Bronza Parks was murdered in 1958 by Willis C. Rowe of Silver Spring, Maryland.  Parks was building an 18-foot replica of a skipjack for Rowe.  The work was to be paid for on a time-and-materials basis.  Parks had stopped work until he was paid. An argument broke out over the $1,000 overdue bill on the construction of the boat.   Rowe shot Parks three times: once in the chest and twice in the head.  The medical examiner reported that death was instantaneous.


Rowe was a 39-year-old lawyer, writer and researcher for U.S. News and World Report magazine. He had served in the US Army as an infantry captain during WWII.  He was captured by the German army near the end of the war held at OFLAG XIII-B, Hammelburg, Bavaria, Germany.  After the war he was discharged with the rank of Major.  Today Rowe would likely be diagnosed with PTSD.  In fact,  the chief defense argument at Rowe's trial was about his mental stability.  The squabble over Rowe's mental condition at the time of the murder delayed the onset of the trial until 1963.  Ultimately, Rowe was found guilty of second degree murder and sentence to eighteen years in prison.  The conviction was overturned and a new trial was held in 1965.  Rowe was again found guilty and sentenced to eighteen years in prison, with credit for time served.  After prison Rowe became a full time writer. He died of natural causes in 2002 – an obscure, controversial man, remembered by few. He is buried in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Flintstone, Alleghany County, Maryland.