Joyce Holland

My, My, Myra: Sex, Lies, Money and Murder on Florida's Emerald Coast Joyce Holland

Known for their flamboyant lifestyle, it was no surprise to this community when Robert and Myra Vaivada became overnight headline news. But many of their secrets continue to surface?secrets that are still shocking this quiet little resort town on Florida's Emerald Coast. What brought the couple to that crucial night? The night, when close to midnight, Myra placed a gun to Robert's head while he lay sleeping and blew his brains out. Was it money? Robert, an ex Navy Seal, had an accident years before and received close to a million dollars in a court settlement. Was it love? Although both Myra and Robert had extramarital affairs, often as participants in group encounters, Myra had become sexually obsessed with a local musician. She showered him with gifts and money. Or, did Myra do it at all? She swore that an intruder broke in, robbed them of thirty to forty-thousand dollars and murdered Robert. Bizarre stories concerning the Vaivadas abound. Stories such as Myra calling exclusive clothing stores and having them bring over a truck with clothing in her size, picking out the ones she liked and then trying them on in her driveway. Stories of Myra cruising the strip every night in a limousine, picking up men or women to feed her insatiable sexual appetite. At the time of the murder, Myra's stepfather was an Air Force General. The sordid details of the case attracted so much publicity that the firm of Simpson & Judkins was hired to defend Myra. Simpson was the prosecutor of Ted Bundy. People came from all over northwest Florida to line up for a seat at the sensational thirteen-day trial. The action in the book is seen through the point of view of Robert's twin brother, William. There is a romantic back story. We ache with William as he agonizes over Robert's unusual marriage. We cry with him as he learns of his supposed suicide. We become enraged with him as he realizes Myra may get away with murder. And, we celebrate with William when Myra is convicted and he gets to marry the girl of his dreams.