Edwin G. Grimsley

Edwin G. "Skeeter" Grimsley was a 35-year-old businessman who drowned in Lake Barcroft after suffering a fractured skull on July 18, 1963.[1]

Grimsley had entered the lake in pursuit of a canoe with several teenaged youths in it after the youths had used a slingshot to launch a cherry bomb firecracker into the water near where Grimsley, his wife and daughter were enjoying an evening swim on the lake's beach Number 4.[1] Grimsley shouted, "Let's get 'em Indian style", dove into the water, and disappeared.[2]

A frantic search for Grimsley then ensued, with his body found in six feet of water near the beach less than a half hour later.[1] At autopsy, it was revealed that Grimsely has suffered such severe injuries, including a broken jaw, fractured skull, and fractures to the bones of the face, that he would have died if he had not drowned, according to Fairfax County Medical Examiner Dr. Claude E. Cooper.[1]

Several theories were advanced as to what had caused Grimsley's horrific injuries, including his colliding with the canoe, being struck with a paddle, or one of the cherry bombs going off close to his head underwater.

One of six children, Grimsley was married to Annie O. and had an 11-year-old son, Charles Edwin, Jr. and an 8-year-old daughter, Terry Ann.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Douglas, Walter B. "Lake Death Stirs Hunt for Slayers." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973): 2. Jul 20 1963. ProQuest. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
  2. ↑ Associated Press. "Lake Death Is Surrounded By Mystery." The Danville Bee 23 July 1963: 2. Newspaper Archive. NewspaperArchive.com. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.