🧊💔🔪 The Triple Murder That Terrified Alaska — The Sick Truth Behind a Crime Scene So Brutal Even Detectives Wept

On a seemingly ordinary Sunday morning, March 15, 1987, the tranquility of Anchorage, Alaska, was shattered by a horrific discovery.

Cheryl Chapman was alarmed when her sister, Nancy Newman, failed to show up for her breakfast shift at the local restaurant.

After several unsuccessful attempts to reach her by phone, Cheryl and her husband, Paul, rushed to Nancy’s apartment, fearing the worst.

What they found inside was a scene of unimaginable brutality.

As they entered the apartment, the couple immediately sensed that something was terribly wrong.

There were no signs of Nancy or her two young daughters, eight-year-old Melissa and three-year-old Angie.

The remnants of a meal were still on the table, and the coffee mugs from Cheryl’s last visit sat untouched.

In a matter of moments, their worst fears were confirmed when they stumbled upon Nancy’s lifeless body in her bedroom, brutally beaten.

In the other rooms, they discovered the bodies of Melissa and Angie, who had also been viciously murdered.

The police arrived shortly after, securing the area and beginning the grim task of processing the crime scene.

What they found was shocking: Nancy and Melissa had been beaten and strangled, while little Angie had suffered a nearly decapitated throat.

Anchorage Police Officer Bill Gifford described the impact of such a case as heart-wrenching, even for seasoned investigators.

The brutality of the murders left everyone reeling, and the community was gripped with fear and disbelief.

The crime scene revealed important clues, but they seemed to lead nowhere.

Nancy’s body showed signs of struggle, with abrasions on her face and bloodstains at the foot of her bed.

In Melissa’s room, investigators found a bloody pillowcase used to tie her arms, while Angie’s lifeless body lay surrounded by blood.

Detective Sergeant Michael Grimes, leading the investigation, recognized the need for a meticulous forensic approach.

The crime scene was treated as a series of separate areas, and every piece of physical evidence was carefully collected.

Investigators vacuumed the rooms for hair and fibers, using specialized equipment to ensure that no trace was missed.

They also employed luminol to detect any hidden bloodstains, revealing patterns that could help reconstruct the sequence of events.

As the investigation unfolded, the absence of forced entry suggested that the killer was known to the victims, leading detectives to focus on individuals close to the family.

John Newman, Nancy’s husband, was initially considered a suspect but was quickly cleared as he was in California at the time of the murders.

With no solid leads, investigators turned to the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit for assistance.

Special Agent Judd Rae provided a psychological profile of the killer, indicating that they were likely a white male in their early to mid-20s with a history of sexual assault.

This insight helped narrow down the list of potential suspects, including a young man named Kirby Anthony, who had recently moved into the neighborhood.

Anthony had a troubled past, marked by irrational behavior and instability.

He had previously stayed with the Newmans but was asked to leave shortly before the murders due to escalating tensions.

As investigators delved deeper into Anthony’s history, they learned of a prior sexual assault case in Idaho, where he had been a suspect but never charged.

The FBI’s forensic team, led by Doug Deedrich, began examining the evidence collected from the crime scene, including hair and fiber samples.

Their analysis revealed several hairs that did not belong to the victims, indicating recent deposition.

Among the findings was a pubic hair with lice casings, which pointed to the presence of pubic lice on the suspect.

When confronted with the evidence, Anthony initially denied being in the Newman’s apartment recently but later admitted to showering there a week before the murders.

As the investigation intensified, Anthony’s behavior became increasingly suspicious.

He began to interject himself into the investigation, asking about the progress and details of the case.

Surveillance on Anthony revealed that he was attempting to flee Anchorage, prompting investigators to act quickly.

With a description of his vehicle provided to U.S. Customs at the Alaska-Canada border, authorities hoped to intercept him before he could escape.

Within hours, Anthony was detained at the border and returned to Anchorage, where he was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of sexual assault.

During the trial, the evidence against him mounted, including fingerprints found at the crime scene and the testimony of witnesses who had seen him near the Newmans’ apartment.

The prosecution painted a chilling picture of Anthony as a violent predator, driven by rage against the women he had once known.

After weeks of testimony, the jury reached a verdict, finding Anthony guilty on all counts.

He was sentenced to 357 years in prison, a sentence that reflected the brutality of his crimes and the impact on the victims’ families.

The case of Nancy Newman and her daughters not only highlighted the importance of forensic science and profiling in solving violent crimes but also showcased the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement and the FBI.

Through meticulous investigation and analysis, justice was served for the innocent lives lost in a senseless act of violence.

The Anchorage triple homicide remains a haunting reminder of the darkness that can exist within a community, but it also stands as a testament to the dedication of those who work tirelessly to bring criminals to justice.

The lessons learned from this case continue to shape investigative practices and improve the tools available to law enforcement, ensuring that such horrors are met with a swift and resolute response.