A man arrested last month in connection with the 1990 murders of a young couple in Texas, known as the 'Lovers Lane' killings, has died in jail before he could face trial.
Floyd William Parrott, 64, was found unresponsive in his cell in Lancaster County, Nebraska, on Tuesday and pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts, according to local officials. He had been arrested on March 25 and charged with capital murder in the deaths of Garland 'Andy' Atkinson, 21, and Cheryl Henry, 22.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office expressed frustration, saying: 'We ache for Andy’s and Cheryl’s families who were denied their day in court.' The office confirmed it is continuing investigations linked to Parrott, including a cold case in Louisiana.
The victims were last seen on August 22, 1990. Their bodies were found the next day in a Houston cul-de-sac, with their hands tied and throats cut. Henry had also been sexually assaulted, according to charging documents. The case remained unsolved for decades until DNA evidence and a tip led to Parrott's arrest.
Parrott had a history of impersonating police and was charged with sexual assault in 1996, though that case was not pursued. At the time of the murders, he worked about a mile from where the bodies were discovered. He was awaiting extradition to Texas and had not waived his right to challenge the transfer.
