Larry Atkins/
Sawkill Park Rd/
1992
Robert Gordon/
Route 28/
1996
VICTIM INFORMATION:
Name: Larry Atkins
Age: 44
Death: August of 1992
Address: 1836 Sawkill Park Rd., Town of Kingston, NY
Cause of death: Asphyxiated
Name: Robert Gordon
Age: 61
Death: October of 1996
Address: 249 Route 28, Town of Ulster, NY (Near West Hurley)
Cause of death: Asphyxiated
These two men both died by homicide in their own homes. They both lived in homes that were debris-filled and had no electricity. Their homes were left to them by family. Both of these men walked everywhere they went.
Each of these men were found with hands and feet bound and hog-tied, their faces covered. Both causes of death were by asphyxiation.
Their homes/shacks were located not far from each other.
Being from this area, and knowing the location of these murders… There is not a direct road to connect these two houses. A hilly, tree filled piece of land separates them. Jockey Hill. If you take a car, the distance between each location it is about 5 miles. If you cut over/across Jockey Hill (Bluestone Wild Forest) by foot, their homes were 2.8 miles apart.
Locations of the Homicides
Larry Atkin’s story: Larry lived at 136 Sawkill Park Road, Town of Kingston/Sawkill, N.Y. He was a recluse who walked where he needed to go. He was found by a neighbor who decided to check on him. The neighbor hadn’t seen Larry for quite some time and Larry’s grass had not been cut (which was one thing Larry kept meticulous.) Larry lived off of $400/month in Social Security benefits. He also earned money by helping a friend deliver eggs for a local farm. He was found dead in August of 1992.
Fast forward 4 years…
Robert Gordon’s story: Robert lived at 249 Route 28, Town of Ulster, N.Y. (Between Kingston and West Hurley.) He was a loner who avoided contact with most people. He walked whenever he needed to go somewhere. He was found in October of 1996 by a State Trooper who was asked to check on him. Robert Gordon was found inside his bathroom, the door barricaded by a dresser.
In 2016, the Times-Herald Record did a story that gave some information on these cases. “The Record” interviewed some NY State Police investigators. The police said that they have long believed that these two cases are linked.
The story mentioned that there were rumors that each of these victims carried caches of money. It was noted that Robert Gordon’s money pouch, that he was always seen with, has never been found.
According to a State Police Investigator:
–Gordon was bound with black tape and clothesline.
–Atkins was bound by colored tape, novelty handcuffs, and a heavy duty rope with red and blue strands woven into the fibers. The tape used on Atkins was a specialty item used for underground power lines.
Both of these cases have been entered into the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Programs with no matches found in regards to similar homicides across the country.
With DNA technology constantly progressing, law enforcement is hopeful that they will someday solve these crimes.
If you have information that could help with these cases, please contact the State Police at 845-338-1702.