|
True Crime Series Continues at Mt.
Pulaski Library
[October 22, 2026]
Adam White, podcaster of
American Dread, visited Mt. Pulaski Library to present one of his
latest cases. Tuesday night’s presentation took us to Marion in
southern Illinois. While the case might not be close to home, it
involves the family of Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, a
name familiar to many in the audience.
White took the audience on a deep dive into the file regarding the
murder of Axl Rose’s father, William Bruce Rose, and the trial of
James V. Faulkner, who was convicted of Rose’s murder. White
discussed Mr. Rose's background, including his education records and
criminal record. He had several different charges and served several
stints in prison. Upon his last release from prison, William
disappeared, and his parole officers were unable to locate him.
Months passed, and he never made contact.
His last known movements were in
the early summer of 1984. Some clarity came to the case in 1987 when
Jimmy Faulkner, a disturbed teenager, gave information that his
father, James Faulkner, had murdered Rose. Jimmy gave several
details regarding the case, and the police began to investigate;
however, Mr. Rose’s body has never been found. Initial statements
from family members and acquaintances pointed to Mr. Faulkner, but
holes began to appear in the stories. A knife was found in the
Marion reservoir, as Jimmy Faulkner had attested to, but it provided
no evidence as to the murder.
Some evidence existed, but most of
it was inconclusive. Then, Jimmy recanted everything before his
father’s trial, but during the trial, Jimmy returned to his original
story about what happened to Mr. Rose. Even with the little physical
evidence and the unclear testimony of several witnesses, James
Faulkner was convicted of William Rose’s murder in September of
1987. Jimmy Faulkner changed his story again several years later,
and James Faulkner’s appeals were denied.
[to top of second column] |
Once Mr. White concluded the
presentation on Mr. Rose’s murder, he discussed the connection
to Axl Rose. Just as Axl Rose’s career was taking off, his
father’s murder investigation was underway. The audience began
to participate as their empathy for Rose’s childhood and loss of
his father became apparent.
Moving on to another case, Mr.
White presented “The Last Ride,” in which he explores the
disappearance of Brenda Sue Bottoms. She disappeared in June of 1987
while out at a tavern in Auburn, IL. She was walking home with a
friend when a car pulled up, and Brenda got into the vehicle as if
she knew the men. Brenda was never seen again. Mr. White also
provided a short preview of his latest podcast episode regarding
Jami Hawkins of Decatur, Il whose cause of death was ruled
undetermined. This case also rang a bell with several people in the
audience as it happened in 2022. He touched briefly on the
disappearance of T.J. Davison and the murder of Sherry Lewis.
Mr. White will be giving another
presentation at the Mt. Pulaski Public Library on November 17. For
this presentation, he intends to provide details on the 1882 triple
murder near Mt. Pulaski.
True Crime Series Continues at Mt. Pulaski Library photo slideshow
[Joli Boerma Crane]
|
