Acknowledgments

Many people in St. Louis helped in the writing of this book, but chief among them was Detective Sergeant Joseph Burgoon, who accorded me the same high degree of patience that he is known for bringing to his homicide investigations. Without Joe, it would not have been possible. Along with Sgt. Burgoon, Dr. Michael Graham, the city’s medical examiner, gave me invaluable help in delving into the medical complexities of this case, which he viewed as an extraordinary one in his experience.

I would like to thank Deanne Bond for illuminating so many dimensions of the main character of this story, and for her bravery in standing up for what’s right.

I also owe Assistant Circuit Attorney Shirley Rogers, who was forthright with me and who tolerated the intrusion despite a heavy court calendar. I also wish to thank Karen Kraft, who also took time out of her busy schedule as a public defender, and Special Agent James Wright of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, who shared a perspective on his role in this case. Lieutenant Colonel James Hackett of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department made departmental resources available to me, and for that I am deeply grateful.

Paul and Teri Boehm opened their home to me and shared their part of this tragic story, and I thank them. I wish to thank Susan Emily her willingness to retell a painful past.

I thank Michaela Hamilton for the editing guidance that kept me on course, and Stephen Michaud, a fellow journalist, for his help in the early researching of this story. I also want to thank Jane Dystel, my agent, for her steadfast support.