190: The Eastburn Family Murders

Jana Eastburn was the sole survivor, just 22 months old, when her mother, Kathryn Eastburn, and siblings – 5-year-old Kara and 3-year-old Erin – were stabbed to death on May 9, 1985, in their Fayetteville, NC home. 

Jana had been abandoned in her crib for three days before police responded to the concerns of neighbors and entered the home. She was dehydrated and crying hysterically with her arms outstretched, alone within the carnage of the brutal triple murders of her mother and sisters.

Jana’s father, Air Force Captain Gary Eastburn, was away doing training in Alabama when his wife and daughters were killed.  Kathryn had placed an ad to rehome their dog because the family was planning to relocate to England.  The man who came to the house and took the dog, Sergeant Tim Hennis, became the primary suspect.

This case, including eyewitness testimony, physical evidence, and three trials, captured the attention of people across the country and continues to garner speculation. Join us at the quiet end today for our discussion of this complicated and fascinating case: The Eastburn Family Murders.

Madison Reed