1956 Old Avard Road Mystery
1956 Woodward Daily Press - News Clippings Notes
14 March 1956, Vol. 34, No. 32 – frontpage & pg 2
Officers Probe Death of Coed – Nephew Questioned
Anne Reynolds – Bride of less than a year. “Officers ordered autopsy Wednesday in the belief she almost certainly had been raped. One of her legs was burned off at the knee.”
Officers questioned – 18 yr. Old nephew, Jim Hucklebee until 3 a.m. Wednesday. Sheriff Ed Proctor (sic - newspaper might have meant - Doctor) said, “Nephew was with the 5 ft 2 in., 100lb victim until about 1 p.m. Tuesday and last Known person to have seen her before she died.”
Nephew lived with Anne and R. D. Reynolds. Anne had brown hair. Mr. Reynolds was 26 years of age and basketball coach & teacher at Avard High School. Mrs. Reynolds (senior student) and Nephew attended Northwestern State College at Alva.
Anne’ body was discovered at about 1:40p.m., 12 miles SE of Alva. Officers talked with Mrs. Reynolds' brother, Eddie Newlin and R. D. Reynolds. Tapes were made of the questioning of Reynolds and Hucklebee. Doctor was looking for a second auto, possibly a pickup, which was believed at the scene. Plaster casts were made of tire tracks of a second vehicle, which left prints running up to the Reynolds car.
Flaming auto discovered by Loren Goucher, farmer, who was riding on tractor nearby. Anne’s body sprawled on front seat. The door on driver’s side was open. State Crime Bureau agent, Sid Wilson said there was evidence of intense heat – some sort of highly inflammable liquid must have been thrown over Mrs. Reynolds’ body and the auto.
Wilson said Mrs. Reynolds’ car apparently had been forced off the road and into a blackjack tree. But it had been pushed back up on the road from the way it had come for 150 yards. Officers found one of Mrs. Reynolds’ shoes covered with blood, near the tree. Tall, dry grass had been mashed flat in a small area near where the shoe was found. Two thistles with blood on them were found near road.
Fire destroyed the car quickly is what Wilson said. It was so hot that the glass in the windows melted and ran down the sides in rivulets.
Thursday, March 15, 1956, Vol. 34, No. 34
Frontpage-Autopsy Shows Coed Burned Alive In Car - Was it a savage sex attack? Woods county attorney, H. D. Potts said, “further chemical tests would be needed to confirm Mildred Anne Reynolds was raped.” Surface appearances indicated she was. Married 9 months to R. D. Reynolds.Fierce struggle took place – fire blackened body in Auto – Highly flammable liquid splashed over car, set afire.
Dr. A. Max Shideler began autopsy Wednesday – said heat fractured her skull. Two men jailed briefly Wednesday night but officers could not connect them with death. Oklahoma Crime Bureau agent, Sid Wilson, said one man was ex-convict and picked up hitchhiking near Alva. Other man was arrested after complaint from a father that the man approached young daughter as she got off school bus and he offered her a ride in his auto. Both men were released.
R. D. Reynolds (26 years of age) waited out side local sheriffs office to hear fresh news of investigation into wife’s death. Coed described by college officials as “rather shy” but good student, 5 ft 2 in., 100 lbs.
15 March 1956-Snow, Sleet, Drizzle Pour Blessing from heaven on NW Oklahoma. .10-inches of Moisture Is Unofficial Total at Noon.
16 March 1956, vol. 34, No. 35, frontpage & pg 6
Killer Still At Large In Alva Slaying - Woods county sheriff, Ed Doctor & 6 State Crime Bureau agents Searched for clues. Anne Reynolds buried Saturday. Rev. Bob Fosburg married Anne & R. D. Reynolds, Avard. He also officiated at the funeral at the Methodist Church at Cherokee.
Agents questioned numerous local residents late Thursday – Piecing together chart of every movement of “comely” Mrs. Reynolds before murder. They questioned every student in class with her, Tuesday. She left campus at 1p.m. to go home at Avard 13 miles SW of Alva. 12 miles SW of Alva authorities believe man in an automobile forced her car off the road. Preliminary autopsy reports showed she was raped and thrown back into auto still alive. They stated temperatures reached 1700 degrees.
Tuesday, 20 March 1956, Vol. 34, No. 37 – frontpage, Inquest Set In Alva Death
1:30p.m. Wednesday was ordered Monday to determine whether further investigation necessary. Ivan Gates, State Crime bureau in charge of all evidence placed before the jury. Acting coroner, I. R. Boyce, said inquiry opened to public. Authorities awaited final report on a minute exam of charred auto.
One question partially answered by Taylor Rogers, state chemist OKC, - What caused the intense heat which consumed the auto and students body? Rogers said, “Can which he believed contained brake fluid had exploded under car seat.” He said the can apparently was sealed and blew up when heated.
Jim Sullivan, arson expert, from National Auto Theft Bureau, said Brake fluid has a low ignition point and would not be satisfactory agent to use in setting a fire. Once it catches on fire it is highly inflammable.
Unable to type Mrs. Reynolds blood because of condition left in by intense heat. Officers unable to find any record of her blood type. (Don’t they take blood type when you apply for marriage license?)
Rogers said, “Had not determined whether blood found on victim’s right shoe and on thistle near death scene was human. Analysis of victim’s stomach contents disclosed no drugs. State officers will attempt to prove Wednesday that death was accidental.
21 March 1956, Vol. 34, No. 38 – frontpage & pg. 4
Coroner’s Jury To Decide On Coed’s Death Case to be Reviewed Wednesday Afternoon. Six man jury. Ivan Gates, State Crime Bureau said, “most baffling seen in 28years.” Initial Theory – she was murdered. Later Theory – State Crime Bureau chief, O. K. Bevins cast doubts, saying could have been accidental. Baffling aspects of case remained. Unexplained as evidence placed in jury’s hands.
The tire marks indicated – car skidded to sudden stop at top of a hill, backed down the hill, drove forward again and struck small tree. Backed up again, drove forward again and rammed fence post; then drove backward again 258 feet.
Officers estimated gears were shifted at least six times. Car was in low with ignition on when found. Partially burned coat found 10 feet behind car along with three buttons from her blouse. One button had cloth on it as if it had been ripped from the blouse. Right shoe, spattered with blood, found 256 feet in front of car.
Only known liquid in car was small can of hydraulic fluid – officers said it would require 300 degree heat to make it burn. Gas tank did not explode – Heat from some source so intense it melted Brass plug in bottom of tank, releasing the gas.
Three of the six men on coroner’s jury were among first on scene. Leroy Lancaster – farmer who sighted the fire; Loren Goucher – farmer who sighted the fire; Atlee Delaney – employee of Alva Review-Courier, aided in taking pictures. Anne Reynolds believed to left campus and city of Alva about 12:30p.m. Car found 12 miles SW of Alva and first sighted 1:10p.m.
Thursday, 22 March 1956, Vol. 34, No. 39, front-page & pg 8
Decision Expected Today On Whether Death of Coed Was Accidental. Coroner’s Jury Convenes For Additional Testimony on and medicine. Evidenced marked by conflicting views and an outbreak from the floor during questioning of one witness. Six-man jury indicated they were inclined to doubt Mrs. Reynolds died of accident. Questioning followed by Ivan Gates was shaken somewhat when Ed Doctor took stand. Doctor testified that he found Reynolds auto almost totally consumed by fire. One juror asked him, “If he believed the fire had been set deliberately.”
Doctor replied, “I definitely believe the fire had help. That’s my opinion.” His opinion shared by highway trooper who investigated death and Woods county attorney, Hugh D. Potts, who questioned witnesses along with Gates.
Kyle Morehead, assistant State fire marshall, and Jimmy Sullivan, arson expert National Auto Theft Business, said, “they were unable to determine what caused the fire, but apparently started near left rear wheel. That was area of the most intense heat.” Morehead appeared slightly riled when Gates questioned his findings that fire had to reach 1700 degrees because glass was melted. Gates asked Morehead if he could have been mistaken. Morehead halfway rose from his seat, “I’ve got the book right here that says I’m right.”
Dr. Max Shideler, OKC pathologist performed autopsy. Gates theorized she might have been suffering from a disease of middle ear, which disturbs equilibrium. The husband, R. D. Reynolds, testified – Anne complained of a roaring in the head and ringing in the ears. Dr. Shideler said it was possible but unlikely that anyone suffering an attack of the disease while driving would be able to maneuver the auto in the manner in which her vehicle traveled.
Gates demonstrated on blackboard – tacks made by tires of the death car. Indicating it went to crest of hill – back down and forward about 3 times before striking a tree. Auto found several yards fro tree. Casts not taken on all of tire tracks. Some of tracks were Mrs. Reynolds. Shideler reaffirmed earlier report death caused by fire. However, he said it was possible that skull fractured may have been caused by blow to the head, or by high temperatures of the blaze.
G. R. Brown, state highway trooper, investigated accident said, “My final report will say it was an accident.”
Friday, 23 March 1956, Vol. 34, No. 40
frontpage & pg 3 State, Alva Authorities Pickup Investigation On Death of College Coed-Coroner’s Jury Decides Death Likely Murder, 24 Witnesses Quizzed During Inquest At Alva
125 Students at NSC questioned. Those not having classes afternoon of 13 March 1956. Jury – “We the jury, feel that said fire could very well have been the result of incendiarism. We do not feel that it was an accident. Further more, we, the jury recommend further investigation be made in this case.”
Father of victim disagrees – Ernest Newlin told reporters that he believed her death was accident. “We were partially convinced a few days ago. Now, we are sure.”
Jurors recalled husband and several witnesses. Jurors tried to get Reynolds to point accusing finger at anyone he suspected of causing wife’s death, but he declined saying that was for jury to decide. R. D. Reynolds testified that he knew of no one who had malice toward his bride of 9 months.
Autopsy report showed Mrs. Reynolds had not been raped, but pathologist making the study said that did not preclude the possibility of attempted assault.
27 March 1956, Vol. 34, No. 42, frontpage & pg 4
Classmates of Coed Quizzed. At least 50 students are quizzed Monday. Ivan Gates questioned 50 students of 125 Monday. Students stood in line to be interviewed. Gates leaned towards accident theory. After questioning he was “convinced more than ever” that foul play was not involved in Mrs. Reynolds death.
No New Leads – Students coming forward voluntarily – talking freely & conscientiously – Nothing has developed that has given a lead. After questioning students – Agents talked to residents of Alva area, including Hopeton, Avard.
29 March 1956, Thursday, Vol. 34 No. 44, frontpage
Coed’s Death Is Still A Mystery - Authorities Still In Dark After Questions
State Crime Bureau agent, Gates, questioned more than 150 NSC students in search of leads. Vital phase of investigation, determining cause of fire – switched to another front. Jimmy Sullivan would attempt to duplicate the fire at an arson conference, which opened at Dallas Thursday.
Friday, 30 March 1956, Vol. 34 No. 45, frontpage & pg 6
New Murder Evidence Turned Up In Probe, State Fire Marshall, Ralph Duroy, carefully worded interview – automobile deliberately set afire by use of a “considerable quantity” of inflammables. Duroy and Ed Doctor had turned up number of new leads – work of someone in the vicinity. >Car burned from bumper to bumper. “Autos just don’t burn that way.” “We are working a number of leads, and I don’t feel like the trouble was too far away from home.”
Whoever set fire had good knowledge of terrain. Ivan Gates left Alva Wednesday to be in Dallas Friday to witness an arson expert attempt to recreate burning of Reynolds car. Meanwhile, Alva police have an auto ready for similar experiment.
Wednesday, 4 April 1956, Vol. 34, No. 48, frontpage
Burning Test On Auto Under Study By State - Deputy Fire Marshall, Kyle Morehead, had difficulty in igniting the car. When vehicle did catch fire, it took one hour and 14 minutes to explode a can of brake fluid inside the auto, and final damage was not as great as that of Mrs. Reynolds car.
Results differed from a similar experiment last Friday at an arson conference at Dallas. In earlier test, Ivan Gates said – “temperatures quickly reached 1,100 to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit in two autos which were set afire. Brake fluid was tossed into one of the cars after auto was on fire.”
Gates, Morehead and Duroy declined comment on Tuesday’s test. Victim’s car – Tires had been burned and the motor area had been scorched. Tuesday’s Experiment – Interior gutted, but nothing beyond dashboard burned except front tires. They were not totally burned. Test at Warehouse grounds – A test at a county warehouse grounds – Morehead volunteered to attempt to set afire the auto provided by Woods county sheriffs office.
First attempt – applied blowtorch to upholstery of 1949 Chevrolet. Cloth caught fire, but burned briefly. Unsuccessfully to ignite car’s engine with blowtorch. Quart can of gas set underneath gas tank and ignited… fire burned itself out shortly. Gas tank plug did not melt. Gas poured over left rear tire, set afire – blaze failed to ignite rubber.
Blowtorch was applied to filler spout of gas tank – no fire or explosion. Morehead punched small hole in gas tank – allowing fuel to drip on ground – it was ignited but flames did not spread. A larger hole was made, the left rear tire then caught fire. It took 50 minutes of efforts to get sizeable fire underway.
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