True Crime Mamas Podcast

Donna Emmel was fifteen years old and enjoying the summer between her sophomore and junior year of high school.  June 16, 1975, was a typical summer day in Newport, NC.  That day, Donna went to hang out with friends at the popular Grice's Grill off Highway 70 in Newport., North Carolina.  Around 8:30 that evening, Donna's mother called the grill and said it was time for Donna to head back home.  Donna was seen leaving, taking a shortcut through woods to her house which she had taken many times before, alone and in the dark.  However, this night was different.  Donna never made it home.  The search for Donna ended the next afternoon when her body was found in a drainage ditch, just across from her own home.  In the weeks after the murder, more than 100 people were questioned.  Over the years, law enforcement followed up on any leads in the investigation but still no answers.Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Zebb Quinn, an 18 year old from Asheville, NC, is out with a friend on the way to see a car when he receives a page from an unknown person.  He left his friend on the side of the road while he went to return a phone call.  When he returned from the call, he accidentally rear ended his friend's car.  He apologized, promised to pay for the damages but explained he had to immediately go tend to something.  This is the last time anyone ever saw Zebb.  Fast forward 22 years later and while law enforcement believe they know what happened, Zebb has never been found.Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Join Amber and Ginny as they cover the life and tragic death of the legendary Marilyn Monroe.  Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Join Christina and Heidi as they cover the poisoning death of Dr. Eric Miller.  Miller was only 30 years old when he was poisoned by his wife Ann Miller Kontz.  After nearly five years of investigation, Ann finally pleaded guilty on November 8, 2005 to the second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder which occurred on Dec. 2, 2000.  Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Amber and Christina talk with author of "Ship of Blood" Charles Oldham.  1905.  Cape Fear, North Carolina.  Mutiny, manslaughter, conspiracy.Author Charles Oldham brings the incredible and unpredictable tale to life for the first time in  his new true crime thriller, "Ship of Blood."Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Sending a special thank you to Greensboro Police Department's very own Detective Waddell who graciously shared his time to talk with us about the role of a homicide detective.Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Part 5According to the hotline.org, "Abusive relationships are extremely complex situations and it takes a lot of courage to leave. Abuse is about power and control. When a survivor leaves their abusive relationship, they threaten the power and control their partner has established over the survivor's agency, which may cause the partner to retaliate in harmful ways.As a result, leaving is often the most dangerous period of time for survivors of abuse."The True Crime Mamas podcast team walked away from Courtney's story seeking to understand why.  Why did Courtney stay?  Why didn't she leave her abusive relationship with DJ?  We were fortunate enough to meet domestic violence survivor Reba.  Reba courageously gave us insight by sharing her story.  This is part 2 of 2.Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Part 4According to the hotline.org, "Abusive relationships are extremely complex situations and it takes a lot of courage to leave. Abuse is about power and control. When a survivor leaves their abusive relationship, they threaten the power and control their partner has established over the survivor's agency, which may cause the partner to retaliate in harmful ways.As a result, leaving is often the most dangerous period of time for survivors of abuse."The True Crime Mamas podcast team walked away from Courtney's story seeking to understand why.  Why did Courtney stay?  Why didn't she leave her abusive relationship with DJ?  We were fortunate enough to meet domestic violence survivor Reba.  Reba courageously gave us insight by sharing her story.  This is part 1 of 2.Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Part 3Illinois native Courtney Heater moved to North Carolina to live with her new boyfriend. The relationship is tumultuous from the beginning, eventually becoming physically violent. In November 2019, Courtney confided in her mom, Debbie that she wanted to leave the relationship. On February 2, 2020, Courtney was found dead in the house she shared with her boyfriend. She was transported to the morgue as a Jane Doe and Debbie was notified of Courtney's death hours later. The autopsy came back leaving more questions than answers. What happened to Courtney Heater and why?Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Part 2 Illinois native Courtney Heater moved to North Carolina to live with her new boyfriend. The relationship is tumultuous from the beginning, eventually becoming physically violent. In November 2019, Courtney confided in her mom, Debbie that she wanted to leave the relationship. On February 2, 2020, Courtney was found dead in the house she shared with her boyfriend. She was transported to the morgue as a Jane Doe and Debbie was notified of Courtney's death hours later. The autopsy came back leaving more questions than answers. What happened to Courtney Heater and why?Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Illinois native Courtney Heater moved to North Carolina to live with her new boyfriend. The relationship is tumultuous from the beginning, eventually becoming physically violent. In November 2019, Courtney confided in her mom, Debbie that she wanted to leave the relationship. On February 2, 2020, Courtney was found dead in the house she shared with her boyfriend. She was transported to the morgue as a Jane Doe and Debbie was notified of Courtney's death hours later. The autopsy came back leaving more questions than answers. What happened to Courtney Heater and why?Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

Join the True Crime Mamas as they share some of their favorite Halloween stories.Music by Bryan AndersonCover Art by Marley Soden

While the True Crime Mamas Podcast team is deep into investigations for upcoming episodes, we thought we would feature special minisodes from each team member. Enjoy!Join Christina as she takes us back to Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1935 to share the tragic story of heiress Elva Statler Davidson.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison 

While the True Crime Mamas Podcast team is deep into investigations for upcoming episodes, we thought we would feature special minisodes from each team member. Enjoy!Join Ginny as she tells the story of how the business partnership of Chris Smith and Edward Shin ended in murder. Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison 

While the True Crime Mamas Podcast team is deep into investigations for upcoming episodes, we thought we would feature special minisodes from each team member. Enjoy!Join Christina as she shares how she fell down the rabbit hole of true crime. Thank you to Ms. julie Edwards who kicked off this crazy journey.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison 

Trigger warning:  this case involves the abduction and murder of a young child.  Listener discretion is advised.Five-year-old Brittany Locklear waited alone for her school bus while her mom ran inside to use the bathroom.  When she looked out the door, Brittany was gone.  Neighbors witnessed a brown pickup truck slam on the brakes, got out and grabbed Brittany and then sped away.  On January 8, Brittany's body was found in a drainage ditch about 3 miles away from her home.  She had been raped and was drowned.  Twenty-two years later and her mama Connie is still awaiting justice.The True Crime Mamas wish to thank both  Anjanette Grube, Public Information Director and ASAC Walter Brown from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for their partnership and information on inactive cases in North Carolina.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Join Ginny and Lindsay as they discuss the case of Debra Jean Asbury who was last seen on the 400 block of Westside Drive in Lexington, North Carolina at approximately 8:00 a.m. on September 26, 1994.  She told her sister that she was meeting her boyfriend Andy Probst at a store on West Fifth Avenue.  She has not been seen since.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Join Heidi and Christina as they interview Ethan and Kimberly Wheeler from The Phoenix Alliance.  They will discuss sex trafficking in our own backyard as well as how to prevent your loved ones from being victimized.  Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Improved sound quality!  Case includes the latest updates.Christina and Amber discuss the case of Irish business man, Jason Corbett.  Jason was beaten to death with a baseball bat and concrete paver.  His second wife, Molly and her father, former FBI agent Tom Martens are charged with Jason's murder.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Improved sound quality!  Part 2 will have updates on the case.Christina and Amber discuss the case of Irish business man, Jason Corbett.  Jason was beaten to death with a baseball bat and concrete paver.  His second wife, Molly and her father, former FBI agent Tom Martens are charged with Jason's murder.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Ginny and Heidi discuss the case of Michael Hayes.  In 1988, Michael Hayes went on a shooting spree in Winston-Salem, NC.  He stated he was suffering from mental illness and having hallucinations.  He shot and killed 4 people and injured 5 others that summer night. Was he truly suffering a psychotic break or was he in control and knew what he was doing?Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Ginny and Amber discuss the story Ronda Blaylock.  On August 26, 1980, 14-year-old Ronda was on her walk home from school when she got into a pickup truck driven by a friend.  Three days latter, her body was found partially clothed in a heavy wooded area in Pilot Mountain.  Her case would go cold and would take decades before an arrest was made. Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Christina and Lindsay discuss the mysterious death of 33 year old Brandon Embry.  Brandon was found gasping for air, unconscious, beaten, nude on the floor in his bedroom in his apartment in Asheboro, NC, on September 12, 2019.  After his death on September 13, 2019, the medical examiner ruled his cause of death as pneumonia, later changing it to undetermined.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Christina and Lindsay discuss the mysterious death of 33 year old Brandon Embry.  Brandon was found gasping for air, unconscious, beaten, nude on the floor in his bedroom in his apartment in Asheboro, NC, on September 12, 2019.  After his death on September 13, 2019, the medical examiner ruled his cause of death as pneumonia, later changing it to undetermined.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

On December 4, 2009, Allison Gaither was fatally stabbed by her estranged husband Cory Gaither just two days after she took out a domestic violence protective order on him. After her death, Allison's family worked tirelessly for 10 years to help ensure North Carolina House Bill 41 was passed. Allison's Law is a pilot program which allows the use of a GPS tracking device on a person who has committed acts of domestic violence as a condition of pre-trial release.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Ana and Heidi cover the case of thirteen year old Hania Aguilar who was abducted from the driveway of her home in Lumberton, NC. Her body was found three weeks later in a wooded and swampy area not too far from her home. Michael McLellan, was charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder and was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in the case. Prosecutors are currently seeking the death penalty.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Newlywed Lauren Hugelmaier (Phelps) is brutally murdered by husband Matt Phelps on September 1, 2017. Matt claims the incident was due to an overdose of Coricidin Cough and Cold medicine. As law enforcement investigates, it becomes apparent that Lauren's murder was premeditated and Matt was living a double life.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Ginny and Jessica discuss the true story of sharecropper Charles "Charlie" Lawson who murdered his wife and six of his seven children on Christmas Day 1929. After the murders, he went into the nearby woods and after a few hours shot himself. The only family member to survive was his eldest son Arthur who was 16 years old.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

On September 14, 2007, in the midst of a contentious divorce, Dr. Kirk Turner visited his estranged wife Jennifer with a friend who was picking up tools. While the friend was loading up his truck, Dr. Turner planned to review legal paperwork with Jennifer. What transpired next ended in Jennifer's grisly death and Kirk being stabbed twice in the leg with a 7' spear.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Kernersville, NC, native and former Appalachian State University student, James "Martin" Roberts left his apartment in Boone, NC, to go to a friend's apartment. Although Martin left a note stating that he may be leaving, he did not take any money with him. He did not have a car or bike. Police have no idea what happened to him, where he may have gone, anything. He just disappeared without a trace.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Please enjoy a Halloween special episode from your friends at True Crime Mamas!"Lydia the Ghost of Jamestown Bridge" is covered by Christina, Lindsay and Courtney."Haunted Nights," is performed by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, 1929"The Legend of Wanda Woody" is covered by Susanna and Heidi."Hellhound on My Trail" is performed by Robert Johnson 1961Listener submission, "The Devils Tramping Ground" is covered by Christina and Heidi."The Devil's Tramping Ground" is performed by Tommy Edwards, 2020Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Amber and Heidi cover the case of Zachary Smith Reynolds, the youngest son of R.J. Reynolds. Reynolds' mysterious death was first ruled as a suicide but later changed to a homicide. Although his wife Libby and best friend were suspected, they were never convicted of any charges.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Christina and Amber cover the case of Irish business man, Jason Corbett is beaten to death with a baseball bat and concrete paver. His second wife, Molly and her father former FBI agent Thomas Martens are charged with his murder.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Christina and Amber cover the case of Irish business man, Jason Corbett is beaten to death with a baseball bat and concrete paver. His second wife, Molly and her father former FBI agent Thomas Martens are charged with his murder.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison

Susanna intros True Crime Mamas Podcast. We will break down some of the most heinous, mind-blowing, and interesting cases in North Carolina. Our mission is to shine light on the thousands of cold cases in North Carolina and give a voice to the victims. We will also cover many of the big, news-making cases from our state.Cover art by Marley SodenTheme song by Sam Morrison