Tim Arnold

President of the Edgar Lee Dwyer Fan Club

It was the cold winter of 1997 when I first heard of the Melancholy Killer. He had just murdered Michael Miller in my home state of Florida. I was a college student then and had little time to follow the news, but I do remember being curious about the poems he was leaving on his victims. I knew this killer must be pure evil to kill his victims in such a vicious manner. I remember exactly where I was when I heard that there was a break in the case and the Melancholy Killer was caught. I left my desk and quickly turned on the news.

When I saw Edgar Lee Dwyer walking in handcuffs, I knew at that moment when I saw his knit cap and sad eyes that he could not be a killer. While others, especially the media, were convicting him without a fair trial, I kept my silence. Back then, the internet was not what it is today. But I started finding other people on who also believed, like me, that Edgar’s trial was unjust, and that he was a victim of a much more sinister plot. Edgar is not a killer. He is a victim. 

I became brave in my beliefs, and though I lost many loved ones over my opinions, I decided to start my own blog. Throughout the years, though much has changed, our mission has always remained true… To see Edgar Lee Dwyer become a free man.

Karina Sampson

Wife of Edgar Lee Dwyer

I came to know Edgar through my best friend in childhood, Tim Arnold. At first, I didn’t understand Tim’s obsession with Edgar. I knew some people claimed he was a serial killer. Over time, Tim showed me that Edgar could not be the evil monster the authorities painted him to be. I soon realized that Edgar was a smart, compassionate artist and poet, and certainly not a killer. I also began to believe that there was a larger intricate plot to frame Edgar.

At Tim’s encouragement, I began correspondence with Edgar. I also went visit Edgar in prison and he showed me a beautiful world through poetry. It wasn’t long before we fell in love. Edgar and I dated for eight years and we wanted to get married in the prison chapel. However, the prison authorities would not grant us that wish. So Tim became an ordained minister for us, and without the prison’s blessing, Edgar and I were married in a private ceremony.

Now my heart is committed to Edgar, and I’m dedicated to the pursuit of one day seeing him free from that evil institution.