The Lawson Family murders

The murder of the Lawson family, also known as the Lawson massacre, occurred on Christmas Day in 1929 in Stokes County, North Carolina. This tragic event shocked the small community and continues to captivate and disturb people to this day.

The Lawson family consisted of Charlie Lawson, his wife Fannie, and their seven children: Marie, 17; Arthur, 16; Carrie, 12; Maybell, 7; James, 4; Raymond, 2; and Mary Lou, 4 months. They lived on a farm in Germanton, North Carolina.

On the morning of December 25, 1929, Charlie Lawson took his eldest son, Arthur, into town to buy ammunition. They returned to the farm around noon, and Charlie immediately shot and killed his wife Fannie, who was sitting on the porch. He then proceeded to shoot and kill all of his children, one by one, as they came into his sight.

The only family member who survived was Marie, who had gone into town earlier that day to do some Christmas shopping. She returned home to find her family dead. Neighbors who heard the gunshots went to investigate and found the bodies of the Lawson family scattered around the property.

The motive for the murders is not entirely clear. Some speculate that financial difficulties and family tensions contributed to the tragedy. Others suggest that Charlie may have been suffering from mental illness, and that the stress of the holiday season and the recent death of his brother may have triggered the violent outburst.

The investigation into the murders was led by Sheriff John L. Brown, who was assisted by the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation. They conducted a thorough search of the Lawson farm and collected evidence, but they were never able to determine a clear motive or identify any suspects other than Charlie himself.

The bodies of the Lawson family were buried in a single grave at the nearby Browder Cemetery. The funeral was attended by thousands of people, who were shocked and saddened by the senseless loss of life.

The Lawson massacre had a profound impact on the local community and the wider public. The tragedy was widely covered by newspapers and media outlets, and it became the subject of books, songs, and even a play.

Over the years, various theories and rumors have circulated about the Lawson massacre. Some believe that there was a second shooter involved, or that Charlie was not actually the killer. Others have reported ghostly sightings or strange occurrences on the Lawson farm.

Despite the passage of time, the Lawson massacre remains one of the most disturbing and mysterious events in North Carolina history. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the devastating effects of violence and the importance of seeking help for mental health issues.

The Lawson massacre also had a lasting impact on the surviving family members and the community as a whole. Marie Lawson, the only surviving family member, moved away from North Carolina and changed her name to escape the notoriety of the tragedy. She never spoke publicly about the event and lived the rest of her life in seclusion.

The community of Germanton was deeply affected by the tragedy, and many residents were traumatized by the violence. Some families even moved away from the area out of fear and sadness. The Lawson farm became a site of fascination and fear, with some people claiming to hear strange noises or see apparitions on the property.

In the decades since the Lawson massacre, the story has been retold and examined in various ways. In 1990, author Trudy J. Smith published a book about the event called "White Christmas, Bloody Christmas". The book included interviews with people who knew the Lawson family and offered some insight into the family dynamics and potential motives for the murders.

In recent years, the Lawson massacre has become the subject of true crime podcasts and documentaries. These new retellings of the story have brought renewed interest in the case and sparked debate among true crime enthusiasts about what really happened on that fateful Christmas Day.

Despite the many theories and speculations about the Lawson massacre, the truth about what happened that day may never be fully known. The case remains one of the most perplexing and tragic unsolved crimes in American history.

The Lawson massacre was a horrific event that shook the community of Germanton and continues to fascinate and disturb people to this day. The senseless loss of life and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murders make this case a haunting reminder of the devastating effects of violence and the importance of seeking help for mental health issues. The legacy of the Lawson family and their tragic end will continue to be remembered and discussed for years to come.