A quiet family gathering in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on September 4, 1971. At the rural Mount Olive home of George and Wilma Basore, family members had come together for a reunion, with food prepared and relatives enjoying each other's company. The peaceful setting was abruptly shattered with the unexpected arrival of Elinore Basore, the 45-year-old estranged wife of George Basore Jr.
Though she had been separated from her husband for a year, her calm and well-dressed demeanor gave no hint of the violence she was about to unleash.
Wilma Iola Nettleship Basore, a 70-year-old female, greeted her daughter-in-law upon her arrival. In a sudden and shocking act, Elinore produced a 9-millimeter automatic pistol and fatally shot her mother-in-law. Her own son, Chris Basore, witnessed the horrifying event and as he approached his grandmother's body, Elinore shot him as well, leaving him with critical injuries. Elinore then moved into the house, where she continued her violent assault, killing her 49-year-old estranged husband, George Basore Jr., and her 49-year-old brother-in-law, Obie Harmon from Oklahoma City.
Following the shootings, Elinore roamed the property, calling out for other family members who had taken cover. Two women managed to survive the massacre by hiding in a storm cellar, holding the door shut to keep Elinore out. The tragic event concluded when Elinore took her own life on the front porch steps. Chris Basore was the only person shot who survived. As the perpetrator died by suicide at the scene, no arrests were made, and the case was subsequently closed. The family was hesitant to discuss the incident immediately after, leaving the motive behind Elinore's violent actions unclear.
