Post by Scumhunter on Jul 19, 2015 8:37:43 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: timesunion.com)
The case of the unknown killer of Gretchen Perham, a 14-year old girl who lived in Upstate New York, was aired on the June 18th, 2005 episode of America's Most Wanted. Below is the archive description of the case:
Albany Girl Killed While Walking To School
14-year-old Gretchen Perham lived only six blocks from school. It's so close that she walked to Hackett Middle School in Albany, New York every day. On May 13, 2005, Gretchen left her home around 8:30 a.m. for school. She was never seen alive again.
Gretchen was stabbed 18 times. Her body was found dumped on an embankment across town. Police immediately began investigating the brutal murder, but couldn't come up with any solid leads. Then another girl was attacked -- along the same route to school.
Second Girl Attacked On Walk To School
There were many similarities between the two attacks. Both were attacked with a knife, both were 14-year-old students at Hackett Middle School, and both were en route to school when they were attacked. But there was one big difference -- this girl was lucky enough to survive the attack.
On her way to Hackett Middle School, a girl we'll call "Jesse" was grabbed from behind, and threatened with a butcher knife. Jesse screamed for help -- and cops say those screams saved her life. Two men who worked at a nearby hospital just happened to be on a coffee break outside the building, when they heard Jesse's cry for help. Curtis Frazier and Perry Smith ran toward the girl and chased the attacker away.
Second Victim's Attacker Captured
On July 14, 2005, police caught up with a man named Darius Ashley, charging him with raping a 28-year-old woman. Thanks to DNA, Ashley was linked not only the 28-year-old's case, but two others. Cops slapped Ashley with the abduction and rape of a 14-year-old girl, as well as the attempted abduction of the Albany school girl. The same day he was charged, Ashley confessed to all three crimes.
Now, cops are searching for a possible link between Ashley and Gretchen's death.
Thoughts?
Darius Ashley (whose picture I will post below my thoughts on the case) once again made headlines when he was accused of stabbing two guards in the prison facility he was staying in last year. He is currently serving 40 years for the two rapes he was convicted of.
I know I'm getting on my soapbox and discussing this again but it frustrates me such a horrible case really didn't get that much media attention (you can tell by the lack of articles on Google about the murder), and I feel that it's because Gretchen was African-American. As we've seen in the past, minority missing or unsolved cases are often neglected in the media. What makes it all the more frustration is how solvable the case is. In my opinion, Ashley is the killer and this is not a whodunit, but a how to prove it. Articles won't say whether they have DNA evidence or not. I'm not sure if they could considering Kelly and Yolanda would have to interview Ashley in prison, but just evidence-wise I think this would be a great case for Cold Justice.
At least Ashley will likely never see the light of day again, considering he's now accused of stabbing two guards in addition to the 40 years for the rapes. However, Gretchen's family needs the closure of him being officially named the killer and convicted of her murder in a court of law.
(Above: Picture of Darius Ashley in court (2005) Credit: timesunion.com)
Admin Note #1: Based on crime location, our advice for anyone with information in this case would be to call New York State Crime Stoppers at 1-866-313-TIPS
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
web.archive.org/web/20060214211042/http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=32575
www.timesunion.com/local/article/Serial-Albany-rapist-charged-with-stabbing-2-5780996.php#photo-6913017
news10.com/2010/05/13/5-years-after-murder-gretchen-perhams-family-holds-on-to-hope/