Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
MSNBC documentary Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father explores the chilling murder case of Andrew Bagby. Reports indicate that his body was discovered in a park in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. The subsequent investigation revealed that the killer shot him five times execution style. As the investigations moved forward, authorities believed that his former lover, Shirley Turner, was responsible for Bagby’s death. Although they charged Turner with murdering Bagby, they couldn’t catch her because she killed herself and her 13-month-old son, Zachary.
According to The Irish Independent, the assailant shot Andrew Bagby in the chest, the left cheek, and twice in the rectum. Moreover, the murderer shot him execution-style in the back of his head. During the investigation, police disclosed the presence of only one suspect—Shirley Turner. The publication noted that Turner left 30 messages in Bagby’s voicemail. After dating her for two years, Bagby ended their relationship, and Turner went back to her home in Iowa.
However, the outlet mentioned that she took a long journey to return to Andrew Bagby’s place in Latrobe. Later that evening, Bagby was murdered in a park. According to The National Post, Shirley Turner flew to Canada as soon as authorities charged her with first-degree murder. The publication stated that Turner gave birth to Zachary during the extradition process. Meanwhile, the court sent her into custody while awaiting extradition.
However, in 2003, the court released Turner, and she reunited with her son, Zachary. But soon after, Shirley Turner decided to jump into the ocean, along with 13-month-old Zachary. Both died by drowning.
Who was responsible for Andrew Bagby’s death?
According to Turner Review and Investigation, police didn’t take much time to name Shirley Turner as the prime suspect. Citing the report, The Mercury News noted that Bagby didn’t take his relationship with Turner seriously and called it a fling. However, Turner took it seriously and would visit his house regularly. A day after their breakup, Turner drove 950 miles and reached Bagby’s apartment at 5 a.m. While he went to complete his shift, Turner spent her day at Bagby’s house. At around 6 p.m., she met Bagby at Keystone State Park.
The following day, Andrew Bagby’s lifeless body was discovered in the parking lot of the park, per The Mercury News. Although Turner never went to trial for Bagby’s death, investigators and Bagby’s family members believe that Turner was indeed responsible for his tragic death.
Released in 2008, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is available for streaming on Prime Video.
