I recently watched a version or the Ethel Kidd UM segment with an update. The update is quite brief and simply says someone they have someone, and will update us later on the details.

I looked through this forum, and only came accross this post http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=236371&highlight=edward+beverly - this post just names a name, but gives no details.

does anyone know the details of what happened with this case?

I know he was convicted of her murder but I can't recall much else. I think someone recognized his distinct handwriting from his "cheat sheet" for the crime and called UM.

Yeah, Edward Wayne Beverly was convicted of murder and other crimes in relation to this case and was sentenced to multiple life sentences. He was convicted in 1999 I believe, maybe earlier. He is currently serving his sentence at Virginia's equivalent of a super max prison.

I think his sister recognized his handwriting from the cheat sheet and called UM. I remember a longer update with KSS that described more of the details.

Perhaps this has already been discussed in another thread, but
has it ever been disclosed the motive or reason why Ethel Kidd was murdered, apparently refrigerated and then tied to a tree?

Perhaps this has already been discussed in another thread, but
has it ever been disclosed the motive or reason why Ethel Kidd was murdered, apparently refrigerated and then tied to a tree?

Apparently, Edward Wayne Beverly was just a predator looking for prey. And since there was evidence that Ethel Kidd was raped, the murder was probably sexually motivated.

This is one of the more horrific crimes I can ever remember being shown on UM, hideous what that scumbag did to that poor woman. His mugshot also gives me the creeps with his huge eyes.

I recently discovered that Ethel's killer, Edward Wayne Beverly died in prison on September 17th, 2007. He was 61 years old.

I wonder if they found out whether SG stood for surgical gloves or stun gun?:D

My money is on it being stun gun.

This case was one of the best pieces of detective work done on UM, IMHO.

I wonder if they found out whether SG stood for surgical gloves or stun gun?:D

My money is on it being stun gun.

This case was one of the best pieces of detective work done on UM, IMHO.

I agree. This is one of those cases that when it first aired, I didn't think it would ever be solved unless the killer confessed. Great police work done. IMO, its a tie between this case and the case of those two women (cant remember their names) that were doing laundry when someone came and assaulted them , killing one, for best police work in UM.

This was one of the sadder cases (although it is hard to compare them) but it was so sad because the family has to deal with memories of their dear mother/frandmother being tied to a tree after she was killed! So sad.

This was one of the sadder cases (although it is hard to compare them) but it was so sad because the family has to deal with memories of their dear mother/frandmother being tied to a tree after she was killed! So sad.

The whole case was unforgettable, particularly the grief of her son-in-law.

The whole case was unforgettable, particularly the grief of her son-in-law.

Every case is sad when someone is killed for no reason, but when its an elderly person, it just seems unnecessary. I mean, this woman was obviously a homebody and I guess was trying to be too nice by giving directions and was brutally murdered for her efforts. There are too many sick people out there.

Anyone know if the whole Cheat Sheet note was revealed? There wasn't much they didn't show, but they focused on the left side of the note and didn't show much of the notes and doodle lines on the right. I thought they might give clues to what the abbreviations meant. This is what I saw of the note:

1) F.A. $40 + tax [This is followed by two more letters. The first one looks like a P or an R. I couldn't see the second letter because is looked like a blob.]

What does FA mean? And back in the 80s, what could it have been that cost $40?, (plus tax no less!, like this guy had to be budget conscious). Unlike the other items on the list, this must have been the one thing he didn't already have, so he had to remind himself to buy it. The cops didn't even offer a guess on what FA meant. Was it something sexual so they didn't want to say it on TV?

Could it have something to do with the name of a car rental place? (I can't remember if he drove his own car or not.) Would the F have something to do with Fridge or Freon, for whatever he was using to keep the body cool?

Would the last letters in that line (R or P followed by another letter) mean Road Map or Road Atlas?

2) Business Dress (Shirt/Slacks) (Grecian) [I think this refers to Grecian Formula hair treatment that men used back then] (Cologne) (After Shave)

3) I.D. (ASAP) - Paper Trip Book

4) Choose Location

5) H.C. / Tp. / S.G [I think the cops got this right. Hand Cuffs / Tape [or possibly tarp] / Stun Gun

6) Glasses/Hat _____________________________ [then there's a long line that curves up and to the far right]

7) Cosmetics [Then there's something in parentheses that may start with the letter M. The word in parentheses has a line drawn linking it to the line above it in item #6]

Every case is sad when someone is killed for no reason, but when its an elderly person, it just seems unnecessary. I mean, this woman was obviously a homebody and I guess was trying to be too nice by giving directions and was brutally murdered for her efforts. There are too many sick people out there.

I agree. I know UM usually would show their "dead" victims in the re-enactments, but the shot of Ethel's corpse tied to the tree has got to be the most gruesome UM has ever been.

Perhaps this has already been discussed in another thread, but
has it ever been disclosed the motive or reason why Ethel Kidd was murdered, apparently refrigerated and then tied to a tree?

I never quite believed the whole "kept her body refrigerated, then brought her back to the scene of the crime and tied her to the tree days later" angle. Something in that doesn't ring true - they make it a point to say the area was searched, but I have a feeling they may not have been as thorough as they thought. (Just look at the Lindbergh kidnapping case - the body was found close to the house, but not until two months had elapsed after the initial crime - way to go, search party!)

I don't know, like I said, something just doesn't compute there...

I never quite believed the whole "kept her body refrigerated, then brought her back to the scene of the crime and tied her to the tree days later" angle. Something in that doesn't ring true - they make it a point to say the area was searched, but I have a feeling they may not have been as thorough as they thought. (Just look at the Lindbergh kidnapping case - the body was found close to the house, but not until two months had elapsed after the initial crime - way to go, search party!)

I don't know, like I said, something just doesn't compute there...

I am on both sides of this one. One, I can clearly see why law enforcement would want to say the body must have shown up later - I mean, who misses a body tied to a tree?? On the other hand, there are some odd nuts out there who woud keep a body refridgerated. Who knows why?

Sometimes searches are not as thorough as we like to believe.

I am on both sides of this one. One, I can clearly see why law enforcement would want to say the body must have shown up later - I mean, who misses a body tied to a tree?? On the other hand, there are some odd nuts out there who woud keep a body refridgerated. Who knows why?

Sometimes searches are not as thorough as we like to believe.

Assuming the body was refrigerated, wouldn't it have slowed down or stopped decomposition temporarily? Perhaps when the body was finally found the state of decomposition was not what it should have been had she been tied to the tree for that length of time. Just a guess.

On a personal note, if the cops said on UM that they believed the body was refrigerated, I would assume they are telling the truth. That is an important clue because not everyone has access to the facilities/equipment necessary to refrigerate a corpse, so that could narrow down the suspect pool considerably. I highly doubt they are going to invent clues and give intentional mis-information on the off chance someone would accuse the search party of being less than thorough. Just saying...

Assuming the body was refrigerated, wouldn't it have slowed down or stopped decomposition temporarily? Perhaps when the body was finally found the state of decomposition was not what it should have been had she been tied to the tree for that length of time. Just a guess.

That's what I was thinking. Although I wouldn't put it past an "explanation" given based off of a botched search.

Assuming the body was refrigerated, wouldn't it have slowed down or stopped decomposition temporarily? Perhaps when the body was finally found the state of decomposition was not what it should have been had she been tied to the tree for that length of time. Just a guess.

On a personal note, if the cops said on UM that they believed the body was refrigerated, I would assume they are telling the truth. That is an important clue because not everyone has access to the facilities/equipment necessary to refrigerate a corpse, so that could narrow down the suspect pool considerably. I highly doubt they are going to invent clues and give intentional mis-information on the off chance someone would accuse the search party of being less than thorough. Just saying...

I agree that if the cops said that they believed the body had been refridgerated, then I believe them as well. It was in the South, correct? (Virginia?) and it was summer so we can safely assume that had she been killed and then discovered a few days later.....well let's just say a dead body in THAT heat.....yikes.


F.A. $40 + tax [This is followed by two more letters. The first one looks like a P or an R. I couldn't see the second letter because is looked like a blob.]

What does FA mean? And back in the 80s, what could it have been that cost $40?, (plus tax no less!, like this guy had to be budget conscious)

Did they ever day what FA meant? And I love that he includes tax on his killer spree budget. I am coming up blank on FA - I can only think of Farmer's Almanac. And that doesn't cost $40. Plus tax. Fire ______?

A fellow poster sent me some info on her case. Found the fb page for Ethel's daughter and granddaughter and there are a few pics of Ethel on there as well as the now late son-in-law who was interviewed in the segment. He also sent me a link to an old article that is interesting as it mentions a little about the UM filming of the segment.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19910720&id=kOJLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uIsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4501,3155603

A fellow poster sent me some info on her case. Found the fb page for Ethel's daughter and granddaughter and there are a few pics of Ethel on there as well as the now late son-in-law who was interviewed in the segment. He also sent me a link to an old article that is interesting as it mentions a little about the UM filming of the segment.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19910720&id=kOJLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uIsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4501,3155603

I actually found that article yesterday. It was a good read.

This is a decent one too, written in 1997 as the family was waiting for the trial for Edward Beverly. Apparently, Ethel's daughter moved into her mother's house around this time. I don't think I could ever do such a thing. Every time you walked out your door and looked into your front yard, wouldn't you be reminded of your mother's abduction?

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-y0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1wcGAAAAIBAJ&pg=6396,114735&dq=ethel+kidd+burr+hill+murder&hl=en

I feel so bad for the daughter and family, being so struck by the actress playing Ethel. As for moving into the home, I wouldn't personally be able to do it, but perhaps her daughter felt that was a tribute, to move into her mother's dream home without letting what happened ruin the dreams and values her mother had held. I would be too haunted by it and reminded, but everyone is different, I suppose.

I agree. This is one of those cases that when it first aired, I didn't think it would ever be solved unless the killer confessed. Great police work done. IMO, its a tie between this case and the case of those two women (cant remember their names) that were doing laundry when someone came and assaulted them , killing one, for best police work in UM.

I disagree. Police presented the necessary evidence, and it was only solved with the help of an UM viewer who happened to be watching this. Never once did I get the police impression that the suspect was some traveler, and it's weird they would think that. It was clear to me that the suspect did recon, had the means to store the body (good luck doing that in a hotel room), and understand the area sufficiently enough (hinting at some degree of intimacy) to actually place the body in a taunting position. Only locals can do these things, not travelers. It should have been clear from the beginning the guy didn't live far away.

I am more struck by who the killer was. I was expecting a far creepier guy who bordered on psychopathically eccentric. As it turned out, it was some thug (armed robbery) who probably suffered from a sociopathic disposition that served as an impetus to see what it would feel like to kill some defenseless older lady.

This was the case where they found some sort of map along with a checklist left by the killer, right? Didn't they also find a handwritten sign that said something like, "PULL OVER LET'S F---!"?

For some reason, I've always thought that sign was unintentionally hilarious (despite the grim nature of the segment), because it's so absurd to think anyone would actually pull over for the creep.

This was the case where they found some sort of map along with a checklist left by the killer, right? Didn't they also find a handwritten sign that said something like, "PULL OVER LET'S F---!"?

For some reason, I've always thought that sign was unintentionally hilarious (despite the grim nature of the segment), because it's so absurd to think anyone would actually pull over for the creep.
I always found it hilarious, too. Firstly, because that pickup line would never work and secondly because even if someone on the interstate found that line enticing they would take one look at the guy and NOPE the heck out of there. :lol: And it's just plain funny he thought using flashcards would actually work.

I always thought the flashcards were super creepy. What a pervert.

I agree. It takes a guy not playing with a full set of cards to kidnap/rape/murder a middle aged lady (because 61yrs is not exactly considered elderly this day in age) Beverly definitely had a screw loose and was a very sick man! IMO, he probably rented one of those refrigerated trucks to keep the body in to delay the state of decomposition. This would have been easier than keeping it in a walk-in or chest freezer maybe on private property for risk of someone finding it. This was a very sad & disturbing case and scared the daylights outta me the first time I watched it!

Recently thought of this case and something came to me that hadn't before. There was all this confusion over her body being found 8 days later with practically no decomposition and the assumption was that she was refrigerated. However, I have to wonder if she was truly dead that whole time. Perhaps he kept her alive for a few days?

Recently thought of this case and something came to me that hadn't before. There was all this confusion over her body being found 8 days later with practically no decomposition and the assumption was that she was refrigerated. However, I have to wonder if she was truly dead that whole time. Perhaps he kept her alive for a few days?

I think they said she'd been dead "about 7 days" and kept in refrigeration. She may have been kept alive longer than a day. I'm not sure if they can tell exactly how long because of the refrigeration preserving her and kind of masking the actual time of death.

If she was conscious during that time, she may have had to been restrained in some way but I don't think they said anything about evidence of ligature marks other than just the cords that were used to tie her to the tree, and the fact that she was strangled to death.

I wonder if Beverly ever told where he kept her body for those days between her murder and her discovery. The coroner said it had to be a refrigerated, insect free environment; the police said either stationary or mobile, like a refrigerated truck or a walk in cooler. Did Beverly have access to something like that for several days, where her body wouldn't be detected by anyone?

He actually lived in the area at the time (I assume alone, because he left town right away) so maybe he had a chest freezer at home? But then why would have have "choose location" as one of his check list items if he planned to store her at home or commit the assault at home. Maybe the "choose location" referred to the dump site?

Regarding one of my questions on a post on the first page here, I looked at the checklist note again. The first line says:

1) F.A. $40 + Tax - ? $

Anyone know what that item could have been? I still can't figure it out.

It looks like he was planning to pay $40 plus tax for an item, but put a question mark and a dollar sign next to it because it didn't know how much that would work out to. All he had to do was know the sales tax of the state he intended to the purchase the item from. Since he lived in the same town as Ethel, he had to know what his state's sales tax was and if he planned on buying the item there, should have easily been able to figure out how much it would cost. And even if he bought it in a state with a different tax rate, it's only going to be a penny or two difference in the rate. Why was he so concerned about such a tiny amount of money that he wanted to know the exact amount the item would cost?

For example, if he bought it in MI, it would cost $42.40 with tax, if he bought it in TN it would be $43.20, that's a difference of 80 cents. Just seems weird to me for him to be so picky about a few cents.

Been trying to think of what F. A. could be that would cost $40 in the late 80s.

Is it possibly Flower Arrangement? (But that would be a really expensive one for the time.) He could be using that as part of his ruse, he's bringing flowers to a sick aunt or granny or whatever and could she help him find the nursing home or hospital using the road atlas.

Other F.A.s I've got so far are just Farmer's Almanac (nope), First Aid (that would be a very expensive first aid kit), Fire Arm (cheap at $40), False Arrest (but that's free), False Advertising, Fatal Attraction, Fast Asleep, Fat Albert (lol), Freak Accident....

False, Fake, Free, First,

Attorney, American, Anonymous, Area, Amphetamine, Acid,

I agree. I know UM usually would show their "dead" victims in the re-enactments, but the shot of Ethel's corpse tied to the tree has got to be the most gruesome UM has ever been.

Its been years since I've seen this episode. Are you saying they showed the actual photograph of her tied to the tree or just the re-enactment?

A reenactment.

A reenactment.

Thanks. I was going to ask for a link to the picture if it was legit.

Its been years since I've seen this episode. Are you saying they showed the actual photograph of her tied to the tree or just the re-enactment?

It was still awful. Very haunting.

It was still awful. Very haunting.

Do you happen to have a screen shot or photo of it? Or a link to it? I vaguely remember it, but its been around 15 years since I've seen it.

Do you happen to have a screen shot or photo of it? Or a link to it? I vaguely remember it, but its been around 15 years since I've seen it.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Ethel_zpsn3w4wnuj.png

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Ethel2_zpsd9ygmyes.png

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Ethel3_zps24qpn0nl.png

Argh! Really, dynoguy?!? Eek!

Argh! Really, dynoguy?!? Eek!

Sorry. :D Just wanted to help him out.

But eek is right. Especially the first photo. Some of UM's most creepy looking shots from reenactments were the ones you saw from a distance. Much scarier than the ones you saw up close.

Argh! Really, dynoguy?!? Eek!


That's my fault, I asked him.

But sheesh, imagine being the guy who found her. Yikes!

Sorry. :D Just wanted to help him out.

But eek is right. Especially the first photo. Some of UM's most creepy looking shots from reenactments were the ones you saw from a distance. Much scarier than the ones you saw up close.

Thanks!!

Random musings after seeing this again yesterday:

-Here's (https://www.google.com/maps/place/29483+Raccoon+Ford+Rd,+Burr+Hill,+VA+22433/@38.3443301,-77.8599974,3a,75y,60.85h,80.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siZV21z-BJewNPtqMekAykA!2e0!7i3328!8i1664!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6a1dd21192cd9:0x429e87352b5b1576!8m2!3d38.3445362!4d-77.8601703) the old post office shown in the segment. It has since closed.

-Based off of pictures in an older article posted in this thread, I'm 99% sure this (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3512724,-77.8677054,3a,90y,191.13h,86.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYhtRup4KOKfRZp9a7hA7Tw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) was Ethel's house.

-I'm surprised (prior to the update) that the police or even some posters on here did not suspect her son-in-law as a possible suspect in the case, since he was the one to discover her missing.

-Is it possible that the "thoroughly searched" area was simply missed, and that the whole "refrigerated the body" theory was just guesswork?

-The note says this:

1) F.A. $40 + Tax = ? $
2) Business Dress (Shirt/Slacks) (Grecian Formula) (Cologne) (After Shave)
3) ID (ASAP) (Paper Trip Book)
4) Choose Location
5) H.C./TP./S.G.
6) Glasses/Hat
7) Cosmetics (MBYLYN)
8)

I think the "MBYLYN" was an abbreviation for Maybelline.

I never got the vibe from the son in law - what motive would he have?

I do believe the body was kept cold, there was no way a dead body, in the heat, would have stayed in good condition outside for that long.

I never got the vibe from the son in law - what motive would he have?

That was more of a joke to the people who continue to think Rob had something to do with Angela Hammond's disappearance.

I do believe the body was kept cold, there was no way a dead body, in the heat, would have stayed in good condition outside for that long.

Good point. I rewatched it and they said due to the fact that there were no insects on or near the body that it had to have been kept in some sort of cold storage for days.

That was more of a joke to the people who continue to think Rob had something to do with Angela Hammond's disappearance.

Okay - thanks!


Good point. I rewatched it and they said due to the fact that there were no insects on or near the body that it had to have been kept in some sort of cold storage for days.

I just remember htis case so well (along with the Circleville Letters) as it freaked the crap out of me!! It was just so cruel - killing the poor woman was bad enough but tying her up to a tree? For crows to peck at? How disrepectful! Then again, he killed an innocent woman out in her front yard....

What the murderer had written on the papers found in the map was disturbing. Pull over - let's ****!

What the murderer had written on the papers found in the map was disturbing. Pull over - let's ****!

As an adolescent, that scared the crap out of me.

It's horrible to say that now I find that hilarious. If someone flashed that sign at me on the road, I wouldn't pull over, but I'd more than likely point and laugh.

As an adolescent, that scared the crap out of me.

It's horrible to say that now I find that hilarious. If someone flashed that sign at me on the road, I wouldn't pull over, but I'd more than likely point and laugh.
I wonder if that ever worked out for him:lol:

I wonder if that ever worked out for him:lol:

God I hope not!