Thought I'd move this over here, it had some interesting comments from author of A Beautiful Child, Matt Birkbeck
Matt's answers!!!
Hi Matt,
Here are the questions that were submitted by the members at Websleuths.
I tried to omit some of the questions that have already been answered in the book.
If there is any other new information, evidence, suspected crimes, aliases, places of residence, possible matches, etc
that wasnt known at the time the book was published will you please give us an update? Your personal opinion on the case would be appreciated, too.
1. Are you aware of any other crimes Franklin Floyd is suspected of committing that have not been discussed on WS or in the book?
NO.
2. Have the adoptive parents of Sharons children been contacted for DNA samples or contacted LE to inquire about the case involving their childs biological mothers bizarre upbringing? Have they expressed fear FDF would come for the other children?
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO SHARONS FIRST CHILD. MICHAEL WAS THE SECOND. THE THIRD, A GIRL, WAS ADOPTED BY A COUPLE IN NEW ORLEANS. LE KNOWS THEIR IDENTITIES, BUT UNLESS PROMPTED BY OKC POLICE (WHO STILL HAVE AN OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO SHARONS DEATH) NO ONE CAN LEGALLY CONTACT THE PARENTS OR SEEK A DNA SAMPLE.
3. What is your opinion as to why Floyd had Sharon put the other children up for adoption but let her keep Michael?
GOOD QUESTION. MY ONLY THOUGHT IS THAT MICHAEL WAS A REPLACEMENT FOR SHARON TO SERVE AS FLOYDS NEW TOY MUCH LIKE SHARON DID. HORRENDOUS THOUGHT, BUT ONLY ONE THAT MAKES ANY SENSE.
4. Do you believe a man contacted LE claiming to be Sharons father? Have you talked to anyone from the OCPD about the alleged confession? If not, do you plan to?
NO, THERE WAS NO CONFESSION OR CONTACT. IM IN CONSTANT TOUCH WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE U.S. ATTORNEY AND FBI, AND NO ONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THAT.
5. Other than the aliases that are already listed, are you aware of any other aliases for FDF & Sharon?
NO, YOUVE JUST ABOUT GOT THEM ALL.
AKAs for:
FranklinDelano Floyd Unknown Female
Charles Hughes Suzanne Davis
Clarence Marcus Hughes Sharon Marshall
TrentonDavis Tanya Dawn Tadlock
Warren Judson Marshall Sharon L. Marshall
Preston Morgan
Kingfish Floyd
Whistle Britches Floyd
Franklin D, Floyd
Franklin Floyd
6. Mooner123 has obtained a background report with conflicting info about a
previous address. Was the West Dr, address in Forest Park or Riverdale?
I BELIEVE THAT WAS FORESTPARK. I VISITED THE HOUSE AND DESCRIBE IT IN THE BOOK.
7. Is there any new info to fill in the missing years in the timeline?
YES. SHARON AND FLOYD LIVED IN PHOENIX IN 1980 to 1981. I WAS CONTACTED BY A MAN WHO KNEW SHARON WELL (HE WAS JUST A BOY AT THE TIME). THEY WERE BOTH IN THE SAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. HE FORWARDED PHOTOS, ETC.
8. Have you found out any more about what FreedomVillage is? Was that the postmark on the letter or did the contents of the letter state it was being sent from FreedomVillage?
ITS SOUTHWEST OF CHICAGO.
9. Are you still in regular contact with LE about the case?
JUST ABOUT EVERY WEEK. THEY CALL ME, I CALL THEM.
10. There is some confusion about the doctors prognosis of Sharons injuries? Was she expected to recover fully or were they doubtful because of the blow to the head?
AS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK, SHARON WAS FULLY EXPECTED TO SURVIVE. ITS CLEAR SHE TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORSE AFTER THE VISIT FROM FLOYD, WHO IS BELIEVED TO HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO KEEP HER FROM REGAINING CONCIOUSNESS.
11. What is your personal opinion about FDFs involvement in the hit&run and the method he used to kill her in the hospital?
THERE IS SOME THOUGHT THAT SHARON DID NOT DIE IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT, BUT THAT FLOYD HIT HER IN THE HEAD IN THE MOTEL, THEN PLACED HER BODY ON THE ROAD WITH SOME OF THE EVIDENCE (PAINT CHIPS, ANTENNA, FOOD, ETC). CANT EXPLAIN THE SKID MARKS.
ITS CLEAR FLOYD TOOK HER TO OKC TO KILL HER AFTER LEARNING SHE WAS GOING TO LEAVE HIM.
AS FOR THE HER DEATH IN THE HOSPITAL, KNOW ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED.
12. Do you know what Della Floyds last husbands name (or the surname) was
and what cemetery she is buried in?
I RECALL THAT SHES BURIED NEAR CHICAGO, THOUGH IM NOT SURE WHAT THAT HAS TO DO WITH ANYTHING. SHE DIED LONG BEFORE FLOYD GOT OUT OF PRISON.
13. Do you know the name of the OK elementary school Suzanne was enrolled in?
Is that the school FDF worked at? I CANT FIND THAT ANYWHERE!!
YES, I HAVE THAT IN MY FILES BUT WILL HAVE TO LOOK. WILL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT ONE.
14. Are you considering writing a part 2 as more developments occur?
IM STILL VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH FOR SHARONS IDENTITY, THOUGH ITS DOUBTFULL ID WRITE ANOTHER BOOK ABOUT IT. PERHAPS A MAGAZINE PIECE.
15. Any new info about Michael?
YES. I JUST HEARD FROM FLOYDS SISTER LAST WEEK, WHO VISITED HIM IN PRISON, AND HES APPARENTLY READY TO TELL THE FBI WHERE MICHAEL IS BURIED. ITS THE FIRST TIME FLOYD HAS ADMITTED THAT MICHAEL IS DEAD, BUT I WOULDNT GET TOO EXCITED. SOUNDS LIKE A PLOY ON FLOYDS PART TO GET OFF OF DEATH ROW, OR AT THE LEAST GET BETTER FOOD.
16. Do you have a picture of Rebecca Barr that you can share with us?
NO.
17. How extensively has she been investigated & interrogated?
THE FBI LOOKED AT HER, DAVID DIAL, AND THE ORPHAN HOME IN DEPTH. NONE OF THEM HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SHARON.
18. Do you know who LE has considered possible matches for the mystery woman?
NO. AND THERES NO NEED TO FOCUS ON HER. THE PHOTO FOUND IN FLOYDS WALLET WAS SIMPLY A CUTOUT FROM A LOCAL NEWSPAPER. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN A STRIPPER, PROSTITUTE OR JUST SOMETHING HE FOUND FASCINATING. AND YES, HE COULD EVEN HAVE KILLED HER AND KEPT THE PHOTO AS A TROPHY. LE HAS LOOKED INTO IT EXTENSIVELY, BUT NOTHING.
19. Do you have access to the photo Sharon showed to Jennifer claiming it was her mother?
NO.
20. Is there any other info we didnt inquire about that you feel is important in our search efforts?
21. What research have you read on WS so far that you would consider irrelevant to the case or a waste of time? Any suggestions??
IM GOING TO ANSWER THE LAST TWO QUESTIONS WITH ONE
I ADMIRE THE WORK YOU ALL ARE DOING. I WOULD CAUTION THOUGH NOT TO CHASE EVERY LITTLE DETAIL. I ALSO STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT ANYONE INVOLVED IN THIS SEARCH READ THE BOOK. I CHECK IN FROM TIME TO TIME AND SEE SO MANY QUESTIONS RAISED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE STORY. IT DRAGS EVERYONE DOWN
WITH A COMPLICATED CASE SUCH AS THIS, YOU NEED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
NOTE: THE FBI STRONGLY BELIEVES THAT NEITHER DAVID DIAL, BECKY BARR OR THE ORPHAN HOME HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH SHARONS ABDUCTION. AND YES, THE FBI BELIEVES SHARON WAS ABDUCTED, PROBABLY FROM GEORGIA, AND POSSIBLY AT A LOCAL MALL SOON AFTER FLOYD GOT OUT OF PRISON.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL, AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
MATT