206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
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Description
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Monroe Hickson: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Early Life

Monroe Hickson was born on July 8, 1908, in Aiken County, South Carolina. Despite lacking formal education, he was considered intelligent and was known for his avid reading of the Bible, which he often carried with him. His early criminal record includes a conviction in 1931 for assault with intent to kill, resulting in a five-year prison sentence, and a 1937 conviction for burglary and larceny, leading to a one-year sentence.

Crime Spree in 1946

In 1946, Hickson embarked on a violent crime spree in Aiken, South Carolina, resulting in four murders and one attempted murder. The details of these crimes are as follows:
  • David Garrett: On April 17, 1946, Hickson attacked David Garrett with an ax at Garrett's shop in Aiken, killing him. After the murder, Hickson robbed the shop and stole a pistol.
  • Mary Bennett: On April 28, 1946, Hickson entered the grocery store owned by Edward and Mary Bennett. He used the stolen pistol to fatally shoot Mary Bennett and injure Edward Bennett. Edward later told police that "a big negro shot me and robbed me" before succumbing to his injuries.
  • Annie Wiseburg: On September 28, 1946, Hickson attacked Annie Wiseburg at her home, stabbing and bludgeoning her to death.
  • Unnamed Female Liquor Store Clerk: In October 1946, Hickson attacked a female liquor store clerk with a brick. She survived the assault.

Wrongful Conviction of L.D. Harris

During the investigation of the Bennett murders, suspicion fell on L.D. Harris, who had left town for Nashville, Tennessee, shortly after the crimes. Harris, who was illiterate, was interrogated without legal representation and confessed to the murders under pressure. In January 1947, he was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. However, in June 1949, the United States Supreme Court overturned his conviction, citing the involuntary nature of his confession, and Harris was subsequently released. ...Read More
Victims
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Confirmed Victims: (4)
  • David Garrett , Date of Death: 1946-04-17
  •     ...View 3 additional victims
    Survivors:
  • Unnamed Female Liquor Store Clerk , Date of Attack: 1946
  • Lucy Hill Parker , Date of Attack: 1946
  • Links to Additional Sources (9)
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    Killer's Details

    Monroe

    Hickson

    July 8, 1908 Aiken County, South Carolina, United States

    December 29, 1967 (aged 59) Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

    Bluecorns

    Male

    Black

    Murder (x4)

    Life imprisonment

    4

    April - September 1946

    South Carolina

    August 8, 1957

    07/03/2025