Thu May 28 23:35:52 PDT 1998

Very interesting case. It seems there is a mix up in the age of LeAnn/Dorris. According to my calculations LeAnn would now be approxiamately 43 years of age. I noticed one comment that Dorris would have to be less than two at the time of the murders or so mething to that affect, but in 1958 LeAnn would have been two months shy of age 3, which means Dorris could very well be LeAnn. I wonder if Dorris may be willing to go to hypnotherapy and try to recall the murders of her parents and what happened to her a nd Ricky afterwards? Has this been suggested to her? If she is LeAnn she may have those memories stil. I am also wondering if any of her foster parents took pictures of her while they had her? To compare with the picture you have in her biography and or m aybe do an age progression on the pictures and also on the biography picture to see if they also match? I feel all Miss Hammack has to gain from this is peace in knowing who she really is.......what else could she gain from finding out such a terrible thi ng about her parents? One thing I noticed in the interviews was that some of the people didn't seem to be very concerned about the murders, they seemed to be upset that the police were taking up their time, seems a bit strange to me. It does seem odd that the mailman had washed his hands so much and that he was wringing them and wiping them on his "bloody" shirt, that could be a normal reaction though, or he could be hiding something it is hard to tell in a situation like that. Are any of these people sti ll alive? Are they willing to be reinterviewed? MAybe lie detector tests are in order for a few of those inconsistent people?? Can an age progression be done on Ricky's photograph? How about exhuming the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Izard? I know it has been a very long time but it could be possible to get enough to do DNA testing on Dorris and see if she is LeAnn. What about the ring? Comparisons to the pictures of the missing ring could be done.Now for the big questions.....why wasn't Jessie Danahay interview ed? Seems he would be the first person i would interview.IS it known where he was on April 11th 1958? Does he have an alibi?What kind of car did he have? Where is he now?? I was going to suggest that maybe Ricky was Jessie's son, but unless Mrs. Izard had an affair with him or he may have raped her, that would not be possible. But if it were, then the scenario could go something like this: Jessie wanted his son, confronted the Izards, they wouldn't agree to it, he got violently angry and killed them, kidn apped both children and later gave LeAnn away?? Or like others suggested maybe he was watching the Izard family all along and finally could stand their happiness no longer and he wanted what he believed was his...their family. He killed Mr. Izard hoping, in his delusional state, that Mrs. Izard would now go with Danahay and they would live happily. Instead she would not agree, threatened to call police, or maybe tried to call police, and he killed her. For "memory" maybe he took the children, maybe he rea lly thought Ricky was his, and for some reason didn't want to have LeAnn hanging around, maybe her nightmares scared him, he thought if she was placed in a home no one would believe her stories. Maybe his female companion ( the woman that left Dorris) fel t the little girl was in danger and jessie may kill her so she took her away to safety?? I could be way off on this one, but just some thoughts I had. I feel the layoffs and union are just too obvious, but may have been a perfect "getaway" for the real ki ller. Look forward to reading much more about this case....especially interviews with jessie????

Response: Good observations and comments. Doris is considering forensic hypnosis, photographs are being collected for a variety of comparison tests. DNA testing was not available in 1958 and an exhumation is a last resort. There is a slim chance that some DNA testing can be done on original evidence, we don't have answers at this time. The ring has been determined to match that of the 1958 case, you can see a comparison of the setting and original ring in this Oxford Eagle feature article. Interesting thoughts on some motives for Danahy. More information will be posted on suspects as the 1958 case files are transcribed.

Just as in the Taylor case, the 90's liberal ideology of the authors of this story line will give a fine clue as to the true identity of the murderer/kidnapper.

OF COURSE it's not the union agitator. Do you think the authors would allow themsel ves to be identified with McCarthyism?

Ideology once again bleeds into entertainment.

Paul

Response: McCarthyism and anti-Communist sentiments ran high in the 50's, there was quite a bit of concern over the union element. Perch was never cleared and theories about his involvement were rampant at the time. Check the suspects developed by the 1958 investigation here. Union related motives were number one on investigator's lists. Perch was considered more likely in a conspiracy theory than as acting alone.

i think that maybe thomas didnt do the killing but knew what was happening(protecting his brother)and because he was feeling really really guilty he took the children and passed them to an unknown woman (id say mrs hawkins )saying she had to protect them or the murderers would come back and try to kill them(the children) so they somehow made it to the orphange after being looked after by the man with the accent (mr hawkins?)therfore ?

Response: Investigator's in 1958 believed that Thomas Joe Hinkley might have been hiding information, however, he was cleared of the actual murders.

1. ricky kr was close enough down the drive to get a clear view of at least the fathers body (if it was the father!)i think that is why he stopped and the murderer was in the trees with the daugter waiting for him and he took them both when the post man was discovering the bodies. the hat and blanket were thrown into the creek to mislead the police (ie extra non-important clues can mislead people)was the police positive the mutilated man was mr izard , could mr izard have discovered (when he can home ear ly) his wife in the middle of maybe an affair with someone and in a rage killed her and the man (mutilating him enough to mask his identity) then took the children
i know ,pretty far fetched

Response: Good observations, quite possible theory with the exception that Richard Izard's body was positively identified.

I find it a little odd that our postie friend seemed to be surprised at the news of the layoffs at the factory. Given that it is a small town, and given that Tommy Joe seems to chat along his route, and given that his brother was employed by Bowden, I do n't quite buy his astonishment when Jack broke the news to him and pressed him about whether his brother was the sort to take revenge.

Just an observation...
Quincy

Response: Good observation, investigators agreed with you.

I have'nt read alot of this week's evidence,but, I don't think that woman is Leeann Izard.If she is,she sure does'nt look like either parent.Anyone can have a ring made or buy it at a pawn shop.There are alot of gold diggers. The best thing to do is to ex hume the bodies and do a DNA test/have a police artist scan a picture of both parents and Leeann's into a computer and do an age simulation to see if it's her.I know it new technology,but, it work's.

Response: An exhumation would be a last resort, particularly based on the evidence so far, however age enhanced photos are possible.

ok...
1) I think Yvonne Haskins' maiden name is Little (read their interview)

2) Why did Lydia Caldett keep refering to Yvonne as Tina?
Someone please help me

3) I would like some more information on Jesse Danhay. Where is he now ? Where does he work? Who is/has he dating? Where has he been seen mostly?

Response: 1) correct 2) Ms. Hawkins' middle name is Christina and she used the nickname Tina. 3) Jesse Danahy died in 1964. More information will be forthcoming on Danahy and other suspects.

When I said Richard beat the man beyond recognition, I mean he did it to make it "look" like it was he who was murdered and they would look for someone else. I'm sure back in 1958 they didn't have the forensics like we do today to "really find out if tha t was actually Richard or someone else. If his friend the mailman couldn't even tell who he was they all just assumed that it would be Richard.

Response: Good point. The bodies were positively identified though.

Detective Nelson,
I think I have solved the murder; However, I nedd a little more information to put it togather.
1) I need you to look up the maidian name of Yvonne Haskins, and or close relatives, because if what I think is right the Haskins did it and it didn't have anything to do with the layoff of the employees.

2) I also need you to find out where Titus was all day on April 11. Because I am pretty sure that he was not atthe dry cleaners.

Response: Mrs. Hawkins' maiden name was Little, her husband's timing at the dry cleaning store in Oxford was confirmed. See the interview summaries from the 1958 case files on County Road 106 residents for more details. What are your thoughts on Hawkins' involvement?

To answer someone's question about Tommy bringing the mail to people's door, I don't know if it started after the union talk but Mrs. Hawkins said "a few weeks ago". She said he did it because packages had been getting stolen. Why didn't Tommy mention t hat he talked to Mrs. Catlitt that afternoon or did he forget? Was he trying to stall her? I think he knows more than he's telling. After all, he is the postman and he does talk to all these people and gets to see what's going on in the neighborhood. And whoever tried to correct me, the information was wrong at the beginning of the case so don't so it again OK? MzBhaver

Response: It seems that the only package(s) that was actually missing was the package of linens Ms. Hawkins referred to. Good points about Hinkley's interview.

I have a question: Just how long is the Izard's driveway?
If the busdriver saw the mailman in his truck - why did the mailman walk down the driveway to deliver the package?

It would seem silly to park the truck on the road and walk to the house. Especially, since he would have just done the same thing with the nextdoor neighbour....

Response: The total length of the Izard drive was .16 miles, the drive was roughly an "S" shaped drive from the roadway. Measurements from the crime scene can be found in the original crime scene report. Hinkley, the mail carrier, drove the mail truck into the drive near the house. According to Hinkley at the time, he only went to the houses to personally delivered packages that would not fit in the boxes.

Ok...just a wild theory from Cheeky1 in the absence of more detailed info.
Maybe LeeAnne was taken away before the murders.
While the boy was seen getting off the school bus there was no sighting of the little girl that afternoon. Maybe Bowland o r Perch or whatever underling did it...assuming the debt theory and not the jilted lover theory...arranged to take the child away "in case there's trouble after the layoffs. Your son will be at school he'll be OK" type of thing.
Perhaps she travelled with Bowland to Memphis...or Perch arranged for her to travel north.
Maybe the mystery female dropper-offer was even Heather a couple of years down the track.
Cheeky1

Response: The last time that LeAnne Izard was reported seen was at about 10:30 that morning with her mother in the yard. That information came from Lydia Catlett, next door neighbor to the north. Interesting comments.

where is the newspaper article that doris hammock talks about when she says its the same ring that she has tha twas missing from mrs isack finger

Response: That news article can be viewed here, it was a feature article in the Oxford Eagle.

I believe it was Elliot Perch, he came to Miss. just before the murders, he had ties near Michigan,where the daughter shoed up, and he had motive.

Response: Perch was never cleared in the murders. There was quite a bit of speculation about his possible role from conspiracy theories to hired hits. It's true he did have ties in Michigan. We are working on finding out more about Perch at that time and will post what we find.

To Wix who suggested that Richard came home and killed his wife and her ex-boyfriend. Richard's body is the one that was found, not the boyfriend. So he couldn't be the murderer. Him and Lisa are the only ones who can't be the murderers.

Response: This is accurate, Richard and Lisa Izard's bodies were positively identified.

No one has looked at any serious motives to kill the Izards as yet. Many may have been angry but not enough to kill. The fellow Perch was in trouble but only minor skirmishes, although no one has seen a interview with Donahay yet. Lets see one on him. P erhaps the Izards were blackmailing someone (they were spending more money), perhaps the big boss Boland (he seemed to be angry about Richard not wanting to tell the workers about the lay offs. Maybe Boland had them killed by Donahay (spelling) He would maybe have done it for revenge. Thanks for the interesting case.Chris

Response: Good thoughts on the motives. Many of the interviews or summaries of same will be posted from the original case files. Stay tuned.

Richard Izard was repeatedly attacked, whereas Lisa was just hit once. Does this mean that he was the object of hatred for the killer, or just that she was taken by surprise and Richard wasn't? If the latter, Richard should show some defence wounds.
I would like to know where this extra money the Izards have is coming from.
Also, can we get more information on Howard Hammack, the man thought to have 'adopted' Doris, and maybe try and identify the woman who left Doris at Immaculata? She may have ha d a reason for not telling them who she was, e.g. being aware of the little girl's history.

Response: Investigator's reconstruction of the crime in 1958 led to the theory that Mrs. Izard was not in view of the assailant and that Richard Izard was attacked first with Mrs. Izard coming to his aid. Both of the Izards have some signs of defense injuries, more so for Richard. Some good information on this area in the original crime scene reports. Information is being sought on Hammack and also the woman, however, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to trace the unknown woman who left Doris at the children's home.

one: where is the interview with miss Waring that Hinkley talked to before discovering the bodies ?
two : it looks like one of the bodies is face down how could Hinkley have tryed to revive them ?
three:illo think about it later

Response: Ms. Waring was an 83 year old invalid who lived out of the immediate range of neighbors to the Izards. All of the interviews with County Road 106 residents have been taken from the case summaries and can be viewed here.

When did Tommy Jo Hinkley begin delivering packages to door steps? Was it around the same time that union talks began? Was Walter Hinkley ever inteviewed? Is he still alive, if so will he be interviewed?

Response: It was shortly after the beginning of the union talks. Walter Hinkley was interviewed as were all the laid off workers and potential suspects. We will post information as it is compiled and transcribed from the 1958 case files. Walter Hinkley is deceased. The chart of Bowlan layoffs shows who from that list is living, deceased or not located at this time. You can view that information here.

Been here for previous cases and unfortunately probably missed a couple due to my break. Couldn't hardly wait to come back and it looks like I'm just on time for the next case. So, here is my question.
Why don't you show some pictures of Perch, Mu rphy, Hinkley, Bowlan, or other suspects to Doris Hammack? It seems she still remembers what the scary man in her dream looks like. Doris states in her interview,
"I've sometimes wondered if the scary man in my
dreams was my r eal father. But he doesn't look like
the pictures of Richard Izard that I've seen in the
newspaper archives recently, so I guess that's not
likely. I was so disappointed. I had hoped to
recognize the ph oto of my father".
Appears to me she still has a clear picture of the scary man. Who knows, maybe she can identify someone, which would answer some questions.

Definitaly looking forward for more
Thanks for the entertainment

Kr [email protected]

Response: Good thinking on the photos, so far Doris is unsure. As she has stated herself, her childhood memories and dreams may distort her perception here. She is considering hypnosis.

Why did Mr Bowlan, lay off so many of his employees and then take a family trip. Where did he get his money to take the entire family. Maybe we should take a look at Mr. Bowlan's finaces.

Response: Bowlan was quite wealthy at the time and stated he was concerned with backlash and possible violence in the wake of the layoffs. The 1958 investigation looked at financial issues, we'll see what we can put together from the case files.

I think maybe Richard came home and found Lisa w/ the ex-boyfriend and lost it (with the layoff, and maybe financial debt to add to it). He then beat the man beyond recognition, but was caught by his friend the mailman (who kept the secert for him), and then disappeared with the kids. But can't figure out what happened to the son? Maybe Richard was raising his daughter and passed away and thats how she ended up in foster care.



Can't wait to hear more!!!!

wix

Response: Richard Izard's body was positively identified in 1958. Interesting thoughts on the case, thanks.

I think that Richard was imbelzing money from the factory and that the workers found out. When the layoff occured he was given a death threat and rushed home to get his family ( the speeding car that Mrs. Titus was talking about).He told his wife to pack up (only half of the clothes were still on the line when the bodies were found.) While she was outside getting the clothes she was killed. Richard came out to help his wife when a second person killed him.
There son was walking up the drive and saw t he murder when they saw him, and chased him down ( the bookbag on the driveway). Then the mailman came walking up and i think he saw somthing but stayed away until the murders were gone. He ran up to try to do cpr. I think that one of the murderers was hi s brother. In his interview when told that the layoffs had happened he said" No" ( explentative). I think that at this point he reilzed that what was going on the when he said " He can't do that" I think that he was talking more to himself than to the det ective. Meaning that his brother can't do what had been planned. In the either one of the letters written about Doris or the interview with the social worker the statement that the person who found her parents was the one who keep her safe. maybe he took the children from wally to keep them safe. Tommy set up the cap and the blanket in the river to make it seem the kids had drowned. He sent the boy to one foster home and leanne to another. I think that the reason that Doris is able to produce a square of a blanket is because he gave her a new one after getting rid of the other. Doris is the baby that disappeared. At this is my theroy.

Response: Thanks for the theory. It raises some interesting questions to consider. Tommy Joe was seen by the responding officers coming from the area south of the garden near the fence at Hawkins creek. While it would have probably taken him longer to get to the location where the cap and blanket were found the following week than he had, it's something to think about. The one comment I have on the car belonging to Richard Izard, he was seen in his drive with his truck between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m., the fast moving car was placed between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m., this would mean he'd have to have left the house and returned. Ideas on this?

How about posting a text version of the Lomax chant, for those of us who can't hear sound files?

Response: Text of the chant can be viewed here.

I agree, the boyfriend did it. I have seen in past homicides where an ex boyfriend or girlfriend who had previously gone after an ex will have a "calming down" period, and then just snap. The utensils used for killing, the garden tools, suggests that the murder was not premeditated. The murderer could not have known of any easily accessable weapons. Possibly, the murderer was nearby and saw the Izards together, perhaps kissing, or hugging, something that suggested the happiness of the couple. If it truly was the ex-boyfriend, it could have brought on new waves of hate towards Mr. Izard, and that would explain the excessive beating given to the poor man. If anyone agrees with me, I'd love to know.- Jennifer

Response: Good observations, I tend to agree this does not look like premeditated murder on the surface.

Explain this One!!!!
Huey James states in his interview, that he had Dorrie only 6 months. She was about 12 years old and it was her third foster home...

The placement letter shows placement Date of December 8, 1967---------Until Febuary 7, 1969.

Thats 14 months???????

Whats the Deal?????
bmwdave

Response: The official social services records are accurate. James' memory was on the mark as to her age and the fact that she stayed what was a short time for the James family. When we checked the records with him he agreed they were accurate.

Det. Nelson,

Could you please send me photographs of Doris Hammock, and the Izard Daughter, together, side by side through e-mail, so I can see if I can do a comparison. I am not an expert in this field, however, I would like to try and see if I can do it.

[email protected]

Thank You,

Sean P Clemens

Response: We do not have a childhood picture of Doris Hammack at the same age as LeAnne Izard to post at this time. Doris' photo as an adult was published in the Oxford Eagle and can be viewed here,

LeAnne Izard's last photo can be viewed in her biography here.

Maybe I am missing something but in the interveiw the bus driver when asked about if anyone seen him arrive home he said that the boys were out in the barn. I read his bio. and it says that he has three girls? Who are the boys? He doesn't seem to be rich enough to have yard hands. So who are the boys. If you have any idea who they are my email address is [email protected].

Thanks
Slepiedidi

Response: In 1958 Elroy Murphy was living on the family farm. The boys he refers to were his brothers. He married in 1959.

Hello,
First thought between the time Ricky was dropped off from school and the call to the police to report the deaths of the Izard's was only 17 minutes. Second Elliot Perch lied. He stated twice he did not know where the Izard's lived nor had he been there. But according to Lydia Catlett not only had he been to the Izard's home but he had been there at least 3 times. Have not finished reading all the interviews and finding the inconsistencies. Will be back to you when I do.
[email protected] m

Response: Good observations.

Doris Hammack stated that when she first arrived at immaculata girls school, her blanket was in one piece and a num cut off the square that she still has. But this can't be the blanket of LeAnn Izard since LeAnn's blanket was presumably found i n the creek along with a cap. I just started reading this case and I haven't read everything yet, but this was the first inconsistency I spotted ....mona

Response: Correct, the blanket found in 1958 believed to belong to LeAnne Izard does not match the fragment in Ms. Hammack's possession. That is insufficient to say that she is not LeAnne Izard, however.

Just a tip for fellow Crimesceners.
Like you I get a bit restless waiting for the promised updates which do not always happen on time.
So, I use the trusty evidence search engine and key in names...
That's how I got my info! Before it was off icially posted through links.
Anyway, we are meant to be smart, Jack Russell Terrier type investigators like my dog who are stopped by nothing...escpecially in good old cybersape!!
Cheeky1

Response: Good tip. Information is added at least weekly, sometimes more often.

Something feels weird with the Box Addresses. We need to recreate the "scene" of the street.
Box 208: Yvonne Hawkins
WHO LIVES HERE? 209?
Box 210: Hannah Waithers
Where Do the Izards live? Here? 211?
Box 212: Lydia Catlett
Box 213 : Roland Bland
Box 214: Who's residence here?

Could you please fill in my blanks?
mitch

Response: Box numbers on County Road 106 are as follow: Box 218 belongs to the Detters, Box 217 did not exist, Box 216 was the Huggins', Box 215 was the Parker's, mentioned by Murphy, Box 214 was Gladys Waring, Box 213 belonged to Roland Bland, Box 212 belonged to Betty and Randall Blakeney, Box 211 to Lydia Catlett, Box 210 to Hannah Waithers, Box 209 to the Izard's , Box 208 to the Hawkins, Box 207 to Roland Jestes, Box 206 to the Stout's, Box 205 to Ernest Jackson and Box 203 to the Harrigill's. See the map of County Road 106 for relative locations of the box numbers, and the summary of interviews with County Road 106 residents for background information.

I think it is very fishy that Thomas didn't see little Ricky when the bus driver clearly remembers seeing the boy walking on the driveway when he saw Thomas coming the other way. Since nobody heard any screaming and there should have been I can only assum e that the attacker was someone they all knew including the kids.Were the bodies moved? They look almost too neat on the blanket like they were placed there. I think Thomas saw something because of the time frame. But was too scared to say.The kids or at least the girl could have been adopted on the black market which was common at the time. Need interview with Danahy one or both of the kids could have been really his since he continued to harrass them long after they were married times being what they we re if he forced himself on her she would never have told anyone not even her husband.

Sonya

Response: Keep in mind that Hinkley passed the bus several minutes after Ricky Izard was dropped off and was last seen by Murphy according to their testimony. If we can believe their statements, that would place Ricky Izard beyond the point of visibility from the roadway before Hinkley arrived at the Izard drive. The bodies on the blanket are somewhat misleading. The bodies were placed on items from the clothesline after the investigators and the coroner had examined the scene and were waiting for transport. The bodies were not found that way. More in depth look at Danahy is warranted.

I can't say who did it yet, but I'm positive the mailman and the schoolbus driver didn't. One of the neighbor heard that a car went to the Izards, but never heard leaving. It doesn't mean that a killer(s) was driving. It could be Richard, who was afrai d of something and drove that way or even he was with the killer...then it explain why the neighbor didn't hear the car leave. This is very possible since she didn't see the car....just talking to myself.
MF

Response: To this date no one is certain who drove that fast moving car into the Izard drive, but it's a good bet it was the murderer(s) of the Izard adults. Richard Izard was seen to drive his Ford pickup into the drive and park by Lydia Catlett, who from her backyard had a view of the drive near the Izard house. She states this happened shortly after noon and all reports say that Richard Izard would have arrived at home by 12:30 p.m. on the day of the murders. Did he leave again? We don't know for certain. What are your thoughts on this?

Hmmm. After reading the new information including interviews with neighbours it seems that the Izards spent beyond their means. Also, Richard gambled.
So I would look at some sort of payback murder over a debt.
And if there was a debt involved wer e the children somehow "sold" to someone in Detroit who wanted children but then could not cope with them.
After all, why brutally murder the parents and not the kids. Or did the murderer have a soft spot for children?
Very interesting so far...
Cheeky1

Response: Definitely the concept of a payback over debt has been in the eye of investigators. The main obstacle encountered appears to be how much and for what. Do we know that the children were not murdered as well? Not the most likely scenario, but not out of the question. Selling them is an interesting angle.

To be completely thorough in reopening this case, it would be prudent to establish Doris' identity. Are there any records of the Izard children? Birth certificates with fingerprints/footprints? Anything? It would seem that the Izards were well to do, so I doubt they'd have any problem completing identity verification materials of the time...
Doris' interview will be very informative.
Another thing, the actual person who commited the murder could be smart enough to capitalize on the anti-commun ism sentiment of the time, being the trouble with the just-previous union vote. What better way to cover your tracks than use anti-commie-scum stuff...

With Best Regards...
R. Elwell
[email protected]

Response: Doris' identity is open at this time. DNA is not an option at the start of such an investigation, insufficient proof to obtain an exhumation order on the Izards' corpses, no substantive proof at this time to say that Doris is or is not related, further, the need to establish one's identity is not normally sufficient to merit this drastic step. Birth certificate footprints are too smeared to be of use for identification. Blood typing is being compared as a first step and other options are being considered. Good point on using the anti-communism sentiment as a cover.

I was just wondering if Danahy was ever questioned? He seems like a very likely suspect. He had already caused problems when the Izards were married what would really keep him from killing them now. Also I think Mr. Bowlan acted very suspiciously in hi s interview. He was to quick at replying with an alibi for it to be naturally. To me it sounded like everything he said was planned. I don't see why he wasn't further investigated. Then the wringing and wiping of hands by Thomas Joe Hinkley is a littl e weird. I understand that the feeling of having somebody elses blood on your hands would have to be pretty freaky, but still I think if you were still disgusted by it you would talk about it. I think Mr. Hinkley knows something that he didn't tell 40 y ears. Why would he call people on his route white trash to the police officer and then to the news say that everybody on his route is nice and wouldn't steal anything if he left it. I think Hinkley is the missing link.

Response: Danahy was questioned, he was considered a suspect though not the primary suspect, and we will post all the information on Danahy and the other suspects as we sift it and transcribe it. View information on suspects developed in 1958 here. One of the elements that seems to have put Danahy in a lower position on the suspect list is the fact that he didn't bother the Izards as far as anyone stated in 1958 from about 1953 onward. Doesn't eliminate him, but if jealousy was a motive, then there appears to be a gap needing explanation. We'll look for it. As far as Hinkley's comments we feel based on the reports that he was both agreeing with Ms. Hawkins to keep her "happy" and also protecting his reputation as a government employee.

Who knew that the Bowmans were leaving on a "pre planned" vacation ? Why did he make his foreman deliver the news of the lay off alone and not together ? Seems to me that he set himself up a oerfect alibi for his time and whereabouts at the time of the mu rders. Could he have hired a hit man to do this ? And were the children delivered to a member of his family that lived out of state to be raised as members of his family or put up for adoption by same ? He had the money to pay for any phony documents th at he needed to pass these kids off as whomever he wanted them to be called.. Were the members of his family that were at the family get-together ever questioned?

Response: From the files it appears that Bowlan was very "close to the vest" on his plans, not telling anyone until the morning of the layoffs, and then only his secretary, the paymaster and Richard Izard were told directly. He was clearly concerned for his own safety and that of his family due to the layoff announcement, he left to be out of harm's way. He never denied that. The entire family was questioned, but nothing was found to indicate that the family took the children, though Bowlan's involvement in a conspiracy was considered. Interesting thinking on the children, we'll look further.

1.) Was there ever an interview with elroy murphy?
a.) if so is it possible to read it?
2.) Was there ever an interview with the danahay boy?
a.) if so is it possible to read it?
3.) Was there ever an interview with Dorris?
a.) if so is it possible to read it ?
4.) What was the city's feeling about the moving in of the union?
5.) What was the city council's feeling on the lay offs, the union, and the factory?
a.)Did the owner have any personal friends in loc al government and what did they do , how were ther intrest served by old man Bowlan?
6.) Has anybody ever explored the possibilty of old man Bowlan orchestrating the crime?
A.) Specifically , what if this was supposed to be a kidnapping that went wrong to either make the union look bad or to divert public opinion from the lay-offs and the union at the same time?

Response: 1) Yes, view Elroy Murphy interview here. 2) Danahy was interviewed and looked at extensively as a suspect. His information and interviews summaries will be posted, he was, however, considered a secondary suspect in the original investigation. 3) Doris' interview can be viewed here in either text or video clip format. 4) The city was of course distressed to lose jobs, but powerless to do anything about it, there is indication that Bowlan was quite out of favor with the current Board of Supervisors in 1958. 5) No interests served. 6) Yes, but there is nothing concrete to implicate Bowlan, looks suspicious though, doesn't it?