Another witness had seen Flynn later that night in Nellie Kellys, a Lexington Restaurant at the time. The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs & Murder by Sally Denton. During the last smuggling from Columbia, Thornton dropped packages of cocaine . Unfortunately, Im not that careful. A Lexington resident during this time, Donna Brandenburg, said I remember when rumors of this started to spread. Former WKYT news director adds perspective to Flynn case, Lexington Herald-Leader looks back at 40-year-old case, New tips send investigators to Murphy's Landing, Investigators asking public for photos of the area from the 1950s -1970s, Email photos to:policepio@lexingtonpolice.ky.gov, Latest on search: Crews focus on one particular area at Murphy's Landing, Uniquely Kentucky dives into 'The Bluegrass Conspiracy' with Sally Denton, One dead after tree falls onto car in Lexington, Chris Baileys Forecast | Potential for tornadoes to spin up across the area, One arrested, one injured in Nicholasville shooting, Big Sandy RECC crews continue working to restore power outages, Family of Letcher County woman offering reward for information on her death, EKY churches partner to help those impacted by historic flood, Denton is an award-winning investigative reporter, author, and historian. I havent been a journalist in Kentucky for a long time, but I can still remember what they were suspected of and charged with back in the early 1980s when I was the investigative reporter for WKYT TV. @kentuckyforkentucky Reply to @joeyvanrijk #greenscreen # . After going many months, those months turning into years, investigators got a surprise. IF YOU ALREADY GOT BROADSIDED IN YOUR VAN, THATS THE OPENING SHOT. When Melanie was reported missing, she was classified by the Lexington Police as endangered missing. These connections allowed them to commit crimes without getting caught. In the latest episode of Uniquely Kentucky, Amber Philpott dives into "The Bluegrass Conspiracy" with Sally Denton. said former WKYT news director Ken Kurtz. Dont kid yourself pal, after this election is stolenITS ALL OVER PAL. +64 6-361 7928. 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. It is also the basis for the newest Elizabeth Banks' film, Cocaine Bear. Mark OConnor releases two books and a CD from his early years, Billy Strings at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press at Bluegrass Wednesday Nights, Open Bluegrass Jam // Cinderlands Warehouse (Pittsburgh), Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Class with Joel Denman Durango, CO, Open Bluegrass Jam // Cork Harbour Pub (Pittsburgh), Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Dave Wright & the Midnight Ramblers from Down Under, Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Bononia Grass plays with an Italian flavor, Russ Hooper: 74 years in bluegrass music and still gigging, Jason Fraley returns to Deeper Shade of Blue for one last show. Thomas Clyde Bowling, Jr. Police are also encouraging anyone with tips to report them. Along with Bill Canan, Thornton was a part of the narcotics section of the Lexington Police Department. Her nickname is Dee Dee (Melanie Dee Flynn, Kentucky, 1977). Also found in the car was a suitcase that Melanie had left in her car from her trip, a week before she suddenly disappeared, to Louisville, Kentucky. Flynn, who was from a prominent Lexington family, went missing in 1977 at the height of the so-called "bluegrass conspiracy," according to WLEX in Lexington. For more information, please see our For that reason, were pulling one out of the archives about bluegrass conspiracy theories. Suffice it to say, a decision was made back in 1950 to let Monroe live, give himsomerecognition, and let him have a successful career. In order to save his own life, he agreed to carry a drummer in his band. post-template-default single single-post postid-13172 single-format-standard, Summary of Sally Dentons Bluegrass Conspiracy & Los Angeles Connections. After being released his new residence was not known. They also believed that other Lexington police officers have something to do with the disappearance as well. This lead to the investigation of the scandal involving the higher status individuals of Lexington, Kentucky. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh, 52, and Paul . (Mena and Contra deal WAS CIA). Secret Scandals in Lexington, Kentucky. By Rachel Nix Building Kentucky. The Lexington woman went missing in 1977 after leaving work at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Some of the players of The Bluegrass Conspiracy are said to have lived near Cornishville, which is not far from The Triad.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The origin story of how Kentucky for Kentucky obtained the "Cocaine Bear" including the involvement of . Logout. I have often wondered (because of the threats and harassment to the people who video-taped that little gathering and the timing of it) if Mark Fuhrman himself wouldn't have shown up on the video if the whole thing could have been played. Three days after of not hearing from their daughter, Bobby Flynn called Lexington Police. Instead, they found an overdosed bear. The Elizabeth Banks directed film starring Kentucky's very own Cocaine Bear has begun production.. When falling off Melanie suffered a serious head injury and was placed in the hospital for several months. Copyright 2023 WKYT. When I reported these and numerous other related stories, the famous Lexington socialite Anita Madden picketed the television station, accusing me of what would today be called fake news and demanding my termination. At the time that he was governor, Brown was married to Phyllis Anne George EVANS Brown. I cant say his name because then my life would be in even more danger than it is right now (Im writing this from an undisclosed location, not far from Cape Canaveral). What kept this operation afloat was the connections the smugglers had with Lexingtons wealthy citizens such as James Lambert, Anita Madden and Phillip Galls (Denton 53). The search is expected to continue for days. His death inspired a story . Could the CIA have been there too? www.facebook.com/chrisjonesgrass. Required fields are marked *. It was the site of many a party and was, for a time, under close FBI surveillance. Denton, a former investigator for Jack Anderson, relates a sordid tale of corruption in Lexington, Kentucky. Flynn's younger brother, Brad, searched this same area seven and a half years ago and let LEX 18 speak to him. The organizations mission was two-fold: to permanently fuse rock and roll, jazz and bluegrass, so that it could never be separated again (even with the use of harsh chemical solvents), and to get Kenny Baker to leave Bill Monroes band. In addition to leading his own band, with whom he tours and records, Jones is an award-winning broadcaster and songwriter. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. In 1989, Sally Denton wrote a book titled The Bluegrass Conspiracy after the scandal became known. The IBMA has actually been bankrupt since the first year it moved to Nashville, and last year it was secretly sold to the Coca-Cola company for an undisclosed amount of cash and controlling interest in the IBMA Board of Directors. Thanks Chris! When the missing persons report hit new station all over the state of Kentucky, they described Melanie as. The contents inside the purse were, lipstick, a perfume atomizer, and two bottles of medicine, one of which was Melanies antihistamines (The Charley Project), which she had been prescribed by her doctor because of her allergies. Melanie was also described to be wearing, a yellow ski jacket, blue jeans, and hiking boots that appeared to be covered in hair (Melanie Dee Flynn, Kentucky, 1977). The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that police were relying on information provided by an elderly person who wanted to get this off their chest. I am left to wonder whether either Vance or Canan was the whisperer. Governor Brown ALSO owned that Florida golfing resort that Jean speaks of at the timethat was known for the drugs, prostitution and mobster connections. I would appreciate it if you would also use air quotes while youre reading this.). It's no secret that many things were faked or over-exaggerated on the show for more exciting television, especially in reality TV. Director Elizabeth Banks described it as the bears revenge story inspired by a real event. 859-299-3636|news36@wtvq.com. Fuhrman's so-called real partner? Thornton had been caught of steeling pot from the evidence room of the Lexington Police Department. bluegrass, in music, country and western style that emerged in the United States after World War II, a direct descendant of the old-time string-band music that had been widely played and recorded by such groups as the Carter Family from the late 1920s. [Channel] 27 had to take a little bit of criticism from various people when Sally was doing various stories about the police department, Kurtz said, many of which ended up in The Bluegrass Conspiracy., (Dentons book: The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs and Murder, was first published in 1989. Famous 300-year-old bur oak was saved from development. Has anyone ever been in the same room as the moon? Of all the people involved in the illegal drug ring also known as the Bluegrass Conspiracy, very few were ever punished. The movie "Cocaine Bear" is now in theaters. Ralph Rose, a Kentucky state policeman who began a crusade to catch Thornton and his associates, was eventually forced out by being framed in an illegal wiretapping charge. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided byRefinitiv Lipper. Published Feb 4, 2022. Thornton seemed to have grabbed anything and everything he could before falling to his death. Sources said that the information involved someone who wanted to get this off their chest. The writer mile Zola exposed the affair. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. We are putting it out there that we are here, and we want the public to know we don't forget cases like this," Lexington Police Sgt. The LA Secret Police as Mike Rothmiller calls them. With a population of just over 14,000, it was voted "The Most Beautiful Small Town In America" and also boasts of being the "Bourbon Capital of the World," due to the presence of six major whiskey distilleries in town. Legal Statement. Gov. Doyle Lawson also knew too much about the mysterious deaths of three of Jimmy Martins hunting dogs. Cocaine Bear is rated R for bloody violence and gore, drug content and language throughout. The presidents of all the major streaming companies from Spotify to Apple Music are all Danish, are all the same person, and are all related to Mac Wiseman. After finding out about the illegal activities, questions were raised about the capability of the Lexington Police Department and government officials. He's been quite successful, even though implicated in much of the cover up documented in Ms. Denton's book. The president doesn't actually "run" things but with him he brings his background, his connections, the powers that back him and those who are using him for their own political and social agendas. Saying goodbye to her co workers and heading off to the doctors office, driving her 1975 Ford Elite (Melanie Dee Flynn, Kentucky, 1977). The shocking death and plane crash brought to light, revelations and allegations about a scandal involving cops, politicians and high society in Central Kentucky, with drugs, weapons, and murder. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Madden was born in Ashland, Kentucky.She grew up as a "tomboy" and played high school sports, such as basketball and cheerleading, while also being involved with the drama club.She later attended Western Kentucky University for two years before transferring to the University of Kentucky (UK) in 1952. They were paying their last respects to Andrew Carter Thornton II, who had single-handedly summed up the dark side of the American dream, or at least the Kentucky version of it, when he landed on . As in all illegal endeavors, powerful people, politicians, banks and outlets are needed to protect the profits, hide them, and courts and cops needed to protect the profiteers. Brown; his top political aides; former policeman and blueblood Andrew Thornton, the leader of an organization known as the "Company"; and other bluebloods, rich from money originally earned in horse-breeding and racing. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. It has sold more than 250,000 copies.). It sure caused havoc here with The Bluegrass Conspiracy. (How many cops trained this way since 66?). The training courses, held at the CIA's compound near Washingon, D.C., included declassification of materials, foreign weapons, COUNTERAUDIO MEASURES, explosive devices and detection techniques, BASIC THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE AND CLANDESTINE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION, COVERT PHOTOGRAPHY, AND PHOTOANALYSIS, and Ralph found that he was a quick study. Many LOCAL law enforcement personel were at that picnic/campout that weekend. Book Overview. Key members of 'Bluegrass Conspiracy' died within days of each other. They also cleared sections out near a wooded area. "We are out here for a reason. They theorized that Melanies disappearance had been covered up by the police and all the other evidence that could have lead to her had been disposed of. post-template-default single single-post postid-13829 single-format-standard, COMAIR CRASH: The BLUEGRASS MURDERS Connection. Flynn worked for Canan as an undercover informant, and a fellow police officer once testified that Canan admitted killing Flynn. "We will exhaust all of our leads again, and hopefully we can come up with something that will help the family out.". Chief among them were Vance and Canan. Background. Local citizens had major issues with their authority and suspected abuse of power. Anita Madden (Bluegrass Conspiracy) was right in there with Lambert, John Y. When Kentucky Blueblood Drew Thornton parachuted to his death in September 1985 carrying thousands in cash and 150 pounds of cocaine the gruesome end of his startling life blew open a scandal that rea. The Bluegrass Conspiracy. www.chrisjonesgrass.com Among the major players were Governor John Y. There is has been great music every decade and also complete turds every decade including the vaunted 1960's and '70's. and our Yet Nobody was ever arrested (Rothmiller's claim for the LA Secret Police as well). ------------- Canan was also linked to, but never charged with, the disappearance of Melanie Flynnthe 24-year old Lexington woman whose disappearance in January 1977 remains one of Lexingtons most enduring mysteries. Lying at rest in the same Lexington funeral home, the two are now forever linked in death as in life. Bobby had a theory that Melanie wandered off and developed amnesia, a consequent of the nearly fatal horse riding accident. Living in Kentucky near all the event mentioned in The Bluegrass Conspiracy I found this book to be really historical and cool. They're still looking," Siegel said. ----------------- Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Joel Pett: What about critical gender theory. But, there's also a dark side to the region. But both were still on the force during the Earley investigation. Market data provided by Factset. Brown, Jr., Dan Lasater (Bill Clinton), and the whole crew. To make everything more suspicious about Melanie's disappearance, Bill Canan was the police officer that Bobby Flynn reported Melanie's disappearance to. And Im still waiting for that free computer from Bill Gates (or was that a free set of steak knives?). HOME; INTERIORS; EXTERIORS; OFFICE & PORTRAITS; PUBLICITY/EVENTS; CONSTRUCTION; INFO His wife of 35 years died on the COMAIR plane crash at the Bluegrass Airport in 2006 where 49 south bound people perished. It seemed as if Thorntons parachute didnt open when he was trying to land (Consequences and Effect). Thornton was found in Knoxville, Tennessee. He had been a state senator. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Denton did not respond to . Sally Denton is an investigative reporter, author, and historian who writes about the subjects others ignore--from a drug conspiracy in Kentucky to organized crime in Las Vegas; from corruption within the Mormon Church to the hidden history of Manifest Destiny; from one of America's bitterest political campaigns to the powerful forces arrayed against Franklin D. Roosevelt. Remember the Round Up in Tennessee that was investigated about the time of the Simpson case where the agents showed racism. Melanie, being the good looking girl as everyone described her, she didnt just date one guy. Replying to her fathers request Melanie said, Ill bring it home tonight, then added, I love you daddy (pg. 1894 Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. All rights reserved. Legal Statement. She has received the Investigative Reporters and Editors Best Investigative Book, and her books have been named Editors Choiceand Notable Book by the New York Times. After searching the car for any clues of where Melanie might have been and any evidence of the person who took her all Lexington Police found was a red leather jacket that Bobby Flynn identified as being Melanies. It was said he worked at the airport in freight. And when COMAIR crashed, I figured the list of passengers would be more valuable than the black box in determining the cause. One narc cop went on to bigger and better things by joining the Callie (sp) Cartelle and was killed in 1985 when his parachute failed (deliberately) when he parachuted with cocaine, secret CIA phone numbers, secret FBI and DEA secure numbers on his person. The gap between the social classes is a direct result of the horse industry Kentucky is most known for. When introducing Canan to the people associated with the drug ring, Melanie would introduce him as her boyfriend. Only the files were made but nobody was ever arrested. The new executive director will be merely a puppet (possibly an, Dan Tyminski did not actually sing on the. All I could think what, what else are they hiding? Its not okay to think you are being protected by the local police department, when in fact they are the ones creating the problems. She never went to jail but the guy she hired did time for the crime. "They came with a backhoe and started digging down into the ground and said they were looking for some things, that's all they'd give us," said neighbor Brian Siegel. ured prominently in the so-called Bluegrass Conspiracy in the early 1980s. Talk to ABC 36 News anchors, reporters and meteorologists. It is an inside story of power, greed, drugs, and murder and it blew the lid off of Lexington, Ky. when it was released. Melanie Flynn disappeared in January 1977. My Profile Thats how a lot of these theories work: they simply take on a life of their own. The movie Cocaine Bear opens Thursday in theaters. Their lives were ruined. (Denton's book: "The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs and Murder," was first published in 1989. When Thornton was found with a broken . It was just one after another, and it was unheard of in Lexington television, Denton said in 2019. Just a friendly tip from a guy who just ordered his passport, and is ready to go now. Cana was never charged with any connection to Melanies disappearance, but he was arrested on federal drug charges in 1993. Thanks Chris! of Fed money coming in with strings attached) are trained in another facility in East Georgia run by the CIA. In the latest episode of Uniquely Kentucky, Amber Philpott dives into "The Bluegrass Conspiracy" with Sally Denton. At the time they were looking for cocaine that they believed was missing. For more information, please see our | Opinion, Bill to end anti-competitive bourbon barrel tax a positive start | Opinion. Neither of their obituaries mentioned their criminal convictions and lengthy federal prison sentences. They also cited a second agent who also found the circumstances suspicious since there were a number of residue-free wrappers left in the bag. Flynn was last seen turning off Cooper Drive onto South Limestone. And youre going to tell me this is just a coincidence? Lexington, though a diverse and alluring city in many ways, has not always had a sparkling reputation. Their primary goals are the introduction of the Moog synthesizer into bluegrass music so gradually that no one notices, and the relocation of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame to Belgium. And he has to "go along" with what those backers do whether he may agree with it or not. of Fed money coming in with strings attached) are trained in another facility in East Georgia run by the CIA. Her book, "The Bluegrass Conspiracy" was released in 1989 to both raves and jeers. Documents the links between Lexington Kentucky police, politicians, patricians and major drug trafficking. Count on the Judges enjoying their elite deviance as well. This, the second of five related stories this week, looks at the WKYT journalists who worked to dig up the network of organized crime and corruption with ties to the story behind the film. #1. Market data provided byFactset. At one time, actor Warren Beatty was on the board of directors of the resort. It's crazy to think that after all these years, they haven't given up. She worked for a prominent public sports agency.