AP News Oklahoma City 12/23/75
Manson-like slaying rocks small town Christmas festivities. Last evening, based on an anonymous tip, authorities were called to the home of Roger Willets in Dalton, Oklahoma. Upon entering the mansion, authorities discovered all seven members of the Roger Willets family slain. The walls were covered in cryptic messages possibly written in the blood of the victims. "It was the most grisly overkill you could imagine." stated Deputy Riffler of the Dalton Sheriff's office. Deputy Riffler is a man not easily rattled, having just returned to Dalton a decorated hero from his second tour in Vietnam. However, it was obvious to this writer that even this war hardened veteran was left shaken and stunned by the carnage he had viewed. The police have no suspects at this time, but state that they are following numerous leads. Kathy Robells Oklahoma City.
AP News Oklahoma City 1/2/76
Authorities in the town of Dalton, Oklahoma have released the following statement regarding the recent slayings of the Roger Willets family. New evidence has come to light showing that the murders were committed by Robina Willets, wife of Roger aged 35, and mother of Emily aged 11, Dalton aged 10, Savannah aged 7, Ryder aged 5, and the infant George aged 4 months. Robina Willets aged 29, who after slaughtering her husband and children, then took her own life. "This is something we have never seen here in Dalton, and do not expect to see in the next thousand years or so. Roger Willets was a fine man and the largest employer here in these parts. His wife was a gal from somewhere up north, and we don’t know, and can never know what made her do such a thing. Mrs. Willets was a strange girl, and no one really knew her. We think she might have become unhinged after her last baby, but it's no use speculating any longer. The best thing to do is put this behind us and let the town start to heal, most particularly the Willets family, who has had a terrible shock and loss" stated Deputy Riffler of the Dalton Sheriff's office. The bodies will be released for burial, as all autopsies have been completed. The burial is planned for Saturday at 3PM at Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow in Dalton. The remaining family members could not be reached for comment. Kathy Robells Oklahoma City.
Dalton City Tri-Area Weekly January 3-10 1976
Services are being held Saturday, January 5th at Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow in Dalton for Roger Willets aged 35, his daughter Emily Willets aged 11, son Dalton aged 10, daughter Savannah aged 7, son Ryder aged 5, and son George aged 4 months. Roger Willets was the owner/director of Willets Petroleum Services, a fourth generation oil and drilling operation founded in Dalton by George Willets in 1931. Roger is survived by his brother George III, and his sister in law Bethany. The Willets family has asked that donations be made to the George Willets Memorial Foundation in lieu of flowers.
AP News Oklahoma City, Oklahoma October 30, 1986
Halloween high spirits take a turn for danger in Dalton, OK. Dalton City, Oklahoma is a small, bucolic town, located ninety three miles east of Oklahoma City, "Nothing much happens in Dalton, and that’s the way we like it." states Dalton businesswoman, Orla Nashbone. But recently there have been a spate of unexplained fires and two boys were injured at the former home of Roger Willets. The Willets mansion is Dalton’s finest historical property; it was built by George Willets in 1932 following his takeover of the Chumley brother’s oil claim, and subsequent start up of Willets Petroleum. The mansion is a stately white colonial, boasting three stories and some fifty manicured acres. The mansion known locally as Willets House, has been empty since the 1975 slaying of the Roger Willets family, and has become something of a local target for children hunting for adventure. Despite the posted warnings and high wrought iron fence around the property, "Kids will be kids, and they dare each other to go on in and find a ghost." states Sherriff Riffler of the Dalton Sheriff's department. Two nights ago, such innocent mischief went badly when a passing neighbor heard screams from the property and called the Sheriff's office. "I was walking Teddy, my keeshound, by the Willets place, when all of a sudden I heard the most horrible screaming, and then a crash. I was too afraid to look myself but I ran right on home and called Sherriff Rifler. I hope I never hear a sound like that again as long as I live" stated local woman Darlene Riggits. Upon arriving at the stately home, Sherriff Riffler and two deputies found local residents Charlie Worther and Alan Skipper, unconscious and badly injured at the bottom of the empty pool on the property. "The boys were up on the third floor of the house. They had broken in and I suppose they thought the fastest way out was climbing down the old oak on the side, but the branches could not hold them and they both fell into the pool. We’ll sure have some questions for them when they are feeling better." stated Sherriff Rifler. The Willets family has not responded to questions from this reporter, but has issued the following statement through their family attorney, Richard Channing of Dalton. "The Willets family is distressed to hear of the injuries of these two young boys, but states that they do not feel liable for said injuries as they occurred during the commission of a crime, that of trespassing. They send their prayers and thoughts to the families at this difficult time.
