Bill Essenburg film interview
There are THREE video segments here and they’ll all play out, one after the other.
Bill Essenburg met Shelley Speet at the end of their ninth-grade year in Holland. From a conversation grew a friendship and the two were to remain boy- and girlfriend through graduation in the spring of 1969. After that, they each took a different path: Shelley to her first year of college at Ferris, and Bill into the Navy where he served for the next four years.
Bill was home on leave at the time of Shelley’s murder and police questioned and polygraphed him. They were satisfied with his account. They talked with him again in 1993. In this interview I had the advantage of having recently read both statements. Were I in his situation–being asked about things I said in 1970–I’d have a lot of difficulty remembering.
About the latter interview, Bill said he had planted a flower on her grave at one point in the early ’90s. In fact, that’s what led police to question him. I suggested when this case is solved (it can be) that we plant more flowers there. He said he thought that would be a good idea.
After our interview, Bill sent me an e-mail that further elaborated his abiding respect: “Shelley had many wonderful values that you do not fully understand or appreciate at a young age. She was a very easy person to love as I did as a high-school girlfriend. [...] I will always cherish the many wonderful memories I had with her. That will always be with me!”
Shelley and Bill while in high school