Thu Jun 4 23:23:43 PDT 1998

I agree that we need to have the map filled out with names, especially Blakely; also bus stops: Detter, Higgins, Parker. Also agree that we must hear McPhail's recollections from the case.

I feel Tommy is indeed hiding something, probably to protect his brother Walter. Tommy said he was a veteran, but the bio says Wlater was too young to serve. Was Tommy trying to bolster Walter's character to avert suspicion?

The time frame doesn't seem to allow for the children to be removed from the scene through the driveway, unless (and this is a longshot) Ricky ran to the house, saw the scene, grabbed the baby, then ran back to the road and flagged down the bus driver after his turnaround. That of course would mean that Elroy was a very bad man who disposed of the kids for revenge or money. He doesn't have a very good history, and he has no alibi for the rest of the afternoon.

If Tommy found his brother on the scene, he may have told him to get the kids out of there while he called the police. Not having chldren, Tommy may have felt deep parental attachment to Walter, and wanted to protect him at all costs, but still cared for his friend Richard's poor chldren and wanted to make sure they were taken care of. Tommy's wife was extremely loyal to him since high school, and through the war. Since they were apparently unable to have children, she may have gone along with this scheme and hustled the children, or at least the baby, off to her own relatives.

I think too much is being made of the Izard's finances. Tightwad Bowlan would consider Friday night poker big-time gambling. Sears packages--no big deal then--in fact somewhat economical at the time. Richard was the plant foreman--I'm sure his salary was sufficient for the purchases.

Being friends, perhaps Richard made Walter promises of job security that he was unable to keep, and in a fit of rage after the shock of being laid off he attacked his own friend. I don't see how the union organizers on the whole could have blamed Richard since he clearly fought Bowlan on their behalf, and was even secretly meeting with Perch to try and work things out.

I havn't even begun to deal with the other issue: Doris.

Keep the comments coming, sleuthers!

suzd

Response: 1) agreed, see map here and interview with Det. McPhail here. 2) possibly 2) it is possible that someone was at the house who left after the bus turned around, too, we just don't know 3) interesting thought that perhaps Tommy Joe arranged for the children, not sure he had enough time to do that though 4) the union payoffs to Richard Izard might be significant, the problem there, no details were found 5) not many apparently knew that Richard Izard was assisting in the union effort, note the secret meetings and appearance that only a few of the top organizers knew this. Thanks for the comments, keep them coming.

Ok, I've noticed a few things, they may just be trivial, but, you never know.

1) The Blakeneys live somewhere between #218-#212, because Tommy Joe delivered their mail before Ms. Catlett, and Catlett was before the Izards'.
2) There was blood on the handle of the shovel, and on Tommy Joe's hands. This struck me because why would there be blood on the handle, unless the killer fought Mr. Izard before he died, or Tommy Joe picked up the shovel for some reason.
3) I think Tommy Joe actually knew about the layoffs before hand. In his interview he says "I didn't know about the layoffs being OFFICIAL." Maybe everyone just read it wrong and thought he was saying he DIDN'T know about them.
4) Tommy Joe got very angry when he found out his brother Walter had been laid off. Walter Hinkley was also one of the people who had not been cleared as a suspect or has a verified alibi.
5) T.J. spit his tobacco directly onto the floor of the Izards' home. Call me crazy, but if he really had alot of respect for them, and being that they had just been murdered, wouldn't he have at least tried to find somewhere to spit?
6) Elliot Perch drove a 1957 Chevy Bel-Aire, the same kind Ms.Catlett had seen over at the Izards' and at Hannah Waithers' house.
7) Perch stated he didn't know where Izard lived, but had been seen by Ms. Catlett, and seen smoking cigarettes with Mr. Izard ("Mrs. Izard don't smoke. He does).
8) Perch and Hannah Waithers may have been dating. His car had been seen at her house, and there had been meetings very late over there. If Miss Waithers didn't have a husband working at the factory, then why would they have been there. Also, when asked where she was the day of the murders, she said she "was shopping all day for a new dress for tonite." Did she and Perch have a date?

I'm pretty sure alot of people are tied into this, including thsese 3. I'm just not sure how they all fit. I believe Tommy Joe knew something was going on. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.
masso

Response: 1) see map 2) blood on the handle was likely due to back spatter, the bludgeoning was brutal 3) a good explanation 4) Right, Walter Hinkley was never cleared 5) McPhail thought it was directed at him 6) correct 7) correct 8) interesting idea, Frank Abbott was Hannah Waithers boyfriend at the time and he was an active union effort leader, her date was with Abbott.

This is an interesting case. I think Doris should be hypnotized to see if she can recall anything or anyone that may have been involved in her life before she was dropped off at the orphanage. DNA testing of the blood evidence could determine whether Doris is the child of the Izards'. Age enhancing the picture of the photo of the little Izard girl could help determine whether Doris is that little girl. Sharon

Response: Doris Hammack was very reluctant at first to consider a forensic hypnosis, however, she has decided to pursue this and arrangements are being made. We will post anything significant. DNA was not done in 1958 and would require an exhumation. There is as yet insufficient rationale for an exhumation order to be executed for the purpose of comparing Doris' DNA to that of the Izards.

N...As of now nothing dissuades me from Jesse D . as the prime suspect for the killings.Will we soon be getting some info about him?You know interviews,tire check on his car,whereabout's maybe a connection to the ring, Etc.He still stands out loudly f rom the crowd ,so to speak, He is -the- ex boy friend and has the history of attacking Mrs. Izard. Some light in his area would help! Beyondchance!
Bejo

Response: Information about Danahy is coming, there is lots to sift through. He was the ex, however, his last record of harassment of the Izards was in 1956.

I think that Walter Hinkley and Ms. Hawkins had something to do with the murders.Thomas Hinkley sounded quite cold when being questioned by Det.McPhail.First of all Ms.Hawkins was home all day,she heard and saw nothing.I don't know about you ,but, in sm all towns neighbors are nosey.It's like a fishbowl. I think she's the lady that dropped LeeAnn off at the orphanage.The Footprint belonged to someone that worked in a factory or around machinery all the time.The tire belonged to a car in pretty poor condi tion.Apparently the fender was rubbing on the tire. What kind of car did Walter Hinkley Drive? How far away did he live from town?

goldfeather

Response: You are on the mark about small towns at the time. Investigators agreed with your assessment on Thomas Joe Hinkley, and his brother Walter was never cleared. Mrs. Hawkins appears to have been very much a gossip and did note the speeding vehicle at the Izard drive. Walter Hinkley drove a Ford pickup from the records.

Nelson
We need a list of who lives where, like Blakeney because i guess that was where he was when he saw the busdriver. Since Ricky was a boy scout it seems that he would have either stayed with his parents or gone to a neighbors house for help. I ca only guess he checked to see if his sister was okay finding her gone he probably picked up her cap and blanket went searching for her since she was pretty precocious checked by the creek to see if she was there and that is where I believe he met foul pla y.
Rayson

Response: Hope the map of County Road 106 residents has been of some help, view that here. Your theory on Ricky is one of the widely held theories at that time.

Where is the Izzard case currently at???
I feel a little like all the work is being done by you
guys and we are getting no feedback.
You must surley by this time have unearthed some records
of the family and been able to craete a positive identity
to either the ring or the woman?
It would be very valuable if you could somehow cause a flaw
to appear in the Izzard evidence.

Yours etc...etc...

Gunfighter

Response: Currently we are attempting to determine who Doris Hammack might be, we have no records to create a positive identity, and what relationship if any she has to the Izard murder cases. Is there a connection here, and if so, will it help to solve the open murder cases? The ring has been confirmed to match that missing from the murder scene. What are your thoughts?

what's up fellow sleuths?
I've got some interesting things that I noticed. But before I go rambling, in the e-mail I got from Detective Nelson, he wrote that information about Jesse Danahy would be coming this week, so everybody questions will finall y be answered. But I'm guessing that the information won't be too rewarding. If Jesse Danahy comitted those murders, he would have been arrested in 1958. He is the most obvious subject, and everyone told Det. McPhail to look into him. EVERY SINGLE NEIG HBOR MENTIONED HIM. He would have been the first person they investigated. But, it is true he was never cleared of the murders. I think that we should use that list of laid-off factory workers to see more that just who was cleared in the murders. I th ink they tell us who is deceased and whose whereabouts aren't known for a reason. Remeber, "Mr. Hammack" lived with Doris for two years, and then he is supposedly dead. i think we should cross-reference who has not been cleared and who is missing or dea d.
I also think that we should realize that the fact that Det. Nelson interviewed Elbert Warren Jr. is significant. Remember, after finding some evidence that christian Chambers may have been involved, they started interviewing all his neighbors. So , why are they interviewing Elbert Warren Jr., but noone else's family?
I'm still waiting to find out who Tina Hawkins is. Is she Titus' sister? Or is she Yvette's sister? Hannah Withers did mention that Yvette had a sister.
And whoever mentione d the rhythmic chant that the kids sing on the playground, that was a great observation! so you all don't have to go back and look, the words are "Izard baby, Izard baby, Where are you? Daddy got the shovel. Momma did too. Ricky's in the river turning b lue. Izard baby, Izard baby, Where are you?" Ricky's in the river? Maybe we should check that out further. I want to know who lives at boxes 203, 205, 206, 207, 212, 214, 215, 216, and 217. Also, I'm wondering, does Titus Hawkins work in Oxford? Beca use he said that he saw Mrs. Izard the day before she died, getting the mail out of the box. But the place on the map that says "To Oxford" is in the opposite direction (from the Hawkins's house) than the Izard's house is. He wouldn't have passed her box on his way home from work, if he works in Oxford.

Niki

Response: Some excellent observations here. Elbert Warren Jr. was interviewed as a precursor to interviewing his father, Elbert Warren, who was Det. McPhail's main suspect in '58. Tina Hawkins is Yvonne Hawkins. It was widely held at the time of the murders that Ricky took LeAnne and went out on his own for help drowning in the river, this seems to have led to this chant. The map of County Road 106 residents should help you. Yes, the Hawkins cleaners was in Oxford, the most direct route from County Road 106 would be to head north to 103 and go east then south into Oxford, this would take Titus Hawkins past the Izard drive.

Looking at the new map, I noticed the addresses 203-207, which are on the otherside of the creek. There is also a dotted trail of some kind which goes from right behind the Izard's property (very close to the actually murder site), then it goes right thr u the creek and right behind these properties. Thought that was interesting, cause the murderer could have left on foot thru the creek, which would explain why the blanket and cap were found by the creek. Please explain that dotted line? thanks, wix.

Response: I believe the dotted line you are referring to is County Road 106 which at that point was unpaved. I'm not certain I'm answering your question though. The creek runs very closely behind the Izard property and empties into Hurricane Creek on the map. The dotted line crossing Hurricane Creek is County Road 106, does this help you? Unlikely for anyone to have left on foot across the creek, all marsh and wooded areas in '58.

Look at the names who have neither an alibi or been cleared as a suspect:
Harvey Booker
Nathan Buck
Pete Corey
Jesse Danahy
Walter Hinkley
Earl Long
Ralph Quilens
Elbert Warren

Some of these seem like just names, b ut there are a few that are eye-catching (like Jesse Danahy). NEED MORE INFO!! My brain is going crazy for more information...Oh, and detective, I would like to suggest a chat room for us, so we can compare and combine ideas.
Masso

Response: Add Elliott Perch and Earl Long to that list. There are a few others with weak alibi information also. Check the suspects developed by the 1958 investigation team here. Chat rooms are available, check here for details. More information is coming.

I said I wasn't going to comment until I read between the lines but there are a few things standing out. Ok, if Eliot Perch was at work on Friday, then why didn't he see Richard? Was he at work or not? If he was, then why was he at the bar early if ever yone else at the factory was dismissed at noon? Richard and Mr. Bowlan were the only ones who left early that day. And Tommy Joe supposedly didn't know about the layoffs until McPhail told him. Were the comments about why would anyone want to hurt Rick and he was just Bowlan's mouthpiece made for a cover-up or because he didn't know that Rick was the one who delivered the bad news? He's too stupid to be the killer, but smart enough to shut up about what he really seen. MzBhaver

Response: Elliott Perch did not work at Bowlan Glove, he went to Sid's when he heard about the layoffs. Perch was considered by many to have been involved in the murders, he was never cleared.

Oh, and another thing, like the dude wrote before: Just like the Taylor case, somebody has already said something incredible and the case is solved if we read between the lines (Remember Christian's "as far as kidnapping" statement?). Now, excuse me as I read between the lines. MzBhaver

Response: Let me know what you find.

I want to get something understood before I start posting any guesses. Is Det. Nelson trying to figure out if Doris is Leanne Izard (as I was led to believe in my e-mail), or is this a murder investigation, or both? Will you make an arrest if the murder er is figured out or is this strictly missing persons? I welcome only a response from the Detective if you all don't mind.

Response: Both. Doris Hammack has postulated that she may be LeAnne Izard. She does possess the ring setting confirmed by forensics to match that of Lisa Izard from the murders. There is a possibility that confirming Doris Hammack's identity might lead to the resolution of this unsolved case.

After hearing the playground chant, I can't help thinking that Ricky was killed. LeAnn would have been too young to help the police at all, but Ricky was old enough to be a danger to the killer(s) if they either left him or kidnapped him. (Although this t heory doesn't explain why they didn't just leave LeAnn at the crime scene.)
I also think it takes a certain kind of killer to steal the ring. I think a previous poster had a interesting idea about searching pawnshops for the missing pearls from the I zards' ring; it would explain why only the setting was left. But I can't see Jesse Danahay murdering the Izards in the heat of passion and then thinking "s'pose I may as well have that ring, I could do with some pearls". I think the kind of killer that wo uld kill someone that ferociously and then steal a ring would be someone with the kind of temper that can explode and then suddenly disappear. And those kinds of people don't always need a motive...

Response: Very true, good observations, thanks for the comments.

Nelson
One more question tonight. On the only photo we have of the scene of the crime the male figure appears to have long blonde hair something tells me it might not be Mr. Izard's body even badly beaten blood would make the hair darker not lighter.
rayson

Response: The body was positively identified as that of Richard Izard.

Nelson
1) I believe that the murders had to occur sometime after 2:30 in the afternoon because when the police got there at about 3:00ish the area map the police drew indicated that the laundry found on the ground was still wet. In Mississippi in May the temp.can be 80-90 degrees and the laundry should have dried even on the ground no less than 45 minutes the map indicates pieces of laundry sort of littering the ground not just piled in one place.
2)Also I wonder why Roland denies seeing any late night meetings going on at the Izards? What does he have to hide?
3) For some reason when Doris talks about the 'old biddy' I keep thinking about Mrs.Catlett is she the one that Doris is refering too?
4) Since Doris does recall at least 2 people the old biddy and Mr. Hammack, she should be sent old photo's to see if she recognizes any one. I believe Mr. Hammack may be a fake name but he needs a face.
5) I also wonder if the bus driver clearly saw little Ricky walking on the driveway after he had already turned around than how come the mailman didn't see or hear him since the bus and mail truck passed each other, that seems fishy to me
I have some other questions swirling around but I'll check back later and see what others have to say.
Thankx for correcting my previous error about Perch
rayson
Response: 1) That jives with the coroner's findings that death occurred roughly within the hour of the finding of the bodies. 2) The location of the Bland house with respect to the Waithers house and the late hour of the meetings are likely explanations. 3) We don't know. 4) She has viewed photos and cannot make any positive identifications. 5) That's his statement. The mailman would have arrived at the driveway up to ten minutes later, so that might be the explanation.

I really like the new pull down menu. As for Doris her story seems to fit what happened maybe a little bit too well. And of course the question comes up where is Ricky?

Response: Glad to hear it. Good question, we have no answer at this time.

DT.N.:
I was rechecking the info and just noticed that A "D" is listed by Jesse's name , is he really Dead now ,or is he presumed dead? In which case the killer ( I'm sure it was him)will not be found among the living. I would still check i f he has a child.
It could lead to the truth .I bet its Beyondchance!
Bejo

Response: Yes, Danahy is deceased. He never married, however, we are researching his history. We'll post what we find.

I think the union guys did it.

The main reason because they lost out on the vote and the majority of the people that were laid off was in the union.
Not to mention that Elbert Warren, Ralph Quillens and other union members have no alibies. A lso did anybody verify Perch's albi doesn't sound to tight to me.

I think they had Frank Abbott's girlfriend (neighbor to the Izards) take the boy when he came home from school. Because he probably trusted her because she was a neighbor. And the killers grabbed the girl at the same time they killed her parents.

That would explain why if Doris's story is true, and why she wasn't with her brother when dropped at the Ophanage.

Maybe one of the guys who kill their parents grabbed the girl and sent her to of his family members up in Detroit or he himself took her then died in 1960.

Since the boy was with the girlfriend maybe they sold him or who knows to make up for the money Frank would be for being laid off. Frank has an alibi but did they verify if she was really shopping.

Just a thought, besides how many people do you know have union gathering in their house and have no clue what the meeting is about.

and it is kind of funny that she is right acro ssed the street from the Izards.

Response: Thanks for the theory and questions. Perch's presence in Memphis was confirmed, however, he had no verifiable alibi for the time of the murders. Hannah Waithers shopping trip was verified. Check the interviews for more information on alibis.

DT.Nelson
The young man Jesse D. is and should be the prime suspect. His spurned love for the victim, he would nauterally then come to hate the man who took that love. The youngster(boy) he may have taken for himself thinking that he was his own.Then had someone take the young to the Nuns.If and when he is questioned he should be asked if he has a child ,if a boy find out how old he is ,and verify his birth info. Maybe the missing child is Jesse's and was a Izard Secret! Any rate th e answer will be
Beyondchance!
Bejo

Response: It is a very interesting idea that LeAnne or Ricky Izard might have been Danahy's child. There appears to be no evidence to support an affair between the two. Danahy was never eliminated as a suspect. He died in 1964 in a car crash along with Pete Corey.

Did I miss something? who was Jimmy Warren Sr?
t.

Response: Elbert Warren and Jimmy Warren are brothers. Elbert Warren had a son, Elbert Warren, Jr. making Elbert Warren a Sr. See Elbert Warren's biography here.

Do they not have blood evidence from the Izards murder that could be tested with Doris Hammacks blood to see if they were related? Or is it too old and too late?
Love your website!!

Response: No preserved blood, DNA testing was not available in 1958 so no records, the chances of getting DNA from the original evidence is slim, but being explored. Thanks for the support and your comments.

I've been on this case for a while (Izard) and I was wondering a few things :

1.) Has anyone attempted to run a DNA test on Doris with the Izards to see if she matches? This could rule her out or in rather quickly and will eliminate all the gessi ng games.

2.)Is there a list of all the workers fired from the factory?

3.) If Doris is LeAnn that means some one went through a lot of trouble to keep her alive and that maybe her brother is alive too.Has anyone tried checking orphanage s for a boy that matches Rickys description? or maybe school records? A long shot but you never know.You could start with the Detroit area since that is where Doris was, It's likely that whoever had her had him and they are in the same area.

4.) Also assuming Doris is LeAnn and Ricky is alive and in the Detroit area. Has any one checked to see if any of the layed off workers curently reside in the Detroit area or if they did...ever? ANd if any of them have or are how was there relation with the I zards?

thanx
Val
([email protected])

Response: 1) DNA testing was unavailable in 1958 and there are no records of Izard DNA. Forensic testing of the blood from the original evidence is being attempted, however, we have not been given a high likelihood of success on that. 2) A layoff list from the Bowlan Glove factory is available here. 3) The original missing persons investigation was unable to identify any credible leads on either Izard child, however, Doris Hammack has done some of the research in the Detroit area and we may pursue that also. 4) We are working on that now. A number of those laid off from the Bowlan plant did relocate out of the area.

I think the postman knew something or suspected something. I don't believe he didn't know anything
about the "layoffs" as he pretended. They were burning
up the lines with the news all day and he had been
talking to people along his route.

Response: I agree with you, it seems odd that he would not have heard about the layoffs.

This case is very interesting. Does the blanket match anything that was found at the site? Was the pawn shop checked out for the jewels from the ring? And how did Mr. Warren's father live without a job? Did he take the money from Izard? Doris had to stay with someone from 2 years old
until 5 when she went to the nunnery?

need answers.....lolol fun isnt it!

Response: Not certain which blanket you are referring to. The scrap of blanket that Doris Hammack brought with her was not useful and it's origins are uncertain. The blanket found in 1958 near the creek was identified as belonging to the Izard family, it was a child's blanket. Pawn shops were checked for the jewels and nothing was reported or found there. The Warren's finances were difficult at best. With some small savings, Mrs. Warren's job, the sale of their house and apparently being allowed to continue to live in the Hadley house without paying rent for some months the family managed. We are still working on identifying Doris and her past.

Has anyone talked to McPhil? Leaving such a case unsolved during his career, he must have so ideas he could not prove which might be able to be proved with modern forensics.

Response: See interview with Detective McPhail here.

Ezra Pearch died in 1950 of lung cancer, not Elliot Perch. Ezra was his father.
M. Trepl

Response: Right. Thanks for helping out.

A few ideas to ponder
1) Perch is a red herring his bio states he died 1950, eight years before the murder's. HA HA!
2) McPhail's nephew by older brother is an accountant maybe the accountant that gave inside information about Bowland's Books when Bowland refused to pay him.
3) Why did Bowland spend the rest of his life cataloging his books and donating them to a college? Was he covering up something and figured if he donated his doctored 'Books' that nobody would suspect anything? Might be in teresting to see his books but alot of work.
What does anyone else think
Rayson

Response: 1) Ezra Perch died in 1950, he was Elliott Perch's father. 2) John Weston McPhail is Detective McPhail's nephew. He moved to Oxford in 1972. His bio can be viewed in Knight case here. 3) It seems that Harold Bowlan viewed himself as Oxford's version of the likes of Andrew Carnegie and the donation of his papers and the history of Bowlan Glove a significant contribution to the local history.

I stumbled across this sight a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure I get it. Is the reader trying to solve the case for his own edification of is he competeing against the other readers? Is this a real case of out of someones imagination? Rhenish

Response: Welcome to Crime Scene, Rhenish. We post fictional cases from Yoknapatawpha County with updates as the investigation progresses and ask for any leads, thoughts, theories and ideas readers might have to assist in solving the cases. Read about the Crime Scene at Reality Check here. What are your thoughts on this case?

Just looking at the map for the 100th time when something struck me. If you look at the postions of the bodies, the shovel and the clothes, It appears that the killer attacked Mr Izard first, Mrs Izard comes running to his assistants dropping the clothes as she runs.
Possibilities:
a) She knew the killer and tried to stop him maybe she even argued with him. He loss his temper BANG.
b) She was ambushed, she is lying face down.

Response: Thanks for the comments. Check the original crime reports, Mrs. Izard was found lying on her back slightly to her left side.

YOU NEED TO ASK PERCH WHAT WAS THE MEETING OVER AND WHY THEY HELD THE MEETINGS SO LATE AND WHAT WERE THEY TRYING TO HIDE




THANKS,

DONNA HARRELL
[email protected]

Response: Seems the meetings were all union organizing and strategy sessions. The employees had good reason to be secretive at the time, the meetings with Izard are believed to have been related to payoffs related to the unionization effort, but the original investigators were never able to find out exactly how much was paid or exactly what the payments were for.

Dammit I still don't understand I have been reading this since 11pm I am determined to figure it out...I understand I am just not putting it together well in my head like the last case........but I do love the challenge....Later,

Response: Keep checking back for new material, you just might see the answer we are missing. Thanks for working so hard on the case.

This case seems way to confusing for me I have read and reread the the details over and over but yet it makes no sense ( probably just a brain fart ) The case about chambers killing dale and dale killin crystal made more sense...But I refue to give up on this case...you guys are awesome...keep putting out the good stuff =)

Later,
Scabbed Angel of Hell
Thë B@®®ën \\'@§tël@nd§
Response: There are many confusing elements and dead ends it seems in the 1958 murder case. Perhaps Doris Hammack might be the catalyst to some resolution, we hope so.

Can't take the heat!
Must get different beat!
Movin' along these feet-
to a quick retreat!
Response: Interesting!

I was reading over some things, and I noticed that in one of the press articles, it stated that when Tommy Joe had found the bodies at aproximately 2:45, the bodies hadn't been dead for more than 2 hours. In Yvonne's interview she says that she heard a c ar in the Izard's drive. Also (I'm not sure where), Mrs. Izard was hanging her laundry around noon, which some was found lying on the ground. Could it had been possible whoever was driving the car went to the Izard's house, got in an argument with Mrs. Izard which caused her laundry to fall, and ended up with the Izards being killed. The flying gravel Yvonne heard could have been the killer speeding away....Something to think about.
masso

Response: The original investigators believed that the timing of that speeding vehicle was related to the murders. Thanks for the comments.

Neither of the Izards were involved in one-another's deaths (I don't believe). The ex-boyfriend is too obvious a suspect. If he had done it, the case would have been closed in the 50's. The mytstery to me is where the kids dissappeared to. Some underg round adoption ring? Someone must have gotten a lot if money for two cute kids like them. Doris? I'm not sure about her yet. What's she got to lose? Is this another Anastasia story?

Response: Interesting observations, hope we are able to find the answers.

It seems that people didn't look close enough at the bios Perch's life story ends after the incident. Wouldn't that just be perfect to take the little girl ? Mr. Izard couldn't
have killed Mrs. Izard because he had a bad back and couldn't have swung a shovel hard enough so I believe the lover's idea doesn't work. Really at this point I can't tell
who killed who.

Response: Excellent point about Richard Izard's bad back. Thanks for the comments.

Mailman Tommy Joe Hinkley said that he delivered mail to the Blakeneys and then talked to ol' Miss Waring for a bit before he delivered the Izard's mail. So, where do the Blakeneys and the Waring's live? I checked out the map, but didn't see t heir names or mailboxes listed.

Since the bus driver stated that after he made his turn-around, (which would mean he was driving Rt 106 North), and he saw mailman Hinkley coming the other way (south on Rt 106), and waved to him by the Blakeneys p lace -- I am under the assumption that both the Blakeneys and the Warings must live on the same side of Rt 106 as the Izards, but they live north of Mr. Roland's place.

Or, is ol' Miss Waring actually Mrs Catlett's maiden name? Because Mrs Cat lett did say that the mailman knocked on her door at exactly 2:41 that afternoon, and she lives right next door to the Izards.

I'm just trying to trace the mailman's route and keep all the names straight in my head. Can't wait for the next updat e....mona

Response: Hope you've had plenty of time to check out the map of County Road 106 residents. You are correct that Murphy would be traveling north on 106 after the turnaround. Let us know if you have more questions.

Perch and Mrs Izard had a love thing going on. Mr Izard comes home and discovers them together. Mr I kills Mrs I and he is killed by Perch. Perch has connections with la cosa nostra. His mob friends take the children. Fat Lady

Response: Interesting theory and not that far out of line with some of the ideas considered in the investigation.

I go for ex-boyfriend. I think Bowland put him up to it.
Richard I. had worked with bowland for quite a few years and might even have known about the incidents with the ex. Bowland might have taken advantage of the ex boyfriends demented passions and pushed him to do it. that would explain the pre-meditated vacation, and the apparent vindictivness of the crime, the mutilation of richard and the relativley milder injuries to lisa. It would also support the theory that he took little ricky and dumped hi s
sister after a few years. I think richard was probably sympathetic to the worker wont for a union, after all he worked he was up the ranks even though he was management. that would supply motive for bowland.
I think that liza's body be exhumed f or DNA analysis with Doris, not with richard's, just in case Richard had come home early and found her with the ex. Richard should be exhumed just for identification purposes.

Response: Interesting theory, thanks. Both were positively identified at the time. If additional evidence merits it, an exhumation is not out of the question, but unlikely at this time.

doris a lier she killed his brother and throw it to the water .

Response: The only problem with that is that at the time LeAnne Izard was 2 and Ricky Izard was 6. There was a local belief that Ricky may have taken his sister and gone off for help ending up in the creek and drowning after the finding of the blanket and cap on the bank. No bodies were found though

There is still not enough evidence to say who the person or persons were that committed this crime. I have a few intersting ideas, and questions.

Ideas:

1. I believe that the murders took place around noon. The wet cloths that are on the ground in the map could have been dropped there when the killer/s attacked Mrs. Izard. The neighbor, Mrs. Catlett, said she saw Mrs. Izard hanging out the clothes just around noon, when she was going in her house. She also stated that Mr. Izard was just driving up the driveway.

2. Ricky Jr. could have seen the bodies of his parents from where he was last seen. He could have starting running and dropped his backpack on his way to the garden. If he looked at the bodies and walked in the mud and dirt, then went in to get his sister, that would explain the dirt and mud in the playpin.

Questions:

1. What was Mrs. Catletts' maiden name?
2. What was/is Mrs. Catletts' sons name?
3. Who is this "Billy" that little Do ris Hammack reffered to?
4. Where is the Blakeney Place?
5. What kind of car did Mr. Izard drive and where was it found?
6. Did anyone look for little Ricky's playhouse in the woods? Hannah Waithers said it was destroyed, but do we know that for sure?
7. Were the medical records of LeAnn Izard ever compared to the records of young Doris Hammack? I would think that should be done if it hasn't already.

Ok, this is a question because I do not know much abo ut makes and models of cars. Is a Belair a Chevy?

I would really like to see the initial police report and the actual evidence report. I would also like to see the forensic evidence.

P. Trepl
[email protected]

Response: The time of death estimate made by the coroner at the time was within an hour or so of the finding of the bodies which would leave out noon. On the other hand, in 1958 the County Coroner was not a forensics expert either. 1) Mrs. Catlett's maiden name was Baker. 2) Her son's name is Henry Catlett, her grandson's name is George. 3) According to the Social Services Intake report on Doris, Billy was a neighboring child in Detroit she apparently knew or played with. 4) See the map of the neighborhood for the relative locations of all the neighbors including Blakeney. 5) The Izard's had a Rambler and a Ford pickup truck. Both were in their drive. Reports state that Richard was driving the pickup truck that day. 6) Good point. Yes, the playhouse was looked for and only remnants found. 7) We are working on comparing the health records. 8) Yes a Belair or BelAire is a Chevy, see a photo of Perch's car here. 9) Initial reports here. Forensic evidence information was sparse, but we're compiling.

dorisis a lier she killed his brother o yhea

Response: We have no reason to think that Doris is lying about anything at this point in the investigation. We don't know what happened to Ricky or LeAnne Izard. Thanks for the comment.

this is zzzzzzzzz.... i think she the girl womack is the
killer and a lier she killed his brother to i think so

Response: It would be highly unlikely that at the age of two a child could brutally murder two adults with a shovel. Until we find out, if possible, exactly who Doris is and what happened to LeAnne and Ricky Izard we have to leave open the possibility that she could have murdered Ricky Izard, however unlikely. Thanks for the comments.

It seems like the updates for this case are coming in at a turtle's pace. For a case that occurred in the late 50's, it seems to me that we should be receiving information much more quickly, since most interviews and biographies should have hap pened 40 years ago! So, why is it taking so long for us to see an interview, for example, of Jessie Donahy?

Just curious (and anxious).

Response: Updates are weekly, we'll post breaking information as we can. There is a volume of material from the original investigation. We are sifting out the clearly irrelevant and compiling the rest as quickly as we can. Keep checking.

The reason why I think the Hawkins killed the Izards is for the simple reason that Mrs Hawkins new what was in the sears packages, and the only way she could have known that is if she was the one stealing packages in the neighborhood. Picture it Lisa outs ide hanging up clothes, Yvonne and Titus walkes in. While they doing what they were doing, the baby cry, Lisa hearing this comes in. Lisa seeing Yvonne in her house wondering what she was doing there. Turning around she sees Titus coming from the bed room s. Putting two and two togather, she (Lisa) figures out who was stealing packages. Picking up the phone to call the police, Titus who was startled, grabs the phone out of Lisa's hand and hit her with it. Titus carrying Lisa's body outside. Coming back i nside to help clean up the mess. Not expecting anyone they got scared. Running outside with Yvonne still holding the baby. Richard knew that his wife was home didn't find her or the baby in the house decided two check in the next possible place the garden . Walking out to the garden finds his wife's body. Seconds ticked by when he noticed that the baby wasn't there. But then he heard something behind him, turning around, and before he knew it that last thing he seen was a shovel hitting him.

Situ ating the bodies they heard the school bus. Titus and Yvonne by the time was pretty worried by being exposed, ran with the baby over the fence with the baby into the pasture and then into the woods. Since it being Friday and knowing that he doesnt have sc hool for the next couple of days thruogh his bookbag down to celebrate.

Response: Interesting theory. I'm a bit confused on your thoughts as to why a pair of shoes would serve as motive however, can you elaborate? Perhaps there is motive in not wanting to face felony theft of government property? Thanks for the comments.

Several things should be noted
1. An obvious crime of passion
2. Children missing with no real evidence of death
3. Meetings whose nature are unknown and which took place so close to the place of murder that is too coincidental
4. No convi ctions
5. The story of the lady is very believable as being the missing daughter

While these items can lead to no conclusions at this point I would strongly suggest that some protection be provided this lady as long as she is in the area or u ntil a resolution can be found. I believe she is in great danger.

[email protected]

Response: Interesting conclusion. It's your thought the murderer(s) are still in the area then? What's your theory on this?

P.S.
there is no mixup about LeAnn/Dorris's age. Her assigned birthday is July 1, 1955 based on the information that the socila workers had on Dorris ( when asked in August she said she wasn't sure, but her birthday may have been last month, which in dicated that it was in July) LeAnn's birthday is June 22, 1955. That's pretty close. The people who tried to subtract to see how old LeAnn would be (1998-1955) and came up with 43, then you're overlooking the fact that neither LeAnn's or Dorris's birthda y has come around yet.
for instance, Dorris won't be 43 until July 1 and LeAnn won't be 43 until June 22. so they are both 42 right now.
Just a thought.... Niki

Response: Correct.

I find a lot of things about this cas very interesting. I've read through everything once, then i read everyone's comments, and read through some things again. I'll start with Thomas Joe Hinkley. the first interesting thing is that Tommy Joe saw the sc hool bus come down the road, and was in the area at the time, so therefore, Ricky was snatched while Thomas Joe was on the block. I think that if someone who didn't belong on that block was there, Tommy Joe would have noticed. So obviously the killer wa s someone who could be seen around the Izard's house without arousing suspicion. The statement that the Detective made about it taking so long for Tommy Joe to call the police is irrelevant. Tommy Joe was knocking on Mrs. Catlett's door at 2:41p and 11 m inutes later he called the police (2:52p)
11 minutes is barely enough time for him to talk to Mrs. Catlett for "a minute or two," drive to the Izards' house, walk up the drive, try to revive them, go into the house look around for the children and cal l the police. This indicates one of two things. Either Tommy Joe is completely lying about his actions and he is the killer, or he's telling the absolute truth. If it's the former, then Tommy Joe killed them right after he got there using the package a s an excuse for why he was there, and the "trying to revive them" story as an excuse for hoe he got the blood on himself, or if it's the second option, Tommy Joe had no time to do anything other than what he says he did. He only had eleven minutes to do all of those things mentioned above, he couldn't have done any more than that as some of you suggest. However, it is suspicious that he mentions visiting one neightbor, but never mentions visiting Mrs. Catlett.
As a result of someone's sugestion, I w ent and reread Ms. Catlett's interview. she does refer once to a "Tina" and then to a "Tina Hawkins." Unlike the person before me, I went on the assumption that Tina Hawkins and Yvette Hawkins are not the same person. So I went and reread Yvette and Tit us's interview. (Both because of the mysterious Tina, and i wanted to try and see what the person who thinks he's figured it out sae in the Hawkins's interview, and to see why he was interested to know Mrs. Hawkins's maiden neame) Mrs. Hawkins says that her full name is Yvette Little Hawkins, that means her maiden name is Little (if that helps your theory any). what I found interesting about it, is that Hannah Waithers mentions that Mrs. Hawkins has a sister, who, like Yvette, was on the phone all day. that could be the Tina that Mrs. Catlett says was on the phone all day. The only problem with this theory is that if Tina is Mrs. Hawkins's sister, she would be Tina Little, not Tina Hawkins. The only other way is that Tina is Mrs. Hawkins's sister-in -law,, which would make her Titus's sister. but if that's true, why does Hannah specifically call her Mrs. Hawkins's sister? I also found it interesting that Mr. Hawkins last saw Mrs. Izard coming down to the mailbox to get the mail the day before, but t hey just said that it was normal for Tommy Joe to bring packages to the door, since things had been stolen. The last interesting thing about the Hawkins couple is that Yvette knew about the package Tommy Joe was delivering to the Izards, and she knew WHER E IT WAS FROM. How did she know that the package was from Sears?
Other interesting tidbits... Mrs. Catlett can see ricky come on his porch when he comes home from school. She saw him the day before the murders when he came up on the porch, but she d idn't see him the day of the murders. this might indicate that he never made it that far. This might dispel any theories that Ricky ever saw what had happened to his parents. Bowlan's obvious planning doesn't strike me as that odd, he wanted to be gone when the announcement was made, but his callous reaction to the news that his foreman was killed is strange. Like someone said earlier, wouldn't he fear for his life? I want to know how old Noah Bowlen (his son) is and how old Bowlan's daughters are. I want to know if they were old enough at the time to have some involvement in this whole thing. also, I want to know what his daughters names are both their christian and MARRIED names. It is possible one of them could be the "old biddy." Somebody write b ack and tell me what you think about all of this.
Niki

Response: Lots of good observations. 1) It does fit with timing that Ricky Izard disappeared while Tommy Joe was on the block, however, while the road was not heavily traveled, passing cars and trucks were not an uncommon occurrence. Tommy Joe was in several houses away from the street and we can infer from the investigative information gathered at the time that other neighbors were not paying particular attention to traffic passing. It appears that it required something to bring that traffic to their attention such as the speed, gravel spray and dust cloud described by Mrs. Hawkins. It is possible that she did not hear that vehicle leave because there was no such attention drawn to it, or as has been suggested, perhaps the vehicle never left. 2) Good observations on the timing for Tommy Joe from Mrs. Catlett's home to the time of his call at 2:52 p.m. The investigators on the scene had the additional observational advantage of seeing his clothing first hand. It was their conclusion that he did not have the amount of blood, any injuries, torn clothing and the like that the perpetrator(s) of these murders would be likely to have. 3) Mrs. Hawkins' full name is Yvonne Christina Little Hawkins. Her nickname "Tina" comes from her middle name, her maiden name is Little. Her sister's name is Ida. 4) There are several possible explanations for why Mrs. Hawkins knew the package was from Sears. The most likely being word of mouth from the scene. She might have made an educated guess based on the knowledge that Sears deliveries were not uncommon at the Izard home. We can't know for certain at this point in time. There is nothing in the original investigation materials to give us that answer. 5) Mrs. Catlett would have to be on her back porch or at the south kitchen window of her house to see Ricky Izard at his porch. Your observation that he never made it that far is what the original investigators surmised, however, it might be possible for Mrs. Catlett to miss seeing him. 6) Mr. Bowlan's children were Noah born in 1929, Cordelia born in 1931 and married to Jackson Mansfield in 1958, Josephine born in 1932 was married to Ezra Sheffield in 1958. I don't have the dates of their marriages but will get that if you need it.

In addition to the preceding comments and questions, I would like to know what were in all those packages from "Sears"?
I believe it is conceivable that the contents was cash payoffs to the father. And perhaps LeAnne (being a curious 2 yr. old)
had opened one of the packages and knows that there is money stashed somewhere. I also find it interesting, that nothing
had been done with the property in 40yrs. I think someone in authority, had to be in on the happenings. I believe that the fac tory
owner, the union man, and Mr. Izard (perhaps reluctantly) were in on the whole thing. Exhuming the bodies would answer atleast some questions.
If one of the bodies is Mr. Izard, perhaps he backed out at the last minute. And as someone else stated, I question whether Mr. Titus was at the cleaners or not?
A 2yr. old would not likely willingly go with a stranger. Perhaps, her father took her (and maybe her brother) and eventually lived with another woman. And perhaps she
was "uncomfo rtable" having the little girl around and was the woman that dropped her off at the Children's Home.
I still have many unanswered questions?
The Vicar

Response: That would make a good cover for payoffs, wouldn't it? In this case, Detective McPhail did confirm that the package delivered the day of the murders contained a pair of shoes ordered by Lisa Izard for Richard Izard. The Izards were in the habit of ordering items frequently, many of which were children's items, particularly clothing. Titus Hawkins' had many witnesses to being at work on April 11, 1958. At least at this stage of the investigation, an exhumation would be unlikely to produce any additional information that would assist in solving the murders. Richard Izard's body was positively identified at the time. An exhumation would allow for that DNA testing in the matter of Doris Hammack's identity, however, without something more specific to tie her to the family, there is insufficient rationale for obtaining an exhumation order at this time. Indeed, there are many questions here.