S9 E9 The Investigation Continues

The first 100 pages contain daily logs of breakfast, dinner, supper, and exercise, but the rest of the prison records are significant for two main reasons.

Number one, they do include mentions of the Kosteniuk murders, and number two, we get the most insight yet from multiple different sources writing about Joseph at that time.

Here's where the Kosteniuk murders are mentioned.

First, in an RCMP note prepared for the parole board in September of 1959.

[typewriter clacking] "Phillips is the father of four daughters, the oldest being Eleanor, presently 20 years of age.

On January 6, 1959, Eleanor, who is unmarried, became the mother of an infant.

It was suspected by his relatives and neighbors that Joseph Charles Phillips was the father of his daughter's child.

Upon receipt of this information at this office, same was considered during the investigation of the murder of Joseph Charles Phillips' father and mother-in-law, Mr.

And Mrs. Andrew Kosteniuk, which occurred on June 27th, 1959 at South Wellington, BC.

Phillips' wife, Margaret Phillips, age 37, has been admitted to Essondale Mental Hospital on three occasions since 1955, each being a period of approximately three months, and during these periods, Phillips would have sexual relations with his daughter, Eleanor." A statement to that effect was obtained from Eleanor Phillips on August 20th, 1959.

For me, this is one of the most significant documents we've uncovered.

It's the first contemporaneous RCMP record explicitly connecting the murder investigation to the discovery of Joseph Phillips' incest offenses.

We also have a letter from a warden sent to the commissioner of penitentiaries.

The above-named inmate was admitted to the penitentiary on October 6, 1959 to serve a sentence of five years for the offense of incest.

Inmate Phillips was recently the subject of an intensive investigation by the RCMP in the persons of Corporal M.G. Lowe and Constable J.F. Hamilton of the E Division CIB Victoria, BC.

Relative to his possible implication in the murder of his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kosteniuk, which occurred at South Wellington, BC in June 1959.

The RCMP police file in the case is listed as 59E68156.

This letter, too, is important.

Unlike later recollections, this is an official prison document confirming Joseph Phillips was intensively questioned about the murders.

Now, we don't know why they don't charge Joseph back then, but his prison records provide incredible insight into the man during his time behind bars.

There are medical reports, parole material, and psychological evaluations as well.

Here's part of his case history, written in the fall of 1959.

Introduction.

This 58-year-old man is commencing his first penitentiary sentence of five years for incest.

He served one previous jail term for contributing to juvenile delinquency in 1939.