Candy Belt and Gloria Ross Killed Together at Massage Parlor in Oak Grove Kentucky

On the morning of September 20, 1994, the small military town of Oak Grove, Kentucky, was rocked by a brutal double homicide. Candy Belt, 22, and Gloria Ross, 18, were found shot and stabbed to death in the New Life Massage Parlor, a business that allegedly served as a front for illegal prostitution. Their murders not only left families in grief but also exposed deep-seated corruption within the local police force, casting a shadow over law enforcement for decades to come.

Despite years of investigations, arrests, and trials, justice has remained elusive. The case, marred by allegations of police misconduct and evidence tampering, remains unsolved, leaving lingering questions and a community still searching for answers.

Background of the Victims

Candy Belt

Candy was a single mother working at the massage parlor to support her two young children. Described as a loving and caring individual, she was trying to make ends meet in a challenging environment. Her dreams of a better future for her family were tragically cut short.

Gloria Ross

Gloria was newly married and a mother to a six-week-old baby. She, like Candy, was employed at the massage parlor to provide financial support for her young family. Friends described her as kind-hearted and ambitious, hoping for a brighter future beyond her current job.

Discovery of the Crime

At approximately 4:00 AM on September 20, 1994, coworkers at the New Life Massage Parlor found Candy and Gloria in a back room, their bodies riddled with bullet wounds and their throats slashed. The scene was gruesome, and the crime sent shockwaves through the town.

The county sheriff’s office arrived at the scene shortly after the bodies were discovered. However, evidence suggests that the scene had been compromised, with several accounts pointing to the involvement of local police officers in covering up crucial information.

Allegations of Police Corruption

Tammy Papler, the owner of the New Life Massage Parlor, claimed that the establishment was under constant surveillance and manipulation by the Oak Grove Police Department. According to Papler, officers were complicit in allowing the business to operate in exchange for financial favors, including police equipment purchases and holiday bonuses.

Key Allegations Against Law Enforcement:

• Officers allegedly accepted money and gifts in exchange for allowing the parlor to continue operations.
• Former officer Ed Carter, who regularly visited the parlor, was accused of exploiting the workers and extorting money.
• Carter was believed to have taken control of the business when Papler was away and used it for his personal gain.
• Following Papler’s decision to cut ties with Carter, tensions rose, and weeks later, the murders occurred.

The Investigation and Early Suspects

The initial investigation was led by the Oak Grove Police Department, with Detective Leslie Duncan at the helm. However, suspicions quickly arose regarding Duncan’s impartiality, as he was known to have close ties with Carter.

Ed Carter’s Involvement

Carter became a prime suspect after his alibi fell apart. Initially, he claimed to have been home by 3:00 AM, but his then-wife later contradicted his statement, asserting that he arrived after 4:00 AM—close to the estimated time of the murders.

Further raising suspicions:

• Carter owned a small caliber gun, matching the weapon used in the crime, which he later denied.
• His wife reported that the gun had gone missing around the time of the murders.
• Carter resigned from the police force shortly after taking a polygraph test and moved out of town.

Renewed Investigations and Arrests

In 2006, the Kentucky State Police took over the investigation, determined to uncover the truth. Years of investigative work led to the arrest of Carter, Frank Black, and former officer Leslie Duncan in 2013.

• Ed Carter was charged with two counts of murder.
• Frank Black, an acquaintance of Carter, was also charged with murder, though his connection remained unclear.
• Leslie Duncan was charged with complicity to murder after admitting to mishandling the initial investigation.

Despite the promising arrests, the case against them fell apart during the trial due to a lack of physical evidence linking them directly to the crime.

The Trial and Acquittals

The trial, which began in 2016, captivated the local community. Prosecutors presented circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies, but the defense highlighted the lack of forensic evidence tying the accused to the murders.

Key points in the trial:

• The DNA evidence collected at the scene did not match Carter, Black, or Duncan.
• Witnesses’ accounts were inconsistent and unreliable after decades of delay.
• The prosecution struggled to connect Carter and Black, weakening their argument of conspiracy.

On September 14, 2016, all three men were acquitted of the charges due to insufficient evidence, bringing the victims’ families no closer to justice.

Ongoing Efforts and Public Outcry

Since the acquittals, the case has remained cold, with no new significant developments. Families of the victims and activists continue to push for justice, believing that corruption and mishandled evidence obstructed the truth.

Public efforts to bring attention to the case include:

• Advocacy from true crime podcasts and investigative journalists.
• Renewed interest from organizations like Unsolved Mysteries and Southern Fried True Crime.
• Ongoing petitions calling for federal intervention and independent review of the case.

The Legacy of Candy Belt and Gloria Ross

Candy and Gloria’s tragic deaths serve as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by women in marginalized professions and the devastating impact of corruption within law enforcement. Their families have fought tirelessly to keep their memories alive and push for renewed investigations.

Conclusion

The murders of Candy Belt and Gloria Ross remain an enduring mystery, shrouded in suspicion and unanswered questions. While official investigations have stalled, the persistence of their families and supporters continues to fuel hope that one day, justice will prevail.

The case stands as a cautionary tale about the failures of law enforcement oversight and the consequences of unchecked power in small communities.