Linking the Chains (Free)
An explosive deathbed confession may explain how Shelley Watkins' death was covered up
Hey there,
Thanks so much for sticking with us as we push for answers in the murder of Corsicana mom Shelley Salter Watkins.
Our latest bonus episode is “Linking the Chains.” You can listen wherever you get podcasts, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube:
“Linking the Chains” is both stunning and frustrating.
The episode the result of my co-host Carol Dawson’s deep reporting and extensive interviews with people who are publicly, for the first time, sharing their knowledge of Shelley’s death in 1993.
Specifically, Carol will tell you about two separate but related witness accounts regarding the chain allegedly used to package Shelley’s body when she was wrapped in plastic, weighted down, and thrown in the Trinity River.
You’ll have to listen to the episode to get all the details. But the reason it’s so frustrating is that two of these witness accounts originated from people who have since died. In some circumstances, deathbed confessions are admissible in court. We’re not legal experts. If you know more about this matter than we do, we’d love to hear from you.
Even though it’s frustrating that some of these accounts are not firsthand, they are corroborated either by multiple people, or by a person who is going on-the-record and allowing us to use his name.
These allegations are so sensitive that Carol and I had multiple discussions about the appropriateness of publicly disclosing them. But we also believe that talking openly about this stuff is essential because it keeps the public focused on the case. Even more importantly, every time one person comes forward, other people are emboldened to come forward too.
We’re indebted to the brave people who are taking a stand and sharing what they know about Shelley’s death, whether you talk to us or go directly to law enforcement. Every detail helps. It’s all part of building the case for justice, at long last.
The Unforgotten is a Free Range Production. Season 1: The Labor Day Ghost was created, written and hosted by Carol Dawson and me, Wes Ferguson. I’m the executive producer at Free Range. This episode was edited by Aislyn Gaddis. Our theme song, “Ghost,” is by Will “Mekatron” Jones.
Thank you for listening and subscribing! — Wes
