Silent Witness: The Karla Brown Murder Case

by Don W. Weber, Charles Bosworth Jr.

An unsolvable murder. An unstoppable prosecutor. A compelling true-crime story. A gripping behind-the-scenes story of how a brutal murder is solved through the extraordinary use of forensic science and superb courtroom techniques. Blonde, beautiful, sweet and sexy-- Karla Brown is everyone's American dream girl. But her fiance in the small town of Wood River, Illinois, ends with her murder. Karla's body is discovered in her basement,naked from the waist down, hideously brutalized. At first, the police suspect Karla's fiance, then her stepfather and an ex-suitor. But all have alibis. Obsessed investigators comb the country, refusing to let the trail grow cold. Then, forensic experts discover startling new evidence. While they analyze bite marks and psychological profile charts of the killer's personality, detectives develop a plan to lure the murderer into revealing himself. Until, finally, a prosecutor's brilliant courtroom strategies convict a young man with a vicious hatred of women.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery

444 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1993

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

True Crime Commemoration # 26
Setting: 1970s and 80s St. Louis

[Shelagh Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I have read by this renowned prosecutor the first one being Precious Victims which was brilliant. This was another rich procedural true life crime drama. This case was very complicated but the professionals never gave up on bringing it to a conclusion. The book brings us from the crime and right through the many investigations. Weber writes his true crime like a novel and as he is at the heart of the action, the book is rich with detail. He knows the family well and all the investigators so you never lose sight that this is a true story.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karla Brown was found murdered in the home she and her boyfriend were moving into in 1978. Police felt that the crime scene was staged, due to various inconsistencies in the condition of the body and circumstances surrounding the findings. Her boyfriend had a rock-solid alibi, clearing him from suspicion. Fingerprints at the scene all belonged to Karla or her boyfriend, except one. After four years, police would be able to nail down a suspect and take the case to court. This case was notable for the consultation the local police did with FBI behavioral analysts.

This case was featured on Forensic Files, Season 4, Episode 8 if you are interested in watching. The book provided a lot of details not covered in the show. This was a solid true crime book, despite the age of the crime and date of publication. It is interesting to see how advances in investigation have progressed since the 1970s. New technology at this time is commonly used in the modern era. It is a great reminder of how far science has come.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silent Witness is written by DA Don Weber who prosecuted in the Karla Brown trial.

In 1978 Karla Brown body was found dead face down in a 10 gallon drum of water in the basement of her home. Some experts say she was strangled but others maintain she died of drowning. Police at the time suspected John Prantee who was friends with Karla's next door neighbour but no evidence was found. It was not until 1983 that Karlas's body was exhumed and a bitemark was found. Experts matched the bitemark to Prante's teeth.

During the trial Weber found an ex girlfriend who claimed Prante bit her shoulder, on the basis of this evidence Prante was sentenced to 75 years in prison.

This year John Prante is eligible for parole in 2019 but still maintains he is innocent. In the light of DNA testing John's lawyers are asking for the evidence to be tested again.

The most interesting part of this book was when the police contacted an FBI profiler who advised them on the best way to get the killer to confess.

I enjoyed this book but it was definitely a bit to detailed. Excellent narrating as always by Kevin Pierce.

[Jimmy Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we see small town police forces we see a lack of innovative thinking, stuck on their old ways and tunnel vision.

This one is not the case there was innovative thinking this case. There were mistakes made but at the end of the day the open thinking led to it being solved. Hey even John Douglas makes an appearance in this one.

Good one. Highly recommend.

[Peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book and has stayed with me for years.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story of two sickos who killed a harmless woman, apparently just for something to do. It was good to read about how they were finally caught and prosecuted.

[ErikaShmerika Wine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very thorough look at the Karla Brown case, which is probably because it was written by the prosecutor of her murderer. It’s a start-to-finish reconstruction but it features unique insights about the investigation from the LE and during the trial he takes the time to explain the impact of certain questions and responses, which I appreciate. I have to also comment on his real big professional crush on John Douglas, which I can absolutely match.

Overall I’m counting this as one I would recommend. It’s a little dry at times, but it’s an interesting case for the groundbreaking forensic techniques used, but k also feel like it contains a significant amount of investigative insights. And John Douglas.

[Jlsimon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had all the makings of a 5 star book. Why wasn't it? Because Don Weber and Charles Bosworth spent as much time dwelling on the brilliance of Mr. Weber as they did on the actual case. When you're reading this book you get the idea that the justice system, nay, the entire judicial branch might collapse if this brilliant man wasn't there to shoulder the weight of seeing justice done. It was an embarrassing display of ego stroking that would have caused most people to blush again and again if it were written about them.

Carla Brown, her family, her fiance, her friends deserved a memoir devoted to her. They deserved this book to be a testament to her. Instead it was like watching the peacocks at the zoo with their plumage fully displayed and vibrating to show the strength they want others to perceive about them.

I have purchased other books that were co-authored by these two individuals. I guess I hadn't noticed this need to display Weber so much then. It made me sad. I will go back and look at the others, if this is in fact the normal style I will skip any books written by them in the future. If I want to listen to men brag about themselves and their accomplishments I'm sure I could do so in any sports bar.

I normally take a moment to recommend a book to individuals that like a particular genre or authors, but in this case I just can't do it. Honestly I am just to embarrassed for the authors, and to saddened for the victim's family to recommend this book to anyone.

[CHRISTINE M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somebody hire a typist for these authors!!!!!

The overall coverage of the homicide in this book was well done. It explained the case and evidence in great detail leaving little doubt as to the guilt of the perpetrator. However I found it very frustrating to read this book due to the 100 plus typos, misspellings, incorrect punctuation, etc.. WHERE WAS THE PROOF READER!!????

[Karri Hoopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very well researched and presented factual account of the efforts of the police and prosecutor in this murder case. It is smoother and a better read than many heavily researched and presented books but was still a slow read for me.

[Alex Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book glorifies junk science that’s been disproven over and over. reading it in 2025, you keep waiting for the mumbo jumbo to get exposed, but it never is. I really enjoyed Bone deep by the same author. It’s disappointing that he would be so gullible.

[Ellie Helgeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. A little too many details at times, but still kept my interest.

[Crystal Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this retelling of a murder in my hometown. So many familiar places and names.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont read a lot or fast so if it doesn't hold me I never get through it. This was a real good true crime.

[Anne Hillwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book several times because I found it so interesting. It is basically the true life story of the birth of forensic science being used to solve murders.

[Shaon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much Weber,,

The murder of Karla was a horrible occurrence. Unfortunately, too much of the story focused on the heroic personality of Weber. Also, over and over was statements about the physical beauty of Karla and her sisters,,overkill,,it would make one wonder with the evidence in the basement, were there no hair or blood from the accused,,no foot or finger prints,,,most evidence was hearsay by other s, years later,after evidence had been in the news for awhile. Not saying he didn't do it,but lots of its. Also, the bite mark evidence was fifty fifty. This was a story where I wouldn't have been convinced enough,if on the jury to have felt enough proof of a guilty vote.

[Kat Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely an interesting book and I was hooked from the start. It was amazing to learn how profiling got its start. I tried to go into this blind so I could follow it like it was happening right now, but because of an assignment I had to do some research and I accidentally found out who the killer was before it was revealed in the book. When I found out that Prante was on the USS Enterprise I was so mad because my dad served on it and Prante just kept coming back to his time in Vietnam when he was only in the navy for like a year. I have a high respect for people who serve but he is a low life and doesn't deserve respect after committing a crime as bad as this. However, overall this was a great read!!

[Ashley McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Saw this handled on investigative discovery channel, written by the cop who screwed up the OJ Simpson trial. There were so many spelling errors and grammatical errors that Can't say it was well written technically. The true story is so sad but I'm glad justice was served. If the murder happened later, they would have solved it quickly by the improvements in forensic science. I think he should have gotten life in prison without parole since he didn't get death. To think he will be out in three years and has no remorse scares the bell out of me and should to others.

[Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is both interesting and sad. The audible is tough to let go off; you will keep listening to the end. This case is not at least for me a well-known case, so I found it absorbing mainly the information about the bit marks which makes me think of the Bundy case. If you're into true crime I'm sure this book will be for you

You can always find my full review at my blog - link in the description

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very thorough and complete chronicle of this tragic murder investigation and trial. It includes an epilogue with additional information and resolution
to the case. Kevin Pierce's performance of this audiobook is superb. This is true crime at its best.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

True murder

This man was a real scuba. He could have tried to rape her and when that wasn't successful he could have let her go. Going to prison on an attempted rape is much better than going to prison for murder. Now, they are numerous suspects in this case and the scuba I am speaking about won't be revealed until you read the book yourself. I really enjoyed it.

[Bobbie Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would definitely recommend

This book is very well written. It goes into great details about the victim and numerous suspects. The only problem with the book were all the typos and grammar errors. It needed to be proofread.

[Lori Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely found my new favorite true crime writer

His writing style is easy to read and the pace is perfect. He has an uncanny ability to get inside the criminals head and makes it easy to see why he takes the risks he takes.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The very detailed (but never boring) account of a 1978 murder case and its eventual adjudication. The hero worship of FBI profiler John Douglas is laid on a bit thick, but overall the book is quite interesting. Bosworth is a reporter who covered the case and Weber is the DA who prosecuted it.

[Christina]

Read for my Criminology class.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok

This book was about an interesting case but was much too long.
It stopped being intriguing when every little detail had been written

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent true crime! I liked that the book presented the science and behavioral analysis behind catching the killer.

[Lisa Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 1993

[Kristen Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It tells what the detectives had to go through to solve this brutal murder.