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True crime stories are often discussed in terms of evidence, timelines and outcomes, but behind every case are real people, real families and lives forever changed. As a victim of family tragedy, I found myself deeply connected to the human side of this narrative where the wrinkles and scarring tell the story.

 

As I worked through the records, interviews, and historical details filled with shame and blame, it was important to approach the story with care, respect and a genuine desire to remember those whose lives were touched by it. There were moments while writing when the weight of the events felt very close. Reading personal accounts, imagining the fear, the loss, and identifying with unanswered questions became a passionate journey of emotionally bleeding out without with dying in the process.

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This book was written not to sensationalize tragedy nor assign blame or shame, but to remember, to document, and to seek understanding for the decades long question of rumor and speculation that has lingered far too long. If readers come away feeling the humanity behind the headlines and a better understanding of why, then the effort—and the emotion invested in telling this story—has been worthwhile.

 

In memory of John and Louise Clinkscales's endless pursuit to find their only child, and for all the others committed to the preservation of this case, net proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated with respect and appreciation for Mr. Clark Johnson’s tenure at the Legacy Museum and Troup County Archives. By reading and sharing this work, you’re helping safeguard the memories, records and voices that shape our collective past. I am very grateful for what they’ve done through the years in supporting not just me, but everyone who goes searching for something that was lost in the past.