Where this was said
The Missing Wig and the Question of Gladys
At 55:57 · chapter starts 53:35
The wig is Ashley's most obsessive puzzle piece: Alberta went to Gladys specifically to pick it up, Gladys said she fitted it and watched Alberta leave wearing it, yet no wig was ever found on Alberta's body, in her car, or in her purse. Ashley consulted colleagues and the case reporter to confirm that wigs in 1965 were typically secured with pins, not glue — so the river alone can't explain its disappearance. Gladys's story also changed over the years in subtle but significant ways: whether Alberta came back inside after Kingfish, whether Gladys watched her get into the car or actually drive away. Alberta's family, led by Flora, never believed Gladys was the killer herself but suspected she was paid by someone to get Alberta out of the house that night — motivated by personal debt rather than malice, not knowing it would get Alberta killed.
The entire basis for Alberta's late-night visit to Gladys was a new wig. Gladys said Alberta left wearing it. But Alberta's body was found without a wig, and it wasn't in her car or purse. Alberta's family always suspected Gladys was paid to lure her out.
A man in a Chicago jail reportedly planned to confess to involvement in Alberta's murder, claiming he and two others were hired to kill her, but was stabbed to death before investigators could interview him.
Alberta managed a trust holding 15% of Muhammad Ali's boxing winnings, money he couldn't access until age 35. She allegedly refused Ali's requests to funnel money to the Nation of Islam — and a detective investigating that angle was threatened that his wife would be put in the river if he didn't stop.
