Texarkana Moonlight Murders

Overview

The Texarkana Moonlight Murders, a term conjured by the press of the time, refers to a chilling series of unsolved serial murders and violent crimes that gripped the Texarkana region of the United States in early 1946. These terrifying acts were attributed to an elusive figure known as the Phantom of Texarkana, the Phantom Killer, or the Phantom Slayer. Over a harrowing ten-week span, this unidentified perpetrator attacked eight individuals, resulting in five fatalities, leaving an indelible mark on the community.

Quick Facts

• Location: Miller County, Arkansas, and Bowie County, Texas, U.S.
• Date: February 22 – May 3, 1946
• Weapons Used:
  • .32 caliber pistol
  • .22 caliber rifle
• Deaths: 5
• Victims: 8
• Perpetrator: Phantom Killer (unidentified)

Timeline of Events

The attacks occurred predominantly at night on weekends, targeting couples in secluded areas. The first three assaults took place in Texas, while the fourth unfolded at a remote farmhouse in Arkansas. As news of these brutal acts spread, panic engulfed Texarkana, prompting residents to arm themselves and lock their doors as police ramped up patrols. Stores quickly sold out of firearms, ammunition, and security devices, reflecting the community’s fear. Investigations unfolded at multiple levels—city, county, state, and federal—with no stone left unturned.

February 22: The First Attack

On the night of February 22, 1946, at approximately 11:45 p.m., Jimmy Hollis, 25, and his girlfriend, Mary Jeanne Larey, 19, parked their car on a secluded road just outside Texarkana after enjoying a movie together. This lovers' lane, situated about 300 feet from the city's edge, would soon become the scene of horror.

About ten minutes after they parked, a man wearing a white cloth mask—which resembled a pillowcase with eyeholes—approached Hollis' driver-side door, shining a flashlight inside. In a chilling exchange, he told Hollis, "I don't want to kill you, fellow, so do what I say." Hollis was ordered out of the vehicle, whereupon he was struck twice on the head with a firearm, resulting in severe skull fractures.

Larey attempted to reason with the masked man, revealing Hollis’ wallet to indicate they had no money. This action was met with violence as she was struck with a blunt object. The assailant then commanded her to run, which she did, but not before being chased, assaulted, and ultimately escaping to a nearby house to call the police. Hollis, regaining consciousness, flagged down a passing motorist who also alerted authorities.

Both victims provided differing descriptions of their attacker; Larey believed he was a light-skinned African American male, while Hollis described him as a tanned white man in his thirties. Law enforcement, however, was skeptical of their accounts, suspecting they might be hiding the identity of the attacker.

March 24: First Double Murder

On March 24, Richard Griffin, 29, and his girlfriend Polly Ann Moore, 17, were discovered dead in Griffin's car by a passing motorist early that Sunday morning. The couple had been parked about 100 yards south of US Highway 67 West on a secluded lovers' lane. Griffin was found on his knees between the front seats, with his head resting on his crossed hands, while Moore lay face down in the back seat, suggesting she had been placed there post-mortem.

Both victims had been shot in the head—Griffin twice and Moore once—and forensic evidence indicated they were likely killed outside the vehicle before being moved back into it. Blood spattered on the running board and the interior of the car painted a gruesome picture. A .32 caliber cartridge casing was recovered, hinting at the weapon used. Local rumors of a possible sexual assault on Moore circulated, but these claims were later refuted.

April 14: Second Double Murder

The nightmare continued in the early hours of April 14. Sixteen-year-old Paul Martin picked up 15-year-old Betty Jo Booker after a musical performance. Tragically, their lives ended that same morning; Martin's body was found at approximately 6:30 a.m., lying on its left side on North Park Road, riddled with four gunshots. Blood was also discovered on the opposite side of the road.

Booker’s body was located later that day by a search party nearly two miles away, posed in a way that suggested a calculated placement. She had been shot twice—once in the chest and once in the face—with the same .32 caliber gun believed to have been used in the Griffin-Moore murders.

Martin’s car, found parked with the keys still in the ignition, raised questions about the sequence of events. Investigators believed both victims fought fiercely for their lives, but friends reported there had been no known enemies or conflicts between them.

May 3: The Fifth Murder

The last confirmed murder in this terrifying saga occurred on May 3, 1946. Virgil Starks, 37, and his wife Katie, 36, were in their home on a vast 500-acre farm. Virgil was shot twice in the back of the head while seated in his armchair, prompting Katie to rush from another room upon hearing the glass shatter. Tragically, she too was shot, but not before attempting to seek help.

In a desperate bid for survival, Katie fled barefoot to a neighbor’s home, where she collapsed, gasping for assistance. Local law enforcement quickly arrived, but the killer had vanished without a trace. Katie’s testimony would later contradict circulating rumors about Virgil’s fears of an impending attack, adding another layer of complexity to an already convoluted investigation.

Investigations

The investigation into these brutal attacks involved a multitude of law enforcement agencies, including local police, county sheriffs, Texas Rangers, and the FBI. Key figures in the inquiry included:

• William Hardy "Bill" Presley: Bowie County Sheriff and first officer on the scene of the initial attacks.
• Jackson Neely "Jack" Runnels: Texarkana Chief of Police who responded to the double murders.
• W. E. Davis: Miller County Sheriff who led the investigation into the Starks murder.
• Max Andrew Tackett: Arkansas State Police detective who was pivotal in the early stages of the investigation.
• Manuel T. Gonzaullas: Texas Ranger and the public face of the investigation, often criticized for taking credit for the work of others.

As the investigation unfolded, police faced the daunting task of sorting through hundreds of leads and tips, many of which were false. There was a palpable sense of urgency, leading law enforcement to offer a $500 reward (which would be over $8,000 today) to encourage tips. This reward grew exponentially after each murder, reflecting the community's desperate desire for answers.

Despite the extensive investigation, the Phantom Killer remained at large, prompting officers to urge the public to report suspicious activity, particularly anyone missing during the attack dates.

Public Reaction

The impact of the Griffin-Moore murders was immediate and severe. While initial attacks were viewed as isolated incidents, the double murders escalated public fear to new heights. The tragic loss of two well-liked local teens, both known for their community involvement, sent shockwaves through Texarkana. Funerals drew hundreds, and the local high school even canceled classes to allow students to attend.

In the wake of the murders, many residents took drastic measures to protect themselves, locking doors and arming themselves with whatever they could find. The panic was so pervasive that stores sold out of locks, guns, and other security measures. Texarkana transformed from a town where doors were often left unlocked to one where fear dictated behavior—police were forced to announce their presence loudly to avoid being shot by anxious homeowners.

Rumors and Vigilantism

With fear came rampant rumors, many of which hindered the investigation. Sheriff Presley and Gonzaullas both expressed frustration over the misinformation circulating in the community. Some residents took it upon themselves to engage in vigilante actions, attempting to catch the Phantom Killer. This led to several near-miss encounters, including a high school athlete chasing what he thought was a suspicious car.

The media played a significant role in shaping the narrative, coining the term "Phantom Killer," which added a layer of intrigue—but also fear—to the unfolding drama. As each attack occurred, the media's sensational reporting fueled the fire of panic, resulting in a community gripped by hysteria.

The Phantom Killer

The Phantom Killer was described as shrewd and cunning, eluding capture with each attack. Descriptions from the survivors painted a picture of a man who was approximately six feet tall, donning a white mask. Yet with each victim, the details became murky, complicating the identification process.

Law enforcement officers speculated that this individual was not just a random predator but someone who had carefully planned and executed each attack. The absence of a clear motive—especially since valuables were often left untouched—led to theories about sexual motivations or a psychological urge for violence.

Suspects

Over the course of the investigation, nearly 400 suspects were scrutinized, with many false confessions complicating matters further. One of the most notable suspects was Youell Swinney, a career criminal whose wife provided detailed statements implicating him in the murders. However, due to her recantation and inability to testify against him, he was never charged with the murders. Instead, he was sentenced to prison for unrelated crimes.

Other suspects included Henry "Doodie" Tennison, who died by suicide leaving behind a cryptic confession, and Ralph Baumann, an ex-military man who claimed to have lost time and feared he might be the killer. Despite the extensive investigation, no solid evidence ever linked these suspects definitively to the crimes.

In Media

The haunting legacy of the Texarkana Moonlight Murders has inspired several works in film and literature. The 1976 film The Town That Dreaded Sundown, directed by Texarkana native Charles B. Pierce, dramatized the events and heightened the folklore surrounding the case. The story continues to resonate in popular culture, serving as a chilling reminder of the unsolved mysteries that still linger in the night.

Sources

• "Texarkana Moonlight Murders." Wikipedia, Wikipedia URL.