48 Hours Mystery Season 33 Episode 62 The Circleville Letters

The Circleville Letters episode of 48 Hours season 33 episode 62 tells the story of a mysterious case that took place in Ohio throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. The show investigates the so-called "Circleville Letters," which were anonymous threatening letters sent to various individuals in the small town of Circleville.

The first letter was sent to Mary Gillespie, a school bus driver, in 1976. The letter accused Mary of having an affair with the superintendent of schools and warned her to stop or face the consequences. Mary denied the accusation and disregarded the letter, but more letters soon followed, targeting not only Mary but her family and friends as well.

As the years passed, the Circleville Letters continued to torment residents of the town. The writer of the letters seemed to know personal details about the recipients and would often threaten their lives or reveal secrets if they didn't comply with his demands.

During this time, the Circleville community and law enforcement agencies were determined to find out who was responsible for these sinister letters. Several suspects emerged, including Mary's husband Ron, who was sent to prison for shooting at a "Circleville Letter" sign erected outside the town.

The show utilizes interviews with Mary Gillespie, her daughter, and other members of the community who had received letters during the 15-year long ordeal. It also includes footage of police investigations and court hearings.

One theory suggests that the letter writer was actually a group of people who were targeting Mary and her family due to her involvement in a school bus crash. Another theory points towards one particular suspect who may have had a personal vendetta against Mary.

In 1983, the "Circleville Letters" case took a darker turn when one of the primary suspects, a local man named Paul Freshour, was indicted for attempted murder after a booby trap he had set was triggered by a gun-toting vigilante. Freshour was convicted, maintaining his innocence throughout, but the Circleville Letters continued to be sent even while he was in prison.

This episode of 48 Hours examines the lasting impact that the Circleville Letters had on the residents of the town, and how the case remained unsolved for over 30 years despite numerous investigations and court hearings.

Overall, The Circleville Letters is a fascinating exploration of a small town's mysterious and terrifying ordeal that has perplexed experts and community members alike. It's an intriguing true crime story that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, as they attempt to solve this perplexing case along with the show's investigators.