The Story The Sunday Edition: The high school class that found a serial killer
Apr 19, 2025
Harriet Alexander, a Senior Features Reporter for The Times, shares the compelling story of a high school sociology class that took on a cold case murder investigation. Guided by their teacher, Alex Campbell, the students became unexpected detectives, unraveling the infamous redhead murders that had baffled authorities for over 40 years. They also aimed to overturn a wrongful conviction. Harriet discusses how their journey through these investigations transformed their understanding of justice, community, and the profound impact of their discoveries.
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Innovative Teaching Sparks Cold Case
- Mr. Alex Campbell turned a high school sociology class into a cold case investigation project.
- His creative and hands-on teaching inspired students to solve decades-old murders.
Students Create Killer Profile
- Students identified a pattern in the cold cases: red-haired women killed by strangulation along highways.
- They built a detailed 17-point profile of a suspected serial killer dubbed the Bible Belt Strangler.
Class Holds Public Press Conference
- Students held a press conference to appeal to the public for information on unsolved murders.
- About 60 people attended, sparking new tips after nearly 40 years of silence.