Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"Everyone concerned has been notified and everything will be over soon." — Unidentified Author of Circleville Letter
"The writer really wants to see Gordon get in trouble, like though this writer seems to want him fired and embarrassed." — Brit
"Paul insists that he's not the Circleville writer. He says he's never been the Circleville writer, that the cops got the wrong guy." — Brit
The episode delves into the disturbing case of the Circleville Letter Writer, an anonymous individual who terrorized the residents of Circleville, Ohio, for nearly seven years. The campaign began in 1977 with cryptic and threatening letters sent to Mary Gillespie, accusing her of an affair with the school superintendent, Gordon Massey. The letters escalated, becoming more personal and violent, even targeting Gillespie's family and personal life. This harassment extended to Gordon Massey himself, who also received similar threatening letters detailing accusations of sexual harassment and womanizing. The situation intensified when signs began appearing around town, further spreading the allegations and eventually including accusations against Gillespie's young daughter.
The investigation into the writer's identity was fraught with challenges, marked by the mysterious death of Mary Gillespie's husband, Ron, in a one-vehicle accident. While initially ruled an accident, the circumstances, including a high blood alcohol content and a spent round in Ron's handgun, raised suspicions of foul play. The case took a dramatic turn with the discovery of a booby-trapped gun hidden behind a sign, designed to harm Mary Gillespie. Forensic analysis traced the gun to her former brother-in-law, Paul Freshauer, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction for attempted murder, largely based on handwriting analysis of dictated samples and the gun's ownership.
Despite Paul Freshauer's conviction and imprisonment, the anonymous letters continued to plague the community. Freshauer maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed, and theories about other individuals, including his ex-wife Karen and a former bus driver named David Longberry, emerged. The episode explores the complex family dynamics, alleged abuse, and conflicting testimonies that contributed to the enduring mystery. Ultimately, the case left Circleville with over a thousand threatening letters, unresolved questions, and a community deeply scarred by years of fear and uncertainty, even after the primary suspect's conviction and release.