Murder by Mail

At Raymond (R.D.) Cheely’s sentencing hearing for the random highway murder of Jeffrey Cain, prosecutor Steve Branchflower said that the shooting delivered a stunning message to Anchorage. “No matter who you are or where you live, or what precautions you take to protect yourselves, you cannot escape violence; you can’t hide.” Branchflower added, “Because we can no longer trust Raymond Cheely to do the right thing, we must make sure he is never again left unwatched.”'' Sources Doto, Pamela. “Fugitive nabbed. Gustafson arrested in Hollywood hotel.” April 18, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Enge, Marilee. “Cheely’s lawyer says evidence scant, wants dismissal.” April 9, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Enge, Marilee. “Death penalty urged. U.S. says law covers bombing.” May 15, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Enge, Marilee. “Friend, prosecutors tell different tales of Ryan.” April 22, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Enge, Marilee. “Letters, tapes reveal young man’s woes.” April 19, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Enge, Marilee, and Natalie Phillips. “No motive, no suspect yet in bombing. Officials warn people involved in highway-shooting trial to be careful of packages.” September 19, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Enge, Marilee. “Prosecutors air tapes at bomb hearing. Recordings include defendants’ accounts of motive, work on deadly package.” April 7, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. “Gustafson v. State.” June 18, 1983. Touch N’ Go. “Gustafsons.” Season 1, Episode 1. October 26, 2019. Killer Siblings. Phillips, Natalie. “Broke, tired, hungry Gustafson “relieved” by arrest, Feds say.” April 19, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Phillips, Natalie. “Cheely guilty in bombing Alaskan. Could get two life terms.” March 14, 1995. Anchorage Daily News. Phillips, Natalie. “Gustafson owns up to killing.” November 27, 1995. Anchorage Daily News. Phillips, Natalie. “Inmates passed notes. Informants testify to Cheely actions.” February 10, 1995. Anchorage Daily News. Phillips, Natalie. “Ryan denies plot role. Cheely friend moved explosives.” March 4, 1995. Anchorage Daily News. Phillips, Natalie. “Sister recounts role as go-between.” February 18, 1995. Anchorage Daily News. Phillips, Natalie. “State wants bomb suit settlement lawyers asked to detail $2.6 million agreement.” May 1, 1996. Anchorage Daily News. Rinehart, Steve. “Mail bomb: 4 charged government says highway killers plotted death from prison  Blast that killed father intended for son: convict’s sister held: brother still at large.” April 2, 1992. Anchorage Daily News. Toomey, Sheila. “Bomber gets life plus 30. Gustafson ineligible for parole.” May 8, 1993. Anchorage Daily News. ________________ Treat the True Crime Lover on your Christmas List to Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. OR For Murder Mysteries Set in the Wilderness of Kodiak Island, Check Out These Novels. ___________________ Also, All Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier Merchandise in the Store is On Sale! https://youtu.be/7Fv52Bf8yfY ___________________ Join the Last Frontier Club's Free Tier ______ Robin Barefield lives in the wilderness on Kodiak Island, where she and her husband own a remote lodge. She has a master’s degree in fish and wildlife biology and is a wildlife-viewing and fishing guide. Robin has published six novels: Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, Karluk Bones, Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge, and The Ultimate Hunt. She has also published two non-fiction books: Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. She draws on her love and appreciation of the Alaska wilderness as well as her scientific background when writing. Robin invites you to join her at her website: https://robinbarefield.com, and while you are there, sign up for her free monthly newsletter about true crime in Alaska. Robin also narrates a podcast, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. You can find it at: https://murder-in-the-last-f...