Joan Robinson Hill and her husband, Dr. John Hill, were the darlings of Houston’s high society in the 1960s. Joan was a champion equestrian from one of Houston’s wealthiest families, and John was a successful plastic surgeon with a love for classical music. They were young, attractive, and seemed to have it all—a picture-perfect couple moving through a world of horse shows, charity events, and fancy parties. 

But behind the scenes, things weren’t as perfect as they seemed. Joan and John were opposites in many ways, and their differences caused tension from the start. To make matters worse, Joan’s father, Ash Robinson, was a major presence in their lives. He was fiercely protective of Joan and had no problem getting involved in her marriage, which only added more strain. By 1969, the cracks in their relationship couldn’t be ignored any longer. The problems in their marriage came to a head, setting off a chain of events that would stretch over six years and leave a trail of heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy for everyone involved.

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Today's snack: Texas caviar

Sources:

• Thompson, Thomas (2001). Blood and Money (reprint ed.). Running Press. ISBN 978-0-78670-947-2. 
• https://casetext.com/case/hill-v-robinson-4 
• https://abc11.com/post/iconic-texas-mansion-murder-home-1561-kirby-market/14856894/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC8iAlY5WI4 
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99420354/lilla-paulus 
• “Family of ‘Blood and Money’ victim Hill can’t collect.” Corpus Christi Caller, Jun 19, 1982, p. 11B.
• Kelly, Lee. “Novel Killings: ‘Blood and Money’ murder feud fosters multitude of libel suits.” Waco Tribune-Herald, Apr 22, 1980, p. 8C.
• “Toxic syndrome may have killed Houston heiress.” The Miami Herald, Nov 24, 1980, p. 6D.
• Arrillaga, Pauline. “Blood & Money: 30 years after Houston murders, the mystery lives on.” Abilene Reporter-News, Mar 21, 1999, p. 4A.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18763073/ann_louise-kurth#:~:text=Ms.,the%20Hyltin%2DManor%20Funeral%20Chapel 
• https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914c4f2add7b049347d0da0 
• https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/30/archives/family-of-slain-texas-surgeon-sues-exfatherinlaw-for-76-million.html 
• https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1976/51364-7.html 
• https://www.aspentimes.com/news/local/jim-calaway-remembered-for-legacy-of-giving-back/