In 1977, the quiet Ohio town of Circleville found its daily mail transformed from routine to menace. What began as a single envelope soon spiralled into a chilling campaign that would haunt residents for nearly two decades.
The anonymous writer’s letters accused neighbours of affairs, crimes and betrayals, each message delivered with unnerving precision. The postal system – trusted to connect communities – was turned into a weapon, carrying threats straight to the heart of every home.
Targets ranged from school bus drivers to public officials, with accusations spreading like wildfire. The writer’s knowledge of private lives and local secrets deepened the fear, leaving a town of 12,000 trapped in suspicion and paranoia.
Despite investigations, the letters continued, even after a suspect was imprisoned. Postmarks traced to Columbus raised more questions than answers, suggesting accomplices or copycats, and underscoring the mystery’s enduring contradictions.
Today, the Circleville letters remain one of the most unsettling cases in American postal history – a reminder that even the most ordinary envelope can conceal extraordinary terror. Check out this investigative feature story in the latest issue of Canadian Stamp News (V50N17), released today (Nov. 18).
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