FOXINBOX
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Victim, Mrs RUBY MAE NELSON EDWARDS [36], recently divorced mother of six. Only her youngest child, JOE EDWARDS [8], the second victim, was living with her @ WALNUT STREET, in EL DORADO’s RIVERSIDE District, BUTLER Co.[County Code BU], KANSAS [KS] 67042. The town lies on the intersection of Highway 77 & Route 54. Ruby’s stepfather lived next door north [There is no next door south – just land as far as the river] The house is/was extremely isolated for a town dwelling.
In the early hours of the morning of Monday 27th December 1965, Ruby had called an aunt to report a prowler and begged her to send one of her brothers over to investigate. At approximately 3 am, her brother [unnamed] subsequently found the bodies of his sister and nephew, who had been shot to death in their own home.
The police entered via a window @ 4:08am as the front door was locked.
Joe’s body was found on a bed in a front bedroom, and Ruby’s body was lying beside the bed. Both had been shot in the head. A 12 gauge shotgun was found lying on the linoleum floor near Ruby’s body.
A note was found “Indicating despondency” and Joe’s picture [photograph?] was lying on the bed. The note was written on discarded Christmas wrapping-paper from Joe’s Christmas present to Ruby - “Merry Christmas to Mother, from Joe”.
Joe’s Cub Scout uniform and one of Ruby’s dresses were also lying on the bed, “as burial clothing”.
The inquest was held on the same afternoon.
According to the Coroner, the shooting occurred between 3.30 and 4.00 am.
In conclusion, the Sheriff stated that it appeared to be a murder-suicide.
Ruby May Nelson Edwards (1929-1965) - Find A...
Things that trouble me...
The "Prowler" phone call
Discrepancies in the timeline
The note...no “love” from Joe.
The hasty inquest.
In the early hours of the morning of Monday 27th December 1965, Ruby had called an aunt to report a prowler and begged her to send one of her brothers over to investigate. At approximately 3 am, her brother [unnamed] subsequently found the bodies of his sister and nephew, who had been shot to death in their own home.
The police entered via a window @ 4:08am as the front door was locked.
Joe’s body was found on a bed in a front bedroom, and Ruby’s body was lying beside the bed. Both had been shot in the head. A 12 gauge shotgun was found lying on the linoleum floor near Ruby’s body.
A note was found “Indicating despondency” and Joe’s picture [photograph?] was lying on the bed. The note was written on discarded Christmas wrapping-paper from Joe’s Christmas present to Ruby - “Merry Christmas to Mother, from Joe”.
Joe’s Cub Scout uniform and one of Ruby’s dresses were also lying on the bed, “as burial clothing”.
The inquest was held on the same afternoon.
According to the Coroner, the shooting occurred between 3.30 and 4.00 am.
In conclusion, the Sheriff stated that it appeared to be a murder-suicide.
Ruby May Nelson Edwards (1929-1965) - Find A...
Things that trouble me...
The "Prowler" phone call
Discrepancies in the timeline
The note...no “love” from Joe.
The hasty inquest.
