This article is over 5 years old

Houston Matters

Texas Prisoner Responds To Theory That He’s Responsible For Galveston Serial Murders

Is Edward Harold Bell a serial killer who preyed on young women around Galveston in the 1970s – or is he just the subject of a vast conspiracy?

Share

Edward Harold Bell, in prison for murder, responds to a theory from two investigators that he might be a serial killer responsible for numerous murders of young women in and around Galveston in the 1970s.

Houston Matters recently brought you the story of two investigators who have a theory as to who might've killed eleven young women in and around Galveston in the 1970s.

Their theory is that considerable circumstantial evidence points to Edward Harold Bell, who happens to already be in prison for a different murder in the 1970s.

We asked Bell if he had a response to that theory, and he does. Houston Matters senior producer Michael Hagerty traveled to the Texas prison where Bell is being held to find out what he has to say about these allegations.

  • Edward Harold Bell in a 1978 booking photo and a more recent TDCJ mugshot.
    Edward Harold Bell in a 1978 booking photo and a more recent TDCJ mugshot.
  • Edward Harold Bell, in prison for murder, responds to a theory from two investigators that he might be a serial killer responsible for numerous murders of young women in and around Galveston in the 1970s. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty)
    Edward Harold Bell, in prison for murder, responds to a theory from two investigators that he might be a serial killer responsible for numerous murders of young women in and around Galveston in the 1970s. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty)
  • Dr. Debra Osterman is a staff psychiatrist with the Harris Center for Mental Health. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty)
    Dr. Debra Osterman is a staff psychiatrist with the Harris Center for Mental Health. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty)
  • Photos of eleven young women murdered in and around Galveston in the 1970s. Former homicide detective Fred Paige has a theory about who killed them.
    Photos of eleven young women murdered in and around Galveston in the 1970s. Former homicide detective Fred Paige has a theory about who killed them.
  • Lise Olsen, investigative reporter for the Houston Chronicle, and Fred Paige, a former Galveston homicide detective, think they know who committed 11 unsolved murders in and around Galveston during the 1970s. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty)
    Lise Olsen, investigative reporter for the Houston Chronicle, and Fred Paige, a former Galveston homicide detective, think they know who committed 11 unsolved murders in and around Galveston during the 1970s. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty)
Today in Houston Newsletter Signup
We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. **Please note** If you are already signed up for the newsletter, you do not need to sign up again. Your subscription will be migrated over.
Michael Hagerty

Michael Hagerty

Senior Producer, Houston Matters

Michael Hagerty is the senior producer for Houston Matters. He's spent more than 20 years in public radio and television and dabbled in minor league baseball, spending four seasons as the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

More Information