What happens when a devoted cookie salesman vanishes without a trace? On August 5, 1974, Steve Gaddy left his home in Jacksonville, Alabama, for what was supposed to be an ordinary workday, only to never return. In this gripping episode of "Murder in Your Backyard," we recount the harrowing events that led to the discovery of Steve’s abandoned delivery truck and the tireless search that ensued. The investigation took a dark turn when his body was found with a fatal gunshot wound, leaving his family and the community in shock and desperate for answers.
Join us as we revisit the relentless efforts of law enforcement, family, and volunteers who were determined to find out what happened to Steve. We'll delve into the chilling details of his last known movements, the subsequent arrest and release of a suspect, and the frustrating lack of leads that have kept this case open for decades. With reward money growing and memories fading, we reflect on the enduring mystery and urge anyone with information to come forward, keeping the hope for justice for Steve Leonard Gaddy alive.
What happens when a devoted cookie salesman vanishes without a trace? On August 5, 1974, Steve Gaddy left his home in Jacksonville, Alabama, for what was supposed to be an ordinary workday, only to never return. In this gripping episode of "Murder in Your Backyard," we recount the harrowing events that led to the discovery of Steve’s abandoned delivery truck and the tireless search that ensued. The investigation took a dark turn when his body was found with a fatal gunshot wound, leaving his family and the community in shock and desperate for answers.
Join us as we revisit the relentless efforts of law enforcement, family, and volunteers who were determined to find out what happened to Steve. We'll delve into the chilling details of his last known movements, the subsequent arrest and release of a suspect, and the frustrating lack of leads that have kept this case open for decades. With reward money growing and memories fading, we reflect on the enduring mystery and urge anyone with information to come forward, keeping the hope for justice for Steve Leonard Gaddy alive.
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Speaker 1:
The year of 1974 holds one of Anniston, alabama's stranger unsolved murder cases. A hard-working family man goes missing. As the reward, money incoming tips and time grows on, the memories, secrets and people fade. This is Murder in your Backyard with the tale of the Cookie man. It's a normal Monday morning on August 5th 1974. Cookie salesman Steve Gaddy wakes up to his usual big breakfast and kisses his wife. As he holds her close, he says the words Goodbye, I love you. As the time edges near 7am he walks out of his Jacksonville home, entering the white company truck which reads Murray's Quality Cookies. As she watches him drive away, as she did so many times before, she never expects this to be the last time that she will ever see him. Steve was typically home by 5 pm. As the clock rang 6, mrs Gaddy became worried sick.
Speaker 1:
Around 7 pm Anniston police receive a report that a white delivery truck has been parked since noon. Upon arriving at the corner of 14th Street and Boynton Avenue, they find the truck to be mostly empty. Some of the cookie boxes have been damaged, reportedly by neighborhood children. Police find a billfold with a folded $10 bill, also a driver's license with the name Steve Leonard Gaddy. There is no sign of blood. There is no sign of a struggle and there is no sign of Steve. Currently this is a missing persons case. The truck is impounded. While it is examined for evidence, mrs Gaddy has asked for a description of her husband.
Speaker 1:
Mrs Gaddy and her father retrace a portion of the route that Steve had taken. That morning the pair began talking to neighbors near the area where the truck was found. No one could be of help. One woman stated that she didn't see anything, then follows up by saying she didn't like to get involved in things like this. The next day, police officers, county Sheriff's deputies, anniston Rescue Squad members and volunteers search up and down along the area where the truck was recovered. Coming up shorthanded, they make process back to Gaddy's delivery route. Police also begin talking to some of Gaddy's customers. The County Road Department pumps out some of the water near the wells of the city dump and nothing turns up. Officers start checking into Gaddy's background to see if he has any debts or personal problems. Everything seems normal.
Speaker 1:
Mrs Gaddy said that the next two days of the home are filled with family and friends, but it felt so empty, staying up day and night waiting for his return, hoping that possibly someone would call demanding money. She never gives up hope. That is until Thursday night at 9 pm. After a telephone call from police, she is told that her husband has been found on the west side of Anniston with one single gunshot through his back, killing him instantly. On the rainy and humid day of August 8th, police get a phone tip that Gaddy's body is in a wooded area off of Crane Avenue southwest of Randolph Park School. When they arrive, gaddy's body is found laying face down in a clearing surrounded by piles of debris. Rain had washed away most physical evidence. The gunshot wound is from a
Speaker 1:
.38. According to police, they believe Steve may have been abducted by one or more persons while making a stop at Bush's Grocery located at 1300 West 15th Street. $53 had been stolen In 1975, police make an arrest. The man is charged and has a bell set. He is later let go because informants refused to testify against him. Police scenario, however, believes that this is the work of three men two who abducted Mr Gaddy and took the truck and a vehicle which followed behind. Mrs Gaddy's last known statement about the death of her husband is I know somebody saw this, somebody somewhere had to, but they're afraid to get involved. Reward money grew from $1,000 up to $16,000 throughout the years, and flyers were hanging all the way up until the late 80s or early 90s. If you know anything about the murder of Steve Leonard Gaddy, contact the Anniston Police Department at 256-238-1800. Tune in next time on Murder in your Backyard.