Author talk examines 1982 murders in Craig

Author talk examines 1982 murders in Craig

Author Leland Hale spent years trying to find out what really happened in an unsolved mass murder, and this Friday he’s talking about his methods and the book he released earlier this year about it.

Hale’s new book “What Happened in Craig” goes in depth into the 1982 murder of eight people in Craig (a small community located on Prince of Wales Island) and the investigation that followed. The subsequent trials of the main suspect John Peel weren’t able to reach a conviction. Hale researched the case using the Alaska State Archives’ court records.

At 5:30 p.m. Friday, Hale will speak about his book and display some of the archived materials that he used in his research. The talk will take place at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum Atrium.

There will be a book signing at the museum store afterward. The Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum are sponsoring the event. Hale is also known for his book “Butcher, Baker: The True Account of an Alaskan Serial Killer,” along with co-author Walter Gilmour.

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