New Information on Amelia Wilson's Murder

Disclaimer: The following information is based on a personal account of Frankie Magaha, which involves memories and stories passed down from his late father, Donald Francis “Donnie” Magaha. This account has not been independently verified and should be considered as one perspective on the events surrounding the murder of Amelia Wilson.

In light of the recent publication of the article The Murder of Amelia Wilson on February 5, 2024, a new and potentially significant lead has emerged. Frankie Magaha reached out to share information that he believes could shed new light on the unsolved case. His account involves his late father, Donnie Magaha, who passed away on December 19, 2023.

Frankie relayed a story his father once told him, which aligns with the details of Amelia Wilson's murder. According to Frankie, his father and another individual, Pete Lloyd, witnessed a murder in Jefferson County. Both men had sworn to secrecy about the event, a vow Donnie Magaha took to his grave.

Frankie recounted his conversation with his father:

"We were born and raised in Jefferson County. One time, my father, Donnie, got to talking to me and said he and Pete Lloyd had witnessed a murder in Jefferson County and swore to secrecy to take it to their graves. But I never even really put anything into it. I asked him, ‘Well, Dad, who was it?’ He wouldn't tell me. He said, ‘I can just tell you this, it was a police officer.’ When I read your article, every single thing in there made sense. It freaked me out because my dad said it was a police officer, and that's the only person it could have been. I'll put it to rest: It was done by Buzzy Whitmore, the police officer suspected in the article. The only person living now is Pete Lloyd, and I don't know if he'd ever come out and say it or not. But I thought the whole thing was just crazy because I knew everything in that story."

Frankie further explained his personal connection to the story, given his background and experiences:

"I was a jockey's agent at the racetrack, and I've been around the racetrack all my life. When I saw that Amelia worked there, it made me even more interested. It all makes sense because the garage where Pete Lloyd did his work was directly across the street from where Amelia lived."

Frankie also mentioned a conversation with Duke Pierson, the mayor of Ranson, who advised him to avoid pursuing the matter further, citing concerns about potential repercussions:

"I reached out to Duke Pierson to talk about it after reading the article, and he said, ‘I would just leave that alone if I was you.’ Growing up, I heard many stories of how the local police were corrupt."

This new information suggests a possible eyewitness account tied to a local police officer, Ralph Lindberg “Buzzy” Whitmore, whose name was provided by other sources. While Pete Lloyd remains a living witness, his willingness to come forward is uncertain. Frankie's account adds another layer to the mystery, indicating that there may have been more knowledge about the crime that was deliberately concealed.

Frankie's revelation could explain why the case file on Amelia Wilson's murder is missing. If a local police officer was involved in the crime, it's possible that evidence was intentionally removed or destroyed to protect the perpetrator and keep the incident under wraps. The absence of records means that this case will probably never be solved or officially reopened.

In considering the information shared by Frankie Magaha, it's important to note that his father joined the Marine Corps in 1969, the same year that Amelia Wilson was murdered. According to Donnie Magaha's obituary, he served in the Marines that year, but Frankie could not provide documentation confirming when exactly his father left for service. This raises the possibility that Donnie may not have been in Jefferson County at the time of the murder on August 27, 1969.

Without concrete evidence, Donnie Magaha's presence during the murder remains uncertain. This discrepancy should be carefully considered when evaluating the credibility of Frankie Magaha's information. Further investigation into Donnie Magaha's military service records could clarify his whereabouts during this critical period and either support or refute the claims made in this addendum.

This development calls for further investigation and perhaps a renewed effort to uncover any additional witnesses or evidence that could finally bring closure to the decades-old mystery of Amelia Wilson's tragic death. If anyone has more information or insights related to this case, please contact the Charles Town Police Department at (304)-725-8484 or contact us directly. Your contributions could be crucial in resolving this case and delivering long-overdue justice.