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86 episodes with death investigator
5 episodes with death investigator
2 episodes with death investigator
2 episodes with death investigator
2 episodes with death investigator
2 episodes with death investigator
2 episodes with death investigator
2 episodes with death investigator
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I'm examining the disturbing case of Shawn Michael Grate, a serial killer whose crimes spanned a decade across northern Ohio and left multiple families forever changed. What makes this case especially unsettling is not only the length of time the murders continued, but how many opportunities there may have been to stop the violence sooner. As investigators pieced together the evidence, a clearer picture emerged of a predator who targeted vulnerable women, leaving behind unanswered questions and unimaginable heartbreak. As a forensic death investigator, I walk through the timeline of the investigation, the evidence that ultimately connected the cases, and the forensic and investigative techniques that helped bring long-awaited answers to the victims' families. We'll also discuss how missing persons investigations, crime scene evidence, and victim identification play critical roles in solving complex serial homicide cases. But as with every case I cover, I want to keep the focus where it belongs. On the victims. Each woman had a life, a story, and people who loved her. Behind every headline was someone whose future was stolen far too soon. Their lives deserve to be remembered with dignity, not simply as part of a criminal's history. This episode explores the realities of serial homicide investigations while honoring the individuals whose stories might otherwise be overshadowed by the person responsible. This episode contains discussion of homicide, sexual violence, and serial murder. Listener discretion is advised.
Who am I, and how did I end up investigating death for a living? In this very first episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I'm sharing my story, from my path into nursing to becoming a Forensic Nurse Death Investigator. I'll talk about what drew me to this unique profession, what it's really like to investigate deaths, and why I felt called to create this podcast. Over the years, I've responded to countless death scenes, worked alongside law enforcement, medical examiners, and families experiencing unimaginable loss. Those experiences have taught me that every death has a story, and understanding that story requires compassion, science, careful investigation, and sometimes asking difficult questions. Pushing Up Lilies was created to give listeners an honest look behind the scenes of death investigation. Whether you're fascinated by forensic science, curious about how cases are solved, or simply interested in the realities of this profession, I hope this podcast helps educate, inspire, and answer questions you've always wondered about. If you're new here, welcome. This episode is the perfect place to begin. If you've been listening for a while, thank you for being part of this journey. I'm so glad you're here. Join me as I share the story behind the microphone, and the path that led me to Pushing Up Lilies.
In last week's episode, I explored the tragic death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and the events that unfolded during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. This week, I'm following the case into the courtroom as we examine The State of Texas vs. Karmelo Anthony. During this episode, I'll walk through the key moments of the trial, the arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense, and the jury's ultimate decision. We'll discuss the self-defense claim raised by the defense, the testimony presented during the proceedings, and the factors that may have influenced the outcome. I'll also review the sentencing phase and the emotional victim impact statements delivered by Austin's family. As always, my goal is not to sensationalize tragedy, but to help listeners better understand the investigative and legal processes that follow a violent death. Cases like this often generate strong opinions and intense public discussion, but inside the courtroom, decisions must be based on evidence, testimony, and the law. Join me as we take a closer look at one of the most closely watched criminal trials in recent Texas history and examine the legal journey from a fatal encounter to a murder conviction.
My interview with Barbara Butcher, author of "What the Dead Know" and star of "The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher"
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I'm covering the heartbreaking case of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a high school student whose life was tragically cut short during what should have been an ordinary day at a track meet. In April 2025, a confrontation between two young men at a Frisco, Texas, athletic event ended in an act of violence that shocked a community and made headlines across the country. What began as a disagreement escalated in a matter of moments, leaving one family grieving the loss of a son, brother, friend, and teammate. As a forensic death investigator, I walk through the known timeline of events, the investigation that followed, and the legal proceedings involving Karmelo Anthony. I also discuss the difficult realities surrounding youth violence, split-second decisions, and the devastating consequences that can follow. But as with every case I cover, I want to keep the focus where it belongs. On Austin. On the life he lived, the people who loved him, and the future that was taken from him far too soon. This episode is approached with compassion and respect for everyone affected by this tragedy. Beyond the headlines, this is the story of a young life lost and a community forever changed. This episode contains discussion of violence, homicide, and the death of a minor. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I'm covering the heartbreaking case of Rachel Castillo, a young mother whose disappearance in Southern California led investigators to a devastating discovery, and ultimately, the conviction of her estranged husband, Zarbab Ali. Rachel vanished during what should have been a routine custody exchange involving her children. But almost immediately, investigators began uncovering signs that something was terribly wrong. What followed was an intense investigation involving surveillance footage, blood evidence, digital tracking, and a search that ended with Rachel's body being found buried in a remote area. As a forensic death investigator, I walk through how cases like this begin to unfold behind the scenes, how small pieces of evidence start forming a timeline, how investigators interpret behavioral patterns, and how critical those early investigative decisions become when someone suddenly disappears under suspicious circumstances. This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, homicide, and burial concealment. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I'm covering the mysterious death of Spencer Irwin, a 30-year-old Fresno City College student whose body was discovered behind a business loading dock in Fresno, California, in August of 2024. What initially appeared to authorities to be a tragic but straightforward case quickly became something far more complicated. Spencer was found naked, with no obvious signs of trauma, and early assumptions pointed toward a drug overdose or transient-related death. But toxicology reports later came back clean. No overdose. No clear explanation. And despite the unanswered questions surrounding his death, the coroner ultimately ruled it “natural causes.” What makes this case especially unsettling is what didn't happen. No autopsy was performed. And Spencer's body was cremated. As a forensic death investigator, I discuss the difficult reality of cases that fall into gray areas, where evidence is limited, assumptions are made early, and families are left searching for answers long after a case is considered closed. Because sometimes the hardest part of an investigation… is not what we know. It's what we don't. This episode contains discussion of death, investigative uncertainty, and unresolved circumstances surrounding the case. Listener discretion is advised.
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I'm covering the tragic and deeply disturbing case of Sonia Exelby, a 32-year-old woman from Portsmouth, England, who traveled to the United States in October of 2024… and never made it home. According to investigators, Sonia flew into Gainesville, Florida, after connecting online with a man named Dwain Hall through a fetish website. She was expected to return to the UK just three days later, but she never boarded her flight. What followed became an international homicide investigation that shocked both sides of the Atlantic. As I walk through the timeline of Sonia's final days, I do so with compassion and care, because beneath the headlines was a real woman whose life mattered. A woman who trusted someone she believed she knew… and whose story ended in unimaginable tragedy. From an investigative standpoint, I also discuss the complexities of cases involving online relationships, long-distance travel, digital evidence, and how quickly missing person cases can escalate into homicide investigations. This episode is not about judgment or sensationalism. It's about understanding the vulnerability that can exist in human connection, the realities investigators face in cases like this, and honoring the victim at the center of the story. This episode contains discussion of violence, homicide, and sensitive themes involving online exploitation. Please take care of yourself while listening.
Send us Fan MailOne pleasure of hosting this podcast is having some of your favorite people come back on the show. Today's episode is one of those occurrences.Today on the show, I welcome back retired New York City Death Investigator, author, and television star, Barbara Butcher. I had Barbara on the podcast back in 2023 on episodes 127 and 128. Barbara Butcher spent 23 years at the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as a death investigator, director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program, and chief of staff. There, she investigated over 5500 deaths, 680 of them homicides. She worked mass disasters, including 9/11, the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, the London Underground bombing, and the crash of Flight 587.During this interview, Barbara gives us a peek into the life of a big city death investigator, and we talk about her book, What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator and her new TV special The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher, and the television pilot that is being filmed based on her life at the New York City Medical Examiner's Office. I hope you all enjoy this interview as much as I did. In today's episode, we discuss:· Growing up in New York, being the oldest of nine kids, and her dad being on the New York Police Department, rising to the rank of Deputy Inspector.· How her father's position in the NYPD affected her career with the M.E.'s office?· The snowball fight against the cops that got out of hand.· The cops are for us.· How she got the job with the New York Medical Examiner's Office as a death investigator, and the training involved in the job. · The job of the death investigator.· Time of death. How that is determined, and how different it is on TV and in movies· Besides the time of death, what are some of the biggest misconceptions or inaccuracies on TV or movies regarding death investigations?· Her book, What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator.· Her new show, The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher.· The relationship she had with the cops and how they worked together to solve the crime. You can see the bond she had with the cops in her new series, The Death Investigator, with Barbara Butcher. All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.Check out Barbara's website to learn more about her and her amazing career!Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!Head on over to my website! What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click thSupport the show
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Murph sits down with Barbara Butcher, a former medical legal investigator for the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. After navigating the counterculture era, battling Alzheimer's patients' suffering, and becoming a physician assistant, a life-changing interview with the Chief Medical Examiner set her on a new path. "Forget the money, do what you love." She did, and through forensic science and crime scene investigations, Barbara spent decades investigating homicides, suspicious deaths, and humanity's darkest moments alongside the NYPD. Enjoy these true crime stories.
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Barbara Butcher is one of the most seasoned and respected death investigators in New York City history — a woman who has walked into more than 5,500 death scenes and helped identify victims of the 9/11 attacks. Now, she's the face of Oxygen True Crime's gripping new series The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher, produced by Dick Wolf, revealing the hidden clues our bodies leave behind and the secrets only a trained eye can see.In this episode of My Fame, Explained, Barbara opens up about her extraordinary life: growing up the daughter of an NYPD Deputy Inspector, losing everything to alcoholism, rebuilding her career from scratch, breaking barriers as one of the first female medicolegal investigators in NYC, and facing unimaginable tragedy at Ground Zero.She also discusses her acclaimed memoir What the Dead Know, the cases that changed her, the surprising lessons the dead teach the living, and how she transformed her decades of trauma, grit, and expertise into powerful storytelling on screen.If you love true crime, resilience stories, or behind-the-scenes looks at the world's toughest jobs, this conversation will stay with you long after it's over.Follow Barbara on Instagram @butcher.barbara and catch The Death Investigator on Oxygen True Crime.Follow Larry Gilbert on InstagramFollow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:FacebookInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTube
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Watch every episode ad-free & uncensored on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones Joseph Scott Morgan Scott Morgan is a death investigator who is considered one of the leading experts on the Coroner System in the United States. He also hosts the "Body Bags" podcast. SPONSORS https://hellofresh.com/danny10fm - Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life! https://mnniceethno.com/dj - Use code DJ22 for 22% off your first order. https://www.bruntworkwear.com/danny - Use code DANNY for $10 off BRUNT workwear. https://whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP - Use code DJP for 20% off EPISODE LINKS https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-body-bags-with-joseph-sco-87375583 https://www.instagram.com/josephscottmorgan https://x.com/joscottforensic FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/dannyjones https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - coroners vs. medical examiners 05:53 - what happens to unidentified bodies 15:23 - performing autopsies at 21 years old 20:34 - Sharon Tate's coroner 24:48 - hardest thing a death investigator has to do 35:06 - the toll of being a death investigator 42:23 - seeing ghosts of the dead 52:25 - PTSD & recurring nightmares from seeing death 01:04:05 - first thing a medical examiner does at a death scene 01:13:23 - most disgusting death of Joseph's career 01:22:32 - the death penalty & prisoner autopsies 01:34:02 - attending death row executions 01:45:06 - analysis of George Floyd's death 01:52:50 - the Idaho 4 murders 02:11:49 - why Bryan Kohberger left some roommates alive 02:20:20 - the death of Danny Casolaro 02:24:06 - problems with Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy report 02:37:36 - Jeffrey Epstein's noose mystery 02:50:23 - what happened to Epstein's victims Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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SPONSORS: 1) HelloFresh: Go to https://hellofresh.com/JULIAN10FM and get *10 FREE MEALS* w/ a Free Item for Life! (***TIMESTAMPS in description below) ~ Joseph Scott Morgan is a Forensics Expert, Author, TV personality & JFK Investigator. His book, “Blood Beneath My Feet” is considered by many the greatest forensics memoir ever written. PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey JOSEPH's LINKS - IG: https://www.instagram.com/josephscottmorgan/?hl=en - X: https://x.com/JoScottForensic - JOSEPH'S BOOK - https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Beneath-My-Feet-Investigator-ebook/dp/B008D30KRY?ref_=ast_author_dp - BODY-BAGS PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bags-with-joseph-scott-morgan/id1587763116 FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY INSTAGRAM (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/juliandoreypodcast/ INSTAGRAM (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://twitter.com/julianddorey ****TIMESTAMPS**** 00:00 – Joseph Background, Death Science, Award-Winning Book 12:00 - Joseph's moment w/ Mother of Idaho Victim 18:33 – Delivering News, Victim Empathy, Grief Barrier 28:00 – Urban Fire, Sharp Injuries, Idaho 4, Food Delivery 51:42 – Kill Labeling, Kohberger Method, Knife Sheath 01:01:47 – Teaching Fear, DNA Labs, Golden State Killer 01:12:31 – MJ Cremation, Historical Lessons, Forensics Future 01:19:39 – Kohberger Wrap-Up, Demolished House, Dateline 01:30:48 – Crime Scene Tours, Time Pressure, What's Normal 01:46:54 – Kohberger Getaway, Missed Victim?, Drive-Bys 01:55:51 – Charges, Family Rights, Case Trouble 02:12:13 – Incel Theory, Violence Rise, Diagnosis 02:24:45 – Driving Factors, Idle Hands, Chapin's Mom 02:38:42 – Epstein, Jail Cell, Unanswered Forensics 02:57:12 – What Epstein Case Means 03:10:05 – Joseph's Work CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef - https://www.instagram.com/joeydeef/ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 322 - Joseph Scott Morgan Music by Artlist.io Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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