The Snow Killings: Inside the Oakland County Child Killer Investigation

by Marney Rich Keenan

Over 13 months in 1976-1977, four children were abducted in the Detroit suburbs, each of them held for days before their still-warm bodies were dumped in the snow near public roadsides. The Oakland County Child Murders spawned panic across southeast Michigan, triggering the most extensive manhunt in U.S. history. Yet after less than two years, the task force created to find the killer was shut down without naming a suspect. The case "went cold" for more than 30 years, until a chance discovery by one victim's family pointed to the son of a wealthy General Motors executive: Christopher Brian Busch, a convicted pedophile, was freed weeks before the fourth child disappeared.

Veteran Detroit News reporter Marney Rich Keenan takes the reader inside the investigation of the still-unresolved murders—seen through the eyes of the lead detective in the case and the family who cracked it open—revealing evidence of a decades-long coverup of malfeasance and obstruction that denied justice for the victims.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Crime, History, Mystery, Adult

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over 13 months in 1976­-1977, four children were abducted in the Detroit suburbs, each of them held for days before their still-warm bodies were dumped in the snow near public roadsides. The case goes cold for over 30 years until a chance discovery of a suspect; son of a wealthy General Motors executive: Christopher Brian Busch, a convicted pedophile. Keene takes us on a journey of a decades-long cover-up of malfeasance and obstruction that denied justice for the victims.

First of all Keenan did one outstanding job putting this all together in a precise timeline. I have found that most cold case books tend to get boring in the middle, but Keenan avoids this pitfall. Once I started reading I was in the investigation. I needed to know how it how played out. Excellent read.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Cooper is the worst, most self serving, trash heap of a person. Ok, now that that's out of the way. You would think that the most disgusting part of this book would involve the pedophiles and child murderers (and yes they're awful people for sure) but the miscarriage of justice perpetuated by the authorities in this case nearly rivals them. For every person involved trying to get to the truth there are handfuls more trying to bury and discredit for their own personal gain. The fact that so many people in this world put their own family name, career goals, wallets ahead of the lives and safety of children is sadly unsurprising at this point but still disappointing. Fantastic book about an awful tragedy.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired Detroit News reporter Keenan has covered the Oakland County (Michigan) Child Killer (OCCK) Investigation since 2009 when new evidence came to light. In 1976-1977, parents were terrified of letting their children walk alone in the Detroit suburbs after 4 children were abducted, sexually assaulted, and held for several days before their bodies were dumped. While investigating this horrible crime -- still not fully resolved -- investigators uncovered a “seemingly endless cesspool of pedophiles” (p. 302 in proof) that led to a large pool of suspects. Cory Williams of the Livonia Police Department took up the OCCK investigation after being assigned a cold case homicide in 2004 that led to uncovering a child porn ring. Williams and Keenan make the case that the most likely suspect was the son of a GM executive who successfully kept his son out of prison on several pedophilia charges. The suspect is long dead, having possibly taken his life by suicide. He also had several accomplices who most likely played a role in these horrific crimes. Each chapter reads like an in-depth newspaper article and while the shifting time periods can be a little confusing, this is a page-turner nonetheless. Readers will ache for the family members of Mark Stebbins, Jill Robinson, Kristine Mihelich, and Timothy King and will be outraged at the incompetent and seemingly petty divisiveness of the investigators, especially those working the cold case. Verdict: This will appeal to your true-crime fans.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a fan of Marnie Rich Keenan when when she wrote in the Homestyle section of the News and was very interested in reading this book as I was in 7th/8th grade and lived in the area when/where the OCCK crimes were committed.
Appears very well researched - so many facts!
Unfortunately, noticing errors in several minor/irrelevant facts makes one wonder if more relevant facts were also distorted.
And since there could be no resolution to the chaotic investigation, I was ultimately left feeling disappointed overall.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in Oakland County, MI in the same suburbs terrorized by the Oakland County Child Killer 1976-1978. I was 12 yrs old when it began and 15 when the task force suddenly shut down without another child being abducted and killed. Us kids were told to be home before the street lights came on. We were not told the children had been sexually assaulted.

The Snow Killings by Marney Rich Keenan provides detailed detective work, interviews, evidence, suspects, and strongly suspected coverups spanning 40 years. If you grew up in Metro Detroit during the time of the Oakland County Child Killer, you still carry the memories of the fear and wonder who did it and why weren't they caught. If you want detailed information on what transpired during the investigations, this is the book to read.

Spoiler: There is no closure for the families. There is clear political grandstanding and coverups that, frankly, pissed me off.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the book Tim’s sister wrote and I think it was done much better. It too points out the concerns it was a coverup for a rich family. This book was interesting, but it moved way too slow. I felt all 13 hours as I listened and never seemed to get anywhere. There are no answers and its clear that the book give the reader the same runaround the families of the missing children got. The failure of police to investigate the evidence only adds to the killing being someone they would or could not investigate. And we know there are massive child sex rings. You aren’t going to get answers in this book, just more questions because no one has solved the case and the police either covered it up or were incompetent.

[Leigh Podgorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

Cory Williams is a hero. As are so many who fought for the truth of what happened to four innocent children. Unfortunately, villains abound, including in the police force and the prosecutors office.
One is left pondering, why?
Why would child molesters and killers ever be protected?
This is a trying world we live in.
The Snow Killings is packed with detail, at times too much for me. But the reward is there though sorrow will fill your heart.
To the parents and families, I send my deepest condolences. You are the bravest of humans.
To the public servants that fight these battles and these monsters, we are blessed to have such heroes amongst us.
Thank you.
This is a terrible story you must read. Because we must know and so be prepared.
For those of you who lied and covered up, how do you live with yourselves? You are the worst of the worse. Given the public trust, you abuse it for personal gain. Your shame is deep and abiding.

[Rona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details the extensive investigation of the OCCK by one detective, who, despite all the obstacles, never gave up on his pursuit in trying to get justice for the victims. Included within Keenan's work, is a comprehensive account of the murders, the possible parties involved, and the subsequent cover-up.

There were times whereby, I found it harrowing and heart-breaking. So much so, that I had to take a break from reading it a few times. It is not a book for those who are easily triggered. However, I recommend it, if you are at all interested in this case.

Corey Williams is an absolute star and hero. My heart goes out to the parents.

[Sandy Marczewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marney Keenan does an amazing job of walking you through this decades long investigation. She breaks it down starting at the beginning and takes you inside the investigation. There is a lot of information, but you will not be overwhelmed. If you have followed this investigation you will be surprised that there is so much that you did not know.
You will not be able to put this book down.

[Daniel Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Approaching "The Snow Killings: Inside the Oakland County Child Killer Investigation" by Marney Rich Keenan with great anticipation due to my interest in true crime, I found myself caught between admiration and reservation. Keenan's exhaustive research and thorough interviews with key figures provide an in-depth exploration of this dark chapter in history, yet the book's pacing and occasional lack of objectivity left me with mixed feelings.

On the positive side, Keenan's dedication to unraveling the complexities of the Oakland County Child Killer investigation is evident. Her meticulous research and compassionate portrayal of the victims and their families add an emotional depth to the narrative, making it more than a mere procedural account. The comprehensive nature of her investigative work sheds light on the challenges faced by law enforcement during this tumultuous period.

However, the book's pacing poses a challenge. Excessive details and tangential subplots occasionally bog down the narrative, making it difficult to stay fully engaged. A more streamlined approach could have enhanced the overall reading experience, especially for those seeking a more concise and focused storytelling style.

Moreover, while Keenan strives for balance, moments of personal bias seep into the narrative, impacting the objectivity of certain accounts. This subtle influence leaves readers yearning for a more neutral exploration of the facts. The blurred line between reporting and personal interpretation might be distracting for true crime enthusiasts who prefer a more objective stance.

In conclusion, "The Snow Killings" is a commendable effort to uncover the mysteries of the Oakland County Child Killer investigation. While the detailed research and empathetic portrayal of the victims contribute positively, the pacing and occasional lack of objectivity may hinder the enjoyment for some readers. It stands as a solid addition to the true crime genre but not without its flaws.

[Bill reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually avoid books without a clear and concise conclusion but I made that mistake with The Snow Killings which should have been titled Red Herrings, Pedophiles and Lawsuits.
In the late 70s, four children were found discarded in the snow and what starts off as a riveting true crime story ventures off into a repetitive discourse on child pornography, which was never proven to be a part of this case.
Keenan gives a disgusting account of the almost hidden prevalence of wealthy men getting away with crimes against children. Even worse is the fact that some of the kids were sold by their mothers and fathers to the predators.
The list of suspects is never ending with one man being the center of attention. His rich daddy kept him out of prison with the best lawyers money could buy. What follows is a journey into a rabbit hole of lowlife possible miscreants. One witness swore that he saw John Wayne Gacy abduct one of the kids. Why not Ted Bundy? He made a pit stop in Michigan on his trip to FSU in Florida. The king of serial killers does get a brief mention.
After more than forty years this remains a cold case and I do not recommend The Snow Killings.

[Maria Almaguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One can never really say they "like" this book because of the subject. Why, you may ask, am I interested in this case? Because I was nine in 1977 when this case terrified my parents and my friends' parents. Though I lived in Allen Park (Wayne County, which is south of Oakland county), this was a time when I first learned of "stranger danger." In the school pictures of the children, I see myself in the 1970s clothing. And I later worked at the public library in Birmingham, the same community where Timothy King lived and was abducted from. And the amazing thing is that this case has never been solved! It's not just amazing, it's also disgusting and appalling. Keenan related many facts and suspects from the ongoing investigation over the years that I was unfamiliar with. And I had heard about the involvement of a wealthy and powerful family as well as a possible coverup by law enforcement. But at the heart of it all, is the utter heartbreak of the families who have suffered at the non-closure of this case. And as time goes on, and more of the involved people pass away, the tunnel grows ever narrower until you have to wonder that some things just maybe don't have an answer.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why was I so interested in this book? Living in Michigan, I was a fan of the author Marney Keenan who wrote “Home Life” for The Detroit News. (I have saved many of her articles.) I worked and lived in Royal Oak (Oakland County) during these horrific events 1976 – 1977. And so much of what was referenced was familiar to me.
The book presents a multitude of information including but not limited to the investigations, task force, infighting between police organizations, coverups, the rich possibly protecting the guilty, and probable incompetence and corruption on part of law enforcement.
Cory Williams, detective, is a star in his pursuit to get justice for the victims and families. The heart break of the families with no closure, decades later.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard for me to rate a book with such horrific content. I actually live less than 45 minutes from this horror.a parents worst nightmare.

[Renee Priestley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to take breaks with this one as it’s so disturbing. Such vile monsters in this world.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Near the middle, the book lost the plot - it definitely did not need to be as long as it was, especially since there’s (unfortunately) no definitive conclusion to the case

[Kaitlin Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Gabby M]

I almost never write anything about audiobooks, but this one called for it. For a book that spends a LOT of time talking about polygraphs, she sure doesn't spend any time at all talking about the broad scientific evidence that they're not reliable!

[Xain · Rating 4 out of 5]

every day I wake up and thank god I am not an american

[Emma Scharfenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Having grown up in Oakland Country, I had heard of these killings but knew very little about the details, so this shed some light on the investigation, the victims, and their families.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic, devastating, frustrating read. This book did a great job of putting all of the information into one place. Honestly this was really difficult to listen to, knowing so many areas mentioned in this book. I cannot imagine the pain of these families to still have no closure, decades later.

Of the four victims, Barry King, father of Tim King was the most vocal parent advocating for justice in this case. He died at the end of last year, still not having closure, which is so terribly sad. He did get to see this book prior to his passing though. He was a very smart man who did not deserve the horrific treatment Jessica Cooper served him.

At the end of this book, it was implied that Cory Williams was retiring (as of the end of 2019). Not that he doesn't deserve a peaceful retirement, but I do hope that he is still chipping away at this case. He was an incredible angel on this case, despite having his reputation questioned and disparaged by the raging evil monster aka Jessica Cooper. The amount of time and dedication and effort he put into this case is astounding.

Things that drove me insane/made me sick: Jessica Cooper's mistreatment of the victim's families, using this case as a PR crutch, and being completely vile. This woman actually took Barry King to court to accuse him of a felony! She put more time and effort into FALSELY accusing King of a felony than trying to solve the OCCK case. Wayne County being kept in the dark on details when they did more investigation wise and financially than all other involved counties. The lack of communication between counties and departments, and putting egos ahead of common sense and the common goal of getting justice for these four kids is mind blowing to me. The notion that a black sheep son in a prominent family who is likely fully or at least partially responsible for the Oakland County Child Killings never spent ONE night in jail makes me sick. I don't understand how ANYONE could be important enough at General Motors to warrant letting this perverse monster roam free to "protect" this family. It is a grave injustice. The fact that he was also a raging pedophile and got away with that is absolutely absurd. I hope that the police officers who aided in covering this up to help this prominent family feel a huge weight of anguish for their disgusting lack of service to a community. Some of these children could have been spared had this precious reputation not been protected.

TLDR, this was a hugely engrossing book.

[Brett buckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of true crime book that'll make parents hold their children tight. Easily one of the best books I've ever listened to. But beware, diving into the rabbit hole of the Oakland County Child Killer will leave you questioning everything and there are details in this novel that even hard-boiled true crime fans will have a hard time shaking.

This is an incredibly detailed and researched account of the web of conspiracies that make up what has to be one of the more convoluted unsolved cases undertaken. My only criticism is simply on the enormous cast of vile characters that Rich Keenan documents. In terms of an audiobook, it's a little hard to keep track of all of them. I often had to rewind bits just to remember who was being discussed.

Still ... an amazing, chilling effort that will leave readers dizzy and angry and just as many questions as answers.

[Karo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way this book was set up was very confusing to me. And therefore story that the writer wanted to tell was also very confusing to me. Even though the main focus was on the OCCK it felt to me like author one topic to the next with not all that much cohesion between its individual parts.
It's a good thing for police to investigate any and every possible lead in cases like this and for journalists following such a case to look at it from many different angles to write their articles, but if you're going to put the information in a book it might be a good idea to first sit down and decide on what you want to achieve with the book and work in the available information from there, rather than everything and the kitchen sink at it.
But that's just my two cents.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always tricky reviewing a book that summarizes and deep dives into a crime. I can't give it one star because innocents lost their lives. I can't give it five stars because some sadistic fucks got away with murder. But the information is good and the voice is fair. It doesn't sensationalize the horror and it doesn't ignore the victims. It's a solid effort to address the failings of the police force and a capitalist society, and remembering the children, people and towns that this impacted. A tragic, horrid and true story. 3.8/5

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most difficult topics to read or discuss imaginable, but the author did an incredible job compiling information here. As with so many cold cases of this era, many factors combined to allow a monster to continue his deadly rampage--from things that couldn't be helped, such as lack of modern forensic science methods, to those that shamefully could, like utter incompetency and probable corruption on the part of some law enforcement entities.

[Kathlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BOOK to read on OCCK

After listening to a podcast I decided to look further into this cold case \ cover up. I was very impressed with the detail and depth of information given in this book. I would recommend this to anyone who wants the full story behind this killings including law enforcement issues.

[Thomas Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was only six or so around the time of these crimes, but I have long had a fascination with them. Unless new evidence or confessions emerge, it is hard to think a more thorough examination of the multi-jurisdiction investigations (State, counties, municipalities) can be produced.

Coming away, I cannot be believe a web of multiple perpetrators was at the root of this, with a key one of these suspects and persons of interest being Christopher Brian Busch, the son of General Motors executive Harold Lee Busch. His apparent suicide with rifle while passed out drunk and doing so without blood spatter in an arranged panorama of incriminating evidence beggars belief.

...all believed that Busch had likely died days earlier, Sillery determined Busch died that same day—November 20, 1978—of a ­self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Other than noting that Busch’s blood alcohol level was 0.41 percent—more than four times the legal limit for driving and enough to cause coma or death—there was no indication that a full autopsy was ever even conducted.

This scene was discovered after "...growing suspicions surrounding Berkley PD Officer Christopher Flynn."

In 1978, according to a medical examiner’s report, Flynn committed suicide in a church parking lot, using not one but two guns in an attempt to shoot himself in the heart.

On November 20, six days after Flynn died, Chris Busch’s body was found. Since Busch had apparently been dead for several days, the two questionable “suicides” occurring almost simultaneously was too close for comfort. Toss into the mix a report that, as a young boy, Flynn had been sexually abused by Catholic priests, an accusation of “inappropriate contact with a young boy”10 involving Flynn, and an already mistrustful online community was becoming very vocal about the Berkley PD. Many concluded the police were reluctant to look in their own back yard.

It feels like in the fall of '78, matter were taken into hand by vigilantes (police vigilantes?) and a frustrated investigation unilaterally obtained the just it sought. Indeed, the task force disbanded shortly thereafter. It was reconstituted over the years as promising leads emerged, but nothing definitive happened. This includes Sloan and the hair samples, Ted Lamborgine, etc.

Regardless of the actual villains here, it emerges that there were many active pedophiles, some related. This ran the gamut of lone wolves to such elaborate schemes as Brother Paul's Children's Mission.

Despite lurid and horrific details suggested by what is known of these crimes, most unfortunate is some aspects of the failed hunt for the cimrinals:
* The early focus on a Gremlin was misleading and was contradicted by more promising snow bank impressions of a GM vehicle.
* Over reliance on lie detector results
* The Sloan DNA hair evidence could have led to something while much more potential DNA and hard evidence was mishandled and lost.

[Jackson Garton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie and say this was an easy listen. There were times when I had to pause the book because what was being said was just so disturbing. I knew going into the book that it was about four child murders, and that SA was involved, but some of the videos that are discussed were just...jarring. I know bad people exist, and that people with their own set of morals/standards exist, that some people will sacrifice their own children for money, but the way this was described in the book, I just don't know. The child p*rn parties, especially the ones talked about that were held in the forest and in tents, just so disgusting and unreal. I don't see how anyone could have faith in the justice system (I mean, okay, I don't already), but I don't see how someone could maintain faith in the American justice system if four white kids who were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered never received the investigations they deserved. I know folks thought The Golden State Killer would never be brought to justice, but I seriously doubt these kids and their families will ever know justice. The parents will certainly be dead before they do, and that's a shame. ACAB.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember the Oakland County Child Killings vividly. I was 18 and worked in a Chathams store in a mall then and had to get carts in the dark near a wooded area. One of the victims had been in a chathams before disappearing and I remember saying I’d I go out to get carts and the killer grabs me it will be hours before anyone misses me.
The heart of this books is Kristine’s mom saying I don’t know who is the bigger monster here—the people who murdered these children or the people who refuse to bring them to justice.
It’s hard to believe anyone at GM would have the clout to keep the true killer’s identity quiet, even in Oakland County, when the glory for the cop who breaks this case would be irresistible. I’m irritated that this book was hyped on local news as having new information when it concludes nothing. It’s tragic that these families never got closure. If Cody Williams couldn’t break this then it’s hard to see what could.
All this book leaves you with is more questions and confusion and frustration.

[Jim Vandenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very SLOW read, not because it was boring, but because I lived this having moved to Michigan as the killings happened. In whole and in bits, it was entirely memorable. So much of what was referenced I have familiarity with, even offhanded mentions of gas stations at Middlebelt/Ten Mile Rd. and Grand River/Power Rd. which I still frequent today!

The memories came flooding back, like experiencing the fear suburban Detroit communities felt way back in the mid 70's as the killings transpired. For example, we had our kids play only in our back yard under our watchful eyes during this time frame because the fear from the OCCK was real.

I was a regular reader of Marney Rich Keenan over much of her Detroit News career. Her book is thorough, detailed, and shockingly believable. No, this story isn't for everybody. The shame is that it had to be written and was, in fact, alarmingly true, right down to the infighting between police organizations for media credit.

Yes, as her last chapter heading reads, this case had No Such Thing as Closure!