Gibsland, Louisiana – Ninety years after their infamous deaths, the tale of Bonnie and Clyde still captivates. The notorious crime spree of this Depression-era couple, which included the killings of nine law enforcement officers, has left an indelible mark on American history. Now, two of their relatives are pushing to fulfill their wish to be buried together, finally laying to rest a love story steeped in notoriety and tragedy.
Bonnie Parker, just 23 years old when she met her end in 1934, was initially buried in Dallas’s Fishtrap Cemetery. But her remains were later moved to Crown Hill Memorial Park, where she lies beside her mother, Emma, against the wishes of Bonnie and Clyde. According to a source close to two of the couple’s surviving descendants, Bonnie and Clyde had always wanted to be buried together, anticipating their eventual capture and demise.
Despite enduring unsuccessful attempts to have Bonnie reunited with Clyde, two relatives of the outlaws continue to fight for their wish. Rhea Leen Linder, Bonnie’s niece, and Buddy Barrow Williams, a nephew of Clyde, are waging a battle to honor their ancestors’ last request, detailed in Williams’ memoir, “Growing Up Barrow.”
An ongoing effort to have Bonnie reinterred next to Clyde at Western Heights has faced hurdles, with Crown Hill cemetery officials showing resistance. There are whispers of concern that moving Bonnie’s grave could affect tourism to Crown Hill, where visitors continue to pay homage to her.
The legacy of Bonnie and Clyde has made its mark on pop culture, with an Academy Award-winning film cementing their place in history. But beneath the glamorized image lies a story of two individuals from humble beginnings, whose mutual obsession led to a violent crime spree. From early criminal connections to a passionate love story and brutal killings, the saga of Bonnie and Clyde has captured the imagination of many, including their own descendants, still striving to reunite them in death.
As the saga of Bonnie and Clyde is revisited 90 years on, their enduring tale of love, violence, and notoriety continues to captivate audiences, inspiring ongoing efforts to fulfill their last wish and bring an infamous love story full circle.