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Cold Case Files
In every homicide, people are affected and many lives are changed forever. At the Greenville Police Department, we recognize that murders, especially unsolved, can be extremely difficult for family, friends and the community. We are dedicated and relentlessly pursue offenders, seeking justice for these victims of unsolved crimes.
Cold Case Review Team
By definition, a "cold case" is an investigation of a serious crime where all leads have been exhausted and the case remains unsolved. The Greenville Police Department initiated a Cold Case Review Team in January 2010. Experienced investigators and supervisors review each case, research and develop leads, and apply new techniques that may have emerged since the crime.
Help From the Public
While our team approach is beneficial, we still require assistance from the public. Please take a moment to review our cold cases and provide us with any information you may have related to these crimes. Share our Cold Case posters (PDF) with your family, co-workers, and your community. This could be your chance to make a difference. Please: if you know something, say something.
- Albert Adams
- Marvelin Issac Bass III
- Ralph Blassingame
- Ernest Bolden & Oscar Rice
- Alfonzo "Ace" Brown
- Terry "Dale" Fetner
- Joseph "PJ" Jackson
- Myrtle Jackson
- Norma Lanyon Jackson
- Patrick Demetrius Jackson
- Gregory "Slim" McAdory
- Chester Miller
- Benjamin Patterson
- William "Doyle" Payne
- Charlie Russo
- Jason Anderson
- Cobey Smith
- Hubert L. Vaughn
- Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki
- Albert Adams, age 42
- Cause of Death: Shot, 410 shotgun round to the head
- Date of Death: October 25, 2011
- Location: 15 Spartanburg Court, Apt. 5C
Albert Adams, known as "New York" in the Greenline community, was shot and killed on the front porch of his apartment. It is believed that the subjects were attempting to rob his neighbor's apartment.
Case Solved
- Marvelin Issac Bass III, age 22
- Address: 943 N. Pleasantburg Drive
- Date: January 27, 2007
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
On Saturday, January 27, 2007,
On January 27, 2010, the Bass family held an auction to raise money in an effort to increase a reward. The event was televised and broadcast over the radio. After the initial media release, GPD received a tip that ultimately led to an arrest in the case. This case is still under active investigation and more arrests are expected.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Tip Line: 864-271-GCPD (271-4273)
- CrimeStoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Ralph Blassingame, age 55
- Address: 29 Hall Street, Greenville, SC
- Date: November 5, 1999
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
- Motive: Possible Robbery
On November 5, 1999, at approximately 7:10 p.m., two unknown black males came to 29 Hall Street and attempted to purchase drugs. When one of the three victims stated that he was done selling for the night, one subject shot the first victim in the head (victim survived). Both subjects entered the residence shooting. Ralph Blassingame was fatally shot while attempting to flee.
Subjects were seen by the first victim leaving the area in a green Jeep or a Bronco, described as dark green with dark tinted windows and some type of gold stripes.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Ernest "Chick" Bolden, age 49
- Address: 13 1/2 Martin Street, Greenville, SC
- Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma
- Motive: Unknown
- Oscar Rice, age 54
- Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma
- Motive: Unknown
At approximately 6:45 on September 8, 1986, the bodies of Ernest "Chick" Bolden and Oscar Rice were found inside Bolden's residence on Martin Street. Both victims had obvious physical injuries caused by a blunt object. The residence did not appear to be in disarray and there was no forced entry. Neighbors reported hearing nothing.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Alfonzo "Ace" Brown, age 14
- Address: 705 Jenkins Street, Greenville, SC
- Date: April 19, 1992
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
- Motive: Unknown
On Easter Sunday, April 19, 1992, at approximately 35 minutes after midnight, Alfonzo "Ace" Brown's body was located on the driveway of 705 Jenkins Street. Several shots were heard in the area and shell casings were found in the roadway adjacent to Sallie's One Stop Grocery Store on Horton Street. "Ace" Brown was killed by an unknown individual.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Terry "Dale" Fetner, age 44
- Address: Azalea Hills Apartments, Greenville, SC
- Date: November 26, 2000
- Cause of Death: Multiple Stab Wounds
- Motive: Unknown
Dale Fetner was a recently divorced man living in the city of Greenville. Mr. Fetner owned a contracting business called Renovations by Dale. At the time of his
On Sunday, November 26, 2000, Mr. Fetner returned to his apartment after spending the day working on a mountain home in Saluda, NC. Before he was able to enter his apartment, he was attacked at his front door. Dale Fetner was stabbed multiple times and succumbed to his wounds.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Joseph "PJ" Jackson, age 47
- Address: 10 Asbury Avenue, Greenville, South Carolina
- Date: October 6, 1995
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
- Motive: Unknown
On October 6, 1995, 47-year-old Joseph Perry Jackson was found murdered in a storage building behind the residence at 10 Asbury Avenue. Mr. Jackson was living at 106 Prospect Street in Greenville at the time of his murder.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Myrtle Jackson, 27 years old
- Address: 102 Overbrook Road, Greenville SC
- Incident Date: July 16, 1977
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
On July 16, 1977, Myrtle Jackson was found in her Volkswagen, slumped over in driver’s seat with a gunshot wound to the head. Myrtle Jackson and her car was found at or near 15 Spruce Street, Greenville, with the car running. Myrtle Jackson was 27 years old at time of incident. Myrtle Jackson was killed by an unknown individual. She also used the names Myrtle Grant or Mrs. Kenneth Grant.
- Norma Lanyon Jackson, age 43
- Address: Cabana Inn, 407 N Main Street, Greenville, SC
- Date: October 12, 1978
- Cause of Death: Multiple Stab Wounds
- Motive: Unknown
Norma Jackson was a single mother of three children who worked as the night clerk at the Cabana Inn located at 407 North Main Street in Greenville. Ms. Jackson had worked the overnight shift at the Cabana Inn, and on the morning of October 12, 1978, Ms. Jackson's body was found by a coworker in the lobby area of the hotel.
Ms. Jackson was stabbed multiple times and died as a result of those wounds. A clear motive for the crime has not been established.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Patrick Demetrius Jackson, age 25
- Address: 1220-D, Laurens Road
- Date: April 6, 2010
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
- Motive: Unknown
On April 6, 2010, Patrick Demetrius Jackson was shot to death in the parking lot of the Den, located at 1220-D Laurens Road. This incident remains unsolved, but detectives are actively investigating leads. Several people were in the area and we feel certain there are additional witnesses. There is currently a $2,000 reward for any information leading to the apprehension of the suspects in this case.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
Case Solved
- Gregory McAdory ("Slim"), age 48
- Address: 14 Bolt Street
- Date: February 21, 2004
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
On Saturday, February 21, 2004, Gregory McAdory was seen on Sullivan Street getting into a vehicle with an unknown black male driver and white female passenger. The black male drove to Mr. McAdory's residence at 14 Bolt Street. Mr. McAdory was observed by witnesses exiting the vehicle and walking into the residence. He then exited the residence, at which time he was shot once in the chest by the black male driver.
On June 28, 2010, Julian Michael Dean was arrested for the murder of Gregory McAdory. The arrest was the result of citizens coming forward with valuable information needed to make the arrest.
- Chester Miller, age 60
- Address: 777 E. Faris Road
- Date: August 19, 1978
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
On Sunday, August 19, 1978, at approximately 12:56 am, Chester Miller was found murdered inside the Caper House Convenience Store at 777 E. Faris Road. Mr. Miller was employed by the business at the time of the incident and died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The cash register was open with money missing.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Benjamin Patterson, age 23
- Address: 801 Dunbar Street, Greenville, SC
- Date: September 26, 1993
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
- Motive: Unknown
The body of Benjamin Patterson was discovered the afternoon of Sunday, September 26, 1993. He was lying about 10 feet from a footpath that runs between 801 and 713 Dunbar Street. He was dressed in ladies clothing and was lying on his side on top of a tree branch.
It appeared that the body had been there for over 24 hours. It also appeared that Benjamin Patterson may have been shot at another location. Prior to his disappearance, he was involved in an argument where shots were fired.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- William "Doyle" Payne, 62
- Address: Delta Apartments, 806 Green Avenue, Apt. 42, Greenville, SC
- Date: January 24, 1998
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
- Motive: Unknown
On January 24, 1998, Mr. Payne was found stabbed to death inside his apartment at 806 Green Avenue. He was a maintenance worker for Delta Apartments and lived alone at the time of his death.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Charlie Russo, 64
- Address: Ye Old Fireplace, South Pleasantburg Drive
- Date: May 29, 1975
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
On May 29, 1975, at approximately 12:15 a.m., two white male subjects entered the back door (kitchen) of the restaurant at closing time. Subjects were described as:
- 5 feet 7 inches, 150-160 pounds, 20s, blue eyes, slight curly dark hair, heavy voice, sun-tanned and wearing red bandana and armed with automatic pistol
- Heavier, muscular, wearing blue bandanna
Rounding up the staff and guests as they made their way through the large, multi-room restaurant, the subjects ordered everyone to the floor and then made them crawl to the bathrooms.
Charlie Russo (a highly regarded saxophonist and member of the Charlie Spivak Quintet) was in the band room when he was confronted and gunned down.
The owner of Ye Old Fireplace, Charlie Grubbs, reported a Smith & Wesson 38-caliber revolver (serial number 925J45) stolen during the robbery. This handgun has never been recovered. Grubbs also reported a yellow gold Pulsar wrist watch taken.
After the robbery, the subjects took Charlie Grubbs' Continental, which was later recovered at a nearby Howard Johnsons Motor Lodge located on South Pleasantburg Drive at Augusta Road.
The murder weapon was later recovered in Columbia, SC during a drug raid.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
- Jason Anderson, age 20
- Date: April 27, 1996
- Cause of Death: Shot and killed
- Motive: Armed Robbery
On April 27, Jason Anderson was shot to death and Kyle Rollins was seriously injured during a robbery at Carolina Pet Center on Airport Road.
A privately-funded reward of up to $36,000 is being offered for information leafing to the identification and arrest of the suspects.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
SOLVED
- Cobey Smith, age 16
- Date of Death: January 25, 2015
- Location: 200 Clark Street
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
Cobey Smith was murdered on Sliding Rock Trail at 200 Clark Street. Just moments before the murder, a witness heard someone call out to Cobey from the wooded area around the trail. Cobey walked up the trail and was shot multiple times. His body was located by his mother and brother, who heard the gunshots.
- Hubert L. Vaughn, 64
- Address: 14 Lois Avenue
- Date: October 10, 1974
- Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma
- Motive: Robbery
On October 10, 1974, Hubert L. Vaughn was found beaten inside of Sloan's Liquor Store at 14 Lois Avenue. Mr. Vaughn died the following day as a result of his injuries. The investigation determined that the likely motive for the crime was robbery, as money and items were missing from the store.
Mr. Vaughn was a lifelong resident of Greenville County and had served in the Army Air Corps during WWII, flying missions over Europe.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov
SOLVED
- Genevieve "Jenny" Zitricki, age 28
- Address: Hidden Lake Apartments, 15 Villa Road, Apt. 227, Greenville, SC
- Date: April 4, 1990
- Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma
- Motive: Unknown
On April 6, 1990, Jenny Zitricki was found murdered in her apartment. She lived by herself and was a computer programmer in the payroll department at Michelin North America Headquarters. She was recently divorced and lived a very active lifestyle. She was involved in softball, taught at a local school and lived in a young professional apartment complex. Jenny's apartment was broken into through the back door and her cause of death was blunt force trauma.
On Oct. 5, 2018, Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller announced during a press conference the name of Zitricki's killer. His name is Robert Eugene Brashers (DOB 3/13/1958), and he died January 19, 1999, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
It was determined Zitricki was brutally raped and murdered by Brashers on April 4, 1990 in Greenville, South Carolina.
This announcement came as a result of law enforcement employing the services of Virginia-based DNA technology company Parabon NanoLabs, which helped advance the investigation by utilizing genetic genealogy.
Brashers was also linked to the sexual assault of a 14-year-old female from Memphis, Tennessee on March 11, 1997, and the brutal murder of mother Sherri Scherer and her 12-year-old daughter Megan, who were shot in Portageville, Missouri on March 28, 1998. Megan Scherer was sexually assaulted before her murder.
Later the same day, Brashers attempted to force his way into a home in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He shot a 25-year-old mother, who was home with her small child. She fought him off, survived and was able to provide a description for police. The projectile from her body also helped link Brashers to the Scherer murders.
Contact Information
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at:
- Greenville Police Cold Case Investigators: 864-467-5330
- Crimestoppers: 864-23-Crime (232-7463)
- Email the Cold Case Unit: coldcase@greenvillesc.gov