SARAH A. MILLER/STAFF JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS and Kenneth Dean, both journalists at the Tyler Morning Telegraph, will take part in the East Texas Book Fest on Aug. 22.

1. Buy the book on Amazon.com

Kenneth Dean was in high school and Jacque Hilburn-Simmons was taking college classes in 1983, when five people were abducted from Kilgore’s Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant and murdered.

Both had no idea that one of the largest mass slayings in Texas would one day become a focus of their professional lives.

Dean and Mrs. Hilburn-Simmons became award-winning journalists at the Tyler Morning Telegraph and over decades helped report the story with its many twists and turns.

They tapped into their personal experiences, pored over decades of archival materials and interviewed dozens of people to write “The KFC Murders: A News Account. The Deadly Saga of the Infamous East Texas 1983 KFC Massacre.”

It is perhaps the most comprehensive look at the crime and the ensuing investigation and convictions.

“We wanted to tell the story as objectively as possible, but in a different way, so that it reads more like a novel than a news story,” Mrs. Hilburn-Simmons said. “That meant making contact with people who were not really part of the initial and ongoing coverage. We used social media to reach some people; others contacted us, asking if they could share their thoughts. After interviewing everyone, we started piecing the story together, weaving historical aspects with new information and voices.”

She said the result is a “fresh read on a case longtime East Texans remember well.”

On Sept. 23, 1983, Mary Tyler, 37; Opie Hughes, 39; Joey Johnson, 20; David Maxwell, 20; and Monte Landers, 19 – all either employees or friends of employees – were taken from the restaurant to a remote field outside of town and shot to death.

There were few clues. Numerous law agencies became involved in the investigation. Years went by without arrests, leaving many to speculate who did it and why.

A suspect initially charged with the crimes was later let go.

In 2005, based in part on DNA evidence preserved from the crime scene, prosecutors charged cousins Romeo Pinkerton and Darnell Hartsfield with five counts of capital murder. In 2007, Pinkerton pleaded guilty to the murders. In 2008, Hartsfeld also was found guilty. Both received five life sentences.

Dean said in gathering information for the book, they reached out to many sources.

“We traveled many miles to speak with some of the subjects (including Hartsfield in prison) and some responded to us via email or letters.”

Others involved had died or no longer wanted to share their thoughts, which required the journalists to use statements collected in previous news stories and correspondences.

Dean said they were able to uncover new information.

“Actually, there are new details put in the book which have never been revealed -tidbits from family and friends to real information from prosecutors and the (investigative) methods they used,” he said.

Mrs. Hilburn-Simmons said the book presents a more comprehensive look at the victims and their lives.

“Honestly, I struggled emotionally at times when trying to bring the victims to life in our story,” she said. “After you dig into someone’s life to find out what kind of person they were, you begin to really care about that person and their family. … The victims became more than a photograph to me. They were real people with real lives, and there are people out there who still love them dearly.”

Dean said the families of the victims still feel the pain of losing a loved one in such a tragic way.

“Some (family members) wish it would go away,” he said. “They say that every time a story comes out, the wounds are reopened. Others wanted the story told and hope this will give them some closure as they opened up about how the crime affected them.”

Added Mrs. Hilburn-Simmons, “I didn’t get the feeling that anyone was happy to sit down with us and talk about this case again. I think they agreed to participate in this project, so they could make certain their loved one was portrayed accurately.

“Even though some people mentioned the word closure, there is a painful void in their lives that will never be filled, no matter how many years pass or how many people go to prison.”

Dean and Mrs. Hilburn-Simmons are scheduled to take part on Aug. 22 at the East Texas Book Fest in Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St.

The book can be ordered through Amazon.com.

MEET THE AUTHORS

WHAT: East Texas Book Fest, where authors Kenneth Dean and Jacque Hilburn-Simmons will sign copies of their new book, “The KFC Murders: A News Account”

WHEN: Aug. 22

WHERE: Harvey Hall Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St.

The book can also can be ordered through Amazon.com.