Dear Reader,
We proudly present the newest addition to our internationally acclaimed true crime series of Real People/Incredible Stories. These riveting thrillers spotlight men and women who perform extraordinary deeds against tremendous odds: to fight for justice, track down elusive killers, protect the innocent or exonerate the wrongly accused. Their stories, told in their own voices, reveal the untold drama and anguish behind the headlines of those who face horrific realties and find the resiliency to fight back…
In Murder in Mayberry: Greed, Death and Mayhem in a Small Town, federal agent Jack Branson has never worked a murder investigation – until his multimillionaire aunt is found bludgeoned to death in a small Kentucky town where everyone knows everyone. With no witnesses, no DNA and few clues, the list of suspects continues to grow. Will Jack find out the identity of the killer before this shocking crime turns into a cold case?
The next time you want to read a crackling, suspenseful page-turner, which is also a true account of a real-life hero illustrating the resiliency of the human spirit – look for the New Horizon Press logo.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joan S. Dunphy
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Real People. Incredible Stories.
Copyright © 2008 by Mary Kinney Branson and Jack Branson.
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, including electronic, mechanical, or any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher.
Requests for permission should be addressed to:
New Horizon Press
P.O. Box 669
Far Hills, NJ 07931
Kinney Branson, Mary and Branson, Jack
Murder in Mayberry: Greed, Death and Mayhem in a Small Town
Cover design: Wendy Bass
Interior Design: Susan Sanderson
Library of Congress Control Number: 2007936335
ISBN-13 (eBook): 978-0-88282-531-1
New Horizon Press
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 1 2 3 4 5
To Jack—
You were Ann’s constant voice during the four-and a-half-year ordeal to bring her killer to justice.
You made the ending of this crime possible by your relentless dedication to the truth, regardless of the cost to you personally.
No son could have done more.
This book is based on the experiences of the authors and reflects their perception of the past, present and future. The personalities, events, actions and conversation portrayed within this story have been taken from interviews, research, court documents, letters, personal papers, press accounts and the memories of some participants.
In an effort to safeguard the privacy of certain people, some individuals’ names and identifying characteristics have been changed. Events involving the characters happened as described. Only minor details may have been altered.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Author’s Note
Introduction
Prologue
Part 1: Ann’s Murder
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Part 2: All in the Family
Chapter 15