Chicago radio and TV broadcast legend Merri Dee (real name Mary Dorham)..1971…She was kidnapped along with Alan Sandler, one of the guests from her television show on the evening of July 17, 1971, after leaving the studios of WSNS in Chicago. After being driven to a wooden area, Dee and her guest were shot.
Dee was shot in the head, neck, and back, but miraculously was still able to crawl to a nearby highway where she was rescued. Sandler passed away from his wounds and Dee almost did twice.
She was able to make a full recovery and returned back on the air in late 1972. Her attacker, Samuel Drew was arrested the same day in Dee’s car. Drew was convicted of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. He was sentenced to a total of 120 years in prison but was paroled in March 1984. Dee
went on to anchor the news on WGN-TV from 1972-1983 and then spent 1983-2008 as WGN-TV’s community development direct
Merri Dee is an American philanthropist and former television journalist. Dee is best known for her work at Chicago, Illinois television station and national cable superstation WGN-TV as an anchor/reporter from 1972 until 1983 and director of community relations from 1983 until 2008.
