The Circleville Letters: The Chilling Tale of a Small Town’s Secret Stalker

In the heart of Ohio lies a seemingly ordinary small town called Circleville, but beneath its tranquil surface lurks one of the most unsettling mysteries in American history: the Circleville Letters. Between 1976 and 1994, an anonymous writer terrorized this close-knit community with thousands of threatening and accusatory letters. The case remains unsolved to this day, leaving many wondering: who was the mysterious writer, and why did they target Circleville?

It All Began with Mary Gillespie

The nightmare started in 1976 when Mary Gillespie, a local school bus driver, received a letter accusing her of having an affair with Gordon Massie, the superintendent of schools. The letter demanded she end the alleged relationship and threatened dire consequences if she didn’t comply.

The writer seemed to know intimate details about Mary’s life, from her family routines to her daily schedule. The letters were postmarked from Columbus, Ohio, but were devoid of any traceable fingerprints or clues.

Mary initially dismissed the letter as a cruel prank and tried to keep it a secret. However, the writer wasn’t deterred. Over the next few weeks, the letters escalated in both frequency and hostility. Soon, her husband, Ron Gillespie, also received letters, demanding that he stop Mary from continuing the alleged affair.

A Mysterious Phone Call Turns Deadly

On August 19, 1977, Ron received a mysterious phone call, presumably from the letter writer. Enraged, he grabbed his gun and left the house, determined to confront the caller.

Hours later, Ron was found dead in his car, which had crashed into a tree. Strangely, his gun had been fired once, but the bullet’s target was never identified. The authorities ruled his death an accident, citing alcohol in his system, though his family insisted Ron was not a heavy drinker.

This marked the beginning of a dark spiral for Circleville.

The Letters Continue—and Get More Sinister

Even after Ron’s death, the letters didn’t stop. Instead, they became more menacing. Signs with threatening messages about Mary began appearing along her bus route. When Mary tried to remove them, she discovered that one sign was rigged with a booby trap: a loaded pistol aimed to fire.

Fortunately, the trap failed to work, but it intensified fears among the residents of Circleville.

Paul Freshour: The Convenient Suspect?

In 1983, Paul Freshour, Mary’s brother-in-law, became a prime suspect. Paul was known to have a contentious relationship with his ex-wife, who believed he might be behind the letters.

During the investigation, police found a typewriter in Paul’s home that allegedly matched the letters’ typeface. In 1983, Paul was convicted of attempted murder in connection with the booby-trapped sign and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Letters Didn’t Stop

Here’s where the mystery deepens: while Paul was in prison, the letters continued.

Paul was placed in solitary confinement, and authorities closely monitored his mail. Yet, letters postmarked from Columbus kept arriving in Circleville. This baffled investigators, as it seemed impossible for Paul to be responsible from behind bars.

Paul maintained his innocence until his death in 2012, insisting that he was framed.

Who Was the Circleville Writer?

Despite extensive investigations, the identity of the Circleville writer remains a mystery. Over 1,000 letters were sent during the 18-year period, targeting not only Mary but also local officials, law enforcement, and other residents.

Several theories have emerged:

1. An Inside Job: Some believe the writer was someone close to Mary, possibly a disgruntled family member or neighbor. The level of detail in the letters suggests the writer had intimate knowledge of their lives.

2. A Community Conspiracy: Others speculate that the letters were the work of multiple people, using the anonymity to settle scores or spread fear.

3. A Lone Wolf with a Grudge: The most straightforward theory is that one person, driven by jealousy or hatred, orchestrated the entire campaign.

4. Paul Freshour’s Involvement: While Paul’s conviction was based on circumstantial evidence, many still view him as the prime suspect. However, the continuation of the letters during his imprisonment casts doubt on his culpability.

The Fallout

The Circleville Letters took a heavy toll on the town. Friendships dissolved, families were torn apart, and the constant fear of being the next target lingered for years. To this day, many residents prefer not to discuss the case, fearing it might stir up old wounds—or attract the writer’s attention once again.

Why the Mystery Persists

Decades later, the Circleville Letters remain an enigma. The case is a chilling reminder of how anonymity can be weaponized to sow chaos in a community.

Modern advancements in forensic science, like DNA analysis and handwriting technology, could potentially solve the case. However, with no active investigation and many key figures deceased, it’s unlikely the Circleville writer’s identity will ever be revealed.

Conclusion: A Small Town with a Big Secret

The Circleville Letters case is more than just an unsolved mystery—it’s a haunting example of how secrets, suspicion, and fear can unravel a community.

Even today, the story of Circleville captivates true crime enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike. It raises unsettling questions about trust, accountability, and the lengths someone might go to hide—or expose—the truth.

So, who was the Circleville writer? Perhaps we’ll never know. But one thing is certain: their shadow still lingers over Circleville, Ohio, a town forever marked by its darkest secret.