The saga of Ed Post’s killer became widely known in 1986 for a horrific crime. He was charged with murdering his wife, Julie, and this horrendous incident deeply rattled the public.
As the details emerged, people were astounded by the clandestine, suspicion, and enigma surrounding the case.
Ed Post used to be a thriving businessman and a devoted husband, but everything changed dramatically.
Let’s delve into his life, the events that led to the fateful day, the ensuing investigation, and the startling revelations that emerged.
Ed and Julie’s romantic connection
Ed and Julie’s love story commenced in 1967 during their time as students at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Their bond deepened, and they resolved to tie the knot and establish a family together. They were blessed with two children, creating a nurturing and encouraging home.
As Ed pursued his professional aspirations, his career as a salesman skyrocketed.
His diligence and dedication paid off, propelling him to the position of a partner in a real estate firm.
Julie, recognizing the potential and lucrative opportunities in the business, joined Ed in his entrepreneurial pursuit.
As a dynamic couple, Ed and Julie achieved remarkable progress in the real estate realm.
Their combined endeavors and expertise resulted in the sale of multiple properties, amounting to millions of dollars in annual transactions.
Their shared ambition and collaboration fortified their standing in the industry and brought financial prosperity to their family.
A morning in New Orleans
On the morning of June 3, 1986, Ed Post and his wife Julie were residing at the Union Station Hotel in New Orleans for a business trip.
The day commenced as usual, with Ed waking Julie up and preparing a bath for her.
Subsequently, Ed descended to converse with the hotel staff and express gratitude for a recommendation they had given him the previous night.
He made sure to introduce himself by name to the doorman and mentioned that he was going for a run.
Upon Ed’s return to the hotel at around 7:40 am, he made a shocking discovery. Julie was lying unconscious in the bathtub.
Filled with alarm, he promptly summoned an ambulance, realizing that something was dreadfully amiss. Little did he know that this moment would mark the beginning of a grim and unsettling journey for him.
The enigmatic towel ring
One intriguing aspect of the case was the towel ring that became dislodged from the wall and was found near Julie’s body.
Investigators found it anomalous that the ring had come loose, considering it was designed to bear more than double Julie’s weight.
To further scrutinize this peculiar detail, a homicide investigator conducted tests by grasping onto towel rings in other hotel rooms.
These tests confirmed that the rings remained securely affixed to the wall, even when the investigator, who outweighed Julie, exerted substantial force.
Suspicions center on Ed Post’s Killer
The investigation took a darker turn when it was disclosed that Ed had augmented Julie’s life insurance policy to half a million dollars a month before her demise.
Moreover, Ed had shown interest in another woman at work and had behaved inappropriately towards her during Julie’s funeral.
These newfound revelations intensified suspicions around Ed, casting him as the primary suspect in his wife’s demise.
Autopsy findings and supplementary examinations
Julie’s autopsy initially yielded no traces of drugs or alcohol in her system, resulting in an unspecified cause of death.
However, fresh evidence surfaced upon the exhumation of Julie’s body for a second autopsy. The second medical examiner identified bruises on Julie’s body that had not been previously documented.
While some argued that these bruises might have occurred during organ retrieval for donation, others believed they were consistent with someone submerging her neck underwater.
Scientific testing unveils the reality
To substantiate their suspicions, accident reconstructionists conducted tests using a woman of identical weight as Julie.
Despite her exertions, the woman was unable to dislodge the towel ring through her weight alone. In a separate set of tests, a university professor concluded that it would necessitate a force of 480–500 pounds to dislodge the ring.
These scientific findings provided conclusive evidence that Julie’s demise was not accidental but deliberate.
Ed Post Killer conviction
The economy in New Orleans was undergoing a challenging period, and Ed’s real estate business encountered significant losses. People conjectured that he was accountable for those losses.
Three years after Julie passed away, Ed underwent a trial for first-degree murder. Despite his assertion of innocence, the jury promptly concluded he was guilty.
Ed Post’s killer received a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. However, he devised a plan and opted to admit his guilt for second-degree murder.
This commuted his sentence to 30 years in prison, and he could potentially be released from prison, albeit under supervision.
Ed served 25 years in prison and was released in 2014.
