Unearthing the Truth: An Unlikely Partnership Between a Granny and a Bomb Manufacturer
In the early morning hours of April 19, 1995, Kathy Sanders woke up to find her grandsons, Chase (3) and Colton (2), missing from their beds. After a frantic search, she found them safe with their mother, Edye Smith. However, this moment of relief was short-lived, as the boys were attending daycare at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, only a few blocks from where Kathy and Edye worked.
Sanders and her daughter rushed to the building after hearing a thunderous explosion at 9:02 a.m. The sight that greeted them was surreal - sheets of glass falling all around, with no signs of life on the streets. They saw smoke rising three blocks away, in the direction where they had dropped off Chase and Colton earlier that day.
Upon reaching the building, they found it still intact, but heard the sound of more explosions. As they moved to the north side of the building, they saw cars in the parking lot exploding. The scene transformed into a pile of rubble where the daycare once stood, leading to Kathy's shocked realization that her daughter's failed attempts at fixing anything, for the first time, were in vain.
The bombs killed 168 people, including Chase and Colton. Sanders recalls the following days as an endless wait for news, which unfortunately came quickly - her grandsons were among the dead. The mother and daughter spent the rest of the day surrounded by other families, all grieving their losses.
In the weeks following the bombing, Sanders organized a dinner for families affected by the tragedy at her home. One of the attendees mentioned seeing bomb squads downtown on the day of the attack, but their claims were met with disbelief by the others.
Determined to uncover the truth, Sanders' husband, Glenn Wilburn, approached the fire department chief to ask about the presence of local bomb squad teams before the attack. The fire chief initially claimed there were no bomb squads in the area, but later admitted that a county bomb squad truck had been downtown for routine training and had made unsanctioned stops for coffee and errands.
Investigative journalist Andrew Gumbel delved into the records of the bombing, uncovering more evidence of bomb squad teams being present that morning. He found reports of a state bomb squad unit and a military team from New Mexico that were in Oklahoma City that day. However, the purpose and actions of these teams remain unclear, leaving many questions unanswered.
The investigation into the Oklahoma City bombing initially focused on Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, who were ultimately convicted for the attack. However, various theories and claims about other individuals being involved have lingered for decades.
Kathy Sanders continued her search for answers, even after her husband's death from pancreatic cancer. In the years following the trial, she formed an unlikely friendship with Terry Nichols' mother, bonding over their shared grief. Nichols himself reached out to Sanders, expressing a desire to share his perspective on the events leading up to the bombing.
As the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing approaches, Sanders remains undeterred in her quest for the truth. She is seeking access to a DNA profile from a mysterious left leg found in the rubble, which has continued to baffle investigators since the attack. Despite multiple attempts, the DNA has yet to be matched to any victims. Sanders believes it could provide key insights into the unknown bomber who may still be out there.
- Sanders, in her pursuit for answers, has shown interest in various fields, such as education-and-self-development, as she seeks to expand her knowledge and skills.
- In the midst of the tragedy, general-news outlets reported on the Oklahoma City bombing extensively, providing updates on the investigation and the impact on the community.
- Mental-health professionals have been active in providing support to those affected by the bombing, including survivors, families of victims, and first responders, offering counseling services and resources.
- In light of the ongoing mystery surrounding the left leg found in the rubble, science may play a crucial role in reaching a resolution, potentially aiding in the identification of the unknown bomber through DNA analysis.
