The Lowcountry Murder of Gwendolyn Elaine Fogle: A Cold Case Solved

by Shuler

 
For decades, evidence of the 1978 murder of Gwendolyn Elaine Fogle lay in the evidence room at the Walterboro Police Department. Investigators periodically revisited the case, but it remained the department’s top cold case for thirty-seven years. However, Special Agent Lieutenant Rita Shuler worked on the case shortly after she joined the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and she couldn't let it go, not even after her retirement in 2001.
 
In May 2015, Lieutenant Shuler teamed up with new investigator Corporal Gean Johnson, and together they uncovered key evidence that had been overlooked. With new advancements in DNA and fingerprint technology, they brought the case to its end in just four months. In this book, Shuler herself details the gruesome history of this finally solved case.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2016

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not going to do my traditional back story so I am just going to toss out my thoughts.

Thoughts:

This story was sad in a way as the family of the murdered woman found no closure as it took forever for the case to be solved. The parents of Elaine Fogle died long before this case was solved. I felt that the investigators in the case just didn't seem to cover all the bases right at first and they were also looking at the wrong man too. Later on though they find out they had the wrong man as time went on with better technology. The case took over 30 years to solve though which is a long time for a cold case. The story was told by the author Shuler as she was one of the investigators from the beginning.

The book is kind of roller coaster of information though I felt the author did go deep into this story since she was a part of the investigative team. The reason that this book is getting three stars though is because the author has quite a bit of repetition with describing the DNA part of the case and that is throughout the whole book. There was some slow down time too with different things in the story and I felt the pace wasn't fast enough but so much repetition is what brings this book down to 3 stars. Other than that the book was good and informative of how the crime was finally solved. Giving this book three "Intriguing Information" stars!

[Lora Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few things that took major points away from this story for me. Not counting the typos.

1. The exceedingly excruciating detail. This book was only 118 pages but it was so tedious it felt 3 times that long.
2. Lt. Shuler became too close to the victim's family during the course of the investigation. Way too close. Her picture on the sister's mantle RIGHT NEXT TO THE VICTIM'S PICTURE close. Family reunions, gatherings, and BBQs close. Conflict of interest close. You get the picture.
3. There were DNA swabs taken from the victim's mouth and *private places*. Everyone in the entire department knew of them, and knew the last person to have contact with them. Agent Chad Caldwell. However, the swabs disappeared from the face of the earth. They were supposed to be logged into evidence but never were. I think they questioned Caldwell about them maybe once, years after the fact. He said he turned them in. That was the end of it. They never really questioned him further or made him responsible for helping to track them down. It was to the point I was thinking he was the culprit or at least involved (he wasn't)
BUT MOST OF ALL
4. The guy that actually did it was arrested 10 months later for another crime. At that time his fingerprints were entered into the prints database. A bloody palm print and several bloody fingerprints were left at the scene of Elaine's murder and were in evidence. IT TOOK 24 1/2 YEARS TO OCCUR TO ANYONE TO COMPARE THE FINGERPRINTS. They were so singularly focused on 1 man, who was proven time and time again to not be the killer, and focused on matching DNA that never came up, that it genuinely never occurred to them to compare the prints against those in the database. Even though the case was reopened/re-examined several times over the years. They could've had an arrest before both of Elaine's parents died. What in the Keystone Cops...?
5. Shuler put everything on "the scales of justice not balancing" and how the killer was allowed to commit more crimes over so many years after Elaine's death, rather than taking into account that the case was being handled by stand-ins for "Car 54, Where Are You?" Which I enjoyed more than this book.

[Jennifer Holley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this could have been a good book, but the writing was dry and repeated too many details. It kept repeating the same details but never gave enough details on other information. I never felt like I really knew the victim or the perpetrator. I read it because I moved to South Carolina a few years ago and I am interested in true crime. It was a quick read, but I think I could have found out most of this info by reading newspaper accounts. I also did not understand why the author mentioned that she knew who was behind a letter writing campaign to several people who knew Elaine, but then she didn’t tell the readers who it was. Overall, I just felt it was lacking depth, which I should have expected with only 100ish pages.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging!! For an ending that was very disappointing as there was no justice for this poor family the writer did a great job of focusing on the details of this horrific crime!!

[Grams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching story

What I liked most about this book was that the were people who never gave up trying to get the killer found to give the family some answers so they could move on by knowing who the killer was.

This is a true crime story of a brutal murder of Gwendolyn Elaine Fogle and the 37 year quest to find her killer. The author, Rita Shuler, is one of the people who stayed with the case until it was resolved. In real life everything doesn't get wrapped up in an hour. Her murder is finally solved but not with the outcome you'd expect. I don't want to spoil the ending so you'll have to read the book if you want to know how the case ended! The only constructive criticism I have is that some of the evidence (such as the missing semen vials) was repeated numerous times when once or twice would have been sufficient. I thought the book was well written and organized. This is a story I won't forget!

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

Justice delayed, is not always justice denied. Although the killer was finally identified, he remains in a mental institution.
If he, the killer, is ever deemed competent, he will be recharged.
Also, as a bonus, some photos.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an overly interesting case, and written almost as a self-hagiography: "Me, me, me. The case was all about me! Aren't I great?" Not a fan.

[Craig Beam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justice after Decades

For decades, evidence on the 1978 murder of Gwendolyn Elaine Fogle lay on the evidence room at Walterboro Police Department. Investigators periodically revisited the case over the years, but it remained the department’s top cols case for thirty-seven years. Special Agent Lieutenant Rita Shuler worked on the case shortly after she joined the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and she couldn’t let it go , not enemies her retirement in 2001. In May 2015 , Lieutenant Shuler teamed up with new investigator Corporal Gean Johnson, and together they uncovered key evidence that had been overlooked. With new advancements in DNA and fingerprint technology, they brought the case to an end in just 4 months. Join Shuler as she details the gruesome history of this finally solved case.

[jimme dale tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, although 37 years to late.

It is truly a heartfelt gratitude that Corporal Gean Johnson and Lieutenant Rita Shuler had the dedication and unwavering commitment to see this senseless murder finally closed successfully after sitting on shelves collecting dust.
Both of you are truly amazingly and utterly resolute in seeing this through, this includes those that helped you over the years.
The only question I have is why the person who saw a man washing up at her outdoor spider was never pursued and followed up on immediately after the murder.
Again thank you all for giving me confidence in our system again, for I had a friend murdered in the early 80's in Dekalb County, Georgia that was never solved, nor really investigated.

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor investigation takes decades

The author has a black and white perspective on humanity and morality. She has no understanding of mental illness. One of the things i like about true crime is getting a perspective on what makes a killer tick and their thought processes and history. She offers none of that. She seems to think that mentally ill people belong behind bars. One of the worst true crime books I've ever read. The investigation seems as if it were poorly performed. The writing is bad. I have nothing good to say about it.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed like this would be an interesting read. A cold case that is solved after 37 or more years. Unfortunately, it wasn't. The book kept going over the lost evidence or waiting for the results of DNA. It kept repeating the same issues throughout most of the book without contributing more information. I am glad the murder was resolved but was not a great read.

[Susan E · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read mainly because there was a result. Many true crime cold cases are never resolved and that in itself can be frustrating. Here’s a question though. Why did those handprint photos sit in a drawer for years? They knew they were there and no one revisited the most concrete piece of evidence they had. Not great.
However as stated it was enjoyable as a story and well written.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I lived near Walterboro many years ago. The information was interesting but the writing not so great (lots of typos…shame to the editor). I agree with others who mentioned the repeated information throughout the book. How many times is she going to say another “hand to God moment?”

[Me · Rating 2 out of 5]

True crime has always been of interest to me, but not this book. The case itself was certainly deserving of justice and thankfully after decades it was solved. However, I felt that the writing was redundant repeating over and over again, that DNA technology and CODIS didn't exist in 1978. In all, the writing and insertion of the author in the events made for a tiresome read.

[Becky Morlok · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book. Living in SC I had no knowledge of this murder and it’s story included a judge and a forensic scientist I know locally. Would have rated it a 5 but writing was hard to follow with the amount of incredible detail it included. The author is a Saint!

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting, but dry

Just a lot of facts and a bit repetitive making it hard to read and stay connected. But that I read it and appreciate those law enforcement officers like the author that go above and beyond.

[Nicole Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the dedication of the law enforcement workers who persisted in working this investigation for 37 years in order to provide justice for Ms. Fogle and her family. Unfortunately, the writing style was a bit off-putting to me.

[Stephanie Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

god this book pissed me off. 37 years to solve a brutal murder because of the incompetency of the police force. that should never happen. had the author not continually brought this case to light, i doubt her family would’ve ever gotten closure.

[Taylor Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! As someone who has worked within our state systems in south carolina and loves true crime, this was a great read! No it’s not the BEST book ever written, but to give a story to a cold case solved in small town SC was amazing to read

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how clear, interesting, and concise this was. What a fantastic story of how determination and hope can pay off. Finally this woman's life and family was brought closure .

[Jill Garvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

37 year old murder

The book was so well docunented. We are all aware of the advancements in forensics during the last 40 years.

[Loraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book. It is a good cold case story. But the author’s closeness to the victims family and using the first person subtracted from the objectivity.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre writing, but still interesting since this happened in the small town that I currently live in!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually listened to an audio version, the writer was well informed and interesting.

[Susan Yetka Sokolowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read.

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at a cold case which was finally solved 37 years after it was committed. I took a star off because there was a lot of repetition, but I read it through in one sitting.

[Smc · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very sad true crime story that I wish had been written with less monotony, dullness and lack of writing skill.

[Allison Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It was like reading a true crime documentary. It was eye opening to see how and why it took so long to solve this case. Very easy read.

[Kaylin Goins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read.

Fast book to read. The details of the crime really paints

a picture of it was back in the 70s. I would recommend reading this book if you are a true crime fan!

[Ruth Benziger · Rating 3 out of 5]

All that and…

No justice. Wow. If I were her family, I’d be pissed. He deserved to be in prison not luxury and comfort.