Ann Rule - Every Breath You Take: A True Story of Obsession, Revenge, and Murder

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Copyright 2001 by Ann Rule
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

THE FREE PRESS and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

ISBN 13: 978-0-7432-2927-2
ISBN 10: 0-7432-2927-4

FOR SHEILA AND HER CHILDREN, WHO MEANT MORE TO HER THAN LIFE ITSELF:

Stevie, Daryl, Frankie, Joey, Timmy, and Courtney
With the hope and belief that their lives will be Happy and successful and forever influenced By the memory of her love.

Contents

Acknowledgments

AS I RESEARCHED this book, I ventured into cities where I had never been before. Were it not for the graciousness and cooperation of so many representatives of law enforcement and the justice system, I could never have unearthed the details that follow. A trial reveals only part of any case. After the trial is over, I always try to learn more about the personalities involved and the back stories that make the case complete. My sincere thanks go to the Texas Rangers; the Sarasota County, Florida, Sheriffs Office; the Florida State Attorneys Office; the FBI (San Antonio Office); the San Antonio Police Department; the U.S. Attorneys Office, Western District of Texas; the Bexar County District Attorneys Office; the U.S. Marshals Office (San Antonio); and the Honorable Edward Prado, U.S. District Judge, Western District of Texas.

Dozens of private citizens lives were touched by Sheila Bellush or Allen Blackthorne. Somehow they found meor I found themoften through the Internet. Their memories added dimension to Sheilas story. I cannot thank them enough: Lisa and Carl Glenn, Sheldon Guy Van Houte, Bruce, Randy, and Nick Van Houte, Rick and Kerry Bladorn, Gene and Don Smith, Stevie and Daryl Bellush, Debbie and Tom Oliver, Mary Fenlon, MariMargaret, Mysterybabyluv, Effie Woods, Jim Bingham, Susan Glenny, Susan Hedding, Pam Harrell, Kelly McGonigal, Mary Jeffus, Barbara Lilly, Wayne Cannon, Tracy Ray, Glyn Poage, DAnn Wernick, and Dr.Susie.

As I often say, my readers choose the subjects for my books. My mailbox was full of suggestions and help postmarked from Florida to Texas: Irene Lewis, Jolie Green, Carla Sue Baker, Dori Donovan, Alice Bonnie Bonbright, Susan Brandenburg, Judy McDonald, Patsy Asher, Sherry and Mike Shefman, Joanne Cotter, Julie Reynolds, Barbara Koch, Anne Meyer, Glenna Austin, Angie Semple, Courtney Semple, Kim Ferguson, Rita Herron, and Mary Wehmeyer.

And more thanks to my fellow media bench warmers at Allen Blackthornes San Antonio trial: Kim Dean, WWSB-TV, Sarasota, Carey Codd, SSN6, Sarasota, Leanora Minai, St. Petersburg Times, Isabel Mascarenas, WTSP-TV, St. Petersburg, Paul Venema, KSAT-TV, San Antonio, Mike Zientek, KENS-TV, San Antonio, Brandy Ralston, KENS-TV, Jose Luis Alverdi, Jr., KVTV-TV San Antonio, Shari St. Clair, KTSA-TV, San Antonio, Tom Spaulding, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Maro Robbins, San Antonio Express-News, Jackie Barron, WFLA-TV, Bob Stewart, People magazine, Loydean Thomas, Associated Press and Brigitte Woosley, sketch artist, Dallas.

To my longtime first reader: Gerry Brittingham Hay, and my good friends Shirley Hickman, Donna Anders, Tamra Corlis, Ethel Mickelson and Marni Campbell. They all helped me leap across the finish line with a very large manuscript in my arms.

My core team, my constant supporters, advisers and gentle critics-have seen me through for many years. With gratitude and love, I salute my editors Fred Hills and Burton Beals, editoral assistant Frances Tsay, and my agentsJoan and Joe Foley in New York City, and Ron Bernstein in Beverly Hills. Im also happy to have a wonderful new publisher at The Free Press: Martha Levin, and a great publicity team: Carisa Hays and Jenny Dworkin.

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE

Every move you make
Ill be watching you

SONG LYRIC, STING

Cast of Characters

SHEILAS FAMILY

Verma Gene Smith: Sheilas mother, born to Clennis Pearl and Charles A. Williams in Biloxi, Mississippi. Clennis later married Julius Pettus.

Genes half sisters: Julie, Betty, and Teresa. Brother: Charles, Jr.

Genes three husbands: Duane Anderson, Francis Anthony Walsh, Jr., and Don Smith.

Genes children: Donny and Danny Anderson, Mary Catherine, Sheila Leigh, Kelly Anne and Kerry Brigit Walsh.

Sheila Leigh Walsh: Married to Allen Van Houte (later Blackthorne), two children: Stevie Leigh and Daryl Leigh.

Married to Jamie Bellush, four children: Timmy, Joey, Frankie, and Courtney.

Kerry Brigit Walsh: Married to Rick Bladorn, four children: Kelly, Ryan, Christopher, and Patrick.

SHEILAS ASSOCIATES

Sue Tuffiash, Lisa and Carl Glenn, Effie Woods, Luke Soules.

ALLENS FAMILY

Karen Higley* , Allens mother, born to Elva and the Reverend Zachariah Higley* near Pendleton, Oregon. Stepfather, Austin Alford.

Karens sister: Violet. Half siblings: Debbie Alford Oliver and Leroy Alford.

Karens husbands: Sheldon Van Houte, Melvin Schafer, Bill Cook, and Jim Freeman. Her children: Allen, Gregory, Peggy, Randy, Brian, and Linda.

Sheldon Guy Van Houte, Allens father.

Allens paternal grandfather: Robert Van Houte, Stanfield, Oregon.

Guys sisters: Carol, Lydia, Gladys, Joan, Susan.

Guys wives: Karen, Jeannette, Suzanne, and Chris.

Guy had nine children, including: Allen, Bruce, Randy, Nick, Michael, and Sheldon Junior.

Allen Van Houte Blackthornes wives: Ellen, Mary, Sheila, and Maureen. Children with Sheila: Stevie Leigh and Daryl Leigh. Children with Maureen: Brandon and Jacob.

ALLENS ASSOCIATES

Daniel Rocha, former golf champion, sometime bookie, living in San Antonio, Texas. Wife Eva, three sons.

Sammy Gonzales, employed in a pro shop at a driving range in San Antonio, Texas.

Joey Del Toro, a football star in high school, college dropout, and fitness trainer, living in Corpus Christi and Austin, Texas.

Patricia Aday, housewife and mother, close family friend.

Ray Cevallos, golfing buddy, San Antonio businessman.

Rick Speights, golfing buddy, Danny Rochas neighbor.

Tom Oliver, uncle and occasional business partner.

INVESTIGATORS

In Sarasota, Florida: Captain Jerry Eggleston, Lt. Ron Albritton and Detective Chris Iorio, Detective Chris Hallisey, Sarasota County Sheriffs Office. Forensic Technicians Lisa Lanham, Lt. Bruce Whitehead, Corporal William Kuchar, and Bob Creager. Serologist Peter Tsingalles, Ballistics Expert Terrance LaVoy. Patrol Officers Todd Thurow and Chris Laster. Paramedic Brian Balance. Sarasota Fire Department: Hoyt Williams, Jr., and Brian Balance.