Body of Proof: Tainted Evidence In The Murder of Jessica O'Grady? Paperback – July 13, 2015

This book accurately and fully documents the sad murder of a young woman who chose to love the wrong man. It is brilliant in it's overall details. There are still very few no body convictions so the police investigation and forensic evidence sealed the case. Unfortunately as with most sociopathic murderers this killer refuses to give up the location of the body so that her loved ones can properly bury and grieve her. Exceptional read for true crime lovers.

Great addition to my personal library. I knew very little about this case before reading it.

Wow what a book! It is an extremely well-written true crime book and grabbed my attention from the very beginning a great true gripping read. This is the first book I have read by John Ferak and it will not be my last.Jessica O'Grady age 19 met Christopher Edwards working at a steakhouse in west Omaha. Christopher also worked at the steakhouse and Jessica spoke about Christopher on a regular basis. They became lovers and Jessica becomes pregnant but Christopher has also been seeing another girlfriend Michelle Wilkin who is also pregnant and they had been discussing marriage. Jessica was only ever a fling to Christopher until the news about her pregnancy he was having fun juggling both girls. But now he decides life is too complicated, so he decides she has to go as he will lose Michelle if she ever finds out about Jessica.Christopher was seen by Jessica's roommates at their apartment the day before Jessica was last seen. Jessica was text messaging and talking about Christopher to her flat mate throughout the evening. Then after Jessica received a phone call, she told Holly and Tracy to "wish her luck, she was going to see Chris and would catch up with them later. That is the last time the friends ever saw each other, but later that night Jessica sent The last text the girls were ever going to here from their dear friend. Jessica sent the text from Christopher’s about an hour later that said, "No shenanigans for Jessica," meaning no sex for Jessica.Jessica never returned to her apartment, Jessica's mystifying disappearance led to a report of her missing to the Omaha police. Omaha police interviewed Christopher and obtained permission to search his bedroom. Splattered blood was found on the nightstand, headboard, clock radio and ceiling above the bed. One very large, damp bloodstain was found on the underside of the mattress, covering most of the bottom side of the mattress. Bloodstains were also found on the bedding, a chair in the room, a bookcase and laundry basketsChristopher had been videotaped purchasing poster paint, white shoe polish, and correction fluid at the drugstore on May 11th. DNA profiles from the blood found in Christopher's bedroom was consistent with Jessica's DNA profile.Dave Kofoed. team has a reputation of being the best CSI group in all of Nebraska, finding crucial evidence to help convict some of the worst criminals Nebraska has ever seen. In 2007, Christopher was convicted of murdering his teenaged girlfriend, Jessica O'Grady. Her body has never been found but there was enough evidence from the blood on the mattress and in Christopher’s roomAs years go by David Kofoed, the lead crime scene investigator, was eventually convicted of tampering with evidence collected in another homicide investigation and sent to prison. Other victims of other cases were found not guilty but no matter what you think of Kofoed and we all know a dirty policeman/women is as low as the people they try to prosecute.After reading all the evidence in this book my conclusion is Christopher Edwards is about as psychopathic as they come, to this day. He steadfastly maintains his innocence, even when there was so much evidence and blood to convict alone. I cannot understand after so many years how his severely misguided parents be still in denial. Even his x girlfriend Michelle at the trial said she would still marry him if he was acquitted.Edwards you need to let Jessica’s parents know where you buried her and give them closure but I will not hold my breath and hope your life behind bars is hell on earth.

Three stars for effort but not a well written crime novel. Too much repetition of facts and too much stating the obvious. Not written in story fashion, just the facts.

I really liked John's book and will be looking to read more of his in the future. His insight, thorough research and empathy for Jessica's hurting family are real and leapt off the screen as I absorbed the reality of the terror and betrayal young, naive, and love-hungry Jessica surely felt.The fact that there was a CSI investigator possibly planting evidence did not do anything to take away from the heart oIt f Jessica's demise. She was never proven to actually be pregnant with Chris' child. In her quest to love and be loved, Jessica engaged in reckless behavior. She desperately wanted that baby and a normal, happy family's life with that loser, Chris. Who knows what she saw in him and why she thought she couldn't do any better than him. It doesn't matter. She died because she loved him.

19 year old Jessica O’Grady goes missing after telling her lover, Christopher Edwards that she is pregnant. Christopher’s steady girlfriend is also pregnant, and talk of marriage is in the air. After Omaha PD find reason to pursue Edwards for Jessica’s disappearance, it is decided to call in Douglas County’s crack CSI team, led by Dave Kofoed. Kofoed’s team has a reputation of being the best CSI group in all of Nebraska, finding crucial evidence to help convict some of the worst criminals Nebraska has ever seen. They even found a small amount of blood in the bottom of a dumpster 5 months after the victim had gone missing. Hmm, red flag. The one good thing that you can say about Kofoed is he doesn’t hog the glory, he congratulates his team first. If they only knew who they were really investigating.It is very easy to see how the years of being a newspaper reporter has paid off for this author. He knows the key players and their stories. Sticking to the facts, his composition of the story reads better than most fiction. His interjection of emotion and opinions do not get in the way of the story, they add color. “The Scorpion investigating the Serpent” is a classic example of his work. Even after years in jail, Edwards has never confessed to the crime, nor has he given up the location of Jessica’s remains. Again, this is not fiction, and it is not a pretty story. This story needed to be told – and John Ferak is the best person to do so.

Clear and factual, if repetitive, this book reveals a heinous murder, a despicable murderer, and a complicated legal situation replete with conflicting theories and subversive malfeasance.Omaha locals recall this crime and ache for closure. This is an account of why it may never come, unless chance breaks lucky one day for some hiker or boater.Could have been better written and organised but as a quick summary of this many-faceted case it serves well./ Gene Stewart

This case is a brutal example of love gone wrong and the worst form of betrayal of a young woman's trust. Everyone who reads this book or sees this crime portrayed in a televised investigation will be heartbroken by this tragedy. A pregnant woman is the sacred trust of humanity - and violating that trust is an act of unspeakable evil.That said I gave this version of the crime "3 stars" because the choice of descriptors seemed to make light of what happened to Jessica - as though the goal was to entertain the reader. That and the book is awkwardly "wordy".

When the text in the book reflects the statements of the professionals involved in this case over the years, it's usually clear, and relevant. When he's reproducing transcripts, the text is clear and moves the story along logically.However, when the author launches into descriptive prose to embellish the story, it's embarrassingly clunky and juvenile.An obvious fondness for alliteration and weird, anachronistic description, e.g., "slithering snake" and "wicked ways", etc. reveal the complete lack of good, mature writing skills necessary for this kind of work.I can only think he held a newspaper job for any length of time because the bulk of any story contained long quotations from other people.Don't bother spending money on the book. A quick online read of a summary of the case will give you more, and you won't have to keep skimming the pages.

This was a very well written true crime book. I have not read this author before but have bought another of his books. An incredible story ! Very interesting and makes one wonder how many other people have suffered like this. Highly recommended !

Author tried to cover too many things at one time. I would have preferred if he covered one issue well and did another book on others more completely.

an interesting story of how zealous crime investigators can twist evidence to suit their preferred outcome.

Omg this book is amazing !!!!! The story is almost unbelievableJohn writes brilliantly !!! It's a great read what a strange individual that Chris bloke is !!!!!!! He says not a lot !!!!!! It's about time he opened his mouth !!!!!! For his daughters sake if not for himself x