“The 1965 Texas Coed Murders: We Saw What You Did,’’ (The History Press, $24.99) by Sherman author Alan Burton is now available at bookstores, online booksellers, and at https://alanburtonbooks.com “This is one of those tragic cases that has largely been forgotten,’’ Burton said. “It happened more than sixty years ago, and perhaps more significantly, was overshadowed by the horrific events of the following summer when the University of Texas tower sniper terrorized the campus community. But in 1965, the murder of the two coeds in relatively peaceful Austin was voted the number one news story in Texas for the entire year by both the Associated Press and United Press International. And long before social media, the story went viral nationwide through newspapers, television, and radio.’’
The story begins in 1965 — Sunday, July 18, 1965, started out like any other hot summer day in Texas. Shirley Ann Stark and Susan Rigsby, Chi Omega sorority sisters at the University of Texas at Austin, left their Dallas homes early and drove together in Shirley’s Corvair to Austin. Little did they know the fate that awaited them later that afternoon as they visited the apartment of a friend and fellow UT student. The following day, the women were reported missing. A twelveday nationwide search ensued, ending with the discovery of their bodies in a north Austin field.
As one Associated Press reporter would later write, “The story held all the elements of a classic murder case: Campus beauties, youth, mystery, terror, and social standing.’’
“The two murder victims – who were sorority sisters — and the perpetrator all had bright futures ahead of them,’’ Burton said. “All three had expressed an interest in becoming teachers. And all three individuals came from well-respected families with ties to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It was truly an inexplicable and senseless act that tragically altered the lives of their families and friends forever.’’ Burton will also be signing copies of his book at Barnes & Noble at Prestonwood Center in Dallas on Saturday, June 27, from 1-3 p.m.
This is his 10th book. Burton’s most recent book, “Fatal Exam: Solving Lubbock’s Greatest Murder Mystery,’’ was published in 2023. It detailed the slaying of a Texas Tech custodian on the campus in 1967.
He is also the author of a series of quote books, including, “Squib-Kick it To A Fat Guy – and 699 more memorable quotes from the playbook of Coach Mike Leach’’ (2016), which was an Amazon bestseller.
Burton is a Sherman native, and a graduate of Texas Tech University, Grayson College, and Sherman High School.
He retired as a special assistant to the president and director of university communications at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2023.