Case Closed: A Walsh Family Tragedy


Today, after more than 25 years, the Walsh family can sleep easy tonight. The Walsh family suffered an unimaginable tragedy in 1981 that left their 6 year old son decapitated and with nothing but questions to answer who was the killer. That killer was released today. He just by happenstance has been dead for more than ten years.

John Walsh, as you may know him, is the host of the world famous television show America’s Most Wanted. He actually formed the idea for this show in the process of trying to capture the man that killed his son many many years ago. The show has sense become commonplace in the family home and has been used to bring numerous fugitives to justice.

Ottis Toole has been, after many years a leading suspect in the case, tagged with the crime of being the man who murdered this young boy. They did not release any information on the case, nor did they link any DNA or physical evidence to the result, but according to the Walsh family what they were presented was enough to close the lid on this case. They called their experience as a ‘journey’ that has now come to an end.

I do not want to get too far into this, as this has been a case that was basically forgotten in the media and in every day conversation, but it is one that has always been in the back of my mind. Maybe it was because my family and I used to watch this show. Maybe it was because I was told the story at a young age and always seemed to be having it reminded to me. Maybe it was because I am just happy to see a family that has experienced such a grief for so long that can not rest easy.

Why do people like this exist? How could anyone ever even consider the thought of decapitating a child? And do not give me the excuse of temporary insanity. That is just a lousy excuse for a deed that you can not live up to. I mean, I get nervous when I speed on the highway. How can someone even think of killing another person? Just beyond me, I suppose.

If you click the photo above it will take you to the homepage of America’s Most Wanted. You can read more about this and other cases there.