In a chilling revelation, April Balascio, the daughter of notorious serial killer Edward Wayne Edwards, is set to share her harrowing journey in her upcoming memoir titled Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth About My Father. Scheduled for release on December 3, 2024, Balascio’s book promises to delve into the complexities of growing up with a father whose dark secrets only came to light years later.
Edward Edwards, a traveling handyman, was a man whose life was marked by crime. Between 1970 and 1990, he confessed to five murders, including the infamous “Sweetheart Murders” of a teenage couple in 1980. He was arrested in 2009 after his daughter made the shocking decision to tip off the police about his heinous past. Edwards was sentenced to death row but died in 2011, just months before his scheduled execution.
In a recent interview on NewsNation’s “Banfield,” Balascio opened up about her childhood and the unsettling signs she began to notice about her father’s behavior. “As children, we see things that our parents don’t realize that we see,” she explained. Balascio recounted how her understanding of her father’s actions evolved over time, particularly during her elementary school years when she began to connect the dots.
Balascio’s memoir is not just a recounting of her father’s crimes but also an exploration of the emotional turmoil she faced growing up in an abusive household. She described her father as a charismatic individual who was well-liked by those around him, which made her eventual decision to report him even more shocking to family and friends. “He was very charismatic, and that’s why when I turned him in, people that we knew, that knew us, they just couldn’t believe it,” she said.
Throughout her childhood, Balascio endured her father’s volatile temper and abusive behavior. She recalled instances of physical violence, including witnessing him hit her pregnant mother and even being thrown across the room herself. “There was always that constant fear that his anger would erupt. You just never knew,” she stated, highlighting the duality of her father’s personality—he could be the life of the party one moment and a source of terror the next.
In addition to the five murders he confessed to, Edwards also admitted to killing his 25-year-old foster son in 1996, adding another layer of horror to his already grim legacy. Balascio’s revelations about her father’s abusive nature paint a picture of a man who was not only a killer but also a deeply troubled individual who inflicted pain on his own family.
Despite the darkness surrounding her father’s legacy, Balascio expressed a desire to remember the good moments they shared. She emphasized that her father was also capable of love and warmth, stating, “He was still very loving, and I still remember good things.” This complex portrayal of Edwards adds depth to Balascio’s narrative, as she seeks to reconcile the loving father she knew with the monster he became.
Alongside her memoir, Balascio co-hosts a podcast titled The Clearing, where she further explores her family’s history and the impact of her father’s crimes on her life. The podcast serves as a platform for her to share her story and connect with others who have experienced similar traumas.
As the release date for her memoir approaches, Balascio’s story is poised to captivate readers with its blend of personal reflection and true crime. Her courage in confronting her father’s legacy and her determination to shed light on the complexities of familial relationships in the face of horror are themes that resonate deeply in today’s society.
In a world where the narratives of serial killers often overshadow the lives they impacted, April Balascio’s memoir offers a unique perspective—one that challenges readers to consider the human cost of such heinous acts. As she prepares to share her journey, the anticipation for Raised by a Serial Killer continues to grow, promising an unforgettable exploration of trauma, resilience, and the quest for understanding.
