Frances Williams wasn’t supposed to work the day she died. But when the 67-year-old housekeeper was called in to make dinner for the Friendlys on Oct. 12, 1978, she agreed. As Williams prepared the meal, Edward and Sophia Friendly relaxed in their desert dream home, an oasis tucked up against the San Jacinto Mountains; their swanky Palm Springs neighborhood boasted Liberace, Elizabeth Taylor and Peter Lawford as residents.
The Friendlys weren’t expecting company that evening, but Sophia nonetheless dressed in heels and a gown: She had once been one of San Francisco’s most striking young socialites, and at 71, she still believed in looking her best. In the study, Edward poured himself a drink and turned up the TV. Dinner was already in the oven — where it would stay for the next 12 hours.
In the morning, a pool maintenance worker arrived at 893 Camino del Sur. He noticed the house seemed unusually still — the Friendlys were normally up and about at that time. Curious, he peeked in a window, where he saw something he’d never forget: Williams’ slumped body, shot through the head.
Palm Springs police found a scene straight out of an Agatha Christie novel. The table was set for a dinner that was never served. Sophia was splayed out in a hallway, shot from behind as she ran from her killer. Edward was dead in his chair, the television still playing at a booming volume; he was nearly deaf, so detectives speculated he never realized the shooter was sneaking up behind him. There was no sign of forced entry, and neighbors hadn’t heard a thing…