In 1897, the spirit of a young woman reportedly revealed her own murder. Elva Zona Heaster Shue was initially declared to have died of natural causes. Her mother, Mary Jane Heaster, claimed to have contacted Zona’s spirit during a séance.
According to Mary Jane, Zona’s ghost disclosed that her husband, Edward Stribbling Trout Shue, had killed her by breaking her neck. This revelation prompted Mary Jane to seek the local prosecutor's help to reopen her daughter’s death case.
Despite skepticism, the prosecutor entertained her claims and decided to reinvestigate. The original coroner had ruled Zona's death as heart disease, but public sentiment had shifted, leading to a closer examination.
Zona was exhumed, and an autopsy revealed evidence of foul play. Her neck was broken, and there were signs of strangulation. The findings contradicted the initial verdict and led to Edward Shue's arrest.
During his trial, Mary Jane was the key witness. Though her testimony included her ghostly experiences, the prosecution did not emphasize this to avoid ridicule. However, the defense attempted to undermine her credibility by focusing on her claims. This backfired, as her recounting of the ghostly visit remained consistent under pressure.
Shue was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. A lynch mob formed with intentions to execute him, but law enforcement intervened. He died in prison three years later under unclear circumstances.
The Greenbrier Ghost case remains a unique event in criminal history. It is one of the few instances where a ghost’s testimony is said to have influenced the outcome of a murder trial.
