CURRENT THEORY - SUMMARY SCENARIO
In the Matter of the Murder of Harold Eugene Vest
on 27 Jun 1946 in Gainesville, TX


IMPORTANT NOTE:

This document is strictly confidential.  It is designed to document an independent assessment of the facts and theories surrounding the death of Harold “Buddy” Eugene Vest on June 28, 1946 in order to discover the truth.  This document necessarily includes a significant amount of personal information – some of which may not be accurate – in order to analyze investigative leads.  This document and its information are not designed to impugn anyone.  Readers must understand that many of the statements in this summary are not factual, but rather are opinions, impressions and speculations based on assumptions and interpretations of existing and necessarily incomplete information.  Further, the information contained in this summary is not warranted to be accurate and we assume no responsibility for damages arising from the publication, distribution, use of, or reliance on any such information.  This document is being provided confidentially in order to further the investigation.  It is a living document, and as such remains subject to change without notice. 

SUSPECT: VIRGINIA RUTH SMITH

Bold=overlap with Howard L. Penley

Oct. 14 1924

Born in Robards, KY. Father: George Smith.  Mother:  Stella McMullin

May 42

Graduates from Austin HS

June 42

Attends University of Tennessee Knoxville for ¼ semester, then transfers to U of El Paso

Fall 42

U of El Paso

May 11,  1943

Howard Penley goes on active duty

May 1945

Leaves U of El Paso?

June 1945 to

Stenographer at El Paso Natural Gas Co. (SSN: [withheld] Issued in TX)

Dec. 31, 1945

Howard is discharged

April 46

Leaves El Paso Natural Gas Co.

April/May/June 1946

Virginia Ruth Smith (photo) identified by 2 witnesses as being in Pud’s Chat & Chew Café in Gainesville, TX. Another witness puts a woman meeting the description of Ms. Smith as being in the Vest Cabinet Shop. She reportedly lives at 1001 S. Clements in Gainesville (rented by an Army colonel)

June 27-28, 1946

Buddy is hanged

Sept. 2, 1946

Employed as teacher for the Ysleta ISD

Spring 1947

Leaves U of El Paso

1947

Marries Howard L. Penley Reportedly suffers a nervous breakdown before the marriage After marriage she and Howard reportedly move to Austin, TX where he attends UT

1949

Moves back to El Paso

Jan. 6, 1974

Virginia Ruth Smith dies of combined acute intoxication of various drugs, especially Thorazine and amobarbitol  Her death is ruled an “apparent suicide”