It makes perfect sense that Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards would have been sunbathing on the beach by the water's edge when their murderer approached, rather than in the rugged creek. Therefore, it is no surprise that this is where 15 casings were discovered, 20 feet from the ocean edge, likely fired from a rifle with a tube magazine that had the capacity to hold 15 rounds. What is less clear is the exact chain of events that resulted in Robert and Linda succumbing to their injuries 75 feet from the 15 spent casings of the killer. If the couple had simultaneously ran for their lives from the beach to the creek, how likely is it that they could both survive this distance being shot with .22 caliber ammunition from an "expert marksman"?
If we believe the claim that the murderer fired 20 shots that afternoon, with Robert struck 11 times and Linda 9, it would mean that all 15 shots aimed at the couple hit their target as they ran northwards. If the killer achieved an even spread of shots, hitting one victim 8 times and the other 7, what are the chances that both managed this 75 feet journey? If the spread of shots was more unequal, such as 9 and 6, or 10 and 5, then there must be serious doubts that one of the victims could achieve this distance. Whatever the case, the shooter has a clear line of sight from this position.
If newspaper reports of 26 casings being found that day were true (and the killer was unlikely to miss as he approached the stricken couple where they fell and fired at point blank range), it would make the shooter less of an "expert marksman", striking the couple 9 times from the 15 shots as they ran for their lives. An even spread of 5 and 4 hits (depending on the part of the body struck) would give Robert and Linda a greater chance of achieving 75 feet in distance than all 15 shots hitting their mark as previously discussed.
If we believe the claim that the murderer fired 20 shots that afternoon, with Robert struck 11 times and Linda 9, it would mean that all 15 shots aimed at the couple hit their target as they ran northwards. If the killer achieved an even spread of shots, hitting one victim 8 times and the other 7, what are the chances that both managed this 75 feet journey? If the spread of shots was more unequal, such as 9 and 6, or 10 and 5, then there must be serious doubts that one of the victims could achieve this distance. Whatever the case, the shooter has a clear line of sight from this position.
If newspaper reports of 26 casings being found that day were true (and the killer was unlikely to miss as he approached the stricken couple where they fell and fired at point blank range), it would make the shooter less of an "expert marksman", striking the couple 9 times from the 15 shots as they ran for their lives. An even spread of 5 and 4 hits (depending on the part of the body struck) would give Robert and Linda a greater chance of achieving 75 feet in distance than all 15 shots hitting their mark as previously discussed.
One thing that would make the killer less accurate when he began shooting, is [1] he was disoriented after a fight, or [2] if Robert and Linda were at a greater distance from him when he began firing. If Robert had been involved in a confrontation with the man and landed some blows on the individual before shouting at Linda to run, then it's conceivable that the couple put some distance between themselves and the shooter as he got back to his feet and steadied himself. However, this would be an extremely risky option if the man wasn't fully incapacitated. Although people don't always behave rationally in times of stress, striking a man in possession of a rifle who is grounded but fully conscious, then deciding to run with your girlfriend into 75 feet of open space, doesn't appear to be the wisest option. Especially if he had previously threatened Linda with the weapon, ordering her to bind Robert with rope.
In absence of certainty that any fists were exchanged that afternoon (despite the autopsy making this an option), one possibility is that Robert got into a verbal confrontation with the killer which put a severe dampener on the couple's day out. Deciding that it was probably best to head home after this unsavoury encounter, they may have opted to walk away from the beach, but the third party, devoid of any anger control, chose to escalate the matter into unwarranted territory and started firing at the couple. Even if some blows were traded between Robert and the unknown individual on the beach, maybe Robert didn't believe the man would resort to the level of firing his weapon at them. Any number of scenarios could have occurred on June 4th 1963, but the notion of a man firing 15 shots at Robert and Linda the moment they started running away from him, which all hit their mark, appears like the least likeliest option based on the 75 feet distance they both managed to achieve.
Autopsy surgeon, Dr. John Blanchard, said there were some powder burns on the bodies and estimated that the couple had been dead for at least 24 hours at the time of their discovery, implying that the killer fired the initial 15 shots from a fixed position and then moved to the location where the couple fell, stood over them, and ruthlessly shot them from near touching distance. He then chose to drag both bodies approximately 30 feet northwards into a nearby shack, effectively removing the victims from sight. There could have been any number of reasons behind this unusual decision.
Six in depth articles examining the murders of Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards.
The Ballistics. The Shack. The Rope. The Beach. The Ammo. Pistol or Rifle?
In absence of certainty that any fists were exchanged that afternoon (despite the autopsy making this an option), one possibility is that Robert got into a verbal confrontation with the killer which put a severe dampener on the couple's day out. Deciding that it was probably best to head home after this unsavoury encounter, they may have opted to walk away from the beach, but the third party, devoid of any anger control, chose to escalate the matter into unwarranted territory and started firing at the couple. Even if some blows were traded between Robert and the unknown individual on the beach, maybe Robert didn't believe the man would resort to the level of firing his weapon at them. Any number of scenarios could have occurred on June 4th 1963, but the notion of a man firing 15 shots at Robert and Linda the moment they started running away from him, which all hit their mark, appears like the least likeliest option based on the 75 feet distance they both managed to achieve.
Autopsy surgeon, Dr. John Blanchard, said there were some powder burns on the bodies and estimated that the couple had been dead for at least 24 hours at the time of their discovery, implying that the killer fired the initial 15 shots from a fixed position and then moved to the location where the couple fell, stood over them, and ruthlessly shot them from near touching distance. He then chose to drag both bodies approximately 30 feet northwards into a nearby shack, effectively removing the victims from sight. There could have been any number of reasons behind this unusual decision.
Six in depth articles examining the murders of Robert Domingos and Linda Edwards.
The Ballistics. The Shack. The Rope. The Beach. The Ammo. Pistol or Rifle?
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