Well, Tiff has done it again! Inadvertently, she has chosen a topic that led her down a rabbit hole, resulting in a multi-parter…so here’s part 1…
This is a captivating account of a murder that took place in Tulsa in 1934, deeply entwined with the societal dynamics of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The story centers around the tragic death of 21-year-old John Gorrell Jr., who was discovered shot in his car shortly after Thanksgiving. Initial assessments suggested he took his own life due to the bullet wound, but further investigation revealed two gunshot wounds, indicating foul play. The circumstances surrounding his death unfolded through a series of odd events and eerie coincidences, including a mysterious phone call and a peculiar interaction with friends before his untimely demise. The presence of the victim’s revolver, which had been wiped clean, only added to the intrigue.
As the investigation progressed, detectives uncovered numerous leads and suspects, including a man named Bob Wilson, whom Gorrell had expressed concern about to his friends. Complicating matters, a witness claimed to have seen a man near Gorrell's car on the night of the murder, and rumors swirled about potential motives. This story takes a further twist when Floyd Huff comes forward with a chilling confession about a plan to murder Gorrell, revealing the suspect's name as Phil Kennamer. This revelation will stir chaos among Tulsa's high society, setting the stage for a dramatic exploration of wealth, privilege, and betrayal in a time of great social upheaval. This is part 1 of The High Society Murder.
Sources:
Murder in the Name of Love: The Phil Kennamer Trial by Jim Freese
Deadly Hero: The High Society Murder that Created Hysteria in the Heartland by Jason Lucky Morrow
Okemah Daily Leader, Vol. 17, No. 64, Ed. 1 Tuesday, February 3, 1942
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