My word, this brings back memories. Mark Branch, murderer of Sharon Gregory (twin). Greenfield canceled Halloween that year, while Branch remained at large. Check this out: http://books.google.com/books?id=TO0DAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA4&ots=La8NG6g5S-&dq=mark%20branch%20greenfield%20killer&pg=PA4#v=onepage&q=mark%20branch%20greenfield%20killer&f=false.
Why are these links so long?
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ReplyDeleteThanks for posting to my new blog...welcome! Actually had a co-worker who, after Mark committed suicide, wore his clothes. His parents gave them away or sold them--not sure which--but it was nefarious in itself.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of this for years until today when I heard about a suspected murderer being possibly a former member of an organization I am part of and someone in the media trying to contact people involved in the organization. This article (okay, it is the Weekly World News, one of the worst rags ever, not a small local paper like the one trying to contact people) and its focus on Branch being into horror movies rather than his known mental illness is why I would never speak to a member of the media about a group that some suspected criminal might have been involved with at some point; the media likes sensationalism, it sells. I lived less than 2 miles from Branch's house; they moved trick or treating to Saturday afternoon rather than cancelling it; my friend and I accidentally went to his house because we weren't thinking and just went to every house on the street full of "rich people houses" because we were hoping for full sized candy bars. And technically, it was never proved that he did it, he committed suicide in the woods before they could arrest and try him.
ReplyDeleteYes; they did move Halloween and did not cancel it. I remember this.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about the idea that the press' demonization of Branch may have contributed to his death--whether it be suicide or at the hands of others. And why, if he left no know note, are we sure he wasn't murdered? I know a stretch, but I've thought about this for a while.
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ReplyDeleteThe press in Greenfield vilifies nearly everyone, for all sorts of reasons, and repeatedly. They often, it seems, get their meat from unreliable sources, at best and, what seems worse, these sources have personal vendettas to shed and do so by wreaking havoc upon the lives of the innocent. It seems rather plausible to suggest that the newspaper is guilty of murder: of reputation, relationships, careers, and family.
Deletethis story is fascinating to me. any other details that anyone has? why was his mental illness never disclosed? and why didn't the police ever release the evidence against him?
ReplyDeleteCause it was done with a Freddy Kruger glove that still to this day hasn't been found. I was 8 when this happend in the house right next door to me
ReplyDeleteI am not sure it was a "Freddy Kruger" glove, but he did obsess. In terms of his mental illness, it seems he fell through the proverbial crack, as do many. There is a transcript and other documents available on another blog: someone who has done a lot more research on this crime than I have. Here it is.
ReplyDeletehttps://mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com/2006/07/26/sharon-gregory-murder/
Oh my god. I knew several people who knew Branch from a young age, and no one surprised. Maybe he had a mental illness, but he also tortured small animals. I don't believe that anyone else did it.
ReplyDeleteI knew Sharon from class and I got to know Cheryl a little after the fact.
Sharon was a lovely human being.