Episode 159 Unraveling the Mystery of Dr. Death and the York Family

Southern Mysteries Podcast

Shannon Ballard

True Crime, Society & Culture, History

4.8 • 918 Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On a sunny May morning in 1947, a doctor from San Antonio ambushed Willard York and his family near New Braunfels, Texas. The doctor's plan to kill the entire family failed when 13-year-old Ann York escaped. Investigators found that both the shooter and Mr. York faced financial troubles, raising questions about whether the attack stemmed from revenge or a mental breakdown, as the doctor claimed he could not remember the incident. Want more Southern Mysteries? Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries Connect Website: southernmysteries.com Facebook: Southern Mysteries PodcastInstagram: @southernmysteriesEmail: [email protected] Episode Sources Fort Worth Star-Telegram: San Antonio Broker’s Hearing Here April 17, April 11, 1947 Shamokin News-Dispatch: Girl Identifies Texas Physician as Slayer of Four, May 25,1947 Valley Morning Star: Arraignment of Dr. Ross In Killing of W. York Postponed. May 27, 1947 Corpus Christi Caller-Times: SEC Drops Action Against Broker Willard H. York, June 24, 1947 The Tribune: Venue Change Given in York Murder Trial, September 13, 1947 Corsicana Daily Sun: Girl Survivor of Shooting Says Dr. Ross Slayer of 4, October 16, 1947 Fort Worth Star-Telegram: State Rests Its Case at Ross Trial, October 17, 1947 Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Ross ‘Scared’ Her, Patient Tells Court, October 18, 1947 The Tyler Courier-Times: Ross’ Claim Money Taken is Revealed, Oct 19, 1947 Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light: Other Doctors Tell Jury Ross “Insane” on Shooting Date, Oct 21, 1947 Lubbock Morning Avalanche: Ross is Given Death Penalty for Slaying, October 24, 1947 The Salem News: Rule Doctor in Murder is Insane, June 17, 1949 The Brownsville Herald: Court Affirms Damages to York Family, June 19, 1950 Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Doctor Denied Writ of Error, October 5, 1950 Lubbock Morning Avalanche: Board Allows Death Sentence to Stand for Dr. Lloyd Ross, August 7, 1957 Case Text: Ross v. York, 233 S.W.2d 347 (Tex. Civ. App. 1950) Daily News: JUSTICE STORY: Betrayal at the hands of Dr. Death, March 21, 2020 History.com: SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission FindAGrave.com: Dr. Lloyd I. Ross FindAGrave.com: Gertrude Ann York Episode Music Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

Transcript

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0:00.0	On a sunny Sunday morning in May 1947, a doctor from San Antonio parked his car near the home of Willard York, located near New Brunfields, Texas.
0:15.4	He waited until York and his family passed by on their way to church, and then opened fire on them.
0:23.6	Mr. York, his wife, their son, and Mr. York's mother were all killed.
0:30.6	The doctor's plan to eliminate everyone in that car when arrived
0:36.6	when York's 13-year-old daughter managed to escape.
0:41.6	As investigators searched for a motive behind this crime, they discovered that both the victim
0:47.1	and the shooter were on the brink of financial disaster. Was the doctor's action a result of revenge or did his feelings of desperation and
0:58.0	hopelessness trigger a mental breakdown leading to an act he insisted he could not remember?
1:06.0	Welcome to Southern Mysteries, exploring Southern history and true crime.
1:12.6	I'm your host, Shannon Ballard.
1:15.6	This is episode 159, Unravelling the Mystery of Dr. Death and the York family.
1:23.6	Willard York found solace in the familiar routine of a Sunday morning.
1:31.3	Despite professional challenges that threatened to ruin him, he was determined to maintain normalcy for his family.
1:40.1	Sunday mornings for the Yorks midtime to gather, pause, reflect.
1:46.1	On Sunday, May 25, 1947, the Yorks gathered in the family sedan for the drive from their home to a Methodist church in San Antonio.
1:57.8	William drove along the driveway down Kaplanman Lane, which led into State Highway 46, which would take them into San Antonio.
2:07.1	At a sharp turn in the lane, Willard was forced to break because there was a car parked on the left-hand side of the road.
2:15.2	The shooter approached the driver's side window and immediately shot 36-year-old
2:19.6	Willard York in the chest. He continued to fire his automatic rifle, killing 43-year-old Mary York
2:26.7	and 9-year-old John, who had attempted to scramble out of the car. Willard York's 67-year-old
2:34.1	mother Gertrude managed to escape the car, but was shot of the car. Willard York's 67-year-old mother Gertrude managed to escape the car,
2:37.7	but was shot in the back as she attempted to run away from the shooter.
	...

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