364:
in an apparent attempt to steal money for drugs and drinks, but Hyatt then dragged her off into the woods. When he returned, his clothes were bloodied, and he said he had killed the girl. Later on another friend of Hyatt's, Lester Dean Helms, admitted to participating in
Simmons' murder; in his account, the two came across her at the rest stop where her car had broken down, offering her a ride to get car parts. Instead, they drove to the mountains, where each raped her before Hyatt dragged her off into the woods and came back without her, with blood on his hands. Hyatt later attempted to prevent his confession from being admitted as evidence into court, but Justice James U. Downs overruled this. He reasoned that after his arrest, the defendant had voluntarily waived his rights and had not requested an attorney.
318:. He pulled his truck beside her and, under the threat of a knife, told her to go inside. After driving aimlessly for some time, during which he robbed her of $ 44 and constantly threatened to cut her throat, he eventually released Brigman after she convinced him that she did not like the police and would not contact them. Immediately after, Brigman went to the police station and described her abductor and his truck, allowing them to track down and arrest Hyatt. A few months later, he was found guilty and sentenced to a 25-year prison term for armed robbery and kidnapping.
273:, who deduced that the victim had been killed by four stabs to the left side of her chest. Judging by the jewelry and car keys found near the body, it was suggested by this time the remains might indeed be those of Harriet Simmons. Later that same day, the state medical examiner, Dr. Page Hudson, released a statement to the press, claiming that the decedent had been tentatively identified as Simmons. With the recovery of her body, authorities began reinvestigating her case, temporarily considering a possible link to the Old Time Fiddler's Convention in
221:, the second of five children. Raised in what was described as a normal family, Hyatt nevertheless struggled with school due to an apparent learning disability and his inability to connect with others on an emotional level. Despite his unusual behavior, he was regarded as friendly and helpful by family and neighbors alike, who said that he fixed old cars and later resold them. At the same time, he was also known as a small-time criminal who frequently stole items. On November 9, 1975, he was given a 4-year prison sentence after he was convicted of
334:, was reported missing after her boyfriend went to see her at the store. A day later, authorities found her body in a wooded section of Derita. She was naked, and her throat had been slit. Police Capt. Larry Snider said an unknown assailant might have kidnapped her from a parking lot on Graham Street. In response to her murder, Harris Teeter stores offered a $ 10,000 prize for any information provided to authorities relating to her murder, followed by
368:
reasonable motive to confess, as he would also be implicating himself in a possible death penalty case. On
February 1, 2000, Hyatt was found guilty and convicted of both murders. The verdict was later celebrated by the victims' families. Four days later he was handed two death sentences for the murder charges and six consecutive life sentences for the rape, kidnapping and robbery charges.
363:
His arrest came about because of his alcoholic friend, Jerry Leon Harmon, who stumbled into the sheriff's office, claiming that he was wracked with guilt for doing something terrible. He then told them that he had accompanied Hyatt in ramming Betty McConnell's car off-road on the night of her death,
254:, with most of her belongings, except her car keys and purse, still inside the vehicle. Considering this worrying, as she had promised to contact her children if anything had happened, the local police were mobilized to try and locate her. Despite the involvement of both local authorities and the
367:
At the trial, Hyatt's attorneys pointed out that no reliable physical evidence existed against their client, and the prosecution's key witnesses, Harmon and Helms, were less than reliable. While these claims were partially acknowledged by the prosecutors, they also pointed out that Harmon had no
345:
announced that Jones' murder might be connected to the recent rape of a 24-year-old woman. In both cases, witnesses reported seeing a white male driving a white pickup truck approach the women, and in the
Charlotte rape, the woman said that her assailant drove her to an isolated area of Mount
293:
employee working in
Asheville, disappeared en route to meet a friend at a bowling alley. After failing to return home on time, her mother and older sister contacted the police, who immediately started searching for her. Three hours later, the mortally-wounded McConnell was found off a
350:
and went unconnected to the previous two for several more years. The Cold Case Squad of the
Charlotte Police Department, when interviewed regarding the unsolved cases in 1994, expressed their hope that in the future, it would be solved using advancing DNA technology.
359:
On
November 19, 1998, Hyatt was arrested for the murders of Simmons and McConnell and was held in the Buncombe County Jail without bond. The arrest came as a shock to both family and parents alike, all of whom claimed he was not capable of doing such vicious acts.
306:. She had been stabbed several times in the chest. An ambulance was called to save her life, but she died from her wounds en route to the hospital. Two hours later, her partially submerged automobile was found five miles away from where McConnell had been found.
269:. Preliminary examinations determined that the bones were those of a female, but because of deterioration, sheriffs were unable to establish her age, race or cause of death. The remains were then sent to the office of medical examiner Dr. Larry R. Tate in
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225:, following an incident in which he stole a woman's purse, breaking the conditions of his parole from a previous conviction. In May 1976, he escaped prison but was recaptured only a day later.
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346:
Holly-Huntersville Road, where she was raped. Following this announcement, police were overwhelmed with various tips about both cases. However, despite their efforts, her murder became a
1055:
384:
with the prosecutors, who agreed not to seek the death penalty, Hyatt pleaded guilty to the murder, and was given another life term to run consecutively with his other sentences.
1045:
393:
which covered Hyatt's original convictions, it was suggested that he might be responsible for even more murders. So far, Hyatt has not been linked to any further violent crimes.
277:, which attracted visitors from all over the country, since Simmons had disappeared on the final day of the convention. In 1984, an apparent break came to the case when drifter
274:
238:
On April 15, 1979, 40-year-old
Harriet Delaney Simmons, a mother of seven and night manager at a restaurant in Raleigh called "Johnny's Supper Club", left in her blue 1978
1070:
380:, was linked to Jones' murder. The match was made via a cigarette butt found next to Jones' body, as well as Hyatt's semen, which was found in her mouth. After making a
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246:. She never arrived, however, prompting her son-in-law, Ronald Dement, to go looking for her. After following the same route she had travelled, he found her car at an
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1065:
407:
1020:
995:
281:
falsely admitted to
Simmons' murder, as well as nine others he had committed in the Carolinas, but like most of his claims, this was later refuted.
1035:
314:
On
October 19, 1979, Hyatt was driving around Asheville when he spotted 40-year-old Carolyn Brigman, walking home from her job at
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Following this revelation and renewed coverage of the case stemming from an old episode on
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found what appeared to be the skeletal remains of a body in a wooded section not far from
894:
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289:
On August 25, 1979, 21-year-old Betty Sue McConnell, a young mother of one child and a
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On July 9, 1987, 19-year-old Jerri Ann Jones, a cashier working at a
239:
377:
83:
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On
January 15, 2005, Hyatt's DNA, which had been entered into
1061:
Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by North Carolina
655:"Slain woman's mother: 'It's something you never get over"
813:"Victim's family relieved, suspect's neighbors shocked"
258:, no trace of Simmons was found for more than a year.
811:
Julie Ball and Katy Hillenmeyer (November 21, 1998).
796:
Katy Hillenmeyer and Julie Ball (November 20, 1998).
671:
Katy Hillenmeyer and Julie Ball (November 20, 1998).
467:
Katy Hillenmeyer and Julie Ball (November 20, 1998).
596:"Skeleton may be remains of missing Franklin woman"
158:
148:
136:
128:
118:
110:
105:
95:
61:
28:
21:
1031:American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment
217:Terry Alvin Hyatt was born on March 28, 1957, in
880:"Deliberations to start in double slaying trial"
835:"Deliberations to start in double slaying trial"
193:for two of them, he was linked to the third via
1056:Prisoners sentenced to death by North Carolina
923:"Man gets death in rapes, slayings of 2 women"
753:"Tips In Cashier's Killing Deluge City Police"
739:"Police Search For Link In Murder, Rape Cases"
403:List of death row inmates in the United States
261:On March 23, 1980, a man walking through the
8:
1046:People convicted of murder by North Carolina
925:. The News & Observer. February 5, 2000.
911:. Asheville Citizen-Times. February 5, 2000.
865:"Judge rules suspect's statement admissible"
542:"Missing Woman's Car Found Near Statesville"
483:"Judge Revokes Probation For Young Offender"
909:"Families recall victims with love, sorrow"
706:"Cashier Found Dead Possibly Was Kidnapped"
408:List of serial killers in the United States
971:"Cold-case unit closes book on '87 murder"
956:"Cold-case unit closes book on '87 murder"
850:"Judge rules suspect statement admissible"
612:. Asheville Citizen-Times. March 27, 1980.
18:
544:. The Charlotte Observer. April 24, 1979.
197:in 2005, pleading guilty and receiving a
1071:Violence against women in North Carolina
755:. The Charlotte Observer. July 18, 1987.
625:"Body identified; convention link mused"
1011:American people convicted of kidnapping
732:
730:
449:"TV show asks: Are there more murders?"
436:
882:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 11.
867:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 14.
837:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 17.
815:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 11.
783:"Officers tackle old unsolved murders"
768:"Officers tackle old unsolved murders"
699:
697:
666:
664:
471:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 10.
462:
460:
458:
447:Clarke Morrison (September 29, 2005).
442:
440:
310:Attempted kidnapping and incarceration
1051:People from Asheville, North Carolina
1026:American prisoners sentenced to death
973:. The Charlotte Observer. p. B1.
958:. The Charlotte Observer. p. B3.
937:"Death-row inmate accused in killing"
852:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 9.
828:
826:
824:
822:
800:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 1.
785:. The Charlotte Observer. p. 14.
770:. The Charlotte Observer. p. 11.
675:. Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 8.
589:
587:
571:
569:
498:
496:
181:(born March 28, 1957) is an American
7:
686:Billy Pritchard (January 25, 1980).
576:John Campbell Jr. (March 24, 1980).
1016:American people convicted of murder
578:"Skeleton Is Found In Candler Area"
524:"Mother of seven children vanishes"
505:"Mother of seven children vanishes"
185:who killed at least three women in
1066:Serial killers from North Carolina
781:Angela Wright (January 17, 1994).
766:Angela Wright (January 17, 1994).
688:"Hyatt Sentenced In Buncombe Case"
653:Susan Dryman (November 20, 1998).
14:
1021:American people convicted of rape
969:Gary L. Wright (August 2, 2005).
954:Gary L. Wright (August 2, 2005).
893:Susan Dryman (February 1, 2000).
878:Susan Dryman (January 28, 2000).
863:Susan Dryman (January 11, 2000).
848:Susan Dryman (January 11, 2000).
833:Susan Dryman (January 28, 2000).
189:from 1979 to 1987. Convicted and
623:Chip Pearsall (March 28, 1980).
594:Chip Pearsall (March 27, 1980).
355:Arrest, first trial and sentence
201:term. He is currently housed at
16:Convicted American serial killer
996:20th-century American criminals
798:"Suspect held in 1979 slayings"
721:"Body Of Missing Cashier Found"
673:"Suspect held in 1979 slayings"
638:Tex O'Neill (August 19, 1984).
469:"Suspect held in 1979 slayings"
522:Steve Levin (April 24, 1979).
503:Steve Levin (April 24, 1979).
1:
1036:Criminals from North Carolina
737:Tex O'Neill (July 14, 1987).
719:Nancy Webb (July 11, 1987).
704:Nancy Webb (July 12, 1987).
341:A few days later, police in
610:"Woman Was Stabbing Victim"
1087:
897:. Asheville Citizen-Times.
690:. Asheville Citizen-Times.
657:. Asheville Citizen-Times.
627:. The News & Observer.
598:. The News & Observer.
580:. Asheville Citizen-Times.
451:. Asheville Citizen-Times.
372:Second trial and aftermath
242:to visit her boyfriend in
895:"Jury finds Hyatt guilty"
741:. The Charlotte Observer.
723:. The Charlotte Observer.
708:. The Charlotte Observer.
642:. The Charlotte Observer.
219:Asheville, North Carolina
172:
57:
50:Asheville, North Carolina
80:Second degree kidnapping
1006:American male criminals
528:The News & Observer
509:The News & Observer
487:Asheville Citizen-Times
425:Hyatt v. Branker (2009)
167:Raleigh, North Carolina
75:First degree kidnapping
640:"An Odyssey of Murder"
560:The Charlotte Observer
556:"Missing Woman Sought"
338:with a $ 1,000 prize.
263:Pisgah National Forest
209:, awaiting execution.
420:State v. Hyatt (2002)
941:Rocky Mount Telegram
275:Union Grove Township
244:Nashville, Tennessee
1001:American kidnappers
943:. January 15, 2005.
489:. November 6, 1975.
120:Span of crimes
70:First degree murder
300:French Broad River
191:sentenced to death
159:Imprisoned at
179:Terry Alvin Hyatt
176:
175:
154:November 19, 1998
84:First degree rape
33:Terry Alvin Hyatt
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390:Cold Case Files
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285:Betty McConnell
279:Henry Lee Lucas
250:rest stop near
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234:Harriet Simmons
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562:. May 8, 1979.
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414:External links
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336:Crime Stoppers
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291:Dunkin' Donuts
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203:Central Prison
187:North Carolina
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143:North Carolina
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43:March 28, 1957
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1041:Living people
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530:. p. 24.
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511:. p. 21.
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45:(age 67)
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316:Krispy Kreme
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991:1957 births
322:Jerri Jones
271:Chapel Hill
252:Statesville
23:Terry Hyatt
985:Categories
431:References
213:Early life
91:(3 counts)
86:(2 counts)
77:(2 counts)
72:(3 counts)
39:1957-03-28
382:plea deal
348:cold case
343:Charlotte
330:store in
304:Alexander
124:1979–1987
397:See also
138:State(s)
298:of the
267:Candler
229:Murders
223:larceny
207:Raleigh
129:Country
111:Victims
106:Details
332:Derita
240:Toyota
52:, U.S.
378:CODIS
302:near
100:Death
296:bank
248:I-40
199:life
29:Born
256:SBI
205:in
987::
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485:.
457:^
439:^
165:,
114:3+
41:)
37:(
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