The Killer Was Already in Prison. DNA Finally Exposed His Secret

On the night of January 15, 1984, the Bennett family is home in Aurora, Colorado — 27-year-old Bruce, his 26-year-old wife Debra, their 7-year-old daughter Melissa, and their 3-year-old daughter Vanessa. In two days, Melissa will turn 8. The garage door is open, the way it often was in this neighborhood, in this era, on a quiet street where nothing like this had ever happened before. By morning, Bruce's mother will call the house repeatedly and get no answer, and then she will drive over, and then she will walk inside. You may read on this case below Primary source state law enforcement record for the 1984 Bennett family homicides, documenting the official case status, victims, and investigative history. Source: https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=147 Sentencing hearing account drawing on Judge Vahle's statement, Vanessa Bennett Schulz's court remarks, Connie Bennett's statement, and the full arc of the case from 1984 through conviction. Source: https://sentinelcolorado.com/orecent-headlines/an-unspeakable-orgy-of-violence-aurora-hammer-murderer-gets-3-life-sentences-for-1984-killings/ Court coverage of Ewing's sentencing, including the DNA timeline, the Patricia Smith connection, and the mandatory sentencing rules grandfathered from 1984. Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/alex-ewing-life-sentences-1984-murder-aurora-bennett/ Feature interview with Vanessa Bennett Schulz detailing the lifelong effects of the attack, her childhood in foster care, and her reaction to learning Alex Ewing had been identified. Source: https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2018/08/10/survivor-1984-bennett-family-hammer-murders-shares-story-colorado-crime/957755002/ Bennett family murders Aurora Colorado Alexander Ewing hammer killer Alex Ewing Bennett family 1984 Aurora Colorado hammer murders 1984 Bennett family cold case solved Alex Ewing conviction 2021 Vanessa Bennett survivor Aurora hammer killer cold case Patricia Smith Lakewood hammer murder