Vanessa Richardson

When investigators looked into the businessman, neighbors said that he referred to himself as a hippie killer at one point, and his girlfriend recalled him bursting into tears on a drive through Droop Mountain State Park, telling her that he'd done awful things.

When investigators looked into the businessman, neighbors said that he referred to himself as a hippie killer at one point, and his girlfriend recalled him bursting into tears on a drive through Droop Mountain State Park, telling her that he'd done awful things.

Once the businessman was charged with the murders, though, the person who'd implicated him recanted his statement and claimed Jacob Beard had put him up to it. Over the next several years, the investigation continued to start and stall with further accusations and wild claims, many of them confusing and convoluted.

Once the businessman was charged with the murders, though, the person who'd implicated him recanted his statement and claimed Jacob Beard had put him up to it. Over the next several years, the investigation continued to start and stall with further accusations and wild claims, many of them confusing and convoluted.

Meanwhile, Joseph Paul Franklin continued taking credit for killing Nancy and Vicki. An investigative reporter from Cincinnati named Deborah Dixon conducted two prison interviews with Franklin. As he'd done with investigators in Michigan and West Virginia, Franklin confessed to Dixon that he'd been behind the Rainbow murders.

Meanwhile, Joseph Paul Franklin continued taking credit for killing Nancy and Vicki. An investigative reporter from Cincinnati named Deborah Dixon conducted two prison interviews with Franklin. As he'd done with investigators in Michigan and West Virginia, Franklin confessed to Dixon that he'd been behind the Rainbow murders.

Dixon produced a segment about his ties to the case, which aired on 60 Minutes 2. In The Killer's Shadow by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, the authors behind the classic work Mindhunter, retired FBI agent Douglas states that he believed Franklin was, quote, good for the murders. The victims had been found shot in the middle of nowhere, which fit Franklin's M.O.

Dixon produced a segment about his ties to the case, which aired on 60 Minutes 2. In The Killer's Shadow by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, the authors behind the classic work Mindhunter, retired FBI agent Douglas states that he believed Franklin was, quote, good for the murders. The victims had been found shot in the middle of nowhere, which fit Franklin's M.O.

Douglas also identifies Franklin's signature, a kind of unique calling card a serial killer may feel compelled to do. Franklin was known to pick up female hitchhikers, and he claimed he'd killed the women because it was his assessment that they were open to interracial relationships. In fact, Douglas consulted on the Rainbow murders case in 1984 and handed over his work on Franklin to the police.

Douglas also identifies Franklin's signature, a kind of unique calling card a serial killer may feel compelled to do. Franklin was known to pick up female hitchhikers, and he claimed he'd killed the women because it was his assessment that they were open to interracial relationships. In fact, Douglas consulted on the Rainbow murders case in 1984 and handed over his work on Franklin to the police.

Likewise, Debbie DeFalco, the West Virginia state trooper who'd also been investigating Franklin, published a report on him in early 1986. She, too, had come to believe that Franklin was a viable person of interest. Yet, Franklin was never put on trial for the murders. According to Agent Douglas, that could be because Alkire was too focused on following his own theory that a local was involved.

Likewise, Debbie DeFalco, the West Virginia state trooper who'd also been investigating Franklin, published a report on him in early 1986. She, too, had come to believe that Franklin was a viable person of interest. Yet, Franklin was never put on trial for the murders. According to Agent Douglas, that could be because Alkire was too focused on following his own theory that a local was involved.

But, Douglas adds, it would have been challenging for an investigator at that time to understand the full extent of Franklin's crimes, a problem he calls linkage blindness. As the state troopers' investigation bled into the 1990s, the stories and accusations continued to fly. Many of them revolved around Jacob Beard.

But, Douglas adds, it would have been challenging for an investigator at that time to understand the full extent of Franklin's crimes, a problem he calls linkage blindness. As the state troopers' investigation bled into the 1990s, the stories and accusations continued to fly. Many of them revolved around Jacob Beard.

Then, in 1993, prosecutors brought murder charges against a few local men, including Jacob Beard. That summer, Beard's trial began. His defense attorneys wanted to present Joseph Paul Franklin's multiple confessions. They even wanted to bring Franklin in to testify in person. But right when the trial started, the county prosecutor filed a motion to ban any discussions of him.

Then, in 1993, prosecutors brought murder charges against a few local men, including Jacob Beard. That summer, Beard's trial began. His defense attorneys wanted to present Joseph Paul Franklin's multiple confessions. They even wanted to bring Franklin in to testify in person. But right when the trial started, the county prosecutor filed a motion to ban any discussions of him.

The judge agreed and only allowed the defense to mention Franklin in extremely broad terms. Beard remained mostly quiet throughout the 12-day trial. He'd briefly testified in his own defense and repeated the same alibi he'd given in 1982, the first time he was interviewed. The defendant ended his cross-examination with an unequivocal statement. He absolutely did not kill those girls.

The judge agreed and only allowed the defense to mention Franklin in extremely broad terms. Beard remained mostly quiet throughout the 12-day trial. He'd briefly testified in his own defense and repeated the same alibi he'd given in 1982, the first time he was interviewed. The defendant ended his cross-examination with an unequivocal statement. He absolutely did not kill those girls.

But Beard's words didn't do much to sway the jury. He was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Jacob Beard was sent to prison in the summer of 1993. By 1994, his legal team had submitted his case to the Court of Appeals.

But Beard's words didn't do much to sway the jury. He was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Jacob Beard was sent to prison in the summer of 1993. By 1994, his legal team had submitted his case to the Court of Appeals.