Suddenly Gone: The Terrifying True Story of a Serial Killer's Grisly Kidnapping-Murders of Three Young Women

by Dan Mitrione

A serial killer hunting young girls...

The horribly mutilated condition of young Terri Maness's naked body held the first clue. One smart Wichita detective suspected the legal secretary's murder might be the first in a string of depraved sexual slayings. He would be right on the mark.

A spree of torture and murder...

Six days later Michelle Katf was badly beaten and barely escaped with her life. Twenty-year old Joan Butler was not so lucky. She soon disappeared without a trace. But when Richard Grissom, a handsome onetime college student, started driving the dead girl's red Corsica, the cops were hot on his trail. By then the twisted thrill killer, now a desperate fugitive, was already looking foe fresh victims.

Nothing could satisfy his lust for death...

Attractive roommates, Theresa Brown and Christine Rusch were only too happy to have a handsome guy like Grissom at their Saturday night party. They never suspected that 48 hours later they would be trapped in a horrifying nightmare. For days, Grissom terrorized them, before finally snuffing out their young lives, and sending police on one of the most exhaustive manhunts in Kansas history.

Former FBI agent Dan Mitrione follows the dark, twisted path of a man with all the cunning, sexy good looks, sexy good looks and deadly charm of Ted Bundy, exposing Grissom's secret bloody past that shocked even the most jaded detectives.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Karen S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book because the abductions took place so close to where I was living at the time. Very creepy to know Richard Grissom was on the loose during my initial years of college. He hung out at KSU, KU, Westport, and KC. Even rented a storage unit in Stanley, KS!
My friends and I referenced his name growing up…always reminding ourselves to be vigilant about handsome strangers with ill intentions.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took me awhile to get through because of the writing style. I thought it was an interesting true crime book, but it was not very well-written, unfortunately.

[Perkimom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, in-depth account of local murderer Richard Grissom and the trial. Horrific, but interesting in that names and places are familiar. The bodies of the three women he was convicted of murdering have still never been recovered.

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, utterly gripping read about a weird, weird, weird man and his terrible crimes. The story focuses on the process of hunting him down and what the clues left behind tell us about him. I feel bad for all the victims but especially Hazel Meeker, who.only got 5 years of partial justice for her hideous death, and Terri Maness, who seems to have been totally lost in the sauce. They both deserve so much better.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-done true crime story of a con man that went to prison for a murder as a teenager and managed to be released, only to kill several more times. Not particularly bright, this sociopath was more of a low level opportunist, and got caught because he was not bright enough to hide the spoils of his crimes, including a victim’s brand new car.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in a box on the street corner in St. Andrews. Was scared it was going to be sensationalist trash but it felt very well researched and respectfully written. I hadn't heard of the case before so it was cool to get a deep dive on it

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down. I only wish I kept a list of characters to keep the witnesses straight. Glad they found and caught the murderer. Good true crime novel.

[Kim De · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book/story was good, but the typos were very annoying and made it hard to read at times.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"(Detective Ken) Landweher began his talk by providing a brief history of the documentation and tracking of multiple, or seriel, murders in the United States.....He also noted that at any given time in the country, roughly 5,000 seriel killers were actively pursuing their prey."

I found this book in the ladies bathroom at Picacho Peak State Park near Tucson, AZ and read it straight through without putting it down. This murderer was preying on women in Kansas in the late 1980's. It's hard to believe that he is still alive, even in prison. He started mutilating and killing at the age of ten with a cat. At sixteen he had murdered his first human, a 73 year-old woman. He wasn't finally taken off the street until he was nearly thirty, after killing at least 3 other women that are known about......most likely many more. He was a very clever and cunning socio-path who was facilitated the whole way by lenient and sympathetic school officials, law enforcement people, judges, and his loving parents. I couldn't help but think of the old movie "Bad Seed". This guy was irreparably damaged either before birth or during the first two years of his life. We know by now, without doubt, that humans who are this severely and permanently damaged WILL continue to torture and murder; it appears to be hard-wired. He should have been lovingly "put down" at the age of ten, a courtesy humans bestow to other animals, but not to each other.

I need to find something happy to read after this.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good true-crime thriller. The story of serial killer Richard Grissom, who made his first kill as a teen. Most of the book revolves around assumed Kansas-based missing women. This guy is the epitome of a real life sociopath. When placed on trial, the prosecution had no bodies, murder weapon, or motive. The entire conviction was based on circumstantial information. The death penalty was not available in Kansas at the time, so he received four life sentences plus 400 years. Read it and decide if you were on the jury, would you have voted to convict? I would not. The circumstantial evidence was overwhelming, but I didn't feel the state defied reasonable doubt. Do you agree?

[KSRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story touched me personally since we know the Butler family and our children grew up with Joni. Ralph and Jada have never recovered from this violation to their loving and peaceful home. Mr Mitroine told me personally, it was Ralph Butler's perseverance and determination that helped the authorities find the needed evidence to bring Grissom, to justice. This is a detailed story of the disappearance of three young girls' in the prime of life and the seeking and finding a cold-blooded killer.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were living in the Kansas City area in the 80's, you are are likely familiar with Richard Grissom, Jr. and his victims. This is a chilling recounting of the crimes and a fascinating behind the scenes look at the case against Grissom. The author gives a thorough retelling of the steps law enforcement officers took to identify and prosecute the killer. Mr. Mitrione also gives us an opportunity to get to know the victims and their families in a way the media simply cannot.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting case the should be better known. The book is fairly easy to read, the author makes the information very understandable. I found the process of the investigation and evidence gathering to build the case against Grissom fascinating. The end of the book / the trial seemed fairly rushed. One other issue with this book, possibly my edition, was an incredible amount of typos. Seven in the first five pages and at least one every two pages. This was terribly distracting.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such lovely girls...so suddenly gone...

Richard Grissom is a small speck in the dregs of humanity. Conscience? He has none. Narcissist? He is one. How could anyone destroy the lives of these 3 young women who were only beginning to live?
I have never believed that a psychopaths is influenced b

[Kellye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love true crime, and this was a really interesting case. It wasn't the best writing, however. Super interesting aspects of the case were drowned in the dragging nature of the prose. You need to be a real true crime aficionado to stick with it and make it through this one.

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

better book than expected

amazon reviews not correct

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremly sad, but in the end justice preveiled.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good if you like true crime. Well written.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me nightmares!

[Opal Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Dan, what a terrible thing to h

This is a great author to be able to put this story all together. I have to admit I had only heard of this guy once before. God will dea

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting and remarkably detailed story!!