Witness Statement: Marie Devereux

Devereux is the owner of "Marie's" clothing store at Monarch Beach Market in Monarch Beach where Hilliard's body was found by a coworker on June 26th, 1999. Orange County authorities interviewed Devereux at her home in Monarch Beach. She lives alone, and has made sworn statement that she hasn't left her home since the previous evening.

FILED: 06/26/99 3:00pm

WITNESS: Marie Devereux

ADDRESS: Monarch Beach

STATEMENT:

Oh, darlings, you don't know how I'm suffering over this. Poor, dear girl. Carol was a special person, and I would burn that damn store to the ground just to have her back again! I don't give a twit about anything, not really. Just to have her back.

Carol came to me about two years ago for employ. As soon as I set eyes on her I knew that she would just fit the bill. She was so graceful, so humble! And I was not wrong. She was charming, and my clients absolutely adored her. It wasn't long before I felt perfectly comfortable leaving her with my inventory. I was finally able to travel back to France to visit friends and family and to shop, shop, shop! She gave me my freedom, and I value that highly.

Don't think I didn't reward that pretty thing. I may have spoiled her a bit, but she was deserving. Every time I went to France, I would pick up bits and pieces for her. I do believe she developed a healthy habit for truffles and Belgian lace! Compensation, you see.

And that girl could carry it well. She had a grace that was innate. And it could be developed. You don't find that very often in this country. In Europe, perhaps. But not here. Carol was every bit a lady.

Oh, I know about the drinking. She had a horrible disposition for that! Not suited. But I do believe it was that horrid affair that precipitated this, nothing more. Carol had such refinement except in her choice of lovers. My deep, deep sadness for her choices.

She was so unlucky with her first love! He was not deserving of her attention, that man. There is nothing, nothing wrong with an affair, mind you. All men are known to have them, and all women discreetly use them. But what she told me in all confidence was quite absurd. He just had no joie de vivre!

[Note: Just to note that I have no idea how to spell this French stuff! Give me a break!]

Oh, and then she has the lack of confidence to mind attention from this, ah! Help me, what is his name? Ding-Dong? Play-Doh? No! Yo-Yo! Yes! What a dog-eared piece of work he is! Dirt. Just plain dirt from which we're all made, but from which few of us rise. He wouldn't know a truffle from a trifle!

Oh, dear. All of this is very draining. Will you please excuse me for a bit?

[Note: Ms. French thing here asked for a "respite". Will continue.]

[Note: Statement continued. Time is 4:15pm]

Ah, where were we? Oh, yes. Carol's men. Oh, that girl could make heads turn, let me tell you! And she could have had her pick of many. But she didn't think well of herself, I believe. I tried. I tried to show her how we could pamper ourselves, live with gusto!

Oh, dear. But she can't at all now, can she? My. Oh! Have I told you about that adorable Limoges pin I found for her? It was so astounding! A little pin that resembled her tattoo almost to the hue. She was so startled to receive this gift. Really, she was.

[Note: Ms. French became incoherent at this time. It's believed that she may have self-medicated herself during her "respite". She's out like a light. Will continue at a later date.]