM »

Thanks for the info. Wow, that seems very very gruesome. So I guess you are saying DNA was tested in 1990? I guess no match then.

So there was a person in this era who was thought to have been a possible serial killer? Was he ever convicted of any other murders?

Steeler · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2008, 10:27:13 PM »

Hi

I am one of Mary's brothers. If any of Mary's friends or co-workers want to get in touch with us please feel free in sending me a private message. On behalf of my family we thank everyone who can contribute to helping this case get solved. It has been way too long and we hope to one day have closure with it.

Keep up the posting if you think you may remember something.

Steeler Fan

asiannalarhey · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2008, 01:06:41 PM »

How's it going everyone? I would like to say first of all I am not a Psychic. I believe in Jesus Christ. I came to this website to give what I could. I had a dream about this and it really scared me. I can't say I know what I am talking about but whatever I "SEE" I shall pass it on. Name, Phrase or statement

Natlie Fisher:

Nat Lie Fish er

Nat Lee Fisher

Nat a lie f is her

I had a dream about this woman and someone holding her head I scream and I seen someone getting in the car with a single key to the car. It was more to my dream but I can't remember. I will come back at a later date.

B Good

Asianna

petmama · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2009, 02:17:34 PM »

Hello,
It is funny how coincidences occur. Mary Calcutta was one of my best friends in high school. We never caused any trouble in school and were nerd-like. After high school graduation, I did keep in touch with Mary on and off. She had a boyfriend which my sister and I laughed about because he reminded us a little bit of "Tiny Tim". How's that for a blast from the past. They came to our home several times. When we heard she had died, it was not until we were at the funeral home that we found out the manner of her death. There were many unanswered questions that I had. I went to the local library and found an article about her murder in a Texas newspaper. I tried to put Mary's death behind me all of these years, but it has haunted me throughout these 30 years. Yesterday, I happened upon this website. I am still wondering what actually happened to my dear friend.. . .

Chris · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:48:06 AM »

I'm sorry about your friend, it is very sad.

We'd all like to know what happened to your friend. I really hope modern science can help solve this

mk · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2009, 12:43:18 AM »

The Orchard Apartment murders also took my dear friend. Interestingly, she was not at the Orchard, it happpened that night in August, but she did not live there.

Also, the murders began before August 10, Dorie and I purchased mase when we heard...we were frightened. We were planning an out of town trip for a birthday. When I returned I heard the news.
the murderer had struck again, orchard apartments, then Dori's new apartment where she had just moved. they say she struggled like the brave woman she was. Only, partially decapitated, but they felt she knew the person.
I would like to hear from friends or family

petmama · « **Reply #23 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:28:35 PM »

I am not sure that I understand your posting. You say that the Orchard Apartment murders took your friend, but that she did not live there. How could it have happened then? You say that you bought "mase". What is that? I am sorry to hear of your friend as I also lost mine. But what is more to be sorry about it is the manner in which the deaths occurred. It is just too terrible.

vizavis · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2009, 11:34:18 AM »

I am surprized that no one has mentioned the additional murders that occurred in October of the same year. I occassionally check this site because of these particular unsolved murder cases that so horrified and haunted me these many years-almost 30 years! The following is a quote from another site:
"Residents of Houston, Texas, are accustomed to reports of violent death, but nothing in their past experience prepared them for the string of crimes which dominated headlines in the latter part of 1979. Between the last week of July and first week of October, four lives were extinguished by a killer who seemed bent on claiming human heads as trophies of the hunt. Despite sensational publicity surrounding the attacks, the case remains unsolved today. The first attack took place in southwest Houston, with a female victim cornered and beheaded in her own apartment, on the twenty-seventh of July. Investigators had not found her head by August 10, when yet another victim was discovered, spared complete decapitation when her killer was disturbed and frightened off. Five blocks away, the residents around Freed Park were roused from sleep by screams and gunshots in the late-night hours of October 3. Police responded to the call but found no evidence of any crime in progress. Daylight on October 4 would lead them to the body of 16-year-old Joann Huffman, shot to death and dumped beside a picnic table with her jeans unzipped. Nearby, her boyfriend's car was found abandoned on a used-car lot, the headless body of its driver -- 18 year-old Robert Spangenberger -- locked inside the trunk. To date, no trace of either missing head has been discovered, and police in Houston hesitate to link the several homicides, despite the geographic and forensic similarities. The killer's motive and identity remain unknown."

News:

Author Topic: The Orchard Apartments Murders | August 1979 (Read 10886 times)