In My Footsteps Podcast Episode 154: The Lady of the Dunes at 50: A Look At Cape Cod's Most Infamous Murder Case(7-24-2024)

 

50 years ago in July 1974, Ruth Marie Terry, the woman who would be known as The Lady of the Dunes for most of that time, was murdered and left in the remote dunes of the Province Lands in Provincetown, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.
Longtime listeners of the podcast know of my connection to this case. I wrote a book, Searching for the Lady of the Dunes, which I released in February 2023. I was deeply connected with the Lady of the Dunes documentary produced by Frank Durant.
Before that, I grew up with the story of the Lady of the Dunes living on Cape Cod. I could never have imagined being even a peripheral part of the eventual solution to this infamous case.
As the 50th anniversary of this event has arrived, I want to give a crash course in all things Lady of the Dunes. For the last year-plus, I have been giving talks about the case, the documentary, and of course my book. This is an abridged version of what those who come to my speaking engagements hear.
For those who are unfamiliar with this case and my involvement. If you want more, I have several videos I made while working on the book and Frank’s documentary, all available on my YouTube channel.
For more great content become a subscriber on Patreon!

Helpful Links from this Episode

• The Lady of the Dunes.com
• Purchase My New Book Cape Cod Beyond the Beach!
• In My Footsteps: A Cape Cod Travel Guide(2nd Edition)
• Hooked By Kiwi - Etsy.com
• Wear Your Wish.com - Clothing, Accessories, and more
• DJ Williams Music
• KeeKee's Cape Cod Kitchen
• Christopher Setterlund.com
• Cape Cod Living - Zazzle Store
• Subscribe on YouTube!
• Initial Impressions 2.0 Blog
• Shelter of the Monument Book - Yvonne DeSousa.com
• The Lady of the Dunes Documentary

Listen to Episode 153 here 

Searching for the Lady of the Dunes Audiobook Free Trial

For nearly fifty years, the Lady of the Dunes was Cape Cod’s most enduring mystery. Found savagely murdered and mutilated in the remote dunes of Provincetown in 1974 it seemed her identity would be forever unknown. In 2022 she was finally identified as Ruth Marie Terry.

Filmmaker Victor Franko worked tirelessly for two years attempting to give the Lady of the Dunes her name back through his documentary. Whether directly, or indirectly, he succeeded.

Repeatedly told he was ‘chasing ghosts’ and to ‘let it go’ Victor persevered. The process led to visiting rustic dune shacks, creepy cemeteries, iconic Provincetown night spots, Boston’s infamous Combat Zone, and correspondence with convicted serial killers. Over time the project became about more than just a dead girl in the dunes.

The documentary shone new light on the Lady of the Dunes case. This book pulls the curtain back on the Wild West that was Provincetown in the 1960s and 1970s thanks to those who were there at the time.




The full audiobook will be available in Spring 2024.

Until then visit The Lady of the Dunes.com to buy your own physical copy of the true crime novel.

Christopher Setterlund · Searching For The Lady Of The Dunes Audiobook Free Trial

In My Footsteps Podcast Episode 62: BONUS - Cape Cod's Lady of the Dunes Murder Mystery, Special Interview with Producer Frank Durant(3-24-2022)