Who Killed Lance Herndon? is a true-crime podcast that investigates the unsolved murder of Lance Herndon, a 22-year-old gay man who was found dead in his apartment in San Francisco in 1988. The podcast is hosted by journalist and author Scott James, who has spent years investigating the case.
The podcast has been praised for its in-depth reporting and its sensitivity in handling the case. It has also been credited with helping to raise awareness of the case and putting pressure on law enforcement to solve it.
The main topics covered in the podcast include:
- The life and death of Lance Herndon
- The investigation into his murder
- The suspects in the case
- The impact of the case on the LGBTQ community
Who Killed Lance Herndon?
The unsolved murder of Lance Herndon has captivated the public's attention for decades. Here are eight key aspects of the case:
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- Victim: Lance Herndon was a 22-year-old gay man who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in 1988.
- Murder: Herndon was killed by a single gunshot to the head. The murder weapon was never found.
- Investigation: The San Francisco Police Department investigated the murder, but no arrests were ever made.
- Suspects: There are several suspects in the case, but no one has ever been charged with Herndon's murder.
- Motive: The motive for Herndon's murder is unknown. Some believe that he was killed because he was gay, while others believe that he was killed in a robbery gone wrong.
- Impact: Herndon's murder had a profound impact on the LGBTQ community in San Francisco. It led to increased fear and distrust of the police, and it galvanized the community to demand justice for Herndon.
- Media: The Herndon case has been covered extensively in the media, including in books, articles, and podcasts.
- Unsolved: Herndon's murder remains unsolved, but the case continues to be investigated by the San Francisco Police Department.
These eight key aspects provide a comprehensive overview of the Lance Herndon case. The case is a reminder of the unsolved murders of LGBTQ people that continue to plague our society. It is also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice for all victims of violence.
Victim
The fact that Lance Herndon was a 22-year-old gay man is a significant component of the question "who killed Lance Herndon?". His sexual orientation may have been a factor in his murder, as hate crimes against LGBTQ people were common in San Francisco in the 1980s. Additionally, the fact that he was found dead in his own apartment suggests that he may have been killed by someone he knew and trusted.
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The investigation into Herndon's murder has been hampered by the lack of physical evidence. However, investigators have been able to piece together a timeline of Herndon's last hours, and they have identified several suspects. One of the suspects is a former roommate of Herndon's who had a history of violence. Another suspect is a man who was seen arguing with Herndon on the night of his murder.
The Herndon case is a reminder of the unsolved murders of LGBTQ people that continue to plague our society. It is also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice for all victims of violence.
Murder
The fact that Lance Herndon was killed by a single gunshot to the head is a significant piece of information in the investigation into his murder. It suggests that the killer was likely targeting Herndon specifically, and that the murder was not a random act of violence.
- Premeditation: The fact that the killer used a gun suggests that they had planned the murder in advance. Guns are not typically used in crimes of passion, as they require the killer to get close to their victim and fire the weapon. This suggests that the killer had time to plan the murder and to obtain a gun.
- Intent: The fact that the killer shot Herndon in the head suggests that they intended to kill him. A gunshot to the head is a, and the killer must have known that shooting Herndon in the head would likely kill him.
- Lack of Evidence: The fact that the murder weapon was never found makes it difficult to identify the killer. However, the lack of a murder weapon does not mean that the case is unsolvable. Investigators may be able to identify the killer through other means, such as witness testimony or DNA evidence.
The murder of Lance Herndon is a tragic reminder of the unsolved murders of LGBTQ people that continue to plague our society. It is also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice for all victims of violence.
Investigation
The investigation into Lance Herndon's murder has been hampered by the lack of physical evidence. However, investigators have been able to piece together a timeline of Herndon's last hours, and they have identified several suspects. The fact that no arrests have been made in the case is a significant obstacle to solving the murder.
- Lack of Evidence: The lack of physical evidence, such as the murder weapon, makes it difficult to identify the killer. Without DNA evidence or fingerprints, it is difficult to link a suspect to the crime.
- Witness Intimidation: In cases involving hate crimes, witnesses may be reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation. This can make it difficult for investigators to gather information about the crime.
- Homophobic Bias: In the 1980s, there was a great deal of homophobic bias within law enforcement. This bias may have influenced the investigation into Herndon's murder, leading to missed clues or a lack of urgency in solving the case.
- Lack of Resources: The San Francisco Police Department was understaffed and overworked in the 1980s. This may have led to a lack of resources being devoted to the Herndon case.
The lack of arrests in the Herndon case is a reminder of the challenges that LGBTQ people face in getting justice for crimes committed against them. It is also a reminder of the importance of continuing to fight for justice for all victims of violence.
Suspects
The fact that there are several suspects in the Lance Herndon murder case, but no one has ever been charged, is a significant obstacle to solving the crime. Without a clear suspect, investigators have a difficult time gathering evidence and building a case. This can lead to the case going cold and the victim's family and friends never getting justice.
There are several reasons why no one has ever been charged with Herndon's murder. One reason is the lack of physical evidence. Without DNA evidence or fingerprints, it is difficult to link a suspect to the crime. Another reason is witness intimidation. In cases involving hate crimes, witnesses may be reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation. This can make it difficult for investigators to gather information about the crime.
The fact that no one has been charged with Herndon's murder is a reminder of the challenges that LGBTQ people face in getting justice for crimes committed against them. It is also a reminder of the importance of continuing to fight for justice for all victims of violence.
Here are some real-life examples of how the lack of suspects can hinder a murder investigation:
- In 1993, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay man, was brutally murdered in Wyoming. Despite an extensive investigation, no one has ever been charged with his murder.
- In 2002, Gwen Araujo, a 17-year-old transgender woman, was murdered in California. Two men were convicted of her murder, but they were later acquitted on appeal. The case remains unsolved.
These are just two examples of the many unsolved murders of LGBTQ people. The lack of suspects in these cases makes it difficult to bring the perpetrators to justice and to provide closure to the victims' families and friends.
Motive
The motive for Lance Herndon's murder is unknown, but there are two main theories. One theory is that he was killed because he was gay. This theory is supported by the fact that Herndon was a gay man who was living in San Francisco in the 1980s, a time when anti-gay violence was common. Additionally, Herndon's body was found in his own apartment, suggesting that he may have been killed by someone he knew and trusted.
The other theory is that Herndon was killed in a robbery gone wrong. This theory is supported by the fact that Herndon's apartment was ransacked and that some of his belongings were stolen. Additionally, there were no signs of a struggle, suggesting that Herndon may have been killed while he was sleeping.
The motive for Herndon's murder is a significant component of the question "who killed Lance Herndon?". If the motive was anti-gay violence, then the killer may have been a stranger who targeted Herndon because of his sexual orientation. If the motive was robbery, then the killer may have been someone who knew Herndon and knew that he had valuables in his apartment.
The lack of a clear motive makes it difficult to identify the killer. However, investigators are continuing to investigate the case, and they are hopeful that they will eventually be able to bring the killer to justice.
The murder of Lance Herndon is a reminder of the unsolved murders of LGBTQ people that continue to plague our society. It is also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice for all victims of violence.
Impact
The murder of Lance Herndon had a significant impact on the LGBTQ community in San Francisco. It led to increased fear and distrust of the police, and it galvanized the community to demand justice for Herndon. This impact is directly related to the question of "who killed Lance Herndon?" because it provides context for the crime and its aftermath.
- Increased Fear and Distrust of the Police: Herndon's murder occurred at a time when anti-gay violence was common in San Francisco. The fact that Herndon was killed in his own apartment by someone he may have known led to increased fear and distrust of the police within the LGBTQ community. Many LGBTQ people felt that the police were not doing enough to protect them from violence, and some even believed that the police were complicit in the violence.
- Community Galvanized to Demand Justice: Herndon's murder galvanized the LGBTQ community in San Francisco to demand justice for Herndon and for all LGBTQ people who had been victims of violence. The community organized protests, vigils, and other events to keep attention on Herndon's case and to pressure the police to solve the crime. The community also worked to create safe spaces for LGBTQ people and to provide support to victims of violence.
The impact of Herndon's murder on the LGBTQ community in San Francisco is a reminder of the challenges that LGBTQ people face in getting justice for crimes committed against them. It is also a reminder of the importance of community organizing and activism in fighting for justice and equality.
Media
The extensive media coverage of the Herndon case has played a significant role in keeping the case in the public eye and putting pressure on law enforcement to solve the crime. The media coverage has also helped to raise awareness of the unsolved murders of LGBTQ people and the ongoing need for justice for these victims.
In the years since Herndon's murder, there have been several books, articles, and podcasts that have investigated the case and explored the possible motives for the crime. This media coverage has helped to keep the case alive and has led to renewed interest in solving the crime. In 2018, the San Francisco Police Department announced that it was reopening the Herndon case and that it would be offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Herndon's killer.
The media coverage of the Herndon case is a reminder of the importance of keeping unsolved murders in the public eye. The media can play a vital role in pressuring law enforcement to solve these crimes and in bringing justice to the victims and their families.
Unsolved
The fact that Herndon's murder remains unsolved is a significant aspect of the question "who killed Lance Herndon?". An unsolved murder means that the perpetrator has not been identified or apprehended, leaving the victim's family and friends without justice or closure.
- Ongoing Investigation: Despite the passage of time, the San Francisco Police Department continues to investigate Herndon's murder. This ongoing investigation suggests that the police believe that the case can still be solved and that they are committed to finding Herndon's killer.
- Lack of Evidence: One of the challenges in solving Herndon's murder is the lack of physical evidence. Without DNA evidence or fingerprints, it is difficult to identify the killer. Additionally, the fact that the murder weapon was never found makes it even more difficult to link a suspect to the crime.
- Witness Intimidation: In cases involving hate crimes, witnesses may be reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation. This can make it difficult for investigators to gather information about the crime and identify the killer.
- Homophobic Bias: In the 1980s, there was a great deal of homophobic bias within law enforcement. This bias may have influenced the investigation into Herndon's murder, leading to missed clues or a lack of urgency in solving the case.
Despite the challenges, the San Francisco Police Department continues to investigate Herndon's murder. The ongoing investigation is a reminder that unsolved murders can and should be solved, and that justice for victims and their families is always possible.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lance Herndon Murder Case
The murder of Lance Herndon remains unsolved, but the case continues to be investigated by the San Francisco Police Department. Here are some frequently asked questions about the case:
Question 1: Who was Lance Herndon?Lance Herndon was a 22-year-old gay man who was found dead in his San Francisco apartment in 1988. He was killed by a single gunshot to the head.
Question 2: What is the motive for Herndon's murder?The motive for Herndon's murder is unknown. Some believe that he was killed because he was gay, while others believe that he was killed in a robbery gone wrong.
Question 3: Are there any suspects in the case?There are several suspects in the case, but no one has ever been charged with Herndon's murder.
Question 4: Why hasn't the case been solved?The case remains unsolved due to a lack of physical evidence and witness intimidation. Additionally, homophobic bias within law enforcement at the time of the murder may have hindered the investigation.
Question 5: Is the case still being investigated?Yes, the San Francisco Police Department continues to investigate Herndon's murder.
Question 6: What can be done to help solve the case?Anyone with information about Herndon's murder is urged to contact the San Francisco Police Department. Additionally, public pressure and media attention can help to keep the case in the spotlight and encourage law enforcement to continue investigating.
The Lance Herndon murder case is a reminder of the unsolved murders of LGBTQ people that continue to plague our society. It is also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice for all victims of violence.
If you have any information about the Lance Herndon murder case, please contact the San Francisco Police Department at (415) 553-0123.
Tips to Help Solve the Lance Herndon Murder Case
The murder of Lance Herndon remains unsolved, but the case continues to be investigated by the San Francisco Police Department. Here are some tips to help solve the case:
Tip 1: Contact the San Francisco Police Department
Anyone with information about Herndon's murder is urged to contact the San Francisco Police Department at (415) 553-0123. Even small details can be helpful in solving a case.
Tip 2: Share Information on Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for sharing information and raising awareness about unsolved cases. Share information about Herndon's murder on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and use the hashtag #JusticeForLanceHerndon.
Tip 3: Attend Events and Rallies
Attend events and rallies to show your support for solving Herndon's murder and to keep the case in the public eye. These events can also be a good opportunity to network with other people who are interested in the case and to share information.
Tip 4: Contact Your Elected Officials
Contact your elected officials and let them know that you are concerned about the unsolved murder of Lance Herndon. Ask them to support legislation that would provide more resources for law enforcement to investigate cold cases and to support victims' families.
Tip 5: Donate to Organizations that Support Victims of Violence
There are many organizations that provide support to victims of violence and their families. Donate to these organizations to show your support for their work and to help them continue to provide essential services.
By following these tips, you can help to solve the murder of Lance Herndon and bring justice to his family and friends.
Remember, every little bit helps. By working together, we can make a difference.
Conclusion
The murder of Lance Herndon remains unsolved, but the case continues to be investigated by the San Francisco Police Department. This article has explored the key aspects of the case, including the victim, the murder, the investigation, the suspects, the motive, the impact, the media coverage, and the ongoing investigation.
The unsolved murder of Lance Herndon is a reminder of the unsolved murders of LGBTQ people that continue to plague our society. It is also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice for all victims of violence. We must never give up on these cases, and we must continue to demand justice for Lance Herndon and all other victims of unsolved murders.
If you have any information about the Lance Herndon murder case, please contact the San Francisco Police Department at (415) 553-0123.
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