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The fascinating story of how two brothers—one an English professor, the other a cop, and as different as night and day—tag team as authors to solve North Carolina’s most notorious cold case …
On April 15, 1973, two high school students discovered the body of 19-year-old drama major Virginia Marie Olson on a trail near the campus of the University of North Carolina-Asheville. The scene was horrific. Olson had been bound, raped, and brutally stabbed to death. The murder shocked the Asheville community and set off an investigation that would span three generations of detectives.
A MURDER ON CAMPUS: The Professor, The Cop, And North Carolina’s Most Notorious Cold Case by Brian and Cameron Santana is the first book to present the story of law enforcement’s dramatic efforts to find Virginia Olson’s killer and bring him to justice.
Readers will experience the obstacles and confusion that the Asheville Police Department and the North Carolina SBI navigated, from the 1974 abduction of a UNCA student on the first anniversary of Olson’s murder to a second rape and murder victim found feet from Olson’s crime scene just as campus life returned to normal in 1978.
For more than 50 years, whispers about the killer’s identity have circulated throughout Buncombe County—from an escaped mental health patient from nearby Highland Hospital, to one of North Carolina’s most notorious serial killers, to a mysterious prime suspect whose wealthy and influential family kept his identity secret from the public … until now.
Compelling Editorial Reviews
“The first book to tell the gripping story of this unsolved crime” - Dan Zupansky, True Murder Podcast, January 27, 2025
“...decades later, there has been a renewed interest in the case, with two brothers who are asking all the right questions and seeking answers in this still unsolved homicide case…there is a community out there that has a restored sense of urgency to finally get justice for Virginia Olson.” - Nic Edwards, host of True Crime Talk and True Crime Garage, January 24, 2025
On the book’s depiction of Virginia Olson: “Very often we fall into the temptation of making people cookie-cutter…I thought you did a great job of really demonstrating how something we think is in conflict…like we tend to think that conservatives can’t be fun and a lot of fun people can’t be principled, but you did a great job of painting how they went together.” - Jayson Blair, former New York Times reporter and host of The Silver Lining Handbook, February 25, 2025
“They went through all the hoops to try to subpoena the police records, the search warrants. Everything that I didn’t and couldn’t do with my resources, they were able to do so I’m very happy that the book has a collection of all that.” - Renee Roberson, Host of Missing in the Carolinas, from “A Murder on Campus"
"Author hopes new release will inspire further investigation into Virginia Olson’s cold case” - Emily Moosbrugger, The Blue Banner
“Go and pick up a copy!” - Stuart Blues, Host of British Murders, a Top 30 UK Podcast, March 9, 2025
Outstanding Customer Reviews
The best book I have read in years!
"Right off I will say, Wow! What a great book. I loved it! It was written by 2 brothers who had never written a book before but one was a cop who was involved with the case and one was an English professor. ... But what impressed me the most is how they kept the victim the center of attention the entire time. It was all about Virginia. This is how I think it should always be. The victim and justice should be the center of attention and that is what they did. This book is one of the best I have read in years. I loved it and recommend it to anyone and everyone!" - Bonnie Kernene, Amazon Reviewer
The process of writing this book shows depth of caring
"If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. ... The brothers not just searched for answers, but they wanted to find Ginger. Not just where she was buried, but her life, dreams, and definitely her story. ... This true crime book shows the authors' need for answers, and to never let the memory of Ginger falter." - Amy's Bookshelf Reviews, Amazon Reviewer
Engaging True Crime
"...a well-researched and engaging true crime story that stands out due to the unique collaboration between the authors. The book masterfully recounts the tragic events surrounding Virginia Marie Olson’s murder, drawing the reader into the investigation and the lives of those impacted by the crime." - katrig, Amazon Reviewer
A great true crime book about a little-known mystery
"This was a great work of true crime. The sad story of the short life and tragic death of Virginia "Ginger" Olson was nearly lost to history until these two brothers locked into it, researched, investigated and wrote this book. Anyone who reads true crime or enjoys real life mysteries should check this book out." - vincenzopro - Amazon Reviewer
Author Brian Santana
Brian Santana is a college English professor and writer. After graduating from UNC-Asheville in 2003 with a degree in Drama, he earned a M.A. in English at North Carolina State University and a PhD from The George Washington University. He currently resides in West Virginia with his wife and children.
Author Cameron Santana
Cameron Santana is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 18 years of experience. He holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and spent his first 16 years with the Raleigh Police Department. He attended Western North Carolina University and currently lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife and children.
