The Sinister Story Behind the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Missouri Will Give You Chills

A journey along Route 66 in Missouri leads to a plethora of fascinating sites – from the old-school Route 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage to Meramec Caverns in Sullivan. There’s so much to see and to do along the famous route that it makes a fun road trip. However, one stop along Route 66, the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Missouri, has a sinister story behind it – a tragic tale that those who know it will never forget.

Connecting Missouri to Illinois, the (Old) Chain of Rocks Bridge has been a familiar sight over the Mississippi River since it opened to traffic in 1929. Some, however, may not have heard the tragic tale of what happened on this very bridge.

Called “one of the more interesting bridges in America” by the National Park Service, the bridge’s most unique feature is the 22-degree bend at the halfway point.

The bridge officially closed in 1968. In the years since, it has become part of a popular hiking and biking trail.

However, it also has a sinister past – the sight of a double murder in the early 1990s.

On April 5, 1991, sisters Julie (20) and Robin Kerry (19) were hanging out with their cousin Thomas Cummins on the Chain of Rocks Bridge. The trio ran into several others on the bridge – Reginald Clemons, Marlin Gray, and teens Antonio Richardson and Daniel Winfrey.

A terrifying tale emerged of that evening's events. The two men and two teens had, according to authorities, robbed Cummins and raped the sisters before throwing the women from the bridge to their deaths.

Cummins claimed he jumped off of the bridge to save himself. However, when authorities arrived at the bridge, he had no bruises and wasn’t wet. He was eventually cleared as a suspect.

All four men were either found or pled guilty. Gray was executed in 2005, and Richardson and Clemons both received life after their death sentences were overturned. Winfrey was eventually released.

Today, visitors to the bridge will pass a memorial plaque, installed in honor of Julie and Robin. Julie’s body was recovered several weeks after the murders, but Robin was never found.

Did you know the tragic tale behind the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Missouri? Have you hiked or biked along the bridge? Share this article with someone who would want to read it.

Missouri has its fair share of spooky stories. Have you heard of the legend of the Kirksville Devil’s Chair? That tale will certainly give you chills, too.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.