This book is about Cheryl Lynn Henry (22) and Garland Andrew “Andy” Atkinson (21) who were murdered in August 1990, in Houston, Texas.
Cheryl and Andy had only been dating for a while. They were found murdered in August 1990 in a secluded area locally known as The Lovers Lane.
The authorities first found Cheryl’s body. Her hands were tied. She had been raped and murdered. Later, they found Andy’s. He had been tied to a tree. Both had fatal injuries to their necks. Security guard Thomas Richard Hooper found Andy’s abandoned car in The Lovers’ Lane. More about this below.
The manner in which Cheryl and Andy were separated at the crime scene resulted in the theory that more than one person had to have been involved to help restrain them. However, keeping such secrets for this long is not easy so that may speak against accomplices.
The case has been in the news for decades. Each new discovery brought more unanswered questions. That is, until March 15. 2026. Someone finally said something. The tip?
Compare the DNA from Felicia Johnson’s August 1996 rape case with Cheryl Henry’s. It was also a match in the June 1990 rape case of the woman known as Mikki.
I am not giving anything away here as this too has been all over the Internet. Books, podcasts, and more. So, what can Teague’s book from 2025 offer the true crime reader? Everything.
The Book
Teague has reconstructed the lives of Cheryl and Andy. He brings to life the brief period that we had them on earth. The method the author used to build up tension in this familiar case is a simple but extremely effective one. He counts down their time left on earth.
Twenty-two years, nine months, zero weeks, and one day left for Cheryl. Twenty-one years, eleven months, two weeks, and two days left for Andy.
With each chapter, we learn more about their lives. Their families, schools, difficulties growing up, the jobs they had, the friends they made all the while knowing that with each page we turn, time is ticking away. Even though no bomb will go off, you dread turning the pages. Zero years, zero months, zero weeks, zero days, just a few hours. And then the build-up starts.
The investigation begins, people start calling, for Cheryl, for Andy. We learn about their autopsies, how the crimes were reconstructed, and what each new investigative team brought to the table. Month by month. Year after year. We keep hoping for that one break. And then finally, that one tip on March 15. 2026.
Unresolved
There are many unanswered questions in this case and Teague discusses them.
Why did security guard Thomas Richard Hooper wait so long before telling police what he had seen in The Lovers’ Lane? The moment he found an empty car and blood, why not call immediately? Why did he hesitate? Was he eliminated from the suspect list before he passed away in 2015?
DNA was not the only connection between Mikki and Cheryl. According to the book, Mikki had a job at one of Andy’s father’s clubs. It does not have to mean anything but it makes you wonder about hidden connections.
The idea to cross check credit card slips from several night clubs in the area makes sense. I do not understand why this was not pursued.
Trying to find the mover Mikki had reported to his superior could have crossed off someone from a suspect list or it might have been a lead.
An ex-boyfriend from Cheryl was cleared by DNA. However, Andy’s dad believed this ex-boyfriend’s DNA was a match. Why?
I am curious about the familial DNA search results by a cousin of Cheryl as discussed in the book.
A quick online search shows that Tara Breckenridge (p. 219) has never been found. Her case may or may not be connected to Cheryl’s.
The only other thing I could think of was making a mosaic from all these women to see if there is any resemblance. That will not solve anything but it might shine a light on other unsolved cases.
Floyd William Parrott
The above-mentioned DNA belonged to Floyd William Parrott. Unfortunately, after his arrest on March 25, 2026, Parrott was found dead in his cell. Suicide. How exactly? According to this news article an autopsy will be conducted. I have not found any results yet. If you have, send me a link.
If Parrott had an accomplice in the murders of Cheryl and Andy or any other crime, I hope that person will be found too. The tip about Parrott came after decades. Maybe more tips will follow.
Interestingly, Teague questions the progression in Parrott’s assaults. Rape, escalating to rape and two murders, and then de-escalating to rape without murders. It is a good question. Is there a case we do not know about?
The book has a table of contents, an Author’s Note, black and white photography, the forensic sketch made in the case of Mikki (as mentioned above, the DNA found on Mikki matched that found with Cheryl and Felicia) and an age-progression, and a bibliography. There is no graphic photographic material in this book.
The Lovers’ Lane Murders by Johnny Teague tells us about the gruesome crimes committed against Cheryl and Andy. He treats both with respect, does not use any speculative or aggravating language, and never loses sight of what matters: justice. Teague leaves you with a call to action.
Contact Information
If you have any information please call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 or call the Houston Police Department’s Cold Case Division at 713-308-3618 or call your local authorities.
Rest in peace, Cheryl and Andy.
Note: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. My other book reviews are here.