BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

The True Story Of The Abduction And Murder Of Ann Harrison Is Available September 27, 2022.

In the early hours of March 22, 1989, two friends – career criminals with violent felony convictions – drove around the eastern Kansas City area in a stolen car committing a series of crimes. The weather was mild for late March in Kansas City; the sky was clear, and there was the pale remnant of a Full Moon that bore the dubious name of Death Moon, the last full moon of winter.

A little before 7 a.m., 15-year-old Ann Harrison walked to the end of her driveway on Kansas City’s east side to wait for the bus to take her to Raytown South High School. Ten minutes later, she disappeared but no one saw what happened. As if waiting for her return, her belongings were still stacked carefully by the side of the road.

BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD is the true crime story of the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Ann Harrison and the long journey forced upon her family who had to wait nearly three decades to see her killers brought to final justice.

About The Author

A former police sergeant, Marla Bernard is a passionate victim’s rights advocate, author, and public speaker. 

She received her Master of Arts with honors from Baker University. She serves as adjunct faculty for a national university where she has written several criminal justice courses and has been a contributor to national law enforcement publications. 

She and her husband were recently filmed for an upcoming true crime series in the United Kingdom for an episode based on her first book, Through the Rain. 

Her work has been published in two volumes of Chicken Soup for the Soul. She is currently writing her third book, a collection of short stories about individuals whose positive influences made a significant impact on her life. 

Marla and her husband retired Sgt. David Bernard, reside in the Midwest near the loves of their lives – their two children and three grandchildren.