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| Crime of the Century |
About the Book
Title The Crime of the
Century
Genre Biography true
crime
Author JoAnne Myers
Book heat level (based
on movie ratings): PG13
The residents of Rolling
Hills, a hamlet in southeastern Ohio,
were horrified when the dismembered bodies of two missing teens were pulled
from the local river. Multiply suspects surfaced, but only one was railroaded,
Richard Allan Lloyd, a known nudist and hothead.
What began as an evening
stroll turned into what found only in horror films, and dubbed ‘the crime of
the century’. 18 year old Babette, a voluptuous beauty contestant and
horsewoman, and her 19 year old boyfriend Shane Shoemaker, a jealous and
possessive unemployed printer, were last seen crossing a trestle bridge. Within
fourteen days, their mutilated torsos and severed heads and limbs were
unearthed, suggesting satanic cult activity.
With an investigation
smeared with contradicting statements, and a botched crime scene, investigators
built a flimsy case against Richard Lloyd. The three-week trial was based on
police corruption and ineptitude, fairytale theories, and forensic mishandling.
This heinous crime
shattered the sense of security for Rolling Hills, destroyed two families, and
forever scarred the town. This story is a detailed account of finding justice
for Babette and Shane, and of one man’s perseverance to gain his freedom from
death row.
Buy This Book
Publisher – Black Rose
Writing http://www.blackrosewriting.com/non-fiction/the-crime-of-the-century-a-shocking-true-story
Book also available on
Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback and ebook
Interview with JoAnne Myers
Why did you write this book?
For many reasons. It is
a true case that took nearly 30 years to solve. It put an innocent man on death
row for five years, and forever scarred a small Ohio town. It was truly the worse case in
the county’s history.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Probably fantasy, because
almost anything goes in that genre. A writer can make the impossible sound
possible.
What is your favorite character from fiction (not
including your own characters)?
James Bond. He is the
ultimate male alpha.
Do you enjoy films and/or TV shows? Which are your
favorites?
watch court cases such
as Judge Mathis, the Investigation Discovery channel which has true cases
broadcasted. Also, I became hooked on this new fantasy show called Bitten. It
is about a werewolf family living amongst humans.
What are you working on at the moment, and what are
we likely to see from you in the coming months?
I am not working on any
new books right now. I am mostly concentrating on promoting the books I do have
and will have. I have two books being released soon. Loves, Myths, and
Monsters, is a fantasy anthology starring the Mothman, the Chupracabra,
Mermaids, an Egyptian curse, reincarnation, werewolves, a demonic cellmate, a
serial killer family from the 1800’s, and a Quaker love story.
Please tell us about your latest book.
The Crime of the Century
is a true double homicide case from 1982, that terrified residents and
destroyed families. There were many bizarre suspects, but only one was
railroaded by police.
Excerpt
At 5:45 pm., Chief White used his
walkie-talkie, to radio Lt. Phillipes, who stayed at the command post with Richard
and Nancy. Only a few short words were needed.
“We found something, but we don’t
know what it is,” said the chief.
What searchers found . . . was unthinkable.
Just 150 yards north of the railroad
trestle spanning the Bottle
Neck River,
Sheriff Reynolds and one of his deputies reported “something entangled in debris,”
near their small boat.
The officers initially said they believed
the object was an animal carcass. Once it was dislodged and floated down stream,
they realized it was human.
The officers then followed the remains
and discovered 30 yards south of the first torso, the second torso was located.
Both torsos were reportedly snagged against brush along the riverbank just west
of The Regency Supply Company.
Both torsos were reportedly nude and
so badly decomposed, officers said they were unable to determine their sex.
Upon the discovery, Jack Jones broke
down and was seen “running and screaming” from the area. The remains were
pulled to shore and coroner Rausch was summoned to the riverbank.
Law enforcement personnel cleared
the immediate area of non-official personnel. Afterward, they stationed themselves
around the perimeter of the area while the bodies were examined.
Many searchers, upon leaving the crime
scene, were overheard by reporters asking one another “Are the authorities
looking for one killer or two?”
After his initial examination of the
bodies, the coroner said he was unable to rule on the cause of death or what sex
the torsos were. What he did say, was that if one man committed both murders, it
was “during a great rage” and by someone with something “very personal”
against one, or both, of the victims.
Sheriff Reynolds reported an empty
purse found, but did not know if it belonged to Babette. He told reporters, he did
not believe the bodies were the missing Rolling Hills teens.
Richard Lloyd told reporters that,
when he and Nancy heard the bodies might not be that of Babette and Shane, they
were relieved, and said, “That comment gave me and Nancy a speck of hope.”
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| JoAnne Myers |
Author Bio
I have been a long-time
resident of southeastern Ohio,
and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several
novels under my belt, I canvas paint.
When not busy with
hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs
Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member
of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance,
Paranormal Romance Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association,
the Hocking Hill’s Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County
Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills
Regional Welcome
Center. I believe in
family values and following your dreams. My books along with my original canvas
paintings, can be found at:
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