ROSENBAUM MURDERS (2 PEOPLE) IN ALVIN, TEXAS 12/29/1981

[rhbenton]

I am trying to find out any info re: the murders of a mother & son, named Rosenbaum,  murdered in their home, during the day, while the daughter (Joan) was asleep napping & unawares,  in the back of the house, & while the father, was at work (at the local bank). I attended high school with the daughter, & the deceased son....The murders occurred ...some time between 1974 - 1976 (unfortunately, I can not remember the exact date)...& I have NEVER BEEN ABLE to find ANY info or even a mention in  any newspaper, etc., about these murders:   whether they were ever solved or not....or if it was a homicide (or possibly a suicide/ murder).  Although, as far as I ever knew or heard, it was considered to be murder.  It is as if no one has ever known or heard of this occurrence, or as if the victims  'just disappeared off the face of the earth'.  I am starting to wonder if it was some strange case/ or of case gone horribly wrong of the Witness protection Program!!!!.  If anyone has any info, or ideas, or access to any of the facts....I would love to hear from you!!!        Thank you so much for your time!!

[Chris]

Might have to make a visit to the library and pull up the micro film from newsapers in this time frame. Hopefully they can do text searches. there is also some online newspapers archives as well.

[maryjane222]

If you attended school with the daughter (Joan), have you tried contacting people also that were in your school who might know them through sites like classmates.com & others?  What was father's first name?  What grade were you in in high school when this happened?  I have some search ideas & some contacts I could use if I could get some more information.  You can also email me at jeva1948@yahoo.com.  Thank you.

[john]

I lived in the same neighborhood. I lived on one end of the neighborhood and my grandparents lived on the other end next door/behind them. I was at my grandparents house actually playing in the back yard when this happened and to this day I cant believe I didnt see or hear it happen because their garage is where they found them and im guessing also where it happend. I was right next to their garage. Their son mowed my grandmothers yard. The father was the bank manager at a bank there in Alvin. I still live in Alvin. I was told that the murder had something to do with the bank and a loan.
I could ask my sister and my mother. I dont think it was ever solved because I know and grew up with so many people in that neighborhood and someone would tell us if it was. I still live in Alvin and am also in contact with people in that neighborhood. I have searched a few times for that case. I found this site through searching for unsolved murders in Alvin.
John

[Chris]

Hey John, do you also know that date or at least year?

Thanks

[john]

I will have to do some looking into this. I know that the village (Hillcrest Village), had and still does have its own sheriff. I imagine they have heard enough information to know something. I will also ask my mom.

John

[sam]

I think Rosie graduated high school in 1977 or 1978. These murders were during my college Christmas break in 1981. I specifically recall going out to speak to the ambulance crew since I knew them, having volunteered with them the previous year. They were called for Mr. Rosembaum due to the stress on him when he found his wife and son murdered. The last I heard they thought the murders were committed by someone Rosie knew from college but there was not enough evidence. They thought his mother was not an original target. I think they did not not have enough evidence. I know I have the year right. I hope my memory is correct on the other info.

[Brazorian]

From genealogical databases online, I found the following: the persons that you mention, according to Texas Death Index, 1903-2000, died on 29 December 1981.  They were Evelyn and James Rosenbaum.  TX Birth Index lists Evelyn as having had four children. (You mention one of them, Joan.) James was James Julius Rosenbaum, born in Fort Bend County 17 Jan 1958. They may have resided at 200 Crestmont, as one of the family had that address in 1992.

[hickaloid]

I dated Joanie for a short time in high school, as some of my friends did, in college and highschool. I always thought that this was a very strange case and have gotten various accounts of what happened and I briefly talked to Joanie about it, but not in detail. I didn't think bringing up a bunch of horrible details would help anything. If memory serves me correct the mom and the brother were found shot to death in the garage and even the dog was shot. Word was that the son was selling small amounts of pot and a deal went bad. I also had a friend in law enforcement and he said that the CSI was really bungled the crime scene, like it was almost done on purpose.

Last time I was in  touch with Joanie (appx 1995)she was a stewardess for United airlines and livinging Chicago. Searched the web for her but nothing.

This murder has always bothered me and I sense there is something more to it than the official police report ( murder/suicide - son shot the mom and turned gun on dog then himself.

Joanie, Joanie were are you, I still love you....

Anyone up for a little cold case detective work to get this one solved?

[Chris]

Hello,

Wow that must have been hard on your friend.

do you know when this happened and what both victims first names were? that was I can change the title of this thread, so that anyone searching on google can find this better.

It is stlil very solvable. Someone must know something. these days people are less afraid to come forward.

Maybe someone will.

[txlawdog]

Hickaloid,
I'm sure there are people who would like to talk to you about what you know about the family.  Would you do that?  Let me know, I can get you in touch with them.  I'm sure there are people who know something that would help............

[Southern_Partisan]

I was one of James' roommates from May 1980 - May 1981 when we and 3 of our Rugby teammates rented a house together while we were enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.  First of all, I don't believe James would have murdered his Mother.  They were extremely close and talked on the phone all the time.  The phone would ring and James would say, "Hey, Mom..." and they would talk for up to an hour or so.  From what little I recall about the murders, James was shot in the face and the family dog was found shot dead and in the kitchen trash can.  One theory I recall hearing was that the daughter may have been jealous of James and his Mom's close relationship and murdered them both after an intense argument in which James and his Mom may have sided against her.  Don't have a clue as to why the dog was killed.  Anyway, I tried internet searches many times over the years, and this is the first time I ever really found anything on the subject.  James was an awesome friend and one of the most friendly and easy-going guys you could ever meet.  Twenty-nine years is a long time, but I still hope this will someday be solved and the killer brought to justice.

[osiyo]

If it was murder / suicide wonder where the weapon was? Did all the folks who say they were near talk to law enforcement? It was my understanding that Joanie was washing clothes and the Mom and Son were found in that washroom. Heard strange things about the old man Rosenbaum.

[osiyo]

Does anyone know who worked this case? It was 1981. Looks like interest dropped off about the time the thread was started.

[osiyo]

Chris,
I see on this thread that you stated that this case is still solvable. Do you believe in the facts as they are or do you know something concrete. I am not asking for any "concrete" answers, just curious.

[osiyo]

Hickaloid said-This murder has always bothered me and I sense there is something more to it than the official police report ( murder/suicide - son shot the mom and turned gun on dog then himself.

yes (sir,mam) am curious if you actually saw this report with this conclusion. I was always under the impression that this was a double homicide.

Yes, I sure would like to help in this matter.

[osiyo]

BTW the date was 12/29/1981

[hickaloid]

Osiyo, thanks for the info on Joanie, I am surprised that I couldn't find that. I plan on giving her a call, i'm sure it's the same person. I forgot I was on this site until i got your info. I also plan on talking to another friend of mine who also dated (appx 1984) Joan to see what he can recall. He also had friends in the Brazoria county sherriff's office.

Unfortunately, the other person I know who most recently dated her, they started dating at the 30-year high school reunion,  passed away in 2009. I wish i had written down all the things he told me. I am afraid I don't have too much to add to this as far as actual facts  but i'd be willing to pass on anything of interest that i find out. I'll try to update this post after i talk to my friend bb.

[Chris]

When I say solved able, I mean the killer and potential witness's could still be alive to help solve it. That's all.

[James_1973]

I came across this thread, I rmember this, Ms. Rosenbaum was teaching 3rd grade at the time in Manvel, because I was in her class. I always remembered this because all of us in class knew something had happened and Ms. Rosenbaum was out for a long time. Where is she now?

[danpaw]

I knew Joan in school and went out with her a few times.  I have not seen her or talked to her since high school.  About 4 years ago a couple of Brazoria County Sheriff investigators knocked on my door and wanted to find out what I knew about Joan.  They asked all the questions and wouldn't answer any.  I didn't have much information for them  since she and I never really had much going anyway.  Someone gave them my name but only they know who it was.  All their questions were about Joan and they were clearly focused on her.  All that just got my curiosity up even more but I have not heard anything else since.  Even the cops I know couldn't or wouldn't tell me anything.

[Chris]

Well that is good news in a way. They are investigating it again, which can be a long process. I hope those interviews bring out some leads they can work with.

[danpaw]

Hickaloid, do you have an e-mail I can get or any other way to see what you found out.?