Saturday, May 21, 2005
A murderer in my midst...
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I remember the night so vividly. January 5th, 2003 was a cold and crisp night and I was watching forensic files with the window cracked open to let the smoke from my cigarette seep out into the night air.
I was growing sleepier by the the second when I heard the scream of sirens in the distance echoing in through the window. I felt a chill overcome me and and for a split second fear filled my body. I stubbed out my cigarette and hurriedly closed the window. I was blanketed by a disturbing feeling of danger so overwhelming I cursed Dennis for working nights and leaving me home alone.
My fear started to subside as I heard the sirens fading out further into the distance and I swore to myself I wouldn't watch anymore crime shows after midnight when I was home alone. By the time I turned off all the lights and crawled into my bed I felt a bit foolish for letting myself get so riled by all the nonsense. Probably just some kids out doing doughnuts in the snow and got caught, I thought as I drifted off to a fitful sleep.
The next morning I awoke to the sound of the phone ringing incessantly. As I begrudgingly climbed out of bed I thought to myself, who in the hell would be calling here knowing I damn sure sleep in ever chance I get? I don't remember much of the initial conversation. But my mind sprung to life when I heard the name Keith Wood and raped and murdered his cousin. Keith Wood, murder, rape, that has to be gossip, I know him. It couldn't be true.
You see I live in a relatively small town in Michigan. The population barely exceeds 2,000 people. It's one of those classic small towns where everyone knows everyone and news flies like mosquito's on a hot summer evening. Growing up I hated it here. I dreamed of graduating high school and going to some big fancy college as far away as I could get. I dreamed of big cities, fancy jobs, and designer clothes. The reality was I went away to school and came home after half a year because I hated being away from my family and friends. The old adage you can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl didn't apply to me. I needed the country, the small tight knit group and family only a 5 minute drive away. I came home from college, found the man I dreamed about and built a home right next door to the place I grew up. 75 feet away is my mom and dad's house and both of my sisters within a mile.
Growing up I never thought much about how the people we grow up with may not really be the people we think they are. I was and am still naive and take people at face value. I just assumed growing up in this cardboard box of a town would make it impossible for someone to hide their true self. I was wrong. Dead wrong as it turns out.
Keith David Wood.
Age 34.
I remember him very well. We went to school together. He was in my class. His parents owned a auto business in town. He had a younger brother.
And he had just raped and murdered his 15 year old cousin 4 miles from my house.
Those sirens, the fear. It was real. There was something to be scared of. And it wasn't a television show, it was in my back yard almost. And the suspect, culprit, and creator was someone I once called a friend.
To be continued....
