Note: This excerpt is from the true crime book I’m writing about the shocking murder of Brenda Michelle Keller on Oct. 19, 1991. Just 12 years old, Brenda was riding her bike in tiny Dover, Kansas, when she was abducted. You can read more about the book and how I started on this journey in […]
Constantly dancing and happy. Those were the words Teresa Davis used to describe the brother she knew up until he was 15 years old. In addition to breakdancing, Jon Mareska Jr. seemed to be getting along fine at school and relished the life he had with this friends in the Brookside neighborhood of Tulsa. When
Webb: An excerpt from my book about ‘Jon Boy’ Read More »
This portion of the book I’m writing about Brenda Keller is from Chapter 13, which describes her funeral service from Oct. 23, 1991. While Beverly Rue and her husband Steve were at the service, a small bug crawled toward them and several others, and somebody nearby attempted to squash it. He waved the person off,
Webb: A book excerpt on a father’s powerful message about forgiveness Read More »
The Springfield Three. Those three words are nothing but fear for those of who grew up in southwest Missouri in the 1980s and 1990s. It’s one of the most fascinating crime cases you’ll read about, and I’ve written about it twice in this space (Part I and Part II). To recap, Stacy McCall, Suzie Streeter
Thirty years later, unsolved Springfield Three case still instills fear Read More »
“Brenda would have walked down this hall. She would have sat in this classroom, listening intently as her favorite teacher taught her first-grade class.” Those thoughts and dozens of others ran through my mind a few weeks ago when I toured the Dover Grade School for my book about Brenda Keller. Though I’ve been in
Webb: Grade school one of final pieces to puzzle in book about Brenda Keller Read More »
Hey, Brenda. As you know, today is a big day. It marks 30 years since you left this life for the afterlife. Since I last wrote you on your birthday, I’ve started writing the rough draft about your life and what happened to you on that tragic day, Oct. 19, 1991. I recently thought about
A letter to Brenda Keller on the 30th anniversary of a tragic day Read More »
Hey, Brenda. When I wrote you on your 41st birthday last year, I said it was probably a little odd getting a note from me. By now, you’re probably used to hearing from me. It’s usually me asking you and my father for help with the book I’m writing about your life and untimely passing
Webb: A letter to Brenda Keller on her 42nd birthday Read More »
October 1991. I was 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. I remember that year because it was a difficult one. My parents’ marriage was falling apart, my grades were as bad as they ever got, and I was your typical irritable, moody teenager. The highlights included being fired by my father and
Webb: The story behind the book I’m writing about Brenda Keller Read More »
Hey, Brenda. It’s probably a little odd getting a note from me. After all, I didn’t know you. But I’ve written my dad several times since he died in August, and I know he reads them. I figure you’ll read this, too. You would have celebrated your 41st birthday today. That seems hard to believe.
Webb: A letter to Brenda Keller on what would have been her 41st birthday Read More »
Nearly three years ago, I decided I was going to write about Brenda Keller, the 12-year-old pastor’s daughter who was murdered in tiny Dover, Kansas, for my capstone project in grad school. Before I started, I called the Kellers and asked for permission. It’s the only way I’d write about Brenda, who grew up a
Webb: Sharing an excerpt about Brenda Keller Read More »
