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Southern Fried True Crime

48: Serial Killer Larry Gene Bell, Part 1

Southern Fried True Crime

Erica Kelley

True Crime, Society & Culture, History

4.610.5K Ratings

🗓️ 12 April 2019

⏱️ 43 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In June of 1985, residents of the Midland area of South Carolina were frozen in fear. Two girls were kidnapped and murdered and the sadistic man responsible relished in making phone calls to one of the families. This is part one of two episodes on the crimes of Larry Gene Bell.

Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/48-49-larry-gene-bell-part-1-2

Special thanks to author and former SLED Lieutenant, Rita Shuler, who gave me permission to use her book as a major source for this episode: Murder in the Midlands: Larry Gene Bill and the 28 Days of Terror that Shook South Carolina.

Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley
Researched by Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Did you know choosing the train can take up to 500 cars off the road?

0:05.0

Just one train at a time.

0:07.0

One gig at a time, one last minute plan, one festival, one going then, why not at a time?

0:18.0

One train journey at a time can help create a greener future.

0:23.0

So when will you take your next trip?

0:25.0

Find out more at nationalrail.co.uk for what's-lash-greener.

0:30.0

7FRAD True Crom covers cases they're not suitable for young listeners, and there may also be some explicit language used.

0:50.0

Listener discretion is advised.

0:56.0

For 28 days in June of 1985, Lexington and Richland counties in South Carolina were petrified as a monster walked among them, snatching girls and broad daylight.

1:09.0

And it wasn't just the kidnappings that terrorized those sleepy small town communities.

1:15.0

Serial killer Larry Jean-Bell relished in making phone calls to one of the families, both before and after their daughter's body was found.

1:24.0

17-year-old Sherry Facemith and 9-year-old Deborah May Helmick were taken during the searing hot first days of summer, and their pitiful bodies were left to rot in that same awful heat for days, crippling the forensic autopsy investigations.

1:40.0

But Larry Jean-Bell wasn't as smart as he thought. It took 28 days, but they did get him.

1:48.0

He is suspected in at least three other unsolved abductions. He had a record of assault and attempted kidnapping and had served time in prison.

1:57.0

In his calls to the Smith family, he's sickeningly focused on Sherry Face's sister, insisting to speak with her on the phone, even after Sherry Facebody had been found.

2:12.0

Welcome to Episode 48, the abduction and murder of Sherry Facemith. This is part one of a two episode series on the crimes of Larry Jean-Bell.

2:24.0

The Midlands region of South Carolina is literally just the middle area of the state. It's where the state capital Columbia is located, and it's a dividing point between the upstate and low country.

2:44.0

But it's an important distinction in such a diverse state, culturally and geographically.

2:49.0

The upstate is the westernmost part of South Carolina, also known as Upcountry. It includes the 10 counties along the I-85 corridor and the Commerce Rich corner of the state.

3:01.0

Situated between Charlotte and Atlanta, the upstate or Upcountry portion of the state is the fastest growing part of South Carolina.

3:09.0

Several large national and global corporations are located upstate, including BMW, the luxury automobile maker from Germany.

3:19.0

Low country is along South Carolina's coast, including the Sea Islands. Low country was once a place of agricultural wealth in rice and indigo dye, which flourished in the hot subtropical climate on the backs of slaves.

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