Cleo Hunter

[WayneNick]

Was it Cleo Hunter that killed Pat Hinson's daughter?
I remember the story growing up in Demopolis and he killed her just off of Rabbit Road near the old water tower and the white bluffs.

[Bocephus]

He killed a little girl, not sure of her name.

[Bug]

Pate was the last name of the little girl killed by Cleo Hunter.

[Marilyn]

Was just browsing thru some old posts and noticed this one. Was Pat Hinson a teacher at DHS?

[teach11]

Yes. She used to ride with us when Mrs. Melton drove the cheerleaders to games. Our science hall is named after her.

[AUFAN]

Cleo Hunter killed a little girl that last name was Pate. I cant remember her first name but i can remember her. I used to see her at the private pool now the WAP pool. She was a nice girl that live by the old cotton gin. Cleo was a guy that hung around the river. His brother is Fred Hunter that works as a body shop guy at Windam Motors. I was about eight or nine years old when it happend. I can remember the whole town was scared. I remember walking to my Grandfathers home that was located in the trailer park across the westside school. We were told by the teachers not to walk alone. There were police everywhere. Helicopters were flying and men were on top of the grain elevator looking for him. It was said that he could hide from blood hounds. I remember a water patroll named Bill Wilson that was a friend of my dads that said that Cleo told them that at one time he was hidding and Mr. Wilson stepped on his hand while he was under the water. His was caught down around the US Jones school while trying to get something to eat at the old store by the school. One of my classmates named Carl Perry was the one that turned him in. The story as I remember it is that the little girl told him that she lost her dog and he told her that he would help her find it. Her brother was with her and Cleo told him to do somthing like go and look for the dog over by the gin or something like that. Cleo then took her down by the river and raped her and killed her. She was found later that late afternoon. If anyone else knows the story different than I do please correct me. I am 43 years old and might remember it different. But the one thing I do remember is the long week or two it was before they caught him.

[demopnative]

I remember that time like it was yesterday. The girls name was Donna Pate and I think she was in the second grade. I had never see anything like it in Demop. It seemed like the whole town was in a panic. I think Cleo came up for parole a couple of years ago. Anyone know if he got out? I don't think he did..

[sgt501]

i have been keeping tabs on cleo.... all of the parole notices have to be sent to may office and greg griegers office... believe me we have both sent letters to the parole board in response.. aufan you have to story pretty much right.... the parole hearing that was spoken of is coming up in november. if anyone else is interested in sending in a letter to the parole board to stop his parole send me a message and i will give you the address.

[MJB DMD]

My husband Eric Barger along with David Mayton and Mike Buchanan were with Donna at the riverside cemetary that day. Cleo told them that he knew where the dog was and he would show only the girl, the boys must go away. Remember they all were only 6-8 years old. This has haunted Eric and David their entire lives. Eric has actively followed him and with Carraway Hospital providing care for Alabama inmates, he has recused himself of treating any inmates due to the possibility of encountering Mr. Hunter. Although this was 30 years ago and 25 years before I met Eric, it still bothers him everyday. This epsiode of his life makes him super protective of our 10 month old son.

[MJB DMD]

btw Mr Hunters inmate # is 110806, if anyone wants to write a letter to the parole board or the governor.

[MJB DMD]

According to Eric, Pat Hinson's daughter was killed by her father.

[Marilyn]

Hello. I thought that was what I remembered about the Henson's. Pat was one of my teachers when I was at DHS. I think I was already married and gone when it all happened. Such a tragedy. Just a note....even though some of us no longer live in Demopolis, we still think of our friends there. When we read your news, good or bad, we celebrate or symphathize with you. I don't think my parents could have picked a better hometown for me to grow up in. Thanks Demopolis!

[tommysymon]

I remember the murder of Donnah Lynn Pate like it was yesterday I was a student at westside elementery at the time there was a massive manhunt for him I remember them making us go back in for recess because they thought he was spotted in the area of the school the whole town was in a panic

[AUFAN]

Hi Tommy, I hope you are doing good. My dad coached you in pee-wee football and my mom was a teacher.