Lethal Guardian: A Twisted True Story Of Sexual Obsession, Family Betrayal And Murder

M. William Phelps

May 2010 · Pinnacle Books

About this ebook

The complex true-crime story of a Connecticut lawyer who had her brother-in-law killed, by the New York Times bestselling author of Perfect Poison.

On a cold spring night in 1994, passing motorists discovered the bullet-riddled body of Anson “Buzz” Clinton along an interstate's exit ramp in Connecticut. Buzz, a former exotic dancer, was married to Kim Carpenter, whose family believed he was an unfit guardian for Kim's daughter, Rebecca. Kim's parents had unsuccessfully sued for custody. Kim's sister, Beth Ann Carpenter—a bright, beautiful real-estate lawyer—became convinced that only Buzz's death would ensure Rebecca's safety.

Investigating detectives soon uncovered a twisted trail of murder for hire, obsession, manipulation, and secrets that would tear more than one family apart. The aftermath of this brutal crime would set investigators and prosecutors on a long and twisted path strewn with lies, treachery, and deceit that would cross the Atlantic Ocean before finally bringing justice home.

Praise for Lethal Guardian

“An intense roller coaster of a crime story . . . complex, with a plethora of twists and turns worthy of any great detective mystery, and yet so well-laid out, so crisply written with such detail to character and place that it reads more like a novel than your standard nonfiction crime book.” —Steve Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Monster

Includes sixteen pages of revealing photos

Ratings and reviews

Great read about obsession, family, and greedy liars. I love reading this authors books. I can't get enough! Keep them coming.

I was let down by writing on this book. I felt writer got lazy.

Good book but I have read better by phelps

About the author

New York Times bestselling, award-winning investigative journalist, executive producer and serial killer expert M. William Phelps is the author of more than forty nonfiction books and has made over 300 television appearances. He created, produced and hosted the series Dark Minds and is one of the stars of Deadly Women and Oxygen’s Snapped, Killer Couples, andREELZ’s Sex, Lies, and Murder. Radio America calls him “the nation’s leading authority on the mind of the female murderer.” His iHeartRadio investigative podcast, Paper Ghosts: The Five, which he wrote, directed, and executive produced, debuted in 2020 and soared to #1 in popularity. Touched by tragedy himself through the unsolved murder of his sister-in-law, Phelps is able to enter the hearts and minds of his subjects like no one else. He lives in Connecticut and can be reached at his website, www.mwilliamphelps.com.