Juniper Creek Killer

Preface

The murders at Juniper Creek, to include multiple deaths in the surrounding area, were committed between 1996 and 2006. Many of these unimaginable slayings left little to no evidence. However, local authorities presume the same individual massacred all the victims. The majority of these deaths took place within twenty-five square miles of Juniper Creek. A few were committed within the Blackwater Management Area. The first seven souls were slaughtered within a 2 year period. Presently, the homicides are still under investigation.

J.W. Stokes

Chapter 1

Redrock and Lost

Summer of 1996… The day was May 3rd and it was very HOT. The humidity was terrible too, like a hot shower. Even with that, it was a beautiful evening. A FULL MOON glistened in the night’s sky. An evening storm had settled and passed through. That night, William Morris would be having his 17th birthday party at Redrock Bridge. All his friends were coming too. Cheryl Tune, John Riggs and Melonie Pinkney were among Will’s closest friends.

Cheryl, John and Melonie were speeding down Munson Highway around nine that night. They were headed into Milton to buy beer. The teens arrived in town just before 9:30. John drove down River Road until he found someone of age willing to buy them beer. John paid a redneck ten dollars to purchase them some Miller. They were set!

As usual, they went to Burger King before leaving town headed for Redrock. When John pulled into the BK, there were people outside bullshitting. John drove around to the drive-through. He rolled down his window to order, Yes, I’d like three Whoppers, hold the onions. Then, he drove around to the pay/receive window. As they were getting their food, they heard someone yell, Go home redneck, your donkey is lonely! Now John was a crazy redneck. He did not take shit from anyone. He pulled his Mustang over where the crowd was standing.

Cheryl rolled her window down. John leaned over, You assholes see my face. I’m John Riggs and I will whip ALL your asses! Cheryl moved her seat backwards. Melonie said, Don’t start a fight John. We need to head-out to Will’s B-Day party. John pointed his finger at Melonie, Be quiet, this is my issue to deal with. Mel sat back in her seat and sighed. Cheryl said, Mel is right, we need to go.

John stepped out of the car. He asked, Which one of you sissy boys said that? This big black dude raised his hand, Me, I said it. What the hell are you going do about it? John walked straight over to the goliath and his friends. John got in the black dude’s face. The BEAST went to shove him. John moved and punched him in the throat! The dude smacked the ground! The giant’s friends went to jump on John. Then, there was a CLICK-CLICK sound. Cheryl had John’s 22 revolver pointed at the thugs. She yelled, You bastards touch him, I will unload this bitch in your asses! John, let’s get the HELL out of here! John walked back around and got in his car. Seconds later, they sped off down Stewart Street and turned onto Munson Highway!

They arrived at Redrock Bridge just before 10 pm. By that time, Cheryl and Melonie were tipsy. They climbed out of the car and went to piss. You could hear Hank Williams Jr. playing from Will’s speakers. There were people gathered around a HUGE bonfire. John walked up to the crowd and they were calling someone. John asked, What is going on? Where are Will and AJ going? Jeff Foster responded, That weird chick, Angie Crabtree, she ran off after some dude as he pulled away. She has been drinking Jungle Juice that I made. She was with that dude all night. They came out here together. He looked older. Angie told me his name is Lenny Barnes from Jay, FL. He started smoking dope up on the hill by the creek. AJ and I made him STOP. He was pissed and left, heading towards Holt. He is driving an old red Chevy truck. I have never met the guy before. I swear he was thirty or forty years old. After he left, Angie started freaking out. We really need to find that bitch before she falls in the creek or gets lost.

Chapter 2

Finding Angie

AJ and Will started searching Juniper's woods and trails trying to find Angie. William had his dad's battery powered spotlight with two hours of power. Hunting Angie would be easier using it. In addition, the rain had stopped and the moon was shining brightly. Angie’s clownish red/orange hair was like a beacon. From a distance, she would be easy to spot. If Angie passed out, she was sure to be all right. She was one tough redneck chick. When the doper pulled out, he headed east. That is when Angie ran across the bridge after him. Finding her was going to be tough, but it had to be done.

Later that night, Cheryl drove AJ’s red Nissan while he shinned and Will rode on back. They went back and forth on Redrock Road looking for Angie. As they were nearing the Juniper Creek Trail crossing, Will yelled, STOP! I see something on the edge of the trail. Cheryl slammed on the brakes! Will flew head first over the cab onto the pavement! He smacked the ground and bounced! He started giggling and laughing. Cheryl and AJ jumped out of the truck! AJ said, Dude, are you okay? Will was drunk, Hell yeah! I’m drunk, that felt GREAT! Cheryl said, Will you’re a nut. Don’t scare me like that. AJ laughed, I want to try that!

Will stood up and the three of them walked over to the trail. Lying on the ground was a hairbrush and a pink shirt. Cheryl asked, Will is that Angie’s shirt? He replied, That’s her brush, I know that, see them orange hairs. I am too drunk to remember what she was wearing. Hey, here comes a truck. Wave that bastard down. AJ waved the spotlight; the truck came to a stop. It was an old girlfriend of his, Traci Schoepp. Traci rolled her window down, What’s up AJ, you shinning deer or what? AJ laughed, Yep, get out and I will shoot you. Cheryl spoke up, Traci we’re hunting Angie Crabtree. She’s drunk and lost we think. Have you seen her? Traci laughed, I can’t stand that bitch! If I see her, she better run! Oh my, that’s not good, exclaimed Will as he staggered.

Traci parked her truck and got out to help look for Angie. Cheryl told her they were going to follow the hiking trail and hoped Angie would show up. Melonie came walking up the road from the bridge. By then, she was drunk too. She said, Hey, why did you guys leave me? I am feeling pretty good. Where’s ole girl, Red? Cheryl replied, Mel, go back to the bonfire. We got this situation under control. We do not need to be hunting you next. Traci, can you please take her back?" Traci and Melonie got into the truck and headed back. AJ, Will and Cheryl trekked south into the woods.

Chapter 3

Moonlight and DEAD

Cheryl and the boys were walking the trail using the moonlight and Will’s spotlight. His light was dimming more and more as they went deeper into the forest. Twenty minutes in, the light was nearly dead. The trail had grown over in places making it difficult to follow in the dark. Additionally, the three of them were tipsy and that did not help. AJ needed to stop and piss. Therefore, Cheryl and Will stood by. They were bullshitting as they made their way through the thick underbrush. Suddenly, from a distance they heard, HELP ME! PLEASE DON’T HURT ME! Cheryl exclaimed, That’s Angie, come on! Let’s go! AJ yelled for Angie, Angie, where are you? We’re coming, keep yelling!

Through the woods and toward the creek they stumbled through the darkness. Will’s light had drained completely by then. The teens walked deeper and deeper into the woods. AJ noticed a light beaming through the thick brush as he led the way. He exclaimed, Hey, look over there! They walked in that direction tripping and falling over logs and stumps. A few minutes later, they heard someone calling out, Hello, who’s out there? AJ replied, I’m AJ Coogle and I’m with a couple friends. We are hunting our friend, Angie Crabtree. We think she is lost out here. The man approached them, struggling through the brush. He came from towards the creek. As he got closer, the teens noticed his beard. He was wearing overalls. In his left hand was a small flashlight. On his waist was a holster with a large caliber pistol inserted. The stranger walked closer and closer. The teens could hear him panting, as if he had been running. William said to his friends, What has that guy been doing? Cheryl replied, He looks homely and DANGEROUS. AJ laughed, Ugly bastard is that dude.

The man walked up beside them. He introduced himself, Hey dudes, I’m Lenny Barnes; I was at your party earlier. What are you all doing out here? Cheryl answered, Like AJ told you, we’re hunting Angie Crabtree. She ran after you when you left the party. Where is she dude? A friend of ours watched her run up the road after you. Sir, you look older. You know Angie is only 17, right? Lenny answered, Look, I went home. I live a few miles from here, down near Blackwater River. I was in Milton earlier and I picked her up from my aunt’s house. Her mother is friends with my aunt. Angie needed a ride out here. Will was blunt, Look, Jeff Foster helped AJ run you off for smoking weed. We know you were pissed about it too. Just tell us where she is. Then, AJ asked, Why do you have that pistol? I didn’t see you with it earlier when you left.

Lenny denied knowing Angie’s whereabouts. He exclaimed, The 44 Magnum is for my protection and is my business, NOT yours. I can help you guys look for her. The teens agreed and the four of them went deeper into the woods. Lenny was leading the way, his light almost dim too. They came to the bluffs at Redrock by Juniper Creek. Lenny shined the light over the cliff. Cheryl exclaimed, Look down there! Is that Angie by that tree? She looks passed out. Yes, that’s her, answered Will. AJ exclaimed, That’s a 30 foot cliff, let’s take the trail over there and climb down to her. AJ took lead and they climbed