Suspect Arrested in 1990 'Lovers' Lane' Cold Case Murders in Houston

Floyd William Parrott, 64, charged with capital murder for killings of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:04am

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Houston police have arrested Floyd William Parrott, 64, in connection with the 1990 murders of Cheryl Henry, 22, and Garland 'Andy' Atkinson, 21, known as the 'Lovers' Lane' killings. Parrott, who has a history of impersonating law enforcement, was identified as a suspect after his DNA was found to match evidence from the crime scene and a previous sexual assault case.

Why it matters

The 'Lovers' Lane' murders had remained unsolved for over 30 years, leaving the victims' families without closure. Parrott's arrest provides some resolution, though the case highlights the challenges of cold case investigations and the need for continued efforts to bring justice to victims and their loved ones.

The details

Henry and Atkinson were found dead near their car in a Houston cul-de-sac in August 1990. Both had their necks cut with knives and were tied up with rope, and Henry was also sexually assaulted. While over 100 potential suspects were investigated over the decades, Parrott was not one of them until recently, when a Houston police sergeant followed up on a tip naming Parrott as a suspect. Parrott's DNA was found to match evidence from the crime scene as well as a 1996 sexual assault case, and he was also known to have impersonated law enforcement officers in the past.

  • On August 23, 1990, the victims' car was found parked in a Houston cul-de-sac.
  • In May 1988, Parrott was arrested for impersonating a police officer.
  • In May 1990, Parrott was again arrested for impersonating a police officer, and he was out on bond when the June 1990 sex assault and the August 1990 murders occurred.
  • In late 2025, a Houston police sergeant found a 1996 report naming Parrott as a suspect in a sex assault case.
  • On Wednesday, March 27, 2026, Parrott was arrested in Lincoln, Nebraska and is awaiting extradition to Harris County, Texas.

The players

Floyd William Parrott

A 64-year-old man with a history of impersonating law enforcement, who has been charged with capital murder for the 1990 killings of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson.

Cheryl Henry

A 22-year-old woman who was murdered along with her boyfriend Andy Atkinson in the 1990 'Lovers' Lane' killings in Houston.

Garland 'Andy' Atkinson

A 21-year-old man who was murdered along with his girlfriend Cheryl Henry in the 1990 'Lovers' Lane' killings in Houston.

Shane Henry

The younger sister of Cheryl Henry, who spoke at the news conference about the arrest of the suspect.

Sean Teare

The Harris County District Attorney, who spoke at the news conference about the case.

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What they’re saying

“Cheryl was my best friend. We did everything together.”

— Shane Henry, Cheryl Henry's younger sister

“Hearing that the person responsible has finally been caught does not bring her back, but it does bring a sense of relief knowing that justice is moving forward.”

— Shane Henry, Cheryl Henry's younger sister

“If you recognize this individual and he pulled you over … call us. If you met him once, if you met him at a club, if you knew him at all, reach out.”

— Sean Teare, Harris County District Attorney

What’s next

The judge will decide on Parrott's bail status at a hearing next week as he awaits extradition to Texas.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of persistent cold case investigations and the power of DNA evidence, even decades later, to uncover the truth and bring closure to victims' families. It also serves as a warning about the dangers of impersonating law enforcement and the need for vigilance in verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer.