Billy Lavaco, a 21-year-old male, was tragically murdered alongside his girlfriend, Judith Straub, an 18-year-old female, on August 6, 1977. Their bodies were discovered two days later in a wooded area of Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton, Ohio. Both victims were shot at point-blank range with a 20-gauge shotgun. Lavaco's car was found abandoned nearby, and Straub's purse, containing $400, was untouched, ruling out robbery as a motive.
The couple had been dating for eight months at the time of their deaths.
Initially, the case remained unsolved, with no weapon or clear motive identified. Police charged a Wayne County man a few years after the murders, but a Summit County grand jury refused to indict him due to insufficient evidence. The case took a significant turn 33 years later when Edward Wayne Edwards, a 76-year-old serial killer, confessed to the murders. Edwards, who had lived in Doylestown, Ohio, during the time of the killings, reportedly boasted about the crime to another inmate, claiming he was 'especially proud of getting away with the Norton murder.' His confession provided closure to the Lavaco and Straub families, who had endured decades of grief and uncertainty.
Edwards' confession revealed that he had lured the couple to the park before killing them. His motive remains unclear, but his history of violent crimes suggests a pattern of targeting young couples. Edwards was already serving time for other murders when he confessed, and his failing health likely prompted him to come forward. The case highlights the challenges of solving cold cases and the impact of advancements in forensic science and investigative techniques.
