In this gripping final chapter of Only Murders on the Harbor, Kaydee and James trace the complex and haunting aftermath of Laura Law’s murder—a case that refused to fade quietly into history. From failed federal investigations and unsealed tax court revelations, to political conspiracies and Cold War hysteria, this episode dives deep into how Laura’s death became a pawn in local and national power struggles.

Listeners will hear how key figures like County Commissioner Richard Ultican and union leader Dick Law became entangled in allegations of corruption, cover-ups, and Communist paranoia. We follow the trail through a federal grand jury, a tax evasion conviction, and bizarre testimony by professional anti-Communist Paul Crouch—all of which only muddy the waters further.

Ultimately, we explore the enduring mystery and legacy of Laura Law’s tragic death, the weight it left on her family, and how political narratives tried to reshape her story for decades. It's a powerful, thought-provoking close to one of Grays Harbor’s most unsettling and politically charged murder cases.

Sources:

Jennifer Ott's "Laura Law is found murdered in her Aberdeen home on January 5, 1940", https://www.historylink.org/File/9260.

Robert Saltvig's "The Tragic Legend of Laura Law", https://www.jstor.org/stable/40490240

Washington State's Archives' File on the case of Laura Law's murder, https://www.sos.wa.gov/about-office/from-our-corner/general/archives-75th-anniversary-law-murder-case

Matthew N. Wells's "Billy's Back: Walk of the Undead", https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/downtown-aberdeen-association-seeking-input-tuesday-for-spooky-october-tour/

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the Laura Law murder case, we return to Grays Harbor to unravel the explosive political fallout that followed Laura’s tragic death. What began as a brutal homicide quickly transformed into a fierce ideological battle—one that exposed deep divisions between labor unions and local power structures.

This episode traces the efforts of the Grays Harbor Civil Rights Committee to defend Laura’s husband, Dick Law, as they allege corruption, conspiracy, and cover-ups tied to powerful business interests. We explore the national attention the case drew, the push for Department of Justice involvement, the role of the media, and the growing paranoia around communism. As lines blur between legal inquiry and political war, we ask: Was Laura’s murder ever just about Laura?

🎧 Tune in as we dig through historical archives, fiery courtroom drama, and the voices of resistance to reveal the murky undercurrents beneath one of Washington’s most politically charged murder cases.

#OnlyMurdersOnTheHarbor #TrueCrimePodcast #LauraLaw #GraysHarbor #UnsolvedMystery #LaborHistory #CivilRights #UnionStrong #MurderMystery #HistoricalTrueCrime #PodcastEpisode #NowPlaying

Season 1, Episode 1 of Only Murders on the Harbor sets the stage with an eerie, atmospheric tone, highlighting the fog-shrouded coastal town of Grays Harbor County, Washington. Hosted by Kaydee and her fiancé James, the podcast introduces the murder of Laura Law against a backdrop of labor unrest, political divisions, and anti-communist sentiment in 1930s Aberdeen. The episode explores Laura’s background as a Finnish immigrant and her role as a key organizer in the union movement alongside her husband, Dick Law—a prominent, controversial figure accused of communist affiliations. Tensions escalate with historical events like the Red Hall raid, clashes between rival unions, and mounting hostility from local businesses and conservative groups. The episode culminates in the brutal, unsolved murder of Laura Law, intertwining personal tragedy with larger political conflicts, leaving listeners questioning who was responsible and why.

Sources:

Jennifer Ott's "Laura Law is found murdered in her Aberdeen home on January 5, 1940", https://www.historylink.org/File/9260.

Robert Saltvig's "The Tragic Legend of Laura Law", https://www.jstor.org/stable/40490240

Washington State's Archives' File on the case of Laura Law's murder, https://www.sos.wa.gov/about-office/from-our-corner/general/archives-75th-anniversary-law-murder-case

Matthew N. Wells's "Billy's Back: Walk of the Undead", https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/downtown-aberdeen-association-seeking-input-tuesday-for-spooky-october-tour/