The “Murder By Cancer” Case
Review by Kim Cantrell
Duane Johnson awoke one September Sunday morning with intentions of painting his family’s newly purchased 768 square feet home.
Before the day was over, he and his daughter Sherry would be deathly ill. His wife, Sandy, and infant son, Michael, were just fine.
But just down the street, Sandy’s sister Sallie and her husband Bruce would both become very ill, as well as their 11-month-old son Chad.
Before the end of the week, Chad and Duane were dead.
Doctors scrambled to determine the cause of death, in hopes of saving Sherry, Bruce, and Sallie.
But medical professionals were stumped.
It would be the diligent effort of a police lieutenant that would bring to light a evil, unimaginable plot by Sandy’s ex-boyfriend to commit murder by inoculating the Johnsons with undetectable cancer causing toxin.
Toxic Loveby Tomas Guillen tells the story of Steven Roy Harper and the Murder by Cancer case that shook Omaha, Nebraska in 1978.
I found it to be thoroughly researched, very well written, and downright horrifying.
The title, book cover, and synopsis wasn’t very intriguing; no doubt explaining why I’m just now reading a book that is 15 years old. Yet once I started, I couldn’t stop.
Toxic Love is a definite must read!
Updates from this book:
Despite much effort, no updates could be located for Sandra “Sandy” Betten Murphy Johnson Marchant, Sallie Betten Shelton, Bruce Shelton, or Sherry Betten.
Harold Betten died on November 15, 2005.
Jesse Harper passed away in April 2001. Eva Harper now lives in Otoe, Nebraska.
Michael Harper died in March 2010. His obiturary makes no mention of being preceeded in death by brother Steven.
Pingback: Anonymous