The Tragic Events of November 11, 1978

On the morning of November 11, 1978, the quiet community of Simi Valley, California, was shaken by a horrifying discovery. Rhonda Wicht, a 24-year-old mother, and her four-year-old son, Donald, were found murdered in their apartment. Rhonda had been strangled with a macramé cord, while young Donald was smothered in his bed. The crime scene appeared staged to resemble a burglary, yet there were no signs of forced entry, suggesting the perpetrator was someone known to the victims. 

Craig Coley: The Immediate Suspect

Craig Coley, a 31-year-old Vietnam War veteran and restaurant manager, had been in a relationship with Rhonda Wicht. Their recent breakup positioned him as a person of interest. A neighbor reported hearing noises around 5:30 a.m. and claimed to have seen a truck resembling Coley's at the scene. Additionally, police found a bloodstained towel and a child's T-shirt in Coley's residence, further implicating him. Despite Coley's consistent alibi of being with friends until early morning hours, he was arrested and charged with the double homicide. ...Read More