The murder case that still resonates
Published 6:00 am Sunday, August 31, 2025
After having written thousands of articles for newspapers from Illinois to Georgia, and Tennessee to Kentucky, I sometimes get asked which one was the most memorable.
A few come to mind, but one in particular was the subject of a recent discussion.
In March of 2019, I wrote a three-part series titled “The Murders and The Mysteries” for the Daily News about the infamous 1948 double murder at Bowling Green’s own “Murder Mansion.”
The reaction was overwhelming as people loved reading about the local history and the infamous case that made national headlines.
The series then led to “The Cemetery Road Murders,” my book about the case that was published in 2020.
While I imagined the book would have local appeal, I continue to be amazed (and grateful) that the book continues to draw interest far and wide.
Last week I was interviewed by an author in Delaware who is working on a book about famous crime scenes across the country. She plans to include a chapter about the Murder Mansion killings.
And just a few days ago, I saw a notice that the Blue Grass True Crime Book Club will be reading and discussing the book at the Lexington Public Library later this month. (I’m half tempted to attend incognito … ).
The story of the Martin murders has resonated for many reasons — the renewed popularity of true crime (I’ve lost count of how many true crime podcasts I have been on or been invited to be on); the fact that “Murder Mansion” still stands in the heart of the city, and the backstory of a bizarre love triangle, courtroom drama and intriguing characters.
So while such proverbial lightning doesn’t often strike twice, I am always looking for another such story to bring to our readers.
If you know of another infamous (or forgotten) story from local history, please feel free to reach out to the email below.
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Change from a routine or the status quo is not always welcomed.
But like Friday afternoon traffic on Scottsville Road in Bowling Green, change is inevitable.
One change you may have noticed in the Daily News is a new design. Much thought went into delivering a product that looks cleaner and easier on the eyes.
Our previous font for news stories was quite condensed, making it hard to read for many. The larger, cleaner fonts should make our award-winning content easier to read.
The reception Wednesday to our new look has been quite positive and we will continue to refine the look in the weeks ahead.
Any large change like a redesign has some hiccups, and this is no exception. We thank you for bearing with us as we work through the changes.
– Wes Swietek is the Managing Editor of the Daily News. He can be reached at wes.swietek@bgdailynews.com
About Wes Swietek
Wes Swietek is the Managing Editor of the Bowling Green Daily News
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