Small Town Mysteries

Often in true crime spaces we come across cases where a murder is never solved, where a murdered person's family never finds justice, where a body is never properly laid to rest. Sometimes we get one of these things, or two, and, more rarely than it SHOULD happen, sometimes we get all three. Today's case is all 3: a body found, a murder solved, and justice served. This is the case of April Tinsley.Sources: 1) https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/may/april-tinsley-murder-pt.-3/tinsley-killer-profile2) https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/april/tinsley_0403093) https://theburr.com/3058/blogs/season-of-justice/season-of-justice-april-tinsley/4) https://www.insideedition.com/april-tinsley-case-man-tied-8-year-olds-1988-murder-through-genealogy-website-dna-technology-cops5) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/07/16/i-been-watching-you-a-child-killer-taunted-little-girls-with-terrifying-notes-police-say-after-30-years-dna-led-to-an-arrest/6) https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/arrest-made-in-april-tinsley-homicide-case7) https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/tinsley-detectives-reveal-new-details-about-case-suspect/1724738759/8) https://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/04/indiana.fbi.cold.case/9) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_April_Tinsley Support the show

Do you know the expression: "The Dingo ate my baby"?Okay, but did you know that it was based on an actual case in Australia in the 1980s?This week, Christine covers the famous Australian case - and talks about how one of the most publicized cases of its decade was botched, in large part due to public pressure. Sources: 1) https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/azaria-chamberlain-inquest2) https://justice.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/205377/azaria-chantel-chamberlain.pdf 3) https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/azaria-chamberlain-dress 4) https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/why-didnt-she-cry-how-lindy-chamberlain-became-the-poster-child-for-life-shattering-gender-bias/5) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Azaria_Chamberlain6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindy_Chamberlain-Creighton7) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DingoSupport the show

Rachael walks us through the murders of Bruce and Darlene Rouse. As always, there's a niiiiice little twist in there...just to keep you all on your toes.Sources: 1) https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/crime-news/william-billy-rouse-confesses-parents-murders-illinois2) https://vocal.media/criminal/the-libertyville-murders3) https://www.lhsdoi.com/3511/news/libertyvilles-own-american-horror-story/4) https://idoc.illinois.gov/offender/inmatesearch.html5) Snapped. Season 27, Episode 25, “William Rouse” Support the show

Daniel Williams was 21 years old when he was sentenced to one year in prison for non-violent drug charges. He was bounced around to multiple facilities during this year, and was set to finish out the last few weeks of his sentence at Staton Correctional Center in Elmore, Alabama. Little did Daniel know that he would die in that prison, both at the hands of someone yet to be convicted of any crime AND at the hands of the mind-boggling negligence of the entire prison facility.Get your pitchforks ready for this one, folks. Sources:1) https://abc3340.com/news/local/fathers-outrage-as-no-charges-filed-in-sons-torture-rape-death-in-prison2) https://abc3340.com/news/local/suspect-in-murder-and-rape-of-22-year-old-inmate-had-history-of-sexual-violence-according-to-adoc-documents3) https://alabamaappleseed.org/author/eddie-burkhalter/after-investigation-no-criminal-charges-in-the-torture-and-homicide-of-daniel-williams-at-staton-prison/4) https://abc3340.com/news/local/fathers-outrage-as-no-charges-filed-in-sons-torture-rape-death-in-prison5)https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrime/comments/1gx6qge/no_charges_in_22yearolds_kidnapping_torture_gang/Support the show

On the morning of September 16th, 2010, Greg Fleniken's body is found in his hotel room. Police are puzzled - they cannot find any motive for his murder and no explanation for his strange internal injuries. Greg's wife, Susie turns to a private investigator in order to crack the case...and he does, revealing a series of truly stupifying events.Sources: 1) https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2013/05/true-crime-elegante-hotel-texas-murder 2) https://abcnews.go.com/US/caused-mans-mysterious-death-texas-hotel-room/story?id=206568543) https://kpel965.com/greg-fleniken-death-true-crime-mystery-body-in-room-348-vanity-fair/4) https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/wife-of-man-found-dead-at-mcm-elegante-proceeds-4725451.php5) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theadvertiser/name/gregory-fleniken-obituary?id=9169857 Support the show

Who was Julie Doe? And how did investigators identify her decades after she had been murdered, despite several roadblocks? Find out on this weeks episode of Small Town Mysteries!Sources:1)https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/1j840cn/dna_doe_project_identifies_transgender_julie_doe/ 2) https://dnadoeproject.org/case/transgender-julie-doe/ 3) https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/60304) https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/12/self-taught-sleuths-trying-solve-trans-murders/603976/5) https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/2752umfl.html6) https://www.forensicmag.com/3594-All-News/615429-Meta-Rejects-DNA-Doe-Project-s-Ad-for-Transgender-Doe/Support the show

This week, Rachael talks about the tragic murder of 15-year-old Trish Autry. Sources: 1) https://casetext.com/case/state-v-nielsen-402) https://www.nelsonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/trisha-autry3)https://web.archive.org/web/20070812080555/http://www.unsolved.com:80/0109-TrishaAutry.html4) https://www.deseret.com/2001/5/16/19586566/missing-teen-is-found-dead/5) https://www.hjnews.com/alleged-rapist-a-suspect-in-trisha-autry-homicide-too/article_9444eddd-43d5-556f-9000-4d67a99d556d.html6) https://www.heraldextra.com/news/2001/jul/20/murder-charge-is-raised-to-capital-homicide/7) https://www.deseret.com/2004/1/28/19809056/autry-s-family-tells-jurors-evil-has-a-face/8) http://hardnews.ansci.usu.edu/archive/jan2004/0130_nielsen.html9) https://www.hjnews.com/news/autrys-bid-farewell-to-slain-daughter/article_86cdb878-c808-5eaa-b77e-a4272f8d24e8.html10) https://www.hjnews.com/a-leroy-autry/article_76f6e7c0-e2be-59d3-8f07-94073aa81c6f.htmlSupport the show

This week, Christine dives into the murder of Helen Jewett. Helen was a sex worker in New York City in the 1830s. Was the murderer her most recent client? You can decide...Sources: 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Jewett2) https://darkdowneast.com/helenjewett/3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-long-island-star-murder-and-arson-t/102699744/4) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-post-trial-of-richard-p-rob/102702143/5) https://www.newspapers.com/article/bangor-daily-whig-and-courier-the-murder/102794404/6) https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-journal-the-murder-of-the-girl-in-gr/117166824/Support the show

Tune in this week to hear Kate cover one of the most badass survival stories we've covered: the unbelievable survival of 15-year-old Mary Vincent.Sources:1) https://people.com/archive/a-victims-life-sentence-vol-29-no-16/2) https://archive.vcstar.com/news/crime-survivor-speaks-ep-371969784-350886431.html/3) https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-25-mn-22808-story.html4) https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/28/us/rape-victim-gives-up-on-collecting-award.html5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Vincent_(artist)#cite_note-126) https://morbidology.com/left-for-dead-mary-vincent/7) https://keypennews.org/stories/the-heart-of-a-survivor-blood-courage-triumph,6663?8) https://www.ranker.com/list/mary-vincent-lawrence-singleton-case/laura-allanSupport the show

When three people are wrongly convicted as a result of police manipulation tactics, you have to wonder: who was actually responsible? Miscarriages of justice are rampant in this case, but most important is to remember that Lynette White's life was taken from her, and she cannot ever get that back.Sources: 1) https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2023-02-09/lynette-whites-murder-why-it-took-16-years-to-find-her-real-killer2) https://www.forensic-access.co.uk/cold-cases/lynette-white/3) https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c079vl109x2o4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-21GVUsQcKc&t=25s5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ltZFJ_Mng6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPTS9TZDWJU7) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Lynette_WhiteSupport the show

This week, Christine covers the puzzling death of Alexander Stevens. This case was never cut and dry from the beginning, but only gets more puzzling as more details emerge. Sources:1) https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/unreported-opinions/0993s18.pdf 2) https://www.wvnews.com/garrettrepublican/news/megan-shaffer-sentenced-to-30-years-in-prison-for-second-degree-murder/article_487d0751-30db-5b9a-a536-5d9d723f204d.html 3) https://people.com/crime/maryland-woman-charged-boyfriend-murder-throat-slash/ 4) https://kromatic.media/audio Support the show

This week, Kate dives into an unsolved mystery, and a rather perplexing one, at that. This one is a great example/reminder of why colonialism is bad. When Michael Rockefeller (yes, of THE Rockefeller Family) disappeared during an expedition in the Asmat region of southwestern Dutch New Guinea (now South Papua), no one knew what had happened to him. There's a few theories. Some are simple, and some are sinister. Support the show

This week, Rachael covers the murder of Gregory "Sky" Erickson, who was just 15 years old. And buckle up, because the cast of characters involved in this case is EXTENSIVE--there were TEN people charged in connection with his murder!Sources:1) https://law.justia.com/cases/minnesota/court-of-appeals/2012/a11-1379.html2) https://www.facebook.com/p/In-memory-of-Sky-Erickson-100069079830324/https://www.dglobe.com/news/man-serving-life-sentence-testifies-about-murder3) https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/local-news/man-now-eligible-for-parole-for-1997-sky-erickson-killing/4) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147884681/gregory-sky-erickson5) https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/40/1073/2380789/6) https://casetext.com/case/us-v-lua7) https://www.change.org/p/joe-biden-my-brother-has-been-in-prison-for-over-23-years-and-deserves-a-second-chance8) https://doc-search.iowa.gov/Offender/Search9) https://www.change.org/p/clemency-for-luis-lua10) https://law.justia.com/cases/iowa/supreme-court/1999/98-1417.htmlSupport the show

Around 4:00 AM on August 23, 1987 in the tiny city of Alexander, Arkansas, a locomotive engineer noticed that there were people laying down on the train tracks. The engineer engaged the train's brakes and sounded the horn, but the train was unable to stop in time.When 16-year-old Don Henry and 17-year-old Kevin Ives were hit by this freight train, their death was initially and unsurprisingly ruled an accident. However, after researching this case, I think it's safe to say that the deaths of these teenagers were anything but accidental. Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Don_Henry_and_Kevin_Ives2) https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jun/05/mom-of-cold-case-victim-dies/3) https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/kevin-ives-and-don-henry-12289/4) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120221988/lionel_keith-mckaskle#view-photo=190741804 5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Seal 6) https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jun/05/mom-of-cold-case-victim-dies/ Support the show

Despite there being security camera footage of Missy Bever's killer, there have been frustratingly few major leads over the last 9 years. Sources: 1) https://people.com/crime/missy-bevers-murder-mother-in-law-asks-will-we-feel-like-celebrating-arrest/2) https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/internet-sleuths-muddy-waters-and-wreck-lives-in-missy-bevers-murder-investigation-91297363) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/docs-church-murder-victim-terri-missy-bevers-received-creepy-linkedin-message/4) https://people.com/crime/missy-bevers-texas-fitness-instructor-dead-one-year-later/5) https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/missy-bevers-died-from-multiple-puncture-wounds-to-head-and-chest-police/132143/6) https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/who-murdered-missy-bevers-six-years-after-killing-the-question-remains-unanswered/2943550/7) https://www.audacy.com/krld/news/local/reward-increases-to-usd150-000-dollars-in-missy-bevers-murder8) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Missy_BeversSupport the show

Katarzyna Zowada was murdered in a truly horrific way. After police didn't file a police report for Katarzyna initially when she went missing, it took almost 20 years for investigators to find out who her killer was, with the help of DNA technology.Sources: 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Katarzyna_Zowada2) The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told by Jack Rosewood 3) https://www.krakow.sa.gov.pl/komunikat-dotyczacy-wyroku-sadu-apelacyjnego-w-krakowie-z-dnia-31-pazdziernika-2024-r-wydanego-w-sprawie-roberta-j-sygn-akt-ii-aka-39223,new,mg,281.html,11814) https://the-line-up.com/katarzyna-zowada-the-skin-case5) https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Katarzyna_ZowadaSupport the show

Michele Anne Harris, born on September 29th, 1965, left the restaurant she was working at at the end of her shift, and had a couple drinks with coworkers in the parking lot. She went to see a boyfriend in Smithsboro, New York, leaving shortly after 11pm. This is the last time she was seen. The day that Michele disappeared was unique. It was not a day that would soon be forgotten…because Michele Anne Harris disappeared on September 11th, 2001. Sources: 1) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Michele_Anne_Harris2) https://charleyproject.org/case/michele-anne-harris3) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-mystery-a-time-to-kill-26-06-2010/4) https://abcnews.go.com/US/cal-harris-acquittal-4th-murder-trial-total-relief/story?id=39564152 Support the show

Journalist, radio personality, and socialite Dorothy Kilgallen was found dead in her apartment in New York City on November 8, 1965. She was found sitting up in bed, fully dressed and made up. Her official cause of death was an overdose of barbiturates combined with alcohol. But alcohol and barbiturates cannot explain why Dorothy's notes on the single most famous case she had ever investigated were missing–and why, two days later, a friend to whom she had given a draft of a chapter exploring theories of this case was also found dead under mysterious circumstances. Alcohol and barbiturates cannot explain why every trace of her research and theories were never seen again. Sources: 1) https://historyandimagination.com/2020/09/22/the-strange-death-of-dorothy-kilgallen-part-one/2)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_assassination_conspiracy_theories3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_John_F._Kennedy4) https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKkilgallen.htm5) https://oceanwriterreads.com/2024/03/25/book-review-the-incredible-life-and-mysterious-death-of-dorothy-kilgallen-by-sara-jordan-heintz/6) https://arapahoenews.com/12462/uncategorized/dorothy-kilgallen-reporter-cloaked-in-controversy/7) https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1283&context=fac_pm8) https://www.tigertimesonline.com/entertainment/2018/04/the-scandals-of-jfk/Support the show

This episode has so many twists and turns that if it was a novel, someone on Goodreads would complain about it being "unrealistic". A whole family was murdered one night in the 1870s. The motive was clear, but the perpetrator was (and still is) a mystery. Though a trial ensues, the town decides to take matters into their own hands. Otherwise known as The Horsey Episode. Sources: 1) https://johnbrassardjr.com/2020/01/11/the-spencer-family-massacre-part-1/ 2) https://johnbrassardjr.com/2020/01/25/the-spencer-family-massacre-part-2/3) https://khqa.com/news/local/family-of-five-brutally-murdered-in-clark-county-in-18774) https://www.mississippivalleypublishing.com/group-takes-another-look-at-125-year-old-murder-case/article_b57f4759-a9c7-5ef7-89f9-0be4783df114.htmlSupport the show

Today, Christine covers the heartbreaking murders of Jack and Paul, two young boys who were killed by their father. Despite evidence and testimony from the boys' mother that their father was a dangerous man capable of killing his own sons, the judge awarded him 5 hours of unsupervised contact each week. This decision would sadly prove to be fatal for the 9 and 12-year old brothers.Sources:1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pD1Yt34vqw2) https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/01/paul-and-jack-were-murdered-by-their-abusive-father-why-had-the-family-courts-granted-him-contact 3) https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/apr/07/he-saw-our-children-as-possessions-my-husband-killed-our-sons *Consider signing this petition!*Child First Campaign Petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/child-first-safe-child-contact-saves-lives In the UK, the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247, or visit Women's Aid.In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732Other international helplines can be found via befrienders.org or at Child Helplines International.Support the show

This case if not covered enough. Have you heard of Paul Revere's Midnight Ride? Probably. But there is a horrific detail of that midnight ride that most do not know about. Learn about it here on Small Town Mysteries, then tell all your friends to listen...because this one is important.Sources:1) https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials2) https://www.loc.gov/resource/llst.023/?sp=1&st=image3) https://www.paulreverehouse.org/mark-hung-in-chains-slavery-paul-reveres-midnight-ride/Support the show

The tragic murder of 5-year-old Farah Khan is discussed in this week's podcast. Sources:1) https://globalnews.ca/news/6276192/farah-khan-murder-toronto/2) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/father-stepmother-convicted-of-murdering-5-year-old-farah-khan-1.4968913) https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA112724200&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=mlin_oweb&isGeoAuthType=true&aty=geohttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/murder-convictions-for-farah-s-parents-1.4962234) Crime Beat - Season 1 episode 2- “Farah Khan: A City's Lost ChildSupport the show

What killed Kathy Wangler is known. Kathy, a wife and mother of two, was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in her upstairs bedroom on September 4, 2006. What is not so clear is how this happened.Some believe it was a tragic accident set off by a faulty water heater inside the home. Others believe it was something more sinister and calculated.Sources: 1) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15657786/kathleen_s-wangler2) https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-secrets-uncovered/crime-news/mark-wangler-convicted-of-killing-wife-kathy-with-carbon3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima,_Ohio4)https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrimeDiscussion/comments/1bi8jxs/did_ohio_anesthesiologist_mark_wangler_gas_his/ 5) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ohio-killers-son-wife-continue-innocence-crusade/6) https://casetext.com/case/state-v-wangler7) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-ohio-anesthesiologist-gas-his-wife-to-death/Support the show

Rachael talks about our last three cryptids of this spooky season: the Black Annis, the Jersey Devil, and The Dover Demon. Which one will become Small Town Mysteries' Cryptid Congeniality?Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Annis2) https://monster.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Annis3) https://astonishinglegends.com/astonishing-legends/2023/10/15/black-annis4) https://pinelandsalliance.org/learn-about-the-pinelands/pinelands-history-and-culture/the-jersey-devil-and-folklore/5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dover_Demon6) https://cryptozoologycryptids.fandom.com/wiki/Dover_DemonSupport the show

A Halloween party turned sour. What happened to Arpana Jinaga? And why did the cops immediately zero in on one suspect, when several people at the party exhibited suspicious behaviors?Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redmond,_Washington2) https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/emanuel-fair-trial-lawsuit-dna-murder-charge-1330251/3) https://www.crimescenecleanup.com/arpana-jinaga-halloween-party-murder/4) https://unresolved.me/arpana-jinaga5) https://people.com/crime/suspect-podcast-explores-unsolved-2008-halloween-party-murder-arpana-jinaga/6) https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/halloween-horror-woman-found-dead-after-hosting-costume-party-at-her-apartmentSupport the show

Tonight, Christine transports us all to prom. But there are no humans to be found at this prom. Oh no. This is a prom for the Cryptids. The theme? Under the Sea. And it is up to us and YOU to decide who is crowned our Cryptid King!Get out your writing utensils or note app on your phone and decide which of our contenders deserves the esteemed title. Let us know your thoughts and who was your "Cryptid King" by DMing us or commenting @smalltownmysteriespod on Instagram!Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard_Man_of_Scape_Ore_Swamp2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browntown,_South_Carolina3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champ_(folklore)4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loveland_frogSupport the show

Sometime between late October 30th and early Oct 31, 2010, William “B.J.” Liske murdered his father, stepmother, and his stepbrother. The family was murdered in their own home located in Martin, Ohio.Sources:1) https://www.toledoblade.com/local/courts/2011/09/15/Liske-gets-life-for-deaths-of-3/stories/2011091500972) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ohio-triple-murder-teen-thought-it-was-halloween-prank/3) https://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/story/news/local/2015/04/07/man-killed-family-found-dead-prison-cell/25420415/4) https://sanduskyregister.com/news/1672/liske-pleads-guilty-to-triple-homicide/5) https://www.oxygen.com/homicide-for-the-holidays/crime-news/bj-liske-kills-3-family-members-in-halloween-murders6) https://www.wtol.com/article/news/family-grapples-with-loss-of-4-relatives-in-24-hours/512-0da1e144-353c-49a7-867f-8daebce189fd7) https://sanduskyregister.com/news/40338/tragic-timeline-details-surface-on-halloween-family-killings/8) https://www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/William-E-Liske-Jr?obId=41074449) https://www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Susan-M-Liske?obId=410744310) https://www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Derek-L-Griffin?obId=410744211) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228968455/william_j-liske/photo12) https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/43445/13) https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names/1048948Support the show

This week on Cryptid Chaos, Kate talks about Chupacabra and Mothman!Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chupacabra2) https://www.britannica.com/topic/chupacabra3) https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/land/modern-myths4) https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/ology-cards/281-chupacabra5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bridge6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothman7) https://folklife.si.edu/magazine/mothman-point-pleasant-west-virginia8) https://www.mothmanmuseum.com/9) https://www.mothmanfestival.com/10) https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1418Support the show

In this heartbreaking case, Kennedy Ife's family attempted to exorcise what they believed to be a "demon" out of him, but unfortunately ended up killing their own relative.Sources:1) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/exorcism-possession-uk-london-death-kennedy-ife-parents-family-brothers-restrained-a8763026.html2) https://vocal.media/criminal/the-deadly-exorcism-of-kennedy-if3) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6810045/Christian-parents-brothers-marketing-executive-cleared-killing-botched-exorcism.html4) https://www.vice.com/en/article/exorcisms-rise-2019-pentecostalism-catholicism/5) https://www.vice.com/en/article/exorcisms-rise-2019-pentecostalism-catholicism/Support the show

In September of 1999, Ronald Cohen had just finalized the sale of his home in Jericho, New York, where he had lived for the previous nine years. In cleaning out his home for the new owners, he came across something startling in his basement–left behind from the previous owner of the house and weighing about 300 pounds. Its discovery would reopen a 30-year-old cold case.Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho,_New_York2) https://forensicfilesnow.com/index.php/tag/reyna-marroquin/3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Reyna_Marroqu%C3%ADn4) https://projectpulso.org/2022/11/14/reyna-marroquin/5) https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Ang%C3%A9lica_Marroqu%C3%ADn6) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/215199418/reyna_angelica-marroquinSupport the show

On March 25, 2003, Shonda Dee Walter murdered her elderly neighbor, James E. Sementelli, in order to rob him and gain gang initiation in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. She stole money from him and his car, and proceeded to return to the crime scene with other people, in order to show them James' body. Sources:1) https://murderpedia.org/female.W/w/walter-shonda.htm2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_Haven,_Pennsylvania3) https://www.lockhaven.com/news/local-news/2016/08/victim-s-family-others-resigned-to-walter-life-sentence/4) https://creative-resistance.org/an-untimely-death-by-shonda-walters/5) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81062304/james-e-sementelli#:~:text=Sementelli%20was%20a%20murder%20victim,a%20gang%20initiation%20and%20robbery.&text=World%20War%20II-,He%20grew%20up%20in%20Lock%20Haven%20and%20was%20stationed%20at,Harbor%20on%20December%207%2C%201941.Support the show

This case created a lot of room for discussion. It is not a morally black or white case - there's a lot to unpack here!The clip on social media that made me dig into this can be summed up as: a 15-year-old kid shot dead his parents and 17-year-old sister, citing his dislike for his mother's loud chewing and his sister's “annoying” accent, as well as his father's disapproval of his anti-war views. Sources: 1) http://www.thelizlibrary.org/liz/wolcott.pdf 2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown,_Texas 3) https://vocal.media/criminal/the-unforgettable-crime-and-the-remarkable-transformation-of-james-gordon-wolcott4) https://thecrimemag.com/james-gordon-wolcott/Support the show

No spoilers for this one - the synopsis itself is horrible. Find out why this case is known as "The Windshield Murder" during this episode of Small Town Mysteries!Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9-1-1_(TV_series)2) https://people.com/crime/chante-mallard-2017-movie-about-homeless-man-murder-windshield/3) https://medium.com/p/6ea6a62172014) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7622278/gregory_glenn-biggs5) https://murderpedia.org/female.M/m/mallard-chante.htm6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Gregory_Glenn_BiggsSupport the show

Between September 1st and 4th, in 2006 Christian Charles Neilsen went on a killing spree at the Black Bear Inn located Newry, ME, which resulted in the death of 4 people: James, “Jimmy”  Whitehurst (age 50), Julie Attebury Newby Bullard (age 65), Selby Bullard (age 30), and Cindy Ellen Cabral Beatson (age 43).What could his motive have been?Sources:1) https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/me-supreme-judicial-court/1377622.html2) https://murderpedia.org/male.N/n/nielsen-christian.htm3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Charles_Nielsen4) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105419041/james-william-whitehurst5) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/julie-bullard-obituary?id=255517866) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15916100/cynthia_ellen-beatson Support the show

This case highlights what some men in immense positions of power will do to try and cover their tracks. Anne Marie Fahey was only 27 when she was murdered by Thomas Capano, a prominent lawyer and political consultant who was well-known in Delaware, and who came from a family of rich real-estate developers. Although their relationship was not exclusive by any means, Capano was angered when he thought Fahey was going to end things with him, wanting to keep Fahey all to himself. Sources: 1) https://www.capanomanagement.com/the-capano-family-today/2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Capano3) https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2017/11/15/20-years-after-capano-arrest-juror-breaks-silence/839587001/ Support the Show.

The senseless, and potentially racially-motivated, crime that killed eight-year-old Noah Bush will have you seething.Sources: -https://home.army.mil/stewart/about/Garrison/DPW/environmental/prevention-and-compliance/borrow-pits#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Borrow%20Pit,for%20fill%20at%20another%20location.-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesup,_Georgia-https://johndrogerslaw.com/the-controversial-debate-of-trying-juveniles-as-adults-in-the-criminal-justice-system/-https://www.thedailybeast.com/georgia-family-demands-justice-after-drowning-of-8-year-old-black-boy-noah-bush-https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/sentencing-delayed-for-child-charged-in-noah-bushs-death-in-jesup/PWX6LFWZFFA7NKXKSLBF7BMRJ4/-https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/07/29/minors-charged-noah-bush-death-jesup-georgia/74584663007/-https://www.wjcl.com/article/jesup-residents-protest-death-noah-bush/60865381-https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-noah-bush-and-his-family-through-this-difficult-time Support the Show.

In this episode, Rachael talks about Linda Lee Couch, who murdered her husband, Walter Couch Jr., in their home In Cincinnati, Ohio. The two of them were married for 14 years. As their history is unraveled, the question of self-defense is brought into the mix. Sources:1) https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/W0179432) I Am A Killer, Season 2, Episode 4 - “Trapped” 3) https://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/linda-couch-convicted-of-murder-in-1985-is-up-for-parole-her-daughter-doesnt-believe-shes-changedSupport the Show.

Dubbed by the media as “The Tube Sock Killings,” these four unsolved murders occurred in 1985 in the remote areas of Lewis and Pierce County, Washington, near the unincorporated community of Mineral, Washington. Tube socks were tied around the necks of the women. Was it the same killer? You might think so, but it's not so cut and dry!Let's talk about it.Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral,_Washington_murdershttps://unsolved.com/gallery/diana-robertson/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral,_Washingtonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_Stoppers https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Stephen_Harkins_and_Ruth_Cooper Support the Show.

Kate talks about a case that was only recently solved using DNA evidence. The Grim Sleeper was identified after having committed at least 10 murders (that he was convicted of) and at least 4 others he was suspected of carrying out. His crimes spanned decades, and he targeted sex workers who were black women. Would he have been found out sooner if he had targeted wealthy, white women? Would Lonnie Franklin Jr. be a household name if this was the case?The answer to both questions:Probably.Sources:1) https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-29/grim-sleeper-serial-killer-lonnie-franklin-dies-death-row-san-quentin2) https://www.huffpost.com/entry/grim-sleeper-guilty-killings_n_572bb5e3e4b016f37895382f3) https://web.archive.org/web/20141223085642/http://www.laweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/grim-sleeper/4)https://web.archive.org/web/20160610190831/http://news.sky.com/story/631629/grim-sleeper-serial-killer-hunted5) https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna381338256) https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-grim-sleeper-death-verdict-20160606-snap-story.html7) https://people.com/crime/grim-sleeper-serial-killer-lonnie-franklin-once-gang-raped-a-german-teen/8) https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/familys-dna-led-police-grim-sleeper-serial-killer/story?id=11116381&page=29) https://www.ebony.com/grim-sleeper-case/10) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grim-sleeper-serial-killer-may-have-left-photos-of-more-victims-in-refrigerator-says-lapd/11) https://www.latimes.com/local/crime/la-me-grim-sleeper-victims-20160508-story.html12) https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-16-la-me-0716-grim-sleeper-search-20100716-story.html13) https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2011-oct-29-la-me-grim-sleeper-20111029-story.htmlDoe Network for information on victims14) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grim_Sleeper Support the Show.

Bison Dele, an ex-NBA player who walked away from it all at the prime of his career, his girlfriend, and the captain of his catamaran are all missing when Bison's brother docks their boat. What does his brother know about what happened to them all? Sources: 1)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bison_Dele#:~:text=Dele%20won%20a%20championship%20with,have%20been%20killed%20by%20Dabord.2) https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mystery-nz-woman-link-to-mid-sea-triple-killing/6J7QWIE3B5FUCS4X6NOBRV5DVI/3) https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-what-happened-bison-dele-cause-death-late-nba-player-explored4) https://www.sportscasting.com/news/the-mysterious-life-and-murder-at-sea-of-nba-champion-bison-dele-aka-brian-williams/5) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cops-believe-ex-nba-player-was-slain/6) https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123837&page=1Support the Show.

Rachael talks about the brutal, horrific murder of 12-year-old Shanda Sharer in Madison, Indiana, which involved several other young girls. This will leave you shaking your head and wondering how individuals this young can commit such horrible acts of violence.Sources:1) https://allthatsinteresting.com/shanda-sharer2) https://www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/p/lured-to-her-death-the-heartbreaking3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Shanda_Sharer4) https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-31-mn-1053-story.html5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison,_IndianaSupport the Show.

The decades-old case of the multi-homicide of the Short Family is ongoing and with few reliable leads. Twenty-two years later, the Short family is still searching for justice - but an inadequate initial investigation might make that impossible.Sources:1) https://unresolved.me/the-short-family (very detailed!)2) https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/local-news/southside-virginia-news/after-20-years-are-we-any-closer-to-answers-in-short-family-murders-in-henry-co/3) https://myfox8.com/who-killed-jennifer-short/4) https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/short-family-triple-homicide-haunts-virginia-20-years-later5) https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/crime/house-near-martinsville-where-jennifer-shorts-parents-were-murdered-is-now-in-ashes/article_27c7db1c-3544-11e9-8c64-4b79d4325a42.html#:~:text=Nearly%2017%20years%20after%20the,destroyed%20by%20fire%20Wednesday%20morning.6) https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/va-michael-50-mary-36-jennifer-short-9-bassett-15-aug-2002.11660/7) https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/three-indicted-for-charges-related-to-the-short-family-murder-case/83-403875927Support the Show.

Julie Ann Gonzalez was only 21-years-old when she went missing, leaving her young daughter, Layla, and a large group of family and friends who cared for her. They immediately knew that something was wrong - Julie would never disappear of her own volition. Find out how there was a murder conviction with no body found.Sources:1) https://www.oxygen.com/killer-relationship-with-faith-jenkins/crime-news/george-delacruz-convicted-killing-wife-julia-gonzalez2) https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2016/10/06/george-de-la-cruz-found-guilty-of-killing-julie-ann-gonzalez/986801007/3) https://www.tdcaa.com/journal/a-murder-case-with-no-body/Support the Show.

Gerald Bloom is found buried underneath a trailer in 2010.  The story that unfolds when police talk to Bloom's neighbors and roommates is terrifying and sad.Sources:1) https://law.justia.com/cases/wyoming/supreme-court/2012/s-11-0281.html2) https://www.championfh.com/obituaries/gerald-bloom3)https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/09/809d0bc4-05db-11df-afbd-001cc4c002e0/809d0bc4-05db-11df-afbd-001cc4c002e0.pdf.pdf4) http://wdoc-loc.wyo.gov/Home/Detail/?id=27637&dbType=WCIS5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheridan,_WyomingSupport the Show.

The Axeman of New Orleans terrorized the city in the 1910s, while the world was in the midst of both war and pandemic. Hear about several theories regarding who the Axeman was - are any of them convincing? Sources: 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19182) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axeman_of_New_Orleans3) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/axeman-new-orleans-preyed-italian-immigrants-180968037/4) https://www.legendsofamerica.com/la-axeman/5) https://www.lsureveille.com/entertainment/louisiana-true-crime-the-new-orleans-axeman-who-murdered-italian-grocers-unfond-of-jazz/article_0a263482-8744-11ec-85de-7b60c0b7252f.htmlSupport the Show.

The Moore family was an affluent family located in the town of Villisca, Iowa. They were well-known and well-liked in town. So when all 6 of them, along with 2 young guests, were found bludgeoned in their own home one morning in 1912, people had no idea who would have committed such a crime. Was this heinous crime committed for some financial motive, or could it have been a serial-killer going on a murder spree through the town? Sources: 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villisca_axe_murders 2) https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2022/06/09/1912-villisca-ax-murders-what-to-know-iowa-cold-case/7567590001/3) https://www.traveliowa.com/places/villisca-axe-murder-house/201/#:~:text=Curated%20guided%20tours%20are%20available,restoration%2C%20plus%20see%20authentic%20mementos.Support the Show.

In this episode, Rachael covers a 1800s case in which a woman by the name of Cordelia Botkin is jealous of her lover's wife, Mary, causing her to go to great lengths to have Mary killed.Sources:1) https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/death-by-chocolate-ab1f379e705c2) https://billypenn.com/2023/09/17/botkin-dunning-case-murder-by-chocolate-delaware-valley/3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordelia_Botkin4) https://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/botkin-cordelia.htm5) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65486684/flower6) https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/candy-from-a-stranger-the-cordelia-botkin-case-of-1898/7) https://www.measuringworth.com/dollarvaluetoday/result.php?year=1898&amount=4000&transaction_type=PURCHASESupport the Show.

At first, when Stacey Castor's husband unexpectedly passes away, no one thinks anything of it, and his death is ruled a suicide. But when police dig deeper and search the Castor's home, what they find shocks them. And as they delve into Stacey's past with her previous husband, they begin to uncover a sinister web of lies...Sources:1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stacey_Castor2) https://abcnews.go.com/US/timeline-black-widow-stacey-castors-shocking-crimes/story?id=608605383) https://abcnews.go.com/US/detectives-caught-black-widow-deadly-web-lies/story?id=608540184) https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a30715508/stacey-castor-true-story-facts-poisoned-love-lifetime/5) https://www.oxygen.com/exhumed/crime-news/black-widow-stacey-castor-convicted-for-murder-after-exhumation6) https://cnycentral.com/news/local/did-stacey-castor-murder-her-own-fatherSupport the Show.

Marlene Warren answered the door to her home and was fatally shot by a mysterious clown, who then calmly walked away to their getaway car. Although there were eyewitnesses, circumstantial evidence, and a prime suspect, it would take over three decades for her killer to face any kind of justice.Sources: 1) https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/killer-clown-marlene-warren-sheila-keen-warren-florida-murder/2) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sheila-keen-warren-marlene-warren-murder-florida-killer-clown-case/ 3) https://abcnews.go.com/US/killer-clown-victims-son-reflects-33-year-fight/story?id=98941520Support the Show.

On December 7, 2017, the body of Telma Boinville was discovered inside a North Shore vacation home in Pupukea, Hawaii by a pair of Australian tourists. In addition to the discovery of Telma's remains, Makana, Telma's 8-year-old daughter, was also found inside the home, with both her hands and feet bound. Throughout this episode, Rachael covers Telma's case and the prosecution of the two individuals responsible for her senseless murder.Sources:1) https://vocal.media/criminal/how-two-burglars-brutally-murdered-telma-boinville2) https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/stephen-brown-guilty-in-2017-murder-of-telma-boinville3) https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/02/separately-trials-likely-in-north-shore-murder-as-defendant-claims-abuse/4) https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2023/12/07/both-defendants-grisly-north-shore-murder-sentenced-life-prison-with-possibility-parole/5) https://www.facebook.com/groups/811488909034020/6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C5%ABp%C5%ABkea,_HawaiiSupport the Show.

This week, we take a brief break from covering cases and reflect on our favorite moments from the podcast over the last 100 episodes. We also hear from listeners and play a fun game at the end! Support the Show.