Carla Underwood passed away the summer of 1970, between our junior and senior years of high school, the victim of a random car theft and brutal murder after she got off work at Belks at South Park. I recall being devastated by her death. Her funeral was the first one I ever attended.
We had been friends since junior high school and carpooled to school together our junior year. She was one of the most disciplined and determined people I knew--maintaining top grades while working after school many afternoons. She bought her own car (as I recall, a little white Opel station wagon) with her earnings as a grocery store checkout clerk. She was devoted to her boyfriend and always knew that she wanted to go to college in Chicgo to study fashiion retailing, back when many of us had no idea what we wanted to study. God bless you, Carla--gone too soon.
We used to carpool together to our jobs at Belks. We both worked part-time. On the day Carla was murdered- she had decided to work full time because she was part of "Sounds of America" and was going to be traveling. She was going home for lunch that day. So tragic. I will never forget this...
When I became a Chalrotte Police Officer, I talked with several of the Investigators who worked that case. It was a horrific situation and so sad. She was a very nice young lady.
I dated Jim Broome in HS. His dad had been a police officer who had personally arrested these men many times in their teens.. It was such a sad and needless tragedy.
Didn't know Jim's Dad was a CPD Police Officer; try to recall him. I arrested 2 SMHS classmates myself; not mention their names. If I had seen a certain SMHS Coach speeding, I would have written him a speeding ticket for sure. Never saw him driving in Charlotte.
Carla was so sweet and friendly. She was in several of my classes and as others have said, she was smart and hard-working. Her murder was shocking and tragic, and a sad introduction for many of us to the brutality that exists in the world. I worked at Belks, too, and it was hard for me to go back there after her death. I remember thinking that it could have just as easily been me. She was greatly missed.
Jim's dad was before your time- he served as a rookie with another rookie that became Chief of police- (can't remember his name). Jim's dad had left and was head if Sears security...in their rookie days they arrested these two... or so he said...
Checked with a CPD colleague. Our CPD Team did have an Investigator Broome; not sure any relation to any other Broomes? Would have been 1974-1980 period. That Broome retired in that position.
Carla Howell (Greenfield)
Carla Underwood passed away the summer of 1970, between our junior and senior years of high school, the victim of a random car theft and brutal murder after she got off work at Belks at South Park. I recall being devastated by her death. Her funeral was the first one I ever attended.
We had been friends since junior high school and carpooled to school together our junior year. She was one of the most disciplined and determined people I knew--maintaining top grades while working after school many afternoons. She bought her own car (as I recall, a little white Opel station wagon) with her earnings as a grocery store checkout clerk. She was devoted to her boyfriend and always knew that she wanted to go to college in Chicgo to study fashiion retailing, back when many of us had no idea what we wanted to study. God bless you, Carla--gone too soon.
Patricia Welsome (Waldron)
We used to carpool together to our jobs at Belks. We both worked part-time. On the day Carla was murdered- she had decided to work full time because she was part of "Sounds of America" and was going to be traveling. She was going home for lunch that day. So tragic. I will never forget this...
Keith Shannon
When I became a Chalrotte Police Officer, I talked with several of the Investigators who worked that case. It was a horrific situation and so sad. She was a very nice young lady.
Patricia Welsome (Waldron)
I dated Jim Broome in HS. His dad had been a police officer who had personally arrested these men many times in their teens.. It was such a sad and needless tragedy.
Keith Shannon
Didn't know Jim's Dad was a CPD Police Officer; try to recall him. I arrested 2 SMHS classmates myself; not mention their names. If I had seen a certain SMHS Coach speeding, I would have written him a speeding ticket for sure. Never saw him driving in Charlotte.
Leslie Ellis (Kirkland)
Carla was so sweet and friendly. She was in several of my classes and as others have said, she was smart and hard-working. Her murder was shocking and tragic, and a sad introduction for many of us to the brutality that exists in the world. I worked at Belks, too, and it was hard for me to go back there after her death. I remember thinking that it could have just as easily been me. She was greatly missed.
Patricia Welsome (Waldron)
Jim's dad was before your time- he served as a rookie with another rookie that became Chief of police- (can't remember his name). Jim's dad had left and was head if Sears security...in their rookie days they arrested these two... or so he said...
Keith Shannon
Checked with a CPD colleague. Our CPD Team did have an Investigator Broome; not sure any relation to any other Broomes? Would have been 1974-1980 period. That Broome retired in that position.
Patricia Welsome (Waldron)
Jim's Dad. Harold James Broome- "Sam". But not at this time. Maybe Jim's younger brother? Michael? Fits timeline.