Jerry Bledsoe, an American author and journalist, died on December 31, 2025, at age 84.
Born in Danville, Virginia, on July 14, 1941, he was known for several true crime books based on murders in North Carolina, including Bitter Blood and Blood Games. His first published book was The World’s Number One, Flat-Out, All-Time Great Stock Car Racing Book, released by Doubleday in 1975.
Bledsoe’s journalism career spanned more than 20 years and included work for newspapers in Kannapolis, Charlotte and Greensboro, as well as Esquire magazine. He also founded Down Home Press to publish books about North Carolina.
Jerry Bledsoe (July 14, 1941 – December 31, 2025) was an American author and journalist known for several true crime titles based on murders in his native state of North Carolina.