True Crime All The Time Unsolved – “The Circleville Letter Writer”

Episode 406 | Released March 17, 2025 | Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson

Overview

In this episode, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson (aka Gibby) delve into the decades-long mystery of The Circleville Letter Writer—a case that terrorized Circleville, Ohio, for nearly two decades. Beginning in 1977, anonymous, threatening letters targeted local residents, primarily Mary Gillespie, a school bus driver, and her family. The identity of the writer remains unconfirmed, and the case involves a suspicious death, a booby trap, fractured relationships, and a town gripped by paranoia. The hosts unpack key suspects, theories, and the enduring intrigue of one of America’s most notorious unsolved harassment cases.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Origins of the Circleville Letters

• [02:41] The letter campaign began in March 1977, though some reports suggest as early as 1976. Over the next eighteen years, hundreds of residents received menacing letters.
• The primary target was Mary Gillespie, a local bus driver, accused by the writer of having an affair with school superintendent Gordon Massie.

“That's a long time to be receiving mysterious, threatening letters. Absolutely. I think one's enough. But, you know, when you're getting them for 15 years or more, that's going to be tough.”
— Mike Ferguson ([03:09])

2. Escalating Threats and Early Victims

• [04:09] The letters detailed personal aspects of Mary’s life, threatening her, her family, and her daughter, Tracy.
• Ronald Gillespie, Mary’s husband, also received letters, accused of being complicit and told to confront and even kill those involved in the alleged affair.
• The letter writer took a threatening, commanding tone:

“You have been watched. Failure to comply, and you shall suffer. No one can help. ...Obey. Obey.”
— Excerpt read by Mike Ferguson ([06:03])

• The threats spread to others: signs on bus routes, calls, and eventually the whole town.

3. Psychological Impact and Community Paranoia

• [11:12] The hosts discuss the mounting stress on the Gillespie family, as daily life became overwhelmed by the harassment.
• Attempts to identify the writer included involving police, tapping phones, and working with the USPS—all unsuccessful.
• Mass hysteria took hold; the implications echoed classic fear-mongering tactics, reminiscent of the Zodiac Killer.

“I mean, this has got to be dominating your entire life. … What else are you talking about at dinner other than all of this stuff that's going on?”
— Mike Ferguson ([11:15])

4. The Death of Ronald Gillespie

• [13:01] Ronald receives a mysterious phone call and leaves home with a revolver, intending to confront the writer. He crashes his truck and is found dead, the gun discharged once.
• The coroner rules the death an accident (blood alcohol almost twice legal limit), but many—citing his typical sobriety—suspect foul play. Theories include staged murder and confrontation turned deadly.

“We already have like this unbelievable mystery going on. ...Ronald says, I know who it is and I'm going to go out and take care of him. And he gets involved in a traffic accident and dies on the way there. Allegedly.”
— Mike Ferguson ([14:51])

5. Aftermath: Accusations and Expanding Harassment

• Despite Ronald’s death, letters and threats continue, shifting focus and making even more outrageous claims against other townsfolk—allegations of affairs, violence, and more.
• Some felt Mary’s subsequent romantic relationship with Massie substantiated earlier claims, raising suspicion.

“It makes it seem as though more likely than not, maybe they were seeing each other on the side. ...I can't imagine that your husband dies and you just happen to start seeing the person you were accused of having an affair with.”
— Mike Ferguson ([17:25])

6. New Victims and a Murder

• [20:50] In 1980, local teacher Vicki Koch is murdered. Her disappearance and remains intrigue the hosts—wondering if the crime is related or simply hunted for notoriety by the letter writer, who incorporated her into subsequent threats.

“You just wonder how much of these letters were personal information known by the writer or information that was gleaned from newspaper articles or, you know, television reports or gossip or whatever.”
— Mike Ferguson ([21:30])

7. Attempted Murder: The Booby Trap

• [24:09] In 1983, Mary discovers a sign about her daughter wired to a box; inside is a loaded booby-trapped gun aimed at face level. Miraculously, she isn’t harmed.
• Investigators trace the gun to Paul Freshour, Mary’s ex-brother-in-law.
• Paul’s estranged wife, Karen Sue, fuels suspicion against him, citing previous abuse and alleged discoveries of torn-up letters.

“If Mary had forcefully removed the sign, she could have been shot. But by an act of God...the gun did not discharge.”
— Mike Ferguson quoting the sheriff ([24:49])

8. Investigation and Trial of Paul Freshour

• [28:53] Paul is arrested and charged with attempted murder, not with the writing of the Circleville Letters, though handwriting analysis and other circumstantial evidence feature heavily.
• Key details:
  • No fingerprints on the gun or box.
  • Handwriting experts tie him to the letters, but questions linger about the quality of those examinations and sample collections.
  • Defense points at estranged wife Karen Sue as having both motive and opportunity.

“It was difficult for the prosecution to prove that Paul made the booby trap because his prints were not found on the gun or the box. However, they told the jury that Paul took the day off work on February 7, 1983.”
— Mike Ferguson ([42:54])

• Despite his alibi, Paul is convicted and sentenced to 7–25 years (served 10).

9. The Letters Continue

• [45:25] Even as Paul sits in prison (often in solitary, with no pen or paper, all correspondence monitored), the letters—postmarked from Columbus—continue.
• The phenomenon suggests either an accomplice or a different perpetrator.

“After the Pickaway county sheriff complained, Paul was put in solitary confinement and denied access to pen and paper. But the letters kept coming.”
— Mike Ferguson ([45:47])

• Paul himself receives a taunting letter reinforcing the sense of a setup:

“Fresh Hour. Now, when are you going to believe you aren't getting out of there?...The joke is on you. Ha ha.”
— Letter quoted by Ferguson ([46:18])

10. Alternate Suspects and Ongoing Theories

• [48:34] “Unsolved Mysteries” investigates. Paul is paroled in 1994. Journalist Martin Yant uncovers leads pointing to Karen Sue’s boyfriend, who matched a witness description near the booby trap site (large, sandy-haired, El Camino car).
• Paul’s children split over belief in his innocence or guilt; Paul suspects his own son may have stolen his gun for the booby trap but never voices this (out of protection).

“You know, you start to think, well, it could possibly be this person. And then you get a little piece of information that makes you think...maybe it's the ex-wife's boyfriend. And then you think, well, maybe it's the son.”
— Mike Ferguson ([52:24])

11. Expert Analyses and Modern Reviews

• Recent document examiners, such as Beverly East and researcher Mary Mayhew, conclude Paul’s handwriting matches hundreds of the letters—including those sent while he was in prison. Explanations include possible pre-written letters mailed by an accomplice.
• A former FBI profiler, Mary Ellen O’Toole, believes a single person wrote all the letters, likely a woman, and took the secret to their grave.

“She said that the writer was most likely not highly educated based on how they wrote. O'Toole noted that Paul Fresh Hour had a master's degree and was in a managerial position at his job.”
— Mike Ferguson ([54:01])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the bizarre nature of the threats:

  “You want me to kill her and her lover?”
  — Mike Gibson ([10:14])

• On Paul’s predicament:

  “So you know you're either in prison for something you did or you're in there for something you didn't do. And now you're being doubly crucified by this letter writer.”
  — Mike Ferguson ([47:20])

• Expert’s final thoughts:

  “She said the writer enjoyed hurting people and possibly had a personality disorder.”
  — Mike Ferguson, paraphrasing former FBI profiler ([54:01])

• Reflecting on unsolved status:

  “You can see why people find this case so mysterious... Paul's convicted. ...But there's almost two separate things, because he's only convicted of the attempted murder... He's never convicted of the threatening letter.”
  — Mike Ferguson ([57:37])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 02:41 – Introduction to Circleville Letter mystery.
• 03:19 – Focus on Mary Gillespie and timeline of letter campaign.
• 04:09 – First threats and escalation.
• 13:01 – Death of Ronald Gillespie.
• 17:23 – Aftermath: continued harassment and rumors.
• 24:09 – Discovery of booby-trapped gun; police implicate Paul Freshour.
• 28:53 – Investigation and trial of Paul Freshour.
• 45:25 – Letters continue after Paul’s imprisonment.
• 48:34 – “Unsolved Mysteries” involvement; alternate suspects.
• 54:01 – Modern analyses and expert conclusions.
• 57:37 – Final reflections on the enduring mystery.

Tone and Style

• The hosts take the case seriously but interweave the conversation with dry humor and friendly banter, making the intricate details accessible and engaging.
• They often pose hypothetical scenarios and ask each other probing questions, enhancing the sense of a true-life whodunit.

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the Circleville Letters, breaking down a labyrinthine case that spans over fifteen years and continues to mystify experts and true crime fans alike. Mike and Gibby analyze the available evidence, challenge each other's theories, and highlight both investigative gaps and remarkable perseverance on the part of the victims and community. Whether Paul Freshour was the real letter writer or merely the perfect scapegoat remains one of the great true crime enigmas—one sure to keep listeners' “own time ticking.”

For further investigation:

• [Unsolved Mysteries, S2E11: “Circleville Letters”]
• [48 Hours: “The Circleville Writer”]
• Additional contemporary court and forensic documents (referenced by hosts at various intervals).