Monday, April 7, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.

The witness was identified as the neighbor of the victim and the person whose call to 911 led to the discovery of the victim's body. She was interviewed by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office. The interview was recorded on a portable audio tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

Detective T. Armstrong

Detective S. Murphy

Edith McElroy

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for coming to the office, Mrs. McElroy. Are you feeling better?

Edith McElroy: Oh, yes, I think so, but I just can't get used to the idea that Charles is gone. I hope I can get through this.

Detective Murphy: Just take your time, Mrs. McElroy. If you need anything, let us know. Now, will you state your name and address for our record, please?

Edith McElroy: Yes, of course. I'm Edith McElroy and I live at 107-A Combs Street.

Detective Armstrong: You were the person who called 911 the morning of April 6th?

Edith McElroy: Yes, I was.

Detective Armstrong: And when was the last time you saw Detective Tatum?

Edith McElroy: Well, let's see. I called Sunday morning. I hadn't seen him since Wednesday afternoon.

Detective Armstrong: Would you tell us a bit about that? Where, exactly, did you see him and under what circumstances?

Edith McElroy: I was working in the side yard on my flower garden. Charles came out to say hello. We visited for a few minutes and then he went back inside.

Detective Murphy: Do you know what time that was?

Edith McElroy: Oh, probably 3 or 4 o'clock. I didn't have my watch on. I try to get away from the clock when I'm outdoors.

Detective Murphy: Did he seem different than usual, to you?

Edith McElroy: What do you mean "different"?

Detective Armstrong: Did he seem worried or stressed, for example?

Edith McElroy: Oh my no! He seemed in good spirits. He was laughing and joking. Oh, what made him do such a terrible thing? I wish he'd talked to me. Maybe I could have helped...

Detective Murphy: Would you like a glass of water?

Edith McElroy: I don't think water would help... but I guess I could try. Oh, it's just so tragic. I feel so terrible. He was such a nice man. He seemed like family to me... I just can't believe he's gone. I'm going to miss him soooo...

Detective Armstrong: I know how hard it must be for you to talk about it, Ma'am, but we really need your help. Would you like to take a minute before you go on?

Edith McElroy: Oh no. I'm sorry, Detective; I'll try to stay focused and control myself. Let's continue. I'll do whatever I can to help.

Detective Murphy: You and Detective Tatum live in the same structure in different apartments. Is that right?

Edith McElroy: Yes, after my husband died I had the house remodeled so there are two separate living quarters. Charles had the front and I had the back. That way I felt safer being away from the street, and I could see out on my back yard. We each had our own entrance so it wasn't unusual that our paths didn't cross every day.

Detective Armstrong: Did you hear anything out of the ordinary during the week?

Edith McElroy: I can tell you what I heard and you can decide if it was unusual. I heard him go out Wednesday night. I think it was about 9 o'clock. But that isn't unusual. He often went out on his evening off. In fact, when I talked to him Wednesday afternoon, I asked if he and Marion -- she's his current lady friend, you know -- had a hot date that night. He laughed and said she was out of town, but he might go down to Murff's later and have a drink with his cop buddies.

Detective Murphy: Did you hear him when he came home?

Edith McElroy: Oh, heavens no. I can't usually stay awake past 10:00 o'clock. I was probably sound asleep when he got home, and I sleep pretty sound. I have a slight hearing loss, so once I'm asleep not much bothers me. Although, now that we're talking about it, I remember waking up around 1:00 a.m. I felt as though something had startled me, but I didn't hear anything and went right back to sleep. I had looked at my digital clock, and it was a bit after 1:00. You don't think I heard the shot do you? Oh, God, what if the shot woke me? I could have called 911 and maybe saved his life! Oh God, it's my fault he's dead.... Oh, nooo...

Detective Murphy: Now, now, Mrs. McElroy. It isn't your fault. You can't blame yourself. Can you tell us if you heard anything else that night?

Edith McElroy: No, I went back to sleep and didn't wake up until nearly 6:00 a.m.

Detective Murphy: Did you hear anything else after that night that concerned you?

Edith McElroy: It was more what I didn't hear that concerned me!

Detective Armstrong: What do you mean, Mrs. McElroy?

Edith McElroy: Well, you know, you get used to certain sounds that a house makes. The water runs, or the toilet's flushed, or a certain spot on the floor creaks when someone walks on it. I didn't hear any of those familiar sounds that I hear when Charles is there. I sometimes see him during the day, but I was gone the better part of Thursday, Friday and Saturday so didn't see hide nor hair of him. At first, I thought maybe he was with Marion at her house, but then I remembered him saying she was out of town. So then I thought, well, maybe he was on a job. You know, a stakeout, or undercover. He does that sometimes. But he almost always lets me know when he's going to be gone several days... and this time -- nothing. By Saturday night I was getting really worried. I thought of trying to call him at work, but I figured I was just being a nosy old lady and it was none of my business. What if he was lying there suffering all that time? If I'd called 911 sooner, I might have saved his life! Oh, I wish I'd trusted my instincts that something was just not right. Oh dear...

Detective Murphy: Here, take a sip of your water.

Edith McElroy: Oh, thank you. I'm sorry to behave so badly, but I just can't believe he's gone. This is a nightmare!

Detective Armstrong: Do you know Marion's full name?

Edith McElroy: I should. I met her. But I'm sorry, I just can't think of it right now. They went together for about six months. Maybe some of his friends in the department know her. I'm sorry but I just can't remember her last name.

Detective Murphy: Would you recognize her if you saw her again?

Edith McElroy: Oh yes, of course.

Detective Armstrong: Okay, Mrs. McElroy. Is there anything else you think we should know?

Edith McElroy: I don't know, Detective. I'm not thinking very clearly. Could I call you if I think of anything else? I need to go home and lie down.

Detective Murphy: Of, course. Do you need a ride?

Edith McElroy: No, thank you. I'll be fine.

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for coming in, Mrs. McElroy.

Interview ends 10:33 a.m.