FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2008
9:45 am EST
Statement from Dory Maust regarding plans for Hammond house
Contact: Don Sikes, Press Secretary
On October 31, 2008 media relayed plans for the Hammond, Indiana house where convicted serial killer David
Maust rented an apartment in 2003. The Hammond City Council decided on October 30, 2008 that it will be torn
down in the spring of 2009 and in its stead will be a memorial park with benches and plaques dedicated to the three
teenage boys David murdered there. The city now owns the dwelling.
While writing “Blood Stained” which chronicles the life of David Maust, I visited the Hammond house which has been
condemned since David’s arrest five years ago for uninhabitable conditions, and I experienced the persona of Ash
Avenue. My first visual impression was one of surprise. Though a far mimicry from Beverly Hills, it does not
command thoughts of a ghetto either. On that Sunday morning in August it was quiet, but that serenity was broken
by our appearance. People saw the film crew and me touring the grounds, as small as they are, and we witnessed
them jump for cell phones. Suddenly it was a flurry centered on an American tragedy they would soon like to forget
although most still demand answers as to why he did what he did. I learned a valuable lesson.
What will a memorial do? Murder mystery pilgrimages might flock to the scene of a heinous string of murders. Graffiti
artists might want to leave their signatures. Several factors are tossed to chance except one: the people living on
that street will be faced with a constant reminder of a horror they want to forget. Let them have peace.
This is my opinion. Perhaps a better idea would be for the city to rebuild. Tearing down the house is closure; a
memorial there is an open wound. No one has to buy or read my book to learn why; that’s personal choice. But the
residents of Ash Avenue have to drive and live on their street no matter what they want to know or forget.
A memorial is a righteous idea; placing it on Ash Avenue is not – in my opinion.
Sincerely,
Dory Maust
November 2, 2008
9:45 am EST
Statement from Dory Maust regarding plans for Hammond house
Contact: Don Sikes, Press Secretary
On October 31, 2008 media relayed plans for the Hammond, Indiana house where convicted serial killer David
Maust rented an apartment in 2003. The Hammond City Council decided on October 30, 2008 that it will be torn
down in the spring of 2009 and in its stead will be a memorial park with benches and plaques dedicated to the three
teenage boys David murdered there. The city now owns the dwelling.
While writing “Blood Stained” which chronicles the life of David Maust, I visited the Hammond house which has been
condemned since David’s arrest five years ago for uninhabitable conditions, and I experienced the persona of Ash
Avenue. My first visual impression was one of surprise. Though a far mimicry from Beverly Hills, it does not
command thoughts of a ghetto either. On that Sunday morning in August it was quiet, but that serenity was broken
by our appearance. People saw the film crew and me touring the grounds, as small as they are, and we witnessed
them jump for cell phones. Suddenly it was a flurry centered on an American tragedy they would soon like to forget
although most still demand answers as to why he did what he did. I learned a valuable lesson.
What will a memorial do? Murder mystery pilgrimages might flock to the scene of a heinous string of murders. Graffiti
artists might want to leave their signatures. Several factors are tossed to chance except one: the people living on
that street will be faced with a constant reminder of a horror they want to forget. Let them have peace.
This is my opinion. Perhaps a better idea would be for the city to rebuild. Tearing down the house is closure; a
memorial there is an open wound. No one has to buy or read my book to learn why; that’s personal choice. But the
residents of Ash Avenue have to drive and live on their street no matter what they want to know or forget.
A memorial is a righteous idea; placing it on Ash Avenue is not – in my opinion.
Sincerely,
Dory Maust
Dory Maust
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