Loren and Jody Edwards at their bon voyage party, 1977.
Today marks the 36th anniversary of the deaths of my parents, Loren and Jody Edwards, aboard their sailboat Spellbound in French Polynesia. The mystery of their deaths remains unresolved.
As many of you know, I had originally intended to launch Dare I Call It Murder?: A Memoir of Violent Loss a year ago today, but legal complications delayed the release. That roadblock out of the way, it’s now been nearly eight months since the book came out.
Thank you for all of your encouragement and kind words. Your support carried the book to the #1 spot in Amazon’s Hot New Releases for Biography/Memoir, and to the #3 spot on the Biography/Memoir best-sellers list. The book is still on that best-seller list thanks to the thousands of people who have taken an interest in this story. And the book is one of the top-rated books in the Biography/Memoir category.
I wrote the book not only to tell the untold story of the deaths, the FBI investigation, and the impact the deaths had on my family, but, in broader terms, to illustrate the devastating and life-long effect violent death and loss can have when a loved one dies in an unwarranted, unexpected and violent manner.
Sadly, this story is not unique. I have been contacted by numerous people who have had similar experiences in their lives, and they have thanked me for writing this book, because they learned they are not alone, they are not crazy, and they can get help in dealing with the deep emotional impact that accompanies violent loss. And for that I am grateful.
My next project involves editing and publishing a guidebook for those who have had a loved one murdered and want help in dealing with the death and its aftermath, and who do not know what to expect from or how to deal with the criminal justice system. More details to come as we get closer to the release date, which will be sometime this summer.
Related Links
• Dare I Call It Murder? — A Memoir of Violent Loss
• Facebook Page
• Twitter
• Survivors of Violent Loss Program
What a difference a year makes!
Thirty six years, thirty six anniversaries. Never to forget.