Purdie Clark

Summary

Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode Summary: Purdy Clark

Introduction

In this gripping episode of "Snapped: Women Who Murder," hosted by Oxygen, listeners delve into the mysterious and chilling case of Purdy Clark. Purdy's calculated actions and manipulative nature led to the deaths of three individuals, creating a tangled web of deceit and greed. This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those unfamiliar with the case.

Background: The Calm Before the Storm

The story unfolds in San Angelo, Texas, a close-knit town where everyone knows each other. James Bud Phillips, a 60-year-old man with a troubled past, had recently attempted to lead a disciplined life after serving 14 years in prison for selling drugs. Bud's orderly and organized nature was a stark contrast to his earlier life, and he sought to rebuild his relationship with his adult son, Michael Phillips.

In 2007, Bud's life took an unexpected turn when he met Purdy Clark, a raven-haired beauty who had recently lost her first husband, Kim Clark, to a mysterious murder. Despite a nearly 30-year age difference, Bud and Purdy's whirlwind romance quickly blossomed, leading Purdy to move into Bud's home.

Narrator [08:30]: "When Bud met the mother of three, she was still grieving the loss of her first husband, 42-year-old Kim Clark, who had died just months earlier in September of 2006."

The Relationship Turns Deadly

Bud's family cherished the harmonious relationship he shared with Purdy, unaware of the dark intentions lurking beneath her charming facade. However, two and a half years after mourning her first husband's death, Purdy became entwined in another tragedy — Bud Phillips' sudden death.

On February 16, 2009, Bud was rushed to the emergency room, where he was pronounced dead from what was initially believed to be a heart attack. However, Bud's son, Michael, harbored suspicions about the true cause of his father's demise.

Investigator 2 [10:46]: "Michael did not believe that Mr. Phillips had died of a cardiac arrest while he was 60. He carried himself as being much younger. He was in very good physical condition."

Unraveling the Truth: Strychnine Poisoning

Michael's insistence led to an autopsy, revealing a lethal dose of strychnine in Bud's system, overturning the initial assumption of a natural heart attack. Strychnine, a potent poison commonly used in ranching for predator control, was the key to unraveling the mystery.

Investigators focused on the presence of strychnine in Bud's environment and discovered an overturned carton of chocolate ice cream in his home — the perfect medium to mask the bitter taste of the poison.

Investigator 3 [29:56]: "The chemist at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office told us that there was a lethal dose of strychnine in the chocolate ice cream. It was a huge break because now we knew how it got into Bud."

Purdy Clark: A Pattern of Deceit and Murder

As the investigation deepened, detectives unearthed Purdy Clark's alarming history. In 2006, Purdy was already under suspicion for the murder of her first husband, Kim Clark. Kim was found dead on September 14, 2006, shot twice in the head, a case that remained unresolved.

Further complicating matters, Purdy's subsequent partner, Robert Dwayne Murphy, was found dead in October 2006 under suspicious circumstances. A letter purportedly from Murphy confessed to killing Kim Clark, but investigators doubted its authenticity, suspecting foul play to silence him.

Witness 2 [21:27]: "From the investigator standpoint, it looked like Purdy wanted to murder Kim for his money. And she also murdered Dwayne because he knew too much about Kim's murder."

Connecting the Dots: Purdy's Motive and Methods

Investigators identified a consistent motive—greed—and a pattern of manipulating relationships to gain financial benefits. Purdy's attempted sale of Bud's property without authorization was a clear indicator of her intentions to exploit his assets.

Michael Phillips provided crucial insights into how Purdy disrupted Bud's disciplined life, turning his orderly home into chaos. This behavioral shift further fueled suspicions about Purdy's true intentions.

Investigator 1 [27:54]: "Purdy came into his life and just filled his house with junk. There was stuff everywhere. This caused a lot of arguments since Bud liked keeping things organized. But even with that, Bud didn't see that as a reason to leave Purdy."

The Arrest and Aftermath

With substantial evidence linking Purdy to Bud's death through the presence of strychnine in his ice cream and eyewitness accounts placing her at the scene, authorities obtained a murder warrant for Purdy Clark. However, Purdy adeptly evaded capture, leading to a manhunt that spanned thirty miles to her hideout in El Dorado.

During her capture, Purdy exhibited no fear, remaining unfazed as law enforcement apprehended her. She was subsequently charged with Bud Phillips' murder and faced ongoing investigations related to the deaths of Kim Clark and Dwayne Murphy.

Investigator 2 [32:18]: "We definitely had an unnatural death of Mr. Phillips, a lethal concentration of strychnine. We had eyewitnesses placing her at the scene. She had access to Mr. Phillips. She had access to the contents of his house where other people didn't."

Legal Proceedings and Plea Deal

As the trial approached, Purdy's attorney highlighted the potential impact of her criminal history on the case. Facing overwhelming evidence and the weight of her past crimes, Purdy opted to accept a plea deal before her trial commenced.

In June 2011, Purdy Clark agreed to a plea agreement, receiving a 40-year sentence for her orchestrated crimes, including the murder of Bud Phillips. While this deal provided closure for Bud's family, the investigations into Kim Clark and Dwayne Murphy remained open, leaving the door ajar for future revelations.

Investigator 3 [44:48]: "The district attorney offered a plea agreement that if she pled guilty, she would receive 40 years for the chaos that she committed over the span in people's lives this that she disrupted."

Conclusion: A Legacy of Deceit

Purdy Clark's case serves as a stark reminder of how charm and manipulation can mask sinister motives. Her actions not only resulted in multiple deaths but also left lasting scars on the lives of those she touched. As the investigations into her past crimes continue, Purdy remains a symbol of calculated evil, her legacy one of greed and destruction.

Witness 1 [45:17]: "I don't think she should even have a parole. I think she is evil from toes up and I think she should have got more time for killing somebody. I mean that's just not right."

Key Takeaways

• Manipulative Charm: Purdy Clark utilized her allure and charm to manipulate and control her relationships, leading to lethal outcomes.
• Consistent Motive: Greed was the primary motivator behind her actions, driving her to exploit and eliminate those who stood in her way.
• Evasion and Capture: Despite her cunning attempts to evade law enforcement, diligent investigative work ultimately led to her apprehension.
• Ongoing Investigations: The deaths of Kim Clark and Dwayne Murphy remain under scrutiny, with Purdy's involvement still a focal point.

Notable Quotes

• Investigator 2 [10:46]: "Michael did not believe that Mr. Phillips had died of a cardiac arrest while he was 60. He carried himself as being much younger. He was in very good physical condition."
• Witness 1 [21:27]: "From the investigator standpoint, it looked like Purdy wanted to murder Kim for his money. And she also murdered Dwayne because he knew too much about Kim's murder."
• Investigator 3 [44:48]: "The district attorney offered a plea agreement that if she pled guilty, she would receive 40 years for the chaos that she committed over the span in people's lives this that she disrupted."
• Witness 1 [45:17]: "I don't think she should even have a parole. I think she is evil from toes up and I think she should have got more time for killing somebody. I mean that's just not right."

Final Thoughts

"Purdie Clark" is a testament to the complexities of human behavior and the dark paths that can emerge from seemingly ordinary lives. The episode meticulously charts Purdy's descent into murder, driven by greed and a relentless desire for control. For true crime enthusiasts, this case underscores the importance of diligent investigation and the pursuit of truth, no matter how deeply it's buried.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Investigator 1]

They had seen a subject come out of residence screaming, yelling.

[Investigator 2]

He was in severe distress and pain.

[Investigator 3]

It was around between 9:00 and 9:30 that they found him in 10:18 when he was pronounced deceased.

[Narrator]

The hunt for the truth leads investigators to an alluring seductress.

[Witness 1]

She definitely used her sexuality, I would say, to woo men.

[Investigator 2]

I think you should let me kiss you first. Everywhere. You promised like the first time.

[Narrator]

You're just gonna let me enjoy all of it.

[Investigator 2]

She had him hung up and twisting. He was over the moon for her.

[Narrator]

Multiple agencies worked together to expose the dangerous and twisted web the killer created.

[Investigator 2]

She brought almost chaos. It was like a whirlwind.

[Witness 2]

There's three dead people and they're all connected to one.

[Witness 1]

I think she is evil from toes up. It was all a game with her.

[Investigator 1]

She just thought she was not going to be caught.

[Witness 1]

She was just on a high of seeing what she could do and what she could get away with.

[Narrator]

San Angelo, Texas, a former frontier town located deep in the heart of the Lone Star State.

[Investigator 1]

We're three hours from Lubbock, Texas to the north and to the south. We got San Antonio, It's a larger.

[Investigator 3]

Town, over 100,000 people, but here everybody knows everybody.

[Narrator]

On February 16, 2009, all was quiet as usual until just before 9:30am when a a call comes in to the San Angelo 911 dispatch center. The female caller reports that she and a friend were driving when they spotted a man in distress in the front yard of a home.

[Investigator 1]

They had seen a subject come out of residence screaming, yelling, and then shortly thereafter, the subject collapsed.

[Investigator 3]

There were two ladies. They stopped to see what they could do to help.

[Narrator]

The woman reports that her friend is attempting cpr, but despite her efforts, the man is deteriorating. By the second.

[Investigator 3]

She realized that he had stopped breathing.

[Investigator 1]

At that point we had dispatched medical personnel, fire department to respond to the scene.

[Narrator]

Paramedics arrive and take over the life saving efforts.

[Investigator 1]

He was transported by ambulance to our Trauma 1 hospital here in San Angelo.

[Narrator]

But doctors never get a chance to treat him. Just moments after arriving at the er, the patient succumbs to the mysterious affliction.

[Investigator 3]

It was around between 9 and 9:30 that the ladies had found him. And I believe it was about 1018, something like that in the morning when he was pronounced deceased. So a very short period of time.

[Narrator]

Since he wasn't seen by a physician, the patient's passing is categorized as an unattended death.

[Investigator 3]

In Texas, anytime there's an unattended death not being treated by a doctor, then they will call the justice of the Peace. It's an old office in Texas. They do the investigation into an unintended death. They believe that it was some type of heart issue that caused his death, like a heart attack.

[Narrator]

Just then, the victim's son, Michael Phillips, arrives at the emergency room.

[Investigator 2]

The next door neighbor had actually called and let Mike Phillips know that his father had been transported to the hospital. So he arrived and then a positive identification was made.

[Narrator]

Michael speaks with the justice of the Peace who shares the devastating news that his father, James Bud Phillips, is deceased. Michael is in disbelief. Born in 1948, James Bud Phillips was a native Texan.

[Witness 2]

Bud grew up in San Angelo, Texas, and when he was young, he got involved with a pretty rough crowd. They're selling drugs. Eventually Bud married and they had a son. But When Bud was 43 years old, the fast part of his life caught up with him. He got arrested and was convicted for selling drugs. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but thanks to his appeal, he only served 14.

[Narrator]

In 2005, when Bud got out at the age of 56, he was determined to stay on the straight and narrow. Bud found one thing he learned on the inside that helped him on the outside. Discipline.

[Investigator 2]

He was a very orderly, neat, organized individual, almost to the point of being compulsive. His appearance, everything from his vehicles to how he kept his house, his clothes, everything very orderly.

[Witness 2]

Bud liked working on old cars and he really had a talent for it.

[Investigator 2]

He was very active. He wasn't someone that just sat around all day.

[Narrator]

Bud tried to make up for lost time with his now adult son Michael, who lived nearby.

[Witness 2]

Because he was in prison, Bud missed a big chunk of his son's life and that really weighed heavy on him. So he was determined to make up for that.

[Investigator 2]

Michael was very much in touch with his father. They had a very good relationship.

[Narrator]

Bud was satisfied with his quiet life. But 2007 brought some unexpected and welcomed excitement. A raven haired beauty named Purdy Clark.

[Witness 1]

She was an attractive young lady and could be very charming. She had a bubbly personality.

[Narrator]

When Bud met the mother of three, she was still grieving the loss of her first husband, 42 year old Kim Clark, who had died just months earlier in September of 2006.

[Witness 3]

I knew Kim Clark from work. We were co workers. Kim was in the cubicle next to me, this regular guy with a family and a good job. And he was found on the side of the road, shot twice in the head. The first things that went through my mind are that it was wrong place, wrong time thing. What else could it possibly be?

[Narrator]

The murder was still under investigation when Purdy met Bud Phillips.

[Witness 2]

Purdy just lost her husband a few months earlier. And Kim has a twin brother named Tim who filed a civil suit to get the boys away from Purdy. When she met Bud, he really filled a void in her life.

[Narrator]

Despite the almost 30 year age difference, Bud and Purdy were swept away by their romance.

[Investigator 2]

It was like a whirlwind. They couldn't separate from each other once they began their relationship.

[Narrator]

Just a few months later, Purdy moved into Bud's home.

[Investigator 1]

They live together for a period of time. They consider themselves husband, wife, but not legally married.

[Narrator]

The couple hoped for a long and happy life with each other. But now, two and a half years after the death of her first husband, Purdy is grieving another loss. After being rushed to the ER on the morning of February 16, 2009, 60 year old Bud Phillips is pronounced dead from what doctors believe to be a heart attack.

[Investigator 1]

A male subject that age, it's highly likely that he could have had a heart attack or some other medical episode.

[Narrator]

However, Bud's loved ones insist there Must be another explanation.

[Investigator 2]

Michael did not believe that Mr. Phillips had died of a cardiac arrest while he was 60. He carried himself as being much younger. He was in very good physical condition.

[Narrator]

Michael requests an autopsy on his father.

[Investigator 3]

He did listen to the family and to calm their suspicions, he agreed to do a blood test. It would enable him to find out if there was another reason for an autopsy.

[Narrator]

The following day, before the results of the blood test are back, San Angelo police get a call from Bud's son Michael. Michael reports that his father's ex, Purdy Clark is at the house declaring the house belongs to her.

[Witness 1]

The son was at the dad's house cleaning it out and she showed up, I guess to claim the house essentially.

[Investigator 2]

So now there was a disturbance between Mr. Phillips, family members and Ms. Clark. So much that the police were notified.

[Narrator]

Coming up, a detective makes a disturbing connection between Bud's death and a cold case.

[Investigator 1]

The next thing we know is one of the main suspects is dead.

[Narrator]

And a mysterious letter to police creates new more questions than answers.

[Investigator 2]

It was addressed to the chief of police. He placed in the letter that he was responsible for his death.

[Investigator 1]

They just didn't believe that was an authentic letter admitting to the crime and then the suicide afterwards.

[Narrator]

On February 17, 2009, Michael Phillips summoned police to the residence of his suddenly deceased father, Bud Phillips. Bud's son tells officers that his father's ex, Purdy Clark, is trying to claim his home.

[Investigator 2]

Ms. Clark could no longer live there, but she was trying to take possession of the house.

[Narrator]

Purdy insists to police that her long term relationship with Bud gives her the right to ownership of his home.

[Investigator 1]

Following his death, Mr. Phillips and Hurtie Clark lived together and they considered each other husband and wife, but not legally married. They were more than a dating relationship.

[Narrator]

However, Michael points out that the couple had been on and off for the last four months and had recently separated in November.

[Witness 1]

I think it was an on and off again relationship. So she had not been living there on a day to day basis for several months. Even if they were common law married, it didn't make it her house. If he owned that house prior to her moving in, which he clearly did, that would never be her house.

[Investigator 2]

The sergeant that responded to the scene called me because he knew that I had had previous knowledge of Ms. Clark. I advised that sergeant to go ahead and allow Mr. Phillipsan and secure the residence maintain control and Michael was his power of attorney.

[Narrator]

Purdy is instructed to leave the property. Back at the station, Detective Dye makes a striking connection. After pulling Purdy's police File. This is not the first time San angelo police have encountered purdy clark.

[Investigator 2]

We had been investigating her for some time. She had committed felony theft, forged felony amount of checks, and in 2006, we had been contacted by members of the collin county sheriff's department and the texas rangers about an incident that occurred in collin county. They were investigating homicide at that time, and the victim was identified as Kim Clark.

[Narrator]

On September 14, 2006, Kim Clark, Purdy's first husband, was reported missing.

[Witness 1]

Kim clark worked for texas instruments, which is in the mckinney, plano area, kind of north Dallas area.

[Witness 3]

On a Sunday morning, I remember being surprised. Look at my phone and see an incoming call from my supervisor. Of course, I answer it right away, and my supervisor asked me, hey, have you seen kim? Kim's apparently, he didn't come home after work on Friday, and do you know anything about where he could be? And of course, I'm shocked. I remember thinking, is this a prank Kim is pulling?

[Narrator]

When police questioned purdy back in 2006, she claimed the last time she saw her husband was the night before he went missing.

[Witness 2]

Purdy said the evening ended with an argument and that she left to go meet friends at a bar. When she got home, Kim wasn't there, and she told investigators she didn't know what happened to him or where he'd gone.

[Narrator]

Just five days later, a tractor driver made a horrific discovery.

[Investigator 3]

He was found about 20ft, I believe, off the edge of the highway by someone driving a tractor. He had been shot in the head two times.

[Witness 2]

I remember getting a heads up from the sheriff's department that they found a body. There was decomposition, so he'd been there for the majority of the time he was missing.

[Witness 3]

It was on a Tuesday, I think, that we learned that his body had been found. I called purdy, and she was very sad about Kim. Nothing ever seemed off or out of the ordinary about what could be at home. I thought maybe he went out for dinner on Friday night and the place was robbed, and who knows? But I would have never guessed that it's anything intentional on his side or on anyone else's side.

[Narrator]

After finding kim's body, Collin county investigators teamed up with san angelo police and took a deep dive into purdy and Kim's life. They quickly learned that the marriage was anything but traditional.

[Investigator 3]

Kim and purdy clark, they were married for 14 years, but they had an open relationship. In 2006, she met a gentleman named Robert Dwayne Murphy. Met him online.

[Investigator 2]

Dwayne had a bad breakup the year before, and I Think Duane was looking for love. In the beginning, Purdy told Duane that she was single. And then a few weeks into the relationship, it turned into something else. That she was married, but they were getting a divorce. But it was all kind of slid in under the table after they had already gotten together in a more serious relationship.

[Narrator]

Soon, Dwayne and Purdy were hot and heavy. Despite Purdy's dubious marital status, it was.

[Investigator 2]

A fast, serious relationship. She had him hung up and twisted.

[Witness 2]

He was over the moon for her.

[Investigator 3]

And he wound up moving into the house with Kim and Purdy Clark. At the time.

[Narrator]

When police questioned Purdy and Duane, they both deny any involvement in Kim's murder.

[Investigator 3]

Purdy Clark and Robert Murphy soon became prime suspects in Kim Clark's death.

[Narrator]

A month later, detectives looking into Kim's murder found themselves at an impasse. But the haze of suspicion around Purdy thickened when Duane Murphy also turned up dead on October 16, 2006.

[Investigator 1]

The next thing we know is one of the main suspects is dead.

[Investigator 3]

Dwayne was found alone in a hotel room here in San Angelo by the cleaning lady.

[Witness 1]

He had OD'd on a hotshot of heroin and cocaine, but yet there was no needle found. There was no spoon found. So somebody was there with him because somebody removed whatever happened afterwards.

[Narrator]

The news shocked those who were close to Dwayne.

[Investigator 2]

For him to be accused or associated with any kind of drugs was unheard of.

[Narrator]

Adding to the mystery, A few days after Dwayne's death, A letter showed up at the San Angelo police department. An apparent suicide note from Dwayne Murphy.

[Investigator 3]

There was a letter that was sent claiming that he is the one that had shot Kim Clark and that he wasn't going to go on.

[Narrator]

Investigators had strong doubts that Dwayne actually penned the confession, could have simply just left it.

[Investigator 2]

Why mail it? That's a great deal of preparation and forethought that you normally don't see in these instances.

[Narrator]

Though Dwayne's autopsy deemed his death as suicide, investigators couldn't shake their suspicions.

[Investigator 3]

You could have an autopsy. The medical examiner will rule a cause of death as suicide. But then they leave it up to investigators to determine and do all the same steps that we would for a homicide investigation. So I would say, early on in this investigation, we were working it as a homicide.

[Narrator]

For two years, suspicions surrounded Purdy. But with no clear evidence tying her to Kim's murder or Dwayne's mysterious death, she has remained a free woman.

[Investigator 2]

Purdy Clark was and still remains to be a person of interest. She's the common link between her husband and Mr. Murphy, who are both deceased.

[Witness 2]

From the investigator standpoint, it looked like Purdy wanted to murder Kim for his money. And she also murdered Duane because he knew too much about Kim's murder.

[Narrator]

Now, less than three years later, the 31 year old is back in detective sights as they learn of Purdy's connection to Bud Phillips and her attempt to cash in on his death.

[Investigator 1]

Knowing her history, we need to look into this as a murder.

[Witness 2]

There's three dead and they're all connected to one person. Everything just leads back to her.

[Narrator]

Coming up, new details emerge about Purdy and Bud's romance.

[Investigator 1]

The relationship was there to take advantage of Bud Phillips and take advantage of his finances.

[Narrator]

And later, the prime suspect goes missing.

[Investigator 3]

We had no idea where she was.

[Witness 4]

She told me she was going to town to get something for supper and she'd be right back. And she never came back.

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[Narrator]

This March, Bravo's top chef heads north. So welcome to Toronto. And when the competition hits. Canada.

[Investigator 1]

Poutine.

[Narrator]

Poutine.

[Investigator 3]

Poutine.

[Advertiser]

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[Witness 3]

A lot of dough on the line, right?

[Narrator]

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[Investigator 2]

I have to be sorry, not sorry. Now or never.

[Narrator]

It's gonna be good. We gotta go big.

[Witness 2]

My job's not done until I win Top Chef.

[Narrator]

March 13th on Bravo and streaming on Peacock on February 18th, 2009. Two days after Bud Phillips passed away from what appears to be a heart attack, investigators get the results of Bud's blood test back, and the 60 year old's true cause of death is revealed.

[Investigator 2]

There was strychnine in his buddy. So we knew we were working homicide.

[Narrator]

On west Texas ranches, strychnine was often commonplace.

[Investigator 3]

Strychnine is a poison. It's used in the early days by ranchers for predators. Coyotes, bobcats. It's very lethal for humans. It doesn't take very much strychnine at all. You'll see the symptoms within 10 to 20 minutes after ingestion.

[Investigator 2]

It affects your muscular system and your respiratory system. It basically causes all your muscles and everything to just cease.

[Narrator]

If Bud died from strychnine poisoning, how did he get it into his system?

[Investigator 2]

The string nine's very bitter. We were looking for some type of food source, something that would overpower the bitterness. That's where we started.

[Narrator]

Two days after Bud's death, investigators go back to his house to look for a possible source. There they find Bud's son, Michael.

[Witness 2]

Investigators have to tell Michael that his suspicions were right and his father didn't die of a heart attack. Instead, he died of poisoning. And Michael was very devastated by that news.

[Narrator]

Michael tells detectives that he and his wife had done some tidying up when they came back to the house from the hospital.

[Investigator 2]

At his residence, after we became involved, what we found was completely opposite of what had been described by his family. You know, disorder, clutter. He had found an overturned carton of ice cream in one of the bedrooms, half melted. And we inquired where that was, and he'd already cleaned it out and taken it to the trash. A bitter poison would need something to mask it, Something very sweet that would overcome the taste. Ice cream kind of fits that bill.

[Narrator]

Investigators head outside where they dig through Bud's trash.

[Investigator 2]

Inside, we found the perfect cover for that type of poison. Obviously, the first thing we sent to the lab was the ice cream.

[Investigator 1]

We gathered not only the ice cream, but other items within the house that could contain a strychnine.

[Narrator]

Next, investigators take the opportunity to get a detailed statement from Michael. He Explains that once Purdy moved in with his dad, Bud's disciplined and orderly lifestyle was upended.

[Witness 2]

Purdy came into his life and just filled his house with junk. There was stuff everywhere. This caused a lot of arguments since Bud liked keeping things organized. But even with that, Bud didn't see that as a reason to leave Purdy.

[Investigator 3]

She was able to woo anybody, and I think that's probably what brought those two together.

[Investigator 2]

In the investigation, we learned that it seems that she had some amount of allure attraction that people just drew to.

[Narrator]

Michael reports that about a year earlier, while still in a relationship with Bud, Purdy made a bold and underhanded move.

[Investigator 3]

Bud had some property that his mom had deeded him in Mason, Texas. Michael recently found out Purdy reached out to a real estate agent in Mason and was trying to sell that, saying that the property was given to her by Bud.

[Investigator 1]

Once it got closer to the property being sold, it kind of fell through because there was really not a way for her to prove up that she was the actual owner.

[Investigator 3]

She'd never told Bud about trying to sell the property.

[Narrator]

Eventually, Bud's family got word of the attempted sale. Since then, they've questioned Purdy's intentions.

[Investigator 1]

What they suspected is the relationship was there only to take advantage of Bud Phillips and take advantage of his finances. She tried to sell some property that didn't belong to her. So again, what they suspect is money could have been the motive.

[Narrator]

The next day, test results provide a vital clue in the case.

[Investigator 3]

The chemist at the tarrant county medical examiner's office told us that there was a lethal dose of strychnine in the chocolate ice cream. It was a huge break because now we knew how it got into Bud.

[Narrator]

Investigators can prove that the strychnine was in the ice cream, but now they need to prove that Purdy gave it to him.

[Investigator 1]

We basically have to prove that she was there at the residence prior to his death, link her to the strychnine and link her to the ice cream.

[Narrator]

Investigators talk to Bud's neighbors.

[Investigator 1]

Mr. Phillips residence was at a corner of intersection. One elderly lady across the street told me, I happened to be looking at between 8 and 8:30, heard a horn.

[Investigator 3]

Honk and saw Purdy Clark's mother, who came by to pick her up. So we knew that Purdy Clark left shortly before 9:00.

[Narrator]

Approximately 30 minutes later, Bud was spotted by witnesses stumbling out of his house in severe medical distress.

[Investigator 1]

We could place her at the scene of the crime within 20 to 30 minutes of the death. That was too much Of a coincidence for us.

[Narrator]

Investigators theorize that purdy delivered bud his death sentence under the guise of bringing him a treat.

[Witness 2]

They knew from bud's son that purdy and bud had broken up, but they'd still see each other on and off. So it wasn't completely abnormal for purdy to show up from time to time.

[Narrator]

The pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together.

[Investigator 2]

We definitely had an unnatural death of Mr. Phillips, a lethal concentration of strychnine. We had eyewitnesses placing her at the scene. She had access to Mr. Phillips. She had access to the contents of his house where other people didn't.

[Narrator]

With the test results in, Authorities finally have the evidence they need to place purdy clark under arrest for bud's murder.

[Investigator 2]

We were able to obtain a warrant for Ms. Clark for murder at that time. Then it was a matter of determining her location.

[Narrator]

That task quickly proves difficult. Purdy is nowhere to be found.

[Investigator 3]

Our investigation was still flying sort of low on the radar that I don't think there was enough for her to know that would have spooked her. But she moved around so much, we didn't know where she was at.

[Narrator]

Days pass and there is still no sign of purdy.

[Investigator 3]

We were talking to friends, family, Anything to try to locate her, to get her to either turn herself in or for us to take her into custody.

[Narrator]

Coming up, a tip on purdy's whereabouts reveals yet another lover.

[Witness 4]

I thank God they showed up because I really think that she was after us to kill us.

[Narrator]

Leaving investigators questioning if he is her next target.

[Investigator 2]

And I believe at some point that he very well been the next victim.

[Narrator]

Investigators in san angelo, Texas, believe that 31 year old Purdy clark poisoned her ex by putting strychnine in his ice cream. But after finally gathering enough evidence to arrest her, Investigators can't track her down. They reach out to their counterparts in collin county where purdy is under investigation for another murder.

[Investigator 3]

They were still working on the death of Kim Clark. They were doing interviews on their part of their investigation. And someone they were talking to had told them that she was now living on a big ranch in el dorado with some guy named Sean. And they were dating.

[Narrator]

On March 19th, investigators drive 40 miles south to the 2,000 acre livestock ranch. They are met by the ranch's owner, Linda scroggins.

[Witness 1]

They asked me if I knew purdy and I said, yeah, you know, I said, she's living over there with my son.

[Narrator]

Linda says that purdy has been in a romantic relationship with her son Sean and living on the Ranch on and off for around two months. But Linda says that neither Shawn nor Purdy are home. Linda contacts Shawn and hands the call over to investigators.

[Witness 4]

I was headed home one day from work, and that's when one of the detectives up here in San Angelo called me. One of the detectives was asking me this and that about her and if I had any strychnine poison on the ranch. And I said, yes, sir, you could buy it back then for predator control. By the time I got to the house, there was two Texas Rangers there already, and they wanted that poison. So I took them down to my shop, showed it to them.

[Investigator 3]

The strychnine was in a cabinet. You open it up, everything in there is dusty.

[Narrator]

All of the bottles are coated in dust, except for.

[Witness 1]

There were little dark brown vials. The one had been moved, so it wasn't dusty anymore.

[Narrator]

Investigators collect the bottle and continue their interview with Shawn.

[Witness 4]

I told him I probably knew her about a year or so before she got arrested. I didn't know Bud, but I'd met him one time. But I don't think he knew what was going on with us.

[Investigator 2]

You told me before you found her going through things in the shops and.

[Witness 4]

Stuff like that, right?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Witness 4]

I could see her filtering around in there whenever it worked. Goodbye. She didn't know exactly where I kept it. I never showed it to her. I don't believe.

[Investigator 2]

Don't believe?

[Witness 4]

I don't know, but it's not hard to find.

[Investigator 3]

We knew there was strychnine in the ice cream. We knew she was the last one to see Bud before he ingested the ice cream. Now we had another link to be able to say she had access to strychnine.

[Narrator]

Investigators pressed Sean for information on Purdy's alleged crimes.

[Investigator 2]

She ever tell you anything about her previous husband?

[Witness 4]

No, she didn't talk about him much. Every time she started, she'd start crying and pretty upset.

[Witness 1]

Shawn's first wife had died several years before that. I think Purdy just came along at the right time and swept him off his feet.

[Narrator]

The next thing Sean knew, Purdy was moving onto the ranch, bringing all of her belongings with her.

[Witness 4]

She wanted me to come up here to San Angelo and get a bunch of stuff out of her storage building. She told me she had all that stuff because she was collecting it. Just a collector. She likes collecting stuff.

[Narrator]

Sean explains that he eventually learned that by collecting, Purdy meant stealing.

[Witness 4]

I found out eight or ten different IDs, driver's license, and stuff off of people that she had accumulated. Yeah, just other people's IDs, driver's license, credit cards.

[Witness 1]

She was just on a high of seeing what she could do and what she could get away with.

[Narrator]

Sean says that Purdy was also involved in even more nefarious activities.

[Witness 4]

I never even saw her do drugs, but I know she did them. She was gone all the time, and I never could figure out why. She didn't want to tell me what was going on. I just figured she was going out selling drugs.

[Narrator]

But Sean tells investigators he hasn't seen Purdy since yesterday evening.

[Witness 4]

She had said she was going to town to buy stuff to cook dinner for me and my mom. She'd be right back. She never came back.

[Narrator]

Investigators don't believe that Shawn was involved in any of Purdy's crimes. In fact, they think it's more likely that Purdy's promise of a home cooked meal could have been his last.

[Investigator 2]

We could all see a pattern developed that we had seen previously. And I believe at some point that Mr. Taylor could have very well been the next victim.

[Witness 4]

I thank God they showed up because I really think that she was after us to kill us. Could have stolen a bunch of stuff, maybe to keep me quiet because she got the strychnine off of me. There's no telling what was going through her head.

[Narrator]

As investigators are talking with Sean, his phone starts ringing. Purdy is on the line.

[Witness 4]

She asked me what was going on, and I said, well, the cops are here looking for you and going through all your. I said, I done told them they could look, and she got all mad at me. The cops asked me if that was her, and I said, yeah, that was her I was talking to. And they said, where is she? And I said, I don't know, but I'm guessing she's in Dallas. She was going back and forth to Dallas buying drugs to sell them. She'd go to a chop shop up there in Dallas and pick all that stuff up and then bring it down here to San Angelo.

[Narrator]

Coming up, FBI surveillance spots Purdy.

[Investigator 3]

They were dealing methamphetamines out of this chop shop.

[Narrator]

But the hunt for Purdy takes a dramatic turn.

[Investigator 3]

They saw her pull up and have a marked unit trying to stop her. She fled and she crashed out and then she ran on foot.

[Narrator]

Purdy Clark has been dodging San Angelo police for more than a week since they got a warrant to place her under arrest for the death of her ex, Bud Phillips. Now Purdy's new boyfriend shares details with police about a chop shop in Dallas where she may be picking up Drugs. As it turns out, the shop is already under surveillance by the FBI.

[Investigator 3]

There was an active federal investigation into this chop shop, and they were dealing methamphetamines out of this chop shop.

[Narrator]

San Angelo police alert the agents to be on the lookout for Purdy. On March 23, one month and five days after Bud's murder, they spot her.

[Investigator 3]

During that time when they were watching this, they saw her pull up and have a marked unit who attempted a traffic stop. She fled in the vehicle. She crashed out, and then she took off on foot for a short distance before she was captured. And then she was arrested on this murder warrant. Inside the car she was in, she had identifications for different people. She also had a shotgun. She had several phones.

[Narrator]

Hours later, the feds in Dallas release Purdy to San Angelo police. Yet Purdy appears unfazed.

[Investigator 3]

She walked out like she was being arrested for a traffic ticket. There was nothing bothering her.

[Narrator]

Back in San Angelo, Purdy requests an attorney and refuses to make a statement.

[Investigator 3]

We knew that she had asked for a lawyer, so we weren't asking her any questions at all.

[Narrator]

Purdy is tight lipped to law enforcement, but she makes the most of her daily phone call from jail and continues to reach out to Sean. You're not a fool, Sean. I swear to God, you're not a fool. And I swear to God, I only love you.

[Witness 4]

Been feeling like one the last few days. I didn't want to believe it. I don't know. I didn't love her, that's for sure. But I felt sorry for her, I guess because she was still telling me that she didn't do it, and she didn't do it, and she didn't do it.

[Narrator]

Everywhere.

[Investigator 2]

You promised like the first time, you're just gonna let me show it, all of it.

[Witness 2]

Even from behind bars, Purdy's still trying to work her charm on Sean. Looks like at this point that Purdy is trying to seduce Shawn and get him to not testify against her.

[Narrator]

Prosecutors prepare to try Purdy for Bud's murder, where they will allege that her motive was greed.

[Investigator 3]

It was all tied back to what was Purdy going to get out of it. So I think greed ultimately was the reason for all this because it all ties back to getting something for her, whether it's selling drugs, stealing property, or killing someone.

[Narrator]

As her trial nears, Purdy's attorney explains to her that even though she is only on trial for Bud's murder, the other deaths could play into the outcome.

[Witness 1]

I explained it to her clearly that jurors are only humans and they hear that at least two other people associated with you are also deceased, they're going to just throw away the key at that point.

[Narrator]

In June 2011, a month before her trial is set to begin, 34 year old Purdy agrees to take a deal.

[Investigator 3]

The district attorney offered a plea agreement that if she pled guilty, she would.

[Investigator 2]

Receive 40 years for the chaos that she committed over the span in people's lives this that she disrupted. Forty years, is that enough? Honestly, if you ask the families of the people, I don't know what time would be sufficient.

[Witness 1]

I don't think she should even have a parole. I think she is evil from toes.

[Witness 4]

Up and I think she should have got more time for killing somebody. I mean that's just not right.

[Narrator]

Purdy will be eligible for parole in 2029. That is if she doesn't face additional murder charges before then.

[Investigator 3]

We have Kim Clark's murder still active. Dwayne Murphy's death was changed after a while by the justice of the from a suicide to a homicide. And I know that case is still active. It's a cold case but it's still actively being investigated. At some point I think Purdy might be there to answer to him.

[Advertiser]

Purdy is at Dr. Lane Murray Unit prison and will be eligible for parole in 2029. The investigations into the deaths of Kim Clark and Dwayne Murphy remain open. Purdy has not been charged in connection with either murder. So you've got a business, but what about a brand? The difference more of you Wix gives you the freedom to create your website, own your brand and do it on.

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