Podcast Summary: Into The Dark - Episode 98: The Circleville Letters
Introduction
Into The Dark, hosted by Peyton Moreland of OH NO MEDIA, delves deep into the eerie and perplexing true crime case of the Circleville Letters. This episode explores the mysterious letter-writing campaign that terrorized the small town of Circleville, Ohio, in the late 1970s and beyond. Peyton meticulously unpacks the events, the suspects, and the enduring questions surrounding this unresolved mystery.
The Onset of the Circleville Letters
The story begins in late 1976 or early 1977 in Circleville, Ohio, a typical Midwestern town known for its annual pumpkin festival. Mary Gillespie, a bus driver, starts receiving anonymous letters threatening to expose a fabricated affair with Gordon Massey, the school superintendent.
Peyton Moreland [01:30]: "Imagine if someone knew all of the deepest, darkest, hidden, hidden truths about you and then used that information against you."
Mary initially dismisses the letters, hoping they will cease if ignored. However, the harassment intensifies, leading to the involvement of the police, who are unable to trace the origin of the letters.
Escalation and Ron Gillespie’s Investigation
Mary's husband, Ron Gillespie, becomes increasingly concerned as the letters continue, not just targeting Mary but also threatening their family. Determined to end the harassment, Ron conducts his own investigation, theorizing that Gordon Massey is the letter writer. This confrontation, however, only deepens the mystery.
Peyton Moreland [01:30]: "The letters keep coming, and eventually, Mary's husband Ron receives one, too."
Ron’s investigation leads him to believe that the letters primarily originate from Columbus, Ohio, suggesting a single perpetrator behind the widespread harassment. Despite involving the police, the case remains unresolved.
Tragic Turning Point: Ron Gillespie’s Death
In August 1977, under suspicious circumstances, Ron Gillespie dies in a car crash shortly after deciding to confront the letter writer. The autopsy reveals an unusually high blood alcohol content, raising doubts about the accident's legitimacy.
Peyton Moreland [17:52]: "It's a little easier for his loved ones to believe those scenarios, as outlandish as they are, than it is for them to accept that Ron was driving drunk and crashed and died."
Further investigation uncovers that Ron was carrying a loaded gun that had been fired, indicating a possible violent altercation before the crash. These findings fuel suspicions that Ron may have been murdered, potentially by the same individual responsible for the letters.
The Suspect: Paul Freshhour
Paul Freshhour, a close friend of Ron and brother-in-law, emerges as a primary suspect. Evidence against him includes a partially filed serial number on a handgun found near a message intended to set a booby trap for Mary.
Peyton Moreland [33:46]: "Even if Paul was the writer, then after he went to prison, how did letters keep going on?"
Paul's alibi is weak, and during a contentious divorce, his ex-wife Karen Sue provides dubious testimony claiming that Paul had letters addressed to Mary hidden in their home. Despite these allegations, concrete evidence remains scarce.
During his trial, Paul confesses to writing a handful of letters intended to accuse others of being the true Circleville letter writer but maintains his innocence regarding the primary harassment campaign. Nevertheless, he is convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to seven to 25 years in prison.
Peyton Moreland [33:46]: "It's safe to say that in the history of this story, this ruling is very controversial."
Alternative Theories and Continued Mysteries
Despite Paul's conviction, numerous theories persist:
- Karen Sue’s Involvement: Some believe Karen Sue had motives to frame Paul, especially given her gain from the divorce and custody arrangements.
- Dwight L. Bowman’s Revenge: Dwight, a former school superintendent replaced by Gordon Massey, might have orchestrated the harassment out of resentment.
- Thomas Lee Dillon’s Confession: A convicted murderer named Thomas Lee Dillon confessed to writing the letters, though the validity of his confession is questionable due to lack of evidence and his potential motives for seeking attention.
Peyton Moreland [33:46]: "it's hard to make the evidence fit with any one person narrative or theory."
Additionally, letters continued to be sent even after Paul's incarceration, suggesting either a copycat or multiple perpetrators.
Media Involvement and the Case's Conclusion
In 1993, Unsolved Mysteries featured the Circleville Letters, briefly reigniting public interest. However, shortly after the episode aired, the letters ceased, leaving the case untouched for decades. The disappearance of the letters has only deepened the enigma, with no definitive resolution achieved.
Peyton Moreland [33:46]: "It has been almost 50 years since the first Circleville letter was sent, and most of the people who were impacted by the notes have passed away."
Conclusion: An Unsolved Enigma
The Circleville Letters remain one of Ohio’s most perplexing true crime cases. With no conclusive evidence pointing to a single perpetrator and multiple plausible theories, the true identity and motives of the letter writer(s) continue to elude investigators and residents alike. Peyton Moreland encapsulates the enduring mystery:
Peyton Moreland [01:30]: "We know so little about the Circleville letter writer, but they seem to know, or claim to know everyone else's business. And sadly, they use that knowledge to harm people."
As the episode closes, listeners are left with the haunting reality of unanswered questions and the lingering fear that once gripped Circleville over the decades.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Peyton Moreland [01:30]: "Imagine if someone knew all of the deepest, darkest, hidden, hidden truths about you and then used that information against you."
- Peyton Moreland [17:52]: "It's a little easier for his loved ones to believe those scenarios, as outlandish as they are, than it is for them to accept that Ron was driving drunk and crashed and died."
- Peyton Moreland [33:46]: "It's safe to say that in the history of this story, this ruling is very controversial."
- Peyton Moreland [33:46]: "It has been almost 50 years since the first Circleville letter was sent, and most of the people who were impacted by the notes have passed away."
- Peyton Moreland [01:30]: "We know so little about the Circleville letter writer, but they seem to know, or claim to know everyone else's business. And sadly, they use that knowledge to harm people."
Final Thoughts
Episode 98 of Into The Dark masterfully navigates the intricate and unsettling saga of the Circleville Letters. Through detailed narration and thoughtful analysis, Peyton Moreland brings to light the complexities and unresolved nature of this true crime case, leaving listeners pondering the dark motives that drive such mysteries.