Soledad O'Brien

It turns out Mary was connected to a very powerful man.

It turns out Mary was connected to a very powerful man.

John F. Kennedy. Listen to Murder on the Towpath with Soledad O'Brien on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

John F. Kennedy. Listen to Murder on the Towpath with Soledad O'Brien on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

John F. Kennedy. Listen to Murder on the Towpath with Soledad O'Brien on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

John F. Kennedy. Listen to Murder on the Towpath with Soledad O'Brien on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

It was December 1956, a week before Christmas. Mary and Cord Meyer had once been very in love, hopeful for the future. They'd been brought together by their shared passion for world peace, just as the Second World War was ending. Back then, they were young intellectuals in love with books, ideas, and each other. Their bond was strong.

It was December 1956, a week before Christmas. Mary and Cord Meyer had once been very in love, hopeful for the future. They'd been brought together by their shared passion for world peace, just as the Second World War was ending. Back then, they were young intellectuals in love with books, ideas, and each other. Their bond was strong.

But by Christmas 1956, what once seemed unbreakable had started to crack at its very foundation. This would be the Myers' last Christmas, all together as a family. They installed a tree in their spacious farmhouse in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Mary had hidden the presents inside closets away from her three boys. Quentin, the oldest, was ten. Michael was nine. And the youngest, Mark, was six.

But by Christmas 1956, what once seemed unbreakable had started to crack at its very foundation. This would be the Myers' last Christmas, all together as a family. They installed a tree in their spacious farmhouse in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Mary had hidden the presents inside closets away from her three boys. Quentin, the oldest, was ten. Michael was nine. And the youngest, Mark, was six.

The Meyer children's needs were always met. But there was one thing they really wanted. A TV. The 1950s were the dawn of TV in the American living room.

The Meyer children's needs were always met. But there was one thing they really wanted. A TV. The 1950s were the dawn of TV in the American living room.

It was one of those small but significant ways she was willing to go against the grain. The Myers were not getting a television. So when their two older sons, Quentin and Michael, wanted to watch their favorite Western, they had to go to the neighbor's. They had to cross Route 123 to get to their friend's house. The boys knew to be careful crossing.

It was one of those small but significant ways she was willing to go against the grain. The Myers were not getting a television. So when their two older sons, Quentin and Michael, wanted to watch their favorite Western, they had to go to the neighbor's. They had to cross Route 123 to get to their friend's house. The boys knew to be careful crossing.

Just two years earlier, their golden retriever had been killed on the road, right in front of their house. The route wasn't well lit. And on this fateful December day, sunlight had already given way to nightfall.

Just two years earlier, their golden retriever had been killed on the road, right in front of their house. The route wasn't well lit. And on this fateful December day, sunlight had already given way to nightfall.

On TV, as the good guys were battling the bad guys, Quentin and Michael knew dinner time was fast approaching. They had promised to be home for supper. So, they headed home. The older boy, Quentin, dashed across the road first and reached his family's lawn. Michael followed close behind. At home, Mary was likely preparing the final touches on dinner when she heard a horrible noise.

On TV, as the good guys were battling the bad guys, Quentin and Michael knew dinner time was fast approaching. They had promised to be home for supper. So, they headed home. The older boy, Quentin, dashed across the road first and reached his family's lawn. Michael followed close behind. At home, Mary was likely preparing the final touches on dinner when she heard a horrible noise.

One of Mary's biographers, Nina Burley, told us more about that moment.

One of Mary's biographers, Nina Burley, told us more about that moment.