Body of Proof

by John Ferak

The award-winning journalist and author of Dixie's Last Stand delves into a troubling murder trial gone wrong in this "superbly crafted" true crime (Jim Hollock, author of Born to Lose).



When Jessica O'Grady met Christopher Edwards, she was a starry-eyed Nebraska college girl in search of Mr. Right--and Edwards had a dark and deceitful soul. In May of 2006, Jessica's mystifying disappearance and a blood-soaked mattress sparked a state-wide media frenzy. Enter Douglas County Sheriff's CSI stalwart Dave Kofoed, a man so driven to solve high-profile murders that he had twice before planted false evidence.

With public pressure high, Kofoed knew he had to act fast. But while Edwards was known to be the prime suspect, the baffling disappearance of the body and weapon made his guilt nearly impossible to prove. And when Edwards finally did face trial, his defense had questions about the forensic evidence used against their client. In Body of Proof, investigative journalist John Ferak explores why "the case of Jessica O'Grady's disappearance remains controversial" in this "compelling account" (Peter Vronsky, author of Serial The Method and Madness of Monsters).

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Audiobook

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2015

About the author

A native of Joliet and Plainfield, Illinois, John Ferak chronicled the awful tragedy in rural Murdock while serving as an investigative journalist from 2003-2012 for the Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska's largest news organization. Ferak appeared on Investigation Discovery's "Cold Blood."

These days, Ferak is an award-winning investigative team member for Gannett Wisconsin Media, based at The Post-Crescent in Appleton, Wis. He also has worked as a reporter or editor at the South Bend Tribune in Indiana, The Daily Herald based in Arlington Heights Ill., and the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Although Ferak takes his writing and journalism seriously, he enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Andrea, and their three children. Ferak roots for the Green Bay Packers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He is a devoted follower of Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox. He is also known to enjoy a can or two of his favorite canned beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon, “The people’s beer,” as he likes to call it.

Reviews

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this and grabbed it yesterday, finding it to be a thorough, gripping read about the disappearance of Jessica O'Grady in May 2006. Body of Proof is the sequel to John Ferak's debut book, Bloody Lies. It tells the story of the crime, investigation and trial involving a corrupt CSI head David Kofoed, who may have planted evidence. Kofoed had already gotten away with his nefarious case enabling in 2 other big cases, and likely wanted to assure an arrest and help with the conviction of Jessica's seemingly obvious yet untouchable killer, Christopher Edwards. Edwards appeared to be benefitting from having managed to successfully keep the whereabouts of the victim's body hidden, making it Nebraska's first no-body case. Its great to read a book that's not full of spelling and grammar errors distracting from the flow of the story.

[Lee Husemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well researched and well written book that I had a hard time putting down once I started it. Jessica O'Grady fell for Christopher Edwards who obviously thought of himself as some sort of a ladies man. What happened to her was really sad and I do hope that her family gets closure. I was shocked to learn that one of the CSI people had planted evidence on different cases and that led to a lot of suspicion regarding this case. I was also surprised that the police would not arrest Edwards even with all of the blood evidence on the mattress along with the blood spatter evidence and recording of him buying white paint to cover evidence on the ceiling tiles. This was an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

[Janet Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Body of Proof: Tainted Evidence in the Murder of Jessica O'Grady? is well researched and written.

[Carol Tilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Scorpion investigating the Serpent”

19 year old Jessica O’Grady goes missing after telling her lover, Christopher Edwards that she is pregnant. Christopher’s steady girlfriend is also pregnant, and talk of marriage is in the air. After Omaha PD find reason to pursue Edwards for Jessica’s disappearance, it is decided to call in Douglas County’s crack CSI team, led by Dave Kofoed. Kofoed’s team has a reputation of being the best CSI group in all of Nebraska, finding crucial evidence to help convict some of the worst criminals Nebraska has ever seen. They even found a small amount of blood in the bottom of a dumpster 5 months after the victim had gone missing. Hmm, red flag. The one good thing that you can say about Kofoed is he doesn’t hog the glory, he congratulates his team first. If they only knew who they were really investigating.
It is very easy to see how the years of being a newspaper reporter has paid off for this author. He knows the key players and their stories. Sticking to the facts, his composition of the story reads better than most fiction. His interjection of emotion and opinions do not get in the way of the story, they add color. “The Scorpion investigating the Serpent” is a classic example of his work. Even after years in jail, Edwards has never confessed to the crime, nor has he given up the location of Jessica’s remains. Again, this is not fiction, and it is not a pretty story. This story needed to be told – and John Ferak is the best person to do so.

[Katherine McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! Unlike any other true crime I've read so far, the murder case of Jessica O'Grady involved not only facts about the crime, but revelations of suspicious evidence findings of a reputable law enforcement official. There was never any real doubt as to who the killer was, however, there was one major obstacle to get a conviction. Jessica's body was never found, and the killer would not admit to doing it nor disclose where he disposed of her remains. The case was purely a forensic one. With no body to prove how she was killed, it was imperative that the forensic evidence be as strong as possible to put him away for the crime. In comes a very ambitious director of the entire city's forensic unit with a habit of conveniently finding rock solid, yet previously overlooked, evidence and we have a scandal of epic proportions.

The author used his monumental talent to expertly take us through the facts of this case. Very well researched and written, this book is extremely compelling, well crafted and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Serious movie material. Highly recommend it to fans of true crime!

[Bettye McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-written and very readable book tells of the investigation into the disappearance of 19-year-old Jessica O'Grady in Omaha in May 2006.

By all indications, Jessica was brutally murdered by her lover, Christopher Edwards, but her body has never been recovered. Edwards was tried and convicted of murder, but questions have arisen about whether some of the evidence was planted.

This is a disturbing development because no one is safe if any part of the justice system is corrupt. After you read the book, you can decide whether you think the evidence was tainted.

There are a dozen or so typos and several instances of misused punctuation for those who want to know.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the wording in this true-crime book (as in the synopsis) is somewhat awkward, but it seems to be a well-researched, interesting story, although
it might have been preferable for the author to have waited a year to publish it so more information could have been included. I think the plea at the
end went a little overboard, too, but overall, this is a worthwhile listen.

Kevin Pierce is an expert at reading true crime and his performance with this audiobook is no exception. It's outstanding.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty or not

I think this would appeal to any true crime fan. A well written account of the case against Chris Edwards in the murder of Jessica O Grady. Th e re was enough evidence against him without the planting of blood by the CSI 's Director. Why did he think it was necessary? I think the author's theory about the disposal of her body is correct, if only Edwards would Man up and divulge where he put it, her family and friends could have some peace.

[Debra Barstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the tale of a true crime that took place in Nebraska. The takes the reader through the trial and the sentencing of the offender and how the evidence was used to convict the offender. I found this book interesting and kept me reading My only drawback is that it did not have a happy ending and I pray that the family of the victim can at some point have closure to this tragedy and can move on in their life. I would recommend this book all true crime lovers alike.

[marlana kooistra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, quick and tot h e point. I like to read books that don't drag on about anything, just a couple hrs of reading and your done.

Good short book straight to the point, a couple hours of reading and your done . I wish he told where her body was.

[Jen Cahill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting tragic story of love gone wrong.

I really liked John's book and will be looking to read more of his in the future. His insight, thorough research and empathy for Jessica's hurting family are real and leapt off the screen as I absorbed the reality of the terror and betrayal young, naive, and love-hungry Jessica surely felt.
The fact that there was a CSI investigator possibly planting evidence did not do anything to take away from the heart oIt f Jessica's demise. She was never proven to actually be pregnant with Chris' child. In her quest to love and be loved, Jessica engaged in reckless behavior. She desperately wanted that baby and a normal, happy family's life with that loser, Chris. Who knows what she saw in him and why she thought she couldn't do any better than him. It doesn't matter. She died because she loved him.

[Gene Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gut-Wrenching Murder

Clear and factual, if repetitive, this book reveals a heinous murder, a despicable murderer, and a complicated legal situation replete with conflicting theories and subversive malfeasance.

Omaha locals recall this crime and ache for closure. This is an account of why it may never come, unless chance breaks lucky one day for some hiker or boater.

Could have been better written and organised but as a quick summary of this many-faceted case it serves well.

/ Gene Stewart

[Lisa Millett · Rating 5 out of 5]

True crime thriller

This book accurately and fully documents the sad murder of a young woman who chose to love the wrong man. It is brilliant in it's overall details. There are still very few no body convictions so the police investigation and forensic evidence sealed the case. Unfortunately as with most sociopathic murderers this killer refuses to give up the location of the body so that her loved ones can properly bury and grieve her. Exceptional read for true crime lovers.

[Susan Stephens Ballain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the way this book was written! Not only did this happen in my home state but the author just wrote it so that it kept you engaged from the first page til the last page! I highly recommend this book!

[Atlantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written true crime that occurred in the Omaha area. Available now on Kindle unlimited.

[Paresh Rughani]

A good documentary well narrated, disappointed not to have had a conclusion.

[Bobbi Wylezik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Body of proof

Written beautifully. Easy to follow understand. Lots a facts. I will recommend it to family members and friends. Please keep writing

[Julie Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok.

[shannon williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many holes

It started out interesting ; then it became more about a dirty crime scene detective than the actual story. Very disappointing.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Droll

Three stars for effort but not a well written crime novel. Too much repetition of facts and too much stating the obvious. Not written in story fashion, just the facts.

[Elizabeth Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, but sad

This was a very intestine true story which kept my interest and made me want to research what has happened with the case since this book was written.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

OK it's not terrible. But you've taken 10 pages of interesting stuff and tried to make a 200 page book out of it. Why do true crime writers feel the need to tell us the same thing over and over again? Are you daft like Ann Rule apparently was? Or worse that you feel your reader is daft? But more importantly you missed a real protagonist here. We are definitely not rooting for a nefarious DA or a corrupt disgusting vile scum bag who planted evidence. So how about a tenacious FBI who shut him down? It's like a footnote and there was your real story. Instead of the frosting it should have been the cake.

But I think the real sin is beating the dead horse and rubbing his nose in it. Yeah we already knew the obvious murderer was a scum bag. Let's hear why a corrupt lying civil service agent violated our trust. He's out walking around? YGBFKM!!! That guy should be doing life!

One final thought. It's extremely distracting and lazy to write paragraphs one sentence long. My mind was constantly resetting itself. Look Einstein was fired from the post office. Don't take this wrong: But this is simply not your calling.

[Shoshana Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true crime book is straightforward journalism, but very good, well researched journalism, and there are, in fact, 2 separate yet related crimes here.

The author covers both meticulously, and gives us an in depth look not only at the criminal activity, but at the characters involved. Because this isn’t fiction, characters are not developed in the traditional sense, but presented using information gathered from their own words and documents, and from the author’s observations of their actions.

It is a good, short book, and of more than passing interest, especially given the fact, as the author puts it, that “The serpent was being hunted by the scorpion”.

Keven Pierce provided yet another stellar performance, but he is absolutely perfect for this kind of book, so I expected nothing less.

I give both book and narrator 5 out of 5 stars. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this unbiased review via the courtesy of AudioBookBlast dot com.

[Bill reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Body of Proof is a quick and compelling read. Jessica O'Grady made poor decisions in picking boyfriends and one of them would cause her undoing. A fellow nineteen year-old, Christopher Edwards, had already impregnated another girlfriend and Jessica informed her lover boy that she was also pregnant with his child. She paid him a final visit and after a few days, the police checked out his bedroom. His mattress was soaked in blood and later on an explanation of menstrual blood is almost comical. A CSI investigator who testified at trial was later convicted of planting false evidence which landed two innocent men in jail. This is an excellent true crime read.

[Cheryl A. Breidigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

I have read many true crime books. My favorites authors are Ann Rule , M William Phelps, and Jack Olsen. This book unfortunately does not hold to the standard of what I would consider a really good true crime book. Skipped through quite a few pages.

[Peg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Very Good

This book was choppy and not very well written. The case was interesting enough but written in such a way as to make it almost boring. The writer almost seemed to have a personal dislike of Kofoed.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Crime-- Wrongful Conviction

I liked it. My eyes are being opened at the tens of thousands of wrongful convictions and the reasons why. Highly recommend



rfsyng