Susan Dubois interview

Saturday, May 1, 2021 – 5:30 p.m.

Susan Dubois is Barbara Dubois's mother. She was at the YCCC the night Barbara was killed.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy spoke with her later that afternoon at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Susan Dubois

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for coming in, Mrs. Dubois. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know this is difficult for you, but the more information we have, the sooner we can catch whoever did this.

Detective Murphy: Can I get anything for you? Coffee? Water?

Susan Dubois: Thank you, detectives. A glass of water, I guess. I'll help in any way I can. You have to catch the monster who killed my baby! I can't believe she's gone. Oh God, how could this happen? She never hurt anyone in her life.

Detective Armstrong: Here, have a sip of your water, and take a deep breath. Now. Better? Okay. First, would you state your name and address for the record, please?

Susan Dubois: Susan Dubois. 3043 Davis Drive, Oxford, Mississippi.

Detective Murphy: Now, Mrs. Dubois, I know you talked to the first officers on the scene, but would you tell us about the events leading up to finding your daughter's body this morning?

Susan Dubois: I'll try. But everything is sort of jumbled. Oh god. It's such a shock! I… I can't… I can't believe she's gone. I don't know how long I can keep it together.

Detective Murphy: Well, just do the best you can, and we'll try to help you get through this. When did you realize she wasn't in her room?

Susan Dubois: I went to get her up about 6:30 a.m. I called her first, and when there was no answer, I thought she was in the shower or something. She's usually up early. So I went to her room and knocked on her door, but there was no answer. I knocked and knocked, and when I still didn't get an answer, I began to think something was wrong. Like maybe she was ill or something.

Detective Murphy: What did you do?

Susan Dubois: I called the manager on my cell, and she came right up. She unlocked the door with her passkey, and I went in. She wasn't there. I called to her, but there was no answer. I looked in the bathroom. That's when I noticed the bed hadn't been slept in. That isn't— wasn't like Barbara. She was very conscientious about going to bed early the night before the finals of a pageant. I really got scared then.

Detective Murphy: I understand. What did you do then?

Susan Dubois: I called Rachel to see if Barbara was with her. Then I called Mary.

Detective Murphy: Take your time Mrs. Dubois. Rachel is…?

Susan Dubois: Rachel Webb. She and Barbara are—were—best friends. Oh, I can't believe she's gone.

Detective Murphy: And Mary is?

Susan Dubois: Mary Jones. She's my dear friend.

Detective Armstrong: Okay, so you were all looking for Barbara. Then what happened?

Susan Dubois: After we'd looked for a few minutes and there was no sign of her, Mary called 911.

Detective Murphy: I know this hard. You're doing great. Just a few more questions, and we'll be through here.

Susan Dubois: Okay. I'll try. This is so….

Detective Armstrong: Hang in there, Mrs. Dubois. We're almost through. Did Barbara have any enemies?

Susan Dubois: Oh, no. Everyone loved her. She was such a sweetheart. Who could have done this terrible thing? I don't understand. How could God let this happen? She never hurt anybody. Oh… why?

Detective Armstrong: What about her competitors in the pageant?

Susan Dubois: Oh, no. Most of these girls were friends. They competed, yes, but it isn't a matter of life or death to them. Unless…

Detective Murphy: Unless what, Mrs. Dubois?

Susan Dubois: Well, Ingrid has been acting a little strange lately. Sort of standoffish with Barbara. In fact, Barbara mentioned it just yesterday. Yesterday. It seems like a hundred years ago.

Detective Armstrong: And that is Ingrid…?

Susan Dubois: Oh, Ingrid Freeman. One of the other contestants. But I can't imagine her hurting Barbara.

Detective Murphy: But someone did hurt her, didn't they? What about the guy who found her, Bill Lamar? They knew each other from high school, I understand.

Susan Dubois: Bill? I can't imagine him harming her. They were so in love, but they were so young. That was a long time ago, and they hadn't seen or talked to each other since he left. You think he could have done this?

Detective Armstrong: Anyone else, Mrs. Dubois?

Susan Dubois: No. I … can't even think. Oh God, how can I go on without her? Now I don't have anyone. I'm all alone again. Oh, God.

Detective Murphy: Ted, she's too distraught to go on. Let's wrap this up for today. Is there anyone we can call for you, Mrs. Dubois? Family?

Susan Dubois: I don't have any family anymore. I don't have anyone. I'm all alone.

Detective Armstrong: A friend then?

Susan Dubois: Mary. Mary Jones. And Billie Jo. They'll have to be my family now. I don't have anybody else. My darlings are all gone. Oh, God! What am I going to do?

Detective Murphy: I'll call her for you. Do you have a number?

Susan Dubois: She's here. She drove me over. She didn't want me to go through this alone.

Detective Armstrong: That's enough for today, ma'am, but we will probably want to talk to you again. Take care, now.

Susan Dubois: Thank you. You've been very kind. Please find whoever did this terrible thing.

Interview ended – 4:52 p.m.