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Cold Blooded: A True Crime Story of a Murderous Teenage Vampire Cult
The disturbing Central Florida cult murder case is revealed in full shocking detail in this true crime by the reporter who covered the case for decades.
Central Florida residents were horrified when sixteen-year-old vampire cult leader Rod Ferrell was arrested for bludgeoning a cult member's parents to death. When investigators realized the couple's fifteen-year-old daughter was missing, they feared she was another victim.
Detectives and journalists across three states soon uncovered a web of blood-drinking occult rituals, illicit sex, dysfunctional families, and spiritual warfare. And when police officers captured the teens, they discovered that the murdered couple's daughter was among them. But was she a victim or a participant?
Ferrell faced the death penalty, sparking Constitutional battles over capital punishment and juveniles in the court system. Psychologists working to save him were locked in opposition with prosecutors who wanted him dead. Decades later, the court battles continue. Is Ferrell a changed man deserving freedom? Or is he still gaming the system?
Central Florida residents were horrified when sixteen-year-old vampire cult leader Rod Ferrell was arrested for bludgeoning a cult member's parents to death. When investigators realized the couple's fifteen-year-old daughter was missing, they feared she was another victim.
Detectives and journalists across three states soon uncovered a web of blood-drinking occult rituals, illicit sex, dysfunctional families, and spiritual warfare. And when police officers captured the teens, they discovered that the murdered couple's daughter was among them. But was she a victim or a participant?
Ferrell faced the death penalty, sparking Constitutional battles over capital punishment and juveniles in the court system. Psychologists working to save him were locked in opposition with prosecutors who wanted him dead. Decades later, the court battles continue. Is Ferrell a changed man deserving freedom? Or is he still gaming the system?
482 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2021
47 people are currently reading
855 people want to read
About the author
Frank Stanfield
7 books15 followersFrank Stanfield has been a newspaper editor and reporter for 40 years, including the Orlando Sentinel, Ocala Star-Banner, and the Daily Commercial.
In that time, he has covered some of the most heinous and bizarre "Florida man" stories imaginable. Take the case of the murderous teen vampire cult, a Jane Doe so brutalized some initially thought she had been attacked by a bear, or cattle rustlers who dumped bodies in a "bottomless pit." Florida itself is a star, with its hurricanes, twisters, gators and sharks. See
https://wildbluepress.com/vampires-ga..., twisters, gators and sharks.
Or, a book on the vampires alone.
https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Blooded-M...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 7, 2021
Special thanks to WildBlue Press for providing a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 25, 2021
When 16 year old Rod Ferrell was arrested in Florida for the brutal slayings of his friends’ parents, the insanity didn’t stop there. Rod claimed to be the leader of a ‘vampire coven’, whose ‘followers’ were encouraged to ‘drink each other’s’ blood’. Journalists, detectives and lawyers were faced with some graphic descriptions of “crossing over” rituals, where teenagers involved in the group would have sex with each other while exchanging blood, as part of their initiation into the Vampire world. Soon, the entire state of Florida (and in fact, all of the United States) became fascinated as to why Ferrell thought he was a vampire, and how being part of the vampire culture lead to the death of two innocent people.
Journalist Frank Stanfield followed the Ferrell trial from day one, and now, more than twenty years later, he compiles interview notes and court documents, combined with the tragic history of Rod Ferrell into one graphic and horrifying depiction of “the Vampire Cult Killer”.
The story itself is mostly conversations; from all the parties involved (including Rod Ferrell) during their police and legal interviews. In fact, it starts out this way and I was a little disappointed initially. I wanted more of Rod’s back story, more of how the cult came to be, more of why he acted the way he did, and I wanted them right off the hop. Stanfield eventually gave me this (through the legal testimonies of parties involved, including Ferrell) so I am very glad that I powered through.
As is typical in cult behaviour, each member of the cult had two names (their given names, and their “cult” names) and often times in this novel, the names were interchanged without clarification. It took a while to figure out who was who. There was also a LOT of characters in this novel (each and every legal representative, victim, suspect, police chief, detective, etc.) and I found I had to start taking notes to keep everything sorted.
Stanfield’s depiction of Rod’s upbringing was emotional and heartbreaking all at once (told through Rod’s own words as well as the words of various psychiatrists and social workers who had been involved with Rod from day one). This boy didn’t stand a chance. Stanfield manages to portray Ferrell as human, while still invoking the disgust and horror that he is owed.
The story could have been told in a more logical order, with fewer conversations and more observations, but the nitty-gritty details of the crime and the murder suspects were enough to make the story gripping, twisted and heartbreaking, all at once. Rod’s guilt was evident, but the question of Heather’s innocence is still open. Stanfield was able to touch on this without showing his opinion one way or the other.
“Cold Blooded: A True Crime Story of a Murderous Teenage Vampire” is disturbing, and a unique experience for true crime fans.
Expected publication date: May 25, 2021
When 16 year old Rod Ferrell was arrested in Florida for the brutal slayings of his friends’ parents, the insanity didn’t stop there. Rod claimed to be the leader of a ‘vampire coven’, whose ‘followers’ were encouraged to ‘drink each other’s’ blood’. Journalists, detectives and lawyers were faced with some graphic descriptions of “crossing over” rituals, where teenagers involved in the group would have sex with each other while exchanging blood, as part of their initiation into the Vampire world. Soon, the entire state of Florida (and in fact, all of the United States) became fascinated as to why Ferrell thought he was a vampire, and how being part of the vampire culture lead to the death of two innocent people.
Journalist Frank Stanfield followed the Ferrell trial from day one, and now, more than twenty years later, he compiles interview notes and court documents, combined with the tragic history of Rod Ferrell into one graphic and horrifying depiction of “the Vampire Cult Killer”.
The story itself is mostly conversations; from all the parties involved (including Rod Ferrell) during their police and legal interviews. In fact, it starts out this way and I was a little disappointed initially. I wanted more of Rod’s back story, more of how the cult came to be, more of why he acted the way he did, and I wanted them right off the hop. Stanfield eventually gave me this (through the legal testimonies of parties involved, including Ferrell) so I am very glad that I powered through.
As is typical in cult behaviour, each member of the cult had two names (their given names, and their “cult” names) and often times in this novel, the names were interchanged without clarification. It took a while to figure out who was who. There was also a LOT of characters in this novel (each and every legal representative, victim, suspect, police chief, detective, etc.) and I found I had to start taking notes to keep everything sorted.
Stanfield’s depiction of Rod’s upbringing was emotional and heartbreaking all at once (told through Rod’s own words as well as the words of various psychiatrists and social workers who had been involved with Rod from day one). This boy didn’t stand a chance. Stanfield manages to portray Ferrell as human, while still invoking the disgust and horror that he is owed.
The story could have been told in a more logical order, with fewer conversations and more observations, but the nitty-gritty details of the crime and the murder suspects were enough to make the story gripping, twisted and heartbreaking, all at once. Rod’s guilt was evident, but the question of Heather’s innocence is still open. Stanfield was able to touch on this without showing his opinion one way or the other.
“Cold Blooded: A True Crime Story of a Murderous Teenage Vampire” is disturbing, and a unique experience for true crime fans.
May 25, 2021
Powerful and horribly real!
Stanfield pens an intense true crime story in Cold Blooded. I haven't read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it, more like enjoyed the way it was written, and presented, not what Rod Ferrell did. This book gives a lot of information about the crimes of a vampire cult leader (only 16 years old). Not only did he have his cult, but he was charged with murdering the parents of one of his members. As the police continued their investigation, it led them to other states. The crimes themselves are horrid, but the investigation continued, not just with police but journalists as well. Stanfield, the author of this book, is a veteran reporter, and covered it from the beginning. It's one of those true crime stories that make you cringe, and that deviance has no age limit. Cold Blooded is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
Stanfield pens an intense true crime story in Cold Blooded. I haven't read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it, more like enjoyed the way it was written, and presented, not what Rod Ferrell did. This book gives a lot of information about the crimes of a vampire cult leader (only 16 years old). Not only did he have his cult, but he was charged with murdering the parents of one of his members. As the police continued their investigation, it led them to other states. The crimes themselves are horrid, but the investigation continued, not just with police but journalists as well. Stanfield, the author of this book, is a veteran reporter, and covered it from the beginning. It's one of those true crime stories that make you cringe, and that deviance has no age limit. Cold Blooded is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
May 11, 2021
This is a true story of Murderous teen Vampire who take the life of an honest hard-working couple for nothing more than a murderous thrill. This book is about a 16-year-old boy called Rod Ferrell and his fascination with Vampires who has a Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Rod Ferrell is the leader of the vampire cult. Rod befriends other young people who are easily swayed and manipulated by him and the young teens all self-harm and drink each other’s blood and the young teen followers are told that by exchanging blood it is part of the initiation into the vampire world. Rod has a sense of entitlement; and selfishly takes advantage of others to achieve his own ends.
Heather and Jennifer’s parents Richard and Ruth Wendorf are murdered one day. When the police realised the slain couple's 15-year-old daughter was missing, they feared she was a victim, too, but was she. Heather had run away from home with Rod and other friends.
Eventually they where all arrested and the heart-breaking story of the horrific deaths of Heather and Jennifer parents Richard and Ruth Wendorf comes to fruition. Rod Ferrell discussed his role-playing games and how he and Anderson would train with swords, spears, and other homemade weapons. Ferrell believed that he would obtain superpowers,” killing anyone, to see what the rush would feel like.”
Rod lacks empathy; is arrogant, patronising and believes that others are envious of him. The author Frank Stanfield then goes into the lives of the 5 charged the trials, weather Heather is as innocent as she says she is, and should Rod be released after over 20 years in prison.
Being under 16 does not mean you can blame murder on your childhood, your vampire ways, or any other number of excuses. Rod should never be released after reading the brutality of the murders and the friends are just as complicit of this crime. For true crime fans a book with a different twist on teen murder.
I received an advance review copy for free from Wildblue Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rod Ferrell is the leader of the vampire cult. Rod befriends other young people who are easily swayed and manipulated by him and the young teens all self-harm and drink each other’s blood and the young teen followers are told that by exchanging blood it is part of the initiation into the vampire world. Rod has a sense of entitlement; and selfishly takes advantage of others to achieve his own ends.
Heather and Jennifer’s parents Richard and Ruth Wendorf are murdered one day. When the police realised the slain couple's 15-year-old daughter was missing, they feared she was a victim, too, but was she. Heather had run away from home with Rod and other friends.
Eventually they where all arrested and the heart-breaking story of the horrific deaths of Heather and Jennifer parents Richard and Ruth Wendorf comes to fruition. Rod Ferrell discussed his role-playing games and how he and Anderson would train with swords, spears, and other homemade weapons. Ferrell believed that he would obtain superpowers,” killing anyone, to see what the rush would feel like.”
Rod lacks empathy; is arrogant, patronising and believes that others are envious of him. The author Frank Stanfield then goes into the lives of the 5 charged the trials, weather Heather is as innocent as she says she is, and should Rod be released after over 20 years in prison.
Being under 16 does not mean you can blame murder on your childhood, your vampire ways, or any other number of excuses. Rod should never be released after reading the brutality of the murders and the friends are just as complicit of this crime. For true crime fans a book with a different twist on teen murder.
I received an advance review copy for free from Wildblue Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2021
Cold Blooded: A True Crime Story of a Murderous Teenage Vampire Cult tells the story of 16 year old vampire cult leader Rod Ferrell, who was arrested and charged with the bludgeoning death of a cult member’s parents.
More than twenty years later journalist Frank Stanfield, who has been covering the story from day one, takes us back through this bizarre case. Told through notes and interviews, we are taken through the crime as well as the arrest and prosecution. We get a glimpse of the legal proceedings and controversies surrounding the death penalty and juveniles in the courts system as well as the right to a fair trial.
I love true crime and cults fascinate me along with murderous teenagers. While overall I did enjoy learning about this case I was a not a huge fan of how it was all put together. I felt it was a bit all over the place and I was just getting bits and pieces throughout the book. I wanted more order and more background on Rod and the other cult members from a younger age, then the crime and everything else. There were also so many names to keep track of as well as switching between first name, last name and the cult names. My mind was mush. At the end I didn’t feel 100% satisfied that I really got everything I had hoped from this case.
Thank you WildBluePress for my copy.
More than twenty years later journalist Frank Stanfield, who has been covering the story from day one, takes us back through this bizarre case. Told through notes and interviews, we are taken through the crime as well as the arrest and prosecution. We get a glimpse of the legal proceedings and controversies surrounding the death penalty and juveniles in the courts system as well as the right to a fair trial.
I love true crime and cults fascinate me along with murderous teenagers. While overall I did enjoy learning about this case I was a not a huge fan of how it was all put together. I felt it was a bit all over the place and I was just getting bits and pieces throughout the book. I wanted more order and more background on Rod and the other cult members from a younger age, then the crime and everything else. There were also so many names to keep track of as well as switching between first name, last name and the cult names. My mind was mush. At the end I didn’t feel 100% satisfied that I really got everything I had hoped from this case.
Thank you WildBluePress for my copy.
Read
September 7, 2022Author Frank Stanfield documents a bizarre tale in his book, “Cold-Blooded: A True Crime Story of a Murderous Teenage Vampire Cult.” Devoted readers of true crime, who take a special interest in the macabre, will devour details as Stanfield describes the self-appointed, 16-year-old cult leader, Rod Ferrell, who leads the disenfranchised teens into ritualistic practices. Stanfield tracks each teen’s involvement in the group, the grisly crime that takes place, the arrest that follows, and the subsequent trial. The reader is left to wonder, who’s idea was the killing? Who made the plan and who carried it out? “Cold-Blooded is a twisted story with a cast of misfits driven by childhood abuse and the desire to belong. True crime enthusiasts, looking for a book with unexpected twists, will find “Cold-Blooded” a unique and disturbing story.
August 26, 2021
There were a lot of names to keep track of in this case, and sometimes I found it difficult to keep them all straight, especially when nicknames were interchanged with real names. At times I got a bit lost and had to relisten to parts of the book. Otherwise, the case was well and thoroughly described -- and very interesting.
I had no complaints with Lee Ann Howlett's narration. It was quite satisfactory.
Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I had no complaints with Lee Ann Howlett's narration. It was quite satisfactory.
Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
October 20, 2021
A fascinating although horrifying story in which the author manages to convey the facts without divest the guilty of their humanity. Rod Ferrel's story is tragic, and his actions are consistent with cult behaviour . His story is narrated through conversations and legal interviews and it advances in a not-chronological order, and, notwithstanding that it worked well for me
The narration manages to be heartbreaking and at the same time, a fair account of the facts, and I found it really satisfying.
Lee Ann Howlett's narration was really good.
The narration manages to be heartbreaking and at the same time, a fair account of the facts, and I found it really satisfying.
Lee Ann Howlett's narration was really good.
November 1, 2022
Probably well done, just not for me
I am a fan of true crime. The topic is interesting. The story is reasonably well told. It was a challenge for me to finish. I lost interest at about 40%. The verbatim ramblings of teenage half-wits quickly became mind-numbing. I would have liked more paraphrasing. Bouncing around between first, last, and nicknames made it hard for me to follow. Pick one. The author really needs to learn the appropriate use of [sic]. I do not recommend this book, but give the author credit.
I am a fan of true crime. The topic is interesting. The story is reasonably well told. It was a challenge for me to finish. I lost interest at about 40%. The verbatim ramblings of teenage half-wits quickly became mind-numbing. I would have liked more paraphrasing. Bouncing around between first, last, and nicknames made it hard for me to follow. Pick one. The author really needs to learn the appropriate use of [sic]. I do not recommend this book, but give the author credit.
May 30, 2021
I was given this book by Wild Blue Press in exchange for an honest review.
This is fascinating, in that it was written by a local reporter that has been following this case for two decades. He really delves into the oddities surrounding whether or not Heather Wendorf knew about the murders, encouraged them (even casually, even unknowingly)—she’s an interesting character. Turns out her older sister, Jennifer, is as well—her most damning statement on the stand…well, she wasn’t even sure if Heather actually said it!
My only complaint is that there were no photographs included. So much about this case is appearance.
This is fascinating, in that it was written by a local reporter that has been following this case for two decades. He really delves into the oddities surrounding whether or not Heather Wendorf knew about the murders, encouraged them (even casually, even unknowingly)—she’s an interesting character. Turns out her older sister, Jennifer, is as well—her most damning statement on the stand…well, she wasn’t even sure if Heather actually said it!
My only complaint is that there were no photographs included. So much about this case is appearance.
May 29, 2021
Deep Reporting
All the actions and results cover detailed for all persons touched by the crime and justice. It's more a treatise by a reporter. The author gives thorough analysis, but offers no personal judgment. The book has a horrible action, but stimulating thoughts.
All the actions and results cover detailed for all persons touched by the crime and justice. It's more a treatise by a reporter. The author gives thorough analysis, but offers no personal judgment. The book has a horrible action, but stimulating thoughts.
April 6, 2023
An in depth story of a teen claiming to be a vampire and the killing of two people by him and a friend. This is not a story as Ann Rule would write, there is a lot of court room drama and discussion of the killers mental state before, during and after the killings.
August 11, 2023
This is a documentary of a true crime. Author was a newspaper reporter, who was covering the story, and interviewed some of the principals. It revealed a fascinating, but chilling, look into obsession with occultism, which tragically led to murder.
July 23, 2021
Good chapter titles.
September 17, 2023
Consider it a 2.5
October 6, 2021
Won this book in a giveaway
I really was looking forward to reading this book because of the intriguing topic. However, I was somewhat disappointed in the writing style. When I first started reading Cold Blooded, it was difficult to follow. The author seemed to jump around and kept using different names for the same characters, which was not adequately explained until later. Once the name changes were explained the story made much more sense and the flow of the story improved after the first few chapters. If I had not won this book and felt the need to give it a fair chance, I likely would have stopped reading it in the first few chapters due to the overall confusion and disorderly writing style.
I really was looking forward to reading this book because of the intriguing topic. However, I was somewhat disappointed in the writing style. When I first started reading Cold Blooded, it was difficult to follow. The author seemed to jump around and kept using different names for the same characters, which was not adequately explained until later. Once the name changes were explained the story made much more sense and the flow of the story improved after the first few chapters. If I had not won this book and felt the need to give it a fair chance, I likely would have stopped reading it in the first few chapters due to the overall confusion and disorderly writing style.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews