Thirty-five years later, the killing of a young couple in a secluded Houston enclave remains one of the city’s most haunting unsolved crimes
Introduction
On a warm summer night in 1990, a young couple set out for what was meant to be an ordinary evening of music and companionship. Instead, their final hours ended in terror, violence, and mystery — a crime so disturbing it continues to haunt Houston decades later.
The murders of Cheryl Henry, 22, and Andy Atkinson, 21, remain unsolved as of 2025, despite DNA evidence, FBI profiling, and renewed investigative efforts.
A Night That Never Ended
On August 22, 1990, Cheryl Henry and Garland Andrew “Andy” Atkinson planned a night out in Houston. According to the Houston Police Department, Cheryl and her sister first met Andy at Bayou Mama’s nightclub.
Later that evening, Cheryl and Andy said goodbye to her sister and drove to a secluded area off Enclave Parkway, a spot locals referred to as Lovers Lane — a quiet, wooded area often used by couples seeking privacy.
That was the last time either of them was seen alive.
Growing Fear and a Grim Discovery
When Cheryl failed to show up for work the next day, alarm bells rang. Her sister, Shane Craig, immediately sensed something was wrong. Cheryl had just started the job and was deeply committed to it.
Her family contacted police, and the search began.
The following day, a security guard on a routine patrol made a horrific discovery. Andy’s body was found tied to a tree in the wooded area, with severe stab wounds to his throat. Authorities later said his injuries were nearly fatal at the scene.
Cheryl’s body was discovered nearby, concealed beneath wooden boards. She had also suffered fatal stab wounds, and an autopsy later confirmed she had been sexually assaulted.
Investigators Believe Cheryl Was Killed First
According to investigators, evidence suggested that Cheryl was attacked and killed before Andy.
Andy’s father later shared what police told him — that his son was restrained and forced to listen as Cheryl was attacked, unable to intervene.
“That’s hard to accept,” he said, describing the unimaginable terror his son may have experienced in his final moments.
Chilling Details at the Crime Scene
Police uncovered several disturbing details at the scene. Golf clubs and golf balls taken from Andy’s car were reportedly used by the killer to direct investigators toward Cheryl’s hidden body.
A single $20 bill was found near Cheryl, but detectives noted that neither victim appeared to have been robbed — an important detail that shaped the investigation.
A Case That Went Cold — Then Reopened
For years, the case remained cold, with no arrests and few leads. In 2008, Houston police released a composite sketch of a man they believed may be responsible for the killings.
Investigators also made a critical breakthrough using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). DNA recovered from the Lovers Lane crime scene was matched to evidence from a separate sexual assault in Houston earlier that same summer.
A Linked Attack Raises New Questions
The DNA matched a June 20, 1990 assault at a home on Terra Cotta Drive in Houston. In that case, the victim was robbed and sexually assaulted but survived.
Police noted similarities between the two crimes, calling them “crucial” to identifying the suspect. However, unlike the Terra Cotta case, neither Cheryl nor Andy appeared to have been robbed — a contradiction that has puzzled investigators for decades.
FBI Profilers: A Familiar Face?
According to a report obtained by local media, FBI profilers believe the suspect may have known Cheryl and Andy, or at least been familiar with the Lovers Lane area.
This possibility has fueled speculation that the killer may not have been a random attacker, but someone who understood the couple’s movements — and the isolation of the location.
A Family’s Unending Grief
For Cheryl’s sister, the horror of imagining what the couple endured has never faded.
“I have gotten sick to my stomach thinking of what they endured,” she told reporters, reflecting a pain shared by both families for more than three decades.
Still Unsolved in 2025
Despite advancements in forensic technology and renewed public attention, the Lovers Lane murders remain unsolved.
Houston police continue to urge anyone with information — no matter how small — to come forward. Investigators believe someone, somewhere, knows what happened that night.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division Cold Case Squad at 713-308-3600.
A Case That Refuses to Fade
The murders of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson are more than a cold case — they are a reminder of lives cut short and questions left unanswered. As time passes, the hope remains that advances in DNA science or a long-overdue tip may finally bring justice.
Until then, the Lovers Lane murder stands as one of Houston’s most haunting unsolved crimes — a story frozen in time, waiting for truth to emerge.