New book holds answers to several decades long questions in Nebraska’s coldest murder case

New book holds answers to several decades long questions in Nebraska's coldest murder case

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A new book uncovers 55 years of questions in Nebraska’s coldest murder case

WAHOO, Neb. —

New book holds answers to several decades-long questions in Nebraska’s coldest murder case. 17-year-old Mary Kay Heese was murdered in Wahoo, Nebraska, in 1969.

In 2025, Joseph Ambrose was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

A local investigator and author teamed up to write the Chasing Evil In America’s Heartland, which was released 10 days ago.

“This book gives us what other authors, TV producers, and law enforcement officials have been unable to deliver for decades. The fullest accounting of what happening to Mary Kay Heese on March 25, 1969,” 5th generation Nebraskan Brian Hastert said.

The book holds answers to a decades-long cold case. People lived with this case for more than 50 years, with no answers to what happened.

Author and investigative journalist Leesa Zalesky met former local investigator Ted Greed after moving to Wahoo in 2018.

“The librarian knew my history. And she suggested that I go meet with this Ted Green, the investigator of this murder from 1916. And so she was really the genesis of the book,” Zalesky said.

Zalesky and Green spent eight years collaborating and documenting for the book on Heese’s murder case.

“When the plea deal came, and the sentence came down, and her killer was home for Thanksgiving dinner with his family, that’s when I knew we’re going to press with this book,” Zalesky said.

Green spent 11 years investigating Heese’s murder. He began working with Leesa before the case was taken to court, being careful to never jeopardize the case.

“She did a great job putting it together and working together with her. She allowed me to stay quiet until everything was done in the trial,” Green said.

The book documents what Zalesky said were missteps in the initial investigation.

“All of those things came together. Let her killer walk free for 50 years. 55 years. And he’s free today,” Zalesky said.

They said the years of work were to give people answers they’ve never had before.

“Mary Kay’s parents both went to their graves not knowing who killed their daughter or why. That hurts my heart,” Zalesky said.

“We do our job for the victims and for the family of the victims. But that brings it out in the book, and that’s what it does,” Green said.

After more than a decade of investigating and working with Zalesky to bring the truth to light, Green resigned after a judge’s decision in 2025.

“I promised the family I would stay till the very end, whether he pled or was found guilty, and I wasn’t going to let it go,” Green said. “But the minute I found out that they had signed the plea deal, I laid my keys on my desk and walked out.”

There will be a book signing at the Wahoo Public Library next week on Aug. 12; both Green and Zalesky will be there to answer questions about the book and the case.

Visit this link for more information and to buy a copy of the book.

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