The Not-So-Friendly Friendly Murders of Palm Springs

How It All Went South

Jason discusses the Friendly murders that took place in Palm Springs, California in 1978. The victims were Edward and Sophia Friendly, a wealthy couple with ties to prominent families, and their maid, Francis Williams. The murders were particularly gruesome, with all three victims shot in the head at close range.

The initial investigation focused on Edward Friendly's business dealings, but later shifted to Sophia's strained relationship with her children, Edward Hutton and Sophia Hutton. Sophia had amended her will to disinherit her children after they contested her control over a San Francisco townhouse. The inheritance hinged on whether Sophia or her ex-husband, Curtis Hutton, died first. Curtis was terminally ill at the time of the murders.

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