Naman Shrestha
In August 1970, a 30-year-old woman named Gwendolyn Moore was found dead near her home in Hogansville, Georgia, rocking the entire community to its core. Meanwhile, grief took over her family and friends. The detectives couldn’t get to the bottom of the case until more than three decades later, as they uncovered a dark family secret. All the intricate details about the case and the investigation that ensued are covered in Investigation Discovery’s ‘The Bodies in the Well,’ which also features exclusive interviews with Gwendolyn’s loved ones and the officials linked to the investigation.
Gwendolyn Moore’s Remains Were Found in a Dry Well Near Her Home
On April 28, 1940, in Hogansville, Georgia, Rassie Lee McDaniel and Flora Nettie Demoney McDaniel welcomed a little bundle of joy into the world in the form of Gwendolyn Irene McDaniel Moore. Growing up in a loving and supportive household alongside her siblings, Willie Earl McDaniel, Ida Iantha “Shorty” McDaniel Manor, and Patricia Lee McDaniel Terry, Gwendolyn was only 15 years old when she tied the knot with Marshall Junior Moore. In the years that followed, she gave birth to four children, including her oldest son, Allen, and Joseph Dean Moore.
Described as a doting mother and compassionate human being, Gwendolyn looked forward to seeing her children succeed in life. Unfortunately, fate had other plans as her life was abruptly ended in 1970. On the morning of August 3, 1970, the remains of the 30-year-old mother of four were found at the bottom of a dry well located right across her home in Hogansville, Georgia. Initially, her death was ruled to be an accident, but years later, the cause of her death was determined to be manual strangulation.
Gwendolyn Moore’s Alleged Killer Was Someone Close to Her
The authorities investigated Gwendolyn Moore’s death, but couldn’t gather enough evidence to make an arrest. However, during the investigation, the detectives learned that she had been in a violent marriage with Marshall Moore for 15 years. During his police interview, he also admitted to hitting her the day before she was found in the well. However, it has been alleged that his strong political connections may have reportedly hindered the initial investigation, allegedly leading the Troup County Sheriff’s Office to stop pursuing the case against him. A few months later, Marshall remarried and continued living in the home he shared with Gwendolyn. Several decades later, in October 2002, authorities reopened the cold case in light of new evidence.
Upon digging deeper into Marshall’s conduct with Gwendolyn and their children, the investigators reportedly uncovered numerous allegations from family members that stated that he used to physically abuse them on a regular basis. As per her sister, Patricia, Gwendolyn tried to leave him, but he allegedly threatened to kill their children. It was alleged that to avoid Marshall, she often hid in a crawl space under a neighbor’s house. The detectives exhumed Gwendolyn’s remains in order to conduct a fresh autopsy, which led to the pathologist determining the violent cause of death. Thus, on the basis of the findings of the latest autopsy and witness accounts, the police arrested Marshall Moore on June 4, 2003, and charged him with first-degree murder of his wife, Gwendolyn Moore.
Marshall Moore Passed Away Before His Trial
On August 4, 2003, Marshall Moore was officially indicted for malice and felony murder in connection with the killing of Gwendolyn Moore. He maintained his innocence and posted bond, filing a motion alleging that his right to a speedy trial was violated. However, the court denied his motion. His trial was further delayed as he was reportedly getting treatment for throat cancer. Before he could stand trial, Marshall died of the illness on July 6, 2005, in Hogansville, Georgia.
The sudden passing of the 68-year-old left behind many frustrated, especially his son, Allen Moore. He stated, “I wanted everything to be brought out in the open. I wanted everyone to know. I really feel cheated.” It is imperative to note that Marshall Moore passed away before his trial could commence, the charges against him were never adjudicated in court, and he remains legally innocent of the crimes.
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