Soledad O'Brien

So in this case, the conventional narrative is Ray Crump killed Mary and got away with it, or another rogue murderer killed Mary and got away with it. And it's as simple as that, a random act of violence. It's straightforward, it's logical, and it's hard to wrap your head around. So there's another explanation that's a lot more compelling. Very Hollywood even.

So in this case, the conventional narrative is Ray Crump killed Mary and got away with it, or another rogue murderer killed Mary and got away with it. And it's as simple as that, a random act of violence. It's straightforward, it's logical, and it's hard to wrap your head around. So there's another explanation that's a lot more compelling. Very Hollywood even.

Because conspiracy theories make for riveting stories. Watching puzzle pieces come together is satisfying. Understanding why bad things happen by the end of a movie is comforting.

Because conspiracy theories make for riveting stories. Watching puzzle pieces come together is satisfying. Understanding why bad things happen by the end of a movie is comforting.

But Mary's story, it also has something else of significant note attached to it that gets people who are prone to conspiracy to pay attention. JFK.

But Mary's story, it also has something else of significant note attached to it that gets people who are prone to conspiracy to pay attention. JFK.

And in the case of Mary's murder, a number of things, other than the popularity of JFK and the tragedy of his death, can account for its persistence. The precise shots to Mary's temple and heart, which made the killing look controlled, almost professional. The fact that no murder weapon was ever found. An odd phone call.

And in the case of Mary's murder, a number of things, other than the popularity of JFK and the tragedy of his death, can account for its persistence. The precise shots to Mary's temple and heart, which made the killing look controlled, almost professional. The fact that no murder weapon was ever found. An odd phone call.

An untraceable military man who claims to have witnessed Crump following Mary on the toe pad.

An untraceable military man who claims to have witnessed Crump following Mary on the toe pad.

And for more than 50 years, the case itself has remained unsolved. A killer hasn't been convicted for Mary's murder.

And for more than 50 years, the case itself has remained unsolved. A killer hasn't been convicted for Mary's murder.

And yet there are plenty of people connected to this case who don't want to talk about Mary's murder at all. And they never have. Mary's family, her friends. For them, Professor Pierre points out, part of the reason that might be true is that conspiracy theories prolong pain.

And yet there are plenty of people connected to this case who don't want to talk about Mary's murder at all. And they never have. Mary's family, her friends. For them, Professor Pierre points out, part of the reason that might be true is that conspiracy theories prolong pain.

Meanwhile, many of the journalists who've investigated Mary's murder have a hard time wrapping their heads around a CIA-driven plot. Here's Lance Morrow.

Meanwhile, many of the journalists who've investigated Mary's murder have a hard time wrapping their heads around a CIA-driven plot. Here's Lance Morrow.

Nina Burley doesn't think Mary was killed because she knew too much either.

Nina Burley doesn't think Mary was killed because she knew too much either.

As for Dovey, well, Nina Burley also asked about this when she interviewed Dovey.

As for Dovey, well, Nina Burley also asked about this when she interviewed Dovey.