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The shocking series of crimes committed by lovers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez dominated the front pages in 1949. Caught for the double homicide of a widow and her young daughter in Michigan, the first couple of crime became the focus of an intense debate over the death penalty and extradition. Their story climaxed in a sensational trial in New York City and concluded two years later inside Sing Sing's notorious "Death House." Pulp fiction era reporters, who followed every step taken by the accused slayers, christened Beck and Fernandez the "Lonely Hearts Killers"--a nickname that stuck and has since been used to describe an entire category of criminal behavior.Despite the sensationalization of the killer couple's exploits, the story of the Michigan crime that ended their spree has until now remained largely untold. Drawing on rare archival material, this book presents, for the first time anywhere, a detailed account of this lost chapter in the saga of the "Lonely Hearts Killers." Both biography and analysis, this book also attempts to deconstruct the myths and misconceptions and to provide answers to a few unanswered questions about the case.
Writer and researcher Tobin T. Buhk lives in Jenison, Michigan.
Table of ContentsWho’s WhoTimelinePrefaceIntroduction: The Busiest Post Office Box in DetroitPart I. Michigan1. Love Letters in the Dark2. The Twisted Fairy Tale Honeymoon3. The Lady Vanishes4. Secrets in Cement5. “Here’s the Deal, Sweetheart”6. The Golden Handcuff and the Hot Seat7. More Secrets in Cement8. Press Darlings9. Only the Lonely Can Play10. Tug-of-War11. Love Letters Behind Bars12. SurprisePart II. New York13. Double Jeopardy14. The Serial Husband: Fernandez on the Stand15. People’s Exhibit No. 9916. A Good Offense Is the Best Defense17. Beck Speaks, Again18. Verdict19. Prisoners #108594 and #10859520. Folie a Deux21. “Your favorite criminal” … Letters from the Death House22. The Death House Secrets of Raymond Fernandez23. The Last Mile24. The Fates of the Major Figures in the CasePart III. Secrets and Sins; Myths and Misconceptions25. Trial Secrets: The Stories Behind the Stories26. Myths, Misconceptions and Unanswered Questions27. Born Again: Helmuth Schmidt and Raymond FernandezAppendix A: Excerpts from People’s Exhibit 55Appendix B: Excerpts from People’s Exhibit 57Chapter NotesBibliographyIndex
