To Love and to Kill

by M. William Phelps

  (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

  After digging underneath the board, investigators uncovered a suitcase that contained the body of Heather Strong.

  (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

  The suitcase held the body of a young adult female.

  (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

  It was soon confirmed that the body in the suitcase wearing this T-shirt, which was saturated with dried blood, was that of Heather Strong. (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

  This piece of silver duct tape matched other pieces of tape found inside the trailer. (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

  Joshua Fulgham was charged with the murder of his wife, Heather Strong, and was later convicted of participating in her abduction and premeditated slaying. (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

  Convicted of first-degree murder, Emilia Carr was the second female to be sentenced to the death penalty in Florida after serial killer Aileen “Monster” Wuornos.

  (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

  Heather Strong is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

  Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals connected to this story.

  PINNACLE BOOKS are published by

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  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2015 by M. William Phelps

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

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  ISBN: 978-0-7860-3499-4

  First Kensington Mass Market Edition: September 2015

  eISBN-13: 978-0-7860-3500-7

  eISBN-10: 0-7860-3500-5

  First Kensington Electronic Edition: September 2015

  Notes

  1 James Acome went by the name “Jamie.” Just about everyone involved in this case called him that. Because there is another man named Jamie in this case, and his name comes up often, I have chosen to use James instead of Jamie when referring to James Acome, even when certain players were quoted as saying “Jamie,” I changed it to “James” for clarity.

  2 In a deposition, James Acome’s friend claimed it was “seven hundred dollars,” not five hundred, and that was the only discrepancy in his interviews and testimony.

  3 Please Google “Emilia Carr, supreme court decision” when you’re finished reading this book for an update—which might just be available by then.