The Orange Sock Murders - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dislimb · 05-10-2006, 09:09 AM

I was watching Heather's compilation DVD last night and this one seemed to jump out at me more than it had before. Were there ever any other suspects in this case besides the husband or was this case ever solved? Personally, I don't think the husband had anything to do with it. It was such a small town that I don't find it hard to believe that he picked up the other woman when she was hitchhiking and gave her his business card. They even said that the "local" bar was a 30 minute drive away and everyone around there hitched rides now and then. This is just a weird case.

Kane · 05-10-2006, 09:41 AM

I know that the segment has a short update mentioning that Bobbie Jo Oberholtzer's husband was no longer considered a suspect, and that the detectives were looking into other things. Although it didn't elaborate, the update appeared to imply that there other people of interest.

A serial killer named Thomas Luther has been considered a possible suspect in the murders of Bobbie Jo Oberholtzer and Annette Kay Schnee. I don't think he's been ruled out, but as far as I know, there is not enough evidence to link him to either murder. But Thomas Luther isn't going anywhere; he's incarcerated for murders he committed during the 1990s.

A book has been written about him: "Monster", by Steve Jackson.

Dislimb · 05-10-2006, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the info, Kane. Man, you always seem to come through when asked about these old cases. I never saw the update before, but I'm glad they don't think the husband had anything to do with it. He just seemed like a straight up, laid back guy. Like the kind of cat you'd sit on the porch and drink a few tall boys with, not the type of dude to kill his wife and then some random broad for no reason.

crystaldawn · 05-10-2006, 11:02 AM

I didn't realize there was an update that said that. I never thought her husband was responsible either. I read a book months back that profiled some unsolved crimes and Annette and Bobbi's murders were in there. They made it sound like Bobbi's husband's brother was the one trying to implicate him. They made mention that Bobbi's husband thinks his brother had a thing for his wife and thats why he was doing it.

Kane · 05-10-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dislimb

Thanks for the info, Kane. Man, you always seem to come through when asked about these old cases.

Well, not literally always, but I admittedly come through very often. Nevertheless, thank you for the compliment.

Dislimb · 05-10-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

They made mention that Bobbi's husband thinks his brother had a thing for his wife and thats why he was doing it.

The plot thickens! Maybe the brother had something to do with it. Perhaps his jealousy got the best of him and he snapped like a rubber band. Then again, why would the brother kill the other girl? Some of these cases just seem like they can never be solved.

wiseguy182 · 05-10-2006, 06:05 PM

I didn't think it was the husband either. It just seems more likely that it was some stranger who murdered two women he probably didn't know than it would be a guy murdering his wife and somebody else he knew only vaguely. In other words, they could come up with a motive for Bobbi Jo's husband to kill his wife, but what would his motive be for Annette? One thing that jumped out about me in this case was that it was mentioned that hitchhiking was very common in this town at the time. I think somebody driving through the town picked up on that, and unfortunately took advantage of people's kindness and trust, twice.

Beetlejuice69 · 05-11-2006, 12:20 PM

Henry Lee Lucas was convicted and sentenced to death (later reduced to life, now dead) for the murder of an "Orange Socks". Same one you're talking about?

Ireneparalegal · 05-11-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice69

Henry Lee Lucas was convicted and sentenced to death (later reduced to life, now dead) for the murder of an "Orange Socks". Same one you're talking about?

That's what I last heard. Henry Lee Lucas is a supposed serial killer, who was either tied to the orange socks murder or convicted, don't remember. Is this the same murder or is there another murder called the orange socks murder?

as for the brother being a possible suspect, maybe he killed the other woman to throw the detectives off the trail. Kinda like when those people who put poison in many pill bottles...they wanted several people to get sick, maybe die, so the finger couldn't be pointed at them for killing a family member.

Kane · 05-11-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice69

Henry Lee Lucas was convicted and sentenced to death (later reduced to life, now dead) for the murder of an "Orange Socks". Same one you're talking about?

No, that's a different case. The "Orange Socks" case for which Lucas was charged was in Texas; the woman was found dead in October 1979 (sadly, she has never been identified). The murders of Bobbie Jo and Annette occurred in Colorado in 1982.

The "Orange Socks" cases in Colorado are not connected to the Texas one. Well, maybe CINO (Connected In Name Only).

Beetlejuice69 · 05-11-2006, 02:40 PM

I saw a pair of orange socks at SEARS last week and it reminded me of "Orange Socks".

dynoguy88 · 05-11-2006, 04:36 PM

IMO, this segment was the scariest one Unsolved Mysteries ever featured.

Yes, Thomas Luther has long since been considered a suspect in these murders. Unsolved Mysteries never mentioned him but I guess they wanted to keep it that way at the time. I've read the book "Monster" and here are some interesting facts concerning Luther and Oberholtzer/Schnee murders. -

*Both Bobbie and Annette matched the physical descriptions of ALL of Luther's other victims - Attractive, petite females with shoulder length hair.

*Annette's body wasn't found until 6 months after her murder. While Luther was in jail for the assault on a girl named Mary Brown (a woman hitch hiker he attacked a month after the Schnee/Oberhotlzer murders) he saw a news segment showing Annette's picture - he stared at the picture with this awful glare and said, "They'll never find that b*tch."

*Also while he was in jail for the assualt on Mary Brown, Luther bragged to other inmates that he had killed two other women out in the woods.

*Luther's live in girlfriend stated that he was gone the entire evening of the murders and didn't come home until very late that night.

*Luther called off of work the day before and the day after the murders but he told police that he worked both days.

Back in 1982, EVERYONE in that area (women AND men) hitchhiked. Everyone got to know each other. Murders were extremely rare for that area and time period. The murders threw Summit County, and particularly Breckenridge, into a panic.

Here is a passage from the book -

Breckenridge was still the sort of town where people didn't bother to lock their doors. Anybody who had lived there more than a couple of months knew everybody else, and they watched out for each other. Even strangers were greeted warmly, so long as they didn't act too much like the monied snobs in Vail or Aspen.

The only violent crime was apt to be the heat of passion sort of thing - friends who got in an argument after having a little too much to drink and took a few swings. A night in the pokey and they were friends again by morning. There was the occasional robbery of a gas station or conveniance store, usually by some stranger passing through. But people in these parts couldn't remember the last time there'd been a murder so near Breckenridge until Bobby Jo Oberholtzer (and eventually Annette Schnee).

The dissappearence and murders of the two women changed the town, forever. It would never again be as innocent and trusting. Residents went out and bought guns for protection, something nobody would have imagined before the murders.

The difference in the atmosphere seems pretty different than before. Here is another passage taken from the book that also makes Luther look pretty guilty -

Detectives Richard Eaton and Charlie McCormick keep Luther on the short lists of suspects and follow each lead as it appears. They have tried to trace a report that an airline stewardess in California, who sold Luther the truck he was driving in 1982 when he assaulted Mary Brown, was later found beaten to death. But so far, it remains a rumor.

Initially, Eaton was troubled that Bobby and Annette were executed with a gun, while Luther attacked his other known victims with a hammer and his hands. But then Luther was convicted of shooting Cher Elder to death in 1993.

Breckenridge is no longer a stranger to murders and other violent crime. It keeps Eaton too busy to devote much time to the murders of Bobby and Annette. But he still pulls over whenever he reaches the summit of Hoosier Pass and also pauses by the small white cross beside a stream if other matters take him to Alma. "No one stops being a suspect until I got the guy who did it," he says.

Although they're not his cases and he keeps a discreet distance, Richardson remains convinced that Oberholtzer and Schnee are Luther's work. He points out that the murders, rare for the area back then, stopped when Luther was arrested.

There are other factors that continue to point the finger at Luther for the murders. He wasn't working the day of or after the murders yet he told investigators that he was. He drove a truck similar to the truck the hitchhiking Breckenridge couple insisted having seen Bobby in the night she hitched a ride home. And by his own accounts, he had access to several guns.

Here is a good link involving the case. It's got plenty of details, pictures, maps and even has pictures of the women's belongings including the orange socks.....

http://www.Rockymountaincoldcase.com

Dislimb · 05-12-2006, 10:26 PM

Wow, just wow. That's an excellent site! Thanks for the info!

dynoguy88 · 05-13-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dislimb

Wow, just wow. That's an excellent site! Thanks for the info!

Yes, it is a very good site. And I didn't notice until now the updated link (posted just last week) about the new TV program "Sensing Murder" on the Discovery Channel where this case will be featured later this year. We'll have to keep our heads up. Wouldn't want to miss it.

http://parkbull.com/newsextra/filmin...ase050706.html

KKT22603 · 09-16-2008, 10:03 PM

I'm researching the 'Orange Socks' case in Texas. Anyone have any info on that, or know where I might find some info on it? I'm looking everywhere; not much investigation done on it, especially on trying to ID the woman. Anyone?

05-10-2006, 09:09 AM	#1
Dislimb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 23, 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 431	The Orange Sock Murders I was watching Heather's compilation DVD last night and this one seemed to jump out at me more than it had before. Were there ever any other suspects in this case besides the husband or was this case ever solved? Personally, I don't think the husband had anything to do with it. It was such a small town that I don't find it hard to believe that he picked up the other woman when she was hitchhiking and gave her his business card. They even said that the "local" bar was a 30 minute drive away and everyone around there hitched rides now and then. This is just a weird case.
	Last edited by Dislimb; 09-17-2006 at 03:38 AM.

05-11-2006, 12:20 PM	#8
Beetlejuice69 Man With The Plan Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Posts: 152	Henry Lee Lucas was convicted and sentenced to death (later reduced to life, now dead) for the murder of an "Orange Socks". Same one you're talking about?
	__________________ http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/BigTMan/beetle.jpg

05-11-2006, 04:36 PM	#12
dynoguy88 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,675	reply IMO, this segment was the scariest one Unsolved Mysteries ever featured. Yes, Thomas Luther has long since been considered a suspect in these murders. Unsolved Mysteries never mentioned him but I guess they wanted to keep it that way at the time. I've read the book "Monster" and here are some interesting facts concerning Luther and Oberholtzer/Schnee murders. - Both Bobbie and Annette matched the physical descriptions of ALL of Luther's other victims - Attractive, petite females with shoulder length hair. Annette's body wasn't found until 6 months after her murder. While Luther was in jail for the assault on a girl named Mary Brown (a woman hitch hiker he attacked a month after the Schnee/Oberhotlzer murders) he saw a news segment showing Annette's picture - he stared at the picture with this awful glare and said, "They'll never find that btch." Also while he was in jail for the assualt on Mary Brown, Luther bragged to other inmates that he had killed two other women out in the woods. Luther's live in girlfriend stated that he was gone the entire evening of the murders and didn't come home until very late that night. Luther called off of work the day before and the day after the murders but he told police that he worked both days. Back in 1982, EVERYONE in that area (women AND men) hitchhiked. Everyone got to know each other. Murders were extremely rare for that area and time period. The murders threw Summit County, and particularly Breckenridge, into a panic. Here is a passage from the book - Breckenridge was still the sort of town where people didn't bother to lock their doors. Anybody who had lived there more than a couple of months knew everybody else, and they watched out for each other. Even strangers were greeted warmly, so long as they didn't act too much like the monied snobs in Vail or Aspen. The only violent crime was apt to be the heat of passion sort of thing - friends who got in an argument after having a little too much to drink and took a few swings. A night in the pokey and they were friends again by morning. There was the occasional robbery of a gas station or conveniance store, usually by some stranger passing through. But people in these parts couldn't remember the last time there'd been a murder so near Breckenridge until Bobby Jo Oberholtzer (and eventually Annette Schnee). The dissappearence and murders of the two women changed the town, forever. It would never again be as innocent and trusting. Residents went out and bought guns for protection, something nobody would have imagined before the murders. The difference in the atmosphere seems pretty different than before. Here is another passage taken from the book that also makes Luther look pretty guilty - Detectives Richard Eaton and Charlie McCormick keep Luther on the short lists of suspects and follow each lead as it appears. They have tried to trace a report that an airline stewardess in California, who sold Luther the truck he was driving in 1982 when he assaulted Mary Brown, was later found beaten to death. But so far, it remains a rumor. Initially, Eaton was troubled that Bobby and Annette were executed with a gun, while Luther attacked his other known victims with a hammer and his hands. But then Luther was convicted of shooting Cher Elder to death in 1993. Breckenridge is no longer a stranger to murders and other violent crime. It keeps Eaton too busy to devote much time to the murders of Bobby and Annette. But he still pulls over whenever he reaches the summit of Hoosier Pass and also pauses by the small white cross beside a stream if other matters take him to Alma. "No one stops being a suspect until I got the guy who did it," he says. Although they're not his cases and he keeps a discreet distance, Richardson remains convinced that Oberholtzer and Schnee are Luther's work. He points out that the murders, rare for the area back then, stopped when Luther was arrested. There are other factors that continue to point the finger at Luther for the murders. He wasn't working the day of or after the murders yet he told investigators that he was. He drove a truck similar to the truck the hitchhiking Breckenridge couple insisted having seen Bobby in the night she hitched a ride home. And by his own accounts, he had access to several guns. Here is a good link involving the case. It's got plenty of details, pictures, maps and even has pictures of the women's belongings including the orange socks..... http://www.Rockymountaincoldcase.com

05-10-2006, 09:41 AM	#2
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	I know that the segment has a short update mentioning that Bobbie Jo Oberholtzer's husband was no longer considered a suspect, and that the detectives were looking into other things. Although it didn't elaborate, the update appeared to imply that there other people of interest. A serial killer named Thomas Luther has been considered a possible suspect in the murders of Bobbie Jo Oberholtzer and Annette Kay Schnee. I don't think he's been ruled out, but as far as I know, there is not enough evidence to link him to either murder. But Thomas Luther isn't going anywhere; he's incarcerated for murders he committed during the 1990s. A book has been written about him: "Monster", by Steve Jackson.

05-10-2006, 10:59 AM	#3
Dislimb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 23, 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 431	Thanks for the info, Kane. Man, you always seem to come through when asked about these old cases. I never saw the update before, but I'm glad they don't think the husband had anything to do with it. He just seemed like a straight up, laid back guy. Like the kind of cat you'd sit on the porch and drink a few tall boys with, not the type of dude to kill his wife and then some random broad for no reason.

05-10-2006, 11:02 AM	#4
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	I didn't realize there was an update that said that. I never thought her husband was responsible either. I read a book months back that profiled some unsolved crimes and Annette and Bobbi's murders were in there. They made it sound like Bobbi's husband's brother was the one trying to implicate him. They made mention that Bobbi's husband thinks his brother had a thing for his wife and thats why he was doing it.

05-10-2006, 06:05 PM	#7
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	I didn't think it was the husband either. It just seems more likely that it was some stranger who murdered two women he probably didn't know than it would be a guy murdering his wife and somebody else he knew only vaguely. In other words, they could come up with a motive for Bobbi Jo's husband to kill his wife, but what would his motive be for Annette? One thing that jumped out about me in this case was that it was mentioned that hitchhiking was very common in this town at the time. I think somebody driving through the town picked up on that, and unfortunately took advantage of people's kindness and trust, twice.

05-11-2006, 02:40 PM	#11
Beetlejuice69 Man With The Plan Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Posts: 152	I saw a pair of orange socks at SEARS last week and it reminded me of "Orange Socks".

05-12-2006, 10:26 PM	#13
Dislimb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 23, 2006 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 431	Wow, just wow. That's an excellent site! Thanks for the info!

09-16-2008, 10:03 PM	#15
KKT22603 Member First Time Poster Join Date: Sep 16, 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1	I'm researching the 'Orange Socks' case in Texas. Anyone have any info on that, or know where I might find some info on it? I'm looking everywhere; not much investigation done on it, especially on trying to ID the woman. Anyone?