Judy Straub

Judith Lynn 'Judy' Straub, an 18-year-old white female from Sterling, Ohio, tragically lost her life on August 8, 1977. Her death was part of a double homicide alongside her boyfriend, William Lavaco, aged 21. The couple was last seen near the Valley Inn early on August 6, 1977, and their bodies were discovered two days later in a wooded area of Silver Creek Metro Park in Barberton, Ohio. Both victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the neck, and their deaths were determined to have occurred shortly after their last sighting.

The investigation into Judy Straub's murder revealed chilling details. Lavaco's car was found abandoned near the crime scene, with valuables worth over $400 left untouched, ruling out robbery as a motive. Witness accounts later implicated Dennis Busson, who had been seen arguing with Lavaco over cocaine. Busson reportedly made threatening statements and was arrested shortly after the murders, although he passed multiple polygraph tests and was not immediately charged. The case remained unsolved for decades, leaving the community in shock and mourning.

In a dramatic turn of events, Edward Wayne Edwards, a serial killer, confessed to the murders in 2010. Edwards, who had a history of violent crimes and lived in the area at the time, provided detailed accounts of the killings, claiming he was 'especially proud' of evading justice for so long. His confession brought closure to the families of Judy Straub and William Lavaco, who had endured years of uncertainty and grief.

The case of Judy Straub highlights the complexities of criminal investigations and the devastating impact of violent crime on victims' families and communities. Her story remains a poignant reminder of the importance of justice and the resilience of those left behind to seek it.