In the spring of 1946, the border city of Texarkana was gripped by a series of violent attacks attributed to a killer the Texarkana Gazette dubbed “The Phantom.”

The first known attack came in February, when a hooded figure assaulted a young couple parked on a secluded lovers’ lane. Both survived. At the time, the case was not linked to what followed.

In March, 29-year-old Navy veteran Richard Griffin was found murdered in the driver’s seat of his car, two bullet wounds to his head. In the back seat lay his 17-year-old girlfriend, Polly Ann Moore, facedown and dead.

Then, on April 13, the Rhythmaries dance band played at the VFW on Fourth and Oak Streets. Among the musicians was 15-year-old Betty Jo Booker. After the dance ended, Betty Jo left with 16-year-old Paul Martin. It was the last time either was seen alive. Paul’s body was later discovered about a mile and a half from his abandoned car, shot four times. Betty Jo’s body was found nearly two miles away, shot twice in the chest. Evidence suggested she had been sexually assaulted.

Panic swept the city. The investigation ballooned into a chaotic, multi-agency effort involving 11 separate law enforcement bodies. At various points, police employed hypnotists, sent officers undercover as teenagers to serve as bait, and pursued hundreds of false leads.

In May, Virgil and Katie Starks were attacked in their isolated farmhouse. Virgil was killed; Katie survived despite being shot twice in the head. At the time, the attack was attributed to the Phantom, though some investigators later questioned whether it truly fit the pattern of the earlier crimes.

A 29-year-old career criminal named Youell Swinney was later implicated by his wife, who claimed he was the killer. Her statements were inconsistent, she eventually recanted, and Swinney was never charged with the murders.

The Phantom was never formally identified or charged.

If you’re interested, I wrote a deeper dive on the case here: https://open.substack.com/pub/aid2000/p/hare-brained-history-volume-70-the?r=4mmzre&utm\_medium=ios

Automobile at a lovers’ lane crime scene following one of the 1946 attacks attributed to the Texarkana “Phantom” Killer[1920X1080].