Headlining story in the newspapers that next evening:
THREE MALES KILLED IN TRAGIC MURDER
Story by Marlon Whitmer
On the morning of September third, three young brothers,
by the last name of Curtis, were found dead in their home
in south-eastern Tulsa. It is believed that they were murdered,
without putting up much of a fight, but the culprit(s) has not
yet been identified. It has also since been determined that they
had been deceased for several hours before they were found
by a family friend, Steven Randle.
Randle, age 18, tells police that he went to the house at about
seven-fifteen in the morning to pick up one of the brothers,
Sodapop, for work. He goes on to say that when he entered
the home he didn't see any of the family and when they didn't
answer his calls he began to search for them knowing that
something was wrong if they weren't awake at that point.
Shortly thereafter, he located them in the younger boys'
bedroom and immediately called the police. Police arrived
and barricaded the scene within minutes, taking Randle into
custody on suspicion of murder. Details of the Curtis's
appearances and exact location are to be kept confidential until
further notice.
The exact causes of deaths are not yet known. Doctors say that
there are no clear, visible indications that the boys were in fact
murdered. However, under the circumstances that is as of now
the number one prospect. The autopsies tests results are still to be
determined and doctors and friends anticipate them alike. Chief
policeman, Cliff Maxwell, tells us they "believe the young men's
deaths are in conjunction with a new and uprising cult that was
started just outside of Tulsa." The name of this cult was not
released to the press and public for safety and confidentiality
reasons.
No fingerprints were found on the bodies, except those of the boys
themselves, so many other possibilities have not yet been out-ruled,
especially those of homicide and suicide.
Randle and another family friend, Keith Mathews, age 20, both
separately stated that they knew as facts that the Curtis brothers were
not involved, nor never were, in a cult, nor would they commit homicide
or have any desire to commit suicide. With such positive attitudes and
direct information, the two young men are both being held for questioning
and suspicion of holding back information for the proper authorities.
Further information regarding this case will be followed up in future news
broadcasts and press releases.
The three Curtis boys, Darrel – 22, Sodapop – 18, Ponyboy – 15, were living
on their own, having no other living immediate family. They now join their
parents in death, who passed away nearly three years ago in an automobile
collision. Friends and neighbors both say they were happy and healthy and all
had promising futures and great dreams ahead of them. They will be greatly
missed.
