Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson were beginning what should have been a simple summer night together — a date in West Houston that ended in tragedy. On August 23, 1990, the 22-year-old couple was found deceased near their parked vehicle in a cul-de-sac at 1300 Enclave Parkway. The case would remain unsolved for more than three decades.
Background
The young couple's deaths shocked the Houston community. A security guard discovered their bodies during a routine patrol. Andy Atkinson had been bound to a tree and suffered catastrophic injuries described by prosecutors as "nearly decapitated." Autopsy results revealed that Cheryl Henry had been sexually assaulted and sustained neck injuries. Her nude body was hidden beneath wooden boards, with a $20 bill placed beside her.
For 35 years, the case haunted investigators and the victims' families. More than 100 people were investigated over the years, yet William Parrott never surfaced on their radar at the time. In 2008, DNA testing linked an unrelated rape case to evidence found at the murder scene — a breakthrough that would eventually prove crucial. A 2025 tip finally mentioned Parrott's name, leading authorities to renew their investigation.
"This case has weighed on the Henry and Atkinson families, as well as our community, for more than three decades," Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said during a Friday press conference. "Our prosecutors, working with HPD and the FBI, have worked hundreds of leads, but they never gave up."
The Investigation
Special FBI agents arrested William Parrott Wednesday in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is charged with the murders of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson. During the investigation, authorities discovered that Parrott had "held himself out to be law enforcement" on multiple occasions — at least three times over the years. He was arrested three times for impersonating a police officer, with one of those arrests occurring after the Lover's Lane murders.
Parrott worked at auto parts stores for years and was at one point affiliated with a wrecker service. He lived in the Houston area for decades before leaving less than two years ago.
Prosecutors believe additional victims may exist. "I believe there are more victims out there," Teare said. "As we are able to identify more victims, it's going to be easier to identify a common thread of behavior that this defendant was engaged in."
On Thursday, Parrott fought extradition back to Harris County and requested an attorney. He remains incarcerated in Lancaster County, Nebraska without bond, awaiting an April 30 hearing.
Key Takeaways
- William Parrott arrested in Nebraska, charged with 1990 murders of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson
- Both victims were 22 years old when they were killed on August 23, 1990
- Parrott was arrested three times for impersonating a police officer, including after the murders
- Prosecutors believe more victims may exist and are investigating potential links
- DNA evidence from 2008 and a 2025 tip led to the arrest after 35 years
- Parrott fought extradition and is being held without bond in Nebraska
What's Next
Parrott is scheduled for an April 30 hearing in Lancaster County, Nebraska. Prosecutors continue to investigate potential additional victims and are urging anyone with information to contact the cold case division at 713-274-5640 or Houston Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-8477.
Cheryl's sister, who attended the press conference, offered a poignant reminder of the human cost behind the case details. "She was more than a victim in a headline," she said. "She was a daughter, a sister, a friend and a person who brought much love and light into our lives."