ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 5, 1996 TAG: 9610070059
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
NOTE: Lede
Twenty-one years after a toddler was unintentionally killed in an apparently race-motivated pipe bomb attack, Roanoke County authorities have arrested an ailing 76-year-old man recently implicated by an informant.
Frank Helvestine III, who walks with a cane and has emphysema, was arrested at his home near Masons Knob Overlook Friday afternoon, shortly after a Roanoke County grand jury indicted him for murder, two counts of malicious wounding and arson. He was being held without bond in the medical unit of the Roanoke County-Salem Jail.
Authorities had given up on solving the 1975 murder of 23-month-old Carrie Ann Mask, marking it "inactive" because there were no leads, according to Roanoke County Commonwealth's Attorney Skip Burkart.
On the night of May 10, 1975, an apparently homemade bomb had been placed underneath a 1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo parked at the Kings Arms apartments on Lancelot Lane. Carrie, her parents and a 14-year-old Salem boy were walking behind the car about 10 p.m. when the bomb exploded, creating a fireball that reportedly was seen throughout the complex.
Carrie was killed by shrapnel from the blast. Her father, Barry Mask, and the teen-ager, Henry Newman, suffered burns. The Masks had lived at the Kings Arms only about a month.
Burkart said the bomb was intended to send a message to Ruth Ann Pearman, the owner of the car. Pearman, who is white, was dating a black man. Helvestine, a machinist retired from Norfolk Southern Corp., worked with Pearman at the time.
Federal, state and local investigators came up empty. Then, several months ago, authorities received some unsolicited information.
"An individual came forward, said their conscience was bothering them and that they had information about the case," Burkart said, but would not elaborate.
A Roanoke County detective and state police agent reopened the case files and reinterviewed witnesses. The informant and other physical evidence led to Helvestine, who had not been a suspect previously, Burkart said.
"Our theory is that Helvestine did not act alone," he added. The other person authorities believe was involved has since died.
Barry Mask declined to comment Friday night.
Helvestine's wife and son were unaware of the arrest when contacted at their homes. Mary Helvestine said she went out for two hours and when she returned about 3 p.m., her husband was gone. She thought he was visiting a friend.
Eric Helvestine said his father has been sick for most of his 18 years of retirement, watching TV news shows and The Weather Channel for entertainment. He believes another family member, who is in a legal battle with his father over some land, is likely the informant.
Burkart would not confirm who contacted authorities, but did say the relationship between the informant and Helvestine may be sour.
"But that's not all we have at this time," Burkart said.
Helvestine is expected to be arraigned in Roanoke County Circuit Court next week.
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