In the dead of winter 1977, a suspected serial killer moonlighting as a military police officer abducts four teenagers who were out on a double date in the heart of the Ozarks. Johnny Lee Thornton’s diabolical mind and dark deeds are revealed when the snow melts and the facade of his seemingly normal personality disintegrates. The question still lingering to this day is, did this predator have more victims in the Ozarks?
Johnny Lee Thornton
Johnny Lee Thornton
Fort Leonard Wood Military Police patrol car
Juanita Deckard, Linda Needham, Anthony Bates, Wesley Hawkins
Teresa Gossage
Alfred Marshal
Fort Leonard Wood and Lake of the Ozarks
Ozarks Park
Episode Source Material
- “Ft. Wood MP Charged In Slaying” by Julie DelCour for the Springfield Leader and Press
- “MP is Arraigned In Fort Wood Killing” by staff for The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Military Policeman held In Fort Wood Massacre” by staff for The Daily Capital News
- “Town Shocked By 3 Deaths At Fort Wood” by Ann Telthorst for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “G.I.’s Trail To Be Moved Again” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Jury Panel Quizzed In Triple Murder Case” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Defense In Fort Wood Case Won’t Dispute Some Counts” by Kevin Horrigan for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Thornton Named Teens’ Murderer” by The Associated Press
- “Defense Of Insanity Is Focus In Fort Wood Killings Trial” by Kevin Horrigan for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Insanity Defense Built In Thornton Case” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Childhood Trauma Cited by Psychiatrist In GI’s Slaying Trial” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Good Soldier Lost Tug-of-War” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Psychiatrist Analyzes Thornton” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Thornton Video Tapes Show ‘Split Personality’” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Mother Describes Conflicts In Thornton’s Life” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Youths’ Murders On Fort Wood Reservation Prompt General To Seek Land Clarification” by staff for The Houston Herald
- “Families Sue Over Deaths of Plato Trio” by staff for Springfield Leader Press
- Patti Jean Thornton vs. Johnny Lee Thornton Divorce Announcement Albany Democrat-Herald
- “Families’ Suit Claim Army Liable” by Joe Henderson for The Kansas City Times
- “Specialist Derides ‘Jekyll-Hyde’ Murder Theory” by Kevin Horrigan for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Chilling Tale Ends Thornton’s Defense” by Kiley Armstrong for the St. Joseph Gazette
- “Military Policeman Found Guilty in Slaying of 3” by The Associated Press
- “Insanity Plea Dismissed; MP Guilty of 3 Murders” by staff for the Arizona Daily Star
- “Ex GI Is Sentenced To Three Life Terms” by staff for The Kansas City Times
- United States Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit December 15, 1983
- “Appeals Court Denies Damages in Rape-Murders By Soldier” by The Associated Press
- “Recent Ozarks Killings With 2 or More Victims” by Staff for The Springfield News-Leader
- “Book Penned On A Crime That Shook Plato” by staff for The Houston Herald
- “Frozen Tears” by J.B. King and Sandra Miller Linhart
- Teresa Joanna Gossage – Charley Project
- Alfred Elmer Hoffman Marshal – Charley Project
- “FBI Checks Similarities In Disappearance, Deaths” by Julie DelCour for The Springfield News-Leader
- Johnny Lee Thornton US Department of Corrections Inmate Profile
- Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Facts
- Fort Leonard Wood Photos
- Fort Leonard Wood Location Google Maps
- Ozarks National Scenic Riverways Facts