Dorothy Kilgallen 2: Her Suspicious Death: NOTHING Adds Up

Join me for this "read along," as we read through an article about the mysterious death of Dorothy Kilgallen AFTER she was ready to "break open" the JFK Murder investigation.
THIS IS PART TWO. Join me for the video, and please add your observations and thoughts in the comments!
JFK Assassination-Related Readings PLAYLIST:
• Let's Chat: "The KEY" ...
The ALL THINGS KENNEDY Playlist:
• All About the Kennedys
Please LIKE, Share with friends, and SUBSCRIBE to continue reading along!
Thank you guys so much for joining me!
~Jess
OTHER SHOW NOTES:
#vintage #vintagemagazines #readwithme #readalong #readaloud #asmr #asmrreading #reading #booktube #books #jfk #president #kennedyfamily #americanpresident #1963 #assassination #dealeyplaza #jackruby #Trumpassassinations #Trumpassassinationrecords

[@Ellie-Mae]

I watched the KZbin of Dorothy’s final appearance on "What's My Line." Rest in peace, beautiful Dorothy. Jess, your shows are fantastic, and I greatly enjoy your channel!

[@Jess_Connell]

Ah! I should do that sometime soon!! So glad you enjoy it. Glad you're here! It's so fun to read through these things with others who are interested!

[@DavidArbuckle-sc8zc]

I love your channel, Jess. You present your words warmly and graciously, which is refreshing on the KZbin platform. Kilgallen, A Nationally Syndicated Journalist alone was given access to Ruby, and who had traveled to New Orleans to investigate the New Orleans Mob after she visited with Ruby and then later announced to her friends that she was going to blow open the case, was clearly murdered when she was found in a spare bedroom dressed like she was going out with her makeup still on and had 3 different barbituates in her blood with a prescription for only one of them. Keep up the great Investigative work. I look forward to all of your videos.

[@midtod]

For the benefit of those who did not see my post underneath Part 1, I wanted to make people aware that Sara Jordan-Heintz, who wrote the magazine article "Who Killed Dorothy Kilgallen," expanded this in to a 420-page book called "The Incredible Life & Mysterious Death of Dorothy Kilgallen," which was released about a year ago. In it she presents a tremendous amount of new information about DK's life and death. She quotes from many of Dorothy's columns that no one else has ever done, and has found the "smoking gun" of the case: the fact that the man who romanced Kilgallen in the last months of her life (and was suspected of involvement in her death) had a CIA connection, as he revealed in a series of exclusive, taped interviews before his death in 2022. And Sara traces the evolution of Dorothy's investigation of the Kennedy assassination with fresh details that are VERY important. Sara even spoke at a JFK conference in Dallas in Nov. 2024. Her book is available as a printed book, ebook and audiobook on Amazon and other platforms worldwide.

[@Jess_Connell]

Awesome, thanks for sharing that here!! So good for people to have that info.

[@Ellie-Mae]

Thank you!😊

[@mabelblanc2226]

Thanks for the suggestion. Just purchased the book on kindle. Can't wait to tuck in to it❤

[@sallymiller6139]

@@midtod thanks for info

[@sallymiller6139]

This whole story stinks to high heaven Time ton reopen this case

[@ellenmccain6740]

So many secrets, so many coverups! So little time to figure it all out but I am here with you for the challenge! Is it possible the way these murdered people are left is meant to be a warning for others. “We can do this. We can be sure you know it was not normal, and if you question it you will end up the same way”-it seems that way to me. So much power and so very corrupt. Again, I LOVE your channel!! You have a gift.

[@Jess_Connell]

It 100% seems like a warning. That comment by her husband “it’ll go with me to the grave” makes me feel the message was delivered loud and clear. Thanks for adding your thoughts!

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

@@ellenmccain6740 Yes ! This is definitely the feeling it gives to me!

[@EllieD.Violet]

This. I think it was a not so subtle 'warning' to others. I very much would like an entire book on Mrs Kilgallen, there are several, I wonder if anyone who has read them could recommend? After all, one's time is limited :).

[@Jess_Connell]

@ I have learned, since publishing this little series, that this article author went on to write an excellent book about her that was released in the last few years. Many say it is the best and most up to date. So I am going to look into that one.

[@shelleysykes5317]

No one could deny that Dorothy was smart, very smart. So it amazes me that only her friends took her seriously when she told them how disturbing her discoveries would be to those in power. And when she was dead, mysteriously dead, there were no official eyebrows raised. That is sickening.

[@arlettedumais5776]

Not really surprising given how they covered up JFK's assassination. It's diabolical how brazen they are.

[@tomjones2348]

The machine that extinguished Dorothy is alive a well today. Check out the books of Mark Shaw.

[@EllieD.Violet]

​@@tomjones2348Which one on Kilgallen? 'Denial of justice'? 'Collateral damage'? 'The reporter who knew too much'?

[@evelynyateman6557]

I think they were very afraid.

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

The air conditioning could have delayed natural decomp. The cold could have affected TOD. This is NYC in the 1960's. Window units are very common to this day in NYC. They make a lot of racket. The noise could have buffered sound if a couple of people were in the bedroom in the process of organizing the scene of her death. With staff & family in the house thats brassy. She was posed in that bed.

[@Jess_Connell]

Ah!! The noise of a/c is something I hadn’t thought about! Good thought!

[@adelbertlundberg7411]

My thoughts are. One, why was she in the middle of the bed, where she couldn't reach for her drink. Was it full, half full or nearly empty. Then I can see that if you were to drug someone, a suppository could be used as a method to drug someone. It wouldn't be the first place I would check. But if they did do this method. Would there be some type of evidence or bruising in that area. Then why was Dorothy files missing from her bedroom. It was a very guarded item. That never left her side. It is like Mary Sherman's address book taken and hasn't been released. Why are there names that certain people didn't want the public to know. I don't believe in a drug overdose in her case, she was to go overseas. I think to England and she had a job to go to interview. Hopefully that this month we will have some answers to the questions that has been hidden. As Paul Harvey would say, and now the rest the story.

[@jenniferkindschi755]

I would love to hear you do a book about kilgallen!

[@tomjones2348]

This is a good channel, but check out the book of Mark Shaw. He's done a LOT of research.

[@sallymiller6139]

@@jenniferkindschi755 yes do this book please by sara jordan heintz There is more recent material revealed in this book Would appreciate it Jess Thru your podcast am now reading Melania and thoroughly enjoying it Thanks to your intro of the book Regards from the netherlands

[@tomjones2348]

I'm a newbee to your channel. One book on MLK that may be of interest is "I Testify" by Julia Brown (1966 pub). She was MLKs personal secretary....and an FBI undercover agent. Oh...and I think Pataki was an operative, assigned to get close to Dorothy and find out what she knew and was going to publish regarding JFKs murder. Pataki's chance meeting with Dorothy was a set up. They knew Dorothy had a need for physical love and knew Pataki could fill the bill....and have some pillow talk with her.

[@Jess_Connell]

I’ll look up that recommendation; thank you… And yes, I agree that his role sounds like that!!

[@mabelblanc2226]

Dorothy was a fascinating character and a real pioneer for women in professional journalism. This is refreshing after reading about the Kennedy women who were pursuing rich powerful men. Jackie did work later in life but was still needing relationship with Maurice Templeman who guided her investments but was safely unavailable bc he was married. A theme throughout, even Dorothy, was infidelity which led to disaster. Love your content.

[@Jess_Connell]

Great insights here! You’re right- she is quite the contrast from the Kennedy women…

[@BushaBandulu]

@Jess: Do you have a podcast channel? Your content would make a great podcast! 🧨🔥💯 The way you read and your commentary immediately creates an intimacy between you & listener. Not every podcaster has that skill. The late Larry King had this ability.

[@Jess_Connell]

Thank you. I had a podcast not quite 10 years ago, called "Mom On Purpose" where we talked about mom stuff. There's a playlist of most of those episodes here on my channel. Back then, I created my podcast and distributed it through a podcasting service, but then it was costing me a monthly fee so after a few years I just brought it all to KZbin to be hosted for free. I haven't turned these more recent readalouds into a podcast of any kind. Thanks for the heads up; would I duplicate the content somewhere else or how would that work? I haven't looked into these things in many years. If you know anything about an easy way to do that I'm open to it. Thanks!

[@JGagnon]

Definitely read a book about her! It’s very fishy 🎣

[@lauramason5667]

It clear that she was murdered. I don’t think there’s any doubt and the fact there was an obvious coverup afterward. it’s just astonishing. I wanted to tell you a little tidbit on the side. I grew up in Connecticut really close to New York on Long Island sound. I found out not too long ago that in the 1960s it was illegal for women to sit at a bar alone because if she was, she was taught to be a hooker. I’m certain the laws in New York were not as strict, but I think at that time she would’ve been judged to be alone at a bar. In addition, at that time, a woman would’ve been judged to be alone with a man in a hotel room or to travel with a man she wasn’t married to would have been somewhat scandalous. This is not to incriminate her or say anything bad about her. I think she was an elegant and brilliant woman. It is interesting to look back and see the attitudes at that time.

[@EllieD.Violet]

'thought' not 'taught' 😊 - autocorrect can be a bit of a beeetch (so is YT censoring certain terms if spelt properly 🤦‍♀️). Interesting insight into American social norms for a European born in 1990. Now I will pay extra attention when watching movies of this era. Best early morning greetings from Bavaria 🇪🇺

[@kungazopa2831]

Thanks so much!

[@egonrhoodie2745]

Jess those magazines are a treasure trove! Blessings and happy thoughts! 😇🙏🎊🎉

[@BushaBandulu]

The fix was definitely in. She was deliberately unalived, just as Monroe, too.

[@vikingprincess634]

It appears that it was done in the same manner too. Something definitely smells

[@AMcMill]

Love your videos ❤

[@Jess_Connell]

Aw I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for the encouragement.

[@EllieD.Violet]

Somehow Mrs Kilgallen reminds me of Katharine Hepburn's character in 'woman of the year' 😊. PS best greetings from Bavaria 🇪🇺

[@Jess_Connell]

I've never seen that movie, but it sounds about right. She boggles the mind in her varied talents and broad capacity.

[@EllieD.Violet]

@Jess_Connell Ah, it's a classic! She's one of my favourite alltime actresses, she certainly was ahead of her time in her profession as well as in her private life. She was a very independent woman. Plus I have a penchant for the 40's style of fashion. ❤ (My maternal granddad was director of one of the local public broadcaster channels (one per state) that form the first German public broadcaster ARD, and my mother (now retired) was a theater/movie/arts = 'feuilleton' critic. So we children grew up with this kind of content and its history.)

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

Katherine Hepburn is one of my all-time favorites. A wonderful actor & a wonderfully unique individual apart from her profession.

[@EllieD.Violet]

@@oonaghmarguerite6752 Her present sister in acting would be Meryl Streep. Her most prominent contemporary in being an independent woman certainly was Garbo who was a rather wise investor which secured her financial independence for the rest of her life and who couldn't be bothered to live her private life according to Hollywood studios PR machine dictate or public expectations.

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

I wonder if a FOIA request would get a copy of the autopsy report ? If it still exists ?

[@judyholiday1794]

I have watched Dorothy's last appearance on "That's my line"..The ladies really dressed up back in those days..She looked stunning and so did Ilene ..

[@Jess_Connell]

The world was a different place… I still haven’t watched her final one but I believe I will this week…

[@judyholiday1794]

@Jess_Connell I was literally wanting to say don't go home Dorothy!! She seemed to be in good spirits,and she looked beautiful like I stated above...RIP Dorothy Kiligan you were taken too soon

[@Jess_Connell]

@@judyholiday1794 😭😞

[@miked5266]

Anyone familiar with the phone call story? Lee Oswald did try to make a phone call while in prison. It got cut off but the details were written down by the operators connecting that call. Lee was trying to call an ONI Agent in N. Carolina who was going to get him in touch with another ONI Agent to get him out of that mess.

[@Cynthia-nm6tg]

ONI = Office of Naval Intelligence. (I had to look it up)

[@miked5266]

@Cynthia-nm6tg look up NUMEC documentary

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Jess, in answer to your Ruth Paine Quaker reference, yes I believe so. To many people, especially unscrupulous people, Christians are perceived as a bit simple minded, easily duped people who can be used. Insinuating himself into the role of counsellor, having chosen the correct lode, Petaki could be mining for years.

[@Jess_Connell]

It's a sad, but possible, thought. :(

[@MrCaptainBlack1]

Jess, would you consider the book Regicide or Mary's Mosaic? Excellent books.

[@Jess_Connell]

I've glanced at Mary's Mosaic, and am open to it. I've never heard of Regicide but will look now!

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

Mary's Mosaic definitely sounds like an interesting book.

[@MrCaptainBlack1]

So interesting it was scrubbed from KZbin.

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

@MrCaptainBlack1 Definitely want to read , now!

[@kathleengarnham6191]

Hi Jess, I thought if Dorothy was killed , it was only 3 yrs after Marilyn and maybe they left her in a different way . Being propped up with makeup and the air conditioner on . As opposed to laying face down naked with the phone in a hand . I’m just saying , I think they gave the scenario a different window dressing . Apparently suicide is a popular method to get rid of people . I wish someone would do a book on her Dorothy and investigate her death. I do think these deaths ( Dorothy, witnesses from JFK ,even government officials) should be investigated bc I do think if you start to pull on that thread it will link up to another death and another . And that maybe the way we find answers that I’ve been asking .

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

Where are her records she was collecting on the assassination of JFK?

[@Jess_Connell]

They disappeared. Seems like either her husband or her killers took it and hid it.

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

@Jess_Connell I find it incomprehensible that much work was put into unraveling the assassination of an American president & the original paperwork wasn't kept in a safety deposit box. She was an intelligent woman. I'm also distressed that she actively told the public she was going to blow the lid off the President's death in Dallas. She put a target on herself. Why would she not just quietly go about her research? She must have considered the possibility that she was being watched by multiple groups & organizations. I had never researched the Kilgallen rabbit hole. So, other than her name, this is all new to me. 😳Do I scream into some pillows, or head to my woods & scream at the sleeping coyotes who kept me awake all night with their squalling? 😤

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

@Jess_Connell 😖😡

[@EllieD.Violet]

​@@oonaghmarguerite6752Also: why didn't she deposit one or two copies of her findings with trusted persons? Or were there no persons in her circles, nit even family and friends, she could trust 100%? This all reminds me of the fate of Mr Leo Damore after he published his excellent book on Chappaquidick. All rather shady and fishy.

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

@EllieD.Violet How about a safety deposit box containing her research. And a letter to an attorney with the key to be opened in the event of any death not attributed to old, old age.

[@CounterfeitChristianityCanada]

Hubby did it.

[@Jess_Connell]

Could be. He certainly had access, but not necessarily motive... unless he'd been somehow threatened or had his loyalties shifted by manipulation/intimidation.

[@Cynthia-nm6tg]

Money ?

[@lisadonovan5419]

All the talk about the flowers in her hair....and then NO mention if they were still in when she was found.

[@Jess_Connell]

Fair enough! I listened back through it too and noticed the discrepancy. Tell us why it matters!! I read the article in its entirety so it’s not a selection/editing issue from the reading but original to the article itself.

[@lisadonovan5419]

@Jess_Connell My comment was directed at the author/investigation, not at you. Sorry for the misunderstanding. You are as inquisitive as I am, which is why I enjoy your channel.

[@Jess_Connell]

@ no that’s ok, no problem! I understood your meaning. Just wanted to state it absolutely because sometimes (for books) I do edit out portions and that could have contributed to the confusion. 👍🏻

[@Cynthia-nm6tg]

But it was mentioned she still had in her hairpiece from the night before. It was previously stated the flowers were woven in the hairpiece. (I could be wrong, they may have vanished like Mary Jo Kopechne’s undies. Did anyone ask Ted ?)

[@Jess_Connell]

@ ah! Good catch!