On November 16th, 1987 John Markle killed his family and then took his own life. Although the murders didn’t happen on Halloween, there’s still some unnerving creepy connections to the holiday. The Markle Murders may have faded from recent memory but these horrific shootings will always haunt Arkansans. Before we delve into the gritty details be aware that this is not a happy story. If you’d rather read about delicious fried chicken hiding near abandoned ruins or a beautiful fall train ride to see the colors, here’s your chance to turn back now.
Up until the night of horrendous homicide and suicide, John Markle’s life had seemed pretty normal.
Flickr/Eric Vondy Markle was a 46-year old man living with his wife and two kids in Little Rock. He worked as an investor for Stephens, Inc. He was successful at work, rapidly earning promotions and well-performing accounts.
On Nov. 13th, 1987, Markle was put on medical leave by the company and three days after that Markle would snap.
Before we recount the happens on Nov. 16th we’ll touch on the creepy Halloween connections. The first is through Markle’s mother.
Flickr/Imagens Portal SESCSP Markle was the son of Academy Award-winning Mercedes McCambridge. Her most famous role was the voice of the demon from the classic 1973 film, The Exorcist. It may not be a significant connection but it is worth noting the entire crew of the movie has suffered tremendous bad luck ever since the film’s release. The Markle Murders are just one more bullet point on a long list of misfortunes. Let’s return to John though.
John Markle did not spontaneously kill his family. The murders were planned in advance.
Google Maps Unfortunately the house pictured isn’t a set piece from a horror film, it’s the Markles’ home and final resting place. John Markle drugged the family (including himself) with an antidepressant that caused drowsiness. Late in the night he shot his wife Christina and two daughters, Amy (13) and Suzanne (9). Besides the drugs, other clues were recovered to prove Markle had planned the murders in advance.
Some days before the shootings, Markle had voided his previous will and replaced it with a handwritten one left at the scene. The updated will left nothing for his wife nor children. Another note was also found addressed to Markle’s mother. In the lengthy note Markle details his mother’s failings and casts her as a neglectful and uncaring parent. He also makes it clear that she had no previous knowledge of his plans, business or criminal. Keep this in mind as we press forward with the story.
The house is still standing (although we don’t recommend any visiting other than a quick drive-by), the old Victorian home is located in the historic Quapaw District in Little Rock.
Markle wore a disturbing Halloween mask when he shot his daughters.
Flickr/L’art au présent Seventeen guns were found throughout the house but only two pistols had been used in the murders/suicide. After killing his family, Markle ended his own life by taking the two pistols to his head. The bloody mask was near Markle’s body when police spotted it as well as the notes. The police also found the movie Nightmare on Elm Street had been left in the family’s VCR, which probably left the whole force shivering.
After investigating, police came to realize that this was Markle’s sick way of avoiding jail time.
Flickr/MRHSfan The only reason the neighbors didn’t call police after the first gun shot was because of a freak thunderstorm. The storm broke a fall dry spell and muted the 14 shots that were fired by Markle.
After the initial investigation, police discovered why Markle had been placed on leave. The company was actually reviewing Markle’s seemingly stellar accounts (including some tied to his mother’s fortune) because they suspected embezzlement. Markle realized he was about to lose it all and be imprisoned in a matter of time, so he decided to end it all.
Mercedes McCambridge refused to comment on any of the happenings, even up until her death in 2004. Her and other account holders were stuck in litigation well into the nineties.
Flickr/Eric Vondy
Markle was a 46-year old man living with his wife and two kids in Little Rock. He worked as an investor for Stephens, Inc. He was successful at work, rapidly earning promotions and well-performing accounts.
On Nov. 13th, 1987, Markle was put on medical leave by the company and three days after that Markle would snap.
Flickr/Imagens Portal SESCSP
Markle was the son of Academy Award-winning Mercedes McCambridge. Her most famous role was the voice of the demon from the classic 1973 film, The Exorcist. It may not be a significant connection but it is worth noting the entire crew of the movie has suffered tremendous bad luck ever since the film’s release. The Markle Murders are just one more bullet point on a long list of misfortunes. Let’s return to John though.
Google Maps
Unfortunately the house pictured isn’t a set piece from a horror film, it’s the Markles’ home and final resting place. John Markle drugged the family (including himself) with an antidepressant that caused drowsiness. Late in the night he shot his wife Christina and two daughters, Amy (13) and Suzanne (9). Besides the drugs, other clues were recovered to prove Markle had planned the murders in advance.
Some days before the shootings, Markle had voided his previous will and replaced it with a handwritten one left at the scene. The updated will left nothing for his wife nor children. Another note was also found addressed to Markle’s mother. In the lengthy note Markle details his mother’s failings and casts her as a neglectful and uncaring parent. He also makes it clear that she had no previous knowledge of his plans, business or criminal. Keep this in mind as we press forward with the story.
The house is still standing (although we don’t recommend any visiting other than a quick drive-by), the old Victorian home is located in the historic Quapaw District in Little Rock.
Flickr/L’art au présent
Seventeen guns were found throughout the house but only two pistols had been used in the murders/suicide. After killing his family, Markle ended his own life by taking the two pistols to his head. The bloody mask was near Markle’s body when police spotted it as well as the notes. The police also found the movie Nightmare on Elm Street had been left in the family’s VCR, which probably left the whole force shivering.
Flickr/MRHSfan
The only reason the neighbors didn’t call police after the first gun shot was because of a freak thunderstorm. The storm broke a fall dry spell and muted the 14 shots that were fired by Markle.
After the initial investigation, police discovered why Markle had been placed on leave. The company was actually reviewing Markle’s seemingly stellar accounts (including some tied to his mother’s fortune) because they suspected embezzlement. Markle realized he was about to lose it all and be imprisoned in a matter of time, so he decided to end it all.
Mercedes McCambridge refused to comment on any of the happenings, even up until her death in 2004. Her and other account holders were stuck in litigation well into the nineties.
To read more details (and to see pictures of Markle and his horrid Halloween mask) read this news article.
Do you remember reading about the Markle murders? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Just a short six weeks after the horrific Markle murders, this serial killer terrorized a small Arkansas town. But if you’ve had enough of these dark tales, take this chocolate-themed road trip for a much needed palate cleanser.
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