The Murder of a Memphis Socialite: The Emily Fisher Story

Jan 6

On February 27, 1995, the gilded world of Memphis high society was violently overturned. Emily Fisher, a 52-year-old philanthropist known for her generosity and dedication to the arts, was found brutally murdered in her stately Central Gardens home. She had been stabbed more than 50 times in an attack so savage it stunned the city. What began as a suspected home invasion quickly unraveled into a tragic saga of family dysfunction, denial, and the devastating impact of drug addiction.

At the center of the storm was Emily's son, Adrian Fisher. While the family presented a flawless facade to the world, Adrian was secretly spiraling, battling a severe cocaine addiction that led him to steal from his own parents and associate with dangerous criminals. The investigation into his mother's murder would expose the deep fractures within the Fisher family, revealing a story far more complex and heartbreaking than a simple robbery.

The path to justice was long and convoluted. An initial investigation led to the trial and acquittal of two of Adrian's acquaintances, George Tate and Rodney Blades. The case went cold for years, haunted by the testimony of the family's elderly maid, Lee-Esther Redmond, and the presence of unidentified DNA at the crime scene. It wasn't until Adrian's best friend, Aaron Williams, came forward with a confession in 2003 that the true killer, Alfred Turner, was brought to trial. Yet, even that conviction would face appeals and reversals, leaving the family with more questions than answers.

Join us as we delve into the southern gothic tragedy of the Emily Fisher case. This episode explores the destructive power of secrets, the ripple effects of addiction, and the chilling reality that sometimes the greatest danger lies within your own home.

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