For much of Lubbock’s history, we’ve been a sleepy, ag-centered town out in the middle of nowhere, where nothing happens, and people don’t lock their doors…right?
Well, not exactly. Lubbock has had its fair share of shocking and famous crimes, from serial killers to cold cases and everything in between. Here is a look at some of the most famous crimes committed in Lubbock…. Part 1.
Rosendo Rodriguez Suitcase Murders
In 2004, every business in Lubbock had the same sign taped to the door: a missing persons poster for a teenage girl named Joanna Rogers. I felt a chill the first time I saw it: I knew her. I had met her as a young girl, a friend of my younger sister. I had also seen her perform recently in a play, too: Night of the Living Dead. I said a little prayer to myself that they would find her each time I saw it, as the initial shock evolved into a deep, black dread. My prayers were answered, but it took a long time.
It would be 29 months before her red hair, and her little body would be found inside a suitcase at the Lubbock dump, thanks in large part to excellent record keeping by our city’s sanitation department.
Finding Joanna Rogers
She might not have ever been found, left to spend eternity under banana peels and newspapers, except that her killer revealed her location, probably in hopes of being granted some measure of protection against the death penalty. While he had “gotten away with” Jonanna’s murder, he didn’t have the same luck with Summer Baldwin.
The Murder Of Summer Baldwin
According to court documents, Summer was discovered at the dump inside a brand new suitcase. She had only been dead for a day and had been “severely abused.” It was discovered she was 10 weeks pregnant…