Rita and Bill’s Vulnerable Partnership

Killers of the Flower Moon

This flow traces Rita and Bill Smith’s troubled marriage, their search for answers, and the bombing that destroys their household.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Marriage with Unequal Power

A Marriage with Unequal Power New Attachments After Minnie dies, Bill Smith marries Rita, joining himself to another branch of Mollie’s family. He becomes involved in the family’s affairs and later pursues suspicions about the deaths. Fractures at Home Bill drinks and sometimes uses violence against Rita. Her threats to leave him do not end the relationship, leaving their partnership both intimate and unstable.

A Search for the Killers A Search for the Killers from "Killers of the Flower Moon". A Search for the Killers Bill’s Suspicions After Lizzie dies, Bill argues that her illness may have been poisoning.

A Search for the Killers from "Killers of the Flower Moon". A Search for the Killers Bill’s Suspicions After Lizzie dies, Bill argues that her illness may have been poisoning.

A Search for the Killers Bill’s Suspicions After Lizzie dies, Bill argues that her illness may have been poisoning. He believes the deaths in Mollie’s family are connected to oil wealth. Personal Risk His inquiries make him an increasingly vulnerable witness. The investigation puts pressure on his marriage and household as the danger around the family grows.

Fear Outside Fairfax Fear Outside Fairfax from "Killers of the Flower Moon". Fear Outside Fairfax Threats at the House Bill and Rita hear intruders around their isolated home and begin to fear that they are being watched.

Fear Outside Fairfax from "Killers of the Flower Moon". Fear Outside Fairfax Threats at the House Bill and Rita hear intruders around their isolated home and begin to fear that they are being watched.

Fear Outside Fairfax Threats at the House Bill and Rita hear intruders around their isolated home and begin to fear that they are being watched. Dogs in the area later die, deepening their sense that someone is preparing an attack. A Move for Safety They relocate to a house nearer the center of Fairfax, hoping neighbors and watchdogs will deter intruders. Their move offers a short-lived sense of protection.

The Night of the Explosion The Night of the Explosion from "Killers of the Flower Moon". The Night of the Explosion A Home Destroyed A bomb tears apart the Smiths’ house while Bill, Rita, and their servant are inside.

The Night of the Explosion from "Killers of the Flower Moon". The Night of the Explosion A Home Destroyed A bomb tears apart the Smiths’ house while Bill, Rita, and their servant are inside.

The Night of the Explosion A Home Destroyed A bomb tears apart the Smiths’ house while Bill, Rita, and their servant are inside. Ernest Burkhart reaches the ruins among the first onlookers. Unequal Survival Bill is pulled from the wreckage alive but gravely burned; Rita is dead, and Nettie Brookshire cannot be found. The attack destroys the household and leaves Bill with only a brief chance to speak.

Bill’s Last Accusation Bill’s Last Accusation from "Killers of the Flower Moon". Bill’s Last Accusation A Hospitalbed Secret Bill’s doctors and lawyer meet with him privately as he lies dying.

Bill’s Last Accusation from "Killers of the Flower Moon". Bill’s Last Accusation A Hospitalbed Secret Bill’s doctors and lawyer meet with him privately as he lies dying.

Bill’s Last Accusation A Hospitalbed Secret Bill’s doctors and lawyer meet with him privately as he lies dying. The doctors initially deny that he named anyone, but later testimony reveals his claim that William K. Hale and Ernest Burkhart were his enemies. A Voice Lost Bill dies before investigators can obtain a clear, public account of what he knew. His death leaves the family with a crucial accusation that will take years to reach the federal case.

After 1918

Summer 1921 onward

Early 1923

March 1923