Joan Rogers and her daughters, Christie and Michelle, set off for a much awaited Florida vacation. Between the hard life of dairy farming and the sexual assault Michelle suffered at the hands of an uncle, life had been anything but easy. It would be the first time the girls had ever left the state of Ohio.
Having fallen in love with the sunshine and hospitality of Florida, the ladies readily agreed when Oba Chandler offered to take them on a sunset cruise of the Tampa Bay after giving them directions.
It would, as Don Davis‘ book is appropriately titled, become a Death Cruise.
This 1996 true crime is an intensely written account that provides an in-depth look into the crimes committed against the Rogers’ family and the nonstop efforts of police and investigators to get a man unafraid of soliciting groups of women with murder in mind off the streets of the popular tourist city.
After reading Death Cruise, even the most liberal minded readers will remember just exactly why the death penalty is a form of punishment used in American justice. The sick cruelty and outright inhumanity exhibited by Oba Chandler is one that of a rabid animal than that of a human being. He is one of the most deserving criminals of the death penalty about whom I have ever read. Apparently jurors agree with me as they doled out the ultimate punishments within 30 minutes of beginning their deliberations.
A sad story of a horrific crime, but one that you just can’t put down!
Want to read it? Here’s where to get it:
UPDATES FROM THIS BOOK:
Oba Chandler finally had to answer to his maker on November 15, 2011. He was pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m. Eastern time. His last meal consisted of two salami sandwiches on white bread, one peanut butter sandwich on white bread and iced tea.
Online memorials are available for Joan Rogers, as well as daughters Christe and Michelle.
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