Â鶹APP

A police crime scene. Author; Gerd.

10 Things To Know About The Lawson Family Murders

On 25^th December 1929, a tragic and gruesome event took place in Stokes County, North Carolina. The Lawson family murders which were carried out by Charlie Lawson occurred sending chills nationwide. Charlie Lawson had married Fannie Manring and had eight children together.

However, their third born, William Lawson died of an illness in 1920 meaning that Charlie killed his six children aged between 4 to 17. The Lawsons had worked as tenant tobacco farmers, saved enough, and by 1927, they bought their farm on Brook Cove Road. Before the actual days of the murders, Charlie had been alleged to have impregnated his eldest daughter Marie.

He (Charlie) took his family to town to buy new clothes for a family portrait. On the afternoon of 25^th December, Charlie began by shooting his two daughters, he shot his wife at the porch of the house then went ahead to kill the others. Charlie then completed the killing spree by shooting himself.

His eldest son survived the murders as he had been sent by Charlie Lawson for some errands a few days before the incident. Here are the 10 Things To Know About The Lawson Family Murders;

1. The Lawsons Worked as Tenant Tobacco Farmers before Buying their Farm

Field of Burley tobacco on a farm of Russell Spears, drying and curing barn in the background. Author; Marion Post Wolcott.

Charlie Lawson and Fannie Manring got married in 1911 and had eight children. However, they lost their thirdborn in 1920 due to illness. Charlie Lawson moved to the Germanton area after his younger brothers, Marion and Elijah moved there before.

After moving to the Germanton area, the Lawsons began working as tenant tobacco farmers. They saved enough money which they used to buy their own farm on Brook Cove Road.

2. Charlie had Taken his Family to Buy New Clothes for a Family Portrait before the Murders

Some days before the 1929 Christmas, Charlie Lawson took his wife Fannie Manring, 37-year-old and their seven children to buy new clothes. Their children were 19-year-old Arthur, 16-year-old Marie, 12-year-old Carrie, 7-year-old Maybell, 4-year-old James, 2-year-old Raymond, and 4 months old Lou.

The purpose of buying the new clothes was to take a family portrait before Christmas. However, this act of Charlie Lawson was an unusual occurrence for a working-class rural family in that area. Many speculated that this act was premeditated for what happened later.

Read 10 Things To Know About Unresolved Keddie Cabin Murders.

3. Charlie Lawson was Accused of Impregnating his Eldest Daughter

A pregnant lady. Author; Daniel Carvalho Nier.

With the speculations of a premeditated act of buying new clothes for a family portrait, Charlie Lawson was also accused of doing something peculiar. There were several speculations that Charlie Lawson had impregnated his eldest daughter Marie Lawson who was 16 years old. However, this accusation was not confirmed as Lawson wiped out his family on the afternoon of Christmas day.

4. Lawson Killed his 2 Daughters First and Placed their Bodies in the Tobacco Barn

All was fine until the afternoon of December 25^th when all hell broke loose. Carrie and Maybell Lawson were setting out to their uncle and aunt’s house that afternoon. Their father waited for them by the tobacco barn until they got to a close shooting range.

Using a 12-gauge shotgun, Charlie Lawson shot at his two daughters. He went ahead and bludgeoned them to ensure that they died. After killing Carrie and Maybell, Charlie took the bodies and placed them in the tobacco barn.

5. Charlie Shot and Killed his Wife, Elder Daughter, and Two Sons at their Home

A revolver with used bullets. Author; Steve.

After killing his two daughters and placing their bodies in the tobacco barn, Charlie Lawson went out for his other family members. He found his wife Fannie on the porch of the house, shot and killed her instantly.

Marie was inside the house at that moment and heard the gunshot making her scream. The two small boys, James and Raymond also heard the shots and attempted to hide. Charlie Lawson went inside and found Marie, James, and Raymond who he shot and killed instantly.

6. He Killed the Little Child by Bludgeoning her to Death

Charlie finished killing Fannie, Marie, James, and Raymond by shooting them to death using the 12-caliber shotgun. He then went ahead to the 4-month-old baby, Mary Lou who was the last one alive in the house. It is believed that Charlie Lawson bludgeoned Mary Lou to death rather than shooting her using the shotgun.

Also, read 10 Scary Facts About The Moors Murders.

7. Charlie Committed Suicide by Shooting Himself using the Same Gun

Police officers investigating on a crime scene. Author; Cottonbro.

Neighbors had been startled by the gunshots they heard coming from Charlie Lawson’s home. They had started gathering around the property and found the bodies of the other members of the Lawson family.

Several hours after the murders of Carrie, Marie, Fannie, James, Raymond, Mary Lou, and Maybell, the neighbors were shocked by another gunshot. Charlie went to the nearby woods where he shot himself with the gunshot sound startling the neighbors.

8. The Eldest Son of Lawson Survived the Murders

Charlie Lawson had seven children who were alive, but he never killed all of them. Lawson had killed six of his children with his eldest son, Arthur Lawson surviving the ordeal. 19-year-old Arthur Lawson had been sent on a certain errand a few days before Charlie Lawson killed his entire family and committed suicide.

9. The Bodies of the Lawson were Placed in Unique Postures

A body in a black bag. Author; Cottonbro.

After completing the gruesome murders of his entire family, Charlie Lawson placed their bodies in unique postures. Their arms were found crossed across their bodies.

The most shocking thing is that rocks had been placed under their heads. The positioning of the bodies of the Lawson family still remains to be a mystery of what Charlie was trying to put across.

10. Charlie had Written Letters to his Parents Before Committing Suicide

Charlie Lawson completed the execution of his family and took his life after several hours. At the spot of his suicide, there were several things that were noted.

The police officer who had accompanied Arthur to the spot where Charlie had taken his life found letters he had written to his parents. At the spot of the suicide, there were his footprints encircling the tree which meant that he had been pacing around the tree before Killing himself.

The Lawson family murders still remain a mystery that has never been solved as no one found out what was the driving force behind the killings. However, these heinous and gruesome murders that left many shocked inspired several films and books.

Read 10 Terrifying Things To Know About The Tylenol Murders.