Carter Roy

But get this, the doctors claimed Ince died of heart failure.

So did the Hearst newspapers.

The papers conveniently neglected to cover Ince's activities in his final days, including the yacht party.

As far as the public knew, nothing went wrong on the yacht.

But Jordan, and many people since, believe Hearst used his money and influence to cover up the accidental killing.

According to Sutton, Amy took this rumor and ran with it.

In December 1926, she sent a message to Hearst informing him that she knew about both the shooting and his affair.

The rumor could destroy his empire.

She was willing to protect Hearst's reputation if, and only if, he would help defend hers.

Remember, she had a radio show with hundreds of thousands of listeners.

It wouldn't be hard for Amy to defame Hearst even more than his papers had defamed her.

Now,

It's unclear if this was Amy trying to cover up her hoax or trying to put an end to the rumors started in the examiner.

But allegedly, she scared Hearst into pulling some strings to get her case dropped.

But that's just a theory.

And here's another theory about what Amy did to try to clear her name.

Move from blackmail.

to bribing officials.

The DA on her case, Asa Kyes, was known to take bribes.

Years later, he was found guilty in his own grand jury.