Unraveling the controversies behind "Where the Crawdads Sing" and author Delia Owens

[Editor's Note: The following article contains spoilers for the film and the novel, "Where the Crawdads Sing".]

With a simple plot attempting to return to the "To Kill a Mockingbird" case, Delia Owens' 2018 novel "Where the Crawdads Sing" became a best-seller and caught the attention of the mega-producer Reese Witherspoon, who picked up the adaptation rights under her Hello Sunshine production banner.

"Where the Crawdads Sing" centers on Kya Clark, derisively nicknamed by her community "Marsh Girl", who had to fend for herself along the North Carolina coast as a young girl. Having become a teenager and having had a romantic relationship with two men from the city, Kya finds herself at the center of a murder trial in 1969 after one of her in-laws is found dead following an attempted assault. /p>

Sony's film, which will be released on July 15, stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as the (apparently) falsely accused Kya; the film is helmed by “First Match” director Olivia Newman with a script by “Beasts of the Southern Wild” co-writer Lucy Alibar. Taylor Swift even wrote the original song "Carolina" for the film's closing credits sequence. David Strathairn, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson and Ahna O'Reilly also star.

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Yet even after "Crawdads" sold millions of copies and four years after its release, the film is now stirring controversy, including links to a real-life murder case and the perpetuation of racial stereotypes. Keep reading to find out exactly what makes "Crawdads" fans sing a different tune.

Delia Owens is linked to the death of an African poacher in 1995

Author Delia Owens was at the center of a 27-year-old murder case involving her now estranged husband, Mark Owens. The couple were featured on ABC News' "Turning Point" on March 30, 1996. The episode, titled "Deadly Game: The Mark and Delia Owens Story," focused on the Owens' trip to Zambia on a mission to save elephants from poachers. The Owens had previously written "Cry of the Kalahari" about their experience as lion protectors in Botswana. The "Turning Point" segment centered on the Owens' time spent in Zambia's North Luangwa National Park, as explained in their follow-up book, "The Eye of the Elephant".

However, the special turns into what editor Jeffrey Goldberg categorizes in a new article as a "snuff movie." ABC producers filmed the murder of a suspected poacher who was executed after being shot at least once. The video refers to the man as an "intruder", but no other information is provided.

The show led to an investigation by Zambian police, and Mark Owens' involvement in a game ranger corps led to a 'militarised' takeover of the 2,400 square mile national park. Mark is also accused of carrying out air raids against suspected poaching camps. His son from his first marriage, Christopher Owens, "frequently beat game scouts as a form of discipline", as Goldberg put it in an investigative report. Mark's lawyers have denied beating any prisoners. However, a government-licensed professional hunter showed up with a threatening fax believed to be from Mark confirming that he had killed two poachers in airstrikes and was "just warming up".

Mark concluded the letter with, "Anything you can do to help maintain our anti-poaching efforts in your area will, I guarantee, pay big dividends to your safari business, and very soon." On that note, would it be possible for you to bring back as much ammo as possible: 12 00B, 30.06, 300 caliber, 7.62 short (AK), and some cracker rounds (for pest control)?"

Goldberg wrote the 2010 New Yorker article "" which further included an interview with ABC "Turning Point" cameraman Chris Everson, who alleged that it was Christopher Owens who fired the shots who had killed the suspected poacher, resulting in the murder captured in the ABC episode. The body was dropped into a nearby lagoon by helicopter.

Zambian authorities are still investigating the 1995 murder, with Mark, Christopher and Delia Owens currently wanted for questioning. “There is no statute of limitations for murders in Zambia,” said Director of Public Prosecutions Lillian Shawa-Siyuni. "They are all wanted for questioning in this case, including...