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Justin Walker. Silent Night. Deadly Night in Oklahoma: The Christmas Murders of Jack and Elaine Denney.



The Christmas Murders of Jack and Elaine Denney: A Tragedy in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. A Quiet Christmas Shattered.

Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy, family gatherings, and celebration, but in 2007, the holiday took a grim turn for Jack and Elaine Denney of Locust Grove, Oklahoma. The couple, beloved in their tight-knit community, were brutally murdered in their home on December 23rd. What was once a quiet holiday in Cherokee County became a nightmare that sent shockwaves across the state—and left family and friends searching for answers.

Jack and Elaine Denney, both in their 60s, were known for their kindness and generosity. Jack, a supervisor of mechanical maintenance for the Grand River Dam Authority, and Elaine, a devoted homemaker, had been pillars of their community for years. The thought of anyone harming them was unthinkable. Yet, in the darkness of December 23, their lives were snuffed out in a crime so brutal it shocked seasoned investigators.


The Discovery

The Denneys’ lifeless bodies were found in their home after concerned family members couldn’t reach them on Christmas morning. Authorities quickly determined the couple had been violently attacked and killed two days before. Blood evidence painted a grisly scene, but was it was clear a random act of violence? Or calculated and personal.

As investigators combed through the evidence, questions mounted. Who could have done this, and why? Jack and Elaine were by all accounts well-loved, and their small-town home didn’t seem to hold any valuables that would attract a thief. Forensic specialists and detectives worked tirelessly over the next several weeks, but progress was slow. Leads trickled in, but answers were scarce.

The small town of Locust Grove was left on edge. A killer was out there—perhaps even among them.

 

A Break in the Case

For years, the murders of Jack and Elaine Denney went unsolved. The investigation stalled as authorities exhausted leads and tips dried up. The case was a lingering wound for the Denney family and the community, a painful reminder that justice had not been served.

But in 2010, a name emerged that reignited the investigation: Justin James Walker. Walker, a man with a criminal history, had been on authorities’ radar for years. A combination of confessions, information that came to light by grand jury and dogged determination from law enforcement pointed to him as the Denneys' killer. It was a moment of both relief and disbelief—after years of waiting, the pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into place.

Walker, who had ties to the area, was accused of targeting the Denneys, breaking into their home, and brutally attacking them. His motive remained murky, but prosecutors argued it stemmed from a twisted mix of robbery and personal rage.

 Justice for Jack and Elaine

It took years for Justin James Walker to face a courtroom, but in 2018, justice finally caught up with him. After a plea deal was reached, Walker was found guilty of the murders of Jack and Elaine Denney. This brought a sense of closure to the Denney family, who had endured over a decade of grief and unanswered questions.

Walker was sentenced to 40 years in prison for each 2nd degree manslaughter charge. For the family and friends of the Denneys, it was a bittersweet victory—justice had been served, but it could never bring back the beloved couple who were taken so violently.


A Community Forever Changed

Locust Grove, a town where people still look out for one another, was forever changed by the tragedy. The Denneys’ murders left scars that will never fully heal, but their memory continues to live on in the hearts of those who loved them.

The Christmas Murders of Jack and Elaine Denney remind us that behind every headline and court case is a family forever altered. Their tragic deaths may have cast a shadow over one holiday season, but their lives—full of kindness and love—are what those closest to them choose to remember.

For more stories of true crime and justice, subscribe to Hitched 2 Homicide wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us for updates, insights, and the human stories behind the headlines.


Sources used for this podcast:

1.     oxygen.com. (2019, December 21). Cold Case of Neighborhood Grandparents’ Christmas Slaying Solved After A Decade. Retrieved from https://www.oxygen.com/homicide-for-the-holidays/crime-news/jack-elaine-denney-murder-christmas-justin-walker

2.     newspapers.com. (2008, January 13). Double killing remains mystery. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/image/910056050/?terms=Elaine%20Jack%20Denney

3.     newson6.com. (2019, March 28). Tahlequah Man Pleads Guilty to 2007 Denney Christmas Murders. Retrieved from https://www.newson6.com/story/5e35c9e82f69d76f6201461c/tahlequah-man-pleads-guilty-to-2007-denney-christmas-murders

6.     facebook.com. (2017, November 3). The Story of Jack and Elaine Denney of Locust Grove. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2029259257310396

7.     ktul.com. (2018, February 1). Unsolved Mystery: A decade After the Denney Killings, still No arrests and no motive. Retrieved from https://ktul.com/news/investigations/unsolved-mystery-a-decade-after-the-denney-killings-clues-still-coming-in-but-no-arrests

8.     ktul.com. (2018, March 9). Arrest made in decade-old double murder case. Retrieved from https://ktul.com/news/investigations/arrest-made-in-decade-old-double-murder-case

9.     ktul.com. (2018, March 9). Tahlequah man indicted for decade-old double murder case. Retrieved from https://ktul.com/news/local/tahlequah-man-indicted-for-decade-old-double-murder-case

10.  oklahoman.com. (2018, Maarch 9). New Investigation of decade-old Oklahoma cold case identifies a suspect. Retrieved from https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/columns/2018/03/09/new-investigation-of-decade-old-oklahoma-cold-case-identifies-a-suspect/60538658007/

11.  justice.gov. (20014, April 3). Tahlequah Man Sentenced To 120 Months for Possession of Stolen Firearm. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-edok/pr/tahlequah-man-sentenced-120-months-possession-stolen-firearm

Photos and Videos

1.     oxygen.com. (2019, December 21). Cold Case of Neighborhood Grandparents’ Christmas Slaying Solved After A Decade. Retrieved from https://www.oxygen.com/homicide-for-the-holidays/crime-news/jack-elaine-denney-murder-christmas-justin-walker

2.     newspapers.com. (2008, January 13). Double killing remains mystery. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/image/910056050/?terms=Elaine%20Jack%20Denney

3.     newson6.com. (2019, March 28). Tahlequah Man Pleads Guilty to 2007 Denney Christmas Murders. Retrieved from https://www.newson6.com/story/5e35c9e82f69d76f6201461c/tahlequah-man-pleads-guilty-to-2007-denney-christmas-murders

6.     facebook.com. (2017, November 3). The Story of Jack and Elaine Denney of Locust Grove. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2029259257310396

7.     ktul.com. (2018, February 1). Unsolved Mystery: A decade After the Denney Killings, still No arrests and no motive. Retrieved from https://ktul.com/news/investigations/unsolved-mystery-a-decade-after-the-denney-killings-clues-still-coming-in-but-no-arrests

8.     ktul.com. (2018, March 9). Arrest made in decade-old double murder case. Retrieved from https://ktul.com/news/investigations/arrest-made-in-decade-old-double-murder-case

9.     ktul.com. (2018, March 9). Tahlequah man indicted for decade-old double murder case. Retrieved from https://ktul.com/news/local/tahlequah-man-indicted-for-decade-old-double-murder-case

10.  oklahoman.com. (2018, Maarch 9). New Investigation of decade-old Oklahoma cold case identifies a suspect. Retrieved from https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/columns/2018/03/09/new-investigation-of-decade-old-oklahoma-cold-case-identifies-a-suspect/60538658007/

11.  justice.gov. (20014, April 3). Tahlequah Man Sentenced To 120 Months for Possession of Stolen Firearm. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-edok/pr/tahlequah-man-sentenced-120-months-possession-stolen-firearm

13.  Almost Famous | 2002 |  DreamWorks Pictures, Columbia Pictures

14.  Semi-Pro | 2008 |  New Line Cinema

15.  The Big Lebowski | 1998 | PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, PolyGram, Gramercy Pictures

16.  The Brady Bunch Movie | 1995 | Paramount Pictures

17.  Outer Banks | S1 E1 | Pilot | Netflix

18.  Bad Mom's Christmas | 2017 | STX Entertainment; H. Brothers; Tang Media Productions

19.  Elf | 2003 | Warner Bros., New Line Cinema

20.  Coming to America | 1988 | Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures




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All information contained in this video presentation is provided for entertainment purposes only. The authors leave any and all conclusions to individual members of the audience. The author offers no statements of fact beyond those available through diligent private research or through information freely available in the public record. To the extent that pending or settled criminal matters or crime or possible crimes, are discussed in this video presentation. All parties or defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. To the extent that any pending or settle civil matters are discussed in this video presentation, all parties or defendants are presumed not liable unless proven liable in a court of law. Copyright for material incorporated and presented under Fair Use is retained by the original author or copyright holder where applicable. Our cases are researched using open source and archive materials, and the subjects are real crimes and people. We strive to produce each episode with respect to the victims, their families and loved ones. At Hitched 2 Homicide we are committed to always discussing how victims lived, and not just how they died. All podcast information is gleaned from sources given. All opinions in the podcast are solely of Hitched 2 Homicide and are for entertainment purposes only.


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