Murder suspect nabbed 36 years after ‘Lovers Lane’ killings in Houston

A suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with a 36-year-old double murder case in Houston, Texas, known as the “Lovers’ Lane Murders.” Floyd William Parrott, now 64 years old, has been identified as the perpetrator of the brutal killings of Cheryl Henry, 22, and Andy Atkinson, 21, in 1990. The case had remained unsolved for decades, causing fear and speculation in the community.

Parrott, who had a criminal record, was apprehended in Lincoln, Nebraska, after a tip led authorities to him. DNA evidence from the crime scene was linked to Parrott, who had previously submitted his DNA in connection with a sexual assault case. The young couple, Henry and Atkinson, had been out for a night of fun before driving to a secluded area known as “Lovers’ Lane” in West Houston. Their bodies were discovered the following day by a security guard who became suspicious when their car had not moved.

Cheryl had been sexually assaulted, and her throat had been viciously slit open. Atkinson was found tied to a tree nearby, with a deep cut to his neck that nearly decapitated him. The brutal nature of the crime shocked the community and left investigators scrambling for leads. The case became one of Houston’s most notorious cold cases, haunting authorities for years.

The arrest of Parrott has brought a sense of closure to the families of the victims and the community at large. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare praised the relentless efforts of prosecutors, HPD, and the FBI in pursuing the case despite facing numerous challenges and dead ends. The dedication and determination of law enforcement officials have finally led to justice for Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson, bringing an end to a long and painful chapter in Houston’s history.