April Balascio’s childhood was marred by constant upheaval and an underlying sense of fear. Her family, led by her father, Edward Wayne Edwards, moved frequently, sometimes multiple times a year. Each relocation meant leaving behind nascent friendships and adapting to new surroundings. While Balascio became adept at packing efficiently to avoid losing her belongings, the emotional toll was significant. Her father instilled a pervasive fear in the family, claiming they were being pursued, adding another layer of anxiety to the already disruptive moves. This constant state of flux and apprehension defined Balascio’s formative years, leaving an indelible mark on her life. It wasn’t until much later in her life that she would uncover the chilling reason behind this nomadic existence: her father was a serial killer.
Edwards, the patriarch of the family, presented a complex and contradictory persona. He possessed a charismatic charm, often described as a “big kid” who thrived in social settings and enjoyed entertaining. However, this affable exterior masked a sinister undercurrent. His dark side manifested as abuse, creating a climate of fear within the household. Balascio vividly recalls the dread she felt upon hearing her father’s car pull into the driveway, the uncertainty of his mood hanging heavy in the air. This duality – the outwardly jovial entertainer and the inwardly abusive tyrant – created a deeply unsettling environment for Balascio and her siblings. The fear of his unpredictable nature loomed large, casting a long shadow over their lives.
This fear and uncertainty followed Balascio into adulthood. She carried the weight of her fragmented childhood and the unsettling memories of her father. The constant moves, the fear, the underlying sense of unease – these experiences coalesced into a complex emotional landscape that she struggled to navigate. The discovery of her father’s true nature – a convicted serial killer – added another layer of complexity to this already challenging narrative. This revelation not only shattered her perception of her father but also forced her to confront the unsettling reality of her upbringing.
Balascio’s journey to understand her father’s past culminated in her book, “Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth About My Father.” This deeply personal account chronicles her process of uncovering the truth about Edwards’ crimes and grappling with the implications for her own life. Writing the book was a cathartic, albeit arduous, undertaking. It required Balascio to revisit painful memories and confront the darkness that had permeated her childhood. The act of writing became a form of self-discovery, allowing her to process the trauma and begin to heal.
The book serves as both a memoir and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It details the emotional turmoil of growing up with a parent who harbored such a dark secret. Balascio’s story is one of survival, of piecing together the fragments of a fractured past to create a coherent narrative. It underscores the enduring impact of childhood trauma and the long journey toward healing and understanding. Through her writing, Balascio not only shares her personal experience but also sheds light on the devastating effects of living in the shadow of a serial killer.
Edward Wayne Edwards died in prison in 2011 at the age of 77, awaiting execution by lethal injection. His death brought a sense of closure to Balascio, marking the end of a chapter filled with uncertainty and fear. While his demise could not erase the past, it did provide an opportunity for Balascio to move forward and reclaim her narrative. By sharing her story, she hopes to offer insight into the complexities of growing up with a parent who led a double life, and the long-lasting impact of such a deeply disturbing secret. Her book stands as a testament to her resilience and a powerful exploration of the enduring human capacity for healing and self-discovery.
