Thu Jun 25 16:09:01 PDT 1998

Maybe several people were responsible for the death of the Izards and the town has a pact of silence because
many were related in some way to the ones who did it. Just a thought. Too many small inconsistancies in more than one story.

I just began reading the comments made by other people and I have gotten a chill. I think that Howard Hadley is guilty of something, but not of this particular crime. I think that maybe Hadley was having an affair with Beatrice and was telling her that he'd marry her after they finished off the wife. She died, which makes sense of the fact that she loves the little girl so much. I think she is afraid of her finding out and may be the reason she is so defensive about some of the answers. She gave the child to Howard to keep eyes off of her. I think the man who could be responsible for the murders is Frank Abbott. Nobody interviewed him. He could possibly be the owner of the chevy that the near deaf neighbor could have seen. And why did Iszard talk to him, she said that she seen the glow of a cigarette, she knows that Mr. Izzard smokes. Why would the foreman be talking to someone involved with the union when he himself is against it? Many of these questions seem to be unanswered. I might be off target, but it is just a wild guess that I don't think anyone has come up with yet...As you can see, every opinion and every viewpoint counts....Thank You.
-C.J.-

I think Hadley killed Richard, Lisa, and RIcky, took LeAnne, told Miss Carmichael about it, dropped his real kid off with her and said he'd send for them when he got settled up North, changed his name, passed LeAnne off as his kid for awhile because they were the same age, then Miss Carmichael got tired of waiting and told him to come get his kid, he was shacked up with some chick who took LeAnne to the orphanage, and thus Doris Hammack is LeAnne and the girl who tipped is Doris Hadley. She doesn't have any relatives or any inheritance coming from her mom or dad's family, so she wants Doris Hammack to believe that she is her and pass herself off as LeAnne Izard. I believe for some time Doris Hammack (LeAnne) might have been shuttled around from place to place because it wouldn't make sense for Hadley to tote two little girls around. That's why the old lady is acting so shady. Now if that's not what happened or even close then I don't know. MzBhaver

Why doesn't the photo comparison include Lisa Izard as it states? It says, "Photo Comparison of Doris Hammack Lisa Izard, and Leanne Izard."

suzd

Dixon Hill, P.I.,
After reading your reply, it got me to thinking, Doris Hadley and Doris Hammond, are probably like you say, the one and the same. Doris Hadley and father did move to Detroit. Which made me think, maybe ms. carmicheal did go to the Izard house after Hadley killed them, and took the kids. I just can't see Hadley or whoever killed the Izard's, killing 2 little kids too (one who is too little to know or explain anything, and the other having to wait around till he got off the bus). I really think those 2 kids were taking away from there and raised by someone who knew what was at risk. Ms. Carmicheal, being my guess. Maybe thats why she didn't want Doris going into her bedroom(might see 2 other kids pictures displayed as well as the one she was given). And if carmicheal did take the Izard kids, and raised Doris for a year, maybe that would explain Doris's wanting a big brother while she was in foster homes. Maybe LeeAnne Izard is the one who made the phone call to the Eagle about Carmicheal(maybe Lisa is fine and well in or close to Oxford).
Well, hope this makes sense, they're thoughts off the top of my head.
wix

Okay-
In Doris' conversation with Beatrice, she said that she was given the last name Hammack because a man named Hammack died around the same time she was brought to Immaculata, and it was believed that he would have been a relative of hers. But why did they believe her last name was Hammack? It was not in the letter the woman brought with her when she left the little girl, and i is immediately assumed in her Intake Report. Nor is it stated that the little girl herself said that her last name was Hammack.
I'm confused on this point.

_Anna_

Wix:

Your theories sound plausible and are pretty close to mine. But you said "Therefore, Doris "Hammack" would be the Izard baby." You haven't proved a causal link there... what if LeAnne was killed at the same time, for example?

Nevertheless, your questions are all good ones and I'd like to get the answers. Question #4 is particularly key, I believe.

Kasy: the anonymous caller didn't identifier himself/herself as "Eagle", s/he telephoned the Oxford Eagle, the local newspaper. So I guess I need to change my earlier question (see below) to indicate we need Detective Nelson to check at the Oxford Eagle and talk to the person who took the call.

Everyone: just out of curiosity, are we all agreed it is virtually certain that Howard Hadley and Howard Hammack will turn out to be the same person? (Without saying too much else about what he might or might not have done.)

How about Doris Hammack? I believe it is virtually certain she is either LeAnne or else the Hadley child. Which one is still up for grabs. Anyone believe otherwise?

--- Dixon Hill, P.I.

I think Howard Hadley could be the murderer. This is how I think it could of happened: Howard, being the hot-headed drunk that he is, who was also known for domestic violence, went to the Izards to maybe have it out with Richard (who was also upset), tempers flared and things got out of control, BAM-MURDER. I think then, Ms. Carmicheal, shows up sees Howard, figured out what happened, went to the Izard's took the children (that would kinda explain the speeding car mrs. hawkins heard). Therefore, Doris Hammond would be the Izard baby. It would make sense then, that Doris Hadley was the one who made the call to Eagle paper. I found it curious that Carmicheal was known to watch children(whose?), she did state that Doris Hadley was the ONLY GIRL she watched, who were the rest of the kids? I do have alot of questions, if Det. Nelson or any fellow sluethers could answer them that would be excellent. 1. Why did Carmicheal wait till 7:00p.m. to pick up Doris from the ott's(the sitter)? That's kinda late to me. 2. Why did Carmicheal go all the way to Memphis to take the train with Doris? I'm sure there were closer stations they could have boarded at. 3. How does Carmicheal know so much about kids eating habits, and how they behave? 4. Is the bloody foot print next to the playpen a man or woman's?
5. Why did Hadley owe Carmicheal so much money that he signed his house over to her?
6. Did Elbert Warren and Howard Hadley both live at Piney Woods Apartments at the same time?
7. Was Hadley's roof ever checked to see if it definately did have some recent repairs (or should I say REALLY, REALLY fresh repairs)?
A few other unrelated things: I think Elbert Warren probably was beaten, maybe by Mitchell and Resbstock(since there alibis are a little shakey), and that they probably did want Perch(who probably knew he was in for a butt kickin). So, was Elbert Warren's shirt and shoes tested and what were the results? And, why did Perch stay with Elbert Warren and have a room at the Britt Boarding House?
I still think Catlett knows more than she is saying too. She made sure she knew exactly what time it was when the mailman stoppped by, why? I think she is in it for her land or something something about her interview just doesn't set right with me. Well, that's my guess for this week, till the next interesting turn!
WIX
[email protected]

Hi, I've been keeping track of this case.
And this is my first comment.

I agree with kristy that Doris Hammock is Doris Hadley.
But regarding the dried blood, I didn't go indepth to that area, so I can't comment abt that.

About the lady that called Doris, who gave her name as Eagle, I feel that she might know the whole story abt the murder of the Izards. She might even be LeAnne Izard (just a wild guess!).
And also, Miss Carmicheal might also know something which she is not saying yet.

I really hope to see the photo that Doris got from Miss Carmicheal. And information abt the woman named Eagle.
And also maybe another interview with Miss Carmicheal, to find out more.
Thanks!

kasy

P.S. I welcome any comments from u all!!

Maybe Beatrice is telling the truth, somewhat. She does get agitated when she is asked certain questions. If she was so sickly why didnt she let Doris get the picture out of her room. If she didn't 'love' Doris, why is it such a prized possesion. Otherwise it would be packed up in a photo album, not in a porcelin frame. I know if i was in the predicament it would take forever to find that picture.

She admited that Doris could be Doris Hadley, but Mr. Hadley supposedly lived alone. A woman dropped Doris off at the Orphanage.

Another thing about the murder. I think it would have had to been earlier in the day if the pools of blood were already drying. There are so many trees at the residence, it doesnt sound like they could have been in direct sunlight.

i know i probably sound nit picky, but it just doesnt fit like it should.

kristy

Okay, this is my theory:
Doris Hammock is Doris Hadley
Howard Hadley murdered the Izards. Or at least had something to do with them. It was an act of passion. Maybe he just went there to try to get his job back and lost his temper. Maybe Doris was in the car (this would explain the nightmares). He paniced and tried to make it look like a robbery (this would explain the missing wallet and how Doris ended up with the ring). What he did with the children I don't know, but (sadly) I think digging up the garden may answer that question. He probably pawned the stones out of the ring. Maybe he changed his name to try to avoid paying some of his debts (it's been said he was deep in debt). Maybe the ring was sent to Immaculata with Doris because it was the only thing they had of value. I think Miss Carmicheal knows more than she is saying. Why did she react so strongly when Doris said she was going to be hypnotized? I think she just covered for Howard when she said she knew he was home. Just protecting the one she loved. She was awfully defensive about her actions at the time. Okay, so that's my theory. Hope we get some more evidence soon!!!!!

rosie

OOOPPS forgot to sign my comment,first one on the page,ends with ,I think the old lady is hoping to die before she has to tell what she knows.

Michelle
criminal justice major

In my opinion the old lady knows more than she is saying,I think she has all the answers,or at leaste a great deal of them. Why did she keep the picture for so long?Why is it that everytime the questioning got to close to home,the old lady started not feeling well?Why was she compelled to the the girl about her and Howard almost getting married?Why did she tell her she took the girl to the train?Infact, why did she give out any information?What was so private in the bedroom?The resembelence in the pictures are very strong and I think the old lady noticed it right from the beginning,search harder,I think the old lady has a whole lot more answers,and is hoping to die before she has to tell the truth.

Ok herer is the interesting twist. I found it,

LeAnne Izard: Born June 21, 1955

Doris Hadley: Born July 18, 1955

Only a month difference.

So there are the same age, and is Doris could only remember that her last birthday had just happened. So to a child one or two months is a fairly short time. I'm starting to believe that Doris Hammack is LeAnne Izard, and the tip off caller was Doris Hadley.

Mike

I Just had a GREAT idea.

What if; Doris Hammack is LeAnne Izard, and the mysterious caller was Doris Hadley went along with the switch for one reason or antoher, and thats why she didn't want to get involed 'again' I think maybe Doris Hadley went along with the swicth because she was made to, and is now trying to right a wrong. The only thing is that we don't know how old or when was Doris Hadley was born, or I missed where they said it.

Det. Nelson: Help us out, when was Doris Hadley born.

Mike

Could Bowlan be Catlett's son from a previous marriage? Is Noah her grandson? Did Bowlan find out Izard was a Union sympathizer and speaking with Perch? Did he send Noah to do Izard in? Can this be why Catlett conveniently saw and heard (O.K. she was deaf...) nothing that day?
I like this angle!
Ciaral

i forgot to sign my statement about people bieng in on it together. i think everyone has good theories about everything.

@~~~Rebecca

Niki:

I'm from the South. Summer in Alabama isn't "dry stifling stuffy heat," it's humid heat. Betcha Mississippi is like that too. Besides, 78 degrees is 78 degrees. Body temperature is 98.6 degrees last time I checked. That's 20 degrees difference and a stiff will get "cold" (lose body temperature until it matches the outside) at a certain rate. The coroner's office should have pretty accurate tables showing how fast that happens and I betcha they had 'em even back then. So the police shoulda known about how long the Izards had been dead, right? ...WorldWideWeenie

The child Doris Hadley could have ended up with the ring after Howard Hadley (or Beatrice Carmichael, or a third party) killed the Izards. (Pure speculation here.)

This might make even more sense if you accept Sudz's theory that LeAnne Izard somehow replaced a deceased Doris Hadley. (This requires some leaps of faith until the evidence comes in... that Howard killed his own daughter, and that LeAnne somehow became the replacement via whatever involvement Howard may have had in the deaths of Richard & Lisa.) I'm not sure I can make that leap but I'm not ready to rule it out, either.

Det. Nelson: Do you have a photo of young Doris Hadley on file? If you do, please please post a web page with the photo of grown Doris Hammack between the photos of the children Doris Hadley and LeAnne Izard! I'll bet that will clear up some of the confusion. And I agree: get Doris to tell us whether the caller was a man or a woman.

My $0.02 bet: it was a woman and it was either Yvonne Hawkins or Lydia Catlett.[Oops... forgot to check if either are deceased!]

--- Dixon Hill, P.I.

Beatrice Carmichael seemed to get noticeably upset at the thought of Doris bringing up the murders again. I think Beatrice knows more about the crime than she is telling. Since Beatrice provides an alibi for Hadley by saying that she was with him at his house from 2 pm that afternoon until 4 pm, I think she might not really have been with him at that time. My theory is that after Beatrice left Sid's and went over to Hadley's place, Howard Hadley wasn't there. Perhaps she waited around for him, and when he finally showed up drunk and bruised, he may have admitted to her what happened over at the Izard's place....Just a thought.

Regarding Doris, I think she is Leanne Izard and not the Hadley girl. After all, she did have the ring, and how would she have that ring if she was the Hadley girl?

I'd really like to know who the anonymous caller was who tipped off Doris about Beatrice. Maybe the caller knows that Beatrice Carmichael knows more than she has admitted to, and just sent Doris over to Beatrice to stir up some old memories in her mind. By the way, even if we don't know the identity of the anonymous caller, couldn't Doris at least tell us if it was a man or a woman?

I know these theories are pretty far out there, but this new Carmichael connection has really started me thinking.

Thanks for another great case...mona

Oops! And sign the below...
--- Dixon Hill, P.I.

Mike & PJ: good thinking. I don't think either of you is very far afield of the truth.

Here's my take on your comments. Mike -- yesterday I believed Doris Hammack (would everyone please be careful about names, this case is confusing enough!) was definately Doris Hadley. Your explanation is the first plausible one (to me, IMHO) that ties the two little girls together. PJ -- your powers of observation are remarkable! I never thought of the family angle! But I beg to differ on the store-bought issue. Never getting "store-bought" because they were so poor implies "store-bought is acceptable but homemade is not." Ever known someone who grew up poor who later became, not a spendthrift, but a miser? I have. They spend money only grudgingly, but they insist on quality. They seem to have a lot of bitter memories of third-hand, tattered, worn-out things.

But on the whole, the family angle hangs together.

Now, if only I could figure out motives that would tie old man Bowlan into all of this...

I believe Miss Carmichael knows something. She might have been the one to drop Doris off at the Orphanage because when she got there to drop Doris off to Howard; he had died. Miss Carmichael is afraid Doris will find something out and blame her. This should be fully looked into.

Catlett's grandson seemed to be very union involved.. where did he (does he) live? If he visited Lydia often, did he see anything unusual?
Were the property line problems ever solved? fence moved?
Who lives there now?
Has Doris been shown a picture of Hadley? of Lydia's grandson?

Hi! I'm new to this.

I noticed some similarities between Harold Bowlan and Lydia Catlett and suspect that they might be brother and sister. Harold Bowlan's bio indicates that he has/had two brothers and four sisters, so there may be more Bowlan siblings around.

In Det. McPhail's interview with Harold Bowlan, Mr. Bowlan said, "That's Mr. Bowlan to you McPhail". When Det. McPhail asked Mrs. Catlett to state her name, age, etc., she responded, "I am Lydia Catlett, and you may call me Mrs. Catlett." Does this indicate a similar attitude? Neither talks about siblings, but we know that Harold has/or had 6.

The Harold Bowlan bio also states that HB was buried in a corner of his own property because "...his will explicitly stated that he refused to pay for an expensive burial plot in town." Mrs. Catlett was so concerned about the Izard's fence being 2' on her property. Perhaps Mr. Catlett is buried on that strip. Did Mrs. Catlett not want to pay for an expensive burial plot in town? Another similar family trait? Det. Nelson, are there any burial records on Mr. Catlett?

The HB bio also stated that, "The property passed to their son, Noah Bowlan, WHO KEPT THE BOWLAN PROPERTY INTACT". Wasn't Mrs. Catlett trying to keep her property intact, when she wouldn't sell the 2' strip to Otis Shaw, and requesting that the subsequent owner, Richard Izard, move the fence? Same family trait?

Mrs. Catlett referred to Tommy Joe as "Thomas" yet referred to Yvonne Hawkins as "Tina", and she seems to be the only one who refers to Mrs. Hawkins as "Tina". Could "Tina" be a pet name, for a little sister? And Yvonne was talking to her sister all day, could that be a third sister? There is/or was a fourth...possibly...up north...maybe married to a Mr. Hammack (who is buried in a pauper's grave)? I'm just thinking out loud here.

Mrs. Catlett was also quite judgemental about the Izard's spending habits. In her interview with Det. McPhail. She said "...a might dazzled by spending and not so much mindful of saving", in reference to Richard Izard, and "...Seems to well know the expression make do or do without", and ",,,she had her eyes open to what that was costing them", in reference to Lisa Izard. In the Hawkins interview, Mrs. Hawkins said of the Izard's Sears package, "They are always getting packages. The Izard's were always spending too much money on clothing and other fripperies. I warned Lisa time and again, "Dear, if you want to have any money, you must save, save, save." These women sound like they walked out of the pages of Harold Bowlan's bio.

The HB bio also says, "Bowlan and his siblings grew up dirt-scratch poor, wearing clothes made from flour sacks and never getting 'STORE-BOUGHT' Christmas PRESENTS ON THE YEARS THEY GOT PRESENTS AT ALL". Isn't the attitude here that homemade is acceptable but store-bought is not?

If any of these relationships are as siblings, I don't know what the significance is in the Izard's murder case, and the disappearance of the children, but in DORIS HAMMACK'S INTAKE REPORT concerning what she knew about her birthday...she recalled that she had CHOCOLATE CAKE but had gotten "NO PRESENTS AGAIN". (Homemade is acceptable but store-bought is not). Doesn't this sounds Bowlan-esque? I believe "the old bitty" is...ah ...um...a relative of Harold Bowlan!

When I read today's (22 June 98) text of taped interview (Conversation: Doris Hammack and Beatrice Carmichael), I initially thought I must be way off base with all the above, but...who is Merilyn related to? The Bowlan's maybe? Det. Nelson, is pursuing this avenue worthwhile?

PJ Hunter

Could Doris Hadley and Leanne Izard be the same person??? Could Doris Hadley have "somehow" passed away at a young age and Howard needed to cover it up? Miss Carmichael knows more than she is telling. Get Doris to the hypnotist ASAP and let us know what happens.

CRarick

The blood of the Izard's on the shovel could at very least be tested for type (i.e. O,A, B, etc.) and compared to Doris'. Their must be medical records somewhere in town with the Izards' and Hadleys' bloodtype listed as well.
If Perch was giving Richard payoff money, I don't think he hated him...
I think Tommy Joe only suspected what happened, although his sudden departure from Mrs. Catlett's porch that day leads me to believe he knew something. Re-interview Tom (unless he's too senile to make sense..)

Sorry the last part of my post I was typing to Fast. Doris Hammond is not Doris Hadley she is in fact LeAnne Izard.

Mike

I normally don't give into the consirpacy theory, but this has consirpacy written all over it.

1.) Ms. Catlett knows more then shes saying, I'm not exactly sure how, but she knows more.

2.) How did Mr. shaw, the previous ower die, and where is he buried.

3.) Digging up the garden up differnetly "turn up" some clues.

4.) Why was Mr. Izard wallet stole what was so important in there that made it worth more the the 500 dollars in the bedroom, and whoever killed them knew that what they wanted was in the wallet because they didn't search the house for it, so the killer knew Mr. Izard well.

5.) Doris Hammond is NOT LeAnne Izard, she in fact Doris Hadley. Ms. Carmichael is being as honest as posible until a point. After the death of Harold Hammond, doris was already dead. Ms. Carmichael was so lonely that she was the one who found LeAnne in the woods and Richey dead. Took LeAnne in because she knew she had no family left. After awhile the heat got too hot and she had to get rid of her. Took her to Michigan, knowing that Doris and Harold where dead; gave her the name Doris Hammond, knowing it would be imposible to trace, and she would not find the truth for a long time. That's why she doesn't want Doris to get the Hyponotics done.

Mike

Has anyone ever thought that maybe, just maybe, Perch and a couple of the others were in on it together. That maybe they were mad enough at Richard to kill him. Especially, Perch he hated Richard or atleast acted that way. I dunno maybe I'm wrong, but it sure is something to think about.

Is it possible that Leann Izard was used to replace Doris Hadley after Howard Hadley killed his own daughter in a drinken rage? Mz. Carmicheal finds him burying the child's body in his garden, then somehow thinks of Leann (same age, similar appearance)and gets her in order to conceal the child's murder??? I want to believe that Doris Hammack is really Izard!!

Previously, I had some questions for the detective:

1. What's is the lay of the land behind the Izards' to the woods/creek? Would it be possible for a truck to approach or exit the area that way?

2. Why was Mrs. Catlett so adament about the fenceline? Does she believe there is something valuable buried on the land? Is that what Richard Izard was digging for? If Doris Hammack is a fraud, could the motive be to inherit the land, in order to dig up the "treasure"? Could the "treasure" be something that the Bowlan family is aware of? Could Bowlan's now-grown son, Noah be involved in the set-up with Hammack? Could Catlett's grandson, who would now have a child of Hammack's age, have passed the "treasure" story to a daughter??

3. What is the grandson's name?

4. Who were the other children Carmicheal watched at the time?

5. Did the Ott's verify that Carmicheal picked up Doris Hadley that day?

More answers are needed to keep this investigation moving!

suzd

If Mr Izard was facing the creek, someone could have come in quietly behind him and attacked him.... or someone could have come in by way of the creek and attacked him, so the murderer could be right or left handed.
The evidence regarding Mrs. Izard seems to point to her running to help Richard, I don't think they died when the noisy car was there... I think the killer came into the yard quietly, after the car had gone.
Ciaral

Well, that's a nice little twist... that Warrens were living in the Hadley house after he went to Michigan. That might tend to contaminate any information derived from digging up the garden... I still say - get a court order and do it!!!

Ciaral

I'd have to agree; the taped conversation with Beatrice Carmichael sure makes it look like Doris Hammack is Doris Hadley. And maybe it's time for me to start jumping to some conclusions?? Such as the conclusion that Doris Hadley saw the murders of Richard and Lisa Izard?

Read the tape transcript of the Beatrice Carmichael meeting. She is hiding something; either something she knows about the murders or maybe even something she has. Boy, what I wouldn't give for the chance to snoop around the "old Hadley house." :-)

She sure doesn't want Doris submitting to forensic hypnosis... which I think makes it all the more important that it happens ASAP!

Howard Hadley was involved. So was Yvonne Hawkins; the "no woman could do that" was just a little too forced. Perhaps she's covering for someone else? And something just doesn't wash right about Bowlan being in Memphis at the same time as Perch.

What's remarkable is that I usually avoid the "vast conspiracy theory" approach... but this is really beginning to look like there were a lot of people involved. And I don't think very many of them knew who was really running things --- I think that's why Det. McPhail kept on seeing his evidence turn to "dust;" someone very smart was coordinating things. (Boy am I beginning to sound like a conspiracy nut!)


Det. Nelson: What's the possibility of getting a copy of the original of the letter left at the Immaculata Girls Home when Doris was dropped off? Wouldn't it just be remarkable if the handwriting matched Carmichael's writing?

And what's the chance we could get the grounds of the old Izard home raked over? I'll bet we will find something... in the dust...


-- Dixon Hill, P.I.

Oh I give up !!!! Not really.
As it now stands...Let's try this....LeAnne Izard was really Howard's child Doris...her Momma died in child birth Howard needed someone to take care of the child maybe the Izards stepped in and looked after her much like Mrs. Carmichael did after Howard went to Michigan to get a job. Miss Carmicheal did say that he would have given Doris to anyone because she was underfoot. Maybe that was the real motive, Howard went to the Izard's to get Doris back, since he had no job anymore. Maybe he told Richard if he could keep his job they could keep Doris as LeAnne. He went to the Izard's that day, caught Lisa off guard sufficated her with some laundry. He then took Doris/LeAnne home. Ms. Carmichael came over she watched Doris while he (gardened) . He snuck away driving the five minute distance from his house to the Izard's confronted Richard killed him and then hit Lisa in the head with the shovel to mask the true method of murder and to make it look like they both died at the same time. *Note her head wound had very little blood lose so she could have been dead when she was hit in the head. He grabbed little Rickykilled him and buried him in the garden he left town The Warrens rented the house from him. After he went to Michigan, he established himself as Mr. Howard Hammack later Ms. Carmichael sent Doris to live with him. After he died maybe Mrs. Warren went to Michigan got Doris and took her to the orphanage giving the nuns the letter and what was left of the ring so that one day maybe she would happen on the truth.
What do you think? It fits for now.
Rayson(Sonya)

Oh I give up !!!! Not really.
As it now stands...Let's try this....LeAnne Izard was really Howard's child Doris...her Momma died in child birth Howard needed someone to take care of the child maybe the Izards stepped in and looked after her much like Mrs. Carmichael did after Howard went to Michigan to get a job. Miss Carmicheal did say that he would have given Doris to anyone because she was underfoot. Maybe that was the real motive, Howard went to the Izard's to get Doris back, since he had no job anymore. Maybe he told Richard if he could keep his job they could keep Doris as LeAnne. He went to the Izard's that day, caught Lisa off guard sufficated her with some laundry. He then took Doris/LeAnne home. Ms. Carmichael came over she watched Doris while he (gardened) . He snuck away driving the five minute distance from his house to the Izard's confronted Richard killed him and then hit Lisa in the head with the shovel to mask the true method of murder and to make it look like they both died at the same time. *Note her head wound had very little blood lose so she could have been dead when she was hit in the head. He grabbed little Rickykilled him and buried him in the garden he left town The Warrens rented the house from him. After he went to Michigan, he established himself as Mr. Howard Hammack later Ms. Carmichael sent Doris to live with him. After he died maybe Mrs. Warren went to Michigan got Doris and took her to the orphanage giving the nuns the letter and what was left of the ring so that one day maybe she would happen on the truth.
What do you think? It fits for now.
Rayson(Sonya)

HI. I was wondering if we can see a picture of Doris Hadley,Doris Hammond and a picture of LeeAnn Izard side by side ?I was also like to see a picture of both Howard's. I would like to compare the pictures. I still believe that Ms. Hammond is not LeeAnn Izard.

goldfeather

First of all, just to put my two cants worth in about the laundry. I hang my laundry on the line and an hour or an hour and a half is plenty of time for a load of laundry to dry and for Lisa to be putting up a second load. And with two small kids and herself and a husband to wash for, I'm sure it wasn't unusual to do two loads a day. As for wearing a dress and white tennis shoes to do laundry, why not? My usual house shoes are little white tennis shoes and I have a lot of dresses that I wear at home. Anyway, it's just my opinion that these things are irrelevant.
Secondly, if Doris does prove to be the Hadley child (which is how it sounds to me), then Hadley must have been connected to the murders in some way. How else would she have gotten that ring? I say digging up his garden is imparitive.

RK

Richard came home and found Perch and Lisa together. He picks up the shovel kills Lisa. Perch gets the shovel away from Richard and kills him with it. The male child sees whats happening and makes a dash for it. Perch catches him and drowns him. Perch grabs the girl and drops her off with a relative. /FatLady

Could the mailman have been looking acrossed the pasture toward the bus turnaround , maybe he suspected someone could have run off that way... the bus driver? He wasn't very convincing about the bug in the driveway. ( The busdriver I mean.)

Too bad about the comments being lost! Sure is a tough investigation, eh, Detective?

To reiterate my latest comments, the additional data on the unionizers doesn't eliminate the theory that Tommy Joe came across his brother Walter at the crime scene, and helped to cover it up. We need an interview with Tommy Joe in the nursing home, and one with Walter Hinkley's wife, if she's still alive.

The poor alibis of the laid off workers may only indicate that they were the ones who beat up whats-his-name (the union ringleader) in the woods.

suzd

the union guy said ge didnt know where izard lived
but the old lady neibor said he came over to ask where he lived because he thought she ws izards mother.
she also said she saw his car there.or thought she did

Oh my gosh..... tooo many questions to be answered eh? Well
I'd still like to see Hadley's garden excavated, I think at very least, the wallet would be found.

Just my $.02 worth: What Lisa was wearing certainly wasn't inappropriate for doing house-work. I live in the south and sadly to say live very much like they did then. I hang all of my laundry on line, even the darks. And I do own a dryer, it saves a fortune on the electric bill, which would fit in with the idea that they were spending beyond their means, maybe she was trying to save a few bucks ( that is if they owned a dryer at all).And the clothes that were on the ground were listed, but they didn't say what was still on the line or in the basket, so it probably was a full load. And if Mr Izard was indeed the first killed and she was coming to his aid she could have easily dropped them in her panic. Also, about her taking so long to hang out the laundry: if she hung a load out at 12:30, it would easily have been dry by the time of the murders on such a warm, sunny day. In my opinon, the only thing really relavant about the laundry is that it was still wet (an indication
of the time of the murders).

IT WAS THE POSTMAN!!

Iwas just wondering if looking at the union or the workers would be like barking up the wrong tree. Sure there was motive with the layoffs to kill the Izards but why take the children? If it was someone that was laid off it seems to me that would be a cime "in the heat of passion". There wouldn't be any thought to the children in that case. But let me throw this out....Was there anyone in town that wanted kids? Maybe there was a barren couple that couldn't adopt...In that case it seems to me that someone could of have used the timing of the layoffs to kill the Izards for the purpose of taking the kids. Wierder things have happened. I wonder who if anyone left town shortly after the murders. The local Post Office should have those records. Just a thougt...what do ya'll think?

Here's another comment from me-
I think I may have found a motive for the killings, but it may sound a little wacky.
First of all,I am sure Mrs Izard was not out "hanging wash" because Lydia Catlett said she saw her hanging up the wash around noon. Catlett also said that she had observed Mrs Izard having late night conversations with a man who drove a new chevy with white fins- this describes Perch. My guess is that Mrs Izard had perhaps fallen in love with Perch and had been at the gatherings at Hannah's house.
Anyway, after Mrs Izard heard about the union lay-off she became so angry with her husband she decided to leave him, and she told him so. Mr Izard, outraged, walked through the garden (note that he had dirt on his shoes, but not on his pants- you can't work in a garden and not get dirt on the knees of your pants) , got a shovel, and killed Mrs Izard when she came out. She was dressed up because she was leaving to go to perhaps an important union meeting? Then, when the union group who had been gathering at Hannahs came to pick up Mrs Izard, ( I think the people included Elbert Warren, Frank Abbott, Hannah, Perch, and maybe a few others) they saw what Mr Izard had done. My guess is that right here Perch became really mad becuase he was in love with Mrs Izard, and the other guys came up to Mr Izard, kicked him down, took the shovel, and really beat him up bad. Afterwards, they took LEanne (I have no idea if they took Ricky or not) because they realized what had happened, and left the scene.
I have no idea if there were foot prints found at the scene, because they might prove my theory totally wrong.
-like I say you have to discuss ALL possibilities no matter how far-fetched,
Larisa ([email protected])

I'm not sure if this means anything, but the school-yard chant might be a clue. One verse in it says "Ricki's in the river turing blue". Even though its a long shot, perhaps someone did find Ricki (another kid?) , told his friends, and thus evolved the chant. Were any children who might have played near that creek interviewed?
-hey, anything is possible at this point-
Larisa

Here is what I think: After the Layoffs a few of the guys like Elbert & Jimmy Warrens, Frank Abbott, Howard Hadley and Elliott Perch. Decided to go to Richard Izard and find out why he didn't warn them of the layoffs after they paid him for the protection. First I think they went and had a few drinks then headed over to the Izards House. I think the murders are Elbert and Howard both seem to have some sort of injuries when questioned. They ran into Lisa Izard First hit her to harder than they should of. At that time Richard Izard probably saw or heard the noise and went to help his wife, he put up a struggle that is why he was beaten so badly before he died. I thank they realized what they have done and did not plan on killing them and they grabbed Leann Izard and Fled the scene. I thank Frank Abbott tracked down Hannah Wathers and told her to grab Richie Izard when he got home from school, because she seemed to have returned from shopping around that time. That is also why the two children where not together. Hadley probably took Leann to Detroit. And Frank and Hannah Took Richies someplace or sold him. That's Just my theory. Yes, I do Think Doris is Leanne, she needs to do a DNA test to be sure. Too bad her brother has not turned up yet then it would get interesting.

please comment on my theroy
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