Wicked Words - A True Crime Talk Show with Kate Winkler Dawson Wicked Words - Diane Fanning: The Serial Killer and the Author
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Sep 19, 2022 AI Snips
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Childhood Trauma and Early Interest in True Crime
- When Diane Fanning was nine, a man exposed himself to her and tried to pull her into his car.
- Another car arrived, scaring the man away, and Fanning memorized his license plate, leading to his arrest.
Inspiration for *Through the Window*
- Fanning was inspired to write her first book after seeing Crystal Surles, a 10-year-old survivor of Tommy Lynn Sells, on 48 Hours.
- Surles' bravery in testifying against Sells, despite her injuries, deeply moved Fanning.
Sells' Justification for Murder
- Sells claimed he killed a homeowner because the man was abusing his son, though there's no evidence to support this claim.
- Fanning notes that Sells often sought to blame his victims for his crimes.