Suspect in the 1991 murder of Bill Henderson

[Kane]

I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that while searching through Google News, I came across a link about the news about a suspect in the 1991 murder of Bill Henderson. The bad news is that I couldn't get access to the article because you have to be signed up as a member at the web site (amarillo.com) in order to read the article.

For this reason, I don't know the name of the man who has been named as a suspect in Bill Henderson's murder. However, it is a relief to know that there has been a development in the case.

I had no doubt that the murder was solvable because the killer left a bloody palm print at the crime scene. In addition, there was the composite drawing of the suspect whose numerous ponytails made him stand out. (That sketch gave me the creeps.)

I can still remember the detective saying on UM that finding Bill Henderson's killer was "extremely important." He also noted that anyone who attacks and kills a defenseless eldery man is capable of attacking and killing anyone. More likely than not, the detective is right.

[Kane]

Good news: some additional articles have become available. And they are from sites that don't require signing up. Here are the links.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/state/15137183.htm

http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=5206439

The suspect's name is Lawrence Tutt. He is incarcerated in Ohio for an unrelated case. DNA has linked him to the murder of E.J. "Bill" Henderson. He has been charged with the murder, and is awaiting extradition to Texas, where the murder took place.

[crystaldawn]

Another great update - thanks Kane!

I would be interested to see a picture of the guy and see if it in any way resembles that creepy composite sketch. I also wonder if the two hitchhikers who were cousins were a key in identifying him as the man who gave them a ride.

[skunk ape]

Wow! That's great news. This is another case that creeped me out (as well as the hitchhikers that were picked up by the guy). I wonder who else the suspect has killed. He didn't seem like the type that would have only killed once.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Another great update - thanks Kane!

I would be interested to see a picture of the guy and see if it in any way resembles that creepy composite sketch.

Because 15 years have past since the Henderson murder, I wouldn't be surprised if he looked somewhat different from the sketch. But even if he is the guy from the sketch, it's likely that his hairstyle is different from the way it looked in 1991. There's a good possibility that he no longer sports any ponytails.

Skunk Ape has suggested that Bill Henderson may not be the killer's only murder victim. That's a frightening possibility, but we'll know more about Lawrence Tutt as more information comes to light.

[Beardsley_Mantooth]

hmmmm very interesting. Its nice to see that even though its been 15 years that this case can still be solved, I would imagine it lends a little hope to those still waiting for justice in some of these older cases. Anyway Im glad to hear they found a suspect this is one of those cases that always stood out in my mind but I thought we would never see solved

[crystaldawn]

I always admired the two hitchhikers for thinking something was wrong and actually following up on it by calling the police. Then when they contacted the telecenter and offered to be hypnotized as well to try and remember more details.

I was rewatching this segment tonight and was reminded that they found a bloody handprint at the scene of the crime. Probably part of the evidence that helped them arrest the suspect.

[kadrmas15]

Hey Lawrence Tutt, he does look similar to the composite except his hair is in a buzz cut but his face looks similar. If you want to see his picture go to the Ohio Department of Corrections inmate search and then put Tutt in the last name search option and then search and it will come up he is at the very top. Tutt was born on March 9th, 1969. Tutt was sent to prison for robbery in 2001 but escaped from prison and was re sentenced for that in 2002. Tutt is now serving a 13 year prison sentence that expires in 2014 and in which he will be eligible for parole after serving 8 years.

[skunk ape]

Does anyone have a link to the composite of Bill Henderson's killer with the braids?

[kadrmas15]

How did they find Bill Henderson's killer? Did they just do a random DNA search of prisoners in this country and they found a match or what?

[kadrmas15]

The composite sketch of this guy scared the crap out of me. I just remember his crazy face and the little pony tails he had. Yes his hair cut is much different as I said before his hair is now in a buzz cut or at least it was in his prison photograph although I dont know when it was taken. However his face looks pretty much the same he has aged a bit, he was in his early 20's at the time of Bill Henderson's murder and is now in his late 30's. If you get a chance to look at his picture you can tell it is the same guy in the composite the hair is just different.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

How did they find Bill Henderson's killer? Did they just do a random DNA search of prisoners in this country and they found a match or what?

The articles I discovered mentioned that a woman had received a call that might have been Henderson's killer. The call came from a truck stop, and although the woman in question vaguely remembered the caller's hometown, she knew the man's first name. This information led investigators to Lawrence Tutt.

As for the DNA question, I only know the general fact that Lawrence Tutt was linked to the case through DNA.

[teacherkoe]

ej henderson was my grandfather.. i was in the unsolved mysteries show .. i played my cousins part... the mans name is lawrence tutt.. and you can see his picture on the following website.
www.newschannel10.com/Global/story.asp?S=5202998 - 59k

[DP1]

I vaguely recall this case. What was it about again?

[Kane]

Originally Posted by DP1

I vaguely recall this case. What was it about again?

E.J. "Bill" Henderson was the old man who was found beaten and strangled to death in his Texas home in the spring of 1991. The killer then stole Henderson's pick-up truck.

Two people later came forward to report the suspicious driver who gave them a ride. They tried to get him arrested, reporting that the truck they were in was stolen, only to be told that the vehicle in question had not been reported stolen. It was later determined that it was because Henderson had not yet been found dead.

The two hitchhikers, who were cousins, described the suspect. The details they gave included the suspect being barefoot and sporting ponytails on his head. The composite drawing of the murder suspect was one of the creepiest ones I've ever seen on UM.

UM first aired the segment during the 1991-92 season.