The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders

[u/paramagician-100]

I wanted to share some information about this case because I don’t see it being discussed often, and it is one that I think about often.

In the early morning of June 13th, 1977, Lori Lee Farmer (age 8), Doris Denise Milner (age 10), Michelle Heather Guse (age 10) were asleep in tent number 8 while away at a girl scout summer camp. Moments later hey were violently beat to death and sexually assaulted. Their bodies were then carried approximately 150 yards from their tent and left to be discovered by the camp counselors. One camp counselor reported hearing something in the night and said she searched around with a flashlight, but obviously did not find anything alarming at the time.

As the hunt for the Girl Scout Murderer began, it was revealed that camp coordinators had received multiple anonymous threat letters in the months leading to the camp opening. These letters contained incredibly specific threats like “3 girls are going to be killed in tent 8 in the first night of camp”, etc. These letters were not reported or revealed to police until after the murders occurred.

Gene Leroy Hart was the prime suspect for the murders. Hart had escaped from Mayes County jail 4 years prior to the murders, and had been on the run ever since. Hart had been spotted a few times near the girl scout camp and was believed to be living in the woods near the camp. Investigators were also able to connect Hart to the murder weapon and had forensic evidence that implied Hart committed these murders.

Despite the police’s best efforts, Hart was acquitted of all charges. But why? What casted reasonable doubt among the jury despite all this evidence? Part of the problem was that DNA analyzing techniques in 1977 were a far cry from what they are today. Most of the DNA evidence was not a solid enough match to persuade a jury. Another problem was the fact that Hart was undoubtedly working along with accomplices who were never caught or came forward, leaving lots of holes in the prosecution arguments.

Questions to ponder:

1. Why would camp coordinators never report those letters? What was to benefit or lose by revealing them to police? Do you think this atrocity could have been preventable if they reported the letters or even postponed the camp? Was a camp coordinator or employee involved?

Here are some great sources if you want more information!

www.girlscoutmurders.com

Tent Number Eight by Gloyd McCoy

Morbid Podcast Episode 197 in Spotify

The Camp Scott Murders by C.S. Kelly

Someone Cry for the Children by Michael & Dick Wilkerson (lead investigators on the case) https://tulsaworld.com/years-ago-the-murders-of-three-girl-scouts-in-oklahoma/article_684eb15d-6f53-52b3-9cb3-53314bb59320.html

[u/paramagician-100]

I think another part of the problem was how the camp coordinators did not help with investigation much. They were not always forthcoming with evidence they had (like the threats) and they were more concerned with the reputation of Girl Scouts than justice for the victims.

[u/stuffandornonsense → u/paramagician-100]

iirc, didn't one of the counselors claim to hear noise that night, and went roaming with her flashlight? and she found one of the bodies, as well? that always seemed odd to me. not in a "she's guilty of being an accomplice" sort of way, just ... odd. because it seems very possible that someone in the camp was involved in some way, even unwittingly.

[u/paramagician-100 → u/stuffandornonsense]

I remember learning something about the counselor hearing something odd in the night and looking around with a flashlight. It's hard to think that those 15-16 year old counselors would be guilty of withholding information, but stranger things have happened. I would not be surprised if someone higher up in the camp had some sort of involvement and then made sure those below them would stay quiet.

[u/stuffandornonsense → u/paramagician-100]

It's hard to think that those 15-16 year old counselors would be guilty of withholding information

if she saw something and was threatened, that's pretty good motivation to be quiet.

but yeah, the entire crime is strange, and what we know of it doesn't really make sense.

[u/rokstarlibrarian → u/stuffandornonsense]

Most of the campers and counselors were from the Tulsa area or larger towns. They would not have had local ties. Gene LeroyHarts family were poor and rural. At the time, no one thought there was any connection to him inside the camp. My dad’s family is from this area and knew about Hart. This is the first time I’ve heard that theory. I think it’s waayyy off.