A stormy night, a black out and a mysterious phone call lead the police to an eerie house on a hill containing the bodies of an entire family. All of this, plus a connection to The Exorcist, feels like the setup to a particularly scary movie. Instead, it was a real life tragedy that took place in November 1987. 

Sources:

1. Jones, Janie. “Murder Mystery: The Mask of Mercy - AY Magazine.” AY Magazine, https://www.facebook.com/ayisaboutyou/, 24 July 2018, https://aymag.com/murder-mystery-the-mask-of-mercy/.

2. “Murders on Main: 30 Years since Little Rock Businessman Killed His Family, Himself.” Arkansas Online, https://www.arkansasonline.com/murdersonmain/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

3. “Mercedes McCambridge’s Son’s Note Exonerated Her - Los Angeles Times.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 1989, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-17-mn-2098-story.html.

4. “Suicide Letter Blames Actress Mother - UPI Archives.” UPI, UPI, 18 Apr. 1989, https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/04/18/Suicide-letter-blames-actress-mother/7918608875200/.

5. The Friday the 13th Murders. 2025.

6. Batesville Guard, 7 Dec. 1987.

7. Baxter Bulletin, 5 Dec. 1987.

8. The Sun, 5 Dec. 1987.

9. The Log Cabin Democrat, 5 Oct. 1993.

10. The Sun, 19 Nov. 1987.

11. Batesville Guard, 20 Nov. 1987.

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