Darlene Hooper

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Witness Interview: Darlene Hooper: Darlene Hooper is the night manager at Proud Larry's in Oxford. She was interviewed regarding her knowledge of any information that might lead to the identification and arrest of the "Proud Larry's Attacker" and subsequently about her knowledge of Victoria Lee Symons role in the escape of Edward Arthur Pierce and Anthony Phelps. Excerpts from interviews conducted on Sunday, September 21 at Proud Larry's, and from Sunday September 28 are published here.

DN = Detective Nelson DH = Darlene Hooper
DN: For the record, please state your full name, birthdate, current address and occupation please.
DH: Darlene Laura Hooper, 8/17/73, 305 Dixie Creek Cove, Oxford, I'm night manager for Proud Larry's.
DN: That is the Dixie Creek apartments?
DH: Yes.
DN: You know we've been here before and asked you to keep a watch for any unusual behavior, anything that might relate to the string of prior rape attacks in August. Have you noticed anything that might be helpful to us since the last time we talked?
DH: No. I've kept notes of all the fights we've had and passed that along to you at the Sheriff's office. I haven't noticed anything in particular, no one that seemed to be singling out anyone, nothing out of the ordinary. I've had no reports from any of the staff about any troublemakers after work either.
DN: We appreciate the way you have kept us informed, thank you. I'd like to ask you specifically about Anthony Phelps. You know him?
DH: Yes. I know who he is. He's a regular here, but not here all the time like some. He drinks, but has never been a problem, seems to keep it within limits he can handle.
DN: Has he ever been in any arguments here?
DH: None that I'm aware of.
DN: What can you tell me about Tony?
DH: Like I said, he's quiet, he's not here every night, mostly weekends, as best as I can remember he wasn't here all summer, makes sense, he's a student. He hasn't had any fights I can think of, he drinks alot, but seems to keep it to beer and within what he can handle.
DN: Has he ever made any remarks that you know of, or harassed any of the female staff?
DH: Nothing I ever saw myself, and no one ever reported him as a problem customer, they are supposed to do that.
DN: Have you ever noticed him hanging around before or after the bar opens and closes?
DH: No. He's never been here before the crowd gets going about 9:00 to 9:30 at night, I've never seen him in here earlier. I can't say I've seen him hanging around when I leave, but I leave later than most, so it might be better to ask one of the bouncers or staff that leave before I do.
DN: We will do that, thanks. Let's talk for minute about Ed Pierce. You do know who he is?
DH: Sure. He's been a regular here for years, before he got arrested of course.
DN: What can you tell me about him?
DH: Well, he was a bizarre. Some nights he was fine, some night's he'd come in dressed in costume, but then lots do from time to time, but when he did he acted like it was license to behave badly, never saw him in costume that he didn't get out of control in some way. I had to have Mark talk to him more than once. That's one of our bouncers.
DN: Go on, please.
DH: Okay, let me think. I remember a few nights he really came on to the ladies, was making them uncomfortable. Tried dancing with women that didn't want to dance -- you know dragged them onto the floor and things. I remember a few fights. All those times we had to throw him out. Once we called the police to make him leave the premises. It's been awhile, I can't think of anything else. I've told you most of this before.
DN: Yes you have. Sometimes going over it again makes another thought come to the surface. Did Edward Pierce and Anthony Phelps ever come in together?
DH: No. I know who they both are and remember fairly well. Tony was part of the campus jock crowd. He hung out with guys from campus, was usually here in a group -- mostly guys. He stuck to beer, never saw him hanging with the druggies. Ed on the other hand was here more often and he would usually come in alone. He was part of the drug scene and usually gravitated to whatever Shovels were in. He came in late and usually left with the Cooter's crowd. I can't remember a time I ever saw the two, Tony and Ed, in the same group.
DN: When was the last time you saw Tony here?
DH: I think it was right after classes started at Ole Miss, we had a campus night in here, let's see, the first one was a weekday, August 20th, that was the first official day of classes, and the big bash was over the Labor Day weekend on August 30th. I know he was here for the first one, but it was too busy over the holiday weekend to remember. Sorry. I'd say he was here at least once after that.
DN: What about Shawna Campbell. Did you see her here at any time?
DH: I've really studied her picture, but no, sorry, I don't remember her.
DN: What were Victoria Symons hours supposed to be this weekend?
DH: She was on Friday, Saturday and today from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. She usually checks in between 3:00 and 3:30 pm. I don't know why she isn't here now, she should be. She did say she had a hot date last night and she is sometimes late or a no show after that if it involves drugs.
DN: So she is into drugs?
DH: Well, yes. You probably have all this already, but she has been in rehab once for alcohol and coke addiction. I thought she was doing great for a long time until recently.
DN: We'll get her at home and have her come down to the station tomorrow for an interview.
DH: Okay.
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From Sunday 9/28/97:
DN: Let's go over your relationship with Vicky again. How long have you known her?
DH: Let's see, since 8th grade, eleven years.
DN: What was she like?
DH: Um...she was great at first, really shy but in 10th grade she became a majorette and really blossomed. Dropped glasses, got contacts, started dating, got good grades...she was well liked.
DN: And after that?
DH: I was a year ahead, so I'd graduated, but we stayed in touch and she partied with the older crowd, my age and older, so I knew what was happening.
DN: And that was.....
DH: She really went wild in senior year. They wouldn't take her back on the squad as majorette, she went nuts really. She, had a shoplifting charge, you must know that, she started into hard drugs, she ran around, made her mom crazy, barely graduated. It wasn't good.
DN: But you stayed in touch?
DH: Yes, we talked, but we really had little in common. It was an occasional thing.
DN: And then?
DH: Well, Vicky really wanted to be a movie star, she wanted out of Oxford in the worst way, she met some guy and they went to New York, he left but she tried to get a job with a soap opera, she loved it, I guess they encouraged her, she really is good looking, and she made a real effort. She stayed in New York until the money ran out and she couldn't find work, then came home again. She was bitter and hostile after that, you couldn't mention it without her getting really snippy or mad.
DN: What then?
DH: Her mother finally kicked her out. I think Vicky kept stealing money from her, but I'm not sure, and that's when she came to me for a job. She needed to make rent. I didn't want to do it, I was nervous about hiring her, I knew she wasn't the most reliable person, but I finally did. She promised to keep the drugs and alcohol away from work and not expect any favors so I went along provisionally.
DN: What happened?
DH: It worked out. She was great for a long time. Vicky's worked here since 1994. Everyone likes her, she's outgoing, good with the customers, makes good tips, has been very reliable. It didn't start to break down until this spring, maybe really worst this summer.
DN: Yes...?
DH: Well, first she got hooked up with an underage bass player with one of the bands. She started to skip work with no notice to go on the road with this guy. I was getting pretty upset over it, she was always scared to call in first, so I was stuck. Finally we had it out over it and I told her she just couldn't keep the job that way. It got better but wasn't great either.
DN: What about her relationship with Ed Pierce? What can you tell us about that?
DH: Oh. She ditched the bass player in June I think. She started seeing Ed in August. That got really bad. She went back to the drugs big time. Ed was into that scene, too. She was hanging out with the Shovels and totally out of it. She wouldn't listen to me, I did try to talk to her.
DN: What was the relationship between Vicky and Ed like as far as you know?
DH: Hmm. Well, I think it revolved around drugs and danger. Vicky is like that. She likes everything on the edge. The more risk the better, I don't get it personally. I think the Shovels and Ed were a razor edge for her.
DN: I understand you were ready to fire her?
DH: I was, yes. I was getting very upset at her behavior, she was flirting openly in here, late, drunk when she showed up, slipping drinks, it was getting out of hand. The first week or so of September she got arrested for drunk walking, you know about that, it gave her a jolt. She tried -- was on time, no complaints, begged to stay on until the hearing....I saw she was on the edge, I gave her a few weeks to straighten up. The court hearing was the 16th and she got the fine. She paid out the $750 but was really upset over it, that was most of her savings. You know she lives on University in the apartments, with the rapes she's been scared, wanted to get a car and move out farther. She had been putting alot aside each week. She wanted me to replace the fine with an advance and I wouldn't. She was pissed off over that. I was afraid she'd stiff me again if she got it, so I didn't. I'd only go one week advance.
DN: September 16, that was only 3 days before the escape, when did you pay her?
DH: Paydays are on Friday every week. That Friday she got the check with the week advance.
DN: How much was that?
DH: She got a check for $418.20 Friday. I know she had about $485 in savings.
DN: You pay in cash?
DH: No. But I know she did cash the check. She did it Saturday right before she came to work and wanted to put the cash in the office safe, we did.
DN: She got that back?
DH: Yes. She got it when she got off at 1:00, actually I think she left a few minutes earlier that night, but it was close.
DN: That was the last time you saw her?
DH: Yes. She was due to work on Sunday and Monday but never showed. You know about Tanya.
DN: Yes. Tell me once more what Tanya said to you.
DH: She just said that she saw Vicky after work Saturday with a guy that she thought was Pierce. I know she wouldn't commit to it when you brought in the photos, but I know she was sure.
DN: She told you that?
DH: No. She wouldn't. I just know. Just like I am sure that Vicky's with Pierce. Find her before she gets hurts, too, okay? She probably thinks she playing a game, Bonnie and Clyde or Thelma and Louise or something, I don't want her to get hurt, I feel sorry for her.
DN: We went over this last weekend, but I'd like to go over it again. Do you know Macy Lamar?
DH: No. I might have seen her in Square Books, I go in from time to time, but not that I remember.
DN: Did you ever see Macy Lamar in Proud Larry's?
DH: No, never.
DN: Do you recall Vicky ever mentioning Macy Lamar?
DH: No, not at all.
DN: Do you have any reason to believe that Vicky Symons, Edward Pierce or Anthony Phelps knew or talked about Macy Lamar?
DH: No, none.
DN: Do you have any idea why Macy Lamar is missing?
DH: No. I wish I could help.
DN: Do you have anything else to add?
DH: No. I don't think so.
DN: We'll find Victoria. Thank you for your help. We'll be in touch if we have more questions.
DH: Alright.