'I hate him': Mother arrested for murder in 1970 cold case death of 16-month-old son

SULPHUR, La. (KPLC/Gray News) - A 75-year-old mother from Louisiana, Alice Bunch Idlett, has been arrested in connection with the 1970 death of her 16-month-old son, Earl D. Bunch III, and charged with second-degree murder. The arrest occurred on March 27, following a renewed investigation initiated by the Sulphur Police Department in 2022 at the request of the child's family.

Earl Bunch III's death on January 20, 1970, was initially attributed to injuries from a fall out of a crib, while his father, Earl Bunch Jr., was serving overseas during the Vietnam War. However, the case went cold due to insufficient evidence at the time. It wasn't until decades later that renewed scrutiny uncovered troubling details that warranted further investigation.

In letters addressed to her husband while he was deployed, Alice expressed deep resentment towards her son, revealing her struggles with motherhood. In one particular letter from November 1969, she wrote candidly about her anger and feelings of hopelessness, stating, “I hate him. That's the honest truth.” Another letter from December expressed indifference toward her son's wellbeing, indicating a profound emotional disconnect.

Initial reports from medical examinations raised red flags; when Alice brought her son to the hospital, he was found limp and gasping for breath. The attending physician noted evidence of abuse, including bite marks and bruises, and the child subsequently died during emergency surgery. These findings led authorities to take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding his death.

With new information gained during the investigation, including the exhumation of Earl's remains for a forensic autopsy, authorities determined the cause of death to be homicide. As a result, Alice Bunch Idlett was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center, with a bond set at $950,000.