Man charged in Houston 'Lovers Lane' cold case killings

Arrest made in 1990 murders of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:21pm

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More than 30 years after an attacker raped and killed Cheryl Henry and killed her boyfriend Andy Atkinson in Houston's 'Lovers Lane' area, prosecutors have announced charges against 64-year-old Floyd William Parrott. Parrott was arrested in Nebraska and is facing two counts of capital murder for the 1990 killings.

Why it matters

The 'Lovers Lane Murders' were one of Houston's most infamous and haunting cold cases, weighing heavily on the victims' families and the community for over three decades. The arrest brings hope for justice and closure after years of frustration.

The details

On August 22, 1990, 22-year-old Cheryl Henry and 21-year-old Andy Atkinson were on a date at a nightclub when they went to the isolated 'Lovers Lane' area of Houston. There, a predator attacked them, tied up Atkinson, slashed his throat, raped Henry, and killed her as well. Their bodies were found the next day. Investigators recently received a tip and found DNA evidence linking 64-year-old Floyd William Parrott to the crimes. Parrott had previously been arrested for impersonating a police officer and weapons possession in 1988.

  • On August 22, 1990, Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson were killed in the 'Lovers Lane' area of Houston.
  • On March 26, 2026, Floyd William Parrott was arrested in Lincoln, Nebraska and charged with two counts of capital murder.

The players

Cheryl Henry

A 22-year-old woman who was raped and killed in the 'Lovers Lane' murders in Houston in 1990.

Andy Atkinson

A 21-year-old man who was killed in the 'Lovers Lane' murders in Houston in 1990.

Floyd William Parrott

A 64-year-old man who was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder for the 1990 'Lovers Lane' killings in Houston.

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What they’re saying

“One of Houston's most haunting and infamous cold cases has weighed on the Henry and Atkinson families, as well as our community for more than three decades. Today is a good day.”

— Sean Teare, District Attorney

“I just want justice. I don't want the same thing to happen to some of these other young people.”

— Jean Averitte, Andy Atkinson's grandmother

What’s next

Floyd William Parrott will have additional court hearings in Nebraska before he can be extradited to Houston to stand trial on the murder charges.

The takeaway

The arrest in the 'Lovers Lane Murders' cold case after over 30 years provides hope for justice and closure for the victims' families and the Houston community, while also highlighting the importance of perseverance in investigating unsolved crimes.