Kathryn Casey

Imagine being Dr. Jim Fallon, a Fulbright Scholar and professor emeritus in neuroscience at the University of California - Irvine. He set out to find out if psychopathic killers have certain biological traits that will show up on brain scans. When he finished his testing, he found the signs in a member of his own family.

The article about Fallon that caught my attention ran in the November 27th edition of the Wall Street Journal under the headline: What's on Jim Fallon's Mind? A Family Secret That Has Been Murder to Figure Out. On his bio, Fallon says: "I am interested in the neural circuitry and genetics of creativity, artistic talent, psychopathology, criminal behavior, and levels of consciousness."

Over the years, Fallon has analyzed the brains of more than 70 murderers. His interest in looking into the minds of dangerous criminals comes from an honest curiosity. The 62-year-old scientist started out by trying to assess his relatives' risk of developing Alzheimer's, which killed his father. Read More

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Houston's Baby Grace

December 1, 2009

Tags: Baby Grace, Riley Ann Sawyers, Kimberly Dawn Trenor, Royce Clyde Zeigler II, Child murder

Some news stories touch the heart, staying with us long after they've disappeared from the headlines. The ones that never leave me are those involving children. There's a reason I haven't write about murdered kids. I've considered it off and on, but some crime scene photos I don't want imprinted on my brain, invading my sleep and keeping me awake at four a.m.

Every once in a while, I reconsider my situation, wondering if it's time to make an exception. For instance, when her body was found in July 2007, I thought about writing a book on Houston's Baby Grace case. Something about the original sketch of the two-year-old pulled at me. Those wide set eyes, the baby teeth visible through her smiling lips, the long blond hair that fell in waves. Even after a couple of decades writing about crime, I have a tough time understanding how some murders are possible, why someone would kill a small child.

When Baby Grace was found in Galveston Bay and the drawing of her face proliferated across the nation, I wanted to turn away from the images flashed on television and front-page in the newspapers. It all seemed Read More

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Pounding the Pavement

October 25, 2009

Tags: Somer Thompson, Piper Rountree, forensics, police methods

We spend so much time talking about forensic science these days because it's hard to overemphasize how much it has changed police work. Rarely do I go to a trial where someone doesn't bring up DNA, trace evidence and the like. It's talked about in hushed tones, like the Holy Grail of justice. And it should be. Good forensic science can free the innocent and bring the guilty to punishment.

But we often forget how much of police work remains logic and legwork, covering the bases, putting in the time, thinking the cases through and coming up with ideas. Case in point: Yesterday's sad discovery of the body of seven-year-old Somer Thompson, the Orange Park, FL, girl who disappeared while walking home from school two days earlier. That's Somer pictured above. As many of you may already know, her remains were found in a Georgia landfill, legs sticking out of a mound of garbage. An autopsy is underway, but authorities have already labeled the manner of death as homicide.

Why were the police in that landfill? Did forensic evidence suggest Somer was somehow connected to the landfill? No. In this case, as in so many others, Read More

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Meet Ozzie Nelson

September 29, 2009

Tags: Havanese, Ozzie Nelson, Kathryn Casey, new puppy

Hi All,

Awhile back I got a flood of e-mails from people after I wrote a newsletter about my schnauzer, Max, my best buddy, and how we had to put him down. Tough times. Those of you with pets, whether you've had to do this or not, I'm sure, understand how difficult it is to lose a pet. They're such a part of the family.

Today, I'd like to introduce our new puppy, Ozzie Nelson. Ozzie, because I love the Wizard and dream of Oz and my husband and I both love the name. Nelson for a friend of ours. Ozzie Nelson for the guy who was married to Harriet and fathered Ricky! Really fun.

Ozzie is a Havanese: a small white, gray, black and tan dog, with big dark eyes. I've posted a photo of him in the right hand column, since I couldn't figure out how to put one in the blog itself.

Anyway, he's the funniest dog. He makes strange noises, even coos like a dove at times. And he loves people. He's so furry and warm, it's like holding a Teddy bear. Absolutely darling.

So, our world is complete. Thanks again to everyone who e-mailed me expressing their sympathy for our loss. We still miss Max, but we're delighted Ozzie moved in! Read More

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Nine-Nine-Nine

September 9, 2009

Tags: passing time, Kathryn Casey, future plans

Hi All,

It's been awhile! That's what's on my mind this morning. Time just rifles by, doesn't it? Here it is 09/09/2009, or nine-nine-nine, and I remember 01/01/01 like it was yesterday. I was at a rented bay house in Galveston with friends, where we'd spent New Year's Eve. My husband, myself, and three other couples.

The sunset that evening was gorgeous, swatches of bright golds and reds, stunning. We'd taken our photo in front of it, then gone inside to watch New Year celebrations across the world on TV, while we played cards. Lots of champagne, lots of laughing, lots of fun and good friends.

Is it possible that was nine years ago? Come on, how could that be?

The older I get, the quicker the years fly. I scan this blog and the first post is nearly a year old, from last October, when the Web site was redesigned and the option was first available. Strange.

What I'm taking from all this is that I need to get to work! I'm considerably more than halfway through my life, no way of knowing how far into it really, since life is so uncertain, and there's still so much to accomplish. I have so many books I want to write. I need to get busy, or I'll never get there. Where is there? I'm not sure, but I do believe I have much left to accomplish.

Most important: I've got family and friends to spend time with. How can we ever tell them enough that we love them? Impossible!

So, it's back to work. Just a reminder: Time's passing! Enjoy it, relish it, give it your all! Read More

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Mystery Matters Interview

July 27, 2009

Tags: Kathryn Casey, Blood Lines, Singularity, Fran Stewart, Mystery Matters

Hey All,

Last week I did an interview with Fran Stewart for her Mystery Matters program on VoiceAmerica. If you'd like to listen, click on the link below, right hand side of the page.

More good reviews are popping up for BLOOD LINES. Take a look at the book's page for samples!

As Always,
KC

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Tiaras Forever!

January 19, 2009

Tags: Pulpwood Queens, Girlfriend Weekend, Kathy L. Patrick, Kathryn Casey, Singularity

Hey All, I just had the best time.

Last Thursday I packed my car and trekked north to Jefferson, Texas, for the Pulpwood Queens 2009 Girlfriend Weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with the Queens, the organization was started by Kathy L. Patrick in her hair salon/bookstore, Beauty and the Book. What began as Read More

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The Temple Case

December 10, 2008

Tags: Kathryn Casey, Shattered, David Temple, Belinda Temple, Dick DeGuerin, Kelly Siegler, Heather Scott, Heather Scott Temple

Last week a "48 Hours Mystery" program entitled "The Guessing Game" aired on Belinda Temple's murder. I'm currently working on a book on this case entitled "Shattered," scheduled to be published next year, probably in the fall. After the program aired, my e-mail runneth over with correspondence from folks interested in knowing my take Read More

4 Comments

Comments

Dec 10, 2008 10:08 AM EST

Can't wait for the book. This is one I'll be first in line for!

- Diane C.

Dec 10, 2008 1:10 PM EST

Don't blame you, but I wish you'd hurry up and get the book done! LOL

- Carol Freeman, Utah

Jul 11, 2009 8:14 PM EDT

I still wait for more information about this case. David was arrested for crimes in the Katy area at the time my parents cars were broken into and I was only a couple years behind David at Katy High. He was known as a hot-head in school and when I heard he was doing these things, I didn't like him even more since we seemed to be victims of his antics. Circumstantial proof is even more real to me since I live down the street from the store he went to by "pet food" from. No one would go out of their way to get pet food from that store, or take their child who isn't feeling up to par to the park that far away. There is a neighborhood park not far from their house he could have gone to, and a grocery store less than quarter mile from their house! Finding the weapon would be ideal of course, but I believe 100% that he is guilty and so glad to see the signs "Who Killed Belinda Temple?" off the businesses in the area because I used to think, "why Is this going on so long?". It took the national coverage of Lacy Peterson, whose case was so similar to Belinda and her baby, to make someone wake up? This should have gained national coverage from the start. He was a bully and a self centered jerk in school. Hope your book addresses all these things. Thank you!

- Katy High School grad from 89

Feb 05, 2011 10:06 PM EST

I am reading Shattered now. I googled Heather Scott and was appalled to see she actually married the murderer....but then why would it be surprising that a piece of white trash like her, who flirted and had an affair with 2 married men, one of which had a pregnant wife, would end up marrying a murderer? May they rot in hell together where they belong.

- Someone who feels great sorrow for the Lucas family