By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Sept. 4, 2022, marked 20 years since the double homicide at the Dolly Madison bakery in Great Bend. Two days after that anniversary, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation held a press conference to announce new evidence had been found in the case. Desiree Werth, sister of victim Mandi Alexander, expressed frustration at that conference and is now seeking signatures on a petition to get the Federal Bureau of Investigation involved in the case.
The granddaughter of Mary Drake, the other victim, shared stories about her grandmother for a Sept. 2, 2022, feature on Great Bend Post.com about the case. Werth believes that was a driving force for KBI agents to reach out to family ahead of the Sept. 6 conference.
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"The only reason I think I was contacted about the conference was because of that article," she said. "They don't reach out to us. When we do call, the conversations are very short. The attention we get from there is not positive, it's not hopeful. It's just very short and like we're bothering them. That's how I feel."
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Werth expressed further frustration about that phone call, saying she was never informed of new evidence in the case. At the conference, KBI agents announced a DNA sample had been identified, though the sample would only be useful with a direct comparison against a possible suspect.
"I guess I was supposed to understand they had new evidence, but nowhere was that ever stated," Werth said. "When I asked if there was anything new, he said no, what they have is only information that law enforcement or the perpetrator would know."
As of Monday morning, 300 people had signed the petition on change.org. MaryAnne McCullough, host of the "Crime Scenes & Cupcakes" podcast, had recently interviewed Werth and authored the petition.
"We believe this investigation could be closed much sooner with the FBI assistance and reviewing materials," the petition said, in part. "As well as reviewing possible mishandling of evidence and inappropriate behavior on behalf of law enforcement. They have the DNA if they wait much longer the killer could die of old age before he’s ever caught. Or he could still be out there hurting others."
Werth said providing a reason for a signature, as well as hashtags, will help garner attention from the FBI. She requested those signing the petition or posting about it online use #SignPetition #FBI #KBI #greatbendpolice #justiceformandialexander #justiceformarydrake.
View the petition by CLICKING HERE, or view the podcast featuring Werth by CLICKING HERE.