Cartersville Murders - Part 3

In our last post, we examined the frustrating disappearance of key evidence in the Monty and Patricia Woody case. But even without that missing DNA and destroyed clothing, one piece of potential evidence remains—a handwritten note left at the scene. Could this note be the key to unraveling the mystery?

A Cryptic Goodbye or a Desperate Warning?

At the scene of the crime, investigators found a note addressed to Monty that read:

“Monty. I’ve decided to leave early. Sorry I couldn’t say bye. Thanks for helping me (and) I wish you luck!”

This simple message raises more questions than answers. Who wrote it? When was it written? And most importantly—does the author know what happened to Monty and Patricia?

Possible Interpretations of the Note

The note suggests familiarity—the writer knew Monty and appears grateful for his help. But there are three major possibilities for what it truly means:

1. A Person in Need of Help

   • Could Monty and Patricia have been assisting someone in danger?

   • Was the writer escaping an abusive relationship or a criminal threat?

   • Did their act of kindness put them in harm’s way?

     
     

2. A Staged Clue Meant to Mislead

   • Could the note have been planted by the killer to confuse investigators?

   • Was it left deliberately to steer the case away from the real motive?

   • If so, why make it sound so casual rather than leaving a clearer alibi?

     
     

3. A Final Message from Someone Who Knew the Truth

   • Could this note be a farewell from someone who realized Monty was in trouble?

   • Did Monty confide in the writer about something dangerous before their deaths?

   • What exactly was Monty “helping” them with?

     
     

Investigators Came Up Empty—But Why?

Authorities released the note to the public in 2005, hoping that someone would recognize the handwriting. But no one came forward. That silence is telling. Was it because the writer feared for their life? Or because the note wasn’t as innocent as it seemed?

Combine this with the mishandling of physical evidence—DNA lost, clothing destroyed—and a troubling pattern emerges. Is this yet another clue that was ignored or intentionally buried?

Who Could Have Written It?

If the person who wrote this note is still alive, they may hold the missing piece of the puzzle. Did they know Monty and Patricia well? Were they staying with them? Could they have witnessed something—something that made them flee in a hurry?

This person may not have been the killer, but they could be the key to understanding why Monty and Patricia were murdered.

What’s Next?

More than three decades later, this case remains unsolved, and the note remains a mystery. If you recognize the handwriting, or if you know anything about who might have written it, now is the time to speak up.

In the next installment, we will dive deeper into who Monty and Patricia were helping, and whether that connection sealed their fate.

What do you think? Was the note a cry for help, a planted misdirection, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts below.