4th September 2023 · Episode 220
Morbidology the Podcast - 220: Roxanne Ellis & Michelle Abdill
50 Min · By Emily G. Thompson
In the realm of human emotion, love knows no boundaries, and yet, acceptance remains a distant dream for some. In the 1990s, a gay couple sought refuge from mounting homophobia, leaving behind the confines of Colorado for the promises of Medford, Oregon. But their aspirations for a safe haven were shattered in 1995, when the couple mysteriously vanished. Fears began running rampant that they had become the victim of the very thing they were trying to escape…
In the realm of human emotion, love knows no boundaries, and yet, acceptance remains a distant dream for some. In the 1990s, a gay couple sought refuge from mounting homophobia, leaving behind the confines of Colorado for the promises of Medford, Oregon. But their aspirations for a safe haven were shattered in 1995, when the couple mysteriously vanished. Fears began running rampant that they had become the victim of the very thing they were trying to escape…
Sources:
The Seattle Times, 7 December, 1995 – “2 Gay Rights Activists Missing from Town”
The World, 7 December, 1995 – “Vigil Held for Missing Duo”
Tri-City Herald, 8 December, 1995 – “Bodies of Missing Women Found in Truck”
The Courier, 8 December, 1995 – “Bodies of Two Missing Gay Rights Activists Found in Truck”
The San Francisco Examiner, 8 December, 1995 “2 Lesbian Activists Slain in Oregon”
The Springfield News-Leader, 9 December, 1995 – “Lesbian Pair’s Slayings Shock Gay Community”
The Spokesman-Review, 10 December, 1995 – “Fear Follows Murder of Gay-Rights Activists”
The San Francisco Examiner, 10 December, 1995 – “Murdered for being Lesbians?”
Tri-City Herald, 12 December, 1995 – “Lesbian Slayings Autopsies Show Execution Style-Killing”
The Sacramento Bee, 12 December, 1995 – “Doctors: Lesbians Were Bound, Then Shot”
The Spokesman-Review, 13 December, 1995 – “Suspect Named in Slaying of Lesbian Couple”
The Columbian, 13 December, 1995 – “Murder Suspect Arrested”
The San Francisco Examiner, 14 December, 1995 – “Dad: Son Slew Oregon Women for Money”
Statesman Journal, 16 December, 1995 – “Man Suspected of Killing Couple was Golden Boy”
The Modesto Bee, 17 December, 1995 – “Killing Suspect Cites Violent Urges”
Winston-Salem Journal, 18 December, 1995 – “Suspect in Slaying Says he Saw Violence as a Way to Prosperity”
The Los Angeles Times, 20 December, 1995 – “Love – And Death – In a ‘Safe’ Place”
Simi Valley Star, 20 December, 1995 – “Jury Indicts California Man in Oregon Lesbian Slayings”
The San Francisco Examiner, 22 December, 1995 – “Confessed Oregon Murderer Muzzled”
The Fresno Bee, 23 December, 1995 – “Killer’s Story up for Sale”
Statesman Journal, 29 December, 1995 – “Memorial T-Shirts Honor Slain Couple”
The Olympian, 25 Janaury, 1996 – “Dad Asks Jailed Son: Why?”
Albany Democrat-Herald, 26 January, 1996 – “Death Penalty Statute Challenged in Motion”
Chicago Tribune, 21 August, 1996 – “Suspect Says He Killed Couple Because they were Homosexual”
Tulare Advance-Register, 12 September, 1996 – “Visalia Homicide Suspect Pleads Guilty in Oregon”
Tri-City Herald, 12 September, 1996 – “Man Faces Death in Lesbian Slayings”
Longview Daily News, 3 December, 1996 – “Killer to Pursue Execution”
Kitsap Sun, 7 October, 1997 – “Penalty Phase Begins in Murder Case”
Seattle Gay News, 10 October, 1997 – “Death Penalty Phase Begins for Man who Killed Lesbian Couple”
Longview Daily News, 14 October, 1997 – “Acremant’s Father Testified that Son Threatened to Kill Him”
Albany Democrat-Herald, 15 October, 1997 – “Stripper: Acremant was Customer, Not Lover”
Statesman Journal, 21 October, 1997 – “Confessed Killer is Described as Hard Worker”
The Napa Valley Register, 22 October, 1997 – “Murders Climax a Life in Ruins”
Record Searchlight, 23 October, 1997 – “Brother Says Acremant Should not Die”
Longview Daily News, 24 October, 1997 – “Psychologist Tells Court Murderer Obsessed with Las Vegas Stripper”
Santa Maria Times, 28 October, 1997 – “Jury Sentences Man to Death for Lesbian Murders”
Albany Democrat-Herald, 30 August, 2001 – “Killer Threatens Public Defender”
The Fresno Bee, 20 August, 2002 – “Acremant Already Sentenced to Death”
The Fresno Bee, 4 October, 2002 – “Acremant Sentenced to Die”
Statesman Journal, 19 February, 2011 – “Death Sentenced Reduced, Man Declared Delusional”
