The bodies of 22 year-old Cheryl Henry and her boyfriend, Garland “Andy” Atkinson, 21, were discovered in a wooded area of western Harris County in the summer of 1990. The location was a local “lover’s lane” where couples looking for privacy were known to frequent. The couple had been bound with rope and their throats were slashed. Cheryl Henry had been raped. The case remains unsolved.
That same year, a 30-year-old exotic dancer had been raped. The case is also unsolved. The attacker’s DNA, taken from the dancer and Cheryl Henry, matched in a recent forensic examination. Investigators tracked down the only known surviving victim of the killer.
The dancer, who worked at the topless bar, GiGi’s (located on Northwest Freeway), was able to provide authorities with a sketch of the suspect.
Cheryl Henry had also worked at a strip club: Rick’s Cabaret, which was located on Bering Drive. Garland Atkinson sometimes worked at Dreams Street, a club on Winrock Boulevard. Atkinson’s father managed the place.
Investigators believe it is likely the killer frequented clubs of this type in the Houston area.
White male, mid-30s,
around 6 ft in height
180 lbs
brown hair, brown eyes,
may have had a mustache
olive complexion
The witness said that her attacker covered his face with a fishnet stocking. He also wore black gloves, a dark shirt and matching pants (possibly a uniform). He held a long-barrelled handgun in his left hand.
Sources:
Houston police release sketch of ‘Lover’s Lane’ suspect
After 18 years, a possible break in ‘Lover’s Lane’ case
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