The Murder of Aunt Delia

Originally Aired: November 10, 1949 Suspense #358, "The Murder of Aunt Delia," presents a chilling tale of identity theft and cold-blooded murder. Dort Sharples, a down-on-his-luck hitchhiker crossing the Arizona desert, catches a ride with Glendon Brayle, a young man heading to Santa Barbara to visit his wealthy invalid aunt after seventeen years apart. As Brayle shares intimate details of his childhood and reveals that Aunt Delia is his only living relative, Sharples sees an opportunity too lucrative to resist. In a desolate stretch of highway, Sharples murders Brayle and assumes his identity, memorizing every detail the trusting victim revealed about his past. Armed with childhood memories that aren't his own and accompanied by his girlfriend Rena Zita, Sharples arrives at Aunt Delia's mansion to claim his inheritance. The reunion goes smoothly as the invalid woman welcomes her long-lost nephew home, reminiscing about spankings, favorite foods, and childhood nicknames. However, as Sharples settles into his new life, he must maintain his dangerous charade while dark plans form regarding Aunt Delia's uncertain future and her considerable fortune.