UNSOLVED: The Murder of Marilyn Sheppard 1 - Crime House 24/7

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[00:02]
A
Hi, listeners, it's Vanessa. Before today's episode, I want to tell you about another show I think you'll love. Crime House and A E are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, Carter Roy takes you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 48 hours. Listen to and follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[00:41]
B
This is Crime House.
[00:44]
A
Hi, listeners, it's Vanessa. Happy Friday. This afternoon, I'm bringing you an episode of our Crime House show, Murder True Crime Stories. On Murder True Crime Stories, host Carter Roy explores the depths of history's most notorious murders like you've never heard before. In this. In this episode, Carter Roy introduces Marilyn shepherd, found beaten to death in her lakeside, Ohio home on July 4, 1954, and the years of affairs and broken promises that defined her marriage to the prominent surgeon who became the prime suspect in a case that would become a national obsession. What you're about to hear is part one of the episode for part two, follow Murder True Crime Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[01:35]
B
Tyler redick here from 2311 Racing and Bubba Wallace. You know what's the worst part of a race? A rain delay. Sitting around waiting for the track to dry is dull. But instead of waiting, we hang out with Chumba Casino. Social casino, slots, bingo, solitaire. Plenty of fun to keep us entertained. So why let a rain delay slow you down? Play now@chumbacasino.com let's Chumba. Sponsored by Chumba Casino. No purchase necessary BMW FOI prohibited by law 21 terms and conditions. Marilyn Reese was born in April 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. Her father, Thomas, wasn't the warmest, but he was generous. He was an inventor and a vice president at a manufacturing company who made sure his daughter had everything she wanted. That's what Marilyn remembered about him in the early years. And we have memories like that one and so much of the rest of her story, thanks to journalist James Neff, who spent years reconstructing her life for his book, the Wrong Man. But her mother, Dorothy, was a different story. Marilyn barely knew her. Dorothy's pregnancy with Marilyn had been brutal. So brutal that she waited six years before trying for another child. She hoped the second time would go better. It was worse. Dorothy's second delivery was complicated. Catastrophically so. Neither she nor her infant son survived. Marilyn was 6 years old and Just like that, her mom was gone. Her father didn't know what to do with his grief. He certainly didn't know how to raise a young daughter in the middle of it. So he made a decision. He sent Marilyn away to live with her aunt and uncle. Marilyn was too young to really understand why. All she knew was that she'd lost her mom and now she'd lost her dad, too. In a way, losing him was worse. Unlike her mom, he was still alive. He'd just chosen not to keep her. That was a wound that would never fully close.
[03:58]
C
This episode sponsored by She's Birdie. You lock the hotel room door, then check it again. And maybe one more time, because even the nicest room can feel unfamiliar at night. That's why She's Birdie created Byrdie Box with She's Birdie. You can bring peace of mind with you. BirdieBox is a portable travel door alarm for hotels, dorms, Airbnbs, and anywhere you stay away from home. Just attach it to the door frame, switch it on, and if someone opens the door, Birdie Box blasts a loud siren and flashing alarm to alert you and everyone nearby. Because the best part of travel isn't worrying, it's sleeping soundly. Birdie Box from She's locking in peace of mind wherever you stay. For safer, more confident travel, visit she'sbirdie.com that's S-H-E-S-B-I-R-I-E.com
[04:52]
D
the government gets a bad reputation, but did you know that? The roads under your feet, the forecast on your phone, the letter in your mailbox, that's all government, too. I'm Professor Lindsay Cormack and I'm hosting a new podcast called Government that Doesn't Suck alongside Professor Greg Jackson, who you may know from the hit podcast History that Doesn't Suck. Each episode we dig into the surprising story of an American institution, from the origins of the Internet, to the National Park Service to the GI Bill, and so much more. You'll hear the stories behind them, plus a conversation with an expert who knows it inside and out. This is the real history of how we built the country under your feet, and you'll never look at any of it the same way again. Listen to and follow Government that Doesn't Suck. Available now, wherever you get your podcasts.
[05:43]
B
A few years later, Marilyn moved back to Cleveland to live with her dad, who had remarried. But things between them never really mended. There was always a distance there, a canyon, really. It became Marilyn's fatal flaw. She couldn't have explained it yet, but it was there. A desperate need to find someone who would never send her away. Someone who would choose her above everything else. She found him in junior high. His name was Sam Sheppard. He was a year behind her. A good looking athlete from one of the most prominent families in town. His father had founded the local hospital and basically ran the place. The Shepherds were well respected, well off and well known. But more importantly for teenage Marilyn, Sam was cute. One day, Marilyn convinced a friend to introduce her to Sam before his basketball practice. It was a little awkward. It was middle school after all. But Sam was interested right away. Marilyn was pretty, with long brown hair and hazel eyes. And he was flattered that a girl a year ahead of him was even knew who he was. In junior high, a one year age gap felt enormous. It was exciting. That was pretty much all it took. They became middle school sweethearts. Marilyn and Sam kept dating all through high school, and they just seemed to work. They were both in student government. Sam was class president and Marilyn served on the student council. They came from the same kind of comfortable and privileged world. And both their families seemed happy they'd found each other. But as Marilyn reached her senior year, the future started to loom. She was going to leave for college while Sam stayed behind. She didn't want anyone getting any ideas. Not other girls, and certainly not Sam. Marilyn wanted it crystal clear that he was hers. There was a custom back then called pinning. When a boy gave a girl his pin, it was a promise of sorts, not quite an engagement ring. But the step right before meant that in a few years, he intended to propose. Marilyn wanted Sam's pin. So at a school dance that year, she pulled him outside. Standing there in the dark, she told him she loved him. That he was the only one for her. Sam was caught a little off guard, but he said he felt the same way then. Because that was what you did back then when someone said I love you. Sam gave Marilyn his pen. Marilyn must have felt a huge wave of relief. For the first time since she was 6 years old, she'd proven to herself that someone had finally chosen her. Even if she'd had to orchestrate the whole thing to make it happen as planned. In the fall of 1941, Marilyn graduated and left Cleveland for Skidmore College, a small women's liberal arts school in upstate New York. She wasn't happy about it. Skidmore wasn't really her choice. It was just what girls from good families did. You went to college and got an education or you found A husband. But Marilyn already had Sam back home, and all she wanted was to go back to him. She wrote him every single day. If he didn't write back fast enough, she spiraled. Her grades reflected exactly where her attention was. Anywhere but the classroom. Her Spanish teacher made that pretty clear. On one of her report cards. They wrote, quote, very mediocre student who made little effort, showed little interest and cut too often. So no one was exactly surprised when Marilyn dropped out. By the end of freshman year, she packed her bags and went home to Cleveland Heights. Now the situation was reversed. Marilyn was home, and Sam was the one leaving. He had buckled down and excelled in his final year of high school. He had a family legacy to uphold. After all, his dad had gone to medical school and so had his older brothers. That was the plan for Sam, too.
[10:24]
E
This episode sponsored by She's Birdie. You know that little wave of relief when someone texts made it home safe? That's exactly the feeling She's Birdie was designed for. The Birdie disc is a clip on personal safety, light and alarm made for everyday moments where visibility and attention matter most. Night walks, early morning runs, parking garages, college campuses, dog walks, travel. It features bright flashing LED light modes, a built in flashlight and a 130 decibel siren that can quickly draw attention if something feels wrong. And because it's lightweight, rechargeable, TSA friendly and easy to clip onto jackets, bags, strollers, bikes or keychains, it actually fits into real life without being bulky or complicated. More than 4 million people already trust Shesebirdy for added peace of mind for the people you care most about. Daughter, partner, friend, student or parent. This is one of those simple things that can make a real difference. Go to she'sbirdie.com Again, that's she'sbirdie.com
[11:24]
B
that fall, he enrolled at Hanover College in rural Indiana. Marilyn sent him off with an expensive watch and one request. Keep writing every day. They agreed they could see other people while they were apart. Just casual dates, nothing serious. They were still together, but Sam thought it was important they spread their wings a little. Marilyn only seemed to agree because it was what Sam wanted. She didn't want to risk losing him. So Marilyn dutifully told Sam about every guy she went out with. But her motive was clear. She only told him because she wanted him to tell her to stop. To say he didn't want her seeing anyone but him. He never did. He told her it was fine. He even encouraged it. Then, after only two months at Hanover, Sam pulled a full 180. He called Marilyn and asked her to come to Indiana. He missed her. He loved her. And he wanted to get married. He was caught up in the mood of the time. All around him, men his age were getting married before they enlisted or got drafted into the war. As a future physician, Sam was exempt from the draft. But he still felt the urgency of the moment. And he wanted to be a part of it. It was everything Marilyn supposedly wanted. But for some reason, she didn't jump at it. In that little hesitation, Sam started to have doubts of his own. Maybe they were too young. Maybe there was more out there. One afternoon, Sam was home from school, visiting his parents. He was working on his car in the driveway when a girl walked up to him. Her name was Rudy Bails, and she was clearly interested. Impulsively, Sam asked her out. She said yes. Sam was thrilled. Until his mom found out. She basically forced him to tell Marilyn about the date before he went. Sam figured it wouldn't be that big a deal. They dated other people before he ever brought up marriage. Surely they could still date other people now that Marilyn had pushed the idea off. But when he told Marilyn, she was heartbroken, broken. He'd just been talking about marriage, and now he was going on a date with another girl. They clearly were not on the same page. Marilyn was so hurt that she broke up with him on the spot. She fumbled with a pin on her chest. The one he'd given her two years earlier and wore every single day. She unclipped it and handed it back. If this was how he was going to treat her, they were done. Sam was blindsided. He hadn't seen that reaction coming at all. But he went ahead and dated Rudy anyway. After only a few dates, he gave her his pin. When word got back to Marilyn, she was inconsolable, depressed. Even the one person who was always supposed to choose her had turned around and chosen somebody else. At that point, Sam seemed to realize that he'd really messed up. He liked Rudy, but he loved Marilyn. And although she'd been the one to end things, he still had feelings for her. And he wanted to make it right. So he got his pin back from Rudy and offered it to Marilyn all over again. It was a lot of back and forth, but they were young and figuring it out. Marilyn accepted his pin and his apology. And everything seemed fine again. At least on the surface. But the truth was, Sam had gotten a taste of what it was like to be with other women. And he wasn't sure he was ready to let that feeling go. That tension between the life Sam was building with Marilyn and the life he sometimes imagined without her would come to define their entire marriage. And Marilyn was the one who would pay the price.
[15:55]
A
For part two of the story. Follow Murder True Crime Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[16:08]
F
This episode sponsored by She's Bertie Every woman knows that feeling, and she's Bertie knows it too. The just in case feeling. Just in case I hear something. Just in case someone tries the door. Just in case I need to wake up fast. It's not fear, it's awareness. And Birdie Box from She's Bertie was made for exactly that. Birdie Box is a portable travel door alarm designed by She's Bertie for hotels, dorms, and Airbnbs and anywhere you're staying away from home. It installs in seconds on the door frame, and if the door is opened, it activates a loud siren and flashing strobe to help draw attention instantly. She's because peace of mind should check in with you. Birdie Box by she's birdie visit she's birdie.com that's S-H-E-S-B-I-R-I-E.com and order your Birdie Box before your next day away from home.
[17:02]
A
Hi listeners, it's Vanessa. Before today's episode, I want to tell you about another show I think you'll love. Crime House and A E are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, Carter Roy takes you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 48 hours. Listen to and follow follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Summary4 min read

Crime House 24/7
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Episode: UNSOLVED: The Murder of Marilyn Sheppard Part 1
Date: July 31, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the unsolved 1954 murder of Marilyn Sheppard, a case that became a national obsession and forever altered the lives of everyone involved. Host Vanessa Richardson presents the first installment of a two-part story, focusing on Marilyn’s early life, her fraught family relationships, and her tumultuous romance and marriage to Dr. Sam Sheppard—the prime suspect in her murder. Through intimate storytelling, the episode explores themes of loss, longing, and the dark undercurrents of what seemed to be a golden couple’s life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Marilyn’s Early Life and Family (03:00 - 05:43)

Marilyn's Upbringing:
- Born in April 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio to Thomas (an inventor and vice president at a manufacturing company) and Dorothy Reese.
- Marilyn's father was “generous,” but not warm. Dorothy’s difficult pregnancies left Marilyn with little connection to her mother, who died (along with Marilyn’s infant brother) when Marilyn was six.
- Quote (B, 02:40): “She'd lost her mom, and now she'd lost her dad, too. In a way, losing him was worse. Unlike her mom, he was still alive. He’d just chosen not to keep her. That was a wound that would never fully close.”
- Marilyn was sent away to live with her aunt and uncle, never understanding fully why.
Return to Cleveland:
- Eventually moves back in with her father and stepmother, but emotional distance persists.
- This sense of abandonment becomes “Marilyn’s fatal flaw”—her desperate need for someone who would never leave her.

Marilyn and Sam: The Early Years (05:43 - 11:24)

Meeting and Teenage Romance:
- Met Sam Sheppard (“a year behind her, good-looking athlete from a prominent family”) in junior high and became sweethearts.
- Both active in student government, their relationship receives family approval.
- “She [Marilyn] wanted it crystal clear that he was hers… At a school dance… she told him she loved him. That he was the only one for her.” (B, 06:46)
The ‘Pinning’ Tradition:
- Marilyn pushes Sam to give her his pin—a pre-engagement tradition—"to prove to herself that someone had finally chosen her" (B, 07:28).
- Marilyn leaves for Skidmore College, longing only to be with Sam; writes him daily, but performs poorly at school and soon drops out.
Role Reversal and Distance:
- Sam enrolls at Hanover College. The couple agrees to “see other people” with reluctance, a decision driven more by Sam’s wishes.

The Strains Begin: Infidelity and Heartbreak (11:24 - 15:55)

Fractures in the Relationship:
- Marilyn discloses every date with someone else, wanting Sam to ask her to stop—he never does.
- Sam impulsively asks another girl, Rudy Bails, out, and gives her his pin after breaking off with Marilyn.
- Marilyn, devastated, breaks up with Sam, returning his pin (“The one he'd given her two years earlier and wore every single day… she unclipped it and handed it back.” — B, 13:10).
Reconciliation and Lingering Doubts:
- Sam regrets his actions, retrieves his pin from Rudy, and reunites with Marilyn. Both forgive, but the experience plants seeds of doubt and foreshadows deeper problems.
- Insight (B, 15:30): “That tension between the life Sam was building with Marilyn and the life he sometimes imagined without her would come to define their entire marriage. And Marilyn was the one who would pay the price.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Parental Abandonment:
- (B, 02:40) “Unlike her mom, he was still alive. He’d just chosen not to keep her. That was a wound that would never fully close.”
On Marilyn’s Emotional Needs:
- (B, 05:50) “She couldn't have explained it yet, but it was there. A desperate need to find someone who would never send her away.”
On Teenage Romance and Possession:
- (B, 06:42) “She wanted it crystal clear that he was hers. There was a custom back then called pinning...”
On the Relationship’s Cyclical Nature:
- (B, 15:30) “That tension between the life Sam was building with Marilyn and the life he sometimes imagined without her would come to define their entire marriage.”

Important Timestamps

00:44 – Vanessa introduces the guest episode and outlines the forthcoming story of Marilyn Sheppard.
03:00 – 05:43 – Deep dive into Marilyn’s childhood, family tragedy, and psychological wounds.
05:43 – 11:24 – Development of Marilyn and Sam’s relationship, societal expectations, pinning tradition, and early strain.
11:24 – 15:55 – The couple’s first major rupture, Sam’s infidelity, heartbreak, reconciliation, and hints at future turmoil.

Tone & Style

The storytelling is compassionate but unsparing, with a focus on psychological nuance and emotional dynamics.
Vanessa Richardson and the guest narrator (presumably Carter Roy from Murder True Crime Stories) use intimate details and direct quotes to draw listeners into the world of mid-century Cleveland and the inner lives of the Sheppards.

Closing

This first installment sets the stage for the sensational murder case that will follow, emphasizing the complex and troubled foundations of Marilyn and Sam’s marriage. It ends on a note of foreboding: the listener is left with a sense of inevitable tragedy rooted in unresolved personal wounds and restless ambition.

For part two of the story: “Follow Murder True Crime Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.” (A, 15:55)

Note:
This recap focuses exclusively on the narrative content of the episode, omitting advertisements and promotional interludes.

Loading summary

Transcript12 lines

[00:02]
A
Hi, listeners, it's Vanessa. Before today's episode, I want to tell you about another show I think you'll love. Crime House and A E are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, Carter Roy takes you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 48 hours. Listen to and follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[00:41]
B
This is Crime House.
[00:44]
A
Hi, listeners, it's Vanessa. Happy Friday. This afternoon, I'm bringing you an episode of our Crime House show, Murder True Crime Stories. On Murder True Crime Stories, host Carter Roy explores the depths of history's most notorious murders like you've never heard before. In this. In this episode, Carter Roy introduces Marilyn shepherd, found beaten to death in her lakeside, Ohio home on July 4, 1954, and the years of affairs and broken promises that defined her marriage to the prominent surgeon who became the prime suspect in a case that would become a national obsession. What you're about to hear is part one of the episode for part two, follow Murder True Crime Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[01:35]
B
Tyler redick here from 2311 Racing and Bubba Wallace. You know what's the worst part of a race? A rain delay. Sitting around waiting for the track to dry is dull. But instead of waiting, we hang out with Chumba Casino. Social casino, slots, bingo, solitaire. Plenty of fun to keep us entertained. So why let a rain delay slow you down? Play now@chumbacasino.com let's Chumba. Sponsored by Chumba Casino. No purchase necessary BMW FOI prohibited by law 21 terms and conditions. Marilyn Reese was born in April 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. Her father, Thomas, wasn't the warmest, but he was generous. He was an inventor and a vice president at a manufacturing company who made sure his daughter had everything she wanted. That's what Marilyn remembered about him in the early years. And we have memories like that one and so much of the rest of her story, thanks to journalist James Neff, who spent years reconstructing her life for his book, the Wrong Man. But her mother, Dorothy, was a different story. Marilyn barely knew her. Dorothy's pregnancy with Marilyn had been brutal. So brutal that she waited six years before trying for another child. She hoped the second time would go better. It was worse. Dorothy's second delivery was complicated. Catastrophically so. Neither she nor her infant son survived. Marilyn was 6 years old and Just like that, her mom was gone. Her father didn't know what to do with his grief. He certainly didn't know how to raise a young daughter in the middle of it. So he made a decision. He sent Marilyn away to live with her aunt and uncle. Marilyn was too young to really understand why. All she knew was that she'd lost her mom and now she'd lost her dad, too. In a way, losing him was worse. Unlike her mom, he was still alive. He'd just chosen not to keep her. That was a wound that would never fully close.
[03:58]
C
This episode sponsored by She's Birdie. You lock the hotel room door, then check it again. And maybe one more time, because even the nicest room can feel unfamiliar at night. That's why She's Birdie created Byrdie Box with She's Birdie. You can bring peace of mind with you. BirdieBox is a portable travel door alarm for hotels, dorms, Airbnbs, and anywhere you stay away from home. Just attach it to the door frame, switch it on, and if someone opens the door, Birdie Box blasts a loud siren and flashing alarm to alert you and everyone nearby. Because the best part of travel isn't worrying, it's sleeping soundly. Birdie Box from She's locking in peace of mind wherever you stay. For safer, more confident travel, visit she'sbirdie.com that's S-H-E-S-B-I-R-I-E.com
[04:52]
D
the government gets a bad reputation, but did you know that? The roads under your feet, the forecast on your phone, the letter in your mailbox, that's all government, too. I'm Professor Lindsay Cormack and I'm hosting a new podcast called Government that Doesn't Suck alongside Professor Greg Jackson, who you may know from the hit podcast History that Doesn't Suck. Each episode we dig into the surprising story of an American institution, from the origins of the Internet, to the National Park Service to the GI Bill, and so much more. You'll hear the stories behind them, plus a conversation with an expert who knows it inside and out. This is the real history of how we built the country under your feet, and you'll never look at any of it the same way again. Listen to and follow Government that Doesn't Suck. Available now, wherever you get your podcasts.
[05:43]
B
A few years later, Marilyn moved back to Cleveland to live with her dad, who had remarried. But things between them never really mended. There was always a distance there, a canyon, really. It became Marilyn's fatal flaw. She couldn't have explained it yet, but it was there. A desperate need to find someone who would never send her away. Someone who would choose her above everything else. She found him in junior high. His name was Sam Sheppard. He was a year behind her. A good looking athlete from one of the most prominent families in town. His father had founded the local hospital and basically ran the place. The Shepherds were well respected, well off and well known. But more importantly for teenage Marilyn, Sam was cute. One day, Marilyn convinced a friend to introduce her to Sam before his basketball practice. It was a little awkward. It was middle school after all. But Sam was interested right away. Marilyn was pretty, with long brown hair and hazel eyes. And he was flattered that a girl a year ahead of him was even knew who he was. In junior high, a one year age gap felt enormous. It was exciting. That was pretty much all it took. They became middle school sweethearts. Marilyn and Sam kept dating all through high school, and they just seemed to work. They were both in student government. Sam was class president and Marilyn served on the student council. They came from the same kind of comfortable and privileged world. And both their families seemed happy they'd found each other. But as Marilyn reached her senior year, the future started to loom. She was going to leave for college while Sam stayed behind. She didn't want anyone getting any ideas. Not other girls, and certainly not Sam. Marilyn wanted it crystal clear that he was hers. There was a custom back then called pinning. When a boy gave a girl his pin, it was a promise of sorts, not quite an engagement ring. But the step right before meant that in a few years, he intended to propose. Marilyn wanted Sam's pin. So at a school dance that year, she pulled him outside. Standing there in the dark, she told him she loved him. That he was the only one for her. Sam was caught a little off guard, but he said he felt the same way then. Because that was what you did back then when someone said I love you. Sam gave Marilyn his pen. Marilyn must have felt a huge wave of relief. For the first time since she was 6 years old, she'd proven to herself that someone had finally chosen her. Even if she'd had to orchestrate the whole thing to make it happen as planned. In the fall of 1941, Marilyn graduated and left Cleveland for Skidmore College, a small women's liberal arts school in upstate New York. She wasn't happy about it. Skidmore wasn't really her choice. It was just what girls from good families did. You went to college and got an education or you found A husband. But Marilyn already had Sam back home, and all she wanted was to go back to him. She wrote him every single day. If he didn't write back fast enough, she spiraled. Her grades reflected exactly where her attention was. Anywhere but the classroom. Her Spanish teacher made that pretty clear. On one of her report cards. They wrote, quote, very mediocre student who made little effort, showed little interest and cut too often. So no one was exactly surprised when Marilyn dropped out. By the end of freshman year, she packed her bags and went home to Cleveland Heights. Now the situation was reversed. Marilyn was home, and Sam was the one leaving. He had buckled down and excelled in his final year of high school. He had a family legacy to uphold. After all, his dad had gone to medical school and so had his older brothers. That was the plan for Sam, too.
[10:24]
E
This episode sponsored by She's Birdie. You know that little wave of relief when someone texts made it home safe? That's exactly the feeling She's Birdie was designed for. The Birdie disc is a clip on personal safety, light and alarm made for everyday moments where visibility and attention matter most. Night walks, early morning runs, parking garages, college campuses, dog walks, travel. It features bright flashing LED light modes, a built in flashlight and a 130 decibel siren that can quickly draw attention if something feels wrong. And because it's lightweight, rechargeable, TSA friendly and easy to clip onto jackets, bags, strollers, bikes or keychains, it actually fits into real life without being bulky or complicated. More than 4 million people already trust Shesebirdy for added peace of mind for the people you care most about. Daughter, partner, friend, student or parent. This is one of those simple things that can make a real difference. Go to she'sbirdie.com Again, that's she'sbirdie.com
[11:24]
B
that fall, he enrolled at Hanover College in rural Indiana. Marilyn sent him off with an expensive watch and one request. Keep writing every day. They agreed they could see other people while they were apart. Just casual dates, nothing serious. They were still together, but Sam thought it was important they spread their wings a little. Marilyn only seemed to agree because it was what Sam wanted. She didn't want to risk losing him. So Marilyn dutifully told Sam about every guy she went out with. But her motive was clear. She only told him because she wanted him to tell her to stop. To say he didn't want her seeing anyone but him. He never did. He told her it was fine. He even encouraged it. Then, after only two months at Hanover, Sam pulled a full 180. He called Marilyn and asked her to come to Indiana. He missed her. He loved her. And he wanted to get married. He was caught up in the mood of the time. All around him, men his age were getting married before they enlisted or got drafted into the war. As a future physician, Sam was exempt from the draft. But he still felt the urgency of the moment. And he wanted to be a part of it. It was everything Marilyn supposedly wanted. But for some reason, she didn't jump at it. In that little hesitation, Sam started to have doubts of his own. Maybe they were too young. Maybe there was more out there. One afternoon, Sam was home from school, visiting his parents. He was working on his car in the driveway when a girl walked up to him. Her name was Rudy Bails, and she was clearly interested. Impulsively, Sam asked her out. She said yes. Sam was thrilled. Until his mom found out. She basically forced him to tell Marilyn about the date before he went. Sam figured it wouldn't be that big a deal. They dated other people before he ever brought up marriage. Surely they could still date other people now that Marilyn had pushed the idea off. But when he told Marilyn, she was heartbroken, broken. He'd just been talking about marriage, and now he was going on a date with another girl. They clearly were not on the same page. Marilyn was so hurt that she broke up with him on the spot. She fumbled with a pin on her chest. The one he'd given her two years earlier and wore every single day. She unclipped it and handed it back. If this was how he was going to treat her, they were done. Sam was blindsided. He hadn't seen that reaction coming at all. But he went ahead and dated Rudy anyway. After only a few dates, he gave her his pin. When word got back to Marilyn, she was inconsolable, depressed. Even the one person who was always supposed to choose her had turned around and chosen somebody else. At that point, Sam seemed to realize that he'd really messed up. He liked Rudy, but he loved Marilyn. And although she'd been the one to end things, he still had feelings for her. And he wanted to make it right. So he got his pin back from Rudy and offered it to Marilyn all over again. It was a lot of back and forth, but they were young and figuring it out. Marilyn accepted his pin and his apology. And everything seemed fine again. At least on the surface. But the truth was, Sam had gotten a taste of what it was like to be with other women. And he wasn't sure he was ready to let that feeling go. That tension between the life Sam was building with Marilyn and the life he sometimes imagined without her would come to define their entire marriage. And Marilyn was the one who would pay the price.
[15:55]
A
For part two of the story. Follow Murder True Crime Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[16:08]
F
This episode sponsored by She's Bertie Every woman knows that feeling, and she's Bertie knows it too. The just in case feeling. Just in case I hear something. Just in case someone tries the door. Just in case I need to wake up fast. It's not fear, it's awareness. And Birdie Box from She's Bertie was made for exactly that. Birdie Box is a portable travel door alarm designed by She's Bertie for hotels, dorms, and Airbnbs and anywhere you're staying away from home. It installs in seconds on the door frame, and if the door is opened, it activates a loud siren and flashing strobe to help draw attention instantly. She's because peace of mind should check in with you. Birdie Box by she's birdie visit she's birdie.com that's S-H-E-S-B-I-R-I-E.com and order your Birdie Box before your next day away from home.
[17:02]
A
Hi listeners, it's Vanessa. Before today's episode, I want to tell you about another show I think you'll love. Crime House and A E are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, Carter Roy takes you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 48 hours. Listen to and follow follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.