7 Comments
Nov 2, 2020Liked by Best Evidence

The Lyon sisters case was definitely a big deal in the Maryland suburbs of DC. I was born long after it happened (they were close to my mom’s age) and I still vividly recall all the details (although that’s possibly because the family lives right up the street from my grandma). I’m still a bit shocked they solved it as I just expected it would forever be an unsolved mystery.

Sadly it could have been solved much earlier if the police had given more credence to a girl’s account of seeing the sisters that day.

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Nov 2, 2020Liked by Best Evidence

Oh good, I really need distractions. Something so gripping that my election anxiety can't penetrate. (I fear it may require chemical assistance.) I notice that my hands are shaking, I am so scared of the outcome. And I have no doubt the returns will drag and drag, worse than in 2000.

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Nov 2, 2020Liked by Best Evidence

I live blocks from where the Lyon sisters were kidnapped (though it happened years before I was born). I'm not a super true crime fan, but this case has always interested me, and some of the details are crushing. The Bowden book is more hagiographic of the police than I think is warranted, but it isn't bad. Definitely want to see how it translates to doc form.

What distinguishes the Lyon sisters case from similar crimes is that it was eminently solvable at the time, but remained a mystery because of very mundane human errors like focusing too early on certain leads, poor data management, and discounting the testimony of children. The giant flood of officers working the case, plus the publicity it generated, drowned the relevant clues in more sensational speculation. And oh yeah, the killer(s) extended family either witnessed or participated in the murders and body disposal but didn't come forward for all kinds of really f'ed up reasons.

Although the Lyon sisters' murders are not a candidate for the true crime hall of fame, I've always wondered why the case hasn't garnered more attention, particularly when it was solved, seemingly out of the blue and without new forensic evidence or witness statements, just simple shoe leather case review. Process nerds, this is definitely a case for you.

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Nov 3, 2020Liked by Best Evidence

My (admittedly a bit dim) recollection of the Bowden book was it was A LOT of transcripts from interrogations so if you are fascinated by how pathological liars will lie and lie and lie and lie some more there's a lot of material but otherwise I think you could just watch the TV show.

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Nov 3, 2020Liked by Best Evidence

Defector and BE are honestly pretty much the only good parts of my inbox most days

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