True Crime Author Ann Rule Dies at 83 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 07-27-2015, 07:27 PM

True Crime Author Ann Rule Dies at 83
by Emily Blake
7/27/15

Ann Rule, a famed true-crime author most widely known for her profile of serial killer Ted Bundy, has died.

Rule died Sunday night at Highline Medical Center in Durien, Washington, said Scott Thompson, a spokesman for CHI Fransiscan Health. The cause of death is not yet known, according to Thompson. Rule was 83.

Born in Lowell, Michigan, Rule was introduced to the world of crime at a young age. While neither of her parents worked in law enforcement, many members of her direct family did, which feuled her desire to pursue a career in the field, according to her website.

She was also a dedicated advocate for victims of violent crimes.

Rule wrote 30 New York Times bestsellers, in addition to more than 1,400 articles. Her first bestseller, The Stranger Beside Me, followed her relationship with Ted Bundy, with whom she worked at Seattle’s Crisis Hotline.

She was fascinated to find out what exactly made people become criminals, and focused much of her research on delving into their upbringings and backstories.

“Sometimes people turn their noses up at true crime writing and readers wonder if there’s something wrong with them for finding this subject so interesting,” Rule said in an interview posted on her website.

“My readers tend to be very gentle people; it’s just that we are all tremendously curious about what makes some babies grow up to be savage criminals and others law-abiding citizens. If we don’t know what causes aberrant behavior, we will never be able to prevent it. I write about it because I love to, because it’s my job, and because I’m curious about psychopathology, too. But I also want to help victims, their families, and to save potential victims.”

Several of her books have been adapted into films, including:

The Hunt for the I-5 Killer (2011)
Too Late to Say Goodbye (2009)
And Never Let Her Go (2001)
Small Sacrifices (1989)

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/27...author-dies-83

Laura77 · 07-27-2015, 08:56 PM

RIP, Ann.

WishfulDreamer · 07-27-2015, 09:14 PM

Sad news. She was a brilliant and sensitive writer. Of the many things about her work I enjoy, one that stands out most was her desire to make certain victims were not forgotten. She would write about them in detail, which I find quite profound, as they should definitely be remembered for more than their deaths/attacks. Ann made certain to write about their lives, interests, and personalities.

MegtheEgg86 · 07-27-2015, 09:43 PM

I so much enjoyed her writing. I like the quote at the end about why she wrote, and why we read, true crime--I agree most of us are sensitive people curious about what makes people tick, as it were, and I think we're interested in seeing that victims and their families aren't forgotten. I'm glad she was there to tell their stories in such a powerful way to so many people.

HuntingtonM15 · 07-27-2015, 10:15 PM

I'm so sad to hear this. Ann was brilliant. I once talked to a prosecutor that Ann had worked with for a graduate study class I was in, and she had nothing but great things to say about Ann. They had become friends and stayed in touch for over 25 years.

Ann will be truly missed. May she

88keys · 07-28-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WishfulDreamer

Sad news. She was a brilliant and sensitive writer. Of the many things about her work I enjoy, one that stands out most was her desire to make certain victims were not forgotten. She would write about them in detail, which I find quite profound, as they should definitely be remembered for more than their deaths/attacks. Ann made certain to write about their lives, interests, and personalities.

I agree with this- she was amazing at telling WHO both the victims and the perpetrators were, and not just telling what they did. She was by far my favorite true crime author. Her stories never seemed sensationalist to me, and I never got the feeling she was trying to make money of the most recent crazy news headline. RIP, Ann.

SPD Yellow · 07-28-2015, 04:38 PM

RIP, Ann Rule. I never read liked any of her other books she wrote as much as I liked the first one I read, Small Sacrifices, but damn...I thought her book about the Green River Killer had flaws but you got to applaud how she went out of her way to talk about the victims, all fortysomething of them, even though most of them were prostitutes and treated like trash by society. She knew that they mattered.

Janice · 07-29-2015, 03:50 PM

Very sad. I enjoyed her work. The first book I read of hers was Small Sacrifices. I loved it. I've enjoyed her weighing in on the many true crime shows. I'll miss her.

atomicfizz · 07-30-2015, 10:46 AM

I loved seeing Ann on different crime shows. She has a book I really want to read called If You Loved Me, about David Brown, his daughter Cinnamon, his wife and her sister (who became his second wife after his 1st wife's murder) and how Cinnamon (at 14 y/o) killed her stepmom and took the rap. If you haven't heard of the story it's a really interesting one. Cinnamon was eventually released, but when I went looking for an update I wound up on Ann Rule's website and it said she went on to marry and have kids but her husband ended up committing suicide. That poor girl has had so much tragedy in her life. I hope she has been able to have some happiness after everything that has gone on.

UMFaninMD · 07-30-2015, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomicfizz

I loved seeing Ann on different crime shows. She has a book I really want to read called If You Loved Me, about David Brown, his daughter Cinnamon, his wife and her sister (who became his second wife after his 1st wife's murder) and how Cinnamon (at 14 y/o) killed her stepmom and took the rap. If you haven't heard of the story it's a really interesting one. Cinnamon was eventually released, but when I went looking for an update I wound up on Ann Rule's website and it said she went on to marry and have kids but her husband ended up committing suicide. That poor girl has had so much tragedy in her life. I hope she has been able to have some happiness after everything that has gone on.

It's a really good book. David Brown was one messed up guy. I won't spoil it but it's interesting to read about a guy who in all honesty was not attractive or appealing, was able to get young women under his spell and manipulate them.

Apparently Ann Rule died of a heart attack, and her two sons were accused of stealing money from her.

WishfulDreamer · 07-30-2015, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMFaninMD

Apparently Ann Rule died of a heart attack, and her two sons were accused of stealing money from her.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-...g-her-of-100k/

Sickening. Glad they're being charged. Also, I hadn't realized Ann had been diagnosed with dementia

SPD Yellow · 07-31-2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMFaninMD

It's a really good book. David Brown was one messed up guy. I won't spoil it but it's interesting to read about a guy who in all honesty was not attractive or appealing, was able to get young women under his spell and manipulate them.

Apparently Ann Rule died of a heart attack, and her two sons were accused of stealing money from her.

Have to admit the one Ann Rule trope that always bugged me, was her insistence on talking about how attractive or glamorous the killer or victims were, even though in the photos, they tended to look quite ordinary. I'm not saying that she should describe everyone as looking like they fell off of the back end of a tractor, but the emphasis on their good looks was kind of irritating. Did she think that readers only care about the physically attractive or something?

That part about her sons...There's really nothing to say but

UMFaninMD · 07-31-2015, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPD Yellow

Have to admit the one Ann Rule trope that always bugged me, was her insistence on talking about how attractive or glamorous the killer or victims were, even though in the photos, they tended to look quite ordinary. I'm not saying that she should describe everyone as looking like they fell off of the back end of a tractor, but the emphasis on their good looks was kind of irritating. Did she think that readers only care about the physically attractive or something?

That part about her sons...There's really nothing to say but

Yeah, you read about how good-looking they were and you can't wait to see the photos and they end up looking like your high school principal or your neighbor that invites you to Tastefully Simple parties.

karenjanee · 08-04-2015, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMFaninMD

Yeah, you read about how good-looking they were and you can't wait to see the photos and they end up looking like your high school principal or your neighbor that invites you to Tastefully Simple parties.

LOL...and the bad guy was the short dark haired ugly guy

atomicfizz · 08-06-2015, 12:48 PM

I agree about her talking about how attractive some of them were, but with this guy I think his unattractiveness was important. I've seen a picture of him and I don't know how he was able to get these pretty young girls. I mean I kind of do, he was a predator and they have their ways, plus he had money, but it wasn't like he was some good looking casanova getting these women to do things for him. He was really unattractive and sickly.

I can't wait to read the book though. I have seen the show about the case and read a little bit about it, enough to know there is a lot more to the story that I hope the book covers. Apparently there is another book about it that is Patti's story, and there was a movie made based on that book.

I agree it's sad that Ann's sons were both stealing from her. I guess they thought they were entitled to her money by being born to her. I'm glad they are being charged. I know she died of a heart attack but wouldn't it be something if they ended up having something to do with it, just weird based on what she wrote about for a living.

07-27-2015, 07:27 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,039	True Crime Author Ann Rule Dies at 83 True Crime Author Ann Rule Dies at 83 by Emily Blake 7/27/15 Ann Rule, a famed true-crime author most widely known for her profile of serial killer Ted Bundy, has died. Rule died Sunday night at Highline Medical Center in Durien, Washington, said Scott Thompson, a spokesman for CHI Fransiscan Health. The cause of death is not yet known, according to Thompson. Rule was 83. Born in Lowell, Michigan, Rule was introduced to the world of crime at a young age. While neither of her parents worked in law enforcement, many members of her direct family did, which feuled her desire to pursue a career in the field, according to her website. She was also a dedicated advocate for victims of violent crimes. Rule wrote 30 New York Times bestsellers, in addition to more than 1,400 articles. Her first bestseller, The Stranger Beside Me, followed her relationship with Ted Bundy, with whom she worked at Seattle’s Crisis Hotline. She was fascinated to find out what exactly made people become criminals, and focused much of her research on delving into their upbringings and backstories. “Sometimes people turn their noses up at true crime writing and readers wonder if there’s something wrong with them for finding this subject so interesting,” Rule said in an interview posted on her website. “My readers tend to be very gentle people; it’s just that we are all tremendously curious about what makes some babies grow up to be savage criminals and others law-abiding citizens. If we don’t know what causes aberrant behavior, we will never be able to prevent it. I write about it because I love to, because it’s my job, and because I’m curious about psychopathology, too. But I also want to help victims, their families, and to save potential victims.” Several of her books have been adapted into films, including: The Hunt for the I-5 Killer (2011) Too Late to Say Goodbye (2009) And Never Let Her Go (2001) Small Sacrifices (1989) http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/27...author-dies-83 Attached Images

07-27-2015, 09:43 PM	#4
MegtheEgg86 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 19, 2008 Location: The Volunteer State Posts: 5,156	I so much enjoyed her writing. I like the quote at the end about why she wrote, and why we read, true crime--I agree most of us are sensitive people curious about what makes people tick, as it were, and I think we're interested in seeing that victims and their families aren't forgotten. I'm glad she was there to tell their stories in such a powerful way to so many people.
	__________________ "Why is she lying?, it makes me wonder. What is she hiding?, it makes me wonder." Go Vols!

07-28-2015, 04:38 PM	#7
SPD Yellow Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 21, 2008 Posts: 340	RIP, Ann Rule. I never read liked any of her other books she wrote as much as I liked the first one I read, Small Sacrifices, but damn...I thought her book about the Green River Killer had flaws but you got to applaud how she went out of her way to talk about the victims, all fortysomething of them, even though most of them were prostitutes and treated like trash by society. She knew that they mattered.
	Last edited by SPD Yellow; 07-29-2015 at 06:01 PM.

07-29-2015, 03:50 PM	#8
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Rest in peace Ann Rule+ Very sad. I enjoyed her work. The first book I read of hers was Small Sacrifices. I loved it. I've enjoyed her weighing in on the many true crime shows. I'll miss her.

07-27-2015, 08:56 PM	#2
Laura77 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 01, 2015 Posts: 125	RIP, Ann.

07-27-2015, 09:14 PM	#3
WishfulDreamer Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 01, 2009 Location: L.A. Posts: 3,868	Sad news. She was a brilliant and sensitive writer. Of the many things about her work I enjoy, one that stands out most was her desire to make certain victims were not forgotten. She would write about them in detail, which I find quite profound, as they should definitely be remembered for more than their deaths/attacks. Ann made certain to write about their lives, interests, and personalities.

07-27-2015, 10:15 PM	#5
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I'm so sad to hear this. Ann was brilliant. I once talked to a prosecutor that Ann had worked with for a graduate study class I was in, and she had nothing but great things to say about Ann. They had become friends and stayed in touch for over 25 years. Ann will be truly missed. May she

07-30-2015, 10:46 AM	#9
atomicfizz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 07, 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 310	I loved seeing Ann on different crime shows. She has a book I really want to read called If You Loved Me, about David Brown, his daughter Cinnamon, his wife and her sister (who became his second wife after his 1st wife's murder) and how Cinnamon (at 14 y/o) killed her stepmom and took the rap. If you haven't heard of the story it's a really interesting one. Cinnamon was eventually released, but when I went looking for an update I wound up on Ann Rule's website and it said she went on to marry and have kids but her husband ended up committing suicide. That poor girl has had so much tragedy in her life. I hope she has been able to have some happiness after everything that has gone on.

08-06-2015, 12:48 PM	#15
atomicfizz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 07, 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 310	I agree about her talking about how attractive some of them were, but with this guy I think his unattractiveness was important. I've seen a picture of him and I don't know how he was able to get these pretty young girls. I mean I kind of do, he was a predator and they have their ways, plus he had money, but it wasn't like he was some good looking casanova getting these women to do things for him. He was really unattractive and sickly. I can't wait to read the book though. I have seen the show about the case and read a little bit about it, enough to know there is a lot more to the story that I hope the book covers. Apparently there is another book about it that is Patti's story, and there was a movie made based on that book. I agree it's sad that Ann's sons were both stealing from her. I guess they thought they were entitled to her money by being born to her. I'm glad they are being charged. I know she died of a heart attack but wouldn't it be something if they ended up having something to do with it, just weird based on what she wrote about for a living.