Jennifer Amell

She taped made-up radio programs in her bedroom and strummed on her guitar.

She taped made-up radio programs in her bedroom and strummed on her guitar.

To find out what really happened to Heidi Martin that day, we have to start at the beginning and actually do the investigation that police failed to do 40 years ago. What follows is, as far as I know, the only timeline developed for the day that Heidi was murdered.

To find out what really happened to Heidi Martin that day, we have to start at the beginning and actually do the investigation that police failed to do 40 years ago. What follows is, as far as I know, the only timeline developed for the day that Heidi was murdered.

It's collated from dozens of interviews I conducted over the last two years, hundreds of primary source articles, and multiple visits to the town of Heartland. And sometimes, just walking silently through the Martinsville woods. On Sunday, May 20, 1984, the Martin family leisurely woke up to an abnormally nice Vermont spring day.

It's collated from dozens of interviews I conducted over the last two years, hundreds of primary source articles, and multiple visits to the town of Heartland. And sometimes, just walking silently through the Martinsville woods. On Sunday, May 20, 1984, the Martin family leisurely woke up to an abnormally nice Vermont spring day.

Heidi's mother Linda decided to bike to work in White River Junction for her shift at Howard Johnson's. After breakfast, Heidi's oldest brother Aaron had a friend over to play, and Heidi was charged with watching her youngest brother Jason while her dad Barry tinkered around the yard. April was about five years old at this time, and she didn't live with Barry and Linda.

Heidi's mother Linda decided to bike to work in White River Junction for her shift at Howard Johnson's. After breakfast, Heidi's oldest brother Aaron had a friend over to play, and Heidi was charged with watching her youngest brother Jason while her dad Barry tinkered around the yard. April was about five years old at this time, and she didn't live with Barry and Linda.

April was the product of an affair Barry had. April had a different mom, and she lived with her in a different town, although she'd usually spend weekends over at the Martin house. So Heidi was a sophomore in high school and had joined the track team that season and wanted to stay in shape. She was new to track and field, but her friends and family say that she was always a very fast runner.

April was the product of an affair Barry had. April had a different mom, and she lived with her in a different town, although she'd usually spend weekends over at the Martin house. So Heidi was a sophomore in high school and had joined the track team that season and wanted to stay in shape. She was new to track and field, but her friends and family say that she was always a very fast runner.

Although other people have suggested that Heidi had a regular jogging route and schedule, this isn't entirely true. She ran sporadically and always with a friend or her brother Aaron. Barry and Linda were strict about her not jogging alone. Around 10 or 10.30 that morning, Heidi changed into a pair of gray sweatpants, a blue t-shirt, and running shoes.

Although other people have suggested that Heidi had a regular jogging route and schedule, this isn't entirely true. She ran sporadically and always with a friend or her brother Aaron. Barry and Linda were strict about her not jogging alone. Around 10 or 10.30 that morning, Heidi changed into a pair of gray sweatpants, a blue t-shirt, and running shoes.

On her finger, she wore a Hartford High School class ring. And determined to go jogging that day, she marched into the den and asked Aaron if he would go running with her. But Aaron said he was busy. He wouldn't go running with her. And Heidi, like any older sister, was kind of annoyed. They argued. And Aaron said the last words to his sister he would ever speak.

On her finger, she wore a Hartford High School class ring. And determined to go jogging that day, she marched into the den and asked Aaron if he would go running with her. But Aaron said he was busy. He wouldn't go running with her. And Heidi, like any older sister, was kind of annoyed. They argued. And Aaron said the last words to his sister he would ever speak.

Words he would come to regret for the rest of his life. Why don't you go die? Heidi stormed into the kitchen and yanked the phone off the hook. She dialed her friend's number, Shelley, who lived across the street. Recently, I was in Heartland with some of Heidi's neighbors when we saw Shelley in her driveway. Shelley was kind enough to speak to me for a second.

Words he would come to regret for the rest of his life. Why don't you go die? Heidi stormed into the kitchen and yanked the phone off the hook. She dialed her friend's number, Shelley, who lived across the street. Recently, I was in Heartland with some of Heidi's neighbors when we saw Shelley in her driveway. Shelley was kind enough to speak to me for a second.

From Shelly's driveway, you can see the Martin household. It's a small log cabin type home with a garage to its left and a long privacy fence around its front and back. Just as we were getting back in the car, the Martin's garage door opened and a car pulled out. Linda was behind the driver's wheel and she furtively glanced at us. She looked thin and frail, bundled up in layers against the cold.

From Shelly's driveway, you can see the Martin household. It's a small log cabin type home with a garage to its left and a long privacy fence around its front and back. Just as we were getting back in the car, the Martin's garage door opened and a car pulled out. Linda was behind the driver's wheel and she furtively glanced at us. She looked thin and frail, bundled up in layers against the cold.

Determined to go running despite not being allowed to go alone, Heidi made a fateful decision to go anyway. She left her home and started running south along Route 5. A couple houses down was where Steve and Nancy McCullough lived. Heidi would often babysit their son, Corey, and their daughter, Renee. That day, Steve said he was out gardening in the front yard.

Determined to go running despite not being allowed to go alone, Heidi made a fateful decision to go anyway. She left her home and started running south along Route 5. A couple houses down was where Steve and Nancy McCullough lived. Heidi would often babysit their son, Corey, and their daughter, Renee. That day, Steve said he was out gardening in the front yard.