In 1946, an unidentified serial killer committed a series of violent crimes around Texarkana. And these murders, understandably, caused a whole lot of panic in Texarkana during the time he was active. People would arm themselves and lock themselves inside and the police patrolled the neighborhoods every night. On Friday February 22nd, 1946, the killer assaulted 25 year old Jimmy Hollis and 19 year old Mary Jeanne Larey. In the coming months, he murdered 29 year old Richard Griffin, 17 year old Polly Ann Moore, 15 year old Betty Jo Booker, 17 year old Paul Martin, and 37 year old Virgil Starks. And he shot at Virgil’s 36 year old wife, Katie. Even though there were many suspects in this case, nobody was officially charged for their murders. We go over these suspectes, the circumstantial evidence, and why they weren’t charged in the episode, but if you would like to read more about this case, all the links are in our bio!

Stay safe out there.

With love, Saaniya and Maddie x

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texarkana_Moonlight_Murders

https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/texarkana-murder-mystery/

https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/texarkana/story/2020/feb/07/fbi-releases-phantom-killer-archive-more-1100-pages-available-internet/815514/

https://the-line-up.com/texarkana-murders

https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/The_Phantom_Killer

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/texas-murder-spree-hands-phantom-killer-solved-article-1.2554028