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by Shawn Marie Herron (Author)
A kidnapping, a brutal murder, an international manhunt, and a diabolical priest... This is the true story of the murder of eight-year-old Alma Kellner.
On a bitterly cold day in December of 1909, young Alma Kellner simply disappeared from the altar of St. John's Church in Louisville. Her body was found four months later near the site of the church, and news of the murder rocked the city. The manhunt for the suspect Louisville police Captain John Carney eleven thousand miles across the country, and even to South America, to return the killer to justice.
While a man was tried and convicted to life in prison for the crime, suspicion lingers that the true culprit was the murderous and maniacal Catholic priest Hans Schmidt, the only priest to have ever been executed in the United States.
Author Shawn M. Herron details the fascinating story of a tragedy that still remains a source of mystery to this day.
Author Biography
Shawn M. Herron is a lifelong resident of Louisville, Kentucky, and can count back five generations of family members who proudly called the city home. Shawn holds a BA in English from the University of Louisville and a JD from the Brandeis School of Law. She has been practicing in the area of public safety law for over twenty-five years. She has worked for the Courier-Journal, the City of Louisville, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and now, the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training, where she trains law enforcement officers. An inveterate and omnivorous reader, Shawn maintains a blog called "Kentucky Cop Stories," and is a regular contributor to the Kentucky Law Enforcement magazine. She has also contributed articles to Police Chief and Sheriff magazines, as well. Shawn also serves as the volunteer search and rescue coordinator for the Louisville Metro Emergency Management Agency and is a member of the Madison County Rescue Squad. Shawn is a member of the Louisville Historical League and the Filson Club, both of which showcase local history. She lives in a house over 150 years old in Portland, with several cats.
