Premium Episode #14 - Circleville Letter Writer
🕑 Added 2023-03-18 09:46:47 +0000 UTCIn March 1977, school bus driver Mary Gillespie started receiving threatening letters delivered to her home in Circleville, Ohio. It wasn’t long before her husband Ron Gillespie also received the letters which accused Mary of having an affair with the local school superintendent, Gordon Massie.
When Mary Gillespie found a threatening sign hung from a fence post on her school bus route she tore it down, only to find a booby trap inside, designed to kill her. Who wanted to target Mary? Investigation of the booby trap pointed to a prime suspect close to home, her brother-in-law Paul Freshour.
Team:
Anonymous Host - narration
Jessica Forsayeth - research, writing
Mike Migas - production, music
Andrew D.B. Joslyn - music
Milly Raso - creative direction
Comments
HelpFind Ajax&Stamp
I wondered about that tunnel-visioned sherrif. Whatever, I do not think he investigated thoroughly.
HelpFind Ajax&Stamp
Was it ever confirmed his fingerprints were on the letters? What about DNA? Would it still exist? Did he or she lick the stamps?
Sara
For me it's worth it especially because I don't get to listen to an eternity of ads thrown in constantly. It's so good that I'm gonna do an ad free run of all Casefile episodes some day.
Corie Hoselton
I finally was able to listen and just saw your comment. A lot of it is your typical small town rumors, different people pointing the finger at others. I remember in elementary school (early 2000s) having a friend who told me she wasn’t allowed to be friends with another kid in our class because her parents told her the student’s family was “bad news”. The kid was of some relation to someone involved in the case. The Radcliff family held the position of sheriff in the town for three generations. The Radcliff in this was the second generation and his son took over sometime in the 2010s for a few years. There are people who think this case was covered up and was allowed to stay unsolved because of how long the family was sheriff. I don’t know how much I believe any of it and at this point I don’t think it will ever be truly revealed.
Byron Ridenour
What a strange and confusing case
AR
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Benjamin
Crime Junkie, stopped listening to it a while ago as mainly unsolved cases
Stacy Claflin
So cool! This episode was released on my birthday, and the case took place the month I was born. That was a fun birthday surprise! Can't wait to listen!
Zac
Which crime podcast is that Ben?
Benjamin
Yeah looked into it and there’s one other crime podcast I listen too every now and again and they covered it last year so must have got mixed up!
Brenda Wells
Agreed. Casefile is the only podcast I listen to religiously, and I’ve definitely not heard of this case. I do want to look up the old Unsolved Mysteries episode now, though!
Jordan Lowes
Defo not a repeat. You might be getting mixed up with “the watcher” who also sent letters
Hannah Wilson
I’m 98% certain I’ve already heard it on Casefile too… haven’t listened to the ep yet but I’m almost sure…
Leonora Abbott Epstein
I’m not sure I understand how Patreon works now. What exactly are the benefits?
Benjamin
Is this a repeat? I’ve heard this before and recognised it straight away. Possibly was on another podcast but I’m sure it was Casefile!
Michelle
Only 40 mins 😩
Jen Olivares
I just finished and was incredibly captivated and so disappointed when it ended like this! A mystery in full? A Castile rarity. Care to share any of the rumors?
Corie Hoselton
Born and raised Circlevillian here! I opened the app to check today’s release and my heart stopped when I saw the title. This story is wild and rumors still circulate town to this day. I can’t wait to listen to my favorite podcast’s cover of my small hometown’s crime story.
Jamie Yardley
Champlain?
Jamie Yardley
I wait for these drops! My dream life is daily casefile!
Alien Princess
No way that was an accidental crash.. rip