Anonymous

Ruth immediately contacted the police, who arrived to find a 12-inch butcher knife wrapped in a red bandana in the lobby's phone booth. Two witnesses reported seeing a man matching the poet's description near the booth, but he had left by the time authorities arrived. Two days later, Ruth received another chilling poem.

In February, the poet sent Ruth a strip of red bandana tied with twine accompanied by a letter that read, Here's to you, tender Valentine, red with blood and tied with twine. Nothing too much for a Valentine. Gone from here by whim of mind. By this point, the Finleys' entire life was consumed by the poet.

In February, the poet sent Ruth a strip of red bandana tied with twine accompanied by a letter that read, Here's to you, tender Valentine, red with blood and tied with twine. Nothing too much for a Valentine. Gone from here by whim of mind. By this point, the Finleys' entire life was consumed by the poet.

In February, the poet sent Ruth a strip of red bandana tied with twine accompanied by a letter that read, Here's to you, tender Valentine, red with blood and tied with twine. Nothing too much for a Valentine. Gone from here by whim of mind. By this point, the Finleys' entire life was consumed by the poet.

Much of their day was spent examining their home for letters, attempting to decode his latest ramblings, speaking with the police, and worrying about his next move. They barely slept, with Ed reaching for his gun at every creak in the night. The poet went to great lengths to upend every facet of Ruth's life.

Much of their day was spent examining their home for letters, attempting to decode his latest ramblings, speaking with the police, and worrying about his next move. They barely slept, with Ed reaching for his gun at every creak in the night. The poet went to great lengths to upend every facet of Ruth's life.

Much of their day was spent examining their home for letters, attempting to decode his latest ramblings, speaking with the police, and worrying about his next move. They barely slept, with Ed reaching for his gun at every creak in the night. The poet went to great lengths to upend every facet of Ruth's life.

He sent a letter to a local florist instructing them to deliver a single black flower to her. He wrote to Ruth's bank demanding the transfer of all her funds. He contacted the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles, falsely claiming that Ruth had been driving recklessly and urging them to revoke her driver's license.

He sent a letter to a local florist instructing them to deliver a single black flower to her. He wrote to Ruth's bank demanding the transfer of all her funds. He contacted the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles, falsely claiming that Ruth had been driving recklessly and urging them to revoke her driver's license.

He sent a letter to a local florist instructing them to deliver a single black flower to her. He wrote to Ruth's bank demanding the transfer of all her funds. He contacted the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles, falsely claiming that Ruth had been driving recklessly and urging them to revoke her driver's license.

Utility providers received letters requesting that the Finley household's gas and electricity be shut off. A locksmith was asked to create a new set of keys for their home, while a construction company was instructed to dump a mound of dirt in their driveway.

Utility providers received letters requesting that the Finley household's gas and electricity be shut off. A locksmith was asked to create a new set of keys for their home, while a construction company was instructed to dump a mound of dirt in their driveway.

Utility providers received letters requesting that the Finley household's gas and electricity be shut off. A locksmith was asked to create a new set of keys for their home, while a construction company was instructed to dump a mound of dirt in their driveway.

A towing company was told to collect the Finleys' vehicles and the health department was falsely informed that Ruth was spreading venereal diseases. The most chilling correspondence was sent to a local mortuary, warning them that Ruth would soon be in need of their services. Detectives compared the poet's handwriting to samples from a wide range of sources, but no match was found.

A towing company was told to collect the Finleys' vehicles and the health department was falsely informed that Ruth was spreading venereal diseases. The most chilling correspondence was sent to a local mortuary, warning them that Ruth would soon be in need of their services. Detectives compared the poet's handwriting to samples from a wide range of sources, but no match was found.

A towing company was told to collect the Finleys' vehicles and the health department was falsely informed that Ruth was spreading venereal diseases. The most chilling correspondence was sent to a local mortuary, warning them that Ruth would soon be in need of their services. Detectives compared the poet's handwriting to samples from a wide range of sources, but no match was found.

The letters underwent extensive analysis, focusing on word choice, phrasing and writing patterns, but these efforts also yielded no results. Chemical testing for fingerprints or saliva on the envelopes came up inconclusive. At one stage, the police received a call from someone claiming to be Buddy, one of the men who had abducted Ruth back in November 1978.

The letters underwent extensive analysis, focusing on word choice, phrasing and writing patterns, but these efforts also yielded no results. Chemical testing for fingerprints or saliva on the envelopes came up inconclusive. At one stage, the police received a call from someone claiming to be Buddy, one of the men who had abducted Ruth back in November 1978.

The letters underwent extensive analysis, focusing on word choice, phrasing and writing patterns, but these efforts also yielded no results. Chemical testing for fingerprints or saliva on the envelopes came up inconclusive. At one stage, the police received a call from someone claiming to be Buddy, one of the men who had abducted Ruth back in November 1978.

The man promised to call back, but never followed through. Numerous hoaxes and mentally ill individuals also claimed to be the poet, further complicating the investigation. In early June 1980, the first letter from the poet arrived that wasn't postmarked from Wichita, but from Oklahoma City, 160 miles to the south.