Fatal Vow: The Murder of Dr. W.D. Broadhurst

In the remote reaches of eastern Oregon in 1946, the respected chiropractor and rancher Dr. W.D. Broadhurst met his violent end on a desolate road near Jordan Valley. Ambushed and slain, his death left behind a widow, a trail of dark secrets and twisted motives. His widow, Gladys, was a woman with too many aliases to count, had a labyrinthine past and a talent for manipulation. Her secretive and tangled history included bigamy and a pattern of calculated relationships. What followed was a story almost stranger than fiction. Gladys, attempting to deflect suspicion, fabricated threats and scattered lies, but the truth surfaced when W.D.’s ranch hand Alvin Williams, who was also Gladys' lover, led authorities to the scene of the crime and ultimately W.D. Broadhurst’s body. The trial that ensued captivated the public, earning comparisons to classic film noir plots due to its sensational nature.  While both Gladys and Williams faced justice, the tale lingered as a haunting reminder of the depths of human deception—and the fatal cost of trust betrayed. Tune in to listen to Chelsea take us into the past to wade through seven different marriages, secret evil twins, supposed million dollar inheritances and lots of steamy love telegrams.   Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow/subscribe to WILDCIDE on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please rate and leave us a review – we would really appreciate it! You can also visit our website at www.wildcidepodcast.com (merch now available!) Make sure to get updates by following us on Instagram (@wildcidepodcast) and Facebook (Wildcide Podcast).  Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff ([email protected]). ​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.    References: Gallagher, P. (2020). “Til death do us. . .”: A True Crime Story of Bigamy and Murder. Wildblue Press.