South Carolina serial killer conjures memory of 60s murderer
GAFFNEY, S.C. — A terrified rural South Carolina community hunkered down over the Fourth of July after the sheriff said a serial killer was on the loose, and longtime residents were reminded of a murderer who terrorized the town in the 1960s.
Memories of the "Gaffney Strangler" were reignited this week after authorities said a new serial killer gunned down four people during three separate incidents over several days. Authorities have released a sketch of the accused killer and a description of the sport utility vehicle he may be driving, but they have been silent about exactly what has linked the slayings.
The town of Gaffney, about 50 miles south of Charlotte, N.C., is located in a county that had just six homicides in all of 2008, and half that the year before. The last time the town was this threatened like this was when the "Gaffney Strangler" killed four women over 10 days in 1968 and vowed to kill more. The town banded together, despite racial prejudice, to find the man who was killing both white and black women.
The strangler, Lee Roy Martin, called the editor of a local newspaper on Feb. 8, 1968, and told him where to find the bodies of two women he'd dumped in the woods. He threatened to kill even more women until he was "shot down like the dog I am."
People started to comb the community for clues, which led to Martin's arrest. He was convicted of four murders and sentenced to four life terms. In 1972, he was stabbed to death in his cell.
The latest killings have residents on edge, with "their guard up and their gun handy," said state Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney.
"There is no greater fear than the fear of the unknown and nobody knows. You can cut the tension with a knife," Peeler said. "People are locking their doors, even in broad daylight."
Tanya Phillips had been looking forward to a backyard barbecue at her brother's house but instead planned to stay home with her doors locked.
"I'm not taking any chances," said Phillips, 32, a mother of two who works in a day-care center. "I'll go out during the day, but not at night. I just don't feel safe."
Every available police officer will work the weekend, Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton said, acknowledging there is "real fear in the county." He urged people to take precautions such as going out in groups and calling 911 if their cars break down and they are stuck on the side of the road.
The latest victims were found in their family's small furniture and appliance shop near downtown Gaffney around closing time Thursday. Stephen Tyler, 45, was killed, and his 15-year-old daughter was shot and seriously injured. Family members and a store employee found them in the Tyler Home Center.
Comments
- Jets beat Panthers 3:30 p.m.
- Body of missing woman found 3:27 p.m.
- Deja vu at Radio City Christmas show 3:21 p.m.
- Bills beat Dolphins 3:02 p.m.
- Redman leads Falcons to victory 3:01 p.m.
- Eagles rally for another late win 2:52 p.m.
- 4 police officers shot dead in Wash. 2:47 p.m.
- Bengals run over Browns 2:43 p.m.
- Seattle makes it 10 in row over Rams 2:37 p.m.
- Colts remain perfect with win 2:31 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
640 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
459 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - BYU is champion of the state
121 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
89 - Hall's legacy measured today
77 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
If you believe in agency, I am saddened that you would use yours to prevent...
A person has a few big opportunities to be the better man in such a large...
What practicing Mormon has spoken such hatred before?
Wherever they end up I hope they have some class. You represent the...
would suppress his feelings for 365 days, then speak his mind after he faced...
Utah 2 BYU 0 Utah still can talk BCS since its coach is still Kyle who...
once on the field and once in the media room. We beat em good.
Maybe someone with a head on his shoulders should remind Max-no-class-Hall...
I LOVED what Max Hall said! Thanks Max...
To Art: The top income tax rate in 1950 was 91%. The top rate today is 35%. A...




You can be the first to comment on this story.