Omaha Double Murder of Shirlee Sherman & Thomas Hunter, 11-year-old boy [Archive]

Grande

10-24-2008, 10:30 AM

Police Search for Clues in Dundee Double Murder
Last Updated: 4:45 PM Mar 14, 2008
Reporter: 10/11 News
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com

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Thomas Hunter

http://i38.tinypic.com/245wo5f.jpg
Shirlee Sherman

http://i35.tinypic.com/15wbc07.jpg

Detectives are currently investigating a homicide that occurred at 303 North 54th Street in Omaha.

On Thursday, March 13 at 5:52 p.m., officers received a radio call to the house regarding a death investigation. When the officers and medics arrived, they located two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police originally thought the deaths of 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and 57-year-old Shirlee Sherman were an isolated incident, but now they're searching for a killer.

Police say Sherman was employed by the Hunter family as a house keeper.

The home is owned by William and Claire Hunter, both doctors with Creighton University Medical Center. William Hunter is director of the center's pathology residency program. Claire Hunter is a cardiologist at the medical center.

They have three other sons: Tim, Rob and Jeff Hunter.

The detectives are in the preliminary stages of their investigation and are gathering evidence and speaking with anyone who may have information about what occurred.

If anyone has any information we would urge them to contact the homicide unit at 444-5656, or Crime Stoppers at 444-7867 or submit a tip online by clicking here.

http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/16676421.html

Grande

10-24-2008, 10:34 AM

Dundee Neighborhood On Edge
UPDATED: 10:47 am CDT March 15, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. -- Neighbors who live in the neighborhood where an 11-year-old boy and his 57-year-old house keeper were murdered Thursday said they're shocked by what's happened and now are looking for answers.

Police were called to the home of William and Claire Hunter near 54th and Davenport streets, where William Hunter III found the bodies of his 11-year-old son, Thomas and housekeeper Shirlee Sherman.

Investigators are not saying when or how the two were killed, but they do say William Hunter III is not a suspect.

The double murder has left many people in the area frightened and concerned.

Many neighbors said they're now keeping a closer eye on their children and just who is in their neighborhood.

B.J. Reed with the Dundee-Memorial park neighborhood association said the area has a tight-knit neighborhood watch program, but this is a time where everyone needs to be taking a closer look around.

"The key is to be extra cautious, lock your door, pay attention to things unusual in your neighborhood," said Reed.

Reed added it's also a good idea for neighbors to keep communicating with each other about what they're seeing.

No one has been arrested in the investigation.

http://www.ketv.com/news/15604348/detail.html

Grande

10-24-2008, 10:35 AM

Police Checking Leads In Dundee Murders.
Investigators say tips keep coming in
Last Updated: 11:39 PM Mar 25, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

The Dundee murder mystery remains a mystery. Still no arrest, still no suspect named, despite a sketch of a person of interest and a $25,000 reward. Police do say they are being inundated with leads.

Why 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and housekeeper Shirlee Sherman were stabbed to death in the Hunter home near 54th and Davenport on March 13th remains unanswered. Who did it also remains unanswered.

“That's generated a lot tips for us which has been really helpful," says Omaha Police Lt. Darci Tierney. "Obviously this is a big tragedy for our community as is any homicide and we hope to get through this. We hope to make an arrest on this. That's the best we can for the family at this point to provide some closure for them and for the community."

Police say the killer may no longer be in the Omaha area and detectives know that. They say leads are pouring in from all over the region.

"Our homicide detectives are still continuing to look into this, look into every single lead that we have and we see where it takes them and hopefully we'll be able to solve this crime," says Lt. Tierney.

As for the composite released, police say it's the only description they have to offer. "The sketch was something that the investigators felt was good to get out to help locate a person that looked like this, so they can get some questions answered."

Not even the race and age of the person of interest are clear. Neighbors offered varying descriptions. Anyone with information should call police at 444-5656.

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/17003921.html

Grande

10-24-2008, 10:38 AM

Police Chief: Murder Investigations Take Time
Updated: April 7, 2008 05:53 PM CDT

Omaha, Ne- Omaha's Acting Police Chief says his department is working hard trying to solve the city's eleven murders this year. Eric Buske was named acting chief in January, replacing Thomas Warren.

When Buske took over, one murder was under investigation, there have been ten more since then. Arrests have been made in only two of the cases, "A murder can be almost like a sprint, a very quick investigation where somebody shoots somebody in their family or it can be a marathon type investigation where there's a lot of leads we have to go through and a lot of legwork we have to do. It can take time to solve," says Buske.

Action 3 News questionned Buske about the investigations, after a meeting this week in the Dundee-Memorial Park neighborhood. 11-year old Thomas Hunter and the Hunter family's housekeeper Shielee Hunter were killed in March. Both were stabbed. Police have distributed a composite sketch of a man seen in the neighborhood before the murders; there is also a $25,000 Crime Stoppers reward, offered by an anonymous donor.

On the weekend of March 29-31, three men were murdered. Buske doesn't see a connection between the three, but has assigned more detectives to the homicide unit and increased patrols in those neighborhoods, "I think it's important to pick up patrols to help the public perception of safety and to bring them some comfort. We've added a couple investigators temporarily because they do have a lot of work to do and a lot of leads to follow-up on," says Buske.

Buske brings twenty-three years of experience to the Chief's office and sees one major change in murder cases, "We see more gang related homicides now which are tougher to investigate."

Buske would not discuss specific cases or leads, "Our number one goal is to solve any homicide , so we're not going to talk in public a lot about what we're doing because it defeats our overall goal, which is to solve those homicides and bring the killers to justice."

2008 Murders:

January 1-Shawn King, killed at 2001 Lake Street

January 20-Brittany Williams, killed at 30th & Weber

February 5-Francisco Lemus-Torres (Glendale, AZ) and Jose Manuel Silva-Esparza (Avondale, AZ) killed at 13th & Spring

March 2-Dylan Middlebrook, killed at 19th & Locust

March 13 -Thomas Hunter and Shirlee Sherman, killed at 54th & Davenport

March 15-Nathan Blanks, killed on the North Freeway bridge at 27th & Parker

March 28-Abel Alvarado, killed in auto shop 2015 N. 11th Street

March 29-Jeffrey Snoddy, killed at 24th & Himebaugh

March 30-Percy Walker, killed at 29th & Camden

http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?s=8115002

Grande

10-24-2008, 10:44 AM

Police: Motive, Suspect Still Unclear In Slayings
Two People Found Stabbed In Home Near 54th, Davenport
UPDATED: 5:47 pm CDT March 14, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. -- Police are still trying to find an attacker and a motive after two people were found stabbed to death inside a home in the Dundee-Memorial Park area late Thursday afternoon.

They were identified as Thomas C. Hunter, 11, and Shirlee K. Sherman, 57. Police said Sherman was employed by the Hunter family as a housekeeper.

The boy is a student at King Science Magnet School. He was in sixth grade.

"He was an excellent student," said science teacher Liz Smith. "We will miss him."

Math teacher Gretchen Brown said students had a lot of questions about what happened to "Tommy."

"He was active in extracurricular activities and he loved learning," Brown said.

Police were called to a home at 303 North 54th St. shortly before 6 p.m. Investigators said the deaths likely happened between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Reports have said it was a stabbing, though police have not confirmed the manner of death.

Police cordoned off a large area surrounding the home immediately upon arriving at the scene. On Friday, officers were back talking to neighbors about what they saw. One said she saw a vehicle making stops and starts on the block at about 3:20 p.m.

The home is located north of 54th and Davenport streets, just over one block east of Happy Hollow Boulevard and Memorial Park.

Police on Thursday night called the incident isolated, but on Friday, Officer Bill Dropinski said officers meant that the incident was isolated to that house at that point in time. Dropinski said whoever killed Hunter and Sherman is still at large. Dropinski said there's no evidence of a relationship between the perpetrator and the victims, it is not a domestic case, and investigators are still trying to figure out the motive.

Dropinski said the early investigation does not show that Sherman was targeted for retaliation. Police don't know whether it was a random act. There is no way to say yet that the attacker won't strike again, police said.

With that in mind, Dropinski warned residents to take normal precautions such as locking doors and reporting anything suspicious.

The home is owned by Dr. William Hunter, a pathologist at Creighton University Medical Center. Police it was he who found the victims inside his residence. He called 911 at about 5:48 p.m. Police said William Hunter is not a suspect in this case.

Police said the victims were killed inside the Hunter home.

William Hunter is married to Dr. Claire Hunter, a cardiologist at Creighton University Medical Center, who was out of town at the time of he deaths.

In a statement released on Friday, CUMC extended its condolences to the Hunter family.

"Drs. William and Claire Hunter are esteemed colleagues, faculty members and friends. We are mourning their loss and ask to you to extend your thoughts and prayers to them during this difficult time."

William Hunter is the director of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory at CUMC and the director of the Pathology Residency Program where he is also a professor, the university said. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Gonzaga University and got his M.D. at Creighton. His pathology residency was done at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Claire Hunter is an assistant professor of medicine and the associate program director for evaluation and credentialing in the Department of Medicine, the university said. She is also director of the Cardiovascular Fellowship Training Program and medical director of the Heart Improvement Therapy Clinic.

Claire Hunter also was a KU Jayhawk and she graduated from Creighton University's School of Medicine and completed her cardiovascular fellowship training at Creighton.

Stay with KETV.com and KETV NewsWatch 7 for more details as they become available.

http://www.ketv.com/news/15589402/detail.html

Grande

10-24-2008, 10:48 AM

Published Friday March 14, 2008
Woman, boy found slain in Dundee home
BY JOHN FERAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Police urged people in Omaha's Dundee neighborhood on Friday to call 911 about suspicious people or activity in the wake of the slaying of an 11-year-old boy and a 57-year-old housecleaner in a Dundee home.

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Thomas C. Hunter, 11, was a sixth-grader at King Science and Technology Magnet Center.

Acting Deputy Police Chief Mary Newman said police have beefed up patrols in the neighborhood around 303 N. 54th St., where the bodies of Thomas C. Hunter and Shirlee Sherman were found Thursday evening.

"At this point in the investigation, it appears this is an isolated incident," Newman said. "I don't want to put people on pins and needles . . . but we don't have a suspect."

Thomas Hunter is the son of Drs. Claire and William Hunter III, two physicians and faculty members at Creighton University Medical Center. Thomas was a sixth-grader at King Science and Technology Magnet Center.

The Hunters have at least two sons in their 20s who no longer live at home, neighbors said.

Sherman had worked as a self-employed housecleaner for a number of years, said her mother, Joanne Banks. Clients included a church in her neighborhood and "a lot of doctors' houses," Banks said.

A neighbor of the Hunters', who spoke on the condition of not being named, reported seeing a shorts-clad Thomas Hunter coming home as usual Thursday, getting off his school bus in front of the family's home just before 3 p.m.

About 3:20 p.m., the same neighbor saw a car moving conspicuously down the street, starting and stopping as if the driver were looking for an address. The driver was a dark-haired man with olive skin, and his car had pink- or peach-colored license plates.

The same neighbor spoke with two other neighbors who saw the same man. One of them saw him wearing a black coat and carrying a briefcase and walking up to the house. He was let in the door by the housecleaner.

The man later was seen by another neighbor walking back to his car, which was parked nearby. He did not seem to be uncomfortable or in a hurry.

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Shirlee Sherman (undated family photo)

None of the neighbors saw or heard anything to suggest a homicide had occurred until they saw police cars on the street more than two hours later.

Police said William Hunter III came home and found his son and Sherman slain inside the house. He called 911 just before 5:50 p.m.

Hunter is not considered a suspect in the slayings, police said.

Officer Bill Dropinski, an Omaha police spokesman, said, "At this point, I can't speculate on what the motive is." He said that police are not saying how the two died.

Joanne Banks said she learned of her daughter's death when police came to her house Thursday night.

Banks said she knew of nothing that would have caused her daughter to be the target of a killer.

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Omaha police in front of the home at 303 N. 54th St., where two people were found slain Thursday.

Sherman lived near 52nd and Miami Streets. Her daughter, Kelly, and granddaughter, Madison, live next door. She also had a son, Jeff, and four other grandchildren.

Banks said Sherman had attended Central High School.

Sherman enjoyed crochet and sewing but didn't have time for many other hobbies.

Madison was "the great joy in her life," Banks said. She used to see her in the morning before she went to school.

During the interview at her Bellevue home, Banks' phone rang about every two minutes. Relatives and friends were calling, saying they were concerned with how she was holding up.

Gretchen Brown and Liz Smith, two of Thomas Hunter's teachers at King Science, said Friday that the sixth-grader was an exceptional student.

"Tom was well accepted by the King Science community, both by students and the teachers," Brown said. "He really enjoyed being here and he took advantage of his learning situation."

Brown said that social studies was one of his favorite subjects.

"He really enjoyed social studies and he participated in the Geography Bee this current school year," Smith said. "He did very well in all of his classes, but social studies was one of the areas he most liked."

Counselors were made available for students at the school Friday.

William Hunter III is a pathologist and professor who has been at Creighton for 28 years. He has developed many new programs for the medical school, said Dr. Roger Brumback, chairman of Creighton's pathology department.

"He is a longtime Creighton faculty member, a very loyal, very good faculty member," Brumback said.

Claire Hunter is a cardiologist and an assistant professor of medicine and the director of the fellowship training program at Creighton. She graduated from the Creighton University School of Medicine and completed cardiovascular fellowship training at Creighton. She has been at Creighton for nearly 19 years.

Colleagues of the Hunters released a statement today reacting to the tragedy: "Creighton University and Creighton University Medical Center would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the Hunter family. Drs. William and Claire Hunter are esteemed colleagues, faculty members and friends. We are mourning for their loss and ask you to extend your thoughts and prayers to them during this difficult time."

World-Herald staff writers Henry J. Cordes, Richard Egan and Michael O'Connor and researcher Jeanne Hauser contributed to this report.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10283494

TigressPen

10-24-2008, 10:57 AM

The neighbors story about the car and driver makes me think perhaps Shirlee knew this person.

packy

10-24-2008, 11:04 AM

Grande

10-24-2008, 11:44 AM

Thanks for all the updates and pictures, Grande. This case is so baffling, because it seems as though there isn't even a clue as to who was the target. If it was the man with the briefcase did he come with the pretense of a sales call, or some business with the housekeeper, or the boy? Why did the boy pause his game since it seems like most kids don't leave their games unless it's for something they need or if they are called for.

YVW Packy! I'm still trying to catch up on all the details that have been made public or are available to the public. You make some good observations though. One thing that stands out to me initially; the murder weapon was determined to be a knife from the Hunter home. Doesn't sound like the POI went into the home w/ the intentions to commit the crime that ultimately occurred.

This is one of those cases that just tears me up as a father. I cannot begin to imagine how I would cope with similar circumstances. I pray for everyone involved.

packy

10-24-2008, 12:02 PM

It is a very sad case. Some of the articles say that police are not saying the manner of death, so did the killer prepare in a different way, and maybe the housekeeper or the boy grabbed a knife that was turned around on them.

grammybears

10-24-2008, 11:19 PM

The neighbors story about the car and driver makes me think perhaps Shirlee knew this person.

I tend to agree with you. I also wondered if the killer might be someone who had a vendetta against Mrs. Hunter, maybe Dr Hunter treated the killers wife or family and it could be retalliation for something that happened before.

Either way there needs to be answers found for what happened. Also the latest article said that neighbors saw this person walk up to the door of the Hunters home and was let in by the housekeeper? I think it is so sad when a person is not even safe in their own home for fear someone might hurt them.

Prayers and blessings to the Hunter family.

TigressPen

10-25-2008, 08:12 AM

If it was the man with the briefcase, then he'd had to have blood on his clothing when he left the house. Perhaps if he grabbed them from behind and stabbed them he'd have less. One neighbor said he was wearing a coat. If he took it off when he went inside, then it could be used to cover anything on his shirt or arms, but what about his pants?

Then too, from a distance, the neighbor probably couldn't see well enough to tell if he had blood on his clothing.

I just wish they could find this man. Why hasn't he come forward if he is innocent?

rockford2

10-26-2008, 09:23 PM

Very strange case.

Jasmine04

06-18-2009, 04:49 PM

Grande

06-18-2009, 05:30 PM

I am very glad to give this thread a bump, I just joined and have been active in investigating this case as an amateur ever since it happened. I look forward to sharing some of my thoughts and findings.
I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes- LE has not forgotten this case. Some of what I know I cannot post on the board but do what I can, more soon!

Welcome to HFTM Jasmine!

I look forward to sharing thoughts with you. I'll be out of touch all weekend but will return on Monday. Feel free to send me a private message anytime and I'll address it ASAP. Thanks for the input.

waltzingmatilda

06-18-2009, 08:25 PM

I am very glad to give this thread a bump, I just joined and have been active in investigating this case as an amateur ever since it happened. I look forward to sharing some of my thoughts and findings.
I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes- LE has not forgotten this case. Some of what I know I cannot post on the board but do what I can, more soon!

Welcome Jasmine04!

I am happy you bumped up this thread as I have followed this case for awhile, even tho there are only a few details!

packy

06-18-2009, 08:53 PM

Welcome, Jasmine04

http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/television/48619/plot-ripped-headlines-and-heart

Plot ripped from headlines and heart

On January 21, 10 months after the killings, NBC's Law & Order, the venerable cops-and-courts drama, aired an episode about a double homicide.

The victims were a young boy and his family's housekeeper, both stabbed to death in the boy's home.

Their bodies are discovered by the boy's parents, both of whom are college professors.

The chief suspect: a well-dressed man with a briefcase.

After watching the programme later, William Hunter said he found it "eerily reminiscent".

How would you feel if a traumatic personal event suddenly appeared as the plot of a prime-time entertainment programme?

Although the stories tend to wander into make-believe, they rely on the lightly-disguised depiction of real people and events for their immediacy and sense of authenticity.

The real people? They feel blind-sided and used.

No-one in the Hunter family saw the double-homicide episode, called "Pledge", when it aired.

Rob Hunter, the Hunters' 23-year-old son, began getting the first calls about it from friends. (More at link)

Jasmine04

06-18-2009, 09:01 PM

I was aware of this episode, also have never seen it. It wouldnt have been so bad if the show had ended with a bit about the real crime and a plea for help. But of course, no.
Are any people on here aware that Omaha Police refused help from AMW in airing a segment about this crime? That was back in March or so. It's anyones guess what they are doing behind the scenes, something I hope.

nanabillie

06-19-2009, 04:43 AM

I hope so, too, Jasmine.

Jasmine04

06-19-2009, 01:13 PM

Not trying to pitch Websleuths, but anyone interested in this case should read through the thread over there under 'Crimes in the News' entitled Omaha Double Murder. Lots of links, etc. This story also was analyzed by folks on the forensic astrology board- with some chilling results!

Jasmine04

06-19-2009, 01:25 PM

YVW Packy! I'm still trying to catch up on all the details that have been made public or are available to the public. You make some good observations though. One thing that stands out to me initially; the murder weapon was determined to be a knife from the Hunter home. Doesn't sound like the POI went into the home w/ the intentions to commit the crime that ultimately occurred.

This is one of those cases that just tears me up as a father. I cannot begin to imagine how I would cope with similar circumstances. I pray for everyone involved.

Grande- now the thing on the knife was something I have never heard. I was under the impression that the knives were brought in and left- one of them in the neck of one victim. If true that puts this case in the catagory of possibly a spur of the moment thing.
One theory I have heard was that the perp may be a parent or older brother of a kid in Tom's school who stopped by to give Tom a talking to about some issues with his kid. Things maybe got out of hand while they were arguing in the kitchen and the guy snapped. Housekeeper was killed as a wittness.
I feel the same way about this case as you do, if something like this happened to one of my kids I'd be moving heaven and earth to get this case out in public. Just as an aside, why isn't the Hunter family?

packy

06-19-2009, 03:28 PM

It would seem the person who killed them was the man with the briefcase but they really can't know. Didn't they say he had been seen leaving about 20 minutes after entering the house? And if he was the murderer he didn't try to hide which is odd unless he/she was disguised. And not knowing if this was random or targeted leads to so much speculation. They may have a better idea if the autopsy and forensics reports give some idea who may have been attacked first.

I hope they do have some DNA which will lead to the person who did this horrible crime.

waltzingmatilda

06-19-2009, 04:05 PM

I've considered the possibility of more than one perp. Perhaps the more obvious 'mysterious man' was a diversionary tactic for someone who followed Tom home or was waiting in the house. I wish we had autopsy results with a time of death. Sigh, I know....keep wishing........

Jasmine04

06-20-2009, 12:02 AM

This will be the first of what I think will be several postings intended to bring folks on this site up to speed. I want to focus on some of the ideas that have been floated, maybe also the pros and cons.
I think LE at first assumed this was an attack on Mrs Sherman. There were rumors of drug involvement, dealing, etc. Much was made of the fact that she had a large amount of cash in her purse that was left untouched by the killer. There also was a theory of it being for insurance money, plotted by a family member.
I doubt these strongly. The family has doubled the reward money and I sort of doubt they'd do that to catch one of their own.
One idea that floated on other sites was that the man in the sketch had nothing to do with the crime, he just happened to stop by. If you look at the drawing he looks Hispanic- could this have been someone Mrs Sherman knew from her cleaning another home- maybe someone who did yard work? Maybe he stopped by to visit her about something and for coffee, etc, then left. He may be illegal and was afraid to come forward.
It also could have been someone that Tom angered somehow on line- maybe in a game room? Some unstable perple hang out at those sites.
More tommorrow.

packy

06-20-2009, 12:33 AM

If he stopped by to visit would he carry a briefcase?

awakening2lite

06-20-2009, 01:03 AM

I am very glad to give this thread a bump, I just joined and have been active in investigating this case as an amateur ever since it happened. I look forward to sharing some of my thoughts and findings.
I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes- LE has not forgotten this case. Some of what I know I cannot post on the board but do what I can, more soon!

Welcome Jasmine and thanks for the bump. Because of your bump I am reading the case for the very first time.

I hope to read more of your input and ideas, theories and etc.

Such as sad case.

Off the top of my head the thought occurs that it might of been one of the Professors students. Do you know if the LE has looked into that possibility?

nomadpatti

06-20-2009, 01:12 AM

awakening2lite

06-20-2009, 01:41 AM

I also am reading for the first time!
Hope to help. :000a1:

Great! I'm not the only newbee to the case. :smile: That will just make the conversation better!

Have you read the thread and do you have any idea what could have happened?

Jasmine04

06-21-2009, 08:01 PM

Welcome Jasmine and thanks for the bump. Because of your bump I am reading the case for the very first time.

I hope to read more of your input and ideas, theories and etc.

Such as sad case.

Off the top of my head the thought occurs that it might of been one of the Professors students. Do you know if the LE has looked into that possibility?

That has been a prime theory all along- see this article on True Crime Diary:

http://www.truecrimediary.com/index.cfm?page=cases&id=51

LE supposedly checked out dozens of present and former med students, also families of patients of the boy's mother who may have blamed her for something- suposedly all to no avail. My idea is that they did find something that they are still looking at.
I will not be posting again until early next week- on vacation, unless I can get to a computer along the way. Be back soon!

packy

06-21-2009, 08:06 PM

I wonder if any neighbors expressed any rumors or fears through the grapevine that someone else may have thought they hit the wrong house. Did anyone move shortly after that I wonder.

Jasmine04

06-21-2009, 08:21 PM

I wonder if any neighbors expressed any rumors or fears through the grapevine that someone else may have thought they hit the wrong house. Did anyone move shortly after that I wonder.

That was discussed on Websleuths. Interestingly when I drove past the house last month while visiting relatives on Mother's Day, I noticed the next door house to the north was for sale. Probably of no signifigance but houses come onto the market seldom in that area.
I always felt that LE should check out to see if there are any adult children with mental health issues living at home in that area. For that matter if anyone living nearby has these issues.

awakening2lite

06-21-2009, 08:50 PM

That has been a prime theory all along- see this article on True Crime Diary:

http://www.truecrimediary.com/index.cfm?page=cases&id=51

LE supposedly checked out dozens of present and former med students, also families of patients of the boy's mother who may have blamed her for something- suposedly all to no avail. My idea is that they did find something that they are still looking at.
I will not be posting again until early next week- on vacation, unless I can get to a computer along the way. Be back soon!

Thanks, Jasmine, for the reply and the link. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Wishing you a fun vacation!
Looking forward to your return!

annalyzer

06-21-2009, 08:54 PM

Jasmine04

06-21-2009, 09:15 PM

Was everyone where they were supposed to be at the time of the murders? The housekeeper at their house, the young boy home, the father at work?, the mother out of town? Did the other sons have a solid alibi?

Housekeeper was there but my understanding is that this was not her regular day- she worked for several families. Boy got home @ day about the same time, on the bus just before 3PM- he attended a magnet school in another part of town. Father was at work- mother interestingly had gone to Hawaii for a medical conference and had left the preceding weekend. At that time just one other son lived in Omaha, his wherebaouts that day are unknown. One other lived in Tacoma the other in NYC (3 older brothers, all in their 20's)
It has been suggested that someone either the killer or the person instigating the crime knew the mom was out of town and had not counted on the HK being there.
There has been a lot of speculation about the sons- mostly I think from the standpoint of maybe there being something one was involved in that could have triggered this.

awakening2lite

06-21-2009, 10:03 PM

waltzingmatilda

06-23-2009, 10:13 AM

Just read the article in the Crime Library. It seems they live in the same neighborhood as Warren Buffet.

The article was published in May of 08, is that when this double murder took place?

Could this have been a kidnapping gone bad?

Hi A2L!

The murders happened in March 13, 2008.

I don't think the perp expected Shirlee to be there. JMO but I feel she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

awakening2lite

06-23-2009, 05:08 PM

Hi A2L!

The murders happened in March 13, 2008.

I don't think the perp expected Shirlee to be there. JMO but I feel she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Hi waltzingmatilda!

Thanks for bringing me up to date on the date of the double murders.

From what has been posted and reported, the family schedule and Shirlee's, would have meant the boy was scheduled to be home alone. More and more I am thinking this could have been a kidnapping gone wrong.

I wish there was more information out there.

waltzingmatilda

06-23-2009, 07:26 PM

Hi waltzingmatilda!

Thanks for bringing me up to date on the date of the double murders.

From what has been posted and reported, the family schedule and Shirlee's, would have meant the boy was scheduled to be home alone. More and more I am thinking this could have been a kidnapping gone wrong.

I wish there was more information out there.

Your welcome, awakening2lite. I have pondered the same thing. I've also pondered the possibility of a pedophile....someone who knew Tom and perhaps Tom rejected the advances of this person which infuriated the perp.

I strongly feel Tom knew 'something' that could ruin someone and that's why he was murdered. Just my gut feeling though.

awakening2lite

06-23-2009, 08:34 PM

Your welcome, awakening2lite. I have pondered the same thing. I've also pondered the possibility of a pedophile....someone who knew Tom and perhaps Tom rejected the advances of this person which infuriated the perp.

I strongly feel Tom knew 'something' that could ruin someone and that's why he was murdered. Just my gut feeling though.

Waltzingmatilda,

I admit I also considered a pedophile.

Either way, Tom seems to be the target. I say that assuming the murderer knew the family and the maids schedule.

Was there evidence of a struggle in the house?

waltzingmatilda

06-24-2009, 10:47 AM

Waltzingmatilda,

I admit I also considered a pedophile.

Either way, Tom seems to be the target. I say that assuming the murderer knew the family and the maids schedule.

Was there evidence of a struggle in the house?

Good morning, :mornincoffee:

Very few details have been released to the public regarding the crime scene. However, word has gotton around amongst locals that the murders and crime scene were MUCH more grisly than portrayed in the media. One unconfirmed report even said that a knife was left in Tom's throat. Ugh I hate that thought and hate even writing it!

The motive was not robbery because Shirlee's purse was left untouched with (IIRC) $800 inside.

The FBI was brought into the case and many have wondered why.......
Is it because they suspect this was a murder for hire? Or because they have a suspect who lives in another state? I think it could be both.

I have some links regarding the case which I'll post Thursday when I have a little time to find them all! Hopefully this will help bring everbody up to date on the case.

waltzingmatilda

06-24-2009, 01:26 PM

packy

06-24-2009, 01:54 PM

I remember reading somewhere that a local had read some report and said the stabbings were much more brutal than what appeared to the public. Was it ever determined whether the knife/knives came from the residence? Or maybe they came in that briefcase the man witnesses saw was carrying.

waltzingmatilda

06-24-2009, 02:54 PM

Nothing definate has been revealed about the origin of the knives. Not officially anyway. One rumor was that the knives came from the home, but only LE and maybe Dr. Hunter would know for sure. I feel the killer brought his own but that's JMO.

awakening2lite

06-24-2009, 11:04 PM

Link to FBI site regarding this case:

http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seekinfo/hunter_t.htm

My apologies if this link is a duplicate. I'll just post the ones that I have and if there are duplicates please let me know and I'll delete. TIA matilda

Thanks for posting the link, waltzingmatilda!

EXCERPT~link from waltzingmatilda

THE DETAILS SURROUNDING THE CRIME

The FBI and local law enforcement are investigating a crime which occurred in Omaha, Nebraska. During the evening of March 13, 2008, 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and the family's housekeeper, Shirlee Sherman, were found deceased in the Hunter's home.

Through investigation, it was determined that a suspicious male with a dark or olive complexion, approximately late 20s to late 30s, average to stocky build, 5'8" to 5'10", and short- to medium-length dark hair was seen walking in the area prior to the reported homicides. This suspect may have exited an SUV similar to the one displayed below.

In addition, the suspect was wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and was carrying a dark-colored satchel or briefcase over his shoulder. Law enforcement authorities would like to question this person who was seen in the Hunter's neighborhood. It was also reported that a gray or silver Honda CR-V (or similar SUV) with no front license plate was seen in the area around the time of the homicides.
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This gave me a completely different picture of the man. Previous, to reading the article, I envisioned him carrying a briefcase by the handle at his side.

Thanks again.

Now, what kind of satchel or briefcase is carried over the shoulder? That sounds more like a student than a business person. It also sounds as if he might be European.

annalyzer

06-24-2009, 11:09 PM

This gave me a completely different picture of the man. Previous, to reading the article, I envisioned him carrying a briefcase by the handle at his side.

Me too.

awakening2lite

06-24-2009, 11:56 PM

Me too.

A quick look at bags that are satchel like / briefcase type having a carry strap over the shoulders shows them made of leather or nylon.

What do you think of that, Anna?

Amusedtdth

06-25-2009, 01:10 PM

A quick look at bags that are satchel like / briefcase type having a carry strap over the shoulders shows them made of leather or nylon.

What do you think of that, Anna?

I'm thinking maybe a laptop?

waltzingmatilda

06-25-2009, 02:26 PM

Yes, It sounds like a laptop bag to me also. I carry lots of things in mine along with my laptop.......sketchpad, charcoals, camera, etc. It doubles as a pocketbook.

There have been many speculations about the perp's ethnic origin. The 'olive skin' description reminds me of Eastern European or Asia origin. However, some supect the perp is latino. There was an unconfirmed report / rumor of the Hunter's having a strained relationship with a Russian man but no one has been able to verify it. If that is not okay to post, please let me know and I'll delete that rumor part. TIA .....wm

waltzingmatilda

06-29-2009, 02:41 PM

Bump!

Jasmine04

06-30-2009, 12:46 PM

A quick look at bags that are satchel like / briefcase type having a carry strap over the shoulders shows them made of leather or nylon.

What do you think of that, Anna?

One idea I heard floating around was that the perp gained admission to the home by posing as someone delivering some mail or a package- maybe as a courrier with something that only someone in the Hunter family could sign for- thus the housekeeper called Tom up from the basement.
He also could have had a change of clothing in the bag so bloodstains wouldnt have been evident when he left.

waltzingmatilda

07-01-2009, 07:32 PM

One idea I heard floating around was that the perp gained admission to the home by posing as someone delivering some mail or a package- maybe as a courrier with something that only someone in the Hunter family could sign for- thus the housekeeper called Tom up from the basement.
He also could have had a change of clothing in the bag so bloodstains wouldnt have been evident when he left.

I think this is a very plausible theory, Jasmine!

Jasmine04

09-30-2009, 11:04 PM

It has been three months since anything was posted on this case. I wish I had better news but nothing much has happened.
I am not going to say much more on this but can state that so far as I have been able to tell, the knives used came from the home. I cannot reveal the source of this but that is what I am told.
I have been told in what direction LE is looking and it is in a direction that may indicate this was a result of an argument between Tom and this person. Lots of theories abound, but in the end this may turn out to be pretty simple. God knows why it is taking so long.

awakening2lite

10-01-2009, 02:08 AM

Jute

10-01-2009, 04:26 AM

Hi Jasmine,

I'm glad you commented on this case tonight. It had slipped my attention these past couple of months.

Tonight I ventured out to look for what might be available on the case and found this:
.................................................. ............................................
Father of Dundee Murder Victim Talks (http://nebraskax.com/news/father-of-dundee-murder-victim-talks/)16 Feb 2009 by admin
Dr. Hunter found Tom and Shirlee Sherman inside his home. The killer is still on the loose. On Monday night, Tom's dad talked with us for the first time, taking us back to the day he walked into the home. ...
Nebraska - http://nebraskax.com/ (http://nebraskax.com/)

.................................................. .........................................

The links don't work and the domain 'nebraskax.com' is for sale. I was not able to find the original article cashed. Now, I'm asking if anyone else has read the full article or knows where it might be found. It would be great to post it here and may even provide a few clues to discuss.

I don't think that this is the same article, but it is dated Feb. 16, 2009 - the same as yours.

Father of Dundee Murder Victim Asks for Help

Posted: Feb 16, 2009 09:18 PM

Omaha, NE - His son died in a crime that sent chills through the Dundee neighborhood. Now, the boy's father is on a mission to keep the case from fading away.

It's hard to forget what happened that day in March of 2008 to 11-year-old Tom Hunter. Someone murdered the King Science student, along with his family's housekeeper, Shirlee Sherman.

Dr. William Hunter shared photos of his young son, taken just a month before someone brutally murdered the boy.

Dr. Hunter found Tom and Shirlee Sherman inside his home. The killer is still on the loose. On Monday night, Tom's dad talked with us for the first time, taking us back to the day he walked into the home.

"He was in the dining room and Shirley was in the back hallway," Dr. Hunter says. He tells Action 3 News he saw Shirley first and started yelling for Thomas. "If he (Tom) had only gone out and played that day," says Dr. Hunter.

The father insists there is no reason to suspect anyone was after Tom. "The family had no enemies," he says.

As for Tom's big brothers, Dr. Hunter tells me every time they see a Honda CRV, like the one seen in the neighborhood that day, they call home wondering. With no front license plate it has been impossible to track, much like the other clues in this case. But while the Hunters have to accept Tom's death, they refuse to let this case die with him.

Dr. Hunter wants to remind everyone there is 25-thousand dollar reward out there, and makes a plea for anyone with any info to call police.

http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=9854977&nav=menu550_2

awakening2lite

10-01-2009, 09:57 PM

I don't think that this is the same article, but it is dated Feb. 16, 2009 - the same as yours.

Father of Dundee Murder Victim Asks for Help

Posted: Feb 16, 2009 09:18 PM

Omaha, NE - His son died in a crime that sent chills through the Dundee neighborhood. Now, the boy's father is on a mission to keep the case from fading away.

It's hard to forget what happened that day in March of 2008 to 11-year-old Tom Hunter. Someone murdered the King Science student, along with his family's housekeeper, Shirlee Sherman.

Dr. William Hunter shared photos of his young son, taken just a month before someone brutally murdered the boy.

Dr. Hunter found Tom and Shirlee Sherman inside his home. The killer is still on the loose. On Monday night, Tom's dad talked with us for the first time, taking us back to the day he walked into the home.

"He was in the dining room and Shirley was in the back hallway," Dr. Hunter says. He tells Action 3 News he saw Shirley first and started yelling for Thomas. "If he (Tom) had only gone out and played that day," says Dr. Hunter.

The father insists there is no reason to suspect anyone was after Tom. "The family had no enemies," he says.

As for Tom's big brothers, Dr. Hunter tells me every time they see a Honda CRV, like the one seen in the neighborhood that day, they call home wondering. With no front license plate it has been impossible to track, much like the other clues in this case. But while the Hunters have to accept Tom's death, they refuse to let this case die with him.

Dr. Hunter wants to remind everyone there is 25-thousand dollar reward out there, and makes a plea for anyone with any info to call police.

http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=9854977&nav=menu550_2

Thank Jute! The articles on this case are evaporating like last yesterdays rain. It's so hard to find continuing coverage on the case.

The article you posted is important. Important too, is Dr Hunter's comment "if only Tom had gone out"....which I interrupt to mean he sees no connection to the family, or that the target was not the family.

awakening2lite

10-01-2009, 10:19 PM

Thanks for the move..Packy!

Jasmine04

10-04-2009, 02:03 PM

I sometimes wonder if the answer to this mystery is right in front of us, only we are just not seeing things correctly. I will throw out a suggestion- this is not meant to upset the Hunter family who have been through so much but we need to get all possibilities out there-
Has anyone ever thought that THOMAS may have been involved on some small level with criminal activities? It's easy to envision a scenerio in which he gets involved in selling pills or pot at school or is approached by kids who know his parents are doctors- do you get my point?
We've all been assuming he was such a nice sweet kid and probably he was, but a lot of nice kids get involved in this stuff to get money for clothes or video games. Could he have been trying to get out of this situation and killed to silence what he knew? Big drug dealers wouldn't risk this for small stakes; an older teen would. Just a thought.

packy

10-04-2009, 02:45 PM

Anything is possible Jasmine and kids do make a lot of contacts throught the internet. If it is true that the knives were from the kitchen then it does seem like something of the original plan went wrong.

Claycat

10-04-2009, 11:22 PM

When I first heard about this case, the name Edmund came to me. Ed. It could be Edmundo?

When I read the first article linked in this thread, I got that feeling of payback like I did for the Weleetka girls' murders. I felt like it was a revenge killing.

I got a jarring feeling of shock when I read about the stabbing. All of these cases are so sad, but this one gave me that strange jarring feeling.

I hope I can pick up something else. What a sad case!

Claycat

10-05-2009, 12:12 AM

Claycat

10-05-2009, 12:17 AM

Assassins often use available weapons. It leaves less of a trail to follow.

Jasmine04

10-05-2009, 09:19 PM

It seems to me that there might be layers to this case. I keep getting the word warning. I wonder if the murders were a warning of some kind, on top of the payback. There is depth here that is frightening. Whether it is the depth of madness that would cause someone to do this, or it is the depth of a larger conspiracy, I'm not sure.

Claycat, my thanks for your insights. I have not heard the name Edmundo or Edmund in connection with any suspect or POI but it sounds as if you got a strong impresion.
The knives were a topic of debate with some of us following this. It is now generally accepted that they came from the kitchen. At first glance this would seem to indicate a crime of passion, as in someone arguing and grabbing them. maybe someone who came to the house to confront someone but not to kill.
The quoted statement above is interesting. Others who have looked at this found them frightening, even without knowing any of the details. There is a darkness here that I have not encountered in other crimes I have researched. It is as if the motive itself is dark and hidden, did you get that? Someone in one of the families involved is hiding some secret. If this were a 'hit' job then someone with some means had it done, but for what purpose? If this was a hit job, this guy was very good. That level of work does not come cheap.
Any further comments are welcome, not only from you but anyone else.

Jasmine04

10-25-2009, 01:53 PM

By John Ferak

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

A snapshot of Tom Hunter sits on his mother's desk, a reminder of a happy 11-year-old boy and of all the unanswered questions in the year and a half since he was stabbed to death.

Late in the afternoon of March 13, 2008, someone walked into the Hunters' home in Dundee, killed Tom and stabbed to death Shirlee Sherman, 57, the family's house cleaner.

Since that day, the families of the victims have found little solace and no answers.

No suspects have been named. No arrests made. Little physical evidence gathered.

The two families have grown so frustrated that Tom's mother, Dr. Claire Hunter, agreed to her first news media interview since his death. She told The World-Herald that she has little hope that the killer will be caught soon. Other homicide cases with fresher leads take priority, she said.

“It is a cold case,” Claire Hunter said. “Do they have any leads? What's their plan? Where are we now? We have gotten so little information from the police the past several months. … It doesn't look like they are moving on anything.”

She said she knows the families would hear if the police had news to share.

“In fairness to the Omaha Police Department, we appreciate everything they are doing,” she said.

Sherman's son, Jeff, said his family is also aching. In February, the Sherman family doubled a reward for information to $50,000. Eight months later, with no arrests, the reward still waits.

“We refuse to let this case go cold,” Jeff Sherman said. “Both of our families lost somebody special. We lost a mother.”

Interim Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes said Friday that police officials understand both families' frustrations.

“We are diligently working on this case, and we are still following up on leads as they come in,” Hayes said. “Solving a homicide … it is long, tedious work.”

Hayes said the homicide unit investigates the Dundee slayings on a daily basis. Part of the work, the chief said, involves computer forensics.

Claire Hunter said her family has faith in Sgt. Ken Kanger, who leads the department's cold-case unit and has a track record of solving some of Omaha's most difficult cold cases.

Kanger's unit made an arrest in the 2006 slaying of local actress Pasinetta Fitzgerald, 40. His unit recently obtained a murder conviction of Stephen Pullens for pushing his mom off a balcony in December 2004.

Kanger took over the Dundee investigation in February. Family members of both victims received personal phone calls from Kanger late last week to reassure them that the case is still being investigated. Claire Hunter also questions why the FBI is no longer involved in the case:

“Why not? It is a major case,” she said.

FBI officials in Omaha said they have not been asked to assist for more than six months.

Hayes said the department cooperates with the FBI and will seek help when needed.

The killer left behind bloody knives, Claire Hunter said. But police told the Hunters that they found little other physical evidence.

That's why the public's help is needed, she said.

Officer Jacob Bettin, an Omaha police spokesman, said the reward, now at $54,500, will remain available as long as the case remains open.

Police still want to know the identify of a dark-haired, professional-looking man neighbors recalled seeing outside the home that afternoon, wearing a black coat and carrying a briefcase or satchel.

Brad Waite, Sherman's brother, said the family is confident that the $50,000 reward would have flushed out a suspect if the slayings were connected to his sister or to drugs or burglary.

Bill Hunter, who found the bodies, has said that police have found no evidence the killer targeted anyone in his family. The Hunters also have three adult sons in their 20s.

Both the Hunters are on the faculty at Creighton University's medical school. Claire Hunter was in Hawaii at a medical conference the day of the killings.

Now, 20 months later, she wonders why the killer picked her house. Why Tom and Shirlee?

“I still wonder who the real target was meant to be,” she said. “You try to think about all the persons who the family has crossed paths with. And why did the person pick a Thursday? Were they researching our family? Were they casing our house the days before I was gone?”

For now, she keeps Tom's memory close, in the form of a snapshot taken by Bill Hunter just a few months before their son was killed.

“Tom's been sent to a higher mission,” she said, “all too soon.”

Contact the writer:

444-1056, john.ferak@owh.com

Claycat

10-25-2009, 03:02 PM

Poor families! Thanks for posting the article, Jasmine!

Jasmine04

01-10-2010, 02:28 PM

Giving a bump!

Got a PM from a new member but was then unable to reply as it looks like they are not set up to receive messages. If this is you, please try to see what the issue may be, thanks.

Jasmine04

02-23-2010, 02:27 PM

Article on WOWT TV website today:

Despite a $50,000 reward for information, the March 2008 murders of 11-year-old Thomas Hunter and Shirlee Sherman in the Dundee neighborhood of Omaha remain unsolved.

Police are still asking questions and those who live in the neighborhood say they're concerned that a killer is still on the loose. There’s not much information coming from police headquarters, but those who live and work in the area are still concerned and worried.

“I can’t understand why he would kill two people like that and I have kids and would be worried about it,” said resident David Radler. “I am worried about it.”

Radler remembers how the killings affected residents. "It’s something that I worry about ‘cause it was such a random, maybe it wasn’t random, but it was so significant it touched so many people’s lives and it’s still out there. It needs to be closed and we need to find out what happened.”

Police are still trying to figure out what happened. The case is now a part of the FBI Web page. Officials are seeking information about the killings of the Hunter boy and the family housekeeper found in the Hunter home on March 13, 2008. Officials would like to talk to a man with a dark or olive complexion who got out of an SUV that looked like a gray or silver Honda.

This does not make Lori Robinson afraid. She still moves around the Dundee neighborhood where she works, but is more aware of what goes on around her.

“Oh yeah, it worries you to think that the person is out there and could it again. I wouldn't be so worried about it for myself, but worried about the kid that didn’t deserve it, being a mom.”

Police did not respond to a request from Channel 6 News for an interview about the double homicide. Anyone with information about it should call police at 444-7867. You do not have to leave your name.

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