The Alday Family Murders 

It's another tragedy that the matriarch of the family, Ernestine Alday, not only lost her husband, sons, daughter-in-law and brother-in-law, but that she also lost her farm and home to her daughter-in-law Mary's family because of the way her husband deeded the property to their sons. That's so incredibly unfair. She literally lost everything in her life. Every single thing. And Mary's family gladly took it.

I don't feel that just because you found the Lord in prison it should have any sway on your sentence. As a matter of fact, I don't believe many actually change.

I can't believe that these fiends were not give death penalty as they rightly deserve. I hope that Karma really gets these monsters. So tragic that such a hard working family were destroyed for essentially nothing. Thanks again for your great work Ash!!

Oh my God 😭 the trauma they endured seeing their family members dead. Knowing that's your only destination. So sickening what they did to Mary. Why do people do this? It kills me 🙏

The twist at the end of how the Alday family lost most of their land really made a horrible tragedy even worse.

I just can’t understand how that mother was able to move forward after her family being massacred… 😞🙏🏽 poor lady… I don’t think I would have been able to do that.💔 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

I was living in Georgia at the time and this was very big news. There is a very good book titled "Dead Man Coming" by Charles Postell that was written about this tragedy. Very well done! Thank you for reporting on this!

My father was a WV State Trooper stationed in McDowell County, WV at the Welch Detachment in 1973. On drivers test day (WVSP used give the written and driving test) he was reading a news paper article about the Alday family being murdered when a resident of War, WV telephoned to say that she thought that she had seen the described killers. He was the officer that took the telephone call (how ironic that he was reading about the murders when the lady called). He and four other troopers started toward the township of War, two to car coming from different directions. The murders car was spotted by the opposite car of my father. They attempted to apprehend the gang but they parked and fled into mountains on foot except for George Dungy who was arrested by my father as they (him and his Corporal) were assisting the initial troopers who spotted the murders car. The rest of the gang was pursued into mountains but the troopers had to retreat as the gang held the high ground and it was getting dark. During the foot chase gunfire was exchanged between the gang and WVSP. That night multiple agencies came together and surrounded the mountain. Hunting dogs and trained police dogs led the agencies to a rock cliff were the gang was hiding. They were taken at daybreak without incident (they were asleep). According to my father, when the FBI appeared in federal court to take custody of the gang, they had not ask for nor been issued a warrant for the arrest of the gang. The Alday murders could have went free but fortunately the prosecutor of McDowell county had sworn out arrest warrants on the state level for evading police and firing upon officers. This warrant held them for 24 hours so that the FBI could get their paperwork in order for the apprehension and taking custody of the gang.

I’ll never forget the murders of of the Alday family. So sad! So bad! I’m a lifetime Georgian, and remember when these hard working, good people were murdered!

As someone who grew up in a small town where a family murder took place, my heart goes out to the Alday family and the people of this town. It's a shock that's hard to overcome.

I don’t know how Mary’s family accepted that land. I understand that they lost their daughter, and I can’t imagine Ernestine not giving plots of the land to her son’s widow, and Mary’s family. How do you take from someone that already lost so much?

It was bs that these monsters weren’t put to death back in 1974. Imagine the gall of the judge who warned the Alday family to keep quiet in order to preserve the perpetrator’s rights! 😡😡😡

A very shocking, brutal case. And somewhat perplexing when you consider that none of the escapees were incarcerated for murder, rape or any violent crime. From theft and failure to pay child support to the cold blooded murder of six innocent strangers is quite a leap. Mind boggling really, and scary as Hell. it's as if the evil, monstrous part of them had for years been just lying dormant, waiting for it's time to emerge and rampage.

It's strange to think about the suddenness of the victims' experience. Like, we know a horrible crime is going to happen. It's been over for decades. But for them, their lives went from normal, to infinite alarm, to death within the span of minutes. For some, only seconds. Barely enough time to register the severity of the situation. I don't know if it is possible to imagine what it was really like. You wouldn't have the time or spare cognition to process anything. Just chaos and then nothing.

Money, theft was secondary to Carl's desire to hurt others. This is exactly what rage looks like.

First time ever hearing this and it's typical of criminals on the run but terrible how they treated those in their paths. It's sickening to think they live but their victims didn't.

You've quickly become one of my favorite crime documentary channel's. You get to the point, but also explain a lot of details. Keep it up 🙂🙂🙂

WOW! Ur research was spot on! Thank you so much for doing the Alday family story. I grew up about 25 miles away from where they lived & the whole tri-state area was up in arms over this, as they well should have been! I was also best friend to a first cousin of the family & had a major crush on her brother. Lol We were in 8th or 9th grade in high school. That POS Carl issacs made history by being on Georgias DR the longest of anyone (@ the time)!! Can you imagine losing your entire family all in one afternoon only to later lose your home that ur late husband built by hand, the home that you raised 9 kids in & ur farm? Miss Ernestine was done so wrong! May they all RIP together. You did a beautiful job. Thank you.

Excellent! Difficult story to cover and a rare one most of us haven't heard. Good job as always.

I remember when this happened! At the time, I lived in a nearby community! I was in my late teens and had just recently gotten married! I remember how terrified I was as I lived in the country on a farm, too!! Thank you for covering this story!!

EVIL PURE EVIL. - However y was the jail where they absconded from originally not culpable in their dereliction of duty, in not notifying the public/local police!!!!!!! Maybe just maybe if the jail had notified the public/local law enforcement, this TRAGIC TRAGIC loss may not have EVER HAPPENED!!!

How ridiculous that the prison didn't report the prisoners missing! 🤬

I missed you, Ash. What a horrible story. It's troubling that the legal system shows any mercy for people who clearly showed none to their victims. That's how "frontier" justice or vigilantism is created. BTW, although a Christian myself, I don't believe that a religious conversion should factor at all in sentencing. If you did the crime, you should get the punishment due that crime - simple as that. Faith is between you and your Lord, not you and the government. A church I attended asked for prayers for a man who was formerly a drug dealer. The man had a wife and family by the time the law caught up with him. I prayed for the man, but not for leniency. He wound up convicted and was sent to prison.

This violent crime really did shake the entire S.W. Georgia community to the core. We have never forgotten it. Everytime i pass by the cemetery I think how in the world did this innocent, God fearing, wholesome Alday family wind up in the path of such beasts that day.

Yes, we noticed your absence, Ash 😅 Welcome back. This sad story hits so hard. I remember hearing my family talk about it back then when I was a little kid.

George was below stupid he's in there for not Paying child support something so minor now to major crime stupid!! May the family R.I.P

I was a teenager in Atlanta when this happened, and I remember the news coverage very well. This incident is what always comes to mind when I read or think about Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find."

I appreciate that you focus on family specific true crime:) there’s just NEVER a justifiable reason to kill a whole family, and I think that’s why these cases are so interesting.

Absolutely horrifying. The poor Alday family lost everything over a handful of change and the sadism of monsters 😢 First time viewer, new sub, great vid, thanks 👍

I live in McConnellsburg, PA & I heard about the murder of Richard Miller. His sister is married to my neighbors son. But I didn't know about the Alday family, so this video was very interesting to me. Thank you for posting this horrible story.

Yes 🙌🏼 thank u for this little gem! It’s very disturbing and very sad it’s so senseless. My heart goes out to them

So he tagged along because he was in love knowing he hardly had any time left on his sentence just to tell on himself when he got back and get charged with murders and sentence to death... 🤦🏼‍♀️

Poplar Hill was on the shore in MD, it's closed now and the land is set for reuse as a residential treatment center. It's a 90-120 minute drive across the bay from Baltimore. I believe it was a work farm/minimum security institution. It's quite rural.

Happy to have just found this channel! Succinct content, good length, and an epilogue regarding where they are today. A lot of other true crime sites could take notes. :)

OMG, I have not heard this story since I was a kid, but I was never told it in full, as my mom said it wasn't appropriate. Ty, for covering it!

I'm glad you're feeling better and I'm so sorry you keep getting sick in the first place. As always, I appreciate your kindness and respect you always bring to you videos. I find it especially important for the true crime community because I feel like some content creators forget that these were real people with real families, and I know I never have to worry about that with you and your videos. I hope you continue to feel well and have no more technical difficulties. best wishes!

I remember this as if it happened yesterday. Never in history has a case been drug out as long as this one. Being a Georgia resident for years everytime I opened the paper there seemed to be some reference to this case. Maybe soon, when the last of the killers dies it will finally be over.

I remember seeing this documentary and was disgusted, all those murders and poor Mary got raped by them all before she was murdered, she begged them to let her get dressed so she wouldn't be naked when she was found, of course she wasn't even given that last bit of respect. Disgusting evil people, there aren't even words to describe what they are. I hope they all rot in hell!!

I often feel that the judicial system has contempt for juries and delights in finding ways to overturn their decisions, particularly when GUILTY is the clear, rightful verdict

Oh Ashley! This is one of the most horrific stories! I can hardly imagine the suffering of the Alday family in their final moments. Just so awful and sad. I had never heard of this case, so thanks for doing it! I've been offline awhile and really missed your channel most of anything! Hope you're well!

We lived in North Florida when this happened and remember how everyone was so upset and shocked.😢

This is horrific....that poor woman!let her fami!y a nd her home.....how the other family live with themselves after taking it is beyond me.....legal or not..... I would have given it back to her....my conscience wouldn't let me keep it

So happy to have you back!! You were totally missed!! ❤ Glad you're feeling better, and so sorry to hear you lost all your audio.. 😩

i’m also confused as to why the hell they thought robbing people in a small town was a good idea. people in small towns definitely won’t have that much money, especially farmers, and plus everyone will notice immediately that something happened which actually makes the likelihood of them being caught greater. just shows how stupid they were lol

My aunt Jeannie was an Alday and happened to be on St Simons with my uncle that day of the murders. I still cant believe the farm was taken from the Alday family . I remember hearing my 2 uncles going and taking some of the farm equipment when they found out the farm was given to Mary's family

Found this channel 4 a.m. (in a rabbit hole) and its rare I see stories I'm not real familiar with. Channel will grow, I'm Enjoying it..new sub

Omg the uncle holding onto his nephew is so sad 💔

Missed you. Glad you are feeling better. This story brought to my mind the recent murder of the Collins family by the escaped prisoner Gonzalo Lopez. 💔😢

Thanks for the follow up on what happened to these 4. Good to hear Coleman being denied parol. All of them lived miserable after the murders, good to hear some form of KARMA justice was served.

Atleast 3 out of 4 are dead. And the one left is rotting in prison where he belongs 😊 I know that's not nice but demons in human form don't deserve that. I'm so sorry you've been sick and I hope you are doing well now and just keep feeling better 💗 take care of you first and foremost and we'll be here whenever you are 😘

What a horrific case. You are a great narrator and glad you're back.

This popped up in my "recommended." So sitting here getting over bronchitis myself, I watched, "liked" and subbed. I hope you're feeling better. Love from this Aussie. 👋🇦🇺😊

Glad you're back & feeling better. Bronchitis can be brutal. Thanks for bringing us this tragic case. I hadn't heard of it before your video.

What a sad fate for the Alday family. 🤍🖤

Sister Ash ! The return of your great narration is a great thing.

So glad you're back! I've loved your channel bc your delivery and research is remarkable. Great job and please keep it up!:)

Welcome back and hope you stay healthy. I remember hearing about these murders years ago and it terrified me.

So glad you are back. Missed listening to your documentaries & voice. looking forward to hearing more of your very interesting chronicles.

Oh my goodness unbelievable that there's so many evil people on this world

Could you do the Hannon family massacre on the Pacolet river? My mother was a Hannon before she married my dad. Her grandmother was a Cherokee Native. Its like having the Hatfields and mcCoys in the same family. P.s. the Hannons were at faught and took all of the losses.

Very Happy to have you back. Glad you healed up from that. I've always really enjoyed your content. But always take whatever "you time you need" because your best work will occur when you lean into that adaptive organically occurring creative process. Especially since each video takes a bunch of gathering case information. I'm just really happy anytime you share and edit such a interesting older case that I didn't know about. Really you are just awesome at picking which cases you cover. They always pull in all my attention as well as your editing and writing. Keep it up!! You're channel is one of the top 5 true crime channels.

Always enjoy your videos. I have not heard of this case before. Keep up the good work !🙂

Stunning barbarity. A gang of barbarous murderous thugs, and of course innocent, and of course useless cowards and eaters. Very very very sad.

I like the type of stories you tell. Yes I am glad you are back!

I've lived in Georgia my whole life, but I've never heard of this awful case. I'm sure my parents and grandparents remember it though. I would have been just a little girl when it happened. That's so terrible for this family and so sad. This world we live in is getting worse with evil people like this. You just about can't trust anyone these days. My dad was murdered when I was only 10 years old in 1979. You talking about having your world turned upside down.... oh my gosh....it was awful!! You eventually move on with your life, but you ever forget.

Well...Small town vigilantes could have taken care of all 4 of them and saved everyone added heartache. They had no right to live after what they did to that family.

I didn’t really remember any details but I remember this happening and being on the news. I was raised in Ga so it was big news.

Glad you are back and I did enjoy this video!

Glad your feeling better! Thanks for this video. I’m from Georgia and when this tragedy occurred I was eleven years old. I was an avid reader even back then and remember it well. Great reporting!

You just popped up on my recommended & I’m really impressed!! Subscribed!!

The justice system failed the Alday family.

So glad your back and feeling better I’m happy your back I look forward to the stories ❤️

Hope you are feeling better. When someone smiles while recounting what they did to people that is not a good sign. That is scary. Glad they were all caught.

I’m so glad you’re back and feeling better! I love your videos! 🎉🎉🎉

Glad things are getting better for you. Thanks for sharing this story.

I'm really glad you're okay! We need these stories! I got covid for the first time last week. It really did live up to the hype of how sick you feel ☹ we're here for you! 😘

So glad to know you are doing better. Thank you for all you do and your content. I wait for it, then settle in!

I’m glad you’re back and well, we did miss you! You’re legit one of my fave channels 😊🙌

I was totally captivated.. Of course we're happy to have you back!! 😊

Glad to have you back!

So far I've watched 3 episodes from your channel. I've never heard of these cases. Good work.

Hi! I just found your channel. I appreciate what you say at the start of the story that we are remembering the family. We are giving them the respect they deserve. I appreciated how the whole community came out to mourn with the remaining family. I hope you get stronger and completely well. Extra vit A is good for the respiratory tract.

I really dont believe prisoners are suddenly saved by God. I think they want to BELIEVE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BURN IN HELL for what they have done to good people. God created hell for this reason. And for fallen angels and their leader, Lucifer.

loving these stories from my home state! Great work!

Just found your channel and been binge watching love it

Horrible crime; never failed to make headlines here in Atlanta whenever one of the killers was up for parole.

Thank you Ash. Awesome as always!

Excellent episode, hope you are feeling much better!

The poor Alday family may they all rest in peace. The pieces of garbage that put them in the ground should have all had the death penalty. And I don't care if they found the Lord in jail cuz if it's not a true commitment to Lord then it will be known on Judgment Day and you will rot in hell anyways. What disgusting I don't even want to call them human beings. The devastation they left behind is just...I'm at loss for words.

Glad you're back 🤗 and sorry to hear about your files.

This is a horrible tragedy that I have never heard of. I was a Jr. In high 🏫 in California in 1973 and didn't listen to the news much since to me it was all about the war. What a deranged bunch of escapees. It's so hard to imagine the torture they went through. RIP to the family 👪 🙏 😪 💔

Great coverage! Thanks! And, I am glad you are feeling better...

I honestly just found you and in binge watching you amazing videos. I subscribe to you. Great luck to you. I did subscribed.

Some of this happened close to where I live. I'm from Hagerstown Maryland.

Just a small correction: the prison was Poplar Hill, not popular hill. Excellent story!! Thank you!

Hello Ash so glad to see you made another great video keep up the great work

Well done. I read Blood Echoes and this video does it justice. Carl wasn't executed yet when the book came out.

Well told! Thank you. Sad story.

I am from a farm family. Yes. Lots of wealth involved. It’s disgusting that they left that woman in poverty. Such destructive and selfish actions after their family being treated in such a brutally destructive and selfish manner. I don’t get it.

Well I’m glad you’re feeling better Ash. Thanks for a very interesting but sad story.