Filmmaker Amanda Mustard delved deep into the alleged pedophilic offenses of William “Bill” Flickinger with ‘Great Photo, Lovely Life: Facing a Family’s Secret.’ The nerve-wracking documentary premiered on HBO on Tuesday, December 5, and is available for streaming.
In the documentary, Mustard returns home to Pennsylvania to investigate her grandfather’s multiple sexual abuse crimes. When Mustard and her mother visit Bill at a senior living facility, the filmmaker confronts him about his crimes. Bill openly acknowledges his acts and appears unrepentant about them. As the story moves forward, we get to know that he molested several young women, including his daughter and granddaughter.
Although authorities sent him to prison for assaulting an 11-year-old, Bill spent just four years behind bars and emerged without any remorse for what he did. According to the documentary, Bill Flickinger died in a nursing facility in Miami, Florida. Let’s explore how he died.
Amanda Mustard’s abuser: Who was Bill Flickinger & How did he die?
The documentary, co-directed by Amanda Mustard, reveals that Bill Flickinger’s life changed as he grew older. His father and he never maintained a good relationship, and his father would beat him whenever he did something out of line. Growing older, he found himself becoming attracted to young girls. He became a chiropractor and made a name for himself. However, he wouldn’t cease committing heinous crimes.
In 1965, Bill molested his daughter when she was just five years old. He didn’t stop there and continued to commit pedophilic crimes. In 1975, Bill Flickinger was reportedly charged with the statutory rape of a 12-year-old. However, he was charged and was let go with two years of probation. This didn’t stop him from committing more crimes.
During a conversation with Amanda Mustard, Bill Flickinger noted his urges were wrong but went on to blame the girls. In the documentary, he said, “It seemed like, that some of these little girls, for example, would almost throw themselves at me. Now that might sound a little stupid, but they wanted to learn things. And they were experimental. To me, it was too much of an open temptation. And I fell into it.”
According to the documentary, Bill molested minors even when he was in his 80s. He never faced charges for his crimes. In the end, Bill Flickinger died in a medical facility in Miami, Florida. The cause and the date of his death are still unknown.
Amanda Mustard’s documentary is currently streaming on HBO Max.