In July of 1983, Jessica Lynne Carpenter was born to her parents Judy and Charlie. Jessica, one of three sisters, would grow to be outgoing, funny, charismatic, kind and loving. She was someone who enjoyed life and all of it’s precious moments and always tried to make people laugh. Knowing the type of kind heart that she possessed, it was never a thought in anyone’s mind that someone would want to hurt Jessica.
But in August of 2000, that changed. Jessica lived in a home in Aiken, South Carolina and was enjoying summer break at home while her mother worked. When her mother, Judy returned home around 5:30/6PM she would walk into a scene that no mother should ever have to experience. After entering the home and not seeing Jessica, she called out for her, but she didn’t answer. She went into 17 year old Jessica’s bed room and found her lying on the floor. Her life had been brutally taken.
Jessica’s mother immediately calls 911 – and shortly after police arrive a full scale investigation begins. Despite the investigation, the use of blood hounds and even community’s willingness to submit DNA samples, it would be almost 2 years before this horrific crime would be solved. This story reminds us that evil is everywhere – even sometimes lurking behind the curtain of safety of a small town.
SOURCES:
Hometown Homicides – Season 1, Episode 1
Daily Crime – Jessica Carpenter, 17, raped and murdered by Robert Atkins in her home: Hometown Homicide investigates – August 26, 2020 – Jerry Brown - https://www.dailycrime.com/jessica-carpenter-17-raped-and-murdered-by-robert-atkins-in-her-home-hometown-homicide-investigates/
AP News – Murder, life of South Carolina teen remembered 20 years on – August 16, 2020 – Matthew Enfinger - https://apnews.com/general-news-ca5deb140f618a8e73b22c0baf15b376
Investigation Discovery – Cold Blood –
The State – August 7, 2000 – Obituary – Jessica Lynne Carpenter
The Item – Family offers $10,000 reward – November 29, 2000
Florence Morning News – August 6, 2000 – Aiken teen found dead in her home
The Gaffney Ledger – August 9, 2000 – Teen found dead in her home
Florence Morning News – January 18, 2001 – Police look to informant for arrest in death
Sun-News – August 2, 2003 – Father of slain teen sues suspect’s employer
The State – August 31, 2002 – DNA links inmate to slaying – Kimathi Lewis – August 31, 2002
Florence Morning News – September 19, 2002 – Suspect asks slain girl’s family for forgiveness
The Times and Democrat – September 10, 2002 – Authorities worry Carpenter trial might not happen in Aiken
South Carolina DOCS Inmate Search - https://public.doc.state.sc.us/scdc-public/inmateDetails.do?id=%2000315566
Wanderer Moon – What is Aiken SC famous for? – March 13, 2024 - 10 Things Aiken, SC is Famous For
Strategistico – Is Aiken SC a good place to live? – January 29, 2023 -
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