MORE EVIDENCE FOUND AT GRAVE SITE: LIKELY O'HAIR BODIES

January 29, 2001

Federal investigators guarded a remote grave site last evening on a remote Texas Ranch where evidence now indicates the bodies of missing American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair and her family were buried following a kidnapping and extortion-murder plot.

The trio which included Mrs. O'Hair, her son Jon Garth Murray and adopted granddaughter Robin Murray disappeared in September, 1995. Following initial reports that $600,000 was missing from the funds of United Secularists of America, a group controlled by O'Hair, there was speculation that the family had left the country. The discovery of a decapitated and handless corpse, though, outside of Dallas, Texas and its tie to a former employee of American Atheists, quickly pushed investigators in the direction of a murder probe.

Several men have been linked to the plot to kidnap, extort and kill the family. They include David Roland Waters, an ex-office manager for the O'Hairs; Gary Karr, a prison associate of Waters; and Gerald Lee "Chico" Osborne. The dead man was identified as Danny Fry, a small time con-artist and drifter from Florida who may have become involved with the scheme and was later possibly killed to silence him.

Karr, 52, was convicted last June on charges of conspiracy and extortion, and received two life sentences. Gerald Osborne was convicted of using a false social security number to rent an Austin, Texas storage locker where, say authorities, the family members were dismembered and their bodies placed in 55-gallon blue plastic drums.

David Waters was to have gone to trial this week, but in a surprise move plea bargained with authorities, and led them to what is likely the grave site of the O'Hairs.

In recent hours, authorities have uncovered more remains of three bodies, including skulls which may, along with dental records, confirm their identity. Reports say that the corpses were clothed, but with legs severed above the knee. An titanium metal hip joint was also recovered; if a serial number is found, this could lead to identification of Mrs. O'Hair's body.

Reports say that investigators may also have recovered the skull and other body parts identified with Danny Fry. More thorough identification of the bodies may take several days. In addition, reporters are hoping to have the results of the plea agreement with Waters made public. Judge Sam Sparks sealed the agreement last week, citing news coverage and the possible threat to witnesses both in and out of custody.

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