Author Jana Bommersbach shares investigative passion

Last Saturday the Friends of the Maricopa Public Library welcomed 2010 OneBookAz winner Jana Bommersbach, author of The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd, to the library as part of their visiting author series.  

For a little over an hour Bommersbach captivated her audience with the story behind the most famous woman in Arizona’s history—Winnie Ruth Judd.

Bommersbach, a regular contributor to Phoenix Magazine, spoke fondly of Judd, as well as her own passion for research and writing. The author is just as passionate about saving libraries and, with the help of others, has already saved six libraries from closure. 

However, the story behind the story of Winnie Ruth Judd is a compelling one.

This famous murder trial in Arizona’s history has fascinated Bommersbach since she moved to the state. What originally began as a “What ever happened to?” two-part feature for the New Times of Phoenix grew into a mini-phenomenon. The initial publication netted 150 responses and convinced Bommersbach that there was more to this story that needed to be told.

She reread newspaper articles from the trial and interviewed many people who either knew Winnie or had something to do with the case and the eventual trial. One thing was for certain; the 5’4,” 105-pound woman, who some said resembled famed actress Norma Shearer, had more support than she ever realized during what some would call the dark days of her life.

Henry Ford and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote letters for her, the jury convicted her by reason of insanity just to save her life and the residents of the city of Florence took care of her parents by raising money to support them during the trial.

Bommersbach vividly recreated the culture in the early years of the 30s, and the very competitive media of the era. She also revealed that, upon meeting Judd and during the interview process that followed, her subject spoke about everything and anything that had nothing to do with her famous past. When Bommersbach was ready to end it all, her subject revealed a most compelling secret during a viewing of Wheel of Fortune. Having earned Judd’s trust, the real story of what happened could finally be revealed. 

Through it all Bommersbach not only gained an exclusive story, but also an endearing friendship with the woman at the center of the storm. 

Bommerbach’s advice to the two young students from Maricopa High School and to all others in attendance at her lecture was this:  “keep your eyes open and be very opened minded.” Good advice from someone who loves to investigate a good story.

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