Vanessa Richardson

She also wanted to establish her presence in Fort Worth as a sort of alibi. When Weatherford came over, she not so casually told him that she'd just got back from a trip to St. Louis. But because he hadn't heard about the Urschel kidnapping yet, there wasn't much else he could offer Catherine just then. So she made sure the conversation was a quick one.

She also wanted to establish her presence in Fort Worth as a sort of alibi. When Weatherford came over, she not so casually told him that she'd just got back from a trip to St. Louis. But because he hadn't heard about the Urschel kidnapping yet, there wasn't much else he could offer Catherine just then. So she made sure the conversation was a quick one.

The two said their goodbyes, and Weatherford headed back out. But as he passed Catherine's parked car, he noticed something peculiar. While Catherine had said she'd been in Missouri, she had a newspaper from Oklahoma laying on her front seat. Weatherford's detective senses were tingling. There was only one reason she'd lie about where she'd been. Catherine Kelly was up to something.

The two said their goodbyes, and Weatherford headed back out. But as he passed Catherine's parked car, he noticed something peculiar. While Catherine had said she'd been in Missouri, she had a newspaper from Oklahoma laying on her front seat. Weatherford's detective senses were tingling. There was only one reason she'd lie about where she'd been. Catherine Kelly was up to something.

In July of 1933, 38-year-old George Kelly and his accomplice Al Bates kidnapped 43-year-old Charles Urschel from his home in Oklahoma City. It was just the start of a kidnapping spree that George's wife, 28-year-old Catherine, had planned as a grand finale of sorts to keep them set for life. But thanks to the FBI's newly established hotline, the feds were on the case in record time.

In July of 1933, 38-year-old George Kelly and his accomplice Al Bates kidnapped 43-year-old Charles Urschel from his home in Oklahoma City. It was just the start of a kidnapping spree that George's wife, 28-year-old Catherine, had planned as a grand finale of sorts to keep them set for life. But thanks to the FBI's newly established hotline, the feds were on the case in record time.

And unlike previous investigations, the local police were more than happy to hand the reins to the feds. That's because the special agent in charge of the Oklahoma City Bureau was an old colleague of the police chief. The serendipitous connection meant countless agents and officers were working together on the case.

And unlike previous investigations, the local police were more than happy to hand the reins to the feds. That's because the special agent in charge of the Oklahoma City Bureau was an old colleague of the police chief. The serendipitous connection meant countless agents and officers were working together on the case.

This made it nearly impossible for the Kellys to get their demands directly to the victim's wife, Bernice Urschel. Anything sent to the house would be intercepted by the FBI, something the Kellys adamantly didn't want to happen. So after nearly three days of brainstorming, Catherine finally came up with a feasible plan. They'd have Charles reach out to a third party.

This made it nearly impossible for the Kellys to get their demands directly to the victim's wife, Bernice Urschel. Anything sent to the house would be intercepted by the FBI, something the Kellys adamantly didn't want to happen. So after nearly three days of brainstorming, Catherine finally came up with a feasible plan. They'd have Charles reach out to a third party.

By now, the Kellys had moved the wealthy oil baron into a small shack that belonged to Boss Shannon's son, 22-year-old Arman. They'd also made sure to keep Charles blindfolded, and his ears were stuffed with cotton for good measure. But Charles' world wasn't entirely silent, just muffled. Through the fluff, he could even hear the changing of the guard.

By now, the Kellys had moved the wealthy oil baron into a small shack that belonged to Boss Shannon's son, 22-year-old Arman. They'd also made sure to keep Charles blindfolded, and his ears were stuffed with cotton for good measure. But Charles' world wasn't entirely silent, just muffled. Through the fluff, he could even hear the changing of the guard.

One day, George dismissed Armin so he could have a word with his captive. He removed the cotton from Charles' ears and told him that he was very disappointed in Bernice. He'd expressly forbidden her from going to the cops. Not only had she ignored that, but she'd gotten the feds involved too. Now, George explained, Charles needed to clean up her mess.

One day, George dismissed Armin so he could have a word with his captive. He removed the cotton from Charles' ears and told him that he was very disappointed in Bernice. He'd expressly forbidden her from going to the cops. Not only had she ignored that, but she'd gotten the feds involved too. Now, George explained, Charles needed to clean up her mess.

They wanted a name, someone they could write to with their demands and instructions, who would then take them to Bernice without alerting the fuzz. Charles knew just the person. He was given a pen and paper and sat facing the blank wooden wall before his blindfold was removed. George warned that if he looked anywhere other than the page in front of him, it would be the last thing he ever saw.

They wanted a name, someone they could write to with their demands and instructions, who would then take them to Bernice without alerting the fuzz. Charles knew just the person. He was given a pen and paper and sat facing the blank wooden wall before his blindfold was removed. George warned that if he looked anywhere other than the page in front of him, it would be the last thing he ever saw.

When the letter was finished, the blindfold was put back in place and Charles was left once again in the dark. The letter went to John G. Catlett, a friend of the Urschels from Tulsa. As soon as he read it, Catlett contacted Bernice and arranged to meet her at a hotel in Oklahoma City.

When the letter was finished, the blindfold was put back in place and Charles was left once again in the dark. The letter went to John G. Catlett, a friend of the Urschels from Tulsa. As soon as he read it, Catlett contacted Bernice and arranged to meet her at a hotel in Oklahoma City.

Bernice's brother-in-law, Arthur Seligson, and family friend, E. E. Kirkpatrick, went with her, as both of their names were also mentioned in the letter. Needless to say, seeing Charles' handwriting sent a wave of relief over Bernice. While it had only been a few days since he'd been taken, she'd already received several fake letters from opportunists attempting to take credit for the abduction.

Bernice's brother-in-law, Arthur Seligson, and family friend, E. E. Kirkpatrick, went with her, as both of their names were also mentioned in the letter. Needless to say, seeing Charles' handwriting sent a wave of relief over Bernice. While it had only been a few days since he'd been taken, she'd already received several fake letters from opportunists attempting to take credit for the abduction.