Reclaiming Kathryn
by Elizabeth Newman, 2025

Kathryn Blackard was the Deputy Tax Collector for the Crawford County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Department. Her husband, Ed, was an Arkansas State Trooper. On January 31,1971, they died at home of gunshot wounds. The State Police determined that Kathryn shot Ed and herself. Even back then, people had their doubts as to the accuracy of the determination.

Reclaiming Kathryn is a true crime story and a daughter’s account of the lives and deaths of Kathryn and Ed Blackard. The daughter and author, Elizabeth Newman, is a sociologist who executes a deep dive into the criminal investigation conducted by the Arkansas State Police. Did the ASP get it right, or did they try to deflect blame away from a fellow officer who had become an embarrassment to their organization? The author forms her opinion from the evidence. You can do the same.