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In Harris County, Texas, a decades-old double murder case has seen a significant breakthrough. Authorities provided an update on Friday regarding the unsolved murders of a young couple from 1990, known as the “Lover’s Lane Murders.”
Floyd Parrott has been recently charged with the killings of Andy Atkinson and Cheryl Henry. His arrest took place in Nebraska, where he made a court appearance earlier this week.
A press conference was held Friday morning, featuring the Houston Police Department, the FBI, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. During the briefing, investigators expressed concerns that there might be more victims linked to Parrott.
Sean Teare, the Harris County District Attorney, noted that over the years, more than 100 individuals had been considered persons of interest in the case, with various detectives contributing their efforts. Interestingly, Parrott was not among those interviewed in the past.
Authorities have released photos of Parrott from 1990, urging the public to come forward with any information. They suspect Parrott might have impersonated law enforcement, potentially pulling over individuals before and after the murders.
This development brings a measure of relief and a sense of justice to Shane Craig, Cheryl Henry’s younger sister. She attended the news conference, visibly emotional as she wiped away tears.
“Our sister was taken in a way that no one should experience,” Craig said. “She was more than a victim and a headline, she was a daughter, a friend, a person who brought much love and light to our lives.”
Officials did not say if Parrott was acting as law enforcement on the night of the killings.
SEE PREVIOUS REPORT: After 36 years, man finally charged with murder in connection with ‘Lovers’ Lane Murders’ cold case
On Aug. 23, 1990, Atkinson and Henry, 21 and 22 at the time, went on a date night in west Houston and never returned home.
That night, a security guard on routine patrol noticed a vehicle parked in a cul-de-sac that hadn’t moved for some time. When the guard approached, he discovered an unresponsive woman inside. A man was also found unresponsive nearby. Both victims were later identified as Henry and Atkinson. Authorities said they had suffered fatal injuries to their necks.
Now, nearly 36 years later, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office announced Parrott’s arrest.
Records show Parrott was 28 years old at the time of the murders. He is accused of slashing the throats of the young couple after they had spent time parked in the secluded area following a night out dancing.
In 2008, investigators linked DNA from the crime scene to a separate rape case, but still could not identify a suspect.
Court documents show the break finally came in 2025, when investigators, revisiting the case, received a tip naming Parrott. According to records, that tip — combined with renewed DNA analysis and additional police work — led to the charges.
“This case has weighed on the Henry and Atkinson families, as well as our community, for more than three decades,” Teare said. “Our prosecutors, working with HPD and the FBI, have worked hundreds of leads, but they never gave up.”
Retired HPD Sgt. Billy Belk investigated this case for 17 years until he retired from the police force. It took another 19 years for Parrott’s arrest, but Belk never gave up.
“This is a good day,” Belk said, clearly emotional. Then, looking at Craig, he said, “Shane, I kept telling you, this case will clear. I know it’s hard to have patience after 36 years to clear it, but we have DNA. Back in 1990, it was an exciting new technology.”
Parrott is awaiting extradition from Nebraska to Harris County, but has “exercised his right to challenge,” according to Teare.
Officials said Parrott spent the majority of his life in the Houston area and left less than two years ago. They said he worked at clubs and auto part stores through the years and may have been affiliated with a wrecker at some point.
Teare said if he looks familiar, to please reach out to his office’s cold case divicion at 713-274-5640.
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