It’s a lighthearted nightmare in here, weirdos! Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. Join us for a heavy dose of research with a dash of comedy thrown in for flavor.
Listen Now: Suspect "Five Shots in the Dark"
Leon Benson spent 24 years in an Indiana state prison for the 1998 murder of a young man named Kasey Schoen. His conviction hinged on the testimony of two eyewitnesses – but what if their memories turned out to be wrong? And what if the people who knew what really happened had never been allowed to speak? Suspect Season 3: Five Shots in the Dark is the story of two victims: one murdered, one sentenced to life. Follow host Matt Shaer and attorney Lara Bazelon as they investigate how the justice system failed both Leon and Kasey, and who the real killer might be. Join this unprecedented look inside the attempt to overturn a wrongful conviction and find out if justice will finally be served.Listen to Suspect wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge Suspect ad-free on Wondery Plus. Find Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts: Wondery.fm/Suspect_S3See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 477: The Murder of Teresita Basa
On the evening of February 21, 1977, Chicago firefighters responded to a call at the Pine Grove apartment complex. Once they’d extinguished the fire, they discovered the nude body of forty-eight-year-old Teresita Basa with a kitchen knife protruding from her chest. The apartment looked as though it had been ransacked during the commission of what they assumed was a sexual assault or robbery gone wrong. With little evidence or leads to work from, Teresita’s murder investigation quickly went cold.But then five months later, it seemed like it was Teresita herself who led investigators to discover the man who murdered her. What followed was a truly sensational investigation and trial where not only murder, but belief was up for debate.ReferencesBoston Globe. 1978. "Did Voice of the Dead Name Murderer?" Boston Globe, March 6: 2.Decatur Herald. 1979. "Man Pleads Guilty; Named by 'Voice From the Grave'." Decatur Herald, February 23: 9.O'Brien , John, and Edward Baumann. 1978. "Accused of Murder By a Voice From The Grave." Ebony, June 01: 56-63.O'Brien, John. 1979. "'Voice From Grave' Case a Mistrial." Chicago Tribune, Janaury 27: 3.O'Brien, John, and Edward Baumann. 1992. Teresita: The Voice from the Grave. Los Angeles, CA: Bonus Books.Toledo Blade. 1978. "'Voice From Grave' Suspect Ordered to Trial for Murder." Toledo Blade, September 7: 38.Warden, Rob. 1978. "'Voice From the Grave' Evokes a Murder Trial." Washington Post, September 17.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 476: Bobby Mackey's Music World
When musician Bobby Mackey opened Bobby Mackey’s Music World in 1978, he had hoped for nothing more than to open a small nightclub where audiences could enjoy the traditional country music he had devoted his life to for decades. Yet before the club was even opened, it was apparent to Bobby, his wife Janet, and manager Carl that whatever the new night club was going to be, it would be anything but normal.In the decades since it opened, Bobby Mackey’s Music World has gained a reputation, not just as a one of Kentucky’s enduring country western clubs, but as one of America’s supposedly most haunted locations. Indeed, Bobby Mackey’s is said to be the home of several spirits whose lives revolved around, and in some cases ended on the property, including the ghosts of a lovesick showgirl, a headless pregnant woman, and the two Satan-worshipping men who took her head.Thank you to the glorious David White for research assistance :)ReferencesAssociated Press. 1978. "State to probe fire at club near Newport." Courier-Journal, July 10: 6.—. 1993. "Legality of lawsuit blaming bar for ghost antics to be decided." Messenger-Inquirer, October 23: 17.Caraway, Robin. 2006. "Wilder nightclub site has storied past." Cincinnati Post, July 17: 14.Chicago Chronicle. 1896. "Pearl Bryan's story." Chicago Chronicle, May 10: 33.Cincinnati Enquirer. 1979. "Kentucky closes Mackey's club, citing faulty wiriing, sprinkler." Cincinnati Enquirer, December 16: 26.—. 1978. "Wilder police chief wants state to close Hard Rock Cafe." Cincinnati Enquirer, January 17: 17.Hensley, Douglas. 2005. Hell's Gate: Terror at Bobby Mackey's Music World. Denver, CO: Outskirts Press.Moores, Lew. 1993. "Court filing by club's lawyer is poetry in motion." Cincinnati Enquirer, October 22: 26.2005. A Haunting. Television. Directed by Joe Wiecha. Performed by New Dominion Pictures.Wecker, David. 1991. "Bobby Mackey demon story: truth or bull." Cincinnati Post, July 9: 11.Wolfson, Andrew. 2022. "A twisted tale: A failed abortion, a beheading and pennies left heads up at a grave." Courier Journal, May 4.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 475: Denise Huber- Part 2
In Part 2, we talk through the killer’s background and troubling history with women in his life. We also go through Denise’s horrific injuries, as well as the investigation and trial that followed. Thank you to the stupendous David White for research assistance.ReferencesAssociated Press. 1994. "No bail for suspect in bizarre slaying." Arizona Daily Sun, July 21: 10.Cekola, Anna. 1997. "For Hubers, relief at 'a step in justice, anticipation of next one." Los Angeles Times,May 23: A24.Dobruck, Jeremiah. 2016. "The wound that never heals." Los Angeles Times, July 1.Gomez, James. 1991. "Banner used in search for woman." Los Angeles Times, July 3: 129.—. 1991. "Denise Huber probably dead, investigator says." Los Angeles Times, October 10: 214.—. 1991. "Hope keeps a search alive." Los Angeles Times, June 27: 224.Gomez, James, and Eric Lichtblau. 1991. "Was missing woman victim of foul play." Los Angeles Times,June 6: 227.Hernandez, Greg. 1997. "Famalaro defense charges witness is biased ." Los Angeles Times, February 22:309.—. 1997. "Famalaro defense rests after trying to refute special circumstances." Los Angeles Times, May21: B4.—. 1997. "Famalaro judge unswayed by argument denying kidnapping." Los Angeles Times, May 15: B3.—. 1997. "Famalaro jury told that the victim had drinks." Los Angeles Times, May 20: B1.—. 1997. "Famalaro quickly convicted in Huber sex murder case." Los Angeles Times, May 23: 1.—. 1997. "Killer who froze body sentenced to die." Los Angeles Times, September 6: A24.—. 1997. "Prosecutor describes stranded motorist's last hours." Los Angeles Times, May 9: A3.—. 1997. "Unraveling mysteries of Huber case." Los Angeles Times, April 21: 53.Ko, Mimi. 1992. "Daughter is gone, then cancer hits." Los Angeles Times, November 7: 220.Lasseter, Don. 1998. Cold Storage: A Killer with a Heart of Ice. New York, NY: Pinnacle Books.Lindsbaum, Mark. 1991. "Impasse in search from woman doesn't shake faith." Los Angeles Times,September 8: 408.Los Angeles Times. 1991. "Abandoned car on freeway spurs search for Newport Beach woman." LosAngeles Times, June 5: 107.Pinsky, Mark. 1995. "Famalaro trial delayed until next April." Los Angeles Times, April 11: 136.Reza, H.G., and Tammy Hyunjoo Kresta. 1994. "Body is identified as Denise Huber." Los Angeles Times,July 17: 137.Tabor, Gail. 1994. "Parents' search ends." Arizona Republic, July 18: 1.The People vs. John Famalaro. 2011. S064306 (Supreme Court of California, July 7).The People vs. John Famalaro. 2007. S064306 (Supreme Court of the State of California, April 11).Villa, Judy, and David Schwartz. 1994. "Police fear other victims in home where freezer held woman'scorpse." Arizona Republic, July 18: 1.Wilgoren, Jodi. 1994. "Famalaro faces sex charges in Huber slaying." Los Angeles Times, September 30:136.Yokoi, Iris. 1992. "Family of missing woman still hopeful." Los Angeles Times, June 3: 102.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 474: Denise Huber- Part 1
On the evening of June 2, 1991, twenty-three-year-old Denise Huber went out to a concert in Inglewood, California with a friend. While driving home after the concert, Denise got a flat tire on the Corona del Mar Freeway, just a few miles from her home in Newport Beach. Two days later, the car was discovered abandoned and Denise was nowhere to be found.The disappearance of Denise Huber prompted a massive search operation in southern California and garnered considerable media attention, but their efforts turned up nothing. Years later, in 1994, a woman buying paint from a handy man in Dewey, Arizona grew suspicious of the man selling her the paint and reported her hunch to local police, including the man’s license plate number. When they ran the plate, it turned out the truck had been stolen. When they searched the vehicle a week later, investigators discovered a chest freezer in the back of the vehicle. Inside, they found the answer to a case that had stalled for years.Thank you to the talented David White for research assistance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 473: Hayward Bissell and the Murder of Patricia Booher
On January 24, 2000, sheriff’s deputies in Mentone, Alabama stopped an older model Lincoln with Ohio plates that they suspected was involved in a hit-and-run accident earlier that day. The driver was thirty-seven-year-old Hayward Bissell of Norwalk, Ohio and strapped into the seat beside him was the remains of his twenty-four-year-old girlfriend, Patricia Booher. To the deputies’ horror, Booher’s hand and leg had been severed from her body, her eyes had been gouged out, and her heart and liver had been torn out, but were still in the car. Further investigation revealed that, in addition to Booher’s murder, Bissell had also attempted to kill two other couples on what appeared to be a rampage across two states.Thank you to the ever so talented David White for research assistance :)-Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance - Website:sczaction.orgServices: Education and support groups National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)Website:nami.org Services: General resources for mental health Domestic Violence: -US Hotline Number: 1(800)-799-7233-The Battered Women's Justice Project: **We donated to them, I met with them and they are amazing**Website: BWJP.org Services: Free legal help -Center For Domestic Peace Website: Centerfordomesticpeace.org Services: Support groupsReferencesActon, Andy. 2000. "Secret Service questions man in mutilation case." Birminghm Post-Herald, January 26: 23.Associated Press. 2002. "Mental illness plea accepted." Atlanta Constitution , February 8: D12.—. 2000. "Couple honors heroic Labrador retrievers." Birmingham Post-Herald, March 15: 16.—. 2001. "Man held in mutilation slaying to undergo more mental tests." Macon Telegraph, August 13: 12.—. 2000. "Police probe mutilation death of woman." The Anniston Star, Janaury 25: 8.—. 2000. "Suspect in mutilation death of woman to be sent to mental hsopital." The Anniston Star, January 26: 12.Bradley, Eric. 2000. "Manty native relates tale of terror." Manitowoc Herald-Times, Jul 7: 1.Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. 2000. "Mental tests urged for slaying suspect." Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Janaury 27: 14.Harper, Carol. 2000. "Dismay, disbelief follow mutilation death." Sandusky Register, January 26.Johnson, Sheila. 2013. Blood Highway. New York, NY: Pinnacle Books.Nowak, Joe. 2000. "Victim's father in prison for rape." Norwalk Reflector, January 25.Nowak, Joe, and Jonathan Rickard. 2000. "Suspect has history of violent behavior." Norfolk Reflector, January 25.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 472: Listener Tales 75
Listener Tales 75!!! This installment features a CRAY-CRAY reincarnation story, a husband turned Scooby-Doo villain and ghost turned grandma! If you have a listener tale you’d like to send in please send it to Morbidpodcast@gmail.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 471: Joe Metheny
On December 15, 1996, Baltimore police discovered the body of twenty-three-year-old Kimberly Spicer buried under a trailer on the property of a pallet factory in the city’s southwest side. Later that day, police arrested Joseph Methainy, a man who lived and worked at the factory where Spicer’s body was discovered. It didn’t take long for police to solidly connect Methainy to the murders of two additional Baltimore women as well. In his wild confessions he claimed massive victim numbers and even cannibalism. Thanks to Dave White for research assistance!ReferencesAssociated Press. 1997. "Man's trial in slaying of 2 women is postponed; change of venue sought." Baltimore Sun, July 8: 4B.—. 1996. "Accused killer called fun-loving." Daily Times, December 20: 2.—. 1997. "Mount Airy scientits finds where the bones are buried." Star-Democrat, February 5: 13.—. 1998. "Officials: Methainy attempted suicide ." Star-Democrat, March 24: 6.—. 1996. "'Practical joker' held in 3 slayings." The Capital, December 20: 14.—. 1997. "Suspected serial killer indicted." The Daily Times, January 29: 2.Hermann, Peter. 1996. "Suspect charged in 2 more slayings." Baltimore Sun, December 19: 25.—. 1996. "Suspect gives police details of 4 slayings." Baltimore Sun, December 21: 1A.—. 1996. "Suspect in slaying says he killed 2 others Police searches yield." Baltimore Sun, December 18.Higham, Scott. 1998. "Methainy found guilty of killing woman." Baltimore Sun, May 15: 8B.Hopper, Dale. 1997. "Murder suspect convicted of kidnapping, assault." Star-Democrat, November 18: 3.Investigation Discovery. 2016. Serial killer Joe 'The Cannibal' Methainy, served human burgers at his BBQ stand, dead in cell. December 19. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/serial-killer/joe-the-cannibal-Methainy-the-serial-killer-with-a-penchant-for-human-flesh-burgers.Irwin, Richard. 1996. "2 men charged in woman's stabbing death." Baltimore Sun, December 16: 2B.Jacobson, Joan. 2000. "Court voids death verdict." Baltimore Sun, July 25: 11.—. 1998. "Killer given death penalty." Baltimore Sun, November 14: 1.—. 1998. "Methainy sentencing testimony begins." Baltimore Sun, November 10: 27.James, Michael. 1997. "As police sift claims, families seek solace." Baltimore Sun, January 13: 1.Methainy v. State of Maryland. 2000. 149 (Court of Appeals of Maryland, July 24).Pekkanen, Sarah. 1998. "Suspect's confession to killing played in court." Baltimore Sun, May 1: 1B.Penn, Ivan. 1997. "Slaying suspect on trial in attempted murder." Baltimore Sun, November 6: 11B.—. 1997. "Woman describes night of attack." Baltimore Sun, November 7: 7B.Prudente, Tim. 2017. "Convicted murderer dead in his cell." Baltimore Sun, August 8: A2.Shatzkin, Kate. 1997. "Death penalty to be sought in slayings of 2." Baltimore Sun, March 21.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 470: The Murder of Mandy Stavik
In late November 1989, college freshman Mandy Stavik returned to her hometown of Acme, Washington to celebrate the holidays with her family. On the afternoon of November 24, the day after Thanksgiving, Mandy told her family she was going for a run. When she still hadn’t returned that evening, her mother became concerned and called around to her friends, but none had heard from her. When she still hadn’t returned the next morning, the panic set in, and the search began.For three days, the residents of Acme, Washington undertook an increasingly desperate search for Mandy Stavik and were heartbroken when her body was eventually located in the shallow water of the Nooksack River. Local police began an intense investigation, but after months of dead ends and dwindling leads, the case wound down and eventually went cold.Mandy Stavik’s death would likely have remained unsolved, were it not for a tenacious cold case detective, who in 2009 began running old DNA samples against samples collected from suspects over the last two decades.Thank you to the fantastical David White for research assistanceReferencesAssociated Press. 1989. "Amanda Stavik's brother also died tragically." Lewiston Tribune, December 1.Ferm, Carol. 1989. "A flood of memories, a torrent of tears." The Bellingham Herald, December 3: 1.—. 1989. "Community's sense of peace is shattered." The Bellingham Herald, November 29: 1.—. 1989. "Family and friends keep a vigil of hope." The Bellingham Herald, November 26: 11.—. 1989. "Loss angers, saddens classmate." The Bellingham Herald, November 29: 2.—. 1989. "Reward offered." The Bellingham Herald, November 27: 1.—. 1989. "Teen presumed kidnapped." The Bellingham Herald, November 26: 1.Ferm, Carol, and Cathy Logg. 1989. "Search for missing teen continues." The Bellingham Herald, November 27: 1.—. 1989. "Stavik's body found in Nooksack." The Bellingham Herald, November 28: 1.Logg, Cathy. 1989. "Clues elusive in Stavki's death." The Bellingham Herald, November 29: 1.—. 1989. "Investigators get many tips in Stavik case." The Bellingham Herald, December 1: 13.—. 1989. "Police issue a warning about human predators." The Bellingham Herald, December 20: 11.—. 1989. "Sheriff seeks pudgy-faced man for questioning in Stavik case." The Bellingham Herald, December 3: 13.—. 1990. "Stavik case awaits tests." The Bellingham Herald, March 20: 1.—. 1992. "Stavik 'suspect' files suit." The Bellingham Herald, March 21: 1.—. 1990. "Garment ID'd tentatively as Mandy's." The Bellingham Press, January 28: 15.Mittendorf, Robert. 2017. "Arrest in 1989 killing - sheriff credits DNA." The Bellingham Herald, December 14: A1.Pratt, Denver. 2018. "Defense challenges DNA evidence in '89 slaying." The Bellingham Herald, August 11: A1.—. 2019. "Defense in murder trial opening: 'No one knows what happened to Ms. Stavik'." The Bellingham Herald, May 11: A1.—. 2017. "First-degree murder charge filed in 1989 kiling of Stavik." The Bellingham Herald, December 15: A1.—. 2019. "'I wanted to do the right thing for Mandy,' Bass' co-worker testifies." The Bellingham Herald, May 17: A1.Sirken, Alec. 2016. How two moms chatting at a water park helped crack a Thanksgiving cold case murder. July 16. Accessed May 18, 2023. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mandy-stavik-case-how-two-moms-chatting-at-a-water-park-helped-crack-thanksgiving-cold-case-murder/.State of Washington vs. Timothy Bass. 2021. 80156-2-I (The Court of Appeals for the State of Washington, June 1)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 469: Elroy Kent & The Murder of Delia Congdon
On the morning of July 24, 1908, Delia Congdon, a deaf and non-verbal woman living alone in East Wallingford, Vermont, was found dead in her pantry—presumed to have been murdered while she prepared breakfast. At first, investigators suspected a local criminal known for his violent behavior; however, within a day, an unusual clue discovered in Congdon’s barn pointed them towards Elroy Kent, a notorious local thief and recent escapee from a nearby psychiatric hospital whose petty criminal antics had plagued police for decades. With a caveat of mental illness at stake, Kent's trial and execution came under heavy scrutiny. Thank you to the magical and mystical Dave for research assistance. ReferencesBennington Banner. 1909. "Elroy Kent found guilty in the 1st degree." Bennington Banner, April 10: 1.—. 1909. "Shocking Tales in Elroy Kent murder trial." Bennington Banner, April 01: 1.Bennington Evening Banner. 1908. "Bloodhounds at East Dorset on Kent's trail." Bennington Evening Banner, August 1: 1.—. 1908. "Escaped lunatic through to be murderer ." Bennington Evening Banner, July 27: 1.—. 1909. "Evidence against Elroy Kent is increasing." Bennington Evening Banner, April 2: 1.—. 1908. "Tracing Kent by mania for name carving." Bennington Evening Banner, August 6: 1.Boston Daily Globe. 1908. "Denies killing Delia Congdon." Boston Daily Globe, October 27: 9.—. 1902. "Jumped from train." Boston Daily Globe, December 9: 3.—. 1909. "Kent "faking" says Shirres." Boston Daily Globe, April 9: 8.—. 1909. "Kent must die in 1911." Boston Daily Globe, November 3: 9.—. 1912. "State aghast at Kent mishap." Boston Daily Globe, Janaury 6: 8.Brattleboro Reformer. 1905. "Elroy Kent heard from." Brattleboro Reformer, October 6: 1.Burlington Clipper. 1902. "May do some good." Burlington Clipper, February 8: 2.Burlington Daily News. 1909. "Testimony against Kent." Burlington Daily News, April 3: 1.—. 1908. "Want $10,000 for an alleged libel." Burlington Daily News, August 25: 1.Burlington Free Press. 1908. "Foul murder in East Wallingford." Burlington Free Press, July 25: 1.—. 1909. "Grout may be called to stand." Burlington Free Press, April 5: 1.Daily Journal. 1908. "Elroy Kent under arrest ." Daily Journal, October 24: 1.Montpelier Evening Argus. 1909. "Kent pleads not guilty." Montpelier Evening Argus, March 30: 1.New York Times. 1908. "Gte insane murder suspect." New York Times, October 25: 20.Reformer, Brattleboro. 1908. "Elroy Kent a murderer?" Brattleboro Reformer, July 31: 1.Rumboldt, John. 2013. Murder on Sugar Hill. Family history, genealogy, Rutland, VT: Rutland Historical Society.Rutlad Daily Herald. 1961. "Two instances." Rutland Daily Herald, March 24: 8.Rutland Daily Herald. 1905. "Insane criminal still at large." Rutland Daily Herald, August 19: 7.—. 1908. "Murdered in E. Wallingford." Rutland Daily Herald, July 25: 1.St. Albans Daily Messenger . 1905. "Escaped last night." St. Albans Daily Messenger, August 12: 1.St. Albans Daily Messenger. 1902. "Elroy Kent back in jail." St. Albans Daily Messenger, December 8: 1.—. 1905. "Elroy Kent captured." St. Albans Daily Messenger, October 23: 1.State vs. Elroy Kent. 1909. NA (Supreme Court for the State of Vermont, October 1).Vermont Phoenix. 1902. "Burglar with record." Vermont Phoenix, January 31: 2.—. 1905. "Elroy Kent, notorious criminal arrested." Vermont Phoenix, October 27: 2.Veront Journal. 1902. "News and notes." Vermont Journal, March 8: 8.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 468: The Tragic Murder of Grace Millane
On December 2, 2018, the parents of twenty-one-year-old Grace Millane, a British tourist on vacation in New Zealand, became concerned when the birthday wishes they sent their daughter went unacknowledged. Having completed her degree at the University of Lincoln a few months earlier, Grace had spent several weeks traveling during her gap year but had been keeping in regular contact with her parents since leaving for her trip. When they still hadn’t heard from their daughter three days later, Grace’s parents called Auckland police and reported her missing. A week later, Grace Millane’s body was discovered in a suitcase near an access road in the Waitakere Ranges, a dense wooded area about twelve miles outside Auckland. A day later, investigators arrested twenty-six-year-old Jesse Kempson, who was the last person seen with Grace on the night of the murder when the two were captured together by a CCTV camera going up to Kempson’s room at the CityLife Hotel.Please Consider Signing this PetitionThank you to our favorite David White for research assistanceReferencesBBC News. 2018. Grace Millane: Man appears in court charged with backpacker's murder. December 10. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-46502649.Creed, Rebecca. 2021. "Former flatmate of Grace Millane's killer says he was." The Echo, November 15.Critchell, Matthew. 2019. "Backpacker Grace spoke to men on bondage chat rooms,." The Echo, November 20.Emes, Toby. 2019. "Accused killer admitted Grace was dead in second interview." The Echo, November 14.Faulkner, Doug. 2019. Grace Millane murder: A trial that gripped a nation. November 22. Accessed May 2, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-50515326.Feehan, Katie. 2018. "Brother of Wickford woman missing in New Zealand says lack." The Echo, December 5.—. 2018. "Police release last known image of missing Wickford woman." The Echo, December 6.Graham-Mclay, Charlotte. 2018. "After backpacker's killing, New Zealand looks again at violence against women." New York Times, December 13.—. 2018. "New Zealand murder case leads to rebuke of Google." New York Times, December 15.—. 2018. "New Zealander accused of killing tourist." New York Times, December 9.Humphries, Will, and Bernard Lagan. 2018. "Distraught father flies to join backpacker search." The Times, December 7.Jesse Shane Kempson v. The Queen. 2021. SC 11/2021 NZSC 74 (Supreme Court of New Zealand, June 29).Kirk, Tristan. 2019. "Guilty: Fantasist who killed Grace." London Evening Standard, November 22.—. 2019. "Guilty: Grace jury takes only five hours to return verdict of murder." London Evening Standard, November 22.Kolirin, Lianne. 2020. "Grace Millane's killer attacked other women." The Times, December 22.Lagan, Bernard. 2018. "Body found in search for missing backpacker." The Times, December 10.—. 2019. "British backpacker's 'killer' lied about their Tinder date." The Times, November 13.Lagan, Bernard, and Will Humphries. 2018. "Father appeals for clues to help find missing daughter." The Times, December 8.Leask, Anna. 2020. Who is Grace Millane's murderer? Unravelling labyrinth of lies and a fatal Tinder date. February 20. Accessed May 1, 2023. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/who-is-grace-millanes-murderer-unravelling-labyrinth-of-lies-and-a-fatal-tinder-date/PDGHMSM67MZQ5VBH4GT2XIXZ7Q/?c_id=1&objectid=12287282.MacDonald, Stuart. 2021. "'Rough sex' defence for murder could be banned." The Times, May 29.Roy, Eleanor Ainge. 2019. "Grace Millane trial: blood in hotel room likely backpacker's." The Guardian, November 8.—. 2019. "Grace Millane trial: witness says she feared she would die." The Guardian, November 11.—. 2019. "'She should have been safe here'." The Guardian, November 22.Smith, Anneka. 2020. "Grace Millane's life: far more than the details of her death." Radio New Zealand, February 21.South Wales Echo. 2020. "Grace's killer 'raped another Brit tourist'." South Wales Echo, December 23.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 467: The Murder Of Elizabeth Riser & The Attempted Murder Of Brandi Hicks
On May 23, 2000, teens Elizabeth "Liz" Reiser and Brandi Hicks went down to the local video store in New Philadelphia, Ohio to rent a movie. While there, they met a man who told them he had no way to get home and would pay them $20 if they would give him a ride. Both girls believed in helping their fellow human, so they agreed after a bit of hesitation. What began as a routine act of charity quickly spiraled out of control, resulting in the murder of Liz Reiser and the attempted rape and attempted murder of Brandi Hicks by the man they had intended to help, Mathew Vaca. The crimes committed against Reiser and Hicks were brutal and sent shockwaves through the small Ohio community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 466: The Murder of Dawn Hacheney
On the morning of December 26, 1997, police and fire services responded to a call about a structure fire at the home Bremerton, WA home of Nick and Dawn Hacheney. When they were finally able to extinguish the flames and search the home, they discovered the badly burned body of twenty-eight-year-old Dawn Hachney in her bed, where her husband had left her several hours earlier. After a brief investigation, Dawn’s death was determined to be the result of an accidental fire—a tragic end to a short life, nothing more.The case, which most had considered closed years earlier, was revived in April of 2001, when a woman went to Bremerton Police with a startling statement. She claimed to have been having an affair with Dawn’s husband Nick, at the time of Dawn’s death and that, at some point during their affair, he’d confessed to drugging his wife and setting the house on fire to cover up the murder. Investigators took the woman’s claims very seriously; however, Nick Hacheney was a former minister, which added Thank you to the gorgeous, vibrant and talented David White for Research assistanceReferences: Associated Press. 2002. "Former minister on trial in wife's death." The News Tribune, November 11: 16.Baker, Travis. 2003. "Angry words erupt at Hacheney Sentencing." Kitsap Sun, February 8: 1.—. 2002. "Defense presses woman who pointed finger." Kitsap Sun, November 27: 4.—. 2001. "Ex-minister might face life in prison without parole." Kitsap Sun, October 4: 1.—. 2001. "Ex-minister pleads innocent in wife's death." Kitsap Sun, September 18: 1.—. 2002. "Former minister guilty of murdering wife." Kitsap Sun, December 27: 1.—. 2001. "Hacheney denied reduced bail." Kitsap Sun, October 27: 4.—. 2002. "Judge: Jury will hear of alleged wife killer's affairs." Kitsap Sun, February 28: 10.—. 2002. "Pathologist testifies about changing autopsy results." Kitsap Sun, November 13: 3.—. 2002. "Sexual affairs not relevant, attorney argues." Kitsap Sun, February 9: 5.—. 2002. "Trial begins for ex-minister accused of killing wife." Kitsap Sun, November 4: 1.Kitsap Sun. 1997. "Dawn Hacheney Obituary." Kitsap Sun, December 30: 5.McCormick, Julie. 2001. "Former minister suspect in wife's death." Kitsap Sun, September 14: 1.Olsen, Gregg. 2010. A Twisted Faith: A Minister's Obsession and the Murder that Destroyed a Church. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.State of Washington, Respondent, v. Nicholas Daniel Hacheney. 2007. 77767-5 (Supreme Court of Washington, May 31).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Listen Now: Spellcaster: The Fall of Sam Bankman-Fried
From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal, and what happens when “doing good” goes really, really bad.When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But when Sam's crypto exchange FTX collapsed, billions of dollars went missing, and Sam was in handcuffs, those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculated con man?Listen to Spellcaster: Wondery.fm/SC_MorbidSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 465: The Devil Made Me Do It
On the evening of February 16, 1981, nineteen-year-old Arne Johnson stabbed his friend and landlord Alan Bono to death during an argument, after which Johnson fled the scene and was arrested several miles away later that night. Under normal circumstances, the murder of one man by another in a small town would hardly register on the scale of national, or even regional news, but if Arne Johnson was to be believed, these weren’t ordinary circumstances. According to Arne, the devil made him do it.Thank you to Dave White for research assistance.References:Associated Press. 1986. "Man released early in 'demon murder case'." Hartford Courant, January 23: 47.Brozek, Diane. 1981. "Teen-ager charged in 'possession' case." Hartford Courant, March 20: 11.Carl Glatzel Jr. et al v. Gerald Brittle et al. 2010. DBCV-08-4008461-S (Connecticut Superior Court Judicial District of Danbury, October 25).Christoffersen, John. 2007. "Suit vs. psychic says demon murder was a hoax." Record-Journal, October 10: M3.Clendinen, Dudley. 1981. "Defendant in murder puts the devil on trial." New York Times, March 23: B1.Galup. n.d. Religion. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://news.gallup.com/poll/1690/religion.aspx.Harris, John. 1981. "Bizarre happenings surround killing in Brookfield." Hartford Courant, February 27: 2.—. 1981. "Critics bedevil demonolgist, attorney in slaying case ." Hartford Courant, June 22: B1.—. 1981. "'Demon' murder case sent to Danbury jury." Hartford Courant, November 21: 8.—. 1981. "Exorcism, demons' role argued." Hartford Courant, March 15: 1.—. 1981. "Johnson guilty in demons case." Hartford Courant, November 25: 1.—. 1981. "Judge bars demonic possession defense." Hartford Courant, October 29: 1.Healion, James. 1981. "A barmaid testified Thursday that murder suspect Arne Cheyenne..." United Press International, November 5.—. 1981. "A judge Wednesday threw out the 'demon defense'." United Press International, October 28.—. 1981. "Judge Robert J. Callahan Thursday refused to reconsider his decision." United Press International, October 29.—. 1981. "The murder trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson in Danbury." United Press International, November 13.Pionzio, Melissa. 2007. "'Factual' exorcism book evokes past pain." Hartford Courant, October 14: B1.Putcamp, Luise. 1981. "Supernatural episodes form prelude to killing." Buffalo Evening News, July 30: 1.—. 1981. "Suspect's alibi: He was possessed." Buffalo Evening News, August 5: 2.Stagis, Julie. 2014. "Killer's defense: He was possessed." Hartford Courant, April 22: B1.2006. A Haunting. Directed by Stuart Taylor. Produced by Tom Naughton.United Press International. 1981. "'Demon slayer' gets 10-to-20 year sentence." United Press International, December 18.United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. n.d. Exorcism. Accessed May 8, 2023. https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism.Walzer, E.B. 1982. "Appeal dropped in 'demon' case." The Reporter Dispatch, March 19: 2.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.