Murder Victim. He was the son of Susan Reinert, who was found murdered in the trunk of her car in Harrisburg on June 25, 1979. The incident would become known as the "Main Line Murder Case", and was the largest and longest running investigation ever conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police. It has also been the subject of several books (including "Echoes in the Darkness" by Joseph Wambaugh) and a TV movie. Susan and her children disappeared the previous Friday, June 22, after receiving a phone call from Susan's lover, Bill Bradfield. Both were teachers at Upper Merion High School in King of Prussia. It was later discovered that Bradfield was the sole beneficiary of a $750,000 life insurance policy upon Susan's death. Susan's son Michael was declared legally dead in 1983 when Bradfield was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. He was convicted of the murders and was serving a life sentence at Graterford State Prison, where he died in 1998. Jay Smith, who was principal of Upper Merion at the time, was convicted in 1986 of actually killing Susan and her children. However, he was released in 1992 after it was determined there had been prosecutorial misconduct during his trial' he died in 2009. Michael's body, along with the body of his sister Karen, have never been located, and there are various theories as to how the killer disposed of them.
Murder Victim. He was the son of Susan Reinert, who was found murdered in the trunk of her car in Harrisburg on June 25, 1979. The incident would become known as the "Main Line Murder Case", and was the largest and longest running investigation ever conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police. It has also been the subject of several books (including "Echoes in the Darkness" by Joseph Wambaugh) and a TV movie. Susan and her children disappeared the previous Friday, June 22, after receiving a phone call from Susan's lover, Bill Bradfield. Both were teachers at Upper Merion High School in King of Prussia. It was later discovered that Bradfield was the sole beneficiary of a $750,000 life insurance policy upon Susan's death. Susan's son Michael was declared legally dead in 1983 when Bradfield was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. He was convicted of the murders and was serving a life sentence at Graterford State Prison, where he died in 1998. Jay Smith, who was principal of Upper Merion at the time, was convicted in 1986 of actually killing Susan and her children. However, he was released in 1992 after it was determined there had been prosecutorial misconduct during his trial' he died in 2009. Michael's body, along with the body of his sister Karen, have never been located, and there are various theories as to how the killer disposed of them.
Bio by: Jennifer M.
