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A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: chuckhoffmann ()
Date: October 29, 2011 12:11PM

On October 29, 1973, 14-year-old student Natalia P. Semler was tortured and murdered by 23-year-old John S. Gilreath on the grounds of the Madeira School in McLean.

Tasha, as she was called, was 5 feet 1 inch tall, while Gilreath was 6 feet 9 inches tall. Gilreath gagged and tied up Tasha using scraps from a blankets, then used a Phillips-head screwdriver to stab Tasha a number of times in addition to molesting her. She would eventually die ten hours later of a combination of shock and exposure. Her father, a diplomat, would discover his daughter's bound, partially nude body on the grounds of the school early the next day.

Gilreath had recently been released on August 29, 1973, from the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, where he had been treated since June, 1972 in lieu of a 20-year prison sentence for the abduction and molestation of another 14-year-old girl from the Madeira School.

"Only good things can come of more communication." - Cary Wiedemann, March 3, 2005

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: walker fairfax ()
Date: March 04, 2012 10:13AM

Not sure he did it.

Fairfax Police never questioned any members of the notorious Bush Patrol. Those girls were notorious for hazing freshman. One such form was tying girls to trees as Gilreath allegedly did.

Read the memoirs of Jean Harris?

Did Gilreath have problems with women?

He sure did.

That doesn't mean he killed Tasha.

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: chuckhoffmann ()
Date: March 04, 2012 06:44PM

walker fairfax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not sure he did it.
>
> Fairfax Police never questioned any members of the
> notorious Bush Patrol. Those girls were notorious
> for hazing freshman. One such form was tying
> girls to trees as Gilreath allegedly did.
>
> Read the memoirs of Jean Harris?
>
> Did Gilreath have problems with women?
>
> He sure did.
>
> That doesn't mean he killed Tasha.

Investigator Guy C. Boggess testified at trial that Gilreath blurted out "You know I did it. I know I did it. It's an open-and-shut case." during his interrogation, and during the trial it was presented that Gilreath also revealed certain details that would be known only to someone who was involved in Tasha Semler's murder.

Unless someone else who participated in the crime comes forward with an alternate explanation, the only two people who were involved are dead, because John Gilreath died in prison in December, 2009.

"Only good things can come of more communication." - Cary Wiedemann, March 3, 2005

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: Madeira Girl ()
Date: April 09, 2012 11:35PM

So you just spread rumors for what purpose? There was no such thing as the Bush Patrol and there was no hazing of anyone.
What a schmuck you are for spewing such nonsense!

chuckhoffmann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> walker fairfax Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Not sure he did it.
> >
> > Fairfax Police never questioned any members of
> the
> > notorious Bush Patrol. Those girls were
> notorious
> > for hazing freshman. One such form was tying
> > girls to trees as Gilreath allegedly did.
> >
> > Read the memoirs of Jean Harris?
> >
> > Did Gilreath have problems with women?
> >
> > He sure did.
> >
> > That doesn't mean he killed Tasha.
>
> Investigator Guy C. Boggess testified at trial
> that Gilreath blurted out "You know I did it. I
> know I did it. It's an open-and-shut case." during
> his interrogation, and during the trial it was
> presented that Gilreath also revealed certain
> details that would be known only to someone who
> was involved in Tasha Semler's murder.
>
> Unless someone else who participated in the crime
> comes forward with an alternate explanation, the
> only two people who were involved are dead,
> because John Gilreath died in prison in December,
> 2009.

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: Anonymous99 ()
Date: August 22, 2012 11:54AM

chuckhoffmann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On October 29, 1973, 14-year-old student Natalia
> P. Semler was tortured and murdered by 23-year-old
> John S. Gilreath on the grounds of the Madeira
> School in McLean.
>
> Tasha, as she was called, was 5 feet 1 inch tall,
> while Gilreath was 6 feet 9 inches tall. Gilreath
> gagged and tied up Tasha using scraps from a
> blankets, then used a Phillips-head screwdriver to
> stab Tasha a number of times in addition to
> molesting her. She would eventually die ten hours
> later of a combination of shock and exposure. Her
> father, a diplomat, would discover his daughter's
> bound, partially nude body on the grounds of the
> school early the next day.
>
> Gilreath had recently been released on August 29,
> 1973, from the Psychiatric Institute of
> Washington, where he had been treated since June,
> 1972 in lieu of a 20-year prison sentence for the
> abduction and molestation of another 14-year-old
> girl from the Madeira School.

"Later that day, Mrs. Harris RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A STUDENT WHO HAD ONCE BEEN INJURED IN A HAZING ACCIDENT AT THE SCHOOL. After the accident, Mrs. Harris developed a strong affection for the girl, and the two had enjoyed a close relationship ever since. The letter was critical of Harris' handling of the disciplinary affair, and that criticism affected her deeply. She thought, "if she thinks I failed her, too, I had really blown the whole thing."

Source: http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?page=8&xmldoc=198114784AD2d63_1138.xml&docbase=CSLWAR1-1950-1985&SizeDisp=7

Maybe the Gilreath's were clutching at straws with this defense...but hazing WAS going on at Madeira. And if it had been the cause of a death, it would have destroyed the school. No one talked about these things publicly in 1972. And Gilreath was a prime suspect, he had been convicted of similar violent acts in the past. I'd say he did it, but I want to know more about the hazing.

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: Anonymous99 ()
Date: August 22, 2012 02:01PM

And here is the evidence that HAZING did take place in the 70s at Madeira, and it was serious enough that a student was hospitalized. From "Madeira Today" published 2010, Commemorating Headmistress Elizabeth Griffith's 22 Years at Madeira. This is a letter about the Blacklist (Madeira's form of hazing) from Ms. Griffith to Madeira Alumnae and Friends, April 2002:

"As a former girl, a parent and teacher, I know girls can be mean, although I believe “alpha girls” are a distinct minority at Madeira. As far as I can discover from alumnae reports, the blacklist first surfaced sometime in the seventies, along with some initiation rites, one of which resulted in a student being hospitalized. Together with the faculty I have tried to stamp out all vestiges of hazing. I am not going to give hurtful, hateful behavior the imprimatur of institutionalizing it as a “tradition.” White dresses and red roses are a tradition; blacklists are not.

This passage was excerpted from the document, downloaded from http://issuu.com/madeiratoday/docs/mt_spring2010_betsy#download

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: Anonymous99 ()
Date: August 22, 2012 02:03PM

Are you really not aware of the hazing that went on or are you covering it up?


And here is the evidence that HAZING did take place in the 70s at Madeira, and it was serious enough that a student was hospitalized. From "Madeira Today" published 2010, Commemorating Headmistress Elizabeth Griffith's 22 Years at Madeira. This is a letter about the Blacklist (Madeira's form of hazing) from Ms. Griffith to Madeira Alumnae and Friends, April 2002:

"As a former girl, a parent and teacher, I know girls can be mean, although I believe “alpha girls” are a distinct minority at Madeira. As far as I can discover from alumnae reports, the blacklist first surfaced sometime in the seventies, along with some initiation rites, one of which resulted in a student being hospitalized. Together with the faculty I have tried to stamp out all vestiges of hazing. I am not going to give hurtful, hateful behavior the imprimatur of institutionalizing it as a “tradition.” White dresses and red roses are a tradition; blacklists are not.

This passage was excerpted from the document, downloaded from http://issuu.com/madeiratoday/docs/mt_spring2010_betsy#download

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: KnewGilreath ()
Date: April 24, 2013 09:05PM

This will answer your question.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/the-truth-about-tasha-6741564.html


chuckhoffmann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On October 29, 1973, 14-year-old student Natalia
> P. Semler was tortured and murdered by 23-year-old
> John S. Gilreath on the grounds of the Madeira
> School in McLean.
>
> Tasha, as she was called, was 5 feet 1 inch tall,
> while Gilreath was 6 feet 9 inches tall. Gilreath
> gagged and tied up Tasha using scraps from a
> blankets, then used a Phillips-head screwdriver to
> stab Tasha a number of times in addition to
> molesting her. She would eventually die ten hours
> later of a combination of shock and exposure. Her
> father, a diplomat, would discover his daughter's
> bound, partially nude body on the grounds of the
> school early the next day.
>
> Gilreath had recently been released on August 29,
> 1973, from the Psychiatric Institute of
> Washington, where he had been treated since June,
> 1972 in lieu of a 20-year prison sentence for the
> abduction and molestation of another 14-year-old
> girl from the Madeira School.

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: Kimberly Tiernan ()
Date: October 20, 2013 02:11AM

Just for fun I looked up my old Alma Mater. I was shocked that all these years later I find out about a murder on campus while I was a student at Madeira. Perhaps my memory is hazy but I can not believe I would forget such a horrific event. I arrived as a sophomore in 1971. I was NEVER aware of any "hazing" of freshmen. NEVER heard of the "Bush Patrol". As a shy girl I would have been a perfect target for this kind of maliciousness. There was of course the natural hierarchy of classes and a certain amount of snobishness but Barbara Keyser and her grey standard poodle ran a tight ship. I was late for chapel one morning and although it was against the rules I took a short cut across the green (I was living in East). BK busted me and I had to clean the gymnasium....
Never got in trouble again....
My 3 years at Madeira were very memorable. Won't bore you with details but I do hold those years dear to my heart. The girls and teachers were amazing. Cudos to Madame Hovey my French teacher and Mrs Horowitz my English teacher. I remember when BK eradicated the dress code and we could wear jeans and clogs. Funny though, we still wore our green blazers with pride
I was quite disappointed that when my daughter applied she was rejected. She subsequently attended the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT and I was truly happy with the school - secretly grateful Madeira turned her down (Elisabeth Griffeth)
Anyway, I do not know how the school has evolved since I graduated but I have heard some things that sadden me. It seems that many of our traditions are no longer in practice and Christmas is no longer celebrated.
I also NEVER knew our mascot was the SNAIL!!
What I do remember is Madiera girls "Function in disaster and finish in style".
I also remember: "Madeira girls are tired of being proper and prim - we want to go out and lead a life full of sin - we want a bloody mary cocktail in between every class - we may be slow in school but at night we are ---- I forget the rest!
Anyhow, I am glad that I was able to attend Madeira back in the 70's...not sure I would want to be there now.

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: ??????? ()
Date: October 23, 2014 10:11AM

Kimberly Tiernan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just for fun I looked up my old Alma Mater. I was
> shocked that all these years later I find out
> about a murder on campus while I was a student at
> Madeira. Perhaps my memory is hazy but I can not
> believe I would forget such a horrific event. I
> arrived as a sophomore in 1971. I was NEVER aware
> of any "hazing" of freshmen. NEVER heard of the
> "Bush Patrol". As a shy girl I would have been a
> perfect target for this kind of maliciousness.
> There was of course the natural hierarchy of
> classes and a certain amount of snobishness but
> Barbara Keyser and her grey standard poodle ran a
> tight ship. I was late for chapel one morning and
> although it was against the rules I took a short
> cut across the green (I was living in East). BK
> busted me and I had to clean the gymnasium....
> Never got in trouble again....
> My 3 years at Madeira were very memorable. Won't
> bore you with details but I do hold those years
> dear to my heart. The girls and teachers were
> amazing. Cudos to Madame Hovey my French teacher
> and Mrs Horowitz my English teacher. I remember
> when BK eradicated the dress code and we could
> wear jeans and clogs. Funny though, we still wore
> our green blazers with pride
> I was quite disappointed that when my daughter
> applied she was rejected. She subsequently
> attended the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT
> and I was truly happy with the school - secretly
> grateful Madeira turned her down (Elisabeth
> Griffeth)
> Anyway, I do not know how the school has evolved
> since I graduated but I have heard some things
> that sadden me. It seems that many of our
> traditions are no longer in practice and Christmas
> is no longer celebrated.
> I also NEVER knew our mascot was the SNAIL!!
> What I do remember is Madiera girls "Function in
> disaster and finish in style".
> I also remember: "Madeira girls are tired of being
> proper and prim - we want to go out and lead a
> life full of sin - we want a bloody mary cocktail
> in between every class - we may be slow in school
> but at night we are ---- I forget the rest!
> Anyhow, I am glad that I was able to attend
> Madeira back in the 70's...not sure I would want
> to be there now.


Did it go
' we want a bloody Mary after every class and at night we take it in the ---'

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: Wtflol ()
Date: December 01, 2014 02:38AM

Kimberly Tiernan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just for fun I looked up my old Alma Mater. I was
> shocked that all these years later I find out
> about a murder on campus while I was a student at
> Madeira. Perhaps my memory is hazy but I can not
> believe I would forget such a horrific event. I
> arrived as a sophomore in 1971. I was NEVER aware
> of any "hazing" of freshmen. NEVER heard of the
> "Bush Patrol". As a shy girl I would have been a
> perfect target for this kind of maliciousness.
> There was of course the natural hierarchy of
> classes and a certain amount of snobishness but
> Barbara Keyser and her grey standard poodle ran a
> tight ship. I was late for chapel one morning and
> although it was against the rules I took a short
> cut across the green (I was living in East). BK
> busted me and I had to clean the gymnasium....
> Never got in trouble again....
> My 3 years at Madeira were very memorable. Won't
> bore you with details but I do hold those years
> dear to my heart. The girls and teachers were
> amazing. Cudos to Madame Hovey my French teacher
> and Mrs Horowitz my English teacher. I remember
> when BK eradicated the dress code and we could
> wear jeans and clogs. Funny though, we still wore
> our green blazers with pride
> I was quite disappointed that when my daughter
> applied she was rejected. She subsequently
> attended the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT
> and I was truly happy with the school - secretly
> grateful Madeira turned her down (Elisabeth
> Griffeth)
> Anyway, I do not know how the school has evolved
> since I graduated but I have heard some things
> that sadden me. It seems that many of our
> traditions are no longer in practice and Christmas
> is no longer celebrated.
> I also NEVER knew our mascot was the SNAIL!!
> What I do remember is Madiera girls "Function in
> disaster and finish in style".
> I also remember: "Madeira girls are tired of being
> proper and prim - we want to go out and lead a
> life full of sin - we want a bloody mary cocktail
> in between every class - we may be slow in school
> but at night we are ---- I forget the rest!
> Anyhow, I am glad that I was able to attend
> Madeira back in the 70's...not sure I would want
> to be there now.

So you went to a school where one girl was kidnapped and raped and another murdered by the same guy a year later and didn't even know your schools own mascot? Either your full of it or sniffed a lot of glue.

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Re: A Death a Day: October 29
Posted by: Ms ()
Date: August 18, 2019 11:17AM

The snail came later.

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