Murder in Little Egypt by Darcy O’Brien (September 1989)

He Saved Lives, He Took Lives
Review by Kim Cantrell

Murder In Little Egypt details the crimes of Dr. John Dale Cavaness; a man most loved and respected in Eldorado and other small towns that comprise southern Illinois’ Little Egypt.

Dr. Cavaness did what was expected of him by his parents: go to college, marry a good girl, and then have children.

Except that Cavaness seemed to have no desire to be settled down with a wife, and much less desire to be a father.

He was more interested in womanizing, drinking, gambling, and trying his hand at farming.

The townsfolk may have loved him, but bottom line was that Doc Cavaness was a failure; at business, at relationships, at parenting. 

Could such inner turmoil of recognizing his own failings coming to pass in two of his sons be a reason to murder them?

Would $140,000 in life insurance benefits would be the true motivator or just icing on the cake?

Darcy O’Brien is an AWESOME true crime author; something of which I have only recently become aware.

Containing the key facts of the prosecution’s case, interviews with remaining family members Marian Green, Kevin and his wife Charli Ann, friends of Dale Cavaness, and  many others, created a detailed account of a horrific crime that leaves readers wondering just how a parent could kill their own adult child -much less, children – in cold-blood.

From beginning to end, the story told in Murder In Little Egypt is fascinating, well-written, and addicting.

Updates to this case:  Marian Cavaness’ second husband, Les Green, passed away in March 2005.  Marian still resides in Columbia, Missouri.  Kevin Cavaness resides in Jefferson City, Missouri.   As of 2005, Patrick Cavaness was residing in Florida.