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Forensic Files - Season 7, Episode 12 - Scout's Honor - Full Episode

FilmRise True Crime・14 minutes read

Edna Posey's murder in 1984 led to the conviction and subsequent acquittal of Donald Ruby due to new DNA evidence, leaving the case unsolved and Ruby's whereabouts unknown. Despite suspicions and motives, the true killer of Edna remains unidentified, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the tragic case.

Insights

  • Forensic entomology analysis estimated the victim's time of death to be two days before the torso was found, indicating a late Friday night or early Saturday morning occurrence.
  • Despite being accused and convicted of Edna Posey's murder, Donald Ruby was acquitted after new DNA testing revealed semen from three different men on the victim's body, leaving the actual killer unidentified and raising concerns about Ruby's potential threat to children due to alleged pedophilic tendencies.

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Recent questions

  • Who was the victim found in the cardboard box?

    Edna Posey

  • What evidence linked Donald Ruby to the crime?

    Grease and styrofoam found on the box

  • Why was Donald Ruby acquitted of the murder?

    Lack of evidence due to new DNA testing

  • What was the motive behind Edna Posey's murder?

    Preventing her from regaining custody of her son

  • What happened to Donald Ruby after his acquittal?

    Disappeared with current whereabouts undisclosed

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Summary

00:00

Unsolved Murder Case: Edna Posey's Mystery

  • Memorial Day weekend in 1984, a body was found in a cardboard box down an embankment, determined to be a homicide victim, but the time of death was unknown.
  • A fisherman discovered the torso of a female victim in the box, with the rest of the body missing, and signs indicated the box had been slid down the embankment after the dew had settled.
  • The victim had three large moles, a scar on the abdomen, wore blue jeans, and had a belt with a zodiac buckle, providing limited clues to her identity.
  • Forensic entomology analysis of insect activity on the body estimated the time of death to be two days before the torso was found, suggesting late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
  • Despite finding semen during the autopsy, the cause of death could not be determined, and efforts to identify the victim through missing persons reports were unsuccessful.
  • A year later, a call identified the victim as Edna Posey, a single mother with a troubled past, who had been missing for a year and was last seen with a boy scout leader, Donald Ruby.
  • Ruby was accused of murdering Edna Posey, with evidence linking him to the crime, including grease and styrofoam found on the box containing the victim's torso.
  • Ruby was convicted of the murder, with allegations of pedophilia towards Edna's son Randy, leading to the belief that he killed Edna to prevent her from regaining custody of Randy.
  • After six years in prison, Ruby was granted a new trial, where new DNA testing revealed semen from three different men on Edna's body, leading to Ruby's acquittal due to lack of evidence.
  • The case remains open in the minds of those involved, with concerns about Ruby's potential threat to children due to his alleged pedophilic tendencies.

21:23

Mystery Surrounds Edna's Murder Trial Outcome

  • Don is believed to be innocent of killing Edna, although he had motives.
  • The actual killer of Edna remains unknown.
  • Donald Ruby disappeared after the trial, with his current whereabouts undisclosed.
  • A letter from Donald Ruby expressed gratitude for testifying on his behalf and mentioned his future concern for the welfare of flies.
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