Local True Crime Podcaster Writes Book In Hopes To Breath New Life Into 3 Okla. Cold Cases
- Sirens Network
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 19
FOX23, TULSA, Okla -- Local author, podcaster and true crime advocate, Raven Rollins has recently published her book, “Sins of the South,” where she takes the reader on a deep dive into three of Oklahoma's cold cases.
“I have always had a fascination with crime. I can remember watching Unsolved Mysteries when I was young and being enveloped in the why of it all. As a victim of sexual assault, and having lost family members to murder, it only seems fitting that I would end up running a true crime podcast and writing true crime novels,” said Rollins.
Rollins says it took two years to complete the book. She took her time researching, gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and writing.
“Sins of the South” explores the case of 15-year-old Daniel Furr who went missing in 1995 in Ada, Okla.
“A body was found four days later that was identified as Daniel. I also focus on Sheila Deviney, a 30-year-old newly single mother of two with a domestic violence history who ended up burned alive in her own home in Maysville, Okla. Her death was initially thought to be accidental,” said Rollins.
The book also focuses on Shawna Jones’ cold case.
“She was a single mother of two who had moved back home to Henryetta, Okla., and was later found near a pond on New Year’s Day of 1994 in Henryetta, also initially thought to be accidental," said Rollins. "All of these cases, I feel, were mishandled by authorities and continue to be ignored. I feel like these cases could have been solved rather quickly if they had been handled appropriately, and can still be solved today with the right information in the appropriate hands."
The author has attended local book signings, where, at most of the events, she also holds panel discussions with family members of the victims.
“The goal is to have these cases reopened, reinvestigated, and closed with a solve. If that ceases to happen, we take solace in knowing that their names, who they were, and their time here on earth will not be forgotten,” said Rollins.
She believes it is vital to shed light on these Okla. cold cases through her work.
“If it’s cold, it means a killer still walks among us, and you simply never know who that killer may be. It not only calls for public safety, but advocacy for someone’s lost loved one, and you never know who may hold the key to solving the case. As Robert Stack said, ‘It could be you.’ With the book distribution among our local communities, we hope to reach someone who may hold answers in one or all of these cases," said Rollins.
“Sins of the South” is available in eBook format, paperback, and hardback on Amazon, as well as on the most common websites for book readers, including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Books-A-Million. It can also be found in some local stores, like Rivendell Books & Baubles in Broken Arrow and The Re-Finery in Ada, Oklahoma. You can request the book through your library or local bookstore.
