Victims of Foul Play - by Patricia Lubeck (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A motive for murder. This is a true story about Clarence Larson and the two women he married. His first wife, Martha, died in a suspicious farm accident. She was found wrapped up on the power-take-off mechanism on December 19, 1961. Neighbors felt the scene appeared suspicious, and may have been staged. Poor Martha was dead with a large, bloody gash in the back of her head. Less than two weeks before her suspicious death, her husband took out a 31-day accident policy on Martha for $10,000, naming him as the beneficiary - the perfect motive for murder.

Next, Clarence married his second wife, Jean Sande in 1964. In early October 1980, she disappeared without a trace. Neighbors were suspicious and asked Clarence what happened to his wife. He told conflicting stories of her whereabouts. Clarence finally reported her missing three weeks later but didn't seemed concerned that she was gone. He told the sheriff, "Jean will surface again someday."

This story reveals intimate details of Martha's death, the two autopsies, the coroner's inquest, details of the trial after Clarence was arrested and indicted for first-degree murder, and how he gets acquitted. Then you will be amazed about all that went on in the search for Jean. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension gets involved. There was the ground search, an aerial search and a search of the Cottonwood River. BCA investigators found blood evidence in the kitchen of the Larson residence. As a last resort, a world-renowned psychic was brought in to help locate Jean's remains, but they have yet to be found. Jean's case remains open to this day. Justice has not been served for Martha or Jean. Their stories are heart-breaking.