Victims’ family members say they’ve grown weary, but remain hopeful
By Daniel J. Gross
(Spartanburg) Herald-Journal
CHESNEE, S.C. (AP) — The families of the four people killed in the Superbike Motorsports shop in Chesnee 12 years ago still hope the case will be solved.
The Nov. 6, 2003, murders were Spartanburg County’s first quadruple homicide. Authorities said the killer or killers entered the store on Parris Bridge Road and executed Scott Ponder, 30, his 52-year-old mother and part-time employee Beverly Guy, and employees Brian Lucas, 29, and Chris Sherbert, 26.
“It’s a nightmare. . I’m exhausted,” said Lorraine Lucas, Brian Lucas’ mother.
Various investigators have handled the case over the years, but little has changed, family members said. They said while they’ve grown weary over the years, they remain hopeful.
A sketch was released of a person of interest in 2012, but it has not led to an arrest. The TV show “America’s Most Wanted” aired a segment on the Superbike murders in 2013.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office has implored the help of the State Law Enforcement Division to track down tips and share information that may help lead to a break in the case.
Sheriff Chuck Wright said his office has worked consistently on the case for the past 12 years. Wright said he understands why the family is so frustrated, adding that he would feel the same way if it was his son.
“I don’t call it a cold case, I call it an old case because we’re still working on it,” Wright said.
The Lucas family has a closet of cataloged files on potential suspects and notes from tipsters. Folders of all sizes and colors line an entire wall of the small room. The folders have names taped to them for easy reference.
Were drugs involved? Did someone’s envy of Superbike’s business push them over the edge? Did a family dispute spawn a heinous act? Such questions continue to swirl around in their minds, the Lucas family said.
Lorraine Lucas said not a day ends without her thinking of her son and how to solve the case. The family continues to receive tips.
When she was on a plane several years ago, Lorraine Lucas sat next to one of the paramedics who was one of the first to respond to the scene of the murders, she said.
“He told me, ‘I don’t ever want to relive that day again,’” she said.
The Lucas family said there were several missteps that may have hindered the case, including too many people on the scene, a mix-up of blood samples and parts of the shop not being searched thoroughly.
“You just get sick of it. Twelve years later and you feel you’re not any closer today than day one,” Lorraine Lucas said.
The Sheriff’s Office said over the years they believe the culprit may be a disgruntled customer, though the Lucas family isn’t convinced.
Terry Guy, the former husband of Beverly Guy and stepfather of Scott Ponder, was nearby when the murders took place. He recalls speeding over 100 mph to the scene and eventually hearing from authorities that his two loved ones were dead.
He said if investigators don’t have new leads, they should re-examine old evidence and tips.
“There’s enough there to connect the dots,” Terry Guy said. “This whole community needs healing. There are four people that are dead. They’ve gone on. They don’t have to live in this hell hole.”
However, as much as he wants answers, he also is ready to forgive the culprit.
“My faith has grown in the last 12 years. . I want to see him eye to eye and be able to say, ‘I forgive you,’” Terry Guy said.
Melissa Ponder was married to Scott Ponder and they have a son together. She has since moved to Arizona and is remarried. She said their son, Scottie, now 11, is starting to look like Scott.
“I’m trying to raise him as normally as I can,” she said by phone Wednesday. “I’ve learned to live with it, but would still like to give my son answers.”
She’s still hoping for closure and said she is appreciative of the efforts by the Lucas family to try to find answers and keep the investigation going.
“It’s been nothing short of a nightmare,” she said. “It is hard the longer this goes on and you just don’t know anything.”
In recent days following the 12-year anniversary, Tom Lucas said he’s been made aware of some positive efforts by the Sheriff’s Office.
“Some of the names that are constantly being brought up are being looked at,” Tom Lucas said.
Tom Lucas is hopeful the murders get more attention so more people can get involved to help the Sheriff’s Office.
“I don’t think we’ll ever get over it,” he said. “But I’d like to know that at the end of the day, everybody did the best we could.”
A $25,000 reward still is being offered for tips leading to closure in the case.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call 1-888-CRIME-SC.
