Orville's Revenge: The Anatomy of a Suicide

60th Anniversary of the Disappearance of Orville Gibson

The story of Orville Gibson, a Newbury, Vermont farmer whosefrozen body was found in the waters of the Connecticut River on March 26, 1958,has remained controversial for sixty years. The investigation into Gibson'sdeath and the subsequent trials and acquittals made the case one of Vermont'smost famous murder investigations, featured twice in Life magazine.

In Orville's Revenge, retired Judge Stephen B. Martin ofBarre, Vermont offers the fullest account of the events leading up to thevictim's disappearance and death, including the individuals involved and theexpert testimony that was brought to light during the court proceedings. Whydid investigators twist the facts to suit their theories instead of relying on observationto draw inferences based on what they observed? The verdict still stands. Gibsoncommitted suicide out of revenge.