In September 2002, two women were found dead inside the Dolly Madison bakery in Great Bend, Kansas. Twenty years later, a filmmaker who grew up near the bakery, is determined to shed light on the case and find justice for the victims. With interviews, evidence analysis, and community involvement, the film investigates potential suspects, including someone who may be hiding in plain sight.
Runtime: 53 Minutes
Director: Aaron Mull
Where to watch:
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired you to create a documentary about the Dolly Madison bakery murders?
I grew up in Great Bend, Kansas. My first childhood home was 250 feet from where the Dolly Madison Bakery once was. It’s a story that I’ve always remembered, and one that I thought always deserved more attention.
Can you discuss the process of conducting interviews with friends, family members, local media, and law enforcement for the documentary?
My connections in Great Bend made it relatively easy to reach out to people and start the project. The families had felt overlooked for a long time, and I think this documentary provided an outlet for them to share their thoughts and stories. Because of the increasing interest in true crime, it’s often easy to lose sight of the fact that these are real people. Mandi and Mary had their own families and friends, who miss them both dearly. For me, it was important to tell their stories in the best possible way while being mindful that the victims’ loved ones will see it too. When it came to requesting interviews with law enforcement, they were more cautious about the project.
What was the most challenging aspect of creating this film and researching this unsolved case?
I think one of the more challenging things was just how little information is publicly available online. Since this happened in 2002, social media was not as prominent as it is today. I had to rely on archived newspapers and stories directly from the families. This was a lot more time consuming and resource intensive than sourcing materials online. It was virtually impossible to get anything that could be considered evidence in this case. In the state of Kansas, no case is ever considered cold. As the case is still considered open, they are protecting the evidence they have.
How do you hope this documentary will contribute to the pursuit of justice for Mandi Alexander and Mary Drake?
My hope is that someday this case gets solved. I think the vast majority of those I interviewed are seeking the same thing – justice for the victims. If the documentary helps get the story in front of the right person holding a piece of key information that can get this solved, that would be the ultimate win. While I’ve completed the documentary, my interest in this case remains, and I’ve grown closer to it than I thought I would. If people reach out with information, I will listen. I’m also very willing to speak with law enforcement if they feel that the information I’ve collected would be of use in the investigation.
How can I learn more about the case?
Serving as a compelling companion to The Dolly Madison Murders documentary, we encourage you to watch the deep dive video podcast that explores information unearthed since the film's completion. Immerse yourself in the chilling mystery of the 20-year-old case from Great Bend, Kansas, as the podcast meticulously examines evidence, witnesses, and theories. Uncover new revelations, including suspicious individuals and strange encounters near the crime scene. Investigate the potential mishandling of the case and the police's possible failure to pursue promising leads. This is a must-watch for those interested in the true crime documentary seeking a deeper understanding of this haunting story. [watch now]
