The daughter of a serial killer reveals a horrifying secret and betrays her father to the authorities.

In 1980, April Balascio's father, Edward Wayne Edwards, informed the family to pack up and leave their home in Watertown, Wisconsin, where they had resided for a year.

Balascio, who was 11 years old, was accustomed to moving every six months to a year without warning. It wasn't until decades later that she discovered the reason behind it.

Balascio shared with Planet Chronicle Digital that relocating was always challenging. With each move, he made new friends but had to say goodbye. However, the experience taught him how to pack efficiently to avoid leaving his belongings behind.

"Starting a new school every year or even twice a year was challenging. He made us believe we were leaving because people were coming after us, which added to the fear that we were being hunted and could be killed."

"Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth About My Father" is a new book written by Balascio, in which she reveals how she uncovered her father's true identity and the heinous crimes he committed.

In 2011, at the age of 77, the patriarch passed away from natural causes while in prison, having been sentenced to death by lethal injection.

"Balascio confessed that it was challenging to write the story he wanted to tell, as it took a long time to complete. He admitted that he was protecting his memories while doing so."

Edwards was described by Balascio as charismatic, a "big kid" who loved parties and entertaining. However, he had a "very dark side."

She said it was scary. He was abusive, and as she grew older, she became increasingly scared of his tires on the gravel in the driveway. She wondered how he would enter the house and whether he would be in a good or bad mood. For a while, she despised him.

Balascio stated that he observed his violence, which was a frequent occurrence, either directed towards him or his mother, particularly when he was younger.

"I witnessed him hitting her, punching her in the face."

For years, Balascio pondered why the family would sometimes abruptly depart in the middle of the night. The thought lingered that Edwards was similarly captivated by crime reports in the local newspaper.

In March 2009, at around 40 years old, Balascio started investigating, revisiting the cases that fascinated her father. Through an online search for "cold case" and "Watertown," she discovered information about the "Sweetheart Murders."

In 1980, Timothy Hack and Kelly Drew disappeared after their wedding reception. Their remains were discovered in a field two months later. Edwards, who was a handyman at the time, was questioned by police but maintained his innocence.

After the bodies were discovered, Edwards and his family left Wisconsin.

"Balascio stated that he suspected his dad of doing wrong, but he didn't express it to anyone because there was no evidence. He admitted that he didn't believe it was murder, but he did think his dad was causing harm to people."

Balascio discovered that the case had been reopened by investigators and contacted detectives, eager to provide all she remembered from her childhood. She shared with them that she believed her father could have been responsible for the killings but lacked any evidence, only recollections of what she experienced.

Edwards frequently mentioned the missing pair, and one day he joked to a friend that they would be found in a field.

According to Oxygen.com, Edwards' DNA and the genetic material found at the crime scene were a match. Edwards, who had relocated to Kentucky with his wife, was subsequently arrested and confessed to committing five murders.

"It was then that I realized how wicked my father was," stated Balascio. "He was an evil person."

As a child, Edwards lived in an orphanage and was held in juvenile detention. In 1962, he was arrested for an armed bank robbery and spent five years in prison. Despite this, his criminal activities continued.

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In 1977, in Ohio where he grew up, Edwards admitted to killing 21-year-old William "Billy" Lavaco and 19-year-old Judith Straub, another couple.

In 1996, Edwards admitted to killing his foster son, Dannie Boy Edwards, with the intention of receiving the $250,000 life insurance payout.

She recalls the last time she saw her father, who was in the hospital, so she took her children to visit him.

Balascio remembered how his daughter created a get-well card for her dad, although he couldn't recall the specific words. The card conveyed the message that Jesus forgives all and that individuals could seek forgiveness by asking him. Additionally, the card emphasized God's forgiving and loving nature. Despite being in elementary school, his daughter had demonstrated maturity in creating the card.

My dad was reading it and crying, saying, "It's ironic that you should say that because I was just thinking, telling God that he couldn't forgive me for all the wrongs I had done."

"She shared that we had to leave the room because he had an emergency that needed to be addressed. I recall thinking, "Perhaps he would change his ways.""

Balascio said she was "relieved" when Edwards died.

"She stated that he was supposed to be executed, but he passed away before the execution. She added that she was not excited about the execution, as she knew it would be a media frenzy. She also mentioned that the reporters would be knocking on the door again and calling because he had requested the death penalty. She expressed relief that he died before the execution, as it put an end to the ordeal."

Balascio, who now resides on a farm, has submitted her DNA in the hopes of discovering answers to any cold cases her father may have been involved in.

Balascio stated that it's not necessary to be shaped by one's surroundings. We all have the ability to make choices. Although my father made poor decisions, he has children who have made good choices and have loving families.

The loss of children is a tragedy that I deeply empathize with, and the lasting impact of my father's actions on people's lives still brings me to tears. Despite the passage of time, the consequences of his evil deeds remain.

""Although my dad confessed to five murders, I believe there are more victims out there," she mused."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.