In the summer of 1976, 67-year-old Bascom DeWitt "Dee" Harden Jr., a white male, became one of the victims in a series of brutal murders committed by serial killer Allen Leroy Anderson. Harden, born on October 18, 1908, was residing in Edgewater, Volusia County, Florida, at the time of his death. On August 27, 1976, his lifeless body was discovered, marking a tragic end to his life.
Anderson, a 34-year-old white male vagrant with a long history of felony arrests, had been living in a
Seattle halfway house earlier that year. In June 1976, he stole the director's car and credit cards, embarking on a cross-country crime spree that spanned twenty states. During this period, Anderson committed numerous robberies and at least eight murders, targeting individuals indiscriminately. Harden, unfortunately, crossed paths with Anderson during this murderous rampage.
The investigation into Harden's death revealed that Anderson had been in the Edgewater area during the time of the murder. Evidence collected from the crime scene, including fingerprints and eyewitness accounts, linked Anderson to the homicide. Following his arrest in Minnesota, Anderson confessed to multiple murders, including that of Harden. He was subsequently extradited to Florida, where he faced charges for Harden's murder. Initially sentenced to death, Anderson's sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Harden's death not only brought immense sorrow to his family and the local community but also highlighted the vulnerabilities individuals face against random acts of violence. The case underscored the importance of interstate collaboration among law enforcement agencies in tracking and apprehending criminals who operate across state lines. Harden was laid to rest in Edgewater New Smyrna Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy remembered by those who knew him.
