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Thomas Sumerix:1963, Akron

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 Thomas Sumerix disappeared on Wednesday June 5th, 1963 after buying a pair of grey suede shoes at Arlington Plaza.   He had a picnic the next day. He had plans that summer to take typing class in summer school. He thought it would give him a leg up academically in high school.   Arlington Plaza is a block north from a known hangout of a budding serial killer in 1963 at S. Arlington and Waterloo. Gus Sapharas’ family owned a restaurant there for several decades.     Thomas Sumerix’ home was south of Arlington Plaza. He would have been walking past the restaurant. The restaurant and the shopping center are on the same side of the street. He would have been walking right past Sapharas Restaurant. What’s the likelihood that his killer was NOT the serial killer who spent most of his days at that restaurant?   Gus Sapharas had graduated from East High School in June of 1962. He was working in his family’s restaurant then. In 1965, he entered...
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Marion Brubaker:1962, Akron, Ohio

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       Marion Brubaker was born on the 4th of June, 1950 to  Ruth and Rev. Clair Daniel Brubaker.    On Monday August 27th, 1962 Marion had been to the library. She had books in her bicycle basket. She was riding through the park back to her house.    But, someone attacked Marion. This perpetrator sexually assaulted, beat and strangled her. She was only 12.    She was found mostly nude. A 15 year old boy had found the body and ran home and told his family. They called the police. The boy led police to the body. When police arrived, Marion was still warm but had no pulse.    She was found in a park-like area near the corner of Killian and South Main Streets.    The perpetrator who had attacked her had dragged her body further into the woods. Her eyes were still open. He had placed her shorts over her face. Perhaps he wanted to avoid seeing her eyes. Police reported they were open ...
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Ruth Elaine Guthrie:1963, Tallmadge/Akron, Ohio

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       Ruth Elaine Guthrie was born on December 1st, 1950 to Edna R. Guthrie and Willis Paul Guthrie. She had an older sister named Jean and a brother named Charles. They lived in the Tallmadge area of Akron at 205 W. Howe Road.    Her grandmother, Mrs. Nellie Guthrie lived at 1497 Breidling Road.  A view of the fair.    She was last seen on Wednesday, June 12th, 1963 about 5 p.m. walking home from the Midwest Industrial Free Fair. The weather was cool and a little rainy.    The Fair was an event in Tallmadge that many different businesses participated in. There were shows of local talent, food vendors and even a beauty contest. Because it was free to attend I imagine that they drew large crowds. I would imagine that people had to pay for food and rides. I can’t imagine it was completely free. Many businesses had booths and showcases of their offerings. If you have ever been to a “home” show or a boat show; that’s the type of...
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Gustave Sapharas:Ohio Serial Killer

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      Gustave Sapharas is a serial killer who, before he was caught, was active in the Akron, Ohio area.   What was he like?    He smiles like all the other teenagers in his high school yearbook. He was in the school band and even a member of the Thespian club.    We know, from his convictions through DNA evidence, that he abducted, assaulted, tortured, mutilated and stabbed  Karen Bentz in 1970.    We know that, five years later, he abducted, assaulted, tortured, mutilated and stabbed to death Loretta Davis in 1975.    We know he abducted, assaulted and stabbed Bonita Parker in 1991.    Do you think that these three murders are his only murders? I don’t. I think there are many more.     What do we know about him?    Gustave Sapharas was born in 1944 or 1945 to Frances and George Alexander Sapharas. He is listed as five years old on the 1950 cens...
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