Ralph Rose, a Kentucky state policeman who began a crusade to catch Thornton and his associates, was eventually forced out by being framed in an illegal wiretapping charge. To make everything more suspicious about Melanie's disappearance, Bill Canan was the police officer that Bobby Flynn reported Melanie's disappearance to. http://www.shout.net/~bigred/RFOJ.html, THE BLUEGRASS CONSPIRACY p.47. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Doubleday, 1990. Has this training continued? Instead, they found an overdosed bear. The 24-year-old was last seen leaving work . "I mean Melanie is hardly the only victim in this situation.". In her book "The Bluegrass Conspiracy," Denton details how Thornton attempted to evade arrest for marijuana smuggling first by becoming a fugitive, then by staging a gunshot attack against himself . The Bluegrass Conspiracy by Sally Denton - KY for KY Store The true story behind Elizabeth Banks' new film 'Cocaine Bear' Governor Brown ALSO owned that Florida golfing resort that Jean speaks of at the timethat was known for the drugs, prostitution and mobster connections. While in the hospital, Melanie lost her sense of smell and taste. When found after his free fall, Thornton, was wearing night vision goggles, a bulletproof vest, Gucci loafers, a army green duffel bag containing 40 kilos of cocaine valued at $15 million, $4,500 worth of knives, and two pistils (Andrew C. Thornton II). 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. Lying at rest in the same Lexington funeral home, the two are now forever linked in death as in life. In 1989, Sally Denton wrote a book titled The Bluegrass Conspiracy after the scandal became known. The tapestry of crime outlined in The Bluegrass Conspiracy has its roots in the socially significant world of Kentucky. All rights reserved. Former WKYT news director adds perspective to Flynn case, Lexington Herald-Leader looks back at 40-year-old case, New tips send investigators to Murphy's Landing, Investigators asking public for photos of the area from the 1950s -1970s, Email photos to:[email protected], Latest on search: Crews focus on one particular area at Murphy's Landing, Uniquely Kentucky dives into 'The Bluegrass Conspiracy' with Sally Denton, One dead after tree falls onto car in Lexington, Chris Baileys Forecast | Potential for tornadoes to spin up across the area, One arrested, one injured in Nicholasville shooting, Big Sandy RECC crews continue working to restore power outages, Family of Letcher County woman offering reward for information on her death, EKY churches partner to help those impacted by historic flood, Denton is an award-winning investigative reporter, author, and historian. On September 3rd, the Mount Sterling Advocate released a news article that Canan had been released from jail at 63 years of age. Over half of the current board members are paid by Coke to advance this agenda. The _Lexington Herald-Leader_ ran a story about his death that, some 12 years after "The Bluegrass Conspiracy" was published, is less than objective about Ross. At one time, actor Warren Beatty was on the board of directors of the resort. After calls to his elder sisters, both of whom dismissed . Gordon. Summary of Sally Denton's Bluegrass Conspiracy & Los Angeles They're still looking," Siegel said. A Lexington resident during this time, Donna Brandenburg, said I remember when rumors of this started to spread. Melanies parents, Bobby and Ella, thought differently. Then cover it all up. My Profile said former WKYT news director Ken Kurtz. If I were they, I would make sure all of us were drugged up on sports and social media too. After the divorce of George and Evans, Brown stepped into the picture. It is a highly-fictionalized account loosely based on fact, from a story that has its roots in the Bluegrass. This "scandal" involved Lexington cops on the Narc squad and more. HOME; INTERIORS; EXTERIORS; OFFICE & PORTRAITS; PUBLICITY/EVENTS; CONSTRUCTION; INFO I just think the Heidi deal and other connections (whew! When Thornton was found with a broken . "It just went on for month after month and nothing, nothing.". With a population of just over 14,000, it was voted "The Most Beautiful Small Town In America" and also boasts of being the "Bourbon Capital of the World," due to the presence of six major whiskey distilleries in town. It sure caused havoc here with The Bluegrass Conspiracy. With Roe overturned, the GOP needs a new monster. Lexington and state police took equipment to scan underground and took K-9s to the area. The main director of the Bluegrass Conspiracy, Andrew Thornton III, was the only one who truly suffered any consequences. (Shapiro met with Robert Evans and Warren Beatty every week of the trial at Evan's house). The Blue Grass Conspiracy was a multi-million dollar drug ring that included well connected members of the community, such as police officers. Legal Statement. As I reported exclusively during that time, Vance, a former Fayette County deputy sheriff and top aide to former Kentucky Governor Julian Carroll, conspired with a Lexington woman to kill a state attorney. "I think if there could be some answers and some justice that it would go a long way towards helping everybody heal from the results of this," said Denton. Magnolias & Mimosas : What I'm Reading: The Bluegrass Conspiracy - Blogger While marijuana should be legalized, as it is, exclusive and secretive rights to its illegal distribution, along with other drugs and pills, and profits belongs to elite criminals and underground operatives and organizations running the states. When falling off Melanie suffered a serious head injury and was placed in the hospital for several months. Melanies parents started to think about why someone would want to get rid of their daughter. The writer mile Zola exposed the affair. ured prominently in the so-called Bluegrass Conspiracy in the early 1980s. From The Side of the Road 500th column reflections, From The Side of the Road Catch the Bluegrass Wave, From The Side of the Road Its the law! COMAIR CRASH The BLUEGRASS MURDERS Connection He owned a house here in Lexington on Old Dobbin Road (a fine house) while he lived in the Governor's mansion and a man named Jimmy Lambert ran the gambling, drug, prostitution, porn, outfit out of it. Its unfair and gives Lexington a bad name.. Your email address will not be published. The Path Went Chilly on Apple Podcasts Many books have been written regarding these happenings, one of which, Sally Denton's The Bluegrass Conspiracy, I have used as research for the writing of this piece, and all information regarding Andrew C. Thornton II, his associates, and their actions during the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, is from this source, unless otherwise indicated. Canan was also linked to, but never charged with, the disappearance of Melanie Flynnthe 24-year old Lexington woman whose disappearance in January 1977 remains one of Lexingtons most enduring mysteries. It was just a shared hallucination by the attendees. The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs, and He spotted the body through his bathroom window whilst shaving as part of his morning routine. You are correct to mention Ollie North as having more power than his station in life called for but you have to put the CIA in the mix whom I believe he had and perhaps still have strong connections with. In that world passes a sordid cast of . Musician/band. Wow, I haven't had this much fun reading since Bill Bryson's 'A Walk in the Woods'. Ken gave me - I think the first story on the Company [the drug smuggling ring at the center] - I cant remember when it appeared, probably 82 - the story was 13 minutes long straight, without a break, at the top of the news, the 6 oclock news. And Im still waiting for that free computer from Bill Gates (or was that a free set of steak knives?). Cops were video-taping, wire-tapping citizens (prominent citizens, NFL players, actors, actresses) using drugs, gambling, prostitution and porn---all out of a house belonging to then Democratic Governor John Y. If you have this book and have read it, think back or look up Anita Madden--rich horsefarm matron who probably dealt in drugs as a sideline. Elizabeth Banks to direct 'Cocaine Bear' movie | Lexington Herald Leader Don't think I've told you this before but I have told Sherman. The most serious came in 1972 when Melanie fell off a running horse. When Kentucky Blueblood Drew Thornton parachuted to his death in September 1985carrying thousands in cash and 150 pounds of cocainethe gruesome end of his startling life blew open a scandal that reached to the most secret circles of the U.S. government. "We are out here for a reason. It seemed as if Thorntons parachute didnt open when he was trying to land (Consequences and Effect). Other blackmail as Daryl Gates was prone to use on the City Council, the governor, the mayor and more??? The 2021 IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh never actually took place. But, there's also a dark side to the region. Bluegrass Conspiracy Archives - ABC 36 News In the latest episode of Uniquely Kentucky, Amber Philpott dives into "The Bluegrass Conspiracy" with Sally Denton. It also includes the disappearance of Melanie Flynn. talking to someone in a blue van near the intersection of Cooper and South Limestone Street. October 19, 2004. Who Was 'Cocaine Bear?' True Story Behind Elizabeth Banks' New Movie What kept this operation afloat was the connections the smugglers had with Lexingtons wealthy citizens such as James Lambert, Anita Madden and Phillip Galls (Denton 53). She hired somebody to break into the courthouse and steal records/evidence. One narc cop went on to bigger and better things by joining the Callie (sp) Cartelle and was killed in 1985 when his parachute failed (deliberately) when he parachuted with cocaine, secret CIA phone numbers, secret FBI and DEA secure numbers on his person. This, the second of five related stories this week, looks at the WKYT journalists who worked to dig up the network of organized crime and corruption with ties to the story behind the film. In addition to leading his own band, with whom he tours and records, Jones is an award-winning broadcaster and songwriter. Though just an hour south of the major metropolitan hub of Louisville, Bardstown, Kentucky, is a world away. I think that little "picnic" that you mentioned--The Good Ole Boy Roundup--in Chattanooga, Tenn. is a prime example. post-template-default single single-post postid-13172 single-format-standard, Summary of Sally Dentons Bluegrass Conspiracy & Los Angeles Connections. Logout. That woman at the height of the OJs trial had Kato Kalein as her houseguest. Remember the Round Up in Tennessee that was investigated about the time of the Simpson case where the agents showed racism. http://www.lycaeum.org/drugwar/biblio.html Bluegrasses are slender annuals or . Yes, 'Cocaine Bear' was real. Now the stuffed ursine is 'having a 5) Take a look at the MEXICAN MAFIA MURDERS AFFADAVIT that I posted at Austin IMC. My Profile However, he'd left behind a ledger, a telephone scrambling device, $25,000 in cash, weapons, and a lease to a warehouse in Lexington. Jill Crabtree will be the only one with knowledge of the tunnel system now under construction that will connect the bunker with the IBMA offices in Nashville. Thanks Chris! 'Cocaine Bear': Real-Life Agent Recalls Surreal 1985 Case, and One Even Thats how a lot of these theories work: they simply take on a life of their own. www.facebook.com/chrisjonesgrass. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. Do you realize how difficult it would have been to contact Kato at that time and get him to come to your house in Ky.--(a total stranger?)? In August of the 1977, Melanies purse was found floating in the Kentucky River around Camp Nelson, which is located about 20 miles outside of Lexington. When you see news happening, share it! The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs and CONFIRMED: 'Cocaine Bear' at KY for KY & Origin Story Fictionalized PDF CONTRIBUTING WRITER - University of Kentucky Melanie may go by the names of Melanie may go by the names of Melanie Dee or Melanie OHara. of Fed money coming in with strings attached) are trained in another facility in East Georgia run by the CIA. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Famous 300-year-old bur oak was saved from development. I left Kentucky in 1983 and developed what I had uncovered during my three-year stint there into the book The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs and Murder, published by Doubleday in 1989. It sure caused havoc here with The Bluegrass Conspiracy. They are trained with military equipment and in wire-tapping, surveillance and swat team/military tactics (which in my opinion is the cause --or partly the cause of some the terrible tragedies when swat teams go into the Wrong house and kill somebody). Some say that he left because of both reasons, but that will never be known. The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs & Murder by Sally Denton. Please believe responsibly: Chris Jones wears many hats in his bluegrass career. It is an inside story of power, greed, drugs, and murder and it blew the lid off of Lexington, Ky. when it was released. When Bobby was describing all the allegations to Lexington Police he stated, Bill Canan was a friend of the family and that Melanie and him were dating. To make everything more suspicious about Melanies disappearance, Bill Canan was the police officer that Bobby Flynn reported Melanies disappearance to. I suppose we will never know. When Melanie was reported missing, she was classified by the Lexington Police as endangered missing. The origin story of how Kentucky for Kentucky obtained the "Cocaine Bear" including the involvement of . The bluegrass conspiracy : an inside story of power, greed, drugs, and Privacy Policy. Wife Swap: Where Are They Now? - ScreenRant The Bear who ate 88 Pounds of Cocaine was the Victim of a Large I think that little "picnic" that you mentioned--The Good Ole Boy Roundup--in Chattanooga, Tenn. is a prime example. It has sold more than 250,000 copies.) Its fitting because ours is a kind of music that has been systematically denied mass-market exposure for decades, and I suppose thats just a coincidence. (Note: There will be heavy use of quotation marks throughout the rest of this column. Who has power? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. ----------------- (LEX 18) Authorities have recently searched a property along the Kentucky River on the Mercer and Jessamine County line in connection with the 1977 . Suffice it to say, a decision was made back in 1950 to let Monroe live, give himsomerecognition, and let him have a successful career. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The story eventually balloons into a mammoth scandal known as the "Bluegrass Conspiracy", but no trace of Melanie is ever found. 240 people follow this. Bill Clinton and then went on to run drugs out of Mena, Arkansas by bringing back drugs on the empty planes that came back from South America. The CIA's Office of Security in 1966 began training certain police officers throughout the United States, and had made overtures to him. Logout. Uncovering the conspiracy: Former WKYT journalists reflect on crime Those tips sent a team of investigators to Murphy's Landing multiple times. Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh, 52, and Paul . In 1995 (during the OJ trial) she managed to have Kato Kaelin as a houseguest and Derby Party guest. But to try and pull all the threads together - I mean, honestly, its taken me almost 40 years to connect a lot of the dots.. "When Kentucky Blueblood Drew Thornton parachuted to his death in September 1985 carrying thousands in cash and 150 pounds of cocaine, the gruesome end of his startling life blew open a scandal that reached to the most secret circles of the U.S. government. After his body was found in the driveway of a Knoxville civilian, the shocking death made the front pages of newspapers all around. Melanie was last seen on January 25th, 1977. It has sold more than 250,000 copies.). Yet ultimately press coverage exposed the conspiracy. Siegel told LEX 18 that he has watched police dig up dirt piles for at least two full days and carefully search the area. With public doubt and criticism of Dentons reporting still lingering even after she left, Denton and Kurtz agreed that it was the circumstances surrounding Thorntons death - when his parachute failed to open after he jumped from a plane with cocaine, cash, guns and gold strapped to him - that finally lent more credence to what they had been saying all along. It wasnt until Drew Thornton parachuted, Denton said, that people were like, Maybe Sally Denton did know what she was talking about., People did not want to believe the Cocaine Cowboys existed within the Lexington Police Department, Kurtz said. (This is purely for your education, but remember that access to information is the greatest weapon we have, and one that you can be sure they dont want you to have. The "bluegrass conspiracy," as coined by author Sally Denton in her book-length investigation of the scandal, describes the exploits of Lexington's most rich and powerful families and their . They didn't want the videos out and harassed the militia group who took the videos. Just a friendly tip from a guy who just ordered his passport, and is ready to go now. Melanie had a doctors appointment scheduled later that day at 5:30. Replying to her fathers request Melanie said, Ill bring it home tonight, then added, I love you daddy (pg. The search is expected to continue for days. Copyright 2023 WKYT. The country music ties to the Bluegrass Conspiracy and the Cocaine Bear were loose to begin with. She owned Hamburg Place, a 2000-acre farm that had produced 5 Kentucky Derby winners and 5 Belmont Stakes winners, including the first triple-crown winner, Sir Barton. The Bluegrass Conspiracy: Stranger Than Fiction Foreign troops were trained here as well. He would be convicted in federal court in Ashland, Kentucky in 1987 on charges of interstate racketeering and furnishing the murder weapon in the shooting of Florida prosecutor Eugene Berry, and sentenced to 15 years. It specifically mentioned a septic hole at Murphy's Landing. Perhaps Cocaine Bear will still be good for a laugh or two though. But afte that the case went cold for years. A unique variety of people make up the population, from tobacco farmers to entrepreneurs and lawyers. This scandal had a great impact on a small town, yet still remains a mystery to everyone not involved. There are no urban legends in my world, and we all know that the web site Snopes.com, which purports to tell us which internet rumors are true or false, is nothing more than a front for a secret organization funded by the Koch Brothers, George Soros and the Queen of England (who all live together, by the way, in a condo in Belize). And youre going to tell me this is just a coincidence? They theorized that Melanies disappearance had been covered up by the police and all the other evidence that could have lead to her had been disposed of. 1894 Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Another witness had seen Flynn later that night in Nellie Kellys, a Lexington Restaurant at the time. Flynn worked for Canan as an undercover informant, and a fellow police officer once testified that Canan admitted killing Flynn. www.chrisjonesgrass.com Stories, Truths and Anonymous Tips surrounding The Company and Melanie Flynn. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A couple of years later, she had both Phil Vannatter and Geraldo Rivera as her house guests. Count on the Judges enjoying their elite deviance as well. Bluegrass is distinguished from the older string-band music by its more syncopated (off-beat) rhythm, its relatively high-pitched tenor (lead . Rotten Roots of the Bluegrass. Are these trained cops now used to do black bag jobs in the name of "national security", undercover into militias, etc.? Consequences and Effects. Sources said that the information involved someone who wanted to get this off their chest. Everything Cocaine Bear Doesn't Tell You About The True Story (He also hired Barbara Bailey, Bill Bryant and Sam Dick.). Brown, Jr. Her ex-husband was Robert Evan's fame of the Cotton Club Murders and Denise's former lover and Paramount film producer. It's crazy to think that after all these years, they haven't given up. All rights reserved. At least 4 deaths; power outages climb. http://www.smartfellowspress.com/_random1/0000000f.htm, Your email address will not be published. For more information, please see our February 24, 2023. Powered and implemented byFactSet Digital Solutions. She has received the Investigative Reporters and Editors Best Investigative Book, and her books have been named Editors Choiceand Notable Book by the New York Times. In 1990, just before the Earleys were murdered, Walsh became Chief of Police. Also found in the car was a suitcase that Melanie had left in her car from her trip, a week before she suddenly disappeared, to Louisville, Kentucky. He was sentenced to 17 years without parole(Kentucky). Lester Flatt never died and is coming back on September 29th to host the IBMA Awards and assume control of the IBMA. bluegrass, in music, country and western style that emerged in the United States after World War II, a direct descendant of the old-time string-band music that had been widely played and recorded by such groups as the Carter Family from the late 1920s. Your email address will not be published. "An attractive young lady, daughter of a prominent family. It was a pretty good one, too. Blonde to light brown hair, brown eyes. But they decided not to let him have the recognition hedeserved,and to make sure that his music, bluegrass music, would nevereverachieve mass appeal. I have often wondered (because of the threats and harassment to the people who video-taped that little gathering and the timing of it) if Mark Fuhrman himself wouldn't have shown up on the video if the whole thing could have been played. http://www.amazon.com/Bluegrass-Conspiracy- Kentucky's legendary 'Cocaine Bear' story to be - NKyTribune Avon Books. The contents inside the purse were, lipstick, a perfume atomizer, and two bottles of medicine, one of which was Melanies antihistamines (The Charley Project), which she had been prescribed by her doctor because of her allergies. Among those was John Bizzack --at the time the Earleys were murdered, one of the highest ranking officers in the department, second in command only to the Chief and in charge of both the homicide and narcotics division. Another police officer customer of the Earley Bird Cleaners was Larry Walsh. Sure, Ive lost a little money here and there, sending it to friends of mine who had all of their belongings stolen while on an a business trip to Madrid. Flynn was last seen turning off Cooper Drive onto South Limestone. Denton, Sally: The Bluegrass Conspiracy, Among the major players were Governor John Y. The strange true story behind Cocaine Bear and Andrew Thornton - The Many of the cops and others later arrested claimed that they had been told they were working for the CIA and of course the CIA disavowed them. Somebody had to vouch for her. Just study Menato understand what happens in every city and town in America. (part 2), From The Side of the Road Bluegrass Deuteronomy, book 1, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press at Bluegrass Wednesday Nights, Open Bluegrass Jam // Cinderlands Warehouse (Pittsburgh), Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Class with Joel Denman Durango, CO, Open Bluegrass Jam // Cork Harbour Pub (Pittsburgh), Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Dave Wright & the Midnight Ramblers from Down Under, Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Bononia Grass plays with an Italian flavor, Russ Hooper: 74 years in bluegrass music and still gigging, Jason Fraley returns to Deeper Shade of Blue for one last show. The president doesn't actually "run" things but with him he brings his background, his connections, the powers that back him and those who are using him for their own political and social agendas. Only the files were made but nobody was ever arrested. He never stayed in one place and rarely came back to Lexington. The Bluegrass Conspiracy - Sally Denton - Google Books (Mena and Contra deal WAS CIA). Anita Madden - Wikipedia 'Cocaine Bear,' a drug smuggler and the very real story behind it all By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. They also cleared sections out near a wooded area. Lexington, though a diverse and alluring city in many ways, has not always had a sparkling reputation. One day however, they finally caught up with him. Henry Vance Loses Appeal. Dentons reporting turned over the rocks, and the evils - the weevils - came out, Kurtz said previously, highlighting the continuous nature of the revelations during that time. Director Elizabeth Banks described it as the bears revenge story inspired by a real event. Around this time, many Lexington police officers took their uniforms to the Earley Bird Cleaners. 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. J. During the last smuggling from Columbia, Thornton dropped packages of cocaine . It is also the basis for the newest Elizabeth Banks' film, Cocaine Bear. As drugs were continuously being sold, the gap between the wealthy and poor of Lexington grew larger and larger with each transaction, until the lower class citizens were completely in the dark about the illegal activities pursued by the upper class. Secret Scandals in Lexington, Kentucky | mariapienkowski Fuhrman's so-called real partner? "Bluegrass Conspiracy" twist of fate | CatsIllustrated.com