They were paying their last respects to Andrew Carter Thornton II, who had single-handedly summed up the dark side of the American dream, or at least the Kentucky version of it, when he landed on . The bluegrass conspiracy: an inside story of power, greed, drugs, and murder User Review - Not Available - Book Verdict. Among the major players were Governor John Y. This lead to the investigation of the scandal involving the higher status individuals of Lexington, Kentucky. Her purse was discovered floating in the Kentucky River months later. It was just one after another, and it was unheard of in Lexington television, Denton said in 2019. When introducing Canan to the people associated with the drug ring, Melanie would introduce him as her boyfriend. Thats how a lot of these theories work: they simply take on a life of their own. Bobby Flynn went to Ralph Ross and asked him to take over the investigation of the case of his missing daughter. On September 11th, 2010, the Lexington Herald-Leader released an article 25 years to the day of his death. It is a highly-fictionalized account loosely based on fact, from a story that has its roots in the Bluegrass. A Lexington resident during this time, Donna Brandenburg, said I remember when rumors of this started to spread. In 1989, Sally Denton wrote a book titled The Bluegrass Conspiracy after the scandal became known. Only the files were made but nobody was ever arrested. In 1990, just before the Earleys were murdered, Walsh became Chief of Police. On September 3rd, the Mount Sterling Advocate released a news article that Canan had been released from jail at 63 years of age. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He never stayed in one place and rarely came back to Lexington. Miss George has spent several nights in the LIncoln bedroom in the current administration. 4) I exchanged posts with you at conspiracy cafe where you put the Blue Grass Conspiracy post. To avoid getting arrested and ruining her reputation Melanie and Canan made the agreement. In the early hours of the morning of September 12, 1985, Fred Myers found a dead man in his driveway. This weekend, Universal premieres what may be the most ridiculous movie of the year: Cocaine Bear, a violent horror-comedy inspired by a bizarre real-life event. (Shapiro met with Robert Evans and Warren Beatty every week of the trial at Evan's house). Her name has appeared on the pages of newspapers when the list has appeared. They were sure anxious for WHO was on it not to be known. Predictably, neither obit mentioned their involvement in the Bluegrass Conspiracy and the other sordid events of the 1970s. Ross turned his attention to Andrew Thornton. Also Bobby believed that Melanie didnt have much cash on her because she didnt get paid until three days later, which in the time that the three days pasted Melanie didnt come and pick up her check. of Fed money coming in with strings attached) are trained in another facility in East Georgia run by the CIA. An ex-DEA agent friend of the family told me that they learned that Dan Lassiter had him killed. said former WKYT news director Ken Kurtz. Wife Swap: Where Are They Now? My Profile To make everything more suspicious about Melanie's disappearance, Bill Canan was the police officer that Bobby Flynn reported Melanie's disappearance to. #1. Trying to catch up Thornton was a hard task for the investigators during this case; he was always on the run. Legal Statement. And, I did have my identity stolen a few years ago when I thought that my bank needed me to update all my information for their new computer system. When Kentucky Blueblood Drew Thornton parachuted to his death in September 1985 carrying thousands in cash and 150 pounds of cocaine, the gruesome end of his startling life blew open a scandal that. (This is purely for your education, but remember that access to information is the greatest weapon we have, and one that you can be sure they dont want you to have. The new horror-comedy, which is rated R, is about a black bear that stumbles upon a stash of drugs, then goes on a bloody killing spree. Somebody had to vouch for her. They didn't want the videos out and harassed the militia group who took the videos. In 1995, she sold the farm and they broke ground on what is now known in Lexington as Hamburg. And Im still waiting for that free computer from Bill Gates (or was that a free set of steak knives?). Dreyfus was innocent; the conviction rested on false documents, and when officials realised this they attempted a cover up. One narc cop went on to bigger and better things by joining the Callie (sp) Cartelle and was killed in 1985 when his parachute failed (deliberately) when he parachuted with cocaine, secret CIA phone numbers, secret FBI and DEA secure numbers on his person. He spotted the body through his bathroom window whilst shaving as part of his morning routine. Bradley and Drew were able to meet many different kinds of people; enough of those people had lots of money. Denton, a former investigator for Jack Anderson, relates a sordid tale of corruption in Lexington, Kentucky. I havent been a journalist in Kentucky for a long time, but I can still remember what they were suspected of and charged with back in the early 1980s when I was the investigative reporter for WKYT TV. Brad Roberts? The organizations mission was two-fold: to permanently fuse rock and roll, jazz and bluegrass, so that it could never be separated again (even with the use of harsh chemical solvents), and to get Kenny Baker to leave Bill Monroes band. You can do your research from Sweden, or Costa Rico, or Mexico. Brown, Jr. was married to the ex wife of Robert Evans of Paramount Pictures fame---the Heidi Fleiss case--and had been the lover of Denise Brown years before---connected to drugs---tied in with the Cotton Club murder---etc. "Carole Bizzack, 64, of Lexington, Ky., wife of an Eastern Kentucky University Regent.". The "bluegrass conspiracy," as coined by author Sally Denton in her book-length investigation of the scandal, describes the exploits of Lexington's most rich and powerful families and their . Legal Statement. What kept this operation afloat was the connections the smugglers had with Lexingtons wealthy citizens such as James Lambert, Anita Madden and Phillip Galls (Denton 53). Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Drew Thorntons death really validated a lot of what she wrote, and now the Cocaine Bear comes along for a new generation and re-validates a lot.. A narc cop is believed to have been the one to kill Melanie Flynn (baseball player Doug Flynn's sister). I suppose Sam Bushs presence as keynote speaker for the IBMA World of Bluegrass right after the Coca-Cola takeover is also just a coincidence.. It was said he worked at the airport in freight. And when COMAIR crashed, I figured the list of passengers would be more valuable than the black box in determining the cause. THE GOOD OLE BOYS ROUNDUP. Last week, investigators received a tip from an elderly person in another state. Melanie never arrived at her doctors appointment and never arrived home. Cookie Notice Her nickname is Dee Dee (Melanie Dee Flynn, Kentucky, 1977). Be careful what you joke about, as the originator of the birds arent real conspiracy will now tell you. Live updates: Historical windstorm blows in. They ranged from the faked moon landing and flat earth theories to the one about Disney making Frozen as a distraction from the fact that Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen. They are trained with military equipment and in wire-tapping, surveillance and swat team/military tactics (which in my opinion is the cause --or partly the cause of some the terrible tragedies when swat teams go into the Wrong house and kill somebody). Blonde to light brown hair, brown eyes. Alison Krauss has missed more than half of her tour dates this year due to acute asthma, brought on by a recently developed allergy to banjo strings. Cocaine Bear is rated R for bloody violence and gore, drug content and language throughout. (part 2), From The Side of the Road Bluegrass Deuteronomy, book 1, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press at Bluegrass Wednesday Nights, Open Bluegrass Jam // Cinderlands Warehouse (Pittsburgh), Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Class with Joel Denman Durango, CO, Open Bluegrass Jam // Cork Harbour Pub (Pittsburgh), Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Dave Wright & the Midnight Ramblers from Down Under, Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Bononia Grass plays with an Italian flavor, Russ Hooper: 74 years in bluegrass music and still gigging, Jason Fraley returns to Deeper Shade of Blue for one last show. There is has been great music every decade and also complete turds every decade including the vaunted 1960's and '70's. (Denton's book: "The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs and Murder," was first published in 1989. The Blue Grass Conspiracy was a multi-million dollar drug ring that included well connected members of the community, such as police officers. Traditional bluegrass bands are systematically being excluded from the IBMA showcases because their music is not advancing the secret agenda of IBMAs new masters. Plus, they know too much about the deaths of three of Jimmy Martins hunting dogs. Both men would serve the majority of their sentences and then return to Lexington upon their release. I read this on planes, in a hotel room, and at my residence. Documents the links between Lexington Kentucky police, politicians, patricians and major drug trafficking. Yet even today, the 1977 disappearance of Melanie Flynn remains a mystery. Do you realize how difficult it would have been to contact Kato at that time and get him to come to your house in Ky.--(a total stranger?)? | Opinion. For that reason, were pulling one out of the archives about bluegrass conspiracy theories. The country music ties to the Bluegrass Conspiracy and the Cocaine Bear were loose to begin with. Some people are musicians and some people play an instrument or sing for themselves. If the mobs after a person, going to another country wont help. Many of Lexington Kentucky's policemen, lawyers, and high society members are considered to have been a part of this group of criminals. Don't think I've told you this before but I have told Sherman. You are correct to mention Ollie North as having more power than his station in life called for but you have to put the CIA in the mix whom I believe he had and perhaps still have strong connections with. "An attractive young lady, daughter of a prominent family. Your email address will not be published. Anita Madden (Bluegrass Conspiracy) was right in there with Lambert, John Y. She had agreed to introduce detective Bill Canan to people associated with the drug ring that was taking place in Lexington during the 1970s. HOME; INTERIORS; EXTERIORS; OFFICE & PORTRAITS; PUBLICITY/EVENTS; CONSTRUCTION; INFO By Lexa Benner. Kurtz said he was surprised to hear about the movie Cocaine Bear, but he does plan to see it when he gets the chance. Next week: The real long term plan to hold the IBMA World of Bluegrass in outer space by 2015, and the coming requirement that all bands carry either drums and/or accordion by 2016 to be eligible to showcase or play the Fan Fest. Understandably lost in the virus coverage, I saw where Bill Canan and Henry Vance must have died almost on the same day, because their obituaries were in the Lexington Herald Leader in the same edition. The city of Lexington, Kentucky, has made major changes since the 1970's and 1980's. During this time period many corruptions were going on within the major families and the major businesses that shouldn't have been involved with the scandal but more or less have been trying to stop the scandal. Are these trained cops now used to do black bag jobs in the name of "national security", undercover into militias, etc.? During the time of the Bluegrass Conspiracy,Lexington had a large gap between the high-class and the rest of society, making it possible to fund this operation while keeping it a secret (Danziger ET). The story of Thornton and "The Company" he served, and . Secret Scandals in Lexington, Kentucky. And we both have reason to know of the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Ga. What many don't know is that many of the local law enforecement (due to huge amts. Melanie Flynn has not been seen since 1977. When the missing persons report hit new station all over the state of Kentucky, they described Melanie as. Constantly recognizing businesses, towns and roads in such a narrative is a lot of fun for me. Thornton was found in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Bluegrass Conspiracy. Brown, Jr. Donnell Gordon said. By Sally Denton. The Hollywood movie being released in late February is being marketed as "horror/comedy." Those categories might sound like a strange combination but will undoubtedly include a sizable amount . Brown was on a Fast-Track to the White House at the time, yet he lost and won a million dollars at a time in Vegas. I happen to believe that the same requirements from the Feds that began in the 70's (the CIA training) was in effect in LA during that time and later and caused the LAPD Intelligence Squad to come into existence. But, I would much rather lose a few bucks than walk around ignorant of the forces of evil that are cleverly manipulating us every day. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They waited until after the death of Jimmy Martin to carry out this threat. Do we have conspiracy theories in the world of bluegrass, too? "They came with a backhoe and started digging down into the ground and said they were looking for some things, that's all they'd give us," said neighbor Brian Siegel. These good ole boys will destroy without conscience, as Kentucky has the meanest people in the world. And as documented, they can make it look natural, or accidental compliments of the CIA training. Please believe responsibly: Chris Jones wears many hats in his bluegrass career. That saga is chronicled in Sally Denton's 1989 book, "The Bluegrass Conspiracy." The 175-pound bear's body was found several months after Thornton's and preserved with taxidermy. Amanda Gilbreaths brotherthe one who stabbed the guy in. Kentuckians may know the history of "Cocaine Bear," a 175-pound black bear . Three days after of not hearing from their daughter, Bobby Flynn called Lexington Police. "I think if there could be some answers and some justice that it would go a long way towards helping everybody heal from the results of this," said Denton. Their primary goals are the introduction of the Moog synthesizer into bluegrass music so gradually that no one notices, and the relocation of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame to Belgium. Some people are musicians and some people play an instrument or sing for themselves. Its time to Talk. It is a highly-fictionalized account loosely based on fact, from a story that has its roots in the Bluegrass. People may say, where is she going with this. The secret entrance is in the hair products aisle but it can only be seen by the light of the moon (which doesnt exist). I believe almost all of them, too, whether they become discredited in the media or not. post-template-default single single-post postid-13829 single-format-standard, COMAIR CRASH: The BLUEGRASS MURDERS Connection. 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. Talk to ABC 36 News anchors, reporters and meteorologists. After searching the car for any clues of where Melanie might have been and any evidence of the person who took her all Lexington Police found was a red leather jacket that Bobby Flynn identified as being Melanies. - Sandra K. Lindheimer, Middlesex Law Library, Cambridge, Mass. My Profile Lexington, though a diverse and alluring city in many ways, has not always had a sparkling reputation. The FEDS and the local cops work much more closely together (CIA, DEA, Fish and Wildlife {in recent years} BATF and more) than the normal citizen would even dream that they do. Bizzack+and+cover-up&hl=en&gl=us&ct= In addition to leading his own band, with whom he tours and records, Jones is an award-winning broadcaster and songwriter. Brown; his top political aides; former policeman and blueblood Andrew Thornton, the leader of an organization known as the "Company"; and other bluebloods, rich from money originally earned in horse-breeding and racing. After not arriving to her doctors appointment and all of Melanies clothing was in her room at her parent house. This scandal had a great impact on a small town, yet still remains a mystery to everyone not involved. They dont want anyone to buy a CD ever again, and they dont want anyone to ever hear Decca-era Jimmy Martin. Remember that local cops, DEA, FBI, etc. If I came out and publicly announced that it was satire, those taking it seriously might still believe it anyway, so what good would it do? Theyre all interconnected globally and will find anyone: ANYWHERE. _oJ:www.kcadp.org/pdf%2520files/Bowling%252 and our After his departure, Dan Hays will continue to operate the IBMA from a secret bunker underneath the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, TN. It's no secret that many things were faked or over-exaggerated on the show for more exciting television, especially in reality TV. The Lexington Comair Crash, Part 38: Idiot Wind A Black Hole in Bluegrass Country, Game-Level Two: RESCARE, ONEX, RAYTHEON & Bill Giltner, Jr. Lexington Comair Crash: "Heads Roll" Update on Darwin Deason and ACS (See Parts 1-5), The Lexington Comair Crash, Part 30: A World of Illusion "New Freedom," SAMHSA & the SIXTH PASSENGER, The Lexington Comair Crash, Part 34: A World of Illusion (conclusion) The Fellowship of Extraordinary Nazi Theocrats, Lexington Comair Crash Supplemental: Charter pilot denies he turned onto short runway DISPUTES CONTROLLERS ON NOVEMBER TAKEOFF, The Lexington Comair Crash, Part 24: Return of the Bluegrass Conspiracy The Prince, THE FOURTH PASSENGER & the Mockingbird (cont'd). They've not found anything so far, but police are asking for tips and old photos of Murphy's Landing. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that police were relying on information provided by an elderly person who wanted to get this off their chest. I am left to wonder whether either Vance or Canan was the whisperer. (How many cops trained this way since 66?). The movie "Cocaine Bear" is now in theaters. The Bluegrass Conspiracy is now considered a cold case in Lexington Kentucky. As in all illegal endeavors, powerful people, politicians, banks and outlets are needed to protect the profits, hide them, and courts and cops needed to protect the profiteers. About two years ago, a man who lived on Cornishville Road named Hunter went to visit his wifes sister in Versailles. The 2021 IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh never actually took place. Chief among them were Vance and Canan. The Lexington woman went missing in 1977 after leaving work at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. had an intelligence unit, how many do you think turned it down. Many LOCAL law enforcement personel were at that picnic/campout that weekend. I was off at my annual professional convention, he said. October 19, 2004. Governor Brown ALSO owned that Florida golfing resort that Jean speaks of at the timethat was known for the drugs, prostitution and mobster connections. When I hear that something has been disproved, I believe thats just what they want us to think. The film Cocaine Bear is a highly-fictionalized hypothetical account of what could have happened to the bear that was found dead after having ingested some of the cocaine Thornton dropped from his plane while flying over rural Georgia. Though just an hour south of the major metropolitan hub of Louisville, Bardstown, Kentucky, is a world away. Professional Reviews. The Lex PD covered it up. Logout. Rotten Roots of the Bluegrass. Blackmail used to FIX NFL and NBA games? Each time I see the Kentucky Derby on TV now I will enjoy a nice chuckle, thanks to Denton! Those tips sent a team of investigators to Murphy's Landing multiple times. In August of the 1977, Melanies purse was found floating in the Kentucky River around Camp Nelson, which is located about 20 miles outside of Lexington. Required fields are marked *. "We want people to know that we are still - it doesn't matter how old the cases are - that we are still actively investigating all of our cases and any tip that comes in we really appreciate it because we need the community's help," said Sgt. "John Bizzack one of the highest ranking officers in the [police] department," reports the document below, at the time of the Bluegrass murders in Kentucky, was instrumental in COVERING THEM UP. Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2013-10-04 19:05:24.947744 Bookplateleaf 0010 Boxid IA1154818 City New York Donor bostonpubliclibrary Edition If you have this book and have read it, think back or look up Anita Madden--rich horsefarm matron who probably dealt in drugs as a sideline. In many cases, his "backers" are way more powerful than he is. Many books have been written regarding these happenings, one of which, Sally Denton's The Bluegrass Conspiracy, I have used as research for the writing of this piece, and all information regarding Andrew C. Thornton II, his associates, and their actions during the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, is from this source, unless otherwise indicated. Sally Denton is an investigative reporter, author, and historian who writes about the subjects others ignore--from a drug conspiracy in Kentucky to organized crime in Las Vegas; from corruption within the Mormon Church to the hidden history of Manifest Destiny; from one of America's bitterest political campaigns to the powerful forces arrayed against Franklin D. Roosevelt. This training has the potential (and the history as per Bluegrass Conspiracy and others) of being USED by government against the ordinary citizen. Cookie Notice (Mena and Contra deal WAS CIA). The new horror-comedy, which is rated R, is about a black bear that stumbles upon a stash of drugs, then goes on a bloody killing spree. In that world passes a sordid cast of . Foreign troops were trained here as well. Market data provided byFactset. http://www.smartfellowspress.com/_random1/0000000f.htm. Dan Lassiter lived here in Lexington and was in the horse business and started the Ponderosa restuarants which were very popular back then. His death inspired a story . In addition to featuring in Denton's The Bluegrass Conspiracy, he was the subject of an episode of Dominick Dunne's crime TV series Power, Privilege, and Justice. Among the major players were Governor John Y. Bear in mind that this was written before the IBMA had named a replacement for former executive director Dan Hays (Im well aware that Nancy Cardwell is not a puppet, or even a marionette!). There is a big difference. Denton, Sally: The Bluegrass Conspiracy, Daniel Goldin: NASA's Creature from the Black Vault, Part Two: ORWELL IN SPACE, NPRs This American Life Whitewashes U.S. Gov. I think that little "picnic" that you mentioned--The Good Ole Boy Roundup--in Chattanooga, Tenn. is a prime example. Coroner releases name of woman who died after wind blew tree onto vehicle in Lexington, Skill game ban works against Kentuckys small businesses | Opinion, Trans health care bill is dangerous and misguided, KY doctors warn | Opinion, Trust a farmer to build a medical marijuana program that benefits patients and farmers | Opinion, She founded adult education with Moonlight Schools. Yet today we hardly know her name. Thornton seemed to have grabbed anything and everything he could before falling to his death. He came to Lexington a few times after that and may have met with her then. Some say that he left because of both reasons, but that will never be known. Published Feb 4, 2022. We are putting it out there that we are here, and we want the public to know we don't forget cases like this," Lexington Police Sgt. Some people on the show claim it ruined their lives, while others changed for the better. They also cleared sections out near a wooded area. Inside-Drugs-Murder/dp/0595196667, An addendum to my review -- Ralph Ross dies, October 5, 2002 "mcordier" (Frankfort, KY USA), FYI -- Ralph Ross, the tenacious KSP officer who is a central figure in this book, died of cancer on August 24th, 2002. When Kentucky Blueblood Drew Thornton parachuted to his death in September 1985carrying thousands in cash and 150 pounds of cocainethe gruesome end of his startling life blew open a scandal that reached to the most secret circles of the U.S. government.