One Day, Everything Went Completely Wrong
October 25, 1967, began like any other day for the Richardson family. The four older children headed off to school as Joseph and Annie went to their respective jobs. Bessie Reece, their trusted neighbor, arrived to look after the younger ones, and at lunchtime, she dutifully warmed up food for all seven children, just as she always did. However, as the older kids returned to school after lunch, their teachers noticed something was amiss. The children were starting to exhibit signs of illness, and their condition quickly deteriorated.
Concerned, the school principal wasted no time and rushed them to the hospital. Young Vanessa, Dianne, and James Jr. also showed troubling symptoms at home. The Richardsons received an urgent call from the hospital, and they hurriedly left their work in the orange groves to be by their children’s side. When they arrived, their worst fears were realized – their beloved children were sick and dying. By the end of the tragic day, Betty, Alice, Susie, Dorreen, Vanessa, and James Jr. had all passed away, leaving their parents devastated. Young Dianne would tragically succumb to the same illness the following morning. In the wake of this heart-wrenching loss, the police were summoned to unravel the mystery of what had killed the Richardson children.
