WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?: Exploring the Mary Theresa Simpson Cold Case

by Christina Fanelli

On Sunday, March 15, 1964, shy and cautious Mary Theresa Simpson waved goodbye to her two cousins and her aunt as she turned to go home to her dad's house, and they walked into a neighborhood store. Mary Theresa never made it home, and her body was found on Combs Hill Road just 4 days later.

The Elmira City Police Department is still investigating this case, and unfortunately, it isn't the only one of its kind. In What Happened to Me? factual accounts and narrative storytelling meet to explore the evidence and wider context of the disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson. A cold case that still weighs heavy on the heart of Elmira, New York.

Genres: Mystery

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2025

About the author

Christina has numerous diplomas in Literature, an AA in Business, and a BS in Information Technology she obtained while single parenting. She lives in upstate New York where she has resided most of her life. In her free time, she likes reading, knitting, fishing, and walking her dog. Her books come from different sources such as her past, dreams, and forecasts. She hopes that her writing insights can be beneficial to readers in both entertainment and understanding the unknown.

She also has published several books on Amazon, both fiction and non-fiction. She has been an Office Manager for many years working in different settings including healthcare, education, and business. She is a proud mother of a BS Accounting graduate and a military service provider.

Reviews

[Megha Bhatia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fanelli doesn’t just trace evidence she rebuilds a girl’s world. Through family memories, interviews, and local history, she captures Mary Theresa’s laughter, her hopes, her childhood joy. By the time I finished, I felt like I’d lost someone I knew. This book restores the fragments of a story time tried to erase. It’s as much about remembering as it is about mourning. A deeply human piece of storytelling.

[Maranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Story

Mary Theresa Simpson was a case I never heard of until I read this book. I thought Christina Fanelli, did a good job with what she had to work with.
There were things she could not add to the book because of the ongoing investigation.
The case of Mary Theresa Simpson is still not solved. I am hoping that the evidence is found to close the case soon.

[Sai Amirapu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Light She Left

Every once in a while, a true story comes along that humbles you. What Happened to Me? is one of those. Fanelli’s words illuminate a darkness that’s lingered for decades. She doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but her dedication to telling Mary Theresa’s story keeps her spirit alive. The final chapters filled me with both sadness and peace. It’s more than a book, it’s an act of remembrance. Fanelli has given the world a gift by ensuring Mary Theresa Simpson is never forgotten.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading What Happened to Me? broke my heart and somehow mended it at the same time. Fanelli’s inclusion of Mary Theresa’s sister’s voice brought tears to my eyes it’s raw and full of love. The dedication and remembrance woven throughout make this feel deeply personal, not just for the family but for readers too. It’s a story about loss, yes, but also about connection and memory. The humanity within these pages is what sets it apart from any true-crime book I’ve ever read. Beautiful, painful, and unforgettable.

[AANVI WRITES · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fanelli has written something far beyond a crime investigation it’s a lament, a whisper from the past that won’t rest until it’s heard. Every line feels weighted with empathy. Through meticulous research, she rebuilds the fragments of a life cut short, giving voice to a child who deserved so much more. It’s not just the mystery that gripped me, but the emotion behind it the love of a sister, the ache of unanswered questions, the chill of forgotten truth. This book doesn’t scream; it mourns. A stunning and necessary read that restores humanity to a story long buried in silence.

[Diana Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Happened to Me? is a heartbreaking and deeply affecting true crime book that stays with you long after you finish it. Knowing this is the real story of a 12-year old girl who never made it home makes every page feel heavy with meaning. Christina Fanelli treats Mary Theresa Simpson with care and dignity, never losing sight of the fact that this is not just a case it’s a child who was loved and a family that was shattered.
What I appreciated most is how the book balances factual investigation with emotional storytelling. The details of the case are laid out clearly, but the human side is always front and center. You feel the fear, the unanswered questions, and the lasting impact on the community of Elmira. It’s frustrating, sad, and unsettling to realize how much time has passed with no justice.
This isn’t an easy read, but it’s an important one. It gives voice to a girl who was silenced far too young and reminds us why cold cases still matter because behind every one is a life that deserves to be remembered.

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?: Exploring the Mary Theresa Simpson Cold Case by Christina Fanelli looks closely at the original investigation and the family’s long search for the truth. By also discussing other local homicide cases, the book shows how these tragedies have affected the Elmira community over the years. Simpson’s family has read the book and says it tells the facts honestly while capturing the lasting impact the case had on everyone involved.

But this book is more than a crime story—it feels like a quiet, heartfelt tribute. Fanelli’s careful research pieces together the short life of a child who deserved so much more, giving her a voice after so many years of silence. What stands out is not just the mystery, but the emotion behind it: a sister’s love, the pain of unanswered questions, and the weight of hidden truths. It’s a powerful and meaningful read that brings humanity back to a story long forgotten.

[Aarush Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Happened to Me? is a heartrending and chilling story by a writer, Christina Fanelli, of what happened to an unsolved murder of a 12-year-old girl, Mary Theresa Simpson. Fanelli combines the facts and emotional narration of the events that happened in the 1964 tragedy in Elmira, New York.

She re-creates the last days of Mary Theresa through keen research and empathy and addresses the unanswered questions that haunt her. The book is not only of a single cold case but of justice, memory and eternal pain of a community.

The writing by Fanelli provides a voice to the voiceless and reminds the readers of the need to find the truth despite the number of years that have passed. A gripping and touching true-true crime book.

[Aastha Goel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes a poignant and respectful look at the real-life mystery of 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson, who disappeared in 1964.

Rather than sensationalizing the case, the author focuses on the human side – Mary's life, her family, and the community that is still reeling from her loss.

The book combines true crime details with heartwarming storytelling, making it emotional and thought-provoking.

Although it doesn't solve the case, it helps readers understand the lasting impact of an unsolved tragedy.

Overall, this is a quiet, compassionate, and touching true crime story about memory and justice.

[Komal Kumari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgettable Tragedy
Christina Fanelli delivers a haunting yet tender account of a little girl whose story still echoes through time. What Happened to Me? is not just a cold case it’s a cry for justice wrapped in love and sorrow. The way Fanelli humanizes Mary Theresa made me stop more than once to breathe and feel. Every detail is handled with care, balancing fact and emotion beautifully. It’s both heartbreaking and deeply respectful, reminding us that every name in a headline once had dreams, laughter, and family. This book will stay with me for a long time.

[Manoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this felt like walking through history with a heavy but necessary heart. Fanelli captures the innocence of Mary Theresa with such tenderness that you can’t help but feel protective of her. The blend of narrative and documented fact makes the story immersive and painfully real. Every chapter honors her memory and reflects the persistence of those still seeking answers. This isn’t a typical crime book it’s a tribute, a reminder of how love outlasts tragedy. I finished it in tears, but with gratitude that someone cared enough to tell her story right.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tore through me in ways I didn’t expect. Fanelli doesn’t dramatize or sensationalize she simply tells the truth as it was, and that truth is devastating. I could almost feel the cold March air and hear the silence that followed Mary Theresa’s disappearance. The research is impeccable, but what makes this book powerful is its humanity. It’s not just about what happened it’s about who it happened to. A young girl robbed of her future, and a town that never forgot her. Honest, emotional, and unforgettable.

[Being Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, I was pulled into the quiet ache of this story. Fanelli’s writing is both investigative and deeply emotional. You can sense her respect for Mary Theresa and the care she took to honor every fact and feeling. I appreciated how she combined cold evidence with warmth and empathy it’s rare in true crime. The result is a book that doesn’t just inform; it moves you. It’s a powerful reminder that every case file holds a real person whose story deserves to be told. Absolutely unforgettable.

[Maneka Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanelli does something remarkable here she transforms a forgotten crime into a deeply human story. The attention to period detail makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back into 1964, walking the same streets, hearing the same whispers. But what moved me most was how she gave dignity to the victim. No sensationalism, no easy answers, just truth, grief, and persistence. It reads like both an investigation and a memorial, balancing sadness with quiet strength. I closed the book feeling changed like I’d just witnessed something sacred.

[Nida Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book centers around the life of Mary Theresa, a cheerful girl who led an ordinary life. However, one day she suddenly goes missing and is later found to have been brutally murdered.

The story is mysterious and astonishing. The author gradually unveils the story of Mary Theresa and her unexpected disappearance. The unresolved nature of the case adds a chilling aspect to the crime.

The narration is simple yet captivating. The author introduces characters who could potentially be suspects in the murder case of Mary Theresa.

[Tanu Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fact Meets Feeling
Few authors manage to make you feel history, but Fanelli does. The mix of documented fact and heart-wrenching storytelling pulled me in completely. I found myself rereading certain passages just to take in the emotion behind them. The care she shows for accuracy is clear, but so is her compassion. This is investigative writing with a soul. Every page honors Mary Theresa’s life rather than her death. It’s a reminder that justice isn’t always about finding a culprit it’s about remembering who was lost.

[Tanustudies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frozen in Time
Some books entertain; others awaken something in you. This one did both. Fanelli captures the 1960s world so vividly the neighborhoods, the small joys, the fear and then gently shatters it with tragedy. Her prose feels almost poetic, especially in the scenes describing Mary Theresa’s innocence. You sense the author’s respect in every line. The unresolved ending left me quiet for hours, reflecting on how many stories like this are still waiting for answers. It’s haunting in the best possible way.

[Isha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unfinished Story
What hit me most was the sense of pause a life stopped mid-sentence. Fanelli writes with a journalist’s precision but a poet’s heart. The pacing mirrors the investigation itself: slow, frustrating, but always moving toward truth. Every time she reveals a new piece of evidence, it feels personal. This book gave me goosebumps and tears. It reminded me how every “case” is someone’s child.

[Ruchi Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left me speechless. Fanelli’s prose feels like walking through fog you can sense the sorrow, the confusion, the lingering injustice. But there’s also clarity, a quiet insistence that the truth matters. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the ache of what happened and the strength of those still searching for closure. I didn’t just read this story I carried it with me long after finishing.

[Anubhav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not every story ends with justice, but Fanelli gives us something just as important understanding. What Happened to Me? feels like closure for the voiceless. I was struck by how much humanity fills these pages; you sense the author’s personal connection to truth and healing. It’s emotional but restrained, sorrowful but determined. By the end, I felt hope not because the case was solved, but because her story finally was told.

[Sapna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to cry, but I did. This book made me see the world through the eyes of a girl who never got to grow up. Fanelli's writing is simple yet powerful, never exploitative. I admire how she stayed true to the facts while weaving emotion through every page. You feel her compassion and her determination to bring light to Mary Theresa's story. It's a gentle unraveling of pain, injustice, and love. I finished it wishing every unsolved case could be treated with such respect and heart.

[Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book you read it's one you experience. The imagery is cinematic, the storytelling heartbreaking in its quiet restraint. Fanelli doesn't tell us what to think; she simply opens the door to a tragedy and lets us feel its weight. I couldn't shake the image of that young girl and the decades of silence that followed. The way the author threads memory, evidence, and emotion together makes it feel like both a documentary and a love letter. This story lingers long after the last page.

[Pingyolla Mondal · Rating 4 out of 5]

History That Hurts
I picked this up thinking it was just another true-crime story. It’s not. It’s a time capsule of grief, community, and the quiet suffering that follows loss. Fanelli recreates the 1960s with such accuracy that you can smell the winter air, see the kitchen linoleum, and feel the innocence of a world about to break. The writing is spare but potent. A history that still hurts to remember.

[CandlelightChronicless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace in Darkness
Fanelli’s storytelling glows softly, even in the darkest moments. She doesn’t glorify the pain; she honors it. Her reconstruction of the events feels cinematic yet intimate, drawing you close to the heart of a family that never stopped loving. This isn’t a story about death it’s about endurance, about how love can survive the decades that justice cannot. A graceful, moving work.

[Chinmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t an easy book to read, but it’s one you should. Fanelli captures the raw ache of a decades-old crime without turning it into spectacle. It made me angry, sad, hopeful all at once. The small details, from the Christmas gifts to the quiet moments of fear, build a full portrait of a life interrupted. The writing is simple yet devastating. It made me believe that remembering can be its own kind of justice.

[Shashi Shukla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s impossible to finish this book without wanting justice for Mary Theresa. Fanelli brings readers into the pain of waiting waiting for answers, for peace, for closure. The chapters move between past and present seamlessly, showing how wounds linger across generations. I appreciated the honesty; she admits what we don’t know and refuses to fill it with fiction. The truth itself is powerful enough.

[Jenny Writes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanelli approaches an old wound with courage and compassion. She doesn’t shy away from the darkness surrounding Mary Theresa’s case, but she always keeps the focus on the human loss. I admired how she gave voice to the people who were silenced by grief and time. You can tell this was written not for fame but for truth and healing. It’s raw, honest, and beautifully written. The pacing keeps you engaged, but it’s the emotion the heartbreak of a family and a community that will never leave you.

[Inkandinsights · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Town That Never Slept
Fanelli doesn’t just document a murder she reconstructs a whole community haunted by it. Her portrayal of Elmira feels alive, heavy with secrets and sorrow. I could almost hear the gossip, the prayer, the fear in every household. The story is about one girl, yes, but it’s also about a town that couldn’t forget her. Fanelli turns that collective memory into something hauntingly beautiful.

[Anant Shukla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cry Remembered
The first chapter alone gave me chills the imagery, the stillness, the way Fanelli captured the final moments without cruelty. She turned horror into empathy. As I read, I realized this wasn’t just an investigation; it was love, grief, and justice woven together. It’s rare to find writing that feels both investigative and poetic, but Fanelli manages it beautifully. This book reminded me that even decades later, some voices still need to be heard.

[Rohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you think this is just another cold case book, you’re wrong. Fanelli takes what could have been a dry recounting of facts and turns it into an intimate emotional journey. The pacing is gentle but gripping, the tone compassionate but clear-eyed. The author brings you close to the people left behind, and that closeness hurts in the best way. This is a story about community, loss, and the persistence of love across time. It’s deeply moving and surprisingly hopeful.