Suspect Charged in 34-Year 'Lovers' Lane' Cold Case Murders

After more than three decades, a suspect faces capital murder charges in the notorious 1990 "Lovers' Lane" killings of two young individuals in Houston, marking a significant breakthrough in a case that had long eluded resolution.

Decades-Old Case Sees Breakthrough

Floyd William Parrott, 64, now faces charges of capital murder in connection with the 1990 slayings of Cheryl Henry, 22, and Andy Atkinson, 21. The Harris County District Attorney's Office announced the charges, bringing a long-awaited development to one of Houston's most enduring unsolved mysteries.

Authorities arrested Parrott on Wednesday in Lincoln, Nebraska. He currently awaits extradition to the Harris County jail in Texas, a process that will bring him back to the jurisdiction where the brutal crimes occurred over three decades ago. The identification and charging of a suspect represents a critical turn in a case that has haunted the community and the victims' families for 34 years.

The Haunting Discovery of 1990

The tragic events unfolded on August 23, 1990. A security guard conducting a routine patrol in Houston came across a vehicle that had been stationary for an extended period. Upon approaching the car, the guard discovered an unresponsive woman, later identified as Cheryl Henry.

Police responded to the scene and found an unresponsive man, Andy Atkinson. Initial investigations, detailed in a 2008 news release from Houston police, revealed that both Henry and Atkinson had been stabbed in the throat. Atkinson's body was found tied near a tree, while Henry was located approximately 100 yards away from the vehicle. Investigators also determined that Henry had been sexually assaulted.

The discovery shocked the city. The remote "Lovers' Lane" location, combined with the brutal nature of the crime and the youth of the victims, quickly cemented the case as a particularly infamous and chilling chapter in Houston's criminal history, remaining unsolved through successive generations of investigators.

Relentless Pursuit Leads to Arrest

Despite the initial shock and a concerted investigative effort involving multiple law enforcement bodies, including the Houston Police Department (HPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the murders of Henry and Atkinson remained unsolved for decades. The case joined the ranks of cold cases that challenged even the most determined detectives.

The recent breakthrough occurred earlier this month when investigators successfully linked Parrott to the crime. While additional details regarding the specific evidence or methods used to establish this crucial link were not immediately disclosed, the development marked a pivotal moment in the long-running inquiry.

District Attorney Sean Teare underscored the persistent efforts behind the arrest. "Our prosecutors, working with the HPD and FBI, have pursued this investigation with relentless and dogged determination," Teare stated. "They have worked hundreds of leads, facing dead ends and plenty of frustration. But, they never gave up on Cheryl and Andy."

Teare further characterized the murders as "one of the city’s most haunting and infamous cold cases," highlighting the deep impact the unresolved tragedy had on the community. Expressing gratitude to those involved, Teare concluded, "Thank you to all investigators who have touched this case. Your perseverance has delivered something two families long deserved: progress and hope." The arrest now offers a tangible step towards justice after more than 30 years of unanswered questions.

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