April Balascio had a gut feeling that something was off about her father, Edward Wayne Edwards, who was later identified as a serial killer. In a 2018 interview, she reflected on her childhood, stating, “Kids aren’t stupid. Someone was always murdered wherever we lived.”
Growing up, her father frequently moved the family, often under the cover of night. While he could be charming and funny on the surface, at home he was often aggressive and violent. As an adult, Balascio searched for information on cold cases in Watertown and stumbled upon the tragic story of the “Sweetheart Murders.” This case involved two teenagers, Timothy Hack and Kelly Drew, who vanished after a wedding reception in 1980. Tragically, their bodies were found two months later in a field.
Upon reading about the case, Balascio recalled that her father worked in the same area where the teens had last been seen. She felt a sense of dread and reached out to a detective, sharing her suspicions about her father. A DNA test later confirmed her fears: her father was involved, leading to his arrest and eventual confession to five murders.
Edward Wayne Edwards died of natural causes in prison in 2011 before facing execution. Now, April Balascio is sharing her story in her upcoming memoir titled Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth About My Father, which will be released on December 3.
In her memoir, she explores her childhood experiences, beginning with a moving day in late spring when the family traveled in a U-Haul from Brighton, Colorado, to Watertown, Wisconsin. The journey felt aimless, dictated by her father’s whims. When they arrived at a campground, Balascio found herself relieved to escape the confinement of the truck, which was filled with the smells of her father’s cigarettes and old coffee.
Soon after setting up camp, her father found work at the nearby Concord House, a hall for events. Chambers of darkness loomed under the surface as gatherings were held and laughter echoed—a stark contrast to the tension at home. Balascio recalls days filled with ordinary activities, like playing with local children, while an unsettling undercurrent of fear ran through their lives due to her father’s unpredictable behavior.
One day, while handling a rifle carelessly in the house, her father accidentally fired a shot. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the incident highlighted the danger that surrounded them. Balascio reflects on such moments with a mix of disbelief and fear, recognizing that they were living in a home where safety was often uncertain.
Even as the town buzzed with concern over the missing teens, Balascio noted her father’s fixation on the case. He often speculated about the whereabouts of the young couple during conversations, revealing an unsettling enthusiasm that haunted her. Their family frequently moved, creating a chaotic life filled with uncertainty.
The narrative continues as Balascio grapples with complex feelings towards her father and the dark secrets lurking within their family dynamics. As she shares her story, readers are invited to delve into the chilling reality of growing up alongside a figure who was both a father and a murderer, exploring themes of trust, fear, and survival.
