Behind every story lies another—the shared journey of those who bring truth and love into the light.
My name is Shelley Hamilton, and I am the co‑author of The Forsaken. I have spent more than eight years uncovering the truth behind a deeply personal and complex case that forever changed my family and community: the 1978 murders of my twenty‑four‑year‑old sister, Rhonda Hamilton Wicht, and her little boy, my four‑year‑old nephew, Donnie Wicht.
Writing a book has always been a dream of mine, and this project became a calling. My journey to co‑authoring The Forsaken began not as a writer, but as a sister and an advocate determined to share who Rhonda and Donnie were—beyond the headlines and legal files.
Since the convicted killer’s release from prison in 2017, media attention has largely centered on his narrative as a “wrongfully convicted” man. Yet no media outlet ever focused on the lives of Rhonda and Donnie or revisited the original evidence that led to his conviction in 1980 for their murders.
Through my ongoing work and my blog, Justice for Rhonda and Donnie, I continue to tell the story the media has overlooked. In their effort to cast the convicted killer as the victim, the true victims—my sister and nephew—have too often been forgotten, and forsaken.
Partnering with my incredible author, Alicia Doyle, we’ve devoted ourselves to documenting the facts, confirming the timelines, and sharing the emotional truth that drives this story. The process has been challenging, emotional, and deeply transformative, reminding me why truth matters and how storytelling can be a powerful force for justice.
Alicia’s extraordinary gift for storytelling has turned my memories, heartbreak, and hope into something truly alive on these pages. With every read, I’m in awe of how she brings Rhonda and Donnie to life—as if she’d known and loved them as we did. Her words have given them a voice that echoes through every chapter. My greatest hope is that you, the reader, feel their presence too—and understand not only how deeply they are loved, but also the importance of truth itself. Within these pages, the facts and evidence that once led to the conviction of their murderer are finally told, giving clarity to a story too long overshadowed by misconception and deceit.
My hope is that The Forsaken not only informs readers, but also inspires them to keep asking hard questions and to never stop seeking truth—no matter how many years it takes.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
