Convoluted: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide

by Terry L. Harmon

For fifty years, the 1972 murders of Bryce and Virginia Durham and their teenage son Bobby on a bitter winter's night in Boone, North Carolina were unsolved, but in 2022, the Watauga County Sheriff's Office announced that their killers had finally been identified. Based on information from Georgia, four men associated with the Dixie Mafia (including the infamous Billy Sunday Birt, whose notoriety was explored by the popular In The Red Clay podcast) were proclaimed with certainty to be the guilty parties who strangled the Durhams and placed them headfirst into a water-filled bathtub. Although the case was officially closed, questions remain about motive and who orchestrated the crime. Who and what would have brought these men from northeast Georgia to the home of a small town car dealer and his family in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina and why? Or have the killers accurately been identified? Containing more than 160 images (photos, maps, and diagrams), this detailed account explores the lives and murders of the Durhams, the decades of investigation that followed, and the multiple leads, theories, motives, and suspects that have been put forth.

Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Gold Medalist for True Crime
2025 Literary Global Independent Author Award for Best True Crime Book
2025 National Indie Excellence Award for Best True Crime Book
2025 Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird First Place Book Award for True Crime
2025 Literary Titan Gold Book Award for Nonfiction
2025 North Carolina Society of Historians Historical Book Award of Excellence
Spring 2025 Pencraft Book Award for Best Nonfiction
2025 Pencraft 2nd Place Book Award for General Nonfiction
2025 American Legacy Book Award Finalist (Runner-up) for Nonfiction/True Crime
2025 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist for True Crime
2025 Best Indie Book Award Finalist for True Crime
2025 Indie Reader Discovery Award
2025 Reader Views Five Star Review & Reviewers Choice Silver Award for Societal Issues/True Crime
2024 Foreword Indies Book Award Finalist for History/Adult Nonfiction
2024 Readers' Favorite Five Stars Award

1007 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2024

Reviews

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of excellent true crime writing then “Convoluted: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide” by Terry L. Harmon is a book you do not want to miss. The book covers every detail of the murder and investigation into these deaths, and it covers an amazing fifty years of investigation. It is stunning that the murder happened in 1972, but those most likely to have committed these murders were not determined until 2022.

“Convoluted” is a book that encompasses many things but it is first and foremost the story of the murders of Bryce and Virginia Durham and their son Bobby. Taking place in the small town of Boone, North Carolina on a freezing night in the middle of a huge storm, the three bodies were discovered in the bathroom of the Durham home by their son-in-law and his neighbor. Although it is initially believed that four men from the state of Georgia perpetrated the crime and the case is closed, there were just way too many questions left over to make it that simple. Why would these men have come all the way to North Carolina to kill an entire family? This question remained in the minds of investigators as the book continued to detail the huge number of clues, various other possible suspects, and different ideas about what happened on that fateful winter night. For decades, different members of law enforcement in North Carolina continued to work on this case attempting to get definitive answers.

“Convoluted” is a detailed and riveting account of these murders and everything that happened after the victims were found. On a side note, I think that “Convoluted” is the perfect title for this story. Every time, as the reader, you feel that something has been proven to satisfaction we are given a new piece of information that completely changes the outlook of the case. I can only imagine how the investigators felt during the entire thing. The second you think you know something, you find out that it is wrong, or it doesn’t matter and then yet another theory or suspect appears.

Terry L. Harmon has done an incredible job with this horrible true crime story. His research is meticulous and the task of putting together all the information into a logical and interesting book that flows well and keeps the reader involved at all times is done flawlessly. Frankly, I was beyond impressed due to the mountain of information that is included; wading through it all to put together a chronological and interesting story must have been a monumental undertaking. In addition, the author’s account always remains neutral as he tells the story. Personally, every time I read new chapters, I was accusing someone new under my breath and positive that that person or those persons had committed the crime. As the years progress and the available technology changes and improves, it really does just keep adding more and more confusion as to who might have been involved.

I highly recommend “Convoluted: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide” by Terry L. Harmon to every true crime fan out there. It is honestly one of the best in this genre that I have ever read. Every single detail is included, and it brings you closer and closer to the edge of your seat with each new revelation. This is definitely a not-to-be-missed book. 5 Stars!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry L. Harmon’s Convoluted takes a deep dive into one of North Carolina’s most baffling cold cases the 1972 triple homicide of Bryce, Virginia, and Bobby Durham in Boone, NC. The book is as much an investigative journey as it is a historical recounting, spanning fifty years of theories, suspects, and tangled clues. It follows the twists and turns of the case, the relentless pursuit of justice, and the frustrating dead ends that kept this brutal crime unsolved for decades. Harmon’s meticulous research shines through, presenting a labyrinth of evidence, speculation, and personal stories, all leading to the ultimate closure of the case in 2022.

Harmon’s writing is incredibly detailed, bringing the case to life with a level of depth that true crime enthusiasts will appreciate. His thorough research ensures that no stone is left unturned, immersing the reader in the investigation’s many layers. While the book covers an extensive historical backdrop and a wide cast of characters, each element adds richness to the story, making it a truly comprehensive account. The opening chapters are particularly gripping, vividly setting the scene of the crime without resorting to sensationalism. The image of the Durham family in their final moments is haunting yet powerfully written, immediately drawing the reader into the gravity of the case. Harmon’s ability to balance stark reality with respectful storytelling is one of the book’s greatest strengths.

One of the book’s strongest elements is its exploration of the investigation itself the sheer frustration of law enforcement, the wild theories (some credible, some downright absurd), and the eerie involvement of psychics, informants, and supposed hitmen. Chapter 9, Every Theory Known to Mankind, is particularly fascinating. It lays out the many possible explanations, from organized crime connections to local disputes that have gone terribly wrong. Harmon doesn’t just present these theories; he dismantles them piece by piece, showing which hold weight and which are nothing more than desperate grasps at the truth.

Harmon personalizes the victims, especially Bobby Durham. The book’s preface describes how Harmon, after looking at post-mortem photos of Bobby, felt a deep connection to the young man who seemed to have been caught in a nightmare he never saw coming. This personal touch makes the book more than just a recounting of a crime, it becomes a plea for justice, a tribute to lives lost, and a reflection on the chilling reality that some crimes take lifetimes to solve.

Convoluted is the perfect read for true crime lovers who appreciate meticulous research and aren’t afraid to get deep into the weeds of an investigation. It’s a rich and immersive read, filled with valuable information that brings the case to life. For those who enjoy diving deep into the details, it offers a fascinating and rewarding exploration of a crime that profoundly impacted a community. If you enjoy books that challenge you to think critically, question every lead, and wrestle with the frustration of an unsolved mystery, this one’s for you.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard about this case for almost as long as I can remember. It was good to be able to read about what actually happened and to review the many mistakes that were made at the crime scene. We can easily pass judgement over the mistakes made, with the many hours of crime TV that we watch but this was something that had never happened here before. Terry Harmon did an amazing job of gathering and presenting information.
It was sad not to have any resolution in the case. I do not think we will ever know in this life what truly happened but it will all work out the eternities. The guilty will not escape punishment.