Simple, Safe & Secret: The 1981 Murder of Joan L. Webster by Eve Carson
Unveiling the Hidden Truth: The 1981 Unsolved Murder That Shook Massachusetts
Indianapolis, IN: In the shadowy annals of cold cases, one name stands out—Joan L. Webster, a victim of a chilling 1981 murder that continues to baffle investigators. But what sets this case apart is the unwavering obstruction of justice by the Essex County, MA, District Attorney's Office. Their determination to keep the truth buried has ignited a fire in the relentless pursuit of justice.
Meet Eve Carson, the tenacious sleuth who has devoted decades to unraveling the enigma shrouding her sister-in-law's brutal murder in the heart of Boston. The Joan Webster case, once dubbed one of Boston's most perplexing and notorious crimes, has taken a new twist as Carson meticulously unravels layers of deception.
In her gripping book, "Simple, Safe & Secret: The 1981 Murder of Joan L. Webster," published by Genius Book Publishing in May 2022, Carson invites readers into a world of murder cover-ups that continue to this day.
Carson didn't just scratch the surface; she ripped off the blinders to expose not only the flawed investigation but also the influence of a powerful family. The victim's parents, part of an upper-middle-class elite with ties to the secretive intelligence community, cast a long shadow over the case. Astonishingly, an eyewitness description of the culprit, concealed for years by both the police and the Websters themselves, clearly exonerated Leonard Paradiso, the scapegoat for multiple crimes.
The backdrop of the Whitey Bulger era in Boston, rife with corruption and dysfunction within the legal and law enforcement communities, adds a chilling layer to this tale. The current custodian of Joan's files, the Essex County District Attorney's Office, has reluctantly acknowledged deficiencies in their records, while the former prosecutor, Tim Burke, followed the dirty tactics of his office to hide exculpatory evidence.
Carson's book unearths hidden truths, exposing individuals who concocted the Paradiso boat theory and revealing crucial details about the cause of death, known seven years before Joan's remains were found miles away from the alleged crime scene.
Carson attempted to collaborate with Essex County to breathe life into Joan Webster's cold case. Armed with family insights and verified documents, she provided crucial missing pieces. Shockingly, written allegations of a felony involving a Webster family member went unanswered, echoing the recent Alex Murdaugh case in South Carolina. The Websters managed perceptions to avoid their downfall and bury disturbing family secrets.
The shocking negligence and lack of commitment to justice displayed by the current custodian of the case have left victims and the vulnerable exposed to further injustice. When confronted with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Essex County ADA David O'Sullivan displayed disregard, dismissing them as a "needless and wasteful expenditure of public funds." In the realm of unsolved crimes, no victim's pursuit of justice can be considered needless or wasteful.
In a society where crime resolution is paramount, authorities cannot be permitted to shield their own interests at the expense of truth and justice. Joan's murder case, marred by a fabricated explanation, allowed an offender to roam free, endangering others. Essex County ADA John Dawley's warning to remain silent was an implicit admission that they are not doing their job to pursue truthful justice, and is a testament to a system in disarray.
“So you think the Websters are a harm or a threat to your children?” ADA John Dawley asked.
“If family secrets get out, yeah,” Ms. Carson confirmed.
“But family secrets will only get out if you continue to probe as deeply as you probe,” ADA John Dawley cautioned.
The message is clear: the truth is worth the pursuit, no matter how deep one probes. Eve Carson's meticulous documentation, available in her book and on her website, justiceforjoanwebster.com, is a testament to the power of uncovering hidden secrets. Copies of "Simple, Safe & Secret" are available to journalists upon request, offering a rare glimpse into a world where justice remains tantalizingly out of reach.
Copies of Simple, Safe & Secret, as well as high resolution author headshots, cover images, and scans of documentation are available to the press upon request.
About Eve Carson
Ms. Carson was the only non-blood relative in Joan Webster’s immediate family when Joan disappeared. She has researched the case for more than 15 years and recovered extensive verified documentation. A website has been created to share the actual records, www.justiceforjoanwebster.com. She is available for interviews.
About Genius Book Publishing
Genius Book Publishing is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based publisher focused on true crime, fiction, and music-related books. Established in 2011, Genius Book Publishing has published authors such as Dr. Al Carlisle, The Rock And Roll Detective® Jim Berkenstadt, Dr. Don Redden (FBI Ret), Dr. Mark Hewitt, Sheriff’s Capt. Dean T. Olson (Ret), Police Chief David Dean (Ret), journalist James Kirkpatrick Davis, Detective Steve Rush (Ret), journalist Monique Patterson, and others. Our books and other information can be found at https://geniusbookpublishing.com
