Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan: Recent Episodes
CrimeOnline and iHeartPodcasts
Join Joseph Scott Morgan every week as he explores a world that not many have had a chance to visit, the realm of death. Jo Scott will lead listeners on a journey through the blood soaked death scenes of America and then into the autopsy room to fully understand the science behind each case. Jo Scott is one America’s leading experts on applied forensics and is regularly featured on ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’, ‘The Piketon Massacre’, Court TV and more.
Theme Music: Audio Network
Dr. Werner Spitz is a man who spent his lifetime looking straight into the soul of man and looking death in the eye. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan gives a heartfelt tribute to a mentor he never met, a teacher that never gave him a test but one whose approval was sought in every written word and study as a death investigator. Dr. Werner Spitz passed away at the age of 97 on April 14, 2024, and this show is a special tribute to a man that actually did write the book of his profession, "Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death; Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation.
Transcribe Highlights
00:33.95 Introduction to the life of Werner Spitz
05:59.93 Discussion of Spitz impact on forensic pathologists
09:53.32 Discussion of fleeing Nazi Germany
13:51.43 Talk about being the lone voice of truth that you see
17:35.73 Discussion of Mary Jo Kopechne
24:16.10 Discussion of Spitz being called into high profile situations
28:15.52 Talk about examination using photographs
31:38.41 Discussion of not being afraid to take on cases others wouldn't
36:52.60 Talk about paying for an opinion
37:01.94 Conclusion Those who fail to remember history, are doomed to repeat it
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The double homicide of Russell and Shirley Dermond rocked their gated community along Lake Oconee in Georgia.. The decapitated body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond was found in the garage and his wife of 68 years, 87-year Shirley Dermond was found in Lake Oconee weighted down with cinder blocks, 10 days after Russell's body was found. On this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, you will learn about the evidence investigators found at the crime scene as well as what can be learned from a body that may have been in a lake for 10 days. The double homicide has gone unsolved for 10 years and the head of Russell Dermond has never been found. How was this elderly couple, married 68 years, murdered and why?
Transcript Highlights
00:00:08 Introduction about murders
00:05:00 Discussion about neighbor checking on Dermond’s
00:09:34 Talk about unsolved murders, 10 years
00:14:04 Discussion about Shirley Dermond body found in lake
00:19:05 Discussion of Russell Dermond head, it’s missing
00:23:51 Discussion about Shirley was weighted down
00:28:08 Talk after 10 years, case still unsolved
00:31:39 Discussion of lack of blood at scene
00:34:52 Talk about how head was removed
00:37:57 Talk about DNA evidence
00:40:28 Conclusion: After a decade, new evidence might solve the case
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Was 7-year-old JJ Vallow alive when he was buried? Was 16-year-old Tylee Ryan dismembered before her remains were burned? What does the autopsy say about the death of Tammy Daybell? On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain the forensics of all 3 victims and Dave Mack will fill in the background on the story of what really happened to JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell
Transcript Highlights
00:00:08 Introduction, loving arms that didn’t hold JJ and Tylee
00:04:21 Discussion of the deaths, JJ, Tylee, and Tammy Daybell
00:07:54 Discussion of bodies buried near one another
00:11:19 Discussion of death of Tammy Daybell
00:14:57 Explaining asphyxia
00:18:45 Talk about access and opportunity
00:22:58 Discussion of Dr Warren on witness stand
00:26:02 Discussion of Bones being scattered, broken up while burning
00:29:07 Talk about JJ Vallow trying to pull bag off his head
00:30:47 Conclusion: Justice, whatever that means, is coming.
Justice, whatever that means, is coming and there is a reckoning coming.
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At least 12 bodies have been pulled from "Lady Bird Lake" in Austin, Texas in the last 22 months. Some can be explained as deaths that happen on or near a lake, but not all. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the difference between a regular death in a lake and a possible serial killer, while Dave Mack breaks down the stories behind the victims.
Transcript Highlights
00:16.18 Introduction about water and murder
03:37.66 Discussion does Austin have a serial killer?
08:13.12 Discussion what does "serial killer" do to an area
13:22.11 Talk about other serial killers, were they really caught
17:54.47 Talk about witnessing a death on the water
22:03.17 Discussion of toxicology
27:53.13 Discussion of victims
32:38.32 Talk about water as a dumping ground
36:26.16 Discussion of decomposition in water
40:04.57 Talk about water flow
47:42.83 Discussion about rumors over fact
Conclusion
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Mother of 5 Crystal Rogers is last seen July 3 by her live-in boyfriend, Brooks Houck. Crystal Rogers mother, Sherry Ballard, reports her missing on July 5. Later that day, Crystal Rogers red Chevy Malibu is found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway. The car has a flat tire but Rogers' keys, phone and purse are still inside. 16-months later, Crystal Rogers is still missing and her father, Sherry Ballard's husband, Tommy Ballard, is murdered in the early morning hours as he prepares to go hunting on his own property with his 12-year-old grandson. Ballard is shot from an undetermined distance but his property backs up against the Bluegrass Parkway. A fast getaway in either direction for a gunman. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will explore the disappearance of Crystal Rogers and the murder of her dad, Tommy Ballard. Plus, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how prosecutors can prove Crystal Rogers was murdered even though they haven't found her body.
Transcribe Highlights
00:12.12 Introduction of growing up with PaPaw Morgan
03:34.36 Discuss Crystal Rogers missing, her father Tommy Ballard murdered
06:15.27 Discussion of Bardstown Kentucky
07:46.82 Discussion of why Brooks Houck didn't report Rogers missing
08:13.81 Talk about Crystal Rogers car found on Bluegrass parkway
15:45.34 Talk Rogers car found with flat tire, she is still missing
18:16.83 Discussion of Brooks Houck, suspect, brother is police officer
21:13.58 Discussion of police letting Houck talk to his brother on phone
26:27.16 Talk about tracking dogs pick up Crystal Rogers scent at farm, but not at her car
31:09.10. Discussion 16 months after Crystal Rogers vanishes, her dad, Tommy Ballard killed
34:36.43 Discussion of how bullet twists the skin
39:02.99 Discussion of Tommy Ballard hunting, murdered on his own property
40:52.53 Discussion of murder charges without a body
43:45.73 Conclusion - waiting for trial
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Corey Micciolo did not meet his father until he was 5-years-old. Soon thereafter Corey landed in the middle of a custody battle. From the first time he was left alone with his father, Corey came home with bruises, busted lips, and more. His mother complained but nobody listened. Only now are people paying attention because of an awful video showing 6-year-old Corey Micciolo being forced to run on a treadmill and falling off, over and over. Each time he falls off the treadmill, his father puts him back on and turns the speed up, allegedly. Christiopher Gregor is on trial facing murder charges for allegedly killing his own son in what the media calls the Treadmill Abuse Trial. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what really happened to Corey Micciolo and why 6-year-olds don't drop over dead, and Dave Mack will fill in the rest of the story of how Corey was given to a father that never bonded with him while his mother begged for anyone to listen.
00:38.98 Introduction, talk about weapons
05:17.90 Discussion of exorcise as punishment
10:01.23 Talk about making 6-year-old run on treadmill
16:01.12 Discussion of bruises and injuries
21:06.32 Talk about Corey's health is fine, except for bruises
26:20.26 Talk about Corey tells doctor about football and treadmill
32:41.40 Discussion of children don't die of natural causes at 6
37:27.82 Discussion of injury to abdomen
39:12:19 Conclusion Final Diagnosis, Blunt Force impact, laceration of heart
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Lisa and David Hernandez had been separated for a year before he starts stalking her, showing up at her job uninvited and unwelcome. He sends his estranged wife a bouquet of flowers with Lillies, "the Death Flower", knowing she is extremely allergic to them. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how someone can be killed by a blunt force instrument and a sharp-edged instrument at the same time and Dave Mack will fill in the story with the creepy stalking that David Hernandez allegedly did to his wife.
Transcribed Highlights
00:02:00 Introduction of Lisa Hernandez
05:12.52 Discussion of "Death Flower"
08:50.91 Talk about a tool as a weapon
14:17.46 Discussion of skull injury
19:46.20 Discussion of suspect knowing victim allergies
24:28.29 Talk about a "staged" scene
29:19.40 Discussion of allergic reaction
32:32.27 Discussion of blunt force and sharp force
36:26.87 Talk about tossing weapon / tool into lake
41:22.33 Discussion of Searching the bottom of a lake
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On August 4, 2020, 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin went to the corner store in his neighborhood to try and make a little money helping people carry their groceries home. On this day, he brings his new puppy with him and many people remember seeing the boy and his puppy. But Jaylen Griffin and his puppy never makes it home that evening. It seems as though Jaylen has vanished into thin air. Neighborhood searches, flyers, reward money, nothing helps bring the boy home. Three months after Jaylen goes missing his older brother is murdered, shot dead almost in front of their Buffalo, New York home. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. In September 2023, Jaylen's mother dies,
never knowing what happened to her 12-year-old son. Months after her passing, the decomposed remains of Jaylen Griffin are found in the attic of a house about 5-miles from where Jaylen lived in south Buffalo. The house was no stranger to law enforcement and many people wonder how it was possible the remains of a child could decompose in the attic of a house with many residents and nobody smelled or saw anything. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will breakdown the forensics that will help determine the cause and manner of death and try to answer questions that could lead to justice for Jaylin Griffin
Transcript Highlights
00:03.10 Introduction of life, memories
01:06.13 Talk about 12-year-old boy missing 4 years
05:20.86 Talk about getting help from dentist to ID victim
07:45.26 Discussion of how to identify remains of a child
11:36.93 Discussion of "Bite" marks as evidence
17:00.65 Jaylen and the "12-year molar"
20:05.82 Discussion of weather on remains
24:45.81 Talk about the home where Jaylen's remains were found
29:22.81 Discussion of remains and smell, compare to Harmony Montgomery
33:00.68 Discussion of law enforcement, fire, rescue calls to address
37:24.74 Talk about remains having "soft tissue"
41:20.56 Conclusion will the remains lead to a murderer?
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From Mother's Day 2020 until September 2023, only one person really knew that Suzanne Morphew wasn't just missing, she was dead. In September 2023 the remains of Suzanne Morphew were found while investigators were working a different crime, An autopsy was done on the remains and on this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how doctors were able to create a toxicology report using only bones, and why Susanne Morphew's death has been ruled a homicide.
Transcribed Highlights
00:42.91 Introduction of Suzanne Morphew
03:21.30 Talk about autopsy of bones
06:54.40 Discussion of remains
10:43.53 Discussion of Mountain Lions
14:37.94 Talk about the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew
18:16.37 Discussion of darts and animals
20:55.11 Talk about the depth of a hole for remains
26:25.13 Discussion of co-mingling of bones
30:06.14 Discussion of decomposed body
35:20.28.Talking about the bones in the arms
41:21.60 Discussion of darts and toxicology
47:03.48 Conclusion of the Suzanne Morphew
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This episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan is a look at the death and autopsy of John Wilkes Booth. Booth shot Abraham Lincoln from behind around 10:15 pm April 14, 1865. He died the next morning, April 15, at 7:22 am. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will uncover the track that Booth took as he tried to escape, and finally being shot himself. Joseph Scott Morgan will make you feel like you witnessed the autopsy yourself as he explains, in great detail, the autopsy of John Wilkes Booth.
Transcribe Highlights
00:13.63 Introduction - autopsy of John Wilkes Booth
01:45.79 Discuss Forensic expert is a history fan
05:09.53 Talk about the Booth acting family
08:22.93 Discussion of how Booth wrecked everything
12:47.62.Talk about Booth jumping to stage
18:45.53 Discussion of expectation
22:49.66 Talk about the conspiracy
27:50.24.Discussion of Booth broken leg
32:01.96 Talk about comparing Lincoln to Kennedy
38:40.42 Discussion of Booth not getting help
41:08.80 Talk about getting Booth on boat
48:59.90.Discussion of putting a door on saw horses as a table
50:03.11 Talk about Autopsy in 1800s
52:18.34 Discussion of Booth being wrapped in military blanket
56:27.97 Conclusion, Lincoln wanted the country to heal
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Sade Robinson is having fun on her first date with a new guy. They pose together and post the picture to social media. Sade had no idea she was taking a picture with the devil and she only had hours to live.
In this episode of "Body Bags," Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the killer sealed his fate by trying to destroy evidence with fire.
Transcribe Highlights
00:22.97 Introduction Milwaukee
05:01.65. Talk about Jeffrey Dahmer
07:29.72 Discussion of dismemberment
09:53.60 Talk about getting rid of smell with tires
14:06.81 Discussion of finding leg
20:10.93 Talk about remains being compromised
25:18.19. Breaking down the timeline
30:30.67. Discussion of other women missing
34:38.48 Talk about fire inside a car
36:38.64 Discussion of witness who saw person use lighter to start car fire
39:33.42 Conclusion – how remains will tell what really happened to Sade
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Boston Cop John O'Keefe and his girlfriend Karen Read go on a pub crawl before ending their the night at the home of a Boston cop friend of O'Keefe's at 12:45 am. 6 hours later, the body of John O'Keefe is found in the front yard of the house, covered in snow in blizzard conditions. He is wearing two shirts, jeans, socks and one shoe. Near his body on the snow are shards of glass and splotches of blood. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will take an up close look at the injuries and find out what really happened to John O'Keefe. Dave Mack will breakdown the story that has divided Boston and together they will try to answer the question: Who Killed John O'Keefe?
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Transcribed Highlights
00:01.10 Introduction, talk about weather conditions and murder
02:05.22 Discussion of Karen Read case
05:05.56 Talk about Media coverage
09:09.25 Discussion of forensics role in investigation
14:06.82 Talk about background of relationship
16:16.35 Breaking down timeline of events
19:50.94 Discussion of physical injuries
21:07.56 Talk about Blood Alcohol
25:20.82 Talk about leaving bar, going to house party
30:09.48 Talk about Text Messages, getting directions
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Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley vanish on their way to pick up Veronica’s children to go to a birthday party. They were supposed to meet up with Veronica Butler’s ex-mother-in-law at a closed gas station in rural Texas County, Oklahoma. But they never make it. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how evidence from blood to tire treads will help solve the mystery of the Missing Moms.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:00 Introduction of shared custody
00:03:10 Discussion or relationships and death
00:06:50 Talk about terrain
00:11:03 Discussion of moms reported missing
00:14:08 Talk about how vehicle ended up where it is found
00:18:46 Discussion of evidence found at scene
00:23:21Talk about tire tread identification
00:27:47 Discussion of term “puddle of blood”
00:31:16 Discussion of meeting place
00:34:16 Talk about SWAT Teams showing up in Rural County
00:38:44 Talk about death penalty states
00:40:56 Discussion identifying body
00:42:29 Conclusion
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For years she was labeled “Bones 20” the unidentified victim of the Green River Killer. But now, thanks to police work and Othram Labs, the victim has been named as Tammy Liles. She was from Everett, Washington, and vanished in the summer of 1983. She was only 16 years old when she became a victim of serial killer Gary Ridgeway. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will take you behind the headlines and into the lab that helped give a name to a young lady who spent decades being called “bones 20”.
Transcript Highlights
00:0:16 Introduction – The Green River Killer last victim identified
00:02:28 Talk about age reference
00:06:32 Discussion of high-profile murders
00:10:48 Talk about the Green River Killer 16-year-old victim
00:15:56 Discussion of identifying remains
00:20:54 Discussion of the Green River Killer evidence
00:25:58 Talk about starting with incomplete skeleton
00:29:41 Discussion of Genetic Genealogy
00:34:51 Talking about Othram labs
00:37:39 Conclusion; might be the most noble of pursuits
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Destiny Duckett’s cousin couldn’t reach her by phone, so she stopped by her apartment to check on her. The cousin knocks on the door, but Destiny doesn’t answer. The cousin can hear the baby crying and she is worried. She calls police to do a welfare check and when they enter Destiny Duckett’s apartment, her 8-week old son is on the bed, crying, and his 22-year-old mother is on the floor, dead. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will look into the mysterious death of 22-year-old new mother, Destiny Duckett and Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how fingernails play a keep part in solving the murder.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:00 Introduction of case
00:02:20 Discussion of fingernails
00:05:37 Talk about cousin called police, heard baby crying
00:10:56 Discussion of protective order leading to arrest of suspect
00:15:26 Talk about leaving crying baby on the bed, alone, mother dead on floor
00:19:43 Discussion of body being the biggest evidence
00:24:16 Discussion of proving knees were on chest of victim
00:28:26 Talk about fingernail marks on the neck
00:33:55 Discussion of why suspect was already in jail
00:36:33 Conclusion – Convicted, sentencing to come
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A bag with a burned, dismembered torso is found by a boy out for a horseback ride about a mile from town. The police chief says he was mowing his lawn when he got the call about the headless, armless, legless, burned torso, and from that moment on it was "chaos". On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will tell the story of the dismembered and burned torso and how, after 44-years, he was finally identified with DNA and Othram labs.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:00 Introduction of episode
00:02:13 Talk about identifying Joseph Caliva
00:06:15 Discussion of years beginning in 1979
00:10:40 Talk about dismemberment
00:15:48 Discussion of what was found
00:17:39 Talk about burned remains
00:22:25 Discussion about trying to ID person
00:27:25 Talk about finding portions of the torso
00:31:54 Talk about creating a person out of evidence
00:36:34 Discussion after 44 years, victim identified
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AUTOPSY REPORT WILL NOT BE RELEASED. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what happened to Madeline Soto and Dave Mack will dig into the back story of the entire family. You will find out by the time she reached 13-years-old, Madeline Soto had already been sexually abused for years. When she was a “missing 13-year-old" from Florida, the news covered every tidbit of information about the search for the teen. One piece of evidence that made it to the press was how Madeline Soto told a friend when she turned 13, she was going to live in the woods. That is why police searched the woods for Madeline.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:28 Introduction, talk about parents protecting children
00:04:28 Talk about Madeline Soto saying she wanted to live in the woods
00:05:31 Discussion of ages 12 and 13
00:09:04 Discussion of Madeline not taking cell phone
00:12:29 Talk about family being told about evidence
00:16:42 Discussion of time children go to school
00:20:07 Discussion of Madeline Soto seen in vehicle
00:21:49 Talk about being haunted by evidence
00:26:26 Discussion of Madeline Soto
00:30:26 Talk about video surveillance of suspect
00:33:22 Discussion of 60 charges against suspect
00:37:32 Discussion of evidence of previous abuse
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The fire department shows up at the home of one of their own and find Melissa Lamesch unconscious on the kitchen floor as her home goes up in flames around her. She is on maternity leave from her job as an EMT and is expecting her baby to be born any day. Melissa Lamesch and her unborn baby die in what authorities believe is asphyxiation from the fire. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will breakdown how trying to burn evidence of a crime, oftentimes creates the evidence needed for conviction.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:08 Introduction of fire set to cover-up a murder
00:01:18 Talk about fire and smoke
00:03:10 Discussion of smoke as evidence
00:05:05 Discussion of woman, 9 months pregnant, dying in a fire
00:08:35 Talk about how healing takes place after being burned
00:11:26 Discussion of hair catching fire in bathroom
00:14:43 Victim is on maternity leave from job as EMT
00:18:53 Discussion of the mother and her baby
00:22:53 Discussion of monoxide
00:28:01 Talk about suffocation
00:33:33 Discussion of fire splash patterns
00:36:55 Talk about the family talking to officials after the fire
00:40:46 Discussion of dealing with the death of pregnant mother
00:43:10 Conclusion, Matthew Plote convicted for Murder
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Deborah Frazier calls 911 and tells them two burglars have shot her boyfriend, and as she is on the phone, a gunshot is heard and Frazier tells the dispatcher she has been shot in the leg by one of the burglars.
Police arrive and discover the first person shot, Mr. Thomas Waddell, is in the back room of his apartment, wrapped in a blanket and a garbage bag and secured with duct tape.
On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain all of the things police will have to believe for Deborah Frazier's story to be true and Dave Mack will explain how Frazier was using a second boyfriend to con Mr Waddell out of his life savings!
Transcript Highlights
00:00:42 Talk about everything that has to be believed for the story to be true
00:02:48 Discussion of not believing a story
00:04:20 Discussion of “victim” shooting her boyfriend in the head
00:05:53 Talk about cases too difficult to believe
00:10:54 Talk about self-inflicted gunshot wound
00:14:19 Discussion of the victim who just retired
00:18:54 Talk about determining how long person has been dead
00:23:19 Discuss investigation of digital background
00:28:34 Talk about GSR test
00:33:02 Discussion of police on scene, gunshot recorded
00:37:57 Discussion of what has to be believed by investigators
00:40:12 Talk about Pictures of a life shared, scattered on the floor
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Burned remains of a man found inside a foot locker and left in a blueberry field in Michigan were not identified for 13 years. In 2015 the case was called "The Jack-in-the-Box Murder because it was a catchy title. The remains were not identified until the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office received a tip in 2015 that gave them the information they needed to use dental records to identify the deceased as Robert Caraballo. Investigating Caraballo's life at the time of his death took investigators to the home he shared with his wife and stepdaughter. Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the forensics that brought this case to a conclusion and Dave Mack will help tell the story of how the Jack-in-the-Box Murder became The Fugitive Wife Murder Trial.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:44 Introduction of story a burned body in a trunk found in blueberry field
00:02:40 Talk about conspiracy and escaping to other side of the planet
00:05:28 Discussion of victim being alive with hammer stuck in skull
00:08:02 Discussion of injury caused by falling downstairs
00:12:34 Talk about how remains could not be identified
00:15:11 Discussion of evidence in hammer attack
00:19:49 Discussion of hitting head with a hammer
00:23:51Talk about how the skull breaks
00:28:19 Discussion of destroying a body
00:32:37 Discussion of “old school” identifying remains
00:35:15 Talk about the plan to push victim down the stairs, hit him with a bat
00:35:53 Talk about the conspiracy
00:38:01 Discussion of law in Italy for hotel guests
00:39:15 Discussion of cover-up
00:40:06 Beverly McCallum guilty on all charges
00:40:42 Talk about keeping a secret
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suicide or Murder? Kendy Howard is found in a bathtub full of water with a gunshot wound to the head. His body is cold, but the water in the tub is warm! Red Flag number one. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will take a look at all of the "Red Flags" present in the reported suicide of Kendy Howard. Why is there so little blood in the water? Why is her ex-trooper husband arrested at the airport? The biggest question of all, is the death of Kendy Howard a Suicide or Murder?
Transcript Highlights
00:00:27 Joe talks about admiration for Troopers
00:03:03 Discussion of law enforcement
00:05:59 Discussion of “Red Flags”
00:08:14 Talk about the water is warm, body is cold
00:12:23 Investigation of suicide/murder
00:16:33 Discussion of damage caused by gunshot in mouth
00:17:49 Talk about direction of bullet
00:21:26 Comparing murder of Travis Alexander
00:25:53 Defining different types of asphyxiation
00:30:08 Talk about injuries “frozen in time”
00:35:33 Discussion of how much blood would be expected
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The victim was alive when her head was cut from her body. As disturbing as that sounds, today's episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan will attempt to breakdown the just released autopsy report of Mei Li Haskell. Her husband, Samuel Haskell IV is accused of killing her, removing her head from her torso, placing the torso in a bag and dropping it in a trash bin where a homeless guy would find it 14 hours later! Joseph Scott Morgan will breakdown the forensics that will come into the trial and Dave Mack will dig deep in the Hollywood that can give us a true horror story that is scarier than anyone would ever dare put on film.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:49 The son of a hotshot
00:03:04 “Don’t you know who I am?”
00:05:03 Discussion of “the finder”
00:08:58 Talk about the bags felt like meat
00:09:26 Discussion of workers bring back bags
00:12:20 Discussion of cross contamination
00:16:58 Talk about hiring workers
00:20:56 Discussion of what police can do
00:26:22 Talk about the person who found the body
00:30:54 Mentions victim’s parents still missing
00:33:01 Discuss autopsy report, victim alive when head cut off
00:38:20 Discussion of using power tools in dismemberment
00:42:54 Mentions trial will be all forensics
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Iris, 1, comes home from a weekend with her father and his girlfriend and mom finds a water bead in her diaper.
Taking her to the hospital, the toddler passes more water beads, button-shaped batteries, and a screw. Thinking she was finding things and putting them in her mouth, nobody realized a monster was watching the baby.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the case that is more than the murder of a toddler, it's how evil came into the child’s life and plotted and planned her death for more than half of her life.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:20 Introduction
00:02:39 Discussion of toddlers
00:04:22 Talk about items in diaper
00:07:34 Discussion of beads, batteries, screw
00:10:12 Talk about toddlers putting things in their mouth
00:14:34 Discussion of solvent
00:16:18 Discussion of evil
00:18:27 Talk about taking child to hospital by plane
00:22:08 Explaining a subdural hematoma
00:24:01 Discussion of optic nerves
00:27:16 Talk about how healthy baby dies in 4 days
00:30:15 Discussion of notes made by doctors and nurses
00:32:54 Talk about children swallow everyday items
00:35:31Discussion suspect researched how to beat a polygraph
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Two severed heads, an arm here, a leg there, on this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, the Reel Amityville Horror will meet the Real Amityville Horror. A group of Long Island High School students find a severed left arm on the side of a road in Babylon on their way to school. While Police investigate the scene, a K-9 officer locates a leg sticking out of a pile of leaves in a wooded area, not far from the original scene. Over time more body parts were found in multiple areas. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will detail what was found and where and what the suspects were up against when they began writing their own Amityville Horror.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:07 Introduction – to horror
00:01:39 Discussion about charges for dismembering a person
00:04:48 Talk about how the bodies were treated in death
00:08:03 Discussion of arm with tattoo found in tree limb
00:11:51 Body part found by high school students on the way to school
00:15:16 Parts of 2 bodies found, 4 people charged
00:15:17 None of the 4 people is charged with murder
00:16:14 Discuss what the ME will have to do with parts
00:18:04 Talking about Black Dhalia
00:19:49 Discussion of none of the drains work in the rental
00:21:30 Discussion of body parts from more than one person
00:25:11 Talk about unique case
00:28:51 Joe describes investigation taking place
00:31:30 Discussion of dismemberment
00:34:01 Discussion of blood, muscle, skin, hair, Drano won’t work
00:37:13 Talk about revisiting the case in the future
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School Principal Cornelius Green arrives at the Amtrak train station in St. Louis after spending a few days in Chicago. Leaving the train station Green goes to straight to the apartment of his girlfriend, 3rd grade school teacher, Jocelyn Peters. Arriving at her apartment Green finds Peters, who is 7-months pregnant, in bed. He immediately calls 911 and tells them his girlfriend has been shot in the head, send help now! Jocelyn Peters is pronounced dead on the scene and the investigation begins with the person who found her, Cornelius Green. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will break down the story that leads to stolen school funds, a hitman, and a potato gun silencer, on this episode of Body Bags.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:57 Joe talks about the impact of 3rd grade teacher
00:03:12 Discussion of victim
00:08:54 Discussion of Green sending money to Cutler
00:11:23 Talk about alibi set up by Green taking train to Chicago
00:14:20 Discussion about finding pregnant woman shot in the head
00:16:02 Talk about investigation, alibi
00:19:50 Talk about no sign of forced entry
00:23:18 Discussion of “potato silencer”
00:28:12 Talking about objects changing trajectory
00:32:30 Discussion of Federal and State charges
00:36:29 Discuss Phillip Cutler in court
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Phillip Chism, 14, doesn't come home from school, his mother calls the police to report him missing.
As the town begins to look for the 9th grader, word spreads around town that a 24-year-old teacher, Colleen Ritzer, is also missing. Chism is found walking along a road just after midnight. After a quick search of his backpack, he is arrested.
Later in the morning, Colleen Ritzer's body is found on school grounds, sexually positioned with a folded note next to her body that says, "I hate you all."
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the story of the student from Tennessee and the horrifying final moments in the life of Colleen Ritzer.
Transcription Highlights
00:01:00 Introduction of location, suspect, and victim
00:02:53 Suspect is student, 14, victim is a teacher
00:04:04 Discussion of suspect family
00:08:22 Talk about motive and possible “trigger”
00:11:49 Discussion of why victim went to public bathroom
00:15:28 Discussion of witness and surveillance video
00:19:07 Talk about investigation, pinging cell phones
00:21:47 Discussion of suspect on surveillance video
00:27:25 Talk about body being covered
00:30:36 Breaking down the evidence
00:34:35 Discussion of sentence
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christa Pike was 18-years-old when she thought her 19-year-old job corps classmate, Colleen Slemmer, was trying to steal her boyfriend, Tadaryl Shipp. Pike spent over 30-minutes beating Colleen Slemmer with her hands and feet, as well as a box cutter and a meat cleaver. Slemmer tried to escape. Shipp,17, caught her so Pike could continue the beating. Pike carved a pentagram into Slemmer's chest, used the box cutter to slice her throat. When she didn't die, Pike picked up a chunk of asphalt and slammed it onto Slemmer's head. The next day Pike brought a piece of Slemmer's skull to breakfast and told classmates what she had done. Convicted of murder and sentenced to death, Christa Pike now wants a judge to vacate her death sentence. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack detail the story that Joe Scott says is the worst case he has ever seen.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:31 Joseph Scott Morgan says he has never seen a crime so vile
00:02:10 Woman on death row in Tennessee
00:05:16 Talk about dynamic between suspects and victim
00:10:09 Description of box cutter and meat cleaver
00:15:03 Discussion of pentagram carved into chest
00:20:56 Description of wounds to victim
00:25:15 Talk about how to occult and satanism factor into case
00:30:40 Description of taking piece of skull as a trophy
00:35:50 Discussion about letting murderer out of prison
00:39:15 Talk about sadistic murder
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The senseless murder of Laken Riley on the campus of the University of Georgia has the nation talking about everything from safety on a college campus to immigration.
Laken Riley didn't know the man who killed her, but she knew she was in a dire situation when they met. Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, allegedly attacked and killed the 22-year-old while she was out for a jog in Athens.
Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the evidence in the case points to Laken Riley attempting to call 911 and Dave Mack will fill in the blanks on the timeline on this edition of Body Bags.
Transcript Highlights
00:15.71 Joseph Scott Morgan talks about college life
02:39.50 Talk about nursing school, education
05:33.55 Discussion of victim
09:56.27 Talk about timeline
14:03.73 Talk about seeing victim as an object
18:54.67 Discussion of blunt force trauma
22:13.70 Suspect arrives in USA illegally
31:20.86 Talk about apartment search
36:08.59 Discuss How suspect and victim were strangers
40:30.36 First Homicide at UGA in 30 years
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Minnesota man claims his mistress fatally shot herself with his gun. The question of Murder or Suicide plays out in this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan. Joe will walk you through all of the forensic problems with the story being told. And when everything is said and done, you decide, was it murder, or suicide?
Transcript Highlights
00:01:20 Would a right-handed person use left hand to shoot
00:02:19 Discuss murder or suicide
00:04:15 Talk about “accidental”
00:05:51Discuss science and determination
00:11:16 How quick does a body become stiff
00:13:50 Different jurisdictions
00:18:25 Talk about the scene
00:21:40 Difference in suicide among genders
00:26:27Discuss drying blood
00:29:31Discuss ER Nurse can’t do CPR
00:33:14 Talk about short timeline
00:38:50 Discuss can you wash away evidence?
00:41:36 Talk about skin, brain, muzzle flash
00:44:14 Discuss desire to help people and achieve and throw it all away
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Audrii Cunningham leaves for the school bus stop just like every morning, but she doesn't get off the bus that afternoon. The family panics.
Police are called, and an Amber Alert goes out. Neighbors go door to door. A family friend living in a camper in the backyard of Audrii's house joins in the search.
Police find out McDougal was the last person to see Audrii, when he was supposed to take her to the bus stop. Audrii never got on the bus. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will break down the story of the search and ultimate discovery of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, found tied to a rock and thrown in the Trinity River in this edition of Body Bags.
Transcription highlights
00:20.72 Introduction of the case of Audrii Cunningham
01:54.67 Audrii's body tied to rock
03:57.40 Suspect was supposed to drive Audrii to bus stop05:50.16 Audrii was found in general area where her backpack was found
08:31.50 Officials had to ask for river flow to be reduced
12:08.84 Different groups have to share credit in finding Audrii
15:55.43 How will they figure out what McDougal did?
20:14.33 Investigators have not told us the condition of Audrii's body
24:14.42 Discussion of what may have happened to Audrii
28:09.19 Discussion of the company we keep, did her dad know what kind of criminal McDougal is
33:50.15 Talk about how her body may been like a kite on a string
38:07.95 Discussion about DNA under fingernails of Audrii
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Annabel Meenan was only 21, but she had been romantically involved with 33-year-old Leroy Brahm since she was in high school.
Their relationship was filled with abuse but on the final night of her life, video cameras placed around the home recorded every hit with a fist and kick with a foot. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will break down what happened when Leroy Brahm beat his girlfriend unconscious, dropped a couch on top of her, then laid down on the couch and went to sleep as the weight slowly crushed Annabel.
Transcript Highlights
00:01:42 Discussion of age
00:03:00 Talk about Annabel
00:06:07 Victim had sofa dropped on her
00:09:24 Talk about cameras recorded every punch
00:13:38 Discuss the cameras everywhere
00:18:51 Talk about contusions
00:21:36 Discuss injuries suffered by the attacker
00:23:54 Talk about evidence all over the house
00:28:38 Discussion of ruling death a heart attack
00:32:23 Surveillance cameras record everything
00:35:37 Discuss domestic abuser calls 911
00:37:23 Talk about Annabel is gone too young
00:38:50 Domestic Abuse Hotline
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lacey Fletcher was on the volleyball team when she is in 9th grade, and she looks like any other healthy teen. But her parents say she is "on the spectrum" and take her out of school and take her home. For the next 20 years, they don't take their daughter to the doctor, they don't do anything with her until she becomes totally non-verbal. For the last 12 years of her life she didn't move from her spot on the couch, she slept in her spot, she ate in her spot, she went to the bathroom in her spot, and it was rarely cleaned. Lacey Fletcher dies at 36, after withstanding years of pain and suffering. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take a look behind the sofa to answer the questions about the woman who melted into the couch.
Transcript Highlights
00:02:40Talking about melting
00:06:22 Talk about smell of urine, feces, nothing cleaned
00:09:46 Talk about staying in same spot for years
00:12:46 Discussion of healthy and active to dead on the couch
00:15:14 Talk about Lacey Fletcher on the couch 20 years
00:19:25 Discuss bed sores joining with other bed sores
00:23:15 Talk about chronic bone infection
00:27:17 Describing her condition at 36-years-old
00:31:10 Discussion of weight as Lacey Fletcher weighed 96 pounds
00:34:53 Talk about maggots in her body
00:38:56 How did Lacey Fletcher get covid?
00:42:01 Discussion – she is non-verbal, always in pain, and trapped
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Harmony Montgomery was missing for two years before anyone looked for her. Police began looking for a 7-year-old girl and soon realized they might really be looking for remains of a 5-year-old girl. She is still among the missing but presumed dead. Her father is on trial for her murder. Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they investigate the heartbreaking story of a little girl who never had a chance, and the forensics that just might get justice for her yet.
Transcript Highlights
01:34.45 Joe talks about memory
04:22.26 Discussion of years since Harmony has been seen
07:22.44 Talk about Harmony, looked nervous
10:09.25 Harmony was never enrolled in school
14:36.89 Discussion of police find Harmony's Dad
20:32.13 Talk about moment of clarity
25:22.45 Discussion of what really happened to Harmony
31:02.25 Discussion of waiting 2 years to call about child
35:18.87 Discussion about life lived in a car
38:25.26 Talk about neither adult checking on Harmony
43:49.54 Discussion of carrying Harmony
45:43.17 Finally went too far, hit too hard
50:51.68 Discussion perfect hiding spot was found
54:25.15 Discussion about how body is stored
59:33.43 Talk about using bathtub for dismemberment
59:19.23 Discussion of what might be found of Harmony
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The new owners of a house in Colorado are pleasantly surprised to find the previous owners left behind a working freezer in the garage. Pleasure turns to horror as they begin removing bags of frozen meat, and find a human head and hands! Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will explain what it will take to solve the mystery.
Transcript Highlights
00:01:27Talk about gruesome discovery
00:02:05 Discussion of yard sale
00:02:58 Talk about hoarder
00:04:10 Talk about free working freezer
00:07:36 Discussion of frozen head
00:09:23 Talk about getting more than you bargained for
00:11:21Discussion of calling 911
00:14:27Discussion about dismemberment show
00:18:17 Talk about previous homeowners
00:21:23Discussion about finding the rest of the body
00:24:28 Neighborhood people talk about coroner on site
00:27:49 Discussion about all the items that left the area
C00:30:47Discussion of wrapping the head
00:33:51Talk about investigation of body parts
00:37:43 Discussion about freezer slowing decomposition
00:39:25 We're going to need to follow up on this case.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeff and Kat West are a typical American couple living just south of Birmingham Alabama. They have a 12-year-old daughter, Jeff works in security, Kat is a stay at home mom, but she has developed a very successful online business, in adult entertainment. She posts sexy photos on multiple sites and has her own pay site that provides even more adult photos. Jeff often takes the photos for his wife, and she is becoming quite popular online. Everything seems fine when Jeff and Kat go out for date night, photos of the couple in a store that evening show them lovingly touching one another. How is it possible that the next morning as the sun comes up, Kat West's lifeless body is found laying out in the front yard of her house with a bottle of absinthe placed on her broken phone right next to her posed body. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take you through the last night in the life of Kat West.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00:05 Origin of things
00:01:46 Talk about a different kind of fairy
00:02:29 Discussion of life
00:03:16 Talk about very special drink
00:05:59 Discussion setting up a scene
00:10:54 Talk about date night
00:12:50 Discussion strong alcohol
00:16:48 Talk about Jeff and Kat playful at store
00:19:42 Discussion of intimate photos, sharing
00:22:32 Talk theory Jeff West beat his wife
00:25:32 Discussion of Stalkers
00:29:37 Talk tiny details in investigation
00:34:02 Discussion of two primary spots of blood
00:38:58 Talk about holding bottle as weapon
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A road crew in south west Georgia finds on old console tv at an illegal dumpsite on the side of a country highway. As they try to move the tv, the workers find a suitcase inside, and it is too heavy to just be filled with clothes. As they open the suitcase they open up a mystery that will last decades. Inside the suitcase is cement, and poking out of the cement, the body of a small child. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will help tell the story of Baby Jane Doe, the girl thrown away like garbage, and the people who spent 35-years trying to find out her name.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00:37 Trash Dump off the side of road
00:01:46 Talk about abandoned child
00:02:29 Discussion of life
00:03:16 Talk about the case, started in 1988
00:05:59 Discussion of area
00:10:54 Talk about getting body out of cement
00:13:30 Discussion of cement wouldn’t encase everything
00:16:48 Talk about mixing concrete and body
00:19:42 Evidence at scene leads to home
00:22:32 Talk about body breaking down in cement
00:25:32 Discussion of investigators
00:28:37 Talk about technology catching up
00:31:02 This case hasn’t been to trial yet
00:33:58 Talk about Genetic Genealogy
00:35:39 Discussion can there be justice
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will tell the story of a murder and why the man convicted of the murder will be put to death in a very unique way.
Kenneth Eugene Smith was convicted of the 1988 murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett. Pastor Charles Sennett recruited Billy Gray Williams to kill his wife Elizabeth and Williams hired John Forrest Parker and Kenneth Eugene Smith to carry out the murder. A week after the murder, Charles Sennett confessed to his family and then shot himself in the head.
Williams, Parker, and Smith were arrested, charged and convicted. Williams was sentenced to life and died in prison in 2020. Parker and Smith were sentenced to death. Parker was executed by lethal injection in 2010. Smith was scheduled to be executed in November of 2022 but the execution team was unable to connect the intravenous lines before time ran out.
After much debate, the state agreed not to try lethal injection again on Smith but would instead use a method of execution: Nitrogen Hypoxia. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what it is and why it is being tried for the first time...ever.
Transcript Highlights
00:02:29 Joe talks about travel
00:05:55 Talk Investigation of murder
00:06:41 Talk about experience as death investigator
00:08:37 Discuss sharing PTSD
00:12:18 Talk about nitrogen
00:14:21 Discussion Death Penalty
00:18:56 Talk about execution used to be public
00:21:30 Discussion about new method
00:23:13 Talk about the Crime
00:25:51 Talk Murder-for-Hire plot
00:27:31 Discussion public execution
00:30:24 Talk about the debate to come
00:35:17 Discussion Is there a “best way” to kill somebody
00:38:22 Talk about assisted suicide
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What really happened when four lifelong friends gathered to watch their Chiefs play the Chargers?
After the game, one guy goes to sleep inside and his three friends go outside and die in the backyard. And for two days their bodies lay frozen while their friend continues to sleep inside, ignoring calls and texts from friends and family worried about their loved ones.
And WHY are the police called to do a "welfare check" when there are three dead men in the backyard?
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack cover the story inside and out to find out what happened when four friends gather to cheer for their favorite team, and three end up dead in the backyard.
Transcript Highlights
00:02:29 Joe shares childhood memories
00:05:55 Talk Saints Football
00:06:41 Discussion watching football
00:08:37 Discuss NFL fans
00:12:18 Talk about friends
00:14:21 Discussion weather, first night not cold
00:18:56 Talk about working multiple deaths
00:21:30 Discussion about “mystery person”
00:23:13 Discuss medical issue, hypothermia
00:25:51 Talk is it possible to sleep 48 hours?
00:27:31 Discussion of how come they guys didn’t break-in?
00:31:21 Talk about calling it a “welfare check”
00:35:17 Discussion Jordan Willis is brilliant scientist
00:40:35 Talk Jordan Willis talks to police without lawyer
00:45:21 Discussion of Fentanyl
48:30.84 No Trauma, no gunshots, 3 dead
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When Connecticut mother-of-5 Jennifer Dulos suddenly vanished, the world stopped to look. While the world was looking for the missing mom, her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, and his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, drove around town dropping off bags of trash in public trash bins. Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they break down the story of the missing mom and the people who betrayed her.
Transcript Highlights
00:02:29 Joe shares childhood memories
00:05:55 Talk about family
00:06:41 Discussion of Troconis trial
00:08:37 Discussion of Dulos marriage
00:12:18 Discussion of what the Nanny notices
00:14:21 Talk about paper towels used to clean
00:18:56 Talk about police body cam footage
00:21:30 Discussion of testimony
00:23:13 Talk about several types of tests
00:25:51 Talk about stains and what they mean
00:27:31 Discussion of blood drops
00:29:42 Description of different cast-off blood trails
00:31:21 Joe talks about blood
00:35:17 Discussion about determining death
00:40:35 Talk about blood and DNA locations
00:45:21 Discussion of amount of blood
00:50:38 Joe talks about suicide
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alec Baldwin has been indicted again for Involuntary Manslaughter. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will pull back the curtain on the "Rust" movie set and explain what really happened, who is lying, and will there ever be justice. Should somebody go to jail, or was it a horrible accident? Listen and decide for yourself.
Transcript Highlights
00:01:29 Describing the shooting location
00:04:45 Talk about the victims
00:05:31 Discussion of responsibility on set
00:08:37 Joe talks about being a producer
00:11:08 Talk about armorer
00:13:45 Discussion Alec Baldwin charged
00:15:38 Joe breaks down angles of shot
00:21:00 Talk about producer role on set
00:22:44 Dave tells story about loaded gun in house
00:24:59 Discussion of handling a gun
00:27:21 Talk about Baldwin interview about shooting
00:29:24 Joe talks forensic science ballistics
00:31:48 Discussion of accountability
00:34:07 Talk about shooting cases
00:40:48 Joe talks about the 44 Magnum
00:45:37 Description of shooting of Brandon Lee
00:48:18 Discussion about handling firearms on set
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The last thing Linda Frickey heard as she lay beaten, bruised, with her arm ripped off her body, was a friendly voice saying, "we'll pray for you,"
The 73-year-old woman was the victim of a carjacking that was pre-planned by a group of 4 thugs in New Orleans, the oldest only 17 years old. Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they go behind the headlines on the story of a loving grandmother that died in a gruesome way, with her arm torn off her body. But witnesses ask; Where's the blood?
Transcript Highlights
00:01:29 Talk about Grandmothers
00:04:45 Joe doesn’t want his hometown tarnished
00:05:31 Discussion about Carjacking
00:08:37 Talk about 18-year-old taking a life
00:10:20 Joe talks about living in this area of NOLA
00:11:08 Discussion about witnesses
00:13:45 Talk about ringleader John Honore
00:15:38 Talk about being dragged two blocks
00:21:00 Talk about criminals attacked woman from behind
00:22:44 Discussion of being stuck, drug down the block
00:24:59 Discussion having arm ripped off your body
00:27:21 Talk about how witness covered her body
00:29:24 Discussion of damage done to police officer drug in similar way
00:31:48 Talk about the last thing Mrs. Frickey heard was “we’re praying for you
00:34:07 Discussion of what happened to the blood?
00:40:48 Talk about determining cause of death
00:45:37 Talk about how Mrs. Frickey was beaten in car, then drug down street
00:48:18 Discussion about CCTV cameras
00:49:44 Suspect has been sentenced to prison
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The death of Jeffrey Epstein has been debated since the minute it was announced to the world. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will share what it was like to be on the air with the news and notice "red flags" as certain parts of the death story didn't seem to be correct.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will break down the death of Jeffrey Epstein. Did Jeffrey Epstein commit suicide, or was he murdered?
Transcript Highlights
00:01:17 Joe hears story about where the meanest men in America live
00:04:47 Joseph Scott Morgan talks about covering Epstein death
00:08:23 Discuss first attack/suicide attempt
00:11:45 Talk about unusual circumstances
00:14:37 Discuss conflicting statements about noose
000:17:15 Talk about Epstein allowed unmonitored phone call
00:18:23 Discuss no cellmate to attack or stop suicide
00:20:33 Talk about two nooses in the cell
00:22:42 Discussion of cell condition and contents
00:25:49 Talk about July 23rd event
00:29:25 Discuss observing body at time of death
00:32:25 Talk about putting hospital gown on Epstein
00:34:03 Mark Epstein told his brother may have been dead 2 hours or more
00:37:40 Talk about Epstein body wheeled into hospital
00:40:34 Discussion of hyoid bone
00:42:05 Discuss facts of the body at time of death
00:44:24 Discuss agreement overturned regarding suicide
00:45:14 Talk about autopsy, who was present
00:47:00 Discuss distribution of force
00:48:16 Mentions that noose wasn't collected for evidence.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When a panicked husband calls 911 for help saying his wife has overdosed the first officer on the scene notices some pretty big red flags.
The forensics tell the story of what killed Maria Munoz, but Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will dig deeper to find out what really happened to a Texas mom with a penchant for writing in her journal, about everything.
Transcript Highlights
00:01:29 Talk about nurses, great investigators
00:03:21 Discussion of body cam
00:04:45 Talk about scene, shadows
00:05:31 Talk about what police expect based on 911 call
00:06:55 Discussion of relationship
00:08:37 Talk about surgery, different duties
00:10:20 Talk about steroid use
00:11:08 Talk about husband being suspicious
00:12:06 Discussion of red flags
00:13:45 Talk about husband pockets pill bottle
00:15:38 Talk about medicine bottle on scene
00:21:00 Talk about medical pro letting police officer take over cpr
00:22:44 Discussion of husband talking to police
00:24:59 Discussion of Police body cam
00:27:21 Talk about how to find needle hole in arm
00:29:24 Discussion of suspect
00:31:48 Talk about scenes involving drugs
00:34:07 Discussion of home dynamics
00:35:55 Discussion of medical careers
00:40:48 Talk about tox screen
00:43:52 Discussion of toxicology report
00:45:37 Talk about how drugs were used
00:48:18 Discussion about Maria diary entries
00:49:44 Diary and Toxicology gave jury no choice
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend Matthew Guerra, 22, are reported missing the day before Savanah is to have labor induced for their baby. Their car is found, and Savanah is found dead in the front passenger seat with Matthew shot to death in the back seat.On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the truth from fiction in the saddest story from what should be the happiest of times.
Transcript Highlights
00:01:54 Talk about having a child
00:03:23 Talk about responsibility
00:05:53 Discussion of age of victims
00:07:49 Talk about family dynamic
00:09:24 Discussion about safety
00:12:53 Talk about location of bodies in the car
00:14:33 Discussion of Matthew being drug into back seat
00:16:12 Discussion of what long hair means to crime scene
00:18:42 Talk about where victims were murdered
00:19:46 Windows in the kia are dark
00:22:01 What is being said between truck driver and kia?
00:23:48 Discussion of people traveling with body in car
00:25:52 Baby is autopsied too
00:26:59Talk about Baby birth after death
00:28:23 Talk about Matthew identified quickly
00:32:36 Kia Optima located
00:34:58 Phone Pings will help find more cameras
00:35:55 Talk about bad cameras, great picture of suspects
00:37:01 Discussion of DNA that will likely be found
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Idaho house where Madison Mogen , Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were murdered has been demolished. Prosecution and Defense were both in agreement about the resident being demolished before the trial.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they discuss what might be missed and who might be helped by the biggest pieced of evidence being destroyed.
Transcript Highlights
00:01:08 Talk about why the odd shaped home had to come down
00:02:18 Discussion about destroying house before trial
00:03:47 Compare being able to visit the home of Lizzie Borden
00:05:47 Discussion of taking down horrible crime scenes
00:08:33 Comparing evidence like knife to house, would a picture of knife be sufficient
00:09:06 Discussion of both sides in agreement in taking building down
00:11:28 Talk about how to tell if someone could hear noise from top to bottom of house
00:13:36 Discussion of first-person perspective
00:15:48 Discussion of Parkland scene
00:17:42 Talk about taking jury to crime scene
00:19:26 Discussion of house layout – would killer have to be familiar
00:20:39 Talk about moving around rooms in the dark
00:21:53 Discussion about seeing size of rooms and 'ear' witness
00:24:15 Talk about effective documentation
00:26:23 Discussion about where suspect entered home
00:27:07 Discussion about room size
00:29:51 Talk about dynamic distribution of blood, being able to see it in context
00:31:32 Discussion of Jeffrey MacDonald case, jury saw murder scene in house
00:32:4 Talk about without house, no way to know where sound would go
00:33:51 Discussion comparing Gettysburg site to a house
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Timothy Ferguson's mother calls police. Her son is unresponsive. Timothy Ferguson is also 15-years-old weighing just 69 pounds when he died of malnutrition and hypothermia.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they detail -Timothy Ferguson's painful life at the hands of his evil mother and brother. The teen lives on a diet of water and bread soaked in hot sauce, followed by ice baths.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:00 Joseph Scott Morgan shares memories of Grandmother cooking chicken
00:04:15 Discussion of Timothy Ferguson, 15, starved to death by his mother
00:05:37 Discussion of food being used as mechanism for torture
00:06:52 Talk about Shanda Vander Ark fled Oklahoma with children
00:08:56 Explanation of how using food as a ‘kindness’
00:11:05 Talk about dark choices made by Shanda Vander Ark regarding her son
00:13:05 Discussion of Timothy’s older brother Paul being involved in the abuse
00:14:51 Joseph Scott Morgan describes “impact: injury – slapped, punched.
00:15:28 Talk about how common that one child will be chosen for abuse while other siblings abuse victim as well
00:16:14 Discussion about abuse, malnutrition impossible to hide
00:17:15 How to determine how long Timothy was abused
00:18:35 Description - malnutrition can “stunt growth”.
00:20:40 Discussion of Shanda Vander Ark Defense, claims she had PTSD
00:21:51 Joseph Scott Morgan explains how Timothy Ferguson was digesting his own fat cells due to malnutrition
00:22:58 Timothy Ferguson’s body already compromised
00:26:41 Timothy Ferguson was given bread and water, and hot sauce for torture
00:27:56 Talk about hot sauce “Carolina Reaper” being placed on bread for Ferguson to eat
00:29:00 Discussion of Timothy Ferguson being kept in tiny room under stairs, developing bed sores
00:30:56 Description of Timothy Ferguson breathing out of his mouth like fish out of water
00:32:09 Discussion of Ice Bath’s used to punish Timothy Ferguson
00:33:28 Timothy Ferguson never recovered from last Ice Bath, cause of death – hypothermia and malnutrition
00:36:02 Discussion of food – mother chained refrigerator and cabinets in kitchen
00:38:00 Verdict - Shanda Vander Ark, guilty of murder, son Paul guilty of Child Abuse
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The opioid crisis has brought death and devastation to families all over the world and fentanyl has only made things worse. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will take a close look at three very different cases involving fentanyl that all have the same end result, death. A wife allegedly uses fentanyl as a weapon to kill her husband, a 20-year-old faces second-degree murder for giving a teen girl a pill with fentanyl, and a toddler is dead when he comes into contact with fentanyl in his daycare.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:00 Discussion: To be free from pain.
00:01:44 Talk about from Tylenol to Fentanyl
00:02:53 Discussion of population desiring to be free from pain, self-medicating
00:04:43 Talk about the opioid crisis
00:07:28 Discussion about the strength of fentanyl
00:10:16 Joe points out how fentanyl can be pressed into other drugs
00:11:51 Description of what an overdose from opioid looks like
00:13:01 Discussing three fentanyl related cases today; Kouri Richins, NYC daycare, and 15-year-old dead from pill
00:14:38 Talk about murder charge in death of 15-year-old girl
00:16:46 Discussion of coroner ruling drug overdose as a “homicide”
00:18:35 Talk about California case, 15-year-old dies from fentanyl
00:22:35 Discussion of pills made in a garage rather than a laboratory
00:23:43 Talk about a 22-month-old child in a daycare exposed to fentanyl
00:26:49 Discussion of “binders” used in making the pills
00:28:48 Description of toddlers in daycare with fentanyl kept directly underneath “nap mats”
00:30:58 Fentanyl used as weapon, tasteless, odorless
00:32:36 Talk about Kouri Richins alleged attempts to poison husband
00:34:33 How to determine if drug was taken as recreation or used as weapon
00:36:01 Discussion of opioid deaths
00:38:36 Talk about tox screen
00:40:28 Discussion of Fentanyl and therapeutic levels
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Camille Balla calls a coworker and says "I think I killed my mother", the coworker calls 911 on her way to Balla's mother's house. Police find a scene straight out of a horror movie as the follow a blood splatter trail leading to the body of Francisca Monteiro-Balla. Checking the body for vitals an officer notices something on a box a few feet away. It isn't something anyone expects to see, two eyeballs, sitting on a box, appearing to watch the officers as they try to save the life of Francisca Monteiro-Balla.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they take a close-up look at a case that is just as scary and strange at the beginning as it is in the end.
Transcript Highlights
00:01:26 Joseph Scott Morgan compares Lewis Powell screaming “I am Mad” to
Camille Balla screaming “I am a murderer”
00:02:50 Talk about Police arrive to scene and find woman’s eyes removed
00:04:05 Dave Mack breaks down story of Camille Balla calls co-worker and tells her “I think I killed my mother”
00:06:12 Talk about County Jail versus prison
00:08:05 Discussion about Camille Balla screaming “I’m a murderer”
00:10:08 Discussion of bloody crime scene, eyeballs removed from victim, placed on cardboard box
00:11:25 Describing difference between blood “spatter” and blood “splatter”
00:13:46 Discussion about victim’s injuries
00:16:01 Talk about the fight between mother and daughter, and eyeballs removed from victim
00:17:56 Joe describes removal of eyeball
00:20:37 Discussion of suspect removing eyes from the front
00:22:43 Talk about Camille Balla claims to have smoked marijuana laced with Flocka prior to attack on her mother
00:26:12 Discussion of charges being reduced from First-Degree Murder to Manslaughter
00:28:34 Talk about broken glass around scene, blood from perpetrator and victim co-mingled making thing forensically more complicated
00:29:06 Camille Balla pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sentenced to 15-years in prison followed by 15-years on probation.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An adult female body is found outside of Council Bluffs city limits. The body was found with bruises all over her body, a large laceration on her head, her body was found frozen to the ground. Also, her face is missing. The body is of a woman who has been missing for 11 days, 60-year-old Ilene Gowan. Investigators will use everything at their disposal to determine how the grandmother ended up dead in a ditch without her face, and who is responsible for her death.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they breakdown a case that includes forensics of a frozen body as well as the latest video surveillance tools that creates a timeline that builds a map leading right to the killer.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:06 Joseph Scott Morgan talks about scene of crime
00:02:42 Victim 60-year-old woman, without a face
00:04:00 Talk about victim and suspect relationship
00:06:22 Brammer does not report girlfriend missing
00:07:44 Talk about remains being discarded like trash
00:09:48 Discussion about alcohol and relationships
00:11:21 Victim is missing for 11 days
00:12:49 Talk about remains still frozen at autopsy
00:16:46 Discussion of weather on decomposition
00:18:32 Talk about arriving to scene of crime
00:22:54 Discussion about Pathologist in the field
00:24:01 Victim face is missing
00:27:19 Timeline: victim last seen on 13, reported missing on 15th
00:30:37 Discussion of Post-Mortem and Anti-Mortem
00:31:36 Video evidence of Brammer in truck with victim
00:33:34 Discussion of victim cause of death
00:34:39 Talk about wounds
00:37:10 Discussion about Dr. Michael Baden brought in for second opinion
00:38:50 Brammer deposits $1,500 in his bank account day Ilene is reported missing
00:39:46 Discussion about face missing due to animal life
00:41:46 Brammer has truck crushed and shredded
00:42:08 Brammer was found guilty of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and second-degree theft.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Battle Creek, Michigan, Chad Allen Reed is the owner of a property. He lives on the bottom floor and rents out the top floor. He complains to everyone about the couple renting his upstairs, Joe Soule and Jaclyn Lepird are loud at night and Reed doesn't like it. When Joe and Jaclyn vanish, everyone is looking for them, except for Chad Allen Reed. He is too busy trying to hide what he has done. His property burns 5 times in 7 days but Chad Allen Reed is being haunted by the smell. Two bodies, wrapped in plastic, hidden in the back of a pickup truck. When nobody solves the mystery of what happened to Joe Soule and Jaclyn Lepird, Chad Allen Reed calls the tip line himself, and tells them what happened!
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the story of the Murdering Landlord and find out what evidence is left behind when two people are murdered on grass in a yard.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:07 Joseph Scott Morgan shares a renting nightmare
00:04:23 discussion of landlord complaining about tenant
00:05:20 Joe talks about trauma and evidence left behind at the scene
00:07:58 Landlord confronted tenants over noise
00:10:37 Discussion of the matter of cutting and bludgeoning someone
00:12:25 Talk about postmortem interval
00:13:23 Chad Allen Read shoots Joe Soule, shoots Jaclyn Lepird in the back
00:15:38 Discussion about Read beating Lepird with a pipe
00:16:37 Joe explains “Bullet Wipe”
00:18:32 Discussion about evidence left in yard
00:19:42 Talk about 2 people missing
00:21:51 Evidence left behind by 2 victims
00:23:31 Explanation of how bodies are examined in morgue
00:25:44 Discussion about perpetrators not putting distance between themselves and their victims
00:27:49 Bodies wrapped in plastic create more evidence
00:29:18 Talk about 5 fires in 7 days
00:30:13 Chad Allen Read calls the tipline himself
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joseph Scott Morgan takes you on a trip to Louisiana, and a young couple, tied up, with kettlebells tied to their feet, being driven up a high bridge, and pushed out at the apex, not to die from falling 10 stories, but to drown after the fall.
Join Joe Scott Morgan and Dave Mack for a show that stretches from Louisiana to Atlanta, a recording studio, a Walmart, a side hustle in prison, and great police work to bring to justice the evil that wants to be a star.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:46 Talk about Gravity = the dominant force in our life.
00:02:09 Talk about Gravity, leading up a bridge
00:03:13Discussion about murder by drowning
00:03:54 Talk about being In Louisiana.
00:05:21 the death of Lakeitha and Kenneth Joseph.
00:06:16 Couple missing three weeks
00:07:14 Talk about searching for missing couple
00:08:55 Discussion of levels of grief
00:11:52 Joe shares knowledge of the geography of the area
00:14:22 Talk about “prune” fingers as a child in pool
00:15:02 The lake is brackish, salt and fresh
00:17:14 Is it possible to determine how long a body has been in water?
000:20:58 Kenneth borrows a van, becomes big clue
00:24:37 Police work: Kettle Bells branded by golds gym, only at Walmart
00:25:46 How long does it take for a body to come to surface
00:28:42 Discussion about rope
00:30:12 Talk about Lakeitha leg being broken
00:31:31 Discussion of kettle bells
00:35:19 Talk about bodies in water
00:36:40 Borrowed van turns up in Atlanta
00:37:44 Discussion about Rapper managed by ex-convict
00:39:44 Prison Guard in relationship with prisoner
00:41:56 Murdered for being a witness
00:43:06 Talk about worst way to die
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A family moves to the country to get away from the crime of the big city only to find that evil exists in small towns and big cities alike. A 17-year-old girl develops a close bond to a harmless older neighbor. But the harmless old man is really a wolf in sheeps clothing and when the 17-year-old goes missing the neighbor helps look as hard as anyone. As long as nobody comes to his house to look too close. For 173 days the girl is missing, her heartbroken parents don't realize she is only 100 feet away from their front door. Buried in a homemade box, just for her.
Joseph Scott Morgan breaks down the case of the teen girl hidden away in a homemade coffin and how difficult it will be to get the evidence to determine what really caused her death. Dave Mack joins in on the search for facts, and Valerie Tindall.
Transcript
00:01:02 Discussion of 173 days without knowing location of your child
00:02:26 Valerie Tindall, 17, and missing
00:03:29 Mother said Patrick Scott acted like jealous boyfriend
00:04:21 Discussion of age difference
00:06:55 Valerie Tindall is missing
00:10:00 Talk about Forensic Anthropology
00:11:28 Disturbed areas of soil in backyard
00:12:30 17-year-old girl bonds with 59-year-old man, odd
00:13:22 What does FBI mean to a case
00:14:32 The neighbor Valerie has “bond” with charged with lying to police
00:16:03 Discussion of providing false hope to lure out suspect
00:17:24 Investigators wonder if someone is helping her stay gone
00:18:29 Victim has been missing since June
00:22:24 Bright Orange fingernail polish Valerie Tindall was wearing
00:23:29 Taking down a structure, burning, why?
00:27:17 Talk about the VHS tapes found in box
00:29:11 Discussion of murder weapon, a belt
00:30:56 Suspect claims he is the victim?
00:32:29 Discussion about condition of the body
00:33:39 Why did the suspect dig holes in his property?
00:35:17 Talk about the story from the suspect does not make sense
00:36:35 Some evidence might have been lost
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ezra Ralston, 29, moves in with his grandparents on their beautiful property on the water in the Pacific Northwest, and repays their love and kindness by coming up with a plan to create a commune on his grandparents property. The only thing he needs to do is kill his grandparents and steal their property to make his dreams come true.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they take an in-depth look at death, fire, and the lies of Ezra Ralston on this episode of Body Bags.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:19 Joe Talks about finding save place for your family
00:01:18 Grandparents welcome 29-year-old grandson
00:02:15 Discussion about early 70s
00:03:47 Talk about the murder of Grandparents
00:04:46 Discussion of fire and explosion
00:06:16 Talk about arson, murder, investigation
00:09:02 Discussion about origin of fire in the house
00:11:05 Joe shares insight into recurring nightmare
00:13:09 Talk about finding the bodies of Joanna Gormley and Ted Ralston.
00:17:40 Discussion about gasoline used in fire
00:19:14 Joe explains assessing the bodies
00:23:02 Explaining what happens working a fire scene
00:24:54 Discussion of when to examine bodies
00:26:36 Looking around a fire scene is very confusing
00:27:47 Talk about the victims' wounds
00:32:03 Talk about plan to kill victims in their sleep
00:35:45 Ezra Ralston being encouraged by girlfriend
00:37:04 Discussion of using bleach to get rid of evidence
00:39:15 Fire creates more evidence
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oscar Pistorius became famous for not allowing a handicap to stand in his way of track and field success.
After becoming a Paralympic Champion, he fought his way through the courts to be allowed to compete in non-disabled competitions. In 2012, he competed in the Summer Olympics in London and became one of the most famous people in the world, earning the nickname "Blade Runner" for the prosthetic legs he uses to run.
Less than six months after the Olympic Games, Pistorius claims he hears a noise in the middle of the night and thinks someone is breaking in, but what happens next lands him in jail, charged with murder!
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they break down the case of Oscar Pistorius. Did he kill his girlfriend in cold blood or was it a horrible mistake?
Transcript Highlights:
00:01:11 Oscar Pistorius getting out of prison
00:03:11 Pistorius fought to compete in non-disabled competition
00:04:02 Discussion of who Oscar Pistorius is and his fame at the time of this incident
00:06:58 Discussion of legs being amputated at 11 months old
00:10:56 How to figure out directionality of weapons that are fired
00:12:40 Pistorius and Steenkamp had dated only 90 days
00:13:45 Body Bags and Domestic Disputes
00:14:52 Discussion of waking up, hearing something
00:16:05 Pistorius claims he heard things, overcome with fear
00:17:37 Talk about Pistorius and guns
00:19:15 What happens when victim is in bathroom?
00:21:51 He claims that he shot her after he had put his legs on.
00:22:06 Story told by Pistorius doesn’t match facts
00:24:12 Discussion of victim being shot through the door
00:25:57 Discussion of stomach contents of victim
00:26:15 Time of morning, 3:19am
00:26:41Said there were four quick shots.
00:28:14 Did he retrieve his legs at this point in time and come back to?
00:29:34 Talk about scene, towels, debris, trying to stop bleeding
00:30:29 Discussion of the Blades giving him and advantage
000:31:33 Pistorius remains on scene, in kitchen, should have been in back of squad car
00:32:26 Three components in gunshot residue. We look for antimony, we look for barium and we look for lead.
00:33:43 Talk about prosthetics and if he had them on
00:34:38 Discussion about suspect is not in charge of investigation
00:35:35 Pistorius claims he kept her airway open with his fingers
00:36:35.Pistorius is scheduled to be released from custody in January of 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dylan Redwine is forced to spend Thanksgiving with his father in Colorado. He doesn't want to be there because he knows some things about his father, secret, disgusting things, and he just doesn't want to be around him. But due to his parent divorce he has to go. Dylan Redwine goes missing, his dad suggests a bear might have got him. It takes time, but in the end, Forensics will tell the entire story of what happened to Dylan Redwine.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they break down a story that took years to finish and includes blood, sex, knives, and bones.
Time Code Highlights.
00:01:40 Redwine Murder was one of the first Joseph Scott Morgan covered in media
00:04:00 Dylan must go to his father’s house in Colorado for Thanksgiving
00:05:08 Mark Redwine house burned down previously
00:07:03 Discussion of children of divorce, Dylan did not want to be with his father
00:08:20 Talk about pictures Dylan and his brother saw on their dad’s computer
00:09:30 Joe talks the information he was given to cover story on network show
00:11:03 Pictures of Mark Redwine in lingerie, makeup, eating out of diaper
00:13:09 Joe tells story of being embarrassed comparing it to how Mark Redwine was embarrassed his children found out about secret pictures
00:15:00 Discussion about the boys confronting their father over his pictures
00:16:50 Talk about Mark Redwine responding to Corey about the pictures
00:19:25 Joe talks about Mark Redwine being humiliated and angry
00:20:45 Redwine claims he went to store, Dylan was gone when he got back
00:21:35 Discussion about Corey Redwine being several years older than Dylan
00:22:45 Talk about forensics and how nothing is ever hidden
00:24:04 Joe talks about a dog finding blood in the home
00:26:05 Blood from Dylan would have to have been from recent visit
00:30:04 Joe talks about a murder case without a body
00:31:00 Both femurs of Dylan Redwine found 8 miles from Mark Redwine home
00:32:43 Bones found on a road could have been drug by an animal
00:34:14 Determining whether the bones were separated by human using tools
00:36:05 Talk about Mark Redwine mentioning something to a friend about blunt force trauma and they would need to find his head
00:37:45 Dylan Redwine skull found
00:39:00 No animals in the area that would drag remains up the mountain
00:40:10 Talk about surface deposition
00:41:05 Mark Redwine said Dylan may have been attacked by a bear.
00:43:50 What the skull tells investigators. Took several months to identify
00:45:12 Joe explains using sinus for identification
00:46:45 Skull fractures show blunt force trauma. Two linear marks consistent with a knife blade found on skull.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nohema Graber is a beloved Spanish teacher in the small town of Fairfield, Iowa. When she goes missing during her everyday after school walk in the park, the small town is worried. When her body is found in the park, hidden under a tarp, the town of less than 10,000 is shocked. Shock turns to disgust when police arrest two 16-year-old students for the murder after one of them writes on snapchat about the planning, execution, and disposal of evidence.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they break down the story of Nohema Graber, a beloved teacher who deserved a much better fate and the two 16-year-olds that broke the heart of a small town.
Time Code Highlights.
00:02:54 Nohema Graber goes missing during her regular walk in the park
00:03:06 Body of Nohema Graber found in park under a tarp, Two 16-year-old students arrested
00:05:19 Joseph Scott Morgan talks about first homicide he worked was a brother who beat his brother to death with a baseball bat
00:07:11 discussion about what teachers are faced with every day
00:08:47 Talk about how this case begins with a bad grade
00:10:11 Talk about two students feeling like they were owed something
00:11:44 Discussion of Timeline of events
00:14:24 Talk about two friends decide to murder teacher
00:15:20 Discussion of the plan the perpetrators had and that it wouldn't change the grad
00:16:22 Talk about the type of weapons teens might have access, baseball bat is weapon of opportunity the routine of victim
00:19:40 Discussion of Both perpetrators were tracking victim in park
00:21:10 The perpetrators discuss the plan on snapchat
00:22:23 Discussion of Nohema Graber and people seeing Chaiden Miller arguing with her about his grade
00:24:03 Discussion of Nohema Graber van being driven away from park by two males and how perpetrators hide her body
00:25:11 Joseph Scott Morgan points out how everything used in a crime can be traced
00:26:27 Discussion of perpetrators taking the bloody bat, bloody clothes, back home. Friend shows snapchat messages to law enforcement
00:28:08 Discussion of damage bat can do to a body
00:30:44 Description of the marks the bat will make with contact
00:34:11 Talk about is it possible to determine who swung the bat
00:35:45 Discussion about Jeremy Goodale sentenced to life with possible parole after 25 years, Chaiden Miller sentenced to life with possible parole after 35 years
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
November 22, 1963: John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was shot and killed during a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas.
The President is taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital. By law, Dallas County Coroner Dr. Earl Rose had jurisdiction over the case and should have performed the autopsy. However, against Dr. Earl Rose's protestations, the body of President Kennedy was wrapped in a sheet, placed in a casket with a broken handle, and flown over 1,300 miles away to Washington DC, where 2 naval doctors, who had never conducted a forensic autopsy performed the autopsy on John F. Kennedy.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they take a close look at the autopsy that was so bad, 60years later questions are still being asked.
Time Code Highlights
00:01:21 Discussion about the ripple effect of the assassination of JFk
00:04:31 Discussion of the moments following the shooting of JFK in Dealey Plaza
00:06:02 Talk about how autopsy "Standard Procedures" were not followed
00:06:51 Texas state law and jurisdiction over investigation and autopsy
00:07:58 Board Certified Forensic Pathologist Doctor Earl Rose was chief medical examiner for Dallas, Texas at the time and was at Parkland Memorial Hospital
00:09:22 Discussion JFK body taken from Dallas to Washington DC for autopsy
00:10:59 Talk about Secret Service preparing for President trips.
00:11:36 Discussion of JFK physical condition after being shot.
00:12:52 Talk about injuries to JFK, at least 2 gunshot wounds.
00:13:31 Discussion of tracheotomy that was performed to establish an airway
00:15:04 Discussion of Dr. Earl Rose and how his experience was dismissed
00:16:23 Dr. Earl Rose KNEW he was looking at a Murder Investigation.
00:17:47 Discussion Dallas County had jurisdiction over the body.
00:19:03 Talk about autopsy of JFK should have taken place in Dallas
00:20:08 Talk about previous Presidential assassination, Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley and their autopsies.
00:22:10 Discussion of Dr. Earl Rose did the autopsy for Oswald, Officer Tippit, and Jack Ruby.
00:23:36 Discussion of JFK body being taken to Washington DC
00:25:16 Comparing Bethesda Naval Hospital to Walter Reed Hospital
00:26:04 Discussion about doctors chosen to perform JFK autopsy
00:28:42 Talk about why doctors turned bullet wound into tracheostomy
00:29:55 Presidents body wrapped in sheets. Head wrapped in gauze
00:31:09 Discussion of JFK clothing, tie changed the trajectory of round.
00:32:58 Discussion about clothing worn during the assassination
00:33:44 Talk about "magic bullet" going through JFK and Governor Connally,
00:35:08 Discussion Secret Service agents washed interior of Presidential limo.
00:36:03 Talk about crime scenes - bone fragments found and turned in later
00:37:02 Description of President's head, skull came apart in doctors hands.
00:38:04 Discussion of Assessment
00:40:02 Talk about x-rays that were done on body
00:41:58 Description of the Bethesda autopsy suite
00:43:51 Ballistics expert Dr. Pierre Fink, forensic pathologist, came to Bethesda
00:44:53 JFK brain was removed before Dr. Fink arrived
00:46:05 Description of "Brain Loafing".
00:47:22 The autopsy of JFK was not a complete autopsy
00:49:21 Discussion of "family wishes" as it applies to the murder of the president.
00:50:48 Compare autopsy of John F. Kennedy and Robert F Kennedy
00:52:36 Discussion about other pathologists available to do autopsy on JFK
00:55:09 No way to know if other injuries suffered by JFK could have been lethal
00:56:04 Commentary - no excuse for what happened with autopsy of JFK
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hanna Rhoden,15, gives birth to a daughter. 2-years later, Rhoden and the baby's father, Jake Wagner, fight over custody. A custody battle begins and the Wagner family pressures Hanna to give up her daughter. The Wagners hack Hanna Rhoden's Facebook account and read a private message in which Hanna vows she will not give up the child, quote "they (the Wagners) will have to kill me first." That is exactly what happens.
The Wagner family decide to not only kill Hanna Rhoden, but the rest of her family, anyone who might stand in the way of the Wagner family gaining custody of the little girl. The Wagner family plan is to take out the Rhoden family in one night, four locations, eight murders.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they dig deep into the Pike County Murders. Joseph Scott Morgan gives a firsthand account of the crime scenes and the forensic evidence left behind.
Time code highlights:
00:00:02 Joseph Scott Morgan asked to take part as a forensic expert in a complex case
00:02:12 Discussion about the investigation of the Pike County Murders
00:02:37 Description: One night. Four Scenes. Eight Murders
00:03:09 Description of two families that have been friends a long time
00:03:16 Discussion about Hanna Rhoden becomes pregnant with Jake Wagner's baby when she is 15-years-old. Hanna Rhoden breaks up with Jake Wagner
00:04:01 The Wagner's tried to force Hanna Roden to sign papers to turn custody of Sophia over to Jake.
00:04:22 Discussion of Wagner family plan to kill Hanna Rhoden to get custody
00:05:01 Discussion of the first person to be murdered and location of murder scene
00:06:50 Discussion of shots fired through wall first, Chris Rhoden was shot 9 times
00:07:36 Discussion of second victim, Gary Rhoden, visiting from Kentucky
00:10:06 Talk about the injuries to Chris Rhoden's arm
00:11:01 Description of head shots to both Chris Rhoden and Gary Rhoden
00:12:24 Talk of how Wagner Sr said "I just killed my best friend"
00:16:25 The Wagner's didn't know Gary Rhoden would be at the scene
00:17:30 Discussion of the Wagner's make silencers for their weapons
00:19:38 Joseph Scott Morgan talks about being at the site and what it looked like,
00:21:56 The Wagner's arrived at Chris Rhoden's house barefoot but put on shoes inside the house.
00:22:44 Investigator researched shoe print found in Rhoden trailer and found a match
00:24:45 The forensic shoe print match the best evidence used to convict
00:25:34 Description of second murder scene. Frankie Rhoden, Hannah Gilley, and two small children.
00:25:26 Older child came to door (the next morning) and said "daddy's playing zombie"
00:27:10 Discussion of Hannah Gilley was shot 5 times in the head
00:30:25 Discussion of distance from Frankie Rhoden's house to Dana Rhoden home
00:32:37 Dana Rhoden's home was unlocked, Dana Rhoden's face was illuminated by her phone, made eye contact with Jake Wagner and he shot and killed Dana Rhoden
00:33:40 Discussion of Hanna May Rhoden being the reason for the murders
00:34:00 Discussion of Hanna Rhoden had baby 4 days earlier
00:34:15 The child Hanna Rhoden had with Jake Wagner was with the Wagner family at the time of the murders
00:34:35 Discussion of Jake Wagner placing baby next to body of Hanna May Rhoden so the baby could feed off the dead mother
00:36:01 Discussion of Hanna Rhoden and Hannah Gilley both shot 5 times in the head
00:36:45 Chris Rhoden jr, 16, shot dead in bed
00:37:45 Discussion of Kenneth Rhoden living in travel trailer 7 miles from the other scenes, shot once in head.
00:41:22 Discussion of Jake Wagner and his brother going to great lengths to get rid of weapons
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the last few years, more and more death scenes involve dismemberment.
An "obsessed" true crime fan in South Korea thinks she can pull off the perfect murder, so how did Jung Yoo-Jung get caught? Taylor Schabusiness tells police she doesn't remember strangling her boyfriend, but it felt good. She leaves his severed head in a bucket for his mother to find.
And in Tennessee, prosecutors say Joel Guy Jr created a "diabolical stew of human remains" with his mother's head when he finds out his parents are cutting him off.
Joseph Scott Morgan breaks down the forensics and Dave Mack keeps the stories moving in this fast-paced edition of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan in front of a live audience at CrimeCon 2023 in Orlando, Florida
Time Code Highlights.
00:02:50 South Korean Woman Jung Yoo-Jung is said to be an obsessed crime fan
00:03:17 Discussion of how 23-year-old woman pretends to be a 14-year-old school girl
00:04:19 Jung Yoo-jung wants to commit a homicide and dismember the victim to try and get away with murder..
00:05:33 Her plan is to kill, dismember, and dispose of the victim.
00:06:27 Talks about the tools needed to do the job she wants to do
00:10:19 What would she used to clean up the area?
00:12:00 Talk about Gilgo and Rex Heuermann
00:12:44 Talking about the getaway and getting rid of the remains
00:12:57 To commit the perfect crime she uses a cab as a getaway car, leads to her capture
00:14:39 Joseph Scott Morgan tells story of transporting a head as a young man working in New Orleans with the coroner.
00:15:52 Under no circumstances are you to allow this bot this head out of your sight.
00:16:23 Had to use a cooler with ice to transport the head
00:18:40 Discussion about Taylor Schabusiness case.
00:19:14 The mother of the victim finds his head in bucket
00:20:20 Discussion of the relationship between suspect and victim
00:21:56 Schabusiness told police she didn't remember strangling him, but she remembered liking it.
00:23:16 She told police, you found this part of him, good luck finding the rest
00:25:48 Discussion about the types of knives needed to do what was done to the victim
00:27:46 Talk about the forensics of different types of blades
00:30:47 Joe Scott Morgan talks about the time it takes to dismember a body
00:32:09 Joel Guy Jr, created a game plan for what he was going to do to his parents
00:32:23 Discussion about Joel Guy Jr and why he killed his parents
00:34:18 Joel Guy Jr stabbed his parents to death, then cut them up.
00:35:04 Talk about police interrupted Joel Guy Jr and found his "list" of things to do
00:39:42 Discussion of the medical examiner at the trial
00:40:09 Talk about anti-mortem and post-mortem
00:43:11 Joseph Scott Morgan explains the way a body can be disarticulated
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Maleesa Mooney's family hasn't heard from the 31-year-old model for several days.
Worried, they ask police to do a welfare check. Los Angeles police let themselves into her apartment with a key obtained from the manager. The air conditioner has been turned down and the apartment is very cold. Police discover the beaten and bruised body of Maleesa Mooney, with her hands and feet bound, wedged into the refrigerator. There is blood underneath her body.
Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they discuss how this beautiful and talented woman died.
Time Code Highlights.
00:02:30 Family of Maleesa Mooney ask police to check on her.
00:03:06 Police find Maleesa Mooney, 31, bound, gagged, stuffed in refrigerator with blood
00:04:19 The police are working as a homicide.
00:05:25 Family gets answers from mortuary
00:07:11 Joe Scott Morgan shares story of mistake he made notifying a mother of how her son died
00:08:27 The victim was greatly traumatized.
00:09:39 What it would take to put a person inside a refrigerator
00:11:44 Victim was beaten and broken.
00:14:24 Mooney seen walking into her building on surveillance camera
00:14:42 No forced entry into apartment
00:15:20 The air conditioning in apartment had been turned down and it had been flooded
00:18:00 Items on the table that are commonly associated with needing to be refrigerated, as if the refrigerator been cleaned out.
00:18:58 Is running water an effort to destroy evidence?
00:19:40 Details on the last time anybody talked to Melissa Mooney.
00:21:27 There's a six day window between last communication and when body is found. .
00:22:23 Victim has multiple trauma about her head and her neck.
00:24:03 Victim is pregnant.
00:27:27 Family received vague text messages.
00:30:08 Victim is bound ankles and wrists.
00:33:11 Victim is gagged.
00:35:15 How would body be examined at the morgue?
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On the evening of August 15, Connor and Betty Bowman stay home and have drinks together. The last drink Betty remembered having was a smoothie. The next morning Betty Bowman is sick. So sick she goes to the hospital where they admit her and treat her for what seemed like food poisoning. Betty Bowman is 32 and healthy but over the next 4 days her condition worsens and she dies. When her husband, Connor Bowman, tries to have her cremated right away with no autopsy, alarms bells go off and police are called. It seems that Connor Bowman was researching a particular medication used to treat gout, and what would be the lethal amount for someone the size of Betty Bowman.
Join forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan and co-host Dave Mack as look into the almost perfect weapon and crime.
Time Code- Highlights
00:00:00 Some natural remedies have been know to humanity for thousands of years. Could one have been used for murder?
00:04:46 Discussion of Betty and Connor Bowman's educations and professions. Both are pharmacists.
00:07:59 Bowman marriage difficulties discussed.
00:09:08 Betty Bowman hospitalized with what is thought to be food poisoning and dies
00:09:12 Connor Bowman has to be smart, based on educational accomplishments
00:09:15 32 years old Betty Bowman found a way to travel. She traveled the world.
00:09:20 Betty went to Hawaii, the Caribbea, Iceland, Grand Canyon.
00:09:35 Connor had such massive debt from college that they kept their money separate
00:09:44 Conner Bowman told a friend there was $450,000 life insurance on Betty Bowman
00:10:05 Betty Bowman was in good health. She and Conner talking about divorce.
00:10:12 August 15, Betty and Connor Bowman at home, drinking and watching movies
00:10:39 Betty wakes up sick, thought food poisoning, went to Mayo clinic, St Mary Hospital August 16
00:10:59 Betty admitted to hospital and they treat her for food poisoning
00:11:05 Treat her for gastrointestinal distress and dehydration
00:11:14 After treatment, nothing gets better and she dies after four days.
00:11:58 Marriage on downhill slope
00:35:21 Connor Bowman says no autopsy, wife doesn't want to be a cadaver.
00:39:02 Connor Bowman asked if cremation would cause more "in depth" tox screen
00:41:35 Bowman looked up colchicine on laptop. What's a lethal dose?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kathryn Pham, 21. had been dating Daniel Gunnarsson, 23, hardly a month, but the 23-year-old's obsession with Pham grew quickly. He would get angry if anyone else had the young woman's attention. Gunnarsson confided to his stepfather that he thought Pham was breaking up with him. The stepfather's advice? Apologize.
Gunnarsson did and somehow convinced Pham to go with him to his stepfather's home. Once there, painters were on the scene. The couple went in to the garage. Soon after the painters hear screaming, but wait an hour before going to check. Inside the garage, Kathryn Phan is laying on the floor, naked and bloodied. Daniel Gunnarsson struck Pham with an ice axe at least 10 times.
Join forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan and co-host Dave Mack as they look at the destruction and mayhem caused by one tool.
Time Codes-highlights
00:00:00 Joseph Scott Morgan discusses what it's like to receive a jury duty letter in the mail only to find the possible case is murder.
00:02:29 An ice axe is not a tool found in most homes. Usually it is only in locations with colder temperature. How could it be used for murder?
00:04:14 Description of an ice axe
00:06:50 Dating relationship between Daniel Gunnarsson and Katie Pham introduced
00:07:56 Daniel Gunnarsson red flag behavior details.
00:09:06 Katie Pham's trip to Gunnarsson's stepfather's garage
00:09:38 Painters start hearing a girl's screams. Body is discovered. Scene described.
00:12:28 Katie Pham's injuries described
00:15:56 Injuries occurred in the upper body, the chest, the neck and the head. .
00:20:08 Dead body touched in sexual manner
00:21:34 Suspect was wearing gloves.
00:24:45 Jurors had to hear details of an ice axe murder.
00:25:34 Victim was struck at least 10 times.
00:28:36 Is it possible to determine the order of injuries?
00:29:41 Defense strategy was that someone else snuck into the garage.
00:31:01 Jurors wept
00:31:20 Daniel Gunderson was found guilty.
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Kara Nichols is found dead, strangled and buried alongside a horse on a property owned by her murderer's parents, several years after she has been declared missing.
Confessed killer Joel Hollendorfer is at the center of this tale that explores not just the murder itself, but its far-reaching repercussions. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack traverse the winding roads of Kara's life and the cold case that took years to solve. They discuss the forensics of strangulation, the ethics of grief, and the complexities of moral responsibility.
Dave delves into the timeline of Kara's last days, while Joseph navigates the complicated web of legal hurdles that investigators faced. This episode also questions whether it's possible to die of a broken heart, highlighting the psychological and emotional toll a murder can take on the families involved.
Mentioned Podcast:
Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum on Apple Podcasts
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:43 — Joseph Scott Morgan discusses the theme of the episode, which is whether people can die of a broken heart, or from grief. He introduces a case where a murderer believes his father died from the shock of his confession.
00:02:03 — Dave Mack shares his philosophical views on the overwhelming power of grief.
00:03:20— Details about the murder of Kara Nichols are shared.
00:05:00—Joseph Scott Morgan talks about the emotional burden for the perpetrator's parents.
006:10, Dave questions the moral responsibility of those who know about the crime.
00:07:58—The close relationship between Kara and her brother is spotlighted.
00:08:27—The discussion shifts to the challenging circumstances of Kara's life.
00:09:14—Joe Scott Morgan reveals that persistence and hard work solved this cold case.
00:10:05 — Dave Mack expresses admiration for cold case workers like Cheryl McCollum.
00:15:05 — The movements of Kara are traced back to a specific suspect via her phone.
00:16:40 — Joel Hollendorfer’s conversation with Detective Gugliotta is discussed.
00:18:20 — The complexities of obtaining a search warrant are outlined.
00:23:11 — Morgan discusses the complexities of using ground penetrating radar in investigations.
00:24:14 — Dave Mack reveals that Joel Hollendorfer confessed to his parents about killing a young woman.
00:28:08 — Explaination of the use of lime on a body to speed up the decompositional process.
00:36:48 — Morgan explains the intricacies of strangulation and the role of the hyoid bone in determining the cause of death.
00:38:20 — The trial and conviction of Joel Hollendorfer are dissected, leaving listeners with the unsettling thought that he still has a chance at a life outside prison.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In an unfathomable act, the lifeless body of young Zion Staples is discovered abandoned in a trash can. The grim finding sends waves through the community, raising existential questions on human morality. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dissect the intricacies of the case, exploring topics ranging from the science of decomposition to the societal implications of how we treat our deceased. While Morgan brings his forensic expertise to the table, offering unique insights into time of death estimation and the decomposition process, Mack provides additional context, revealing dark layers of the family's involvement.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan sets the tone by musing on the value of life.
00:01:20 — The tragic story of Zion Staples is introduced.
00:01:54 — Taking out the trash is discussed as an everyday act with dark implications in the Zion Staples case.
00:03:00 — Dave Mack contextualizes the focus on garbage and decomposition in the case.
00:03:50 — The connection between smell and taste in the context of decomposition is explained by Joe Scott.
00:04:08 — Society's treatment of the deceased is examined.
00:07:14 — Dispelling a common misconception, Joseph Scott Morgan talks about the challenges in determining the exact time of death.
00:09:11 — Morgan shares details about another mysterious case involving a person missing for seven months.
00:14:37 — A detailed explanation of body tissue disintegration after death is given.
00:16:22 — Cause of death's impact on decomposition rates is discussed after Dave Mack brings up the example of a gunshot wound to the head.
00:21:14 — Significant changes that a decomposing body undergoes are highlighted by Morgan, emphasizing the importance of evidence preservation.
00:29:00 — New information about Zion's mother, Sushi Staples, and her history with child services is revealed.
00:30:40 — Joe Scott Morgan discusses the challenges of the investigation due to the time elapsed since the incident and the lack of concrete evidence.
00:32:08 — Morgan reveals that Sushi Staples has only been charged with concealing the body of her 10-year-old son in a garbage can, not with his death.
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Two horrific murders shake a university town to its core, as Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom fall prey to a monstrous crime. In a dilapidated house in East Knoxville, Tennessee, the young couple are kidnapped and tortured in an environment that can only be described as hellish. In this gripping episode, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the gruesome details, chilling forensics, and unfathomable cruelty behind the case. With firsthand experience and unsettling revelations, they bring you closer to understanding the harrowing ordeal these victims went through. The episode delves into forensic complexities, offers insights into the minds of the perpetrators, and discusses the pivotal moments that led to their capture. Brace yourselves for a haunting journey through one of the darkest chapters of true crime.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan sets the stage for the episode’s chilling focus: two horrific murders in a university town, considered among the most horrifying covered by Morgan.
00:01:20 — The names of the victims, Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom, are introduced alongside the setting—a rundown house in East Knoxville.
00:01:40 — Joseph Scott Morgan discloses his personal involvement in covering the Eric Boyd trial.
00:03:00 — A visceral account of the kidnapping and the setting is provided by Dave Mack.
00:04:40 — It's revealed that the atrocities committed against Channon and Christopher are akin to acts of “Satan himself."
00:07:31 — The suffering endured by Christopher Newsom, including torture and being set on fire, is hauntingly detailed by Dave Mack.
00:08:04 — The agonizing torment Channon Christian went through is elaborated upon by Joseph Scott Morgan.
00:08:46 — The seclusion and inaccessibility of railway tracks as common dumping grounds for victims are discussed.
00:10:02 — Dave Mack specifies that Christopher was not killed at the house but was later taken to the railway tracks.
00:10:54 — Dave Mack reveals that unusual activities at the house on the night of the crime were noticed by a dump truck driver.
00:11:27 — Treatment of the victims is equated to "torture," akin to how prisoners of war are treated.
00:15:04 — The crime scene’s dehumanizing aspects and the extreme physical abuse suffered by the victims are dissected.
00:23:05 — Psychological manipulation used on the victim by promising release is exposed.
00:30:27 — The discovery of the female victim's body in a garbage can, constricted into a fetal position, adds another layer of horror to the narrative.
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Dorothy Dusold's life comes to a chilling end, her body marred by manual strangulation and the telltale signs of anoxic encephalopathy—a gruesome testament to oxygen deprivation and ensuing cardiac arrest. True crime experts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack join forces to dissect this unsettling narrative, where familial love crumbles into fatal brutality. Diving deep into the psychosocial underpinnings, forensic evidence, and medical realities of the case, they guide us from the eerie echoes of the 911 call to the contentious forensic findings that sway the court. Through their exhaustive analysis, they illuminate not only Dorothy's agonizing final moments but also the grim medical trajectories that culminated in her tragic demise. This episode serves as a poignant and intellectually rigorous examination of the shadowy corners where family ties fray into lethal violence.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20—Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the unique case of a daughter allegedly squeezing her mother to death.
00:02:40—Joe Scott and Dave Mack discuss the physical strength required to squeeze someone to death.
00:03:20 — The 911 call made by Cassandra Dusold is discussed.
00:04:20—Morgan lauds the invaluable role of first responders in high-stakes situations.
00:06:20 — The concept of deception in the case is introduced.
00:07:04 — Joe Scott Morgan explains what a 'code' means in a hospital setting, specifically a 'code blue' which indicates cardiac arrest.
00:08:31— The crucial steps in emergency cardiac care are outlined.
00:14:09 — Dave Mack opens up a dialogue on the unusual circumstances surrounding Dorothy Dusold's death.
00:16:40—Dave highlights inconsistencies in Cassandra's story, creating doubt about her credibility.
00:18:40, the possibility of Dorothy having bilateral black eyes and ear bleeding is explored.
00:27:49 — A medical breakdown of how the victim's throat was constricted is presented.
00:30:00, Joe Scott delves into various methods of manual strangulation, questioning the story told by Cassandra.
00:31:40 — The episode wraps up with the conviction of the perpetrator, Cassandra Dussault, for manslaughter.
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Jamie Faith, a special forces operator in Tennessee, is fatally shot seven times while walking his dog, a part of his morning routine with his wife Jennifer. What initially appears as a masked perpetrator's random act of violence unravels into a dark tale of manipulation, emotional affairs, and meticulous planning. Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they delve into the layers of this case, from shot groupings to text messages that expose a staggering truth. Hear about their personal experiences with gun control and their love for dogs, which add nuanced layers to this tragic narrative. With revelations of a GoFundMe scam and the psychological tactics of a supposedly grieving widow, this episode leaves you questioning where love ends and deceit begins.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20—Joe Scott Morgan sets a serene scene by sharing his morning routine with his rescue dogs before diving into Jamie and Jennifer Faith's heart-wrenching story.
00:01:23—The tragic murder of Jamie Faith is introduced by Morgan, marking the contrast between a mundane dog-walking routine and a violent death.
00:01:55—A light moment as Morgan teases a secret about Dave Mack.
00:02:29—Dave Mack speaks fondly of his English Bulldog, Hank, adding to the hosts' evident love for dogs.
00:03:40—The story of Jamie and Jennifer Faith comes to life as Mack paints a vivid picture of the couple.
00:04:22—Joseph Scott Morgan describes the peaceful neighborhood where Jamie was killed starkly and how it contrasts with the horror that unfolded there.
00:07:03—The complexity of shooting scenarios is discussed, touching upon the differences in training between the military and police.
00:09:10—Shot grouping and its accuracy are detailed, with Morgan using the example of an index card.
00:12:11—Morgan's personal connection to the case reveals the story's emotional weight.
00:15:02—The hosts discuss the striking contrast between the crime scene and its peaceful setting, noting Jamie's strategic targeting.
00:18:21—A 45 caliber handgun's history and effectiveness are elaborated on by Morgan.
00:22:57—Dave Mack starts to reveal the investigation's findings, including a peculiar connection to Jennifer, Jamie's wife.
00:25:00—Digital forensics bring shocking text messages to light, discussed by both Mack and Morgan.
00:30:20—A perforating gunshot wound in Jamie's groin emphasizes the brutality of the attack.
00:31:00—The episode concludes with Joe Scott stating that the shooter was highly skilled, having left no trace of soot or gunpowder on Jamie's body.
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Ashli Ehrhardt, a woman embroiled in a tumultuous marriage, meets a devastating end in her laundry room. With signs of struggle all around and her body bearing multiple types of wounds—a belt around the neck, stab wounds, and puncture injuries—Ashli's father is the one who horrifyingly discovers her. Her husband, John Wonder, becomes the prime suspect in what appears to be a crime of passion layered with complex clues. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the chilling details surrounding Ashli’s death. From the puzzling written messages left at the crime scene to the suspect's unsettling social media behavior, this episode dives deep into the importance of forensic documentation. As the narrative unfolds, listen in for insights into unusual wounds, psychological profiles, and the critical role of time-stamped messages.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan opens the episode by discussing the power of written communication and its ability to express deep emotions.
00:02:20 — Dave Mack introduces the case involving John Wonder and Ashli Ehrhardt, a married couple going through a divorce. Mack speculates on their use of social media and text messaging.
00:07:00 — The importance of co-workers in death investigations is highlighted, especially in cases of suicide.
00:08:06 — Dave Mack discusses John Wonder's peculiar behavior.
00:10:20 — The heartbreaking moment Ashli's father discovers her body.
00:11:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan brings the horror of the scene to life by discussing the amount of blood present.
00:12:00 — Questions are raised about the cause of death when a belt is found around Ashley's neck.
00:16:42 — The unusual circumstances at the crime scene, including the belt and potential staging, are questioned by Dave Mack.
00:19:00 — Morgan stresses the necessity of a thorough examination at the autopsy table for determining the cause of death.
00:21:42 — Distinctions between stab and puncture wounds are explored.
00:29:50 — A disturbing text message from John to his sister is revealed.
00:30:20 — Mack shares an alleged text message from John indicating his plans to flee.
00:31:40 — The role of forensic document examiners in cases like this is introduced.
00:34:00 — Focusing on the writing in blood, the possibility of the defense claiming a setup is discussed.
00:40:47—The episode closes on a serious note as Joseph Scott Morgan shares the National Domestic Violence Hotline, urging those in abusive relationships to seek help.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Struck on the head with an iron skillet and stabbed multiple times, Brenda Powell’s life comes to a shocking and tragic end at the hands of her daughter.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the perplexing aspects of this chilling homicide that has captivated public interest. They explore the unique role an 'ear witness' plays in the investigation and scrutinize the difficult transition Sydney experienced from high school to college, as well as the financial and emotional challenges involved.
Armed with Morgan's forensic expertise and Mack's keen investigative insights, the duo crafts an episode filled with emotional depth, compelling narrative, and sharp analysis. As they walk you through key moments, witness testimonies, and the complicated criminal landscape, they raise important questions about family dynamics, criminal psychology, and the advancements in forensic science.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20—Joe Scott Morgan sets the tone by reflecting on the impact of sounds and memories on a murder investigation. He introduces Brenda Powell's brutal homicide case.
02:20:00—Dave Mack shares a unique description related to the case.
04:00:00—The emotional toll of working in oncology is illuminated.
05:20:00—The concept of an earwitness is introduced, offering an innovative twist to the narrative.
06:40:00—Sydney Powell's academic struggles are revealed.
07:35:00—Joe Scott explores the emotional and financial challenges of transitioning from high school to college.
09:23:00—The boiling point leading to violent crimes is dissected.
10:00:00—A critical phone call from Brenda to her university is detailed, becoming a key moment in the investigation.
12:20:00—The chilling moment when Brenda Powell is struck on the head by an iron skillet.
15:40:00—Morgan reflects on the cultural portrayal of frying pans as weapons compared to their real-world lethal potential.
23:05:00—The absence of premeditation in the crime is suggested, considering the presence of ‘ear witnesses’.
27:16:00—The immediate reaction of university administrators on the phone during the attack and their subsequent 911 calls are narrated.
34:00:00—Concluding the episode, Joe Scott Morgan explains that the multitude of injuries led to Brenda Powell's death.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne Morphew, a 49-year-old mother of two from Chaffee County, Colorado, disappears under mysterious and suspicious circumstances. Initially reported missing following a supposed bike ride on Mother's Day, her case quickly gains national media attention. With each passing day, the urgency to find the truth escalates. In this episode, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack meticulously examine the Suzanne Morphew case through a forensic lens. Morgan delves into expert insights, discussing the roles of apex predators, decay patterns, and dental records in Suzanne's identification. Dave Mack scrutinizes the media coverage and evaluates the initial theories surrounding the case. From weather impediments affecting search efforts to perplexing clues that challenge conventional theories, this episode offers an exhaustive exploration of a case that continues to confound investigators.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:02:00 — Introduction to the episode's focus on the forensics surrounding the Suzanne Morphew case.
00:02:40 — Dave Mack talks about the Morphew case, which he has been covering since Suzanne went missing.
00:04:20 — Mack delves into the initial theory that Suzanne went for a bike ride and subsequently vanished.
00:05:00 — Barry Morphew's theory of a mountain lion attack as a possible cause of Suzanne's disappearance is discussed.
00:05:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan explains the behavior patterns of apex predators and how they could be linked to this case.
00:08:20 — Questioning the absence of evidence supporting the apex predator theory where Suzanne's bike was found.
00:09:03 — The notion of a human predator being involved in Suzanne's disappearance is raised.
00:10:29 — Morgan talks about the discovery of Suzanne's helmet and the absence of trauma evidence within it.
00:12:58 — Joe Scott Morgan says that the circumstances surrounding Suzanne's discovery are unlike anything he has seen before.
00:14:04 — Morgan elaborates on the legal concept of corpus delecti and its relevance to this case.
00:16:14 — The implications of the burial site being a shallow grave are discussed.
00:19:21 — Dave Mack notes that investigators weren't looking for Suzanne when her remains were found.
00:22:23 — A vivid picture is painted about the potential skeletal disbursement of Suzanne's remains.
00:32:12 — Challenges in determining the cause of death in the absence of soft tissue are covered.
00:34:42 — Joe Scott Morgan wraps up the episode, questioning the preparation and speed involved in hiding Suzanne Morphew's body.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Connie Cuesta's life is violently cut short; her body is discovered with numerous lacerations, inflicted by the unlikely weapon of a wine bottle. The room shows signs of struggle; every organ in her body bears a mark, and multiple wine bottles are scattered across the scene. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack guide listeners through this bewildering episode of Body Bags, meticulously dissecting the elements that make this case so extraordinary. From the anatomy of a wine bottle's lethal potential to the significance of the victim's state of undress, the episode is a masterclass in forensic investigation. Listen in to uncover the intricate web of forensic details that could play a crucial role in the ensuing legal process.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the episode, hinting at a murder case involving a wine bottle as a weapon.
00:01:36 — The oddity of a wine bottle as a murder weapon is discussed.
00:02:39 —Joe Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the impact of a head strike with an object, providing insight into the potential deadly force of the wine bottle.
00:03:00 — Dave Mack shares information about the murder case.
00:08:20 — Drawing a parallel between the design of a bottle and a baseball bat, Joe Scott indicates how they can be similarly weaponized. He then reveals that a woman's life ended due to an impact from a wine bottle.
00:10:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan describes the signs of a struggle at the crime scene. He emphasizes the importance of understanding those signs when investigating.
00:13:48 — Discussion of the role of the medical examiner in the investigation and the importance of the body’s temperature at the crime scene.
00:16:49 — Joe Scott and Dave discuss the victim's state of undress, considering whether it indicates a sexual assault or is a result of being dragged.
00:20:58 — Discussing the severity of the victim's injuries, Morgan notes that every organ in her body sustained a laceration.
00:25:11 — Detailing how a knife was driven into the victim's temporal bone four times, Morgan indicates the force required for such an act.
00:27:54 - Joseph Scott Morgan makes a crucial point about Sean Cuesta's current legal status, reminding listeners that he is still considered innocent as he has not yet been taken to trial.
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Kensie Aubry, a 32-year-old woman hungry for a new chapter in her life, tragically finds herself the victim of a man's nightmarish fantasy, leading to her horrific murder. As her last known whereabouts in Independence, Missouri become the center of a desperate search, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into this unsettling case. They unpack the haunting realities that blur the lines between dark fantasies and unspeakable actions, exploring how one individual's twisted imagination led to a gruesome reality. The episode navigates the complexities of the foster care system, highlights the courage it takes for survivors to speak up, and provides an intricate look at the role of body identification in solving missing persons cases. Whether discussing the gruesome details of chainsaw dismemberment or the intricacies of matching tool marks on bones, this episode is a sobering reminder of the urgent need to bring justice to the lost and give voice to the silent.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the episode by exploring the human fascination with dark fantasies. He unpacks the depraved fantasy behind Kensie Aubry’s murder.
00:03:00 — Dave Mack elaborates on Kensie's last known whereabouts.
00:04:00 — Missing persons' reports and their intricacies are discussed.
00:05:00 — The conversation continues on the importance of intricate physical details for identification.
00:07:21 — A brave abuse survivor’s role in solving the case is revealed by Dave Mack.
00:09:12 — Joe Scott emphasizes how crucial revelations were for the investigation.
00:10:56 — The twisted relationship between Maggie Ybarra and Michael Hendricks is dissected.
00:14:00 — Dave shares a chilling confession leading to Michael Hendricks’ arrest.
00:15:20 — Morgan explains how X-ray machines can aid in identifying dismembered remains.
00:16:00 — The process of revealing tattoos on decomposed skin is shared.
00:16:40 — An in-depth look into the permanence of tattoos.
00:19:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan ponders the changing significance of prison tattoos for identification.
00:22:45 — Joe Scott recalls a haunting tale of a murder involving a frozen body. He speculates on why murderers might opt to freeze their victims.
00:27:20 — Dave and Joe ponder the logistics of dismembering a frozen body versus a non-frozen one.
00:30:03 — The investigation challenges are highlighted by Joe Scott Morgan.
00:33:34 — The episode concludes as Dave Mack heralds the hero who provided crucial information for the case.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a chilling twist of events, Annamarie Cochrane Rintala is found dead, her stiff body soaked in both paint and blood.
The spouse, Cara Rintala, finds herself in a situation that marks a legal first in Massachusetts—a woman charged with the murder of her wife. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the perplexing nature of the evidence, from the viscosity of paint and blood to the subtleties of rigor mortis. Morgan discusses the troubling aspects of multiple trials and the contentious role of so-called experts in courtroom drama.
The hosts also scrutinize the telltale signs of asphyxial death and the importance of scientific validation in legal cases.
Time-coded Highlights:
- 00:00:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan starts by revealing his love for art and its connection to forensic science. He even touches on its relevance in motor vehicle accidents.
- 00:02:41 — Morgan mentions that the accused is facing trial for an unprecedented fourth time.
- 00:03:22 — Dave Mack announces the historical context; it’s the first case in Massachusetts where a wife is charged with murdering her wife.
- 00:04:31 — Mack offers a rundown on the turbulent relationship between Annamarie Cochrane Rintala and Cara Rintala, including debt, jealousy, and exhausting work hours. He describes the crime scene, which is filled with a mixture of paint and blood.
- 00:06:43 — Morgan delves into the injuries typically seen in cases involving falls, contrasting them with the injuries sustained by the victim, Annamarie.
- 00:08:59 — Highlighting the unexpected detail of the victim's body being soaked in paint, Joe Scott navigates through the signs of death, focusing on the rigidity of Annamarie's body.
- 00:13:05 — Likening the process of rigor mortis to post-workout stiffness, Morgan provides a relatable touch to a grim subject. He elaborates on how heat affects rigor mortis, introducing elements like metabolic activity into the equation.
- 00:15:44 — Morgan provides insight into the informative value of a deceased person's hand position.
- 00:18:50 — Morgan reiterates the necessity of considering various elements for a comprehensive death investigation.
- 00:19:53 — Mack stresses the role of first responders in observing and documenting vital details like blood and bruises. Morgan describes how bruises can remain on a body, offering clues into the timeline of a death.
- 00:28:40 — The conversation pivots to discuss the speculative act of deliberately pouring paint on Annamarie, emphasizing the need to examine her clothing for more clues.
- 00:29:40 — Joseph Scott Morgan draws parallels between this case and the Caylee Anthony homicide, highlighting the use of questionable scientific methods in court.
- 00:32:38 — Dave Mack and Joe Scott Morgan discuss the implications of the cause of death being strangulation, and what signs to look for.
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Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor are filled with joy at the prospect of welcoming their newborn into the world.
Tragically, their world is turned upside down when what should have been a routine childbirth becomes a horrifying series of events that end in the loss of their baby. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the deeply disturbing story of a young couple who were denied the chance to bond with their deceased child. They explore the complex layers of emotion, science, and legality surrounding the case.
From a shocking refusal to permit an autopsy, to startling revelations of the baby's decapitation, the hosts scrutinize every angle. They underscore the necessity for trust between medical professionals and patients, particularly when the stakes are this high.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan delves into the human need for tactile confirmation during grief, emphasizing the irreplaceable role touch plays in coping with a loved one's death.
00:02:40 — Dave Mack begins the narration of Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor's story, and describes the complications that arose during the delivery.
00:05:00 — The condition called “shoulder dystocia” is explained by Joe Scott.
00:08:11 — A distinction between stillbirth and sudden infant death is made by Morgan.
00:10:42 — Morgan addresses the perilous state of the mother during childbirth, pondering on medical errors that can tip the scale from life to death.
00:11:46 — A conversation around the shocking force needed to fracture an infant’s bones brings listeners to a grim realization about the case.
00:13:00 — The timeline of the events is shared by Mack, highlighting the urgency and critical nature of the situation at hand.
00:13:54 — Parents in the dark: Mack discusses the hospital’s lack of transparency concerning the baby's condition.
00:15:42 — Exploring emotional trauma, Morgan reveals how the young couple missed a crucial bonding moment with their baby due to medical complications.
00:16:16 — Mack raises the curtain on the grim reality that the parents were actively deceived about the state of their child.
00:17:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan sheds light on the hospital's suggestion to avoid an autopsy and opt for cremation, deepening the layers of this tragic tale.
00:18:40 — The term "medical misadventure" is introduced by Morgan, who likens the medical failures in the case to manslaughter.
00:20:40 — In any medical tragedy, trust is paramount, emphasizes Morgan, particularly when the stakes are a matter of life and death.
00:21:40 — The legal implications come into play as Morgan articulates that this case should have been immediately reported to medical legal authorities.
00:24:06 — Mack discusses the parents' decision to hire Dr. Jackson Gates for an independent autopsy, and the shocking revelation that images of the decapitated baby were posted on Instagram.
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In a quiet Oklahoma town, A.J. Cantrell and his wife Patsy lived lives built on community and kindness, never expecting their paths to intersect with a dangerous man whose actions will disrupt their sense of peace forever. The Cantrells, beloved by their community, meet a violent end, leaving a hole in the heart of their close-knit town. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve deep into the tragedy, examining the chilling forensic details, the devastating impact on the community, and the 37-day manhunt that gripped the nation. Morgan leverages his expertise to discuss the mechanics of the lethal 410 shotgun used in the crime, while Mack provides harrowing firsthand accounts that highlight the complexities of the case. They also explore the psychology of violence, diving into the backstory and subsequent actions of the perpetrator, Scott Eizember. Alongside forensic science and investigative details, this episode serves as a tribute to the Cantrells, whose lives were cruelly taken.
Time codes:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan sets the scene, introducing the heartbreaking case that took place in a small town in Oklahoma.
00:01:20 — Generosity and kindness in a church community are explored by Morgan and Mack.
00:03:00 — Joe Scott introduces the notion of a 'wolf in sheep's clothing,' personified by Scott Eizember, who arrives in town riding on a bicycle.
00:06:00 — A romantic entanglement between Eizember and Kathy Biggs becomes the focus as Dave Mack peels back another layer of the story.
00:07:13 — The importance of examining a subject's history in a homicide case is expounded upon by Joseph Scott Morgan. He asserts that such scrutiny can offer insights into potential violent outcomes.
00:09:11 — Dave Mack introduces Scott Eizember's horrifying acts of violence, setting the tone for the deeper forensic analysis to come.
00:10:27 — Dave Mack recalls the terrifying moments leading to the Cantrells' deaths. A 410 shotgun becomes the weapon of irreversible consequence. The deadly force of a 410 shotgun is anatomized by Joseph Scott Morgan.
00:16:14 — Joseph Scott Morgan demystifies gunpowder evidence on a body, helping listeners grasp the possible range from which the shotgun was fired. He talks about using a long-arm weapon as a bludgeon during the attack on Mr. Cantrell.
00:17:11 — Dave Mack educates listeners on the difference between slicing wounds and lacerations, the latter caused by blunt force trauma.
00:18:25 — Skull fractures and the force needed to inflict them are debated by Mack and Morgan.
At 00:24:12 — Dave Mack highlights how the Wright family initially welcomed Eizember before he unleashed his violent tendencies on the Cantrells, leading to a whirlpool of tragic events.
00:25:50 — Mack outlines Eizember's further attacks on a 16-year-old boy, a 63-year-old woman, and his ex-girlfriend, Katherine Smith, all of whom survive.
00:26:17 — Dave discusses the 37-day manhunt for Eizember, the kidnapping of Dr. and Mrs. Peebles, and how Eizember was finally apprehended.
00:29:10 — A chilling detail is revealed by Morgan—the unfired round in the weapon, suggesting that Eizember had potential for more destruction.
00:30:20 — The episode concludes with Joseph Scott Morgan confirming Scott Eizember's execution, signaling the end of a terrifying chapter for the community.
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Lured from bars in Tampa Bay, Florida, Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz become victims of unthinkable acts of violence, torture, and ultimately murder at the hands of Steven Lorenzo and his roommate Scott Schweikert.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dive into the harrowing details of these crimes, examining the evidence, psychology, and horrifying realities faced by the victims. As Morgan unpacks the forensic side—from GHB to blood spatter—Mack provides a chilling narrative that contextualizes the nightmare that unfolded.
This episode is not just an exploration into the depths of human depravity, but also a tribute to the lives and stories of Jason Galehouse, Michael Waccholtz, Albert Perkins, and other unnamed victims of Loenzo and Schweikert.
Time codes:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan reveals a childhood fascination with a magnifying glass. This simple tale explains his eventual career in forensics.
01:40 — Steven Lorenzo, convicted of two murders but suspected of many more, is introduced.
00:03:20 — Dave Mack asks Joe Scott to break down the substance GHB.
00:03:40 — A chilling overview of Lorenzo's methods is described. Mack succinctly recounts how the criminal drugged and tortured his victims.
00:04:40 — Joseph Scott Morgan unveils the eerie nature of GHB, detailing its street names and effects.
00:08:19 — The online meeting between Lorenzo and Schweikert is discussed. Mack introduces how they connected over shared violent fantasies.
00:11:18 — The terrifying setting of the crimes, Lorenzo and Schweikert's home, is revealed. Joe Scott explains how the drug GHB renders victims compliant.
00:13:56 — Mack goes back to 2003 to bring us the stories of the victims, Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz.
00:16:10 — A vivid picture of the crime scene emerges. Mack and Morgan explore how long blood lasts as evidence.
00:20:25 — Dave Mack retells the testimony of a survivor of Lorenzo and Schweikert's, Albert Perkins, emphasizing the cold-blooded nature of the criminals.
00:28:32 — Joseph Scott Morgan explains the crucial role of insects in forensics.
00:33:40 — Justice takes time. Dave Mack highlights the delay in Steven Lorenzo's trial and eventual sentence.
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Joysee Cartagena's coworkers at JetBlue know something is awry when she fails to log in for work—a complete break from her reliable character. Soon after, her lifeless body is found in her home in Sanford, Florida, a zip tie around her neck igniting a slew of investigative questions. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dissect the intricacies of Joysee's perplexing death, weaving together cutting-edge forensic science with real-world implications. The hosts explore everything from forensic markers like ligatures and Tardieu spots to the complex relationship dynamics between Joysee and her boyfriend, Joel Bauza. As they delve into the timeline, scrutinize the evidence, and discuss the eventual charges, their unwavering goal remains: to shed light on the truth behind Joysee's untimely death.
Time codes:
00:00:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the complexities of death investigation. The discussion opens with abnormal elements that investigators often encounter.
00:01:40 — Joe delves deeper into the relevance of zip ties in an ongoing case in Sanford, Florida. He details their significance in the overall forensic investigation.
00:03:20 — Dave Mack introduces the story of Joel Bauza and Joysee Cartagena. He portrays Joysee as a caring individual who always put others first, while Joel appears financially dependent on her.
00:04:40 — Joysee's work history and her job at JetBlue are discussed. Dave reveals how important her career was to her.
00:05:00 — The red flag goes up when Joysee misses work. Her coworkers' immediate concern sets the stage for the investigation.
00:05:40 — Emphasizing the importance of timelines in death investigations, Joseph Scott Morgan argues that every minute counts when piecing together the facts.
00:07:42 — Morgan brings up the uncommon circumstances surrounding Joysee’s death. The atypical nature of the case required extra attention from detectives and crime scene techs.
00:09:08 — Dave discusses the zip tie and signs of a struggle. He lays out potential scenarios that could explain Joysee’s untimely death.
00:10:39 — Suicide as a possible result of a domestic dispute is pondered. It’s a heartbreaking thought, yet critical to the investigation.
00:11:11 — Joe Scott instructs on letting the environment of a crime scene "speak" to the investigator. He warns against being influenced by others present.
00:16:00 — The importance of leaving a ligature in place at a crime scene is brought to light. It’s a detail that can have far-reaching implications.
00:17:40 — Morgan questions why the ligature was not removed in Joysee’s case. The unanswered action hints at a potential suspect.
00:19:00 — Joe Scott explains the process of proving a suicide and emphasizes the importance of treating all deaths as homicides until proven otherwise.
00:23:00 — Dave points out delays in the criminal justice process.
00:25:00 — The physical evidence, particularly multiple abrasions on Joysee’s body, is dissected. Joe Scott posits that these suggest a struggle.
00:30:13 — Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the topic of ligatures, which are often seen in hangings. He provides an insight into the presence of Tardieu spots, a specific type of petechiae, and how they appear in cases of strangulation.
00:33:21 — The hosts discuss the pressure points on a zip tie during strangulation and how they can be traced post-mortem.
00:37:20 — Addressing mental health, Joseph Scott Morgan acknowledges listeners struggling with suicidal thoughts, provides the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, and emphasizes the importance of seeking help.
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Robert and Georgette Sturmfels, spending the winter holiday season in their cozy Florida home, are blissfully unaware that their lives are about to be irrevocably shattered. Tragically, their lives abruptly end on December 20, 1989, as they become the victims of a chilling double homicide. In this episode, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the horrifying details of the Sturmfels' murders. They meticulously unravel the case, from the suspect's choice of a 22-caliber rifle to the unsettling finality of the crime scene. The conversation goes beyond the murder itself to examine its broader implications, such as the weapon's surprising lethality, common misconceptions about gunshot wounds, and the cold-blooded nature of the perpetrator.
Time codes:
00:00:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan starts off with a touching reflection on Christmas. From stress to joy, his sentiments evolve over time, especially as he becomes a grandfather.
At 00:01:20 — The tragic case of Robert and Georgette Sturmfels is introduced by Joe Scott. Their murder in Florida sets the stage for a disconcerting episode.
00:04:20 — Diving deeper, Joseph Scott Morgan paints a vivid picture of the Sturmfels' murder. He describes the horrific scene in disquieting detail.
00:05:20 — Louis Gaskin, the suspect, is discussed by Dave Mack. He outlines Gaskin's ruthlessness and the premeditation behind the crime.
00:06:20 — Weaponry is the topic as Joe Scott and Dave debate the lethal nature of a 22-caliber rifle used in the crime.
00:08:00 — A lesson in firearms ensues as Joseph Scott Morgan distinguishes between long arms and pistols, explaining why the latter is more easily concealed.
00:10:20 — Unveiling the crime, Dave shares how Louis Gaskin meticulously planned, and executed the murders of the Sturmfels couple.
00:12:20 — Debunking Hollywood myths, Joseph Scott Morgan explains that gunshot wounds are not just dramatic effects; victims often realize they've been shot and experience pain.
00:13:00 — Gaskin's own words add horror to the narrative as Dave recounts the unsettling sounds Mrs. Sturmfels made during her final moments.
00:14:20 — Joe Scott dives into the world of forensics, explaining how a gunshot through glass has implications on bullet behavior. He describes how the bullet’s trajectory and energy are affected upon impact.
00:17:04 — Joseph Scott Morgan elaborates on snipers and the adjustments they have to make due to the influence of gravity on bullets, especially when glass is involved.
00:20:36 — The episode’s atmosphere becomes tenser as Morgan and Mack discuss Gaskin's execution of Mr. Sturmfels and his chilling confession.
00:21:00 — The term "death wheeze" is introduced as Joe Scott explains the physiological impact of a gunshot wound to the lungs.
00:24:01 — Dave summarizes Gaskin's crime spree; from killing to covering the bodies with blankets and burglary.
00:24:35 — Gaskin, dressed in all black and carrying a 22 rifle, drives to the home of Joseph and Mary Rector, where he shoots at them after waking them up.
00:26:20 — Dave Mack discusses the gunshot wounds and how the Rectors managed to escape.
00:28:20 — The hosts ponder Gaskin's motivations, diving into the psychology behind these appalling acts.
00:33:40 — The episode concludes with Joseph Scott Morgan revealing the final fate of the killer, a grim but just end to a twisted journey.
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Jonathan Willette is brutally murdered, his headless body discovered under mysterious circumstances and a chemical haze. The case is rife with complex family dynamics and an ever-changing narrative from the accused. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the forensic complexities of identifying a headless victim, the psychology behind such gruesome acts, and the role of familial dynamics in criminal investigations. Morgan lends his expertise on death investigation, discussing everything from chemical smells at crime scenes to the increasing trend of decapitation cases. Together, they offer a comprehensive and chilling look into a murder case that defies easy explanation.
Time codes:
00:00:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan sets the stage by discussing the complexities of death investigation. He introduces the episode's focus on the perplexing case of Jonathan Willette.
00:01:00 — The unique and complicated relationship dynamics in Jonathan Willette's case are revealed by Morgan. He describes how these complexities add another layer to the already gruesome murder.
00:02:00 — Dave Mack chimes in with his perspective, likening the case to a horror movie titled "Headless in Las Vegas." He discusses the emotional toll of discovering a loved one in such a state.
00:03:40 — Morgan uses the term "familial dynamic" to express his confusion over the complex family relationships in this case. He questions how these dynamics could have played into the crime.
00:04:00 — A haunting image is painted by Morgan as he describes the moment the victim's mother discovered her son's headless body.
00:05:20 — Mack outlines the complicated relationship between the victim and his son, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
00:07:53 — Insurance could be a motive, suggests Morgan. He also alludes to a sinister confession made by the perpetrator during police questioning.
00:09:10 — A lighter moment occurs as Dave Mack recounts a humorous story from years ago. He describes a terrifying experience involving a seemingly breathing corpse.
00:11:04 — What's the protocol for a decapitated body? Mack inquires, leading Morgan to explain the crucial role of the medical examiner in such cases and elaborates on his role in crime scene investigations, particularly in cases involving severe body mutilation.
00:15:01 — The gruesome topic of decapitation in murder cases is discussed by both hosts. They ponder the mindset of the perpetrator and the circumstances under which it can happen.
00:18:42 — Mack questions the lack of a blood trail and the presence of a chemical smell at the crime scene, adding another layer of mystery.
00:19:30 — Morgan shares his experience with dangerous chemical combinations in morgues, highlighting the risks involved.
00:22:09 — Cleaning products at the crime scene? Morgan speculates on an attempt to clean up and what evidence might remain.
00:23:00 — The challenges of finding a disposed head in a garbage bin are explored by Morgan. He discusses the logistical difficulties involved.
00:23:40 — The accused admits to hitting Willette in the head, leading to a discussion on her changing narrative.
00:24:00 — Mack points out inconsistencies in the accused's story, questioning the credibility of her statements.
00:24:40 — The physical appearance of the body and a missing meat cleaver raise more questions for Mack.
00:25:20 — Morgan delves into the mechanics of using a meat cleaver for decapitation, discussing the likely injuries and marks left on the body.
00:27:00 — The episode wraps up with Morgan talking about potential tool marks that could help identify the weapon used. At the time of recording, authorities have only an accused person.
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Thirteen vulnerable babies in the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal ward fell victim to a series of horrifying crimes that shocked the medical community. Subjected to methods as cruel as air injections and insulin poisoning, their lives were put at grave risk. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the dark tale of Lucy Letby, the nurse responsible for these atrocities. They explore the systemic failures that allowed these crimes to go unnoticed, the role of autopsies in such cases, and the psychological aspects that might have driven Letby to commit these heinous acts that have forever changed the landscape of neonatal care
Time codes:
00:00:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan opens the episode discussing the vulnerability of newborns and infants.
00:01:17 — Joe Scott introduces the term "neonates," explaining that these babies are even more susceptible to harm due to premature birth or physical issues.
00:01:42 — The conversation focuses on the case of Lucy Letby, a nurse who attacked 13 babies in the neonatal ward.
00:03:19 — Dave Mack notes that Lucy had specialized training for the neonatal unit. Her problems began almost as soon as she started working there.
00:04:00 — A brief history of the Countess of Chester Hospital is provided. Dave Mack points out that Lucy was the common denominator in all the cases.
00:09:03 — Joe Scott highlights the odd nature of the medication errors and the strict procedures for medication access.
00:10:44 — The methodology used in administering medication through an indwelling IV is discussed, providing insight into how Lucy could carry out her actions.
00:14:44 — Joe Scott talks about the usual procedures when a baby is in distress. He points out that the unexpected reactions of the babies could have raised suspicions.
00:15:37 — Joseph Scott Morgan discusses the role of autopsies in understanding deaths. He notes how this process can be compromised in cases involving premature babies.
00:17:04 — A description is provided of the chilling scenario of a neonatal unit to which a dangerous person has access.
00:20:00 — Joe details the lethal effects of air injections in the bloodstream and in feeding tubes, one of the methods Lucy used, causing immense pain and cardiac arrest. He talks about
00:24:17 — Dave Mack talks about the unexpected nature of a nurse being a killer. He also talks about the moment a mother discovers Lucy in the act.
00:28:00 — The damning evidence found at Lucy's home, including clinical notes and confessions, is discussed.
00:30:40 — Joseph Scott Morgan talks about the final three murders, including two brothers who were part of a set of triplets. He confirms that Lucy can be classified as a serial killer, pointing out the rarity of female serial killers
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Keith Palumbo and David Rossillo Jr. meet a grim fate in a double homicide; their bodies are discovered concealed inside a crypt within the eerie, abandoned Mount Moriah Cemetery. Unraveling the complexities of this chilling case, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the labyrinthine investigation that led authorities to the hidden burial site, thanks to a tip about Keith's disappearance and the involvement of a woman with close ties to both the Warlocks Motorcycle Club in Philadelphia and the cemetery. The episode delves into the forensic intricacies—from gunshot residue on decomposing bodies to the challenges of DNA matching—and uncovers the lengths criminals will go to hide their heinous acts. It also touches on the human stories behind the headlines, offering a gripping journey through the dark corners of crime and justice.
Time codes:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan discusses his comfort around the dead and introduces the topic of a double homicide case involving an old, abandoned burial ground.
00:02:14 — Joe Scott talks about Mount Moriah, a cemetery named after a biblical location.
00:03:00 — Dave Mack introduces the victims, Keith Palumbo, a musician and tattoo artist, and David Rossillo Jr., who had no known connections to the Warlocks Motorcycle Club in Philadelphia.
00:04:00 — Discussion of how Keith's disappearance was reported and the significant tip that led police to start their search at the cemetery.
00:07:36 — Highlighting the logistical difficulties of the investigation, Joe Scott explains the challenges of accessing the burial site due to its depth and lack of a ladder or staircase.
00:09:00 — Dave mentions that the police were expecting to find Keith Palumbo but discovered David Rossillo Jr.'s body as well. Morgan discusses the state of Rossillo’s remains.
00:11:00 — The hosts speculate about the crypt being used as a common dumping ground by organized crime groups, raising questions about the extent of criminal activity.
00:14:48 — Discussion about the significance of the carpet found at the crime scene, and speculation on its potential connection to the body.
00:15:00 — Morgan begins to explain what forensic evidence can be obtained from a decomposing body, particularly when a gunshot wound to the head is involved.
00:17:00 — An explanation of how bruises can still be detected on a decomposing body.
00:21:31 — The process of transferring remains from a crypt to a medical examiner's wagon, with added emphasis on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the remains.
00:25:22 — The challenges the police faced in identifying the bodies, particularly David Rossillo Jr., who had not been reported missing, and the role of informants in criminal investigations, particularly within tightly-knit organizations like motorcycle clubs.
00:32:53 — Joe Scott Morgan delves into the difficulties of determining a cause of death with skeletal remains, especially if the skull is fractured or parts are missing. He elaborates on how animals can complicate an investigation.
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Lovetta Armstead and her young daughter Jazzmen face a nightmarish reality: they are murdered in cold blood by Gary Green within the walls of their own home, the very space that should be their sanctuary. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the complexities of this chilling case, from Lovetta's thwarted plans to escape her malevolent partner to the unsettling psychology driving Green's actions. The episode uncovers letters that reveal Lovetta's intentions to leave her husband and the twisted psychology behind Green's devastating actions. With commentary on sharp and incised wounds, duct tape restraints, and a myriad of forensic evidence, this episode serves as a haunting yet informative dive into the harsh realities that forensic professionals confront in their quest for justice.
Time codes:
00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan sets the tone with personal anecdotes about death and introduces the spine-chilling family murder case.
00:03:00 — Dave Mack provides further context on the Armstead family and the malevolent Gary Green.
00:05:00 — Mack shares Lovetta Armstead’s gut-wrenching letters that reveal her desire to escape from Green; one particular letter outlines his calculated intentions to annihilate his family.
00:08:23 — Sharp force injuries are explained by Morgan, introducing listeners to the intricacies of homicidal drowning.
00:09:16 — Discussion of the brevity of Gary Green and Lovetta Armstead's marriage and the circumstances that led up to the fatal event.
00:10:24 — Morgan elaborates on the calculated tactics employed by Green, emphasizing his control over the fatal situation.
00:13:24 — The sequence of the murders is discussed by Morgan, suggesting the chilling possibility that Jazzmen was made to witness her mother’s murder.
00:15:42 — Incised wounds versus stab wounds are clarified, enlightening listeners on how these affect the body differently.
00:16:20 — The aftermath of a stabbing is graphically detailed, spotlighting the ensuing blood and damage.
00:18:40 — Jazzmen’s autopsy details are revealed, including the heartbreaking signs that she struggled until her last breath.
00:21:00 — The complexities of determining fatal stab wounds.
00:24:36 — Joe Scott discusses the frightful reality of internal bleeding, especially in cases involving multiple stab wounds.
00:27:01 — Causes of death like hypoxia and signs of drowning are detailed by Morgan, rounding out the episode’s comprehensive forensic analysis.
00:30:39 — Joseph Scott Morgan comments on the chilling aftermath and Gary Green’s actions post-crime, wrapping up the episode with a look at the ultimate consequences.
00:32:20 — A recount of the dreadful discovery made by the surviving siblings.
00:32:40 — The timeline of the crime’s aftermath, including Gary Green’s eventual death sentence.
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Several guests fall gravely ill and lose their lives after attending a meal hosted by Erin Patterson. Among the victims, the symptoms were immediate and severe, but curiously, Erin's symptoms did not align with the rest, casting a shadow of suspicion over her. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dive into the twisted tale of the death cap mushroom, a case that sends shockwaves across Victoria, Australia. From exploring the forensic complexities of the case to uncovering the historical context of poisonings, Joe Scott and Dave guide listeners through a web of mysteries, detailed autopsy procedures, and the legal intricacies that come into play.
Time codes:
[00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan discusses various types of mushrooms, ending with the fatal death cap mushroom.
[00:03:04] Dave Mack tells the story of Erin and Simon Patterson's split, the deadly lunch, and the unfolding drama.
[00:05:11] A twist is revealed when Dave states that Erin's symptoms do not match those of the other guests.
[00:08:01] Joe Scott discusses the challenges of identifying toxins in a body.
[00:13:20] A pattern of people falling ill when Erin cooks, dating back to May 2022, is revealed.
[00:15:36] Details are shared about the gruesome effects of toxins on the liver and kidneys.
[00:18:44] Joe Scott contemplates intentional poisoning.
[00:19:16] References to historical cases of poisoning with death cap mushrooms.
[00:25:00] Morgan explains food identification even after digestion.
[00:30:33] Insight into the role of pathologists adds legal dimensions.
[00:32:40] Questions about weaponizing common food items open a new line of inquiry.
[00:33:21] Joe Scott emphasizes the importance of medical charting.
[00:35:20] The investigation's scope broadens when considering other geographically close cases.
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When law enforcement takes aim at Roy McGrath, the incident leaves behind not only a dead man but a perplexing forensic puzzle. The complex details of this case, including McGrath's alleged financial misdeeds, his relationship with Governor Larry Hogan, and a controversial severance package, set the stage for a dramatic investigation. Hosts Joe Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore McGrath's political career, high-end fugitive lifestyle, and the fascinating forensics behind his demise. From the discovery of McGrath's SUV outside of Knoxville to the intricate process of examining gunshot wounds at the morgue, this episode dives deep into the truth and uncertainty that permeate the world of forensic science. A tale of bullets, lies, and a pursuit for truth, it's a story that's as complex as the wound tracks left behind.
Time codes:
[00:00:00] Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the episode's topic, exploring law enforcement shootings and who investigates these incidents. He mentions the case of Roy McGrath, who was in the national spotlight and was being searched for by the FBI and U.S. Marshals.
[00:01:40] The critical question is asked: who polices the police?
[00:02:00] Joe Scott and Dave discuss the background of Roy McGrath, including his alleged financial misdeeds.
[00:03:40] The controversial severance package from the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) involving Roy McGrath is unveiled.
[00:08:41] Dave explains McGrath's reaction to the news of his fraudulent activities being exposed.
[00:09:40] The challenge of evading modern law enforcement agencies with advanced technology.
[00:12:17] Discussion about the suspect's escape, his property in Florida, and the fact that he had no plans of appearing in court.
[00:15:25] The dramatic scene unfolds where the FBI locates McGrath outside of Knoxville, raising questions about potential risks to bystanders.
[00:18:20] The case's complexity is explored, particularly the two separate wound tracks from simultaneous gunfire.
[00:23:22] An explanation of the process of examining gunshot wounds, illuminating hidden details.
[00:24:26] Morgan delves into the 'lead storm' concept, fragmenting lead that helps determine bullet trajectory.
[00:26:29] The difficulty in determining McGrath's cause of death is discussed, despite there being a gunshot wound.
[00:28:40] The concept of "acoustic shadows" is introduced as are questions about the process of reconstructing the event, touching on potential legal aspects.
[00:30:08] Morgan concludes, emphasizing the value of truth and uncertainty.
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Angela Rowe and her three children are executed in a night of terror, where the sanctuary of their home becomes the site of a horrifying massacre. The crime scene, locked from the inside, bears the marks of stealth and calculation, painting a grim picture of the final moments of this family's life. The bullets that ended their lives set off an intricate and multi-layered investigation. In this episode, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the complex forensics, dissecting elements such as the significance of the murder weapon, the absence of rigor mortis, skin slippage, and even the thermostat's role at the crime scene. The name Leonard Taylor surfaces as a suspect, leading to a discussion of his self-defense claims, the chilling methodology of his crime, the calculated nature of his acts, and his execution in the Missouri State Penitentiary on February 7th, 2023.
Time codes:
00:00:20: Joe Scott Morgan introduces single motherhood's struggles and potential dangers. He reveals the focus on Angela Rowe's homicide case and her three children.
00:03:00: Dave Mack discusses the tragic outcome of Angela Rowe's case and the uncertainty surrounding the time of death.
00:05:06: Morgan explains the time lag in discovering the bodies.
00:08:28: Dave Mack questions how investigators maintain their composure and the emotional impact of dealing with child victims.
00:11:20: Joe Scott explains the process of decomposition and how it is affected by factors such as temperature, and discusses the importance of observing the thermostat at a crime scene to understand the ambient environmental temperature
00:14:40: The terms “skin slippage” and “marbling” are explained.
00:16:39: Details about the locked house and the perpetrator's escape through a window are shared.
00:18:45: The focus on building a timeline leads to the mention of Leonard Taylor, and his claim of self-defense.
00:21:40: Morgan reveals the gruesome details of the autopsy report, explaining the multiple gunshot wounds each victim sustained.
00:24:51: The disturbing scene with the children as earwitnesses is described.
00:25:34: Joseph Scott Morgan reveals that the perpetrator was witnessed discarding a revolver into a sewer, a crucial piece of evidence that was never recovered. Challenges in determining the caliber are explained due to the absence of the weapon.
00:27:13: Dave Mack questions the importance of the missing murder weapon in the eyes of the jury.
00:28:29: Circumstantial evidence such as uncollected newspapers and mail is pointed out.
00:29:46: Joe Scott Morgan reveals that on February 7th, 2023, Leonard Taylor is executed in the Missouri State Penitentiary.
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Grant Solomon, an 18-year-old prodigious athlete destined for greatness, tragically loses his life in a perplexing incident. The initial account of Grant's death is filled with inconsistencies and suspicious circumstances—his father Aaron Solomon's conflicting stories, the mysterious disappearance of witnesses, and the lack of expected physical evidence all contribute to the mystery. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dig deep into these complexities, exploring everything from family dynamics and the meticulous details of attending professional sports training facilities to the forensics of accident investigations. Through expert analysis and engaging storytelling, they unravel a case shrouded in uncertainty.
Time codes:
[00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan reflects on the value of relationships with children and introduces the case of a young man who tragically died at 18 years old.
00:03:20 - Dave Mack introduces Grant Solomon, a blue chip athlete with a promising future, and his parents, who are well-established in their respective careers.
00:05:20 - The mystery surrounding Grant Solomon's death and the potential motive that could be tied to family issues are shared.
00:08:02 - Dave and Joe Scott discuss the high cost and meticulous preparation involved in attending professional sports training facilities and the logistics of showing up to such a facility without an appointment, suggesting an oddity in the situation.
00:12:20 - Joe talks about young drivers' potential mistakes, leading to Grant's death, and emphasizes the importance of eyewitness testimony in car accident cases.
00:15:32 - Joe and Dave discuss the importance of experts in assessing mechanical failures and the process of examining vehicles post-accident.
00:18:00 - Dave narrates the incident as explained by Aaron Solomon, Grant’s father, the only known witness.
00:19:00 - Joe and Dave discuss the significance of a player's baseball gear, specifically the bat.
00:21:20 - Dave reveals the ongoing custody battle between Grant's divorced parents at the time of his death, a video captured unknowingly by Grant's mother, and the inconsistencies in Aaron's account of the events leading up to Grant's death.
00:23:35 - Joseph Scott Morgan provides a detailed description of the scene, including the layout of the parking lot and the building.
00:25:32 - Joseph introduces blunt force trauma, a leading injury cause in America.
00:30:16 - The condition of Grant's shoes and lack of typical accident wear and tear are discussed.
00:31:57 - Joe Scott emphasizes the likelihood of trace evidence and the unusual lack of it in Grant's case.
00:34:36 - Joe and Dave discuss the cause of Grant's death, a single injury to the back of his head, and consider alternative explanations for how it could have occurred.
00:36:30 - Questions arise about the narrative of Grant being rolled over, citing a lack of evidence.
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Ildiko Krajnyak, having just returned from a visit to her family in Hungary, finds herself on the cusp of a life-altering moment as she opens a seemingly innocuous package, only to be thrust into a realm of near-instant vaporization by a devastating explosion. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unfurl the intricate threads of Stephen Beal's connection to Ildiko Krajnyak. They delve deep into the captivating dynamics that once defined the relationship between Beal and Krajnyak, former lovers and business partners, and explore the deadly explosion that tragically marked their intersecting paths. Alongside this narrative, Joe Scott and Dave illuminate facets of the human psyche, the complexities of relationships, and the intricate artistry involved in crafting lethal devices.
Time Codes:
00:00:20 - Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the potential inside a package, setting the episode's tone about potential energy and explosive themes, hinting at a devastating event where a package almost vaporized its opener.
00:03:20 - Stephen Beal, with his obsession as a model rocket hobbyist, is introduced as the episode's main subject.
00:04:20 - Dave Mack delves deeper into Beal's progression from model rockets to destructive explosives, he touches upon the mysterious circumstances surrounding Stephen's first wife, suggesting a potential link to Ildiko Krajnyak's case.
00:07:38 - Joe Scott discusses the challenges of assimilating into a new culture in the context of Ildiko, a Hungarian woman who was very attached to her family.
00:08:20 - Dave Mack elaborates on the professional relationship between Stephen and Ildiko Krajnyak after their romantic split with reflection on the complexities of maintaining business ties after a personal relationship ends.
00:10:40 - Dave gives insights into Ildiko Krajnyak's new romantic affiliations and Stephen's continued obsession with her. He narrates the tragic event when Ildiko was nearly vaporized after a package exploded as she opened it.
00:15:22 - Joseph Scott Morgan recalls a gas explosion from his past, shedding light on the horrors of such incidents. Dave Mack offers a riveting survivor's perspective on enduring an explosion.
00:18:31 - Morgan walks listeners through the investigator's precise methods in an explosion's aftermath, describes the challenges, and highlights the complexity of the task.
00:20:09 - The Olympic Park bombing is referenced, emphasizing the enduring trauma of explosion victims.
00:22:57 - Morgan describes the significance of minutiae at a crime scene, explaining the process of triaging survivors and securing a scene after an explosion, highlighting the potential of everything as evidence.
00:24:14 - Mack decodes the investigative process post-explosion, including deciphering the intended victim. The intricacies of blast trauma and bomb residue in forensic science are explained.
00:30:41 - Discussion of the complexities of constructing a lethal device with common materials, with emphasis on the importance of knowledge and access to the environment where the device will be placed.
00:32:07 - Dave Mack points out the immediate suspicions about Stephen Beal after Ildiko Krajnyak's tragedy and highlights the strategic search at Beal's residence, leading to explosive discoveries.
00:34:23 - Joe Scott Morgan expresses his suspicion over Beal's claim that he did not have the materials to create an explosion that large, pointing out the length of time it took for this case to make it through the system
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Remains are found in two locations along the New York Coast.
Legs are found in a plastic bag on Fire Island’s Blue Point Beach. A skull was found near the remains of Long Island Serial Killer victim Jane Doe No. 3, also known as “Peaches,” on a beach in Nassau County. We now know the body parts are from the same victim: Karen Vergata, 34, a mother of two.
It took nearly 30 years to identify the dismembered remains. The cause of death isn't known.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack look at the case of Fire Island Jane Doe.
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Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack provide an update and captivating insights into the intricacies of the Gilgo Beach case, the suspect, Rex Heuermann, and the challenges faced by investigators. Speculations arise surrounding Heuermann’s behaviors and the possibilities of further crimes despite his hiatus. They examine the intricacies of the case, the perplexing behavior of serial perpetrators, and how a deep understanding of forensics can shine a light on the darkest of mysteries.
Time codes:
[00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan tells of Benjamin Parks' gold discovery in 1828, the biggest in America back then, likening the gold discovery to forensic investigation, where evidence demands meticulous searching.
[00:02:00] Introduction to the episode’s main topic: the enigmatic Gilgo Beach murders and revelations of recent court developments.
[00:03:20] Dave Mack outlines the consuming nature of the Gilgo Beach investigation.
[00:04:00] Career impacts and missed chances due to the case's complications are touched upon by Joe Scott.
[00:05:00] The hosts dive into Rex Heuermann's arrest, his closeness to the crime scene, and possible additional charges in connection to the Gilgo Beach murders.
[00:06:20] Discussion on the recent court hearing for Heuermann and the significant evidence passed to the defense team.
[00:08:11] Dave Mack reveals the vast manhours and resources put into the Gilgo Beach murder investigations and elucidates how Shannon Gilbert's separate case led to discovering the Gilgo Beach murders.
[00:10:20] Heuermann's knowledge of Long Island, especially the waterways, and its potential use in evading detection is debated.
[00:13:12] The late DNA cheek swab request from authorities becomes a point of intrigue.
[00:15:27] The communication between Rex Humerman and his wife post-arrest sparks speculation. Joseph Scott Morgan contemplates whether Rex might have brought a victim to his residence.
[00:17:20] Evidence removed from Hueurmann’s Long Island home indicates possible renovations as methods to conceal evidence.
[00:20:00] The challenges of investigating a cluttered crime scene are delved into.
[00:23:07] The tragic victims involved in the case are introduced. Joe Scott speculates about the Gilgo victims' cause of death, the scarcity of physical evidence, and the puzzling behaviors of serial criminals.
[00:26:00] Dave Mack addresses the murder's ongoing investigation and the nonexistence of a statute of limitations. The perpetrator's potential pause in crimes is questioned.
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11-year-old Martha Guzman's life is brutally cut short within a mere 30-minute timeframe at the hands of her mother's ex-boyfriend. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve deep into the harrowing details of Martha's murder, highlighting the tumultuous relationship casting a shadow over Martha’s domestic life and the implications it had on her mother's choices. Joe Scott draws attention to poignant details, in particular Martha’s painted fingernails. He further educates listeners on the chilling realities of wrist injuries and the dreadful intimidation wielded by knives.
Time-codes:
[00:00:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the idea of time's fleeting nature and introduces the case of an 11-year-old girl whose life was taken within a 30-minute window.
[00:01:32] - The heart-wrenching reveal of Martha Guzman’s murder.
[00:08:06] -Dave Mack discusses Martha Guzman's home life, filled with chaos, alcohol, and abuse caused by her mother's boyfriend, Miguel Ruiz Lobo. Despite being only 11 years old, Martha recognized the toxicity of the relationship and convinced her mother to make the difficult decision to ask Lobo to leave.
[00:09:00] - The perils of an unstable household with an abusive partner and Martha's mother’s desperate attempt for a restraining order.
[00:10:22] - The gruesome details of the crime scene, along with a discussion about the shocking amount of blood resulting from sharp force injuries and the size disparity between the perpetrator and victim.
[00:13:00] - Dave Mack and Joe Scott discuss how Miguel Ruiz Lobo attempted to blame Martha for her own injuries, claiming self-harm to stage her death as a suicide.
[00:16:18] - Joseph Scott Morgan describes the horrifying moment a mother discovers her child's lifeless body and her desperate attempts to save the child. He talks about the mother's actions in the moment and the grim reality of the situation.
[00:17:23] - Morgan recalls haunting memories, noting Martha’s painted nails.
[00:23:51] - Discussion about the use of a knife as a means of terrorizing someone and an explanation of how it can be pressed against the skin to create a slight abrasion.
[00:24:48] - Morgan explains the critical function of wrist tendons.
[00:26:17] - Joe Scott and Dave touch on the nine-year-long journey to obtain justice for the victim, Martha Guzman. Joe Scott Morgan informs the audience of the outcome, bringing closure to this tragic case.
[00:26:40] - The episode ends with a strong message urging anyone dealing with domestic abuse to seek help. Joseph Scott Morgan provides the National Domestic Violence Hotline number (1-800-799-SAFE) as a resource for those in need of assistance.
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The FBI's investigation into James Knott's Kentucky home reveals a shocking discovery: 40 human skulls, femurs, hip bones, and spinal cords used as decorations. In response to this disturbing find, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve deep into the complex and unsettling world of how human remains are treated, examining the blurred boundaries between respect and violation. Through personal stories, including that of a mortician's questionable actions and a chilling account of James Knott's home adorned with human skulls, the duo grapples with society's morbid fascinations. Additionally, they explore historical figures like William Burke and contemporary controversies surrounding Harvard Medical School. The episode culminates in a somber reflection on the trade of human trophies in our digital age, and discussion of ethical dilemmas surrounding these issues, prompting us to question our society's values and the importance of respecting the dignity of the deceased.
Time-codes:
[00:00:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan gives an overview of his experience as a death investigator, introducing the episode's story about a man who worked for a prestigious institution and drove a car with vanity plate hinting at death
[00:04:00] - Joe Scott narrates a shocking tale of a mortician's twisted expression of love, and argues that the dead are the most defenseless and that those in the mortuary industry should honor the dead.
[00:06:20] - Dave Mack introduces the story of James Knott, a man in Kentucky whose home was raided by the FBI, leading to the discovery of 40 human skulls and other bones used as decorations.
[00:07:44] - Insight into the intricate and complex process of dissecting human brains and spinal cords is shared.
[00:10:13] - Joe's passion for history and architecture leads to a discussion on ossuaries in Portugal and Milan, Italy.
[00:13:00] - Joe recounts the chilling response of James Knott to FBI agents during a warrant execution and raises questions about Knott's motives and activities, speculating on the possibility of him being a necrophile, grave robber, serial killer, or trafficker in human remains.
[00:15:20] - A Harvard medical school bag's discovery thickens the plot around Knott.
[00:16:37] - Dave probes the enigma of preparing human remains for display, including cleaning and sourcing the remains.
[00:19:40] - How can one acquire so many skulls? Joe presents his theories and also discusses methods of cleaning bones, including using bleach or a heating process.
[00:23:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan delves into the history of William Burke and William Hare, two serial killers known for selling bodies for medical dissections, and explains the prohibition against human dissections in medical schools during that period, leading to a market for human remains.
[00:25:37] - The debate steers towards the legality and ethics of anatomical gifts, and the trust issues surrounding anatomical donations. Harvard Medical School's involvement in this case raises questions.
00:27:12] Morgan explains how certain individuals, including Cecil Lodge, former head of the Harvard Medical School Anatomical Gift Program, allegedly brokered human remains.
[00:28:06] - A step-by-step journey through the body dissection process in medical schools.
[00:29:38] - The morbid market of body parts as "souvenirs" is put under the spotlight. Dave highlights the modern-day horror of trading human trophies on social media.
[00:32:00] - Joe Scott contemplates the future repercussions of the episode's revelations on industry regulations.
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Stephen and Carol Baxter are discovered deceased, peacefully positioned side by side in their recliners in their seaside home on Easter morning. With the cold winds of Great Britain and the serenity of their repose, carbon monoxide poisoning is the initial suspicion. As the layers of this puzzle unfurl, new clues emerge. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dive into the mysterious deaths of a married couple, taking listeners on a journey through the complexities of crime scene investigations, the tragic dangers of carbon monoxide, and the lethal grasp of synthetic opioids. When the toxicology report unveils the presence of fentanyl in the couple's system, the case takes a darker turn.
Time-codes:
[00:20] - Joe Scott Morgan sets the scene, discussing the unique coldness of being near the sea during cooler months. He then introduces the story of a married couple found dead in their home, initially suspected of carbon monoxide poisoning.
[01:35] - Joe Scott discusses his love for Great Britain and how its unique environment affects the inhabitants, specifically referencing the couple in question, Stephen Baxter and his wife, Carol.
[02:32] - Dave Mack describes the heartbreaking scene when the Baxter’s daughter, Ellie, finds her parents dead in their recliners. He discusses her immediate assumption of carbon monoxide poisoning and her actions to protect herself and her child.
[04:50] - Joe Scott Morgan returns to the scene, providing a more precise location of the couple's home and the characteristics of the area. He talks about the first responders' initial investigation, noting the lack of signs of forced entry or struggle, and the importance of considering all possibilities in an investigation.
[07:44] - The pivotal role of the initial reporter in a crime scene is highlighted. Joe stresses how their early observations can greatly influence the subsequent trajectory of the investigation, and shares a poignant moment when the daughter discovered her parents on Easter Sunday.
[10:00] - Morgan shares his harrowing personal experience with carbon monoxide, illuminating the silent dangers investigators face. This anecdote also serves as a potent reminder of the gas's deadly potential.
[12:20] Mack questions how investigators transition from a peaceful scene to a full-blown investigation. Joseph Scott Morgan offers invaluable knowledge on the visual indicators of carbon monoxide poisoning, the process of checking for carbon monoxide in the house, and the role of the fire service.
[15:00] - Morgan talks about the challenge investigators face when there are no signs of forced entry, external trauma, or carbon monoxide poisoning, raising the possibility of double suicide. He explains what investigators would look for at the scene, breaking down the evidential requirements that would substantiate such a claim.
[17:40] - The lethal potential of carbon monoxide is revisited, focusing on its aftermath. Morgan and Mack discuss its deadly embrace and how it can deceive even the most seasoned investigators.
[00:20:20] - The narrative zooms out, shedding light on the affluent life led by the Baxters. Their status and lifestyle add a new dimension, prompting questions of motive and involvement.
[23:16] - Morgan explains the couple's health conditions and provides a crash course on the indicators of heroin usage at a crime scene. He reveals that the toxicology report for Mr. and Mrs. Baxter showed that they had fentanyl in their systems, a potent drug that has caused many deaths.
[25:41] - The conversation expands to the societal implications of fentanyl misuse. By tracing its origins from medical utility to illicit usage, listeners are offered a broader context of the drug's devastating impact.
[26:44] - Joe Scott Morgan reveals that three people have been charged in the Baxter's deaths.
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The trial of Taylor Schabusiness, accused in murder of her boyfriend Shad Thyrion is currently underway. In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack look at the evidence coming out in the courtroom. They discuss the devastating impacts of drug usage, the murder weapons, and an unconventional dating relationship that culminated in Thyrion's brutal murder.
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21-year-old Jasmeen Kaur is stalked and abducted from her workplace, subdued and placed into the boot of a car, transported along gravel roads to an isolated area, and buried alive by her ex-boyfriend, Tarikjot Singh. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the harrowing story of Jasmeen Kaur, a young nursing student, whose body is found in a shallow grave in South Australia's Flinders Ranges. Delving deep into the chilling facts, they highlight the disturbing acts leading to the crime captured by CCTV, the terror and uncertainty experienced by Jasmeen, and the signs of her desperate struggle while entombed. As they navigate the dark labyrinth of abusive relationships, police involvement, and the physical and psychological traumas endured by the victim, Joe Scott and Dave underscore the grave importance of recognizing and addressing signs of domestic violence.
Time-codes:
- [00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan opens the episode with a narrative about the importance of breath and introduces the topic of the episode, the horrific case of Jasmeen Kaur, a young woman who was buried alive.
- [00:01:32] - Joe Scott Morgan and Dave Mack elaborate on the eerie sensation of breathlessness, linking it to Jasmeen's case.
- [00:02:08] - Dave Mack dives into Jasmeen's background, her relationship withTarikjot Singh, his descent into obsession, and the complaint against Singh for stalking her, which led to a police warning.
- [00:05:12] - Mack postulates on how police intervention might have aggravated Singh, precipitating Jasmeen's abduction.
- [00:07:20] -The chilling recount of Singh's audacious kidnapping of Jasmeen weeks after the police complaint, including the CCTV footage and the haunting sequences leading to the crime.
- [00:09:00] - A grave discussion on the sheer horror of the act of burying someone alive. Joe Scott Morgan touches upon Jasmeen's deep understanding of breath, drawing from her career as a caretaker.
- [00:10:15] - An intriguing detour by Morgan about Australia's distinct geography with a description of the soil and terrain where the crime took place, and speculation on Kaur’s experience as she lay buried alive.
- [00:13:00] - Exploration of the physical bindings that added to Jasmeen's torment, the jarring journey she endured before the crime, and the fear she would have felt during her transport to the burial location.
- [00:17:29] - The hosts discuss the nonsensical theory of Jasmeen committing suicide and subsequently burying herself, and provide insight into the victim's relationship with Tarikjot Singh, the man who traumatized her and eventually caused her death.
- [00:19:40] - Joseph Scott Morgan explains the superficial cut on Jasmeen's throat, provides details about her's burial, discusses the crime scene, and explains how the location of the grave was discovered.
- [00:24:34] - Dave Mack seeks insights into Jasmeen's agonizing physical experience during her burial. Morgan underscores the irrefutable proof of Jasmeen's struggle, revealed through the presence of dirt in her respiratory system.
- [00:29:06] - Updates on Singh's legal situation are shared, followed by a call for awareness and action against domestic violence.
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Leno and Rosemary LaBianca tragically find themselves thrust into the darkest depths of human cruelty. Bounded by the twisted whims of their captors, the LaBiancas are subjected to unimaginable terror, and their lives are extinguished in a merciless act of violence. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve deep into the horrifying details of the LaBianca murders, orchestrated by Charles Manson and carried out by Patricia Krenwinkel, Leslie Van Houten, and Tex Watson. They provide a comprehensive historical context and detailed account of the unsettling events leading to the murders, delve into the gruesome details of the crime scenes, uncover the Manson family's bizarre motives, and reveal the disturbing after-effects of their reign of terror.
Time-coded Highlights:
- 00:20 - Joe Scott Morgan sets the stage, introducing the Manson family and the LaBianca murders.
- 01:46 - Dave Mack shares his personal connection to the Tate-LaBianca murders.
- 03:00 - Mack discusses the societal fear instilled by the Manson family crimes. He paints a vivid picture of the public's reaction to the horrifying events.
- 04:00 - Joe Scott reveals an intriguing fact about the discovery of the LaBianca’s bodies, and describes the panic and fear that these murders instilled in the public and the challenges the police faced.
- 07:00 - Dave Mack brings up news of Leslie Van Houten's recent release from prison and details the disturbing events leading up to the LaBianca murders, providing more details about the people involved, including Charles Manson and Tex Watson.
- 10:20 - Morgan provides insight into the Manson family's use of LSD and training in stealthy home invasions, known as 'creepy crawling', and discusses the initial investigation of the LaBianca murder and how investigators initially thought it might be a copycat crime due to the brutality of the Tate murders.
- 14:28 - Mack shares his personal experience of living in the area during the time of the murders and narrates the chilling events of the LaBianca murders.
- 18:16 - Rosemary LaBianca's brave fight against her attackers and a glimpse into her final moments.
- 19:21 - Details of the injuries sustained by Leno LaBianca, which included multiple stab wounds to his neck and abdomen, leading to his death by massive hemorrhage. The carving fork left in Lino's abdomen is mentioned, highlighting the gruesome nature of the crime scene.
- 24:05 - Morgan explains the importance of preserving evidence at a crime scene, using impaled objects as an example. His expertise in forensic investigation guides listeners through the complexities of examining a crime scene.
- 30:11 - Morgan differentiates between postmortem and antemortem injuries. His explanation aids listeners in understanding the forensic nuances of a murder investigation.
- 33:05 - Morgan explores the concept of asymmetry in an attack. His analysis of Leslie Van Houten's dominant position during the crime provides an understanding of the crime dynamics.
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In this riveting episode of "Body Bags", host Joseph Scott Morgan and renowned guest Dave Mack delve deep into the mysteries of the Gilgo Beach murders. The narrative takes a dark turn as they explore the complex world of suspect Rex Huerman, who shockingly owns 92 gun permits and two storage facilities. With a media circus surrounding the search of his possessions, a medical examiner's unexpected presence at one of the storage sites raises eyebrows and questions. What could be lurking inside? As Morgan and Mack unpack the investigative processes, from understanding decomposition to the role of cadaver dogs, they also shed light on a decade-long series of murders in Long Island. Oddities surface, including the peculiar behavior of a killer who seemingly retires after three victims and the challenges of sifting through a hoarder's chaotic household. This episode takes listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, with new revelations promising to reshape the narrative of the notorious Gilgo Beach cases.
Time-coded Highlights:
[00:00:00] The episode kicks off with Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack exploring the latest on the Gilgo Beach murders.
[00:01:30] Mack drops a bombshell about Huerman's alarming collection of gun permits and the existence of two storage facilities.
[00:02:36] Mack comments on the rampant media attention and the unexpected appearance of a medical examiner at one storage site.
[00:03:18] Morgan decodes the reasons for summoning a medical examiner to crime scenes, drawing listeners into the world of forensics.
[00:06:50] Mack's skepticism surfaces, questioning the examiner's inconsistent appearances at the storage units.
[00:08:23] The spotlight turns to Long Island's decade-old mysteries, with Morgan giving insights into a defendant tied to three cases.
[00:09:30] The duo ponders the potential use of cadaver dogs before a medical expert's arrival, emphasizing their significance.
[00:11:00] Mack and Morgan dissect the erratic behavior of a suspected serial murderer, who ceased his actions after claiming three lives.
[00:12:00] Serial killer patterns emerge, with Morgan speculating on their familiarity with hunting grounds and possible storage unit links.
[00:14:00] Morgan postulates on killers' tendencies to retain "souvenirs", stressing the importance of a detailed home examination.
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A chilling 911 call from Shannan Gilbert leads to the discovery of the bodies of Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman on Long Island's Gilgo Beach, each sharing harrowing similarities: they are all wrapped in burlap and thought to be the victims of a single, unknown killer. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take a closer look at the "Gilgo Beach Serial Killer" case, the crucial arrest of Rex Heuermann, and the groundbreaking use of forensic DNA, genetic genealogy, and physical evidence. They weave through the disturbing intricacies of the crime scene, the systematic preservation of the bodies, and the indelible impact on the Long Island community. Highlighting the importance of a careful examination of evidence, from weathered burlap to human hair, they shed light on the grueling process of analyzing skeletal remains and the complexities of such investigations.
Time-Codes:
- [00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the concept of sackcloth, a symbol often associated with mourning, and links this to the eerie use of burlap in which victims' bodies were discovered on Long Island, New York. He reveals the episode's focus on the unsolved Gilgo Beach murders.
- [00:02:00] The discovery of at least 11 bodies and disturbing details about four of the victims, all seemingly linked to a singular, unidentified killer.
- [00:04:00] - Dave Mack recounts the harrowing story of Shannan Gilbert, whose 23-minute-long 911 call ironically led to the unearthing of several bodies.
- [00:07:00] - Joe Scott expounds on the idea of geographic profiling and its relevance to the Gilgo Beach case, providing a unique understanding of the killer's methods.
- [00:09:20] - Potential significance of the killer's use of camouflage burlap.
- [00:14:09] - Discussion on the difficulties in determining the cause of death from skeletal remains and explanation of the need for a forensic anthropologist in complex cases, highlighting their critical role in helping to unravel the mystery of unidentified remains.
- [00:19:00] - Focus on the importance of careful handling of evidence, stressing the potential for significant clues being held within items such as the burlap sacks.
- [00:21:00] - Joe Scott discusses the possibility of finding tool marks on bones and the implications of such findings. He emphasizes the potential of these minor details to unravel larger truths.
- [00:26:27] - Dave Mack probes the potential evidence left behind as a body decomposes in a burlap bag and questions the potential clues that can be unearthed even from decomposition.
- [00:28:40] - Joseph Scott Morgan shares his reaction to the news of an arrest in the Gilgo Four case: the apprehension of Rex Heuermann, introducing a potential end to the long-unanswered questions.
- [00:30:00] - Details about suspect Rex Heuermann, community reactions to his arrest, and discussion on how cutting-edge technology is helping to solve decade-old mysteries, giving victims' families hope of closure.
- [00:34:43] - The role of behavioral analysis in identifying common patterns among the victims is discussed.
- [00:37:14] - Delving into the forensic details of how Rex Heuermann’s wife's hair ended up at the crime scene and the role of CODIS in the investigation.
- [00:39:10] - Explanation of how cell towers and triangulation were used to track the suspect's burner phone.
- [00:40:00] - Key evidence reveal - a discarded pizza box from which the suspect's DNA was retrieved and an explanation of the process of extracting DNA from saliva on a pizza crust.
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Neighbors, noticing the unusual absence of 71-year-old Margaret Craig, request that police perform a well-visit check at her residence. Responding police officers are invited into the home, and upon entering the basement, they are met with the smell of decomposition and copious amounts of blood near plastic trash bags. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the disturbing case of Margaret Craig, whose life allegedly ended at the hands of her own daughter and granddaughter. They navigate the complicated nature of the crime scene investigation, discussing the disposal of human remains, the increasing prevalence of dismemberment cases, and the psychological aspect of perpetrators becoming comfortable with such gruesome acts. Joseph Scott and Dave also explore the complexities of forensic analysis, focusing on the methodology and tools used in these horrific acts. They discuss the challenges faced by investigators in determining the sequence of events and how these intricacies could impact the jury's decision.
Time-Coded Highlights:
- [00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan shares his personal experience using a chainsaw as a young man, setting the stage for the case discussion, and introduces the shocking case of Margaret Craig's death and dismemberment.
- [00:04:44] The disturbing trend of perpetrators becoming comfortable with dismembering bodies.
- [00:08:05] Noticing the absence of Margaret Craig, her neighbor calls for a welfare check. Upon entering the basement, police smell a foul odor and notice blood near three trash bags.
- [00:11:04] Joe Scott explains the impact of plastic on decomposition, providing insight into the forensic aspects of the case.
- [00:15:11] Discovery of brain matter and a disappearing knife.
- [00:20:00] Dave Mack shares the account of Salia Hardy, the granddaughter of the victim, who provides the police with critical information about the crime.
- [00:22:42] Joe Scott explains the difficulty in determining the sequence of events, particularly with the involvement of a chainsaw. He describes the concept of blood-cast and the unique patterns created during dismemberment with a chainsaw.
- [00:30:20] Discussion on the methodology and tools used in dismemberment as well as a witness's report of seeing human remains being placed in a brush fire.
- [00:32:26] Joseph Scott Morgan questions the presence of brain matter and highlights the importance of tool mark experts and the FBI’s access to different types of chainsaws in their forensic lab.
- [00:33:57] Dave Mack updates listeners on the current status of the case.
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Konrad Imirowicz becomes the unfortunate victim of an explosive family dispute, enduring devastating and life-altering injuries that encompass his entire body from head to toe. His prolonged suffering and eventual death are caused by an unsuspecting household item: lye soap. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dive into a chilling case surrounding the brutal death of Konrad Imirowicz, allegedly at the hands of his daughter, Megan, on her 18th birthday. As they unveil the shocking crime scene, Morgan and Mack navigate the intricate dynamics within the Imirowicz family, shedding light on Megan's discontent and the tragic escalation of a family dispute into murder. With a focus on the damning evidence, they provide a glimpse into courtroom proceedings and the bone-chilling verdict.
Time-coded Highlights:
[00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan shares a nostalgic memory about his grandmother's butter churn and scrub board, unraveling the historical importance of lye, commonly used in soap-making, setting the stage for the episode's focus.
[00:02:20] Introduction of the dreadful case of Konrad Imirowicz and Megan Joyce Imirowicz, setting the stage for the familial dynamics in the case.
[00:04:53] Discussion on the harsh reality of chemical burns and their often irreversible effects.
[00:10:00] Reflection on the shock experienced by medical personnel while treating severely burned Konrad, and discussion on the turbulent family dynamics, revealing Konrad's drinking problem and its impact on Megan's birthday.
[00:12:31] Mack discloses the horrific aftermath of the lye attack, painting a haunting picture of Konrad covered in drain cleaner.
[00:17:00] The psychological implications for Megan are discussed, highlighting her decision not to return to the crime scene and instead send her friend.
[00:18:20] Morgan talks about the possibility of the victim being hit with multiple items, and how this contrasts with the actual crime scene evidence, focusing on a large plastic container and the presence of a white powder.
[00:20:00] The discussion turns to the victim's state of consciousness.
[00:26:00] A shocking revelation is made about Megan's behavior post-incident, displaying a lack of concern for her father's critical condition.
[00:27:20] Mack reveals an overheard conversation that brings the Michigan State Police into the picture.
[00:28:00] Morgan and Mack dissect the improbability of Megan's defense, casting doubt on her innocence.
[00:32:40] The host explains the contributing factors to Konrad's death, highlighting his compromised health conditions.
[00:33:40] Megan Imirowicz's guilt is confirmed, with potential life imprisonment looming.
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Self-proclaimed 'Zombie Hunter', Bryan Patrick Miller is found guilty of kidnapping and murdering two young women. His victims, whose murders occur ten months apart from each other, are attacked while bicycling along a canal in Arizona; they are each fatally stabbed, their bodies horrifically mutilated, and each are sexually assaulted. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack weave the cultural phenomenon of the 'zombie apocalypse' into a compelling narrative about Miller, whose gruesome acts leave a long-lasting trauma on his victims and their families. Further unraveling the complex psychology behind Bryan Patrick Miller's actions, they discuss his involvement in the steampunk movement, the importance of forensic science in his eventual capture, and the crucial role forensic genealogist Colleen Fitzpatrick played in identifying Miller as the murderer. They explore the depths of Bryan Patrick Miller's criminal mind and offer a comprehensive look into this unsettling case and the far-reaching implications of his actions.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:20 - Joseph Scott Morgan delves into the intriguing concept of the apocalypse, illuminating how this theme has penetrated various aspects of pop culture, and introduces the case of Bryan Patrick Miller, a man who self-identifies as the 'Zombie Hunter'.
02:40 - Dave Mack speaks of the cultural phenomenon known as the 'zombie apocalypse,' shedding light on how it affects people's behavior and mindset, while Joe Scott emphasizes the trauma inflicted on the victims and their loved ones by Miller's horrifying actions.
04:20 - Dave delves deeper into Miller's background, uncovering his ties to the steampunk movement, including details about the former police vehicle converted into a ‘Zombie Hunter mobile’.
08:20 - The dichotomy between Miller's bold behavior and the façade of safety projected by his public persona.
09:31 - Joseph Scott Morgan reflects on his experiences at the American Academy of Forensic Science meeting, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in solving complex cases and highlighting the value of pooling expertise across disciplines.
10:20 - Drawing a stark parallel between a mountain lion attack and Miller's predatory behavior, Joe Scott shares a chilling anecdote. Dave builds on the analogy, introducing poignant details about Miller's victims and recognizing the diligent police work that eventually led to Miller's capture.
13:28 - Joe Scott and Dave delve into the gruesome specifics of Angela Brosso's murder, linking it to the infamous Black Dahlia case.
16:20 - Discussion of the necessity of meticulous planning and discretion when committing crimes and how these elements facilitated Bryan Patrick Miller's evasion of the law, underscoring the significance of biological evidence left by Miller and outlining its crucial role in securing convictions.
19:00 - Details of the horrifying act of necrophilia committed by Miller, the damning evidence that led to his arrest, and an overview of the timeline of the crimes against Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas.
24:20 - The meticulous physical assessment conducted at the crime scene of Melanie Bernas and the manner in which forensic experts deduced the type of tool used and the depth of the wounds.
26:30 - Dave Mack discusses Bryan Patrick Miller's criminal history, including a previous stabbing incident and his time in a juvenile correctional facility.
32:03 - The spotlight turns to Colleen Fitzpatrick, whose expertise and passion in forensic genealogy was instrumental in narrowing down the suspect, and the role of modern science in solving such complex cases.
35:50 - The alarming possibility of more undiscovered victims given the boldness of Miller's criminal patterns.38:00 - Information about the conviction and sentencing of Bryan Patrick Miller.
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A 23-year-old South Korean woman, allegedly obsessed with books and TV shows about crime, is standing trial, accused of murder. Concealing her dark intentions under the guise of a mother in need of an English tutor, Jung Yoo-jung lures an unsuspecting young woman to her home, only to subject her to a gruesome fate of stabbing and dismemberment. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the unsettling case of Jung Yoo-jung, a woman whose fascination with murder took a horrific turn from fandom to felony. They explore the inherent danger and obsession tied to true crime, share their personal experiences, and offer an insightful look into the genre. Joe Scott and Dave also discuss the 'God Complex, the sensory experiences tied to violent crimes, and the practical realities of planning and executing crimes.
Time-coded Highlights:
00:00:20 - Joe Scott Morgan shares how he unwinds from his work in forensics and true crime and the measures he takes to maintain balance. He dives into the complex world of true crime, emphasizing its captivating danger and potential for obsession, and sheds light on why this genre draws people in, and what risks it might pose to extreme enthusiasts.
01:40 - Joe Scott introduces Jung Yoo-jung, a woman from South Korea who's not just obsessed with true crime but with the act of murder itself.
02:02 - Dave Mack reveals his fascination with the Manson murders and discusses the profound impact of true crime on his life. He shares his thoughts on the power and influence of such narratives.
07:40 - Joseph Scott Morgan reflects on the uncomfortable questions he often faces about his work with the deceased.
08:20 - Morgan and Mack delve into the chilling story of Jung Yoo-jung, a true crime fan whose obsession led her down a dark path. Their discussion uncovers the disturbing intersection of fandom and criminal activity
10:43 - The infamous Leopold and Loeb case is brought up as a comparison to Jung Yoo-jung's actions, enriching the analysis of Jung's case.
11:42 - Dave Mack provides detailed background information on Jung Yoo-jung, painting a clearer picture of her life and obsessions.
13:08 - Joe Scott introduces an intriguing aspect of violent crime - the interconnected senses of taste and smell.
16:43 - Description of Jung Yoo-jung's calculated approach to finding a victim—disguising herself as a middle schooler—and the alarming lengths she went to fulfill her obsession.
20:00 - Analyzing the suspect's failed plan to make her victim disappear, and discussion of how stabbing injuries can cause profuse bleeding, and the likelihood of leaving behind blood evidence when attempting to dismember a body, even when trying to clean the area.
24:54 - Joseph Scott Morgan cites a movie line about the foolishness of using a taxi to get to a crime scene, putting into perspective Jung Yoo-jung’s imprudent choices during her crime.
26:00 - Dave Mack informs listeners about Jung Yoo-jung's current legal status.
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Three-year-old Adam Broomhall was mercilessly beaten and burned, a victim of unimaginable cruelty at the hands of an ex-Marine—his mother’s boyfriend. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the heart-wrenching details of Adam's life and the horrific actions of Richard Fairchild, an ex-Marine turned child abuser. They provide insights into the chaotic domestic environment, the court process, and how forensic details can vividly depict a victim's experience. Additionally, they explore the psychological aspects of child abuse and the heartbreaking injuries Adam endured, leading to a discussion on Fairchild's ultimate fate.
Time Code Summary:
00:00:20 - Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the episode's tragic subject: the case of Adam Broomhall, and discusses the origin of the word tortura and its relevance to the case.
00:04:18 - Dave Mack questions Joe Scott about the court process when dealing with graphic details, providing insight into the judicial system's approach to the importance of factual accuracy in court presentations.
00:09:33 - The revelation of the negligence of the adults in Adam Broomhall and his siblings’ lives, who are consumed by alcohol and indifferent to the children's safety, and adding another layer of tragedy to the case, Charity Wade's plight is revealed.
00:11:37 - Discussion of the crucial developmental stage of a child's life, highlighting the long-term impact of neglect and abuse.
00:13:19 - Joe Scott contrasts Richard Fairchild's Marine background with his heinous actions, illustrating the stark contradiction between his past role, his present conduct, and the event that led to physical violence.
00:16:48 - Dave Mack draws from personal experience as a parent regarding bed-wetting, highlighting the everyday struggles that can trigger abuse in volatile households.
00:19:33 - Examination of the chaotic environment and the sequence of injuries in Adam's case, shedding light on the systematic nature of the abuse.
00:21:55 - Joe Scott Morgan discusses the frenulum and its relevance to child abuse cases, providing a forensic perspective on physical trauma.
00:25:03 - The challenges of determining the timeline of abuse, emphasizing the complexity of investigations in child abuse cases.
00:26:42 - Joe Scott reveals the horrific details of how Adam was struck and burned by Fairchild, a heart-rending moment that underscores the severity of the crime.
00:30:20 - A horrifying detail is revealed - the fact that Fairchild burned Adam against a wall heater, causing second-degree burns and immense pain to multiple areas of his body.
00:32:00 - Discussion of the thorough autopsy performed on Adam, revealing the extent of his injuries and highlighting the importance of forensics in understanding the true nature of the crime.
00:33:20 - Joseph Scott Morgan recounts how Fairchild threw Adam into a table, causing the final fatal blow, a chilling climax to the night of horror.
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Harmony Montgomery, a visually impaired little girl living in a turbulent environment with drug-addicted parents, is missing and presumed murdered. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore Harmony's chaotic world as she moves from her mother's custody into the foster care system and into the care of her enigmatic and troubling father, Adam. As Joe Scott and Dave navigate the complexities of Adam Montgomery's ongoing trial, unraveling the intricacies of DNA evidence and search warrants, the desperate search for Harmony and the quest for the truth surrounding her disappearance intensify.
Timecodes:
00:01:20 - Joe Scott Morgan introduces the tragic case of Harmony Montgomery, a visually impaired little girl who is now missing and suspected to be a victim of murder.
00:03:00 - Dave Mack discusses the devastating impact of drug addiction on children, explicitly highlighting Harmony's situation with both parents struggling with substance abuse.
00:06:00 - Joe Scott provides a glimpse into Harmony's tumultuous life, surrounded by threatening figures and constantly shifting homes.
00:07:20 - Dave shares background information on Harmony's parents—her drug-addicted mother, Crystal, and her criminally inclined father, Adam.
00:08:20 - The narrative takes a turn as Harmony is removed from her mother's custody and placed into the foster care system.
00:09:00 - Harmony's father, Adam, regains custody, pulling her back out of the foster care system.
00:10:00 - Adam and his partner, Kayla, restrict Harmony's contact with her biological mother, Crystal, further isolating the child.
00:11:00 - Crystal struggles to maintain contact with her children, Harmony and Jameson, amidst her own battles, and the first signs of Harmony's disappearance emerge as family members notice her sporting a black eye.
00:13:00 - Joe Scott reflects on the stereotypical image of a missing child search and the deviation of Harmony's case from this norm.
00:14:15 - Harmony's stepmother, Kayla, who has three biological children, confesses to regular drug use.
00:15:40 - Adam severs contact with Crystal and others regarding Harmony in April 2019, deepening the mystery around her.
00:16:45 - Discussion of the implications of Harmony's black eye, and potential underlying injuries that could result from such physical abuse.
00:19:27 - Insight into the dangerous, chaotic, and cramped living environment.
00:21:00 - Joe Scott laments the scarcity of clear evidence in Harmony's case, highlighting the challenges investigators face.
00:22:12 - Dave shares details of the ongoing trial against Harmony's father, Adam Montgomery, and his ex-wife, Kayla's testimony.
00:24:40 - Adam is indicted on an assault charge for hitting Harmony, which might be connected to her disappearance.
00:25:00 - The police identify December 7th, 2019, as the likely date of Harmony's suspected murder.
00:25:44 - Joe Scott discusses the concept of corpus delecti, explaining the importance of finding physical evidence in murder cases.
00:27:20 - The search for evidence intensifies as police and federal teams dissect the family home, leading to a potentially ominous discovery about the family refrigerator.
00:30:40 - Joe Scott highlights the significance of understanding the source and volume of DNA found at a crime scene, particularly blood, and the implications of finding a large volume of blood at a crime scene.
00:32:40 - Jospeph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the process of obtaining search warrants, emphasizing the necessity of specificity in requests.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the chilling murder case of Shad Thyrion by his girlfriend, Taylor Schabusiness. They discuss the overlooked victim in media coverage, the devastating impacts of drug usage, the murder weapons, and an unconventional dating relationship that culminated in Thyrion's brutal murder.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:25 - Background and overview of case.
02:30 - JoeScott and Dave debate the media's impact on victims and perpetrators.
05:00 - Details of the drug-involved relationship between Thyrion and Schabusiness.
06:05 - The role of methamphetamine in the crime.
08:50 - The crime scene.
09:30 - Schabusiness's police confession and role in the crime.
13:45 - Thyrion's final moments.
14:55 - Schabusiness's further violent actions.
17:35 - Scientific aspects of post-mortem body state.
20:05 - The process of dismembering a body by a layperson.
21:20 - The tools used in the crime, notably a serrated bread knife.
22:45 - The discovery of the crime scene by the victim's mother.
24:35 - The case specifics involving drugs.
26:15 - Crime scene details and the perpetrator's arrest comments.
26:50 - Outro.
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In this episode of the Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unpack the chilling homicide of famed neurosurgeon Dr. Devon Hoover, who was found in his Detroit mansion. They discuss the details of the murder, the physical evidence, the complexities of the gunshot wounds, the forensics, and theorize about the identity of the murderer and their familiarity with the residence.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:20 - Dr. Devon Hoover.
02:45 - of Dr. Hoover's grand home and his profession.
05:30 - The demanding path to neurosurgery.
07:40 - Skills required for neurosurgery.
08:10 - Dr. Hoover's personality and devotion to work.
10:00 - Introduction to "crawlspace" in relation to the murder.
12:15 - Discovery of Dr. Hoover's body in the attic crawlspace.
13:00 - Peculiarities in the murder scene.
15:30 - Postmortem changes and body positioning.
16:40 - Importance of postmortem interval in the case.
17:15 - Speculation on potential suspects and motives.
18:55 - Dr. Hoover's attic.
20:00 - Forensic analysis of Dr. Hoover's gunshot wounds and the intimate nature of the crime.
23:20 - Evidence suggesting the perpetrator's familiarity with the house.
26:10 - Detailed impact of a close-range gunshot wound.
28:30 - Examination of the array of forensic tests.
30:30 - Observations indicating the murderer might be known to the victim, such as lack of forced entry.
31:05 - Perpetrator's meticulous body cover-up, suggesting a personal connection.
32:55 - Outro.
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In this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack untangle the tragic story of Grant Brace, a promising young athlete who met an untimely end due to extreme physical exertion and dehydration. They discuss the dark side of athletic training, bringing to the forefront the harsh realities of sports conditioning regimes, the lethal risks of medications like Adderall when mismanaged in high-stress physical training, and explore the physiological horrors of severe dehydration.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:18 - Grant Brace.
04:00 - Discussion on coach accountability and athlete safety.
09:10 - Exploration of Grant's diagnoses and effects of Adderall.
11:55 - Coach responsibility in athlete health and hydration management.
13:30 - Skepticism about university's promoted family-like atmosphere.
16:35 - 'Punishment Hill' and NAIA/NCAA school systems.
20:10 - Grant's final moments and symptoms of extreme dehydration.
28:15 - Criticism of response to Grant's plea for water and the reasons for 'Punishment Hill'.
30:00 - Physiological and psychological impacts of dehydration.
33:15 - Exacerbating conditions due to ADHD, narcolepsy, and Adderall.
34:15 - Grant's post-training condition and coaches' negligence.
35:40 - Impact of dehydration on Grant and the university's settlement.
37:00 - Lack of criminal charges despite allegations of negligence.
37:10 - Conclusion.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dissect the haunting story of Samuel Little, one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. They explore the grim details of Little's crimes, the nationwide investigation that ensued, and the vital role of Little's memory recall in revealing his terrible deeds.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
00:30 - Samuel Little.
03:20 - Little's life and methods of recalling his murders.
07:10 - Little's early life and criminal beginnings.
10:25 - Little’s evasion from law enforcement.
13:20 - The rudimentary crime-solving techniques used in the 1970s.
19:05 - The importance of evidence collection in forensic analysis.
22:35 - The procedure consistency of rape kits between 1977 and present day.
23:05 - Introduction of a 1977 case from Macon, Georgia involving an unidentified woman.
26:45 - The role of the preserved rape kit from 1977 in linking Samuel Little to the Macon case.
30:35 - The role of genealogy in solving cold cases.
33:30 - Ethical concerns around personal DNA data on genealogy websites.
34:00 - Potential of genetic genealogy to solve cold cases exemplified with Macon's Jane Doe case.
35:35 - Closure brought to Yvonne Pless's family after her identification.
36:10 - Outro.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the harrowing and complex case of Cassidy Rainwater. They discuss the crime scene, the intense investigation involving local law enforcement and the FBI, the critical role of digital forensics in modern investigations, and how vital evidence found on a suspect's phone leads them to a chilling exploration of the dark web.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:15 - Cassidy Rainwater.
03:10 - Dave Mack gives us some background and an overview of the case.
05:50 - The crime scene's location in a rural and isolated area in southwest Missouri.
07:00 - The importance of digital forensics in modern investigations, particularly with photographic evidence.
10:15 - Disturbing photos found on the suspects phone.
13:00 - Disturbing content circulation in the dark web and its potential connection to the case.
16:25 - A small-town sheriff's investigator being contacted by federal agents.
19:35 - Cassidy Rainwater was found in an image suspended from a gantry crane and eviscerated.
22:45 - What could have been the possible motive for the careful labeling and preservation of Cassidy's remains?
24:30 - The process of identifying butchering marks on bones and what these marks can tell us about the tools used.
27:40 - Why were the remains preserved with a date?
29:45 - The tools and techniques one might use to dismember a body.
31:15 - What are "deer coolers"?
33:20 - A current update on the case.
33:45 - Outro.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the tragic saga of America Thayer, a domestic violence victim from Minnesota, whose horrific demise parallels historical methods of capital punishment. They explore the gruesome details of her death, shedding light on a disturbing trend of bystander apathy in today's digital world, the intricate mysteries of the crime scene, the decoding of brutal injury patterns inflicted by seemingly innocuous farming tools, and the critical role that evidence preservation plays in court.
Time-codes:
00:00: Introduction.
00:35: King Charles I.
01:35: Decapitation as a homicide method.
02:35: Joe’s experiences with complex cases involving dismemberments.
04:56: America Thayer's abusive relationship.
07:45: Jo reveals the shocking public execution details of America Thayer, drawing historical parallels.
10:00: Afternoon timing of the crime and its filming by bystanders.
13:42: Machete's typical uses, design, and historical agricultural significance.
15:30: How the murder and decapitation could have occurred within a car's confined space.
18:35: The systematic procedure of crime scene documentation.
19:20: The gruesome crime scene specifics inside America Thayer's car.
23:10: Was America Thayer dead before decapitation?
24:20: Explanation of the morgue process: including body cleaning and external injury identification.
26:45: The role of autopsy photographs in court proceedings.
27:15: America Thayer’s cause of death.
31:50: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.
32:20: Outro of the episode.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the mysterious death of Eric Richens, with links to a Moscow Mule cocktail and his wife, Kouri Richens. They delve into Kouri's persona, from her self-published grief book to her alleged actions leading to Eric's death, they shine a spotlight on the clandestine world of poisoners, the intricacies of CPR in a death investigation context, and the world of toxicology and post-mortem drug panels.
Time-codes:
00:20 - Introduction.
01:15 - Case of Eric Richens.
02:25 - Media attention dynamics in relation to high-profile cases.
03:00 - Intro and analysis of Kouri Richens' self-published grief book.
06:35 - Hypothesis on Kouri's grieving widow persona as a potential smokescreen.
07:35 - The nature of poisoners and speculation about Eric Richens' possible poisoning.
10:00 - In-depth profiling of the victim, Eric, and his wife, Kouri, along with a discussion on their financial dynamics.
14:15 - Theories around Kouri's possible poisoning attempts.
15:25 - Kouri's alleged financial theft from Eric and potential motivations.
17:20 - Toxicology and anaphylaxis.
20:45 - Role of medical examiners in unexplained deaths and the process of performing CPR.
23:40 - Examination of crime scene narratives vs. physical evidence.
27:40 - The autopsy process and specifics around gastric samples.
32:35 - Detection of substances like fentanyl in forensic pathology.
34:10 - Eric Richens' death announcement as a homicide due to fentanyl overdose.
34:25 - Outro.
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In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dissect the chilling case of Julie Jensen. They discuss the intricate dynamics of the Jensen family, the suspicions Julie had about her husband Mark and his fatal intentions towards her, how he slowly killed her, the challenges police faced in building a case against Mark, and the concept of a "dying declaration".
Time-codes:
00:25 - Introduction.
01:55 - The complex dynamics of the Jensen family.
08:30 - Julie Jensen's increasing suspicion towards her husband's behavior.
13:10 - Devastating effects of ethylene glycol poisoning.
17:40 - Forensic pathology involved in Julie Jensen's case.
21:15 - Exploring a historical method of murder, burking, potentially used in the Jensen case.
23:55 - Description of the crime scene.
26:55 - The legal concept of a "dying declaration" relevant to Julie's letter.
31:40 - The police interview with Mark Jensen.
33:30 - The toxicologist's testimony.
33:45 - Outro.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the strange circumstances surrounding the death of Joseph Hartsfield. They discuss the critical role of trust in marital relationships, the behavior of Sarah Hartsfield, Joseph's wife and her disturbing past; insulin misuse, and the disturbing possibility of a premeditated murder disguised as natural death.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
00:20 - Importance of trust in managing chronic health conditions within marriage.
01:35 - Introduction to Joseph Hartsfield's mysterious death and the connection to his diabetes.
04:00 - Deep dive into the daily management of diabetes and the role of self-advocacy.
06:30 - Examination of Sarah Hartsfield's unusual reactions following her husband's death that sparked initial suspicions.
09:40 - Review of the Hartsfield case, spotlighting Sarah's delayed response, her past, and insulin complications.
16:30 - Types and causes of diabetes, with autopsy revealing the presence of multiple insulin pens.
21:20 - Investigation into the possibility of an intentional insulin overdose leading to homicide.
24:10 - Reasons behind Hartsfield's comatose state and the complexity of his case.
26:15 - Sarah Hartsfield's background and the escalating pattern of violence in her relationships.
30:25 - Hartsfield's suspicious death and the possibility of a planned act.
31:10 - Challenges faced by law enforcement when investigating potential homicides disguised as natural deaths and 'angels of death'.
32:15 - Critical role of medical examiners in complex cases. The podcast concludes.
32:35 - Outro.
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In this episode of 'Body Bags,' hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the case of Lawrence Anderson, a parolee who committed a horrifying triple murder. They discuss the gray areas of the justice system, his history of drug abuse, the controversial circumstances of his premature release from prison, and the disturbing implications of Anderson's physiological responses at the crime scene.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Episode introduction and case overview.
00:50 - Introduction to Lawrence Anderson's heinous crimes.
02:10 - Discussion on the term "criminally insane."
02:40 - Background of Anderson's criminal past and release.
05:30 - Prison overcrowding.
07:00 - Questions about the role of the parole board in Anderson's release.
08:40 - Exploration of Anderson's violent past and drug use.
10:15 - Aftermath of Anderson's release and subsequent crimes.
11:45 - Detailed description of Andrea Blankenship's murder.
13:05 - Discussion on forensic evidence and forced entry.
15:05 - Speculation on Anderson's choice of victim.
16:25 - Focus on facts over motivations.
18:10 - Recap of Anderson serving a human heart to family.
20:25 - Mention of a voice recording capturing victims' screams.
21:15 - Review of surviving aunt's injuries.
23:15 - Speculation about family's perspective and chilling meal prep.
24:20 - Highlighting surviving aunt's resilience.
27:00 - Discussion of Anderson's courtroom confession.
30:10 - Speculation on crime scene and police interpretations.
31:40 - Reflection on Anderson's confession and its community impact.
32:00 - Episode conclusion.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack examine the chilling case of Esmeralda Gonzalez, a young Instagram model whose life ended tragically in Las Vegas. They dissect the perpetrator's elaborate cover-up involving a U-Haul, 300 pounds of Quickcrete, lime, and a large water tank, revealing the peculiarities of a crime scene that mirrors a Hollywood thriller. They discuss the harsh reality of forensics as it unravels the effects of the desert environment on human remains, the recovery of the victim's jewelry, and the painstaking process of identification.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:20 - Case of Esmeralda Gonzalez: introduction and discussion.
03:05 - Esmeralda's life, circumstances, and disappearance.
04:00 - Vulnerabilities and dangers in Las Vegas.
05:45 - Predatory tactics towards individuals with mental illnesses.
07:15 - Introduction of felon Christopher Prestapino and his criminal background.
09:25 - The ordeal Esmeralda faced in Prestapino's house.
10:25 - Discussion on the effects of acute mental illness and methamphetamine.
12:10 - Conditions under which Esmeralda was kept and her experiences.
14:15 - Analysis of Prestapino's fear, paranoia, and further criminal acts.
15:30 - Prestapino's dilemma after Esmeralda's death.
17:30 - Effects and application of pool cleaner injection.
20:40 - Timeline of Esmeralda's disappearance and discovery of her body.
21:35 - Prestapino's attempt to dispose of the body and suspicious activities.
24:15 - Analysis of Prestapino's thought process and planning of the crime.
26:30 - Gruesome details of how Esmeralda's remains were encased.
27:45 - Actions leading to Prestapino's downfall.
29:10 - Challenges faced by forensic scientists during the case.
30:15 - Discovery of Esmeralda's jewelry and its implications.
31:45 - Discussion of the brutal nature of the crime and attempts to hide it.
32:35 - Decomposition and identification challenges in the harsh desert environment.
33:20 - Resolution of the case and the pursuit of justice.
33:30 - Outro.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unearth the details of Tammy Daybell's untimely death in Rexburg, Idaho.
They dissect the initial misdiagnosis of a heart event and navigate through a labyrinth of murder allegations ensnaring her husband, Chad Daybell, and his new wife, Lori Vallow Daybell.
They also highlight the crucial role of the coroner, the complexities of exhumation procedures, and the startling forensic evidence that contradicts prior claims about Tammy's death.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Intro.
01:25 - Introduction of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell's connection to Tammy's death.
02:45 - Overview of Tammy Daybell's life and suspicious circumstances around her death.
05:50 - Critique of the initial lack of an autopsy and conflicting reports about Tammy's health.
08:40 - Discussion on the mysterious deaths surrounding Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow.
10:20 - Challenges of determining cause of death without an autopsy and the importance of the coroner's role.
16:30 - Overview of the complex circumstances surrounding the investigation.
18:05 - Examination of physical clues found on Tammy's body and ensuing exhumation.
21:00 - Tammy's alleged convulsions and implications, with Chad as the sole source of information.
24:15 - Explanation of the legal proceedings surrounding Tammy's exhumation.
27:05 - Emphasis on the role of detailed evidence in post-mortem examinations.
29:05 - Revelation of restraint and asphyxiation as the cause of Tammy's death.
33:30 - Forensic techniques used to understand Tammy's death.
35:00 - Speculation on multiple perpetrators and scrutiny of the timeline following Tammy's death.
37:15 - Conclusion and sign off from the episode of Body Bags.
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In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the tragic and unsettling death of 17-year-old Tylee Ryan. They discuss Tylee's tumultuous family life, her struggle with pancreatitis, the discovery of her remains, the challenges forensic experts faced in determining the cause of death, and they provide insight into the methods and findings of the forensic anthropologist and pathologist.
Time-codes:
00:34 - Introduction to Tylee Ryan's tragic story and difficult life.
01:22 - Tylee's horrifying death and forensic pathologist insights.
03:26 - Tylee's body is discarded and attempts to cover up.
03:15 - The impact of Tylee's mother's multiple marriages on her life.
04:51 - Tylee's medical records reveal stress and anxiety.
06:20 - Explanation of pancreatitis and potential causes.
07:08 - Tylee's stressful family life and stepfather's murder.
08:14 - Tylee's resistance to her mother's manipulations.
09:22 - Lori Vallow's justification for Tylee's murder.
09:37 - Location of Tylee's remains on Chad Daybell's property.
11:41 - Stratification concept in the burn pile investigation.
12:42 - Discovery of Tylee's remains and difference in location from JJ's remains.
13:16 - Importance of multiple senses in an investigation.
15:00 - The crucial role of a forensic anthropologist at the scene.
16:33 - Difficulty in recovering Tylee's fragmented remains.
18:34 - Relationship between forensic pathologists and forensic anthropologists.
20:19 - Odor differences between bones and soft tissue decomposition.
21:00 - Dr. Christensen finds 100 bones of Tylee's remains.
21:13 - Difficulties in identifying specific causes of death for Tylee.
22:09 - Classification of Tylee's death as nonspecific homicidal trauma.
24:10 - Speculation on Tylee's skull fracture cause.
26:12 - Attempt to dismember Tylee's body.
27:48 - Challenges of rendering a body down through fire.
28:18 - Sharp force trauma on Tylee's left hip bone.
29:03 - Tools for dismemberment and potential trace evidence.
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In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the harrowing case of J.J. Vallow. They reveal the disturbing details of J.J.'s death, the challenges faced by forensic pathologists in examining J.J.'s remains, the presence of GHB in his system, the crucial role of preserving evidence, and the potential for uncovering latent or plastic prints on surfaces involved in the case. Please join us on Thursday for part-two when we go in depth on Tylee Ryan’s autopsy.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
00:55 - Joseph and Dave discuss the tragic fates of J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
01:10 - Dave shares his emotional struggle discussing the case's horrific details.
03:00 - Joseph describes courtroom reactions and limitations on gruesome evidence presentation.
04:10 - Dr. Garth Warren's role in transporting J.J. and Tylee's remains for examination.
04:40 - Explanation of bodies found in separate locations in Chad Daybell's backyard.
06:35 - The concept of clandestine graves and significance of the children's burial locations.
8:35 - The contrasting, peaceful burial site of JJ.
9:30 - Differences in the treatment of the children's bodies and what it reveals about the perpetrators.
11:35 - Police observations leading to the discovery of J.J.'s remains.
11:50 - The careful excavation process at crime scenes using gridding and documentation.
13:30 - The state of J.J.'s remains found wrapped in plastic bags.
14:20 - Joseph describes the emotional impact of finding the person they were searching for.
16:00 - Joseph explains careful handling of remains at the scene.
17:00 - The importance of maintaining a chain of custody for the body.
19:00 - Despite decomposition, J.J.'s recognizable face and the preference for scientific confirmation.
21:15 - Discussion on toxicology limitations and GHB presence in J.J.'s system.
24:05 - Joseph shares experiences with hesitancy during autopsies and preserving evidence.
25:50 - The process of examining J.J.'s remains while avoiding compromising evidence.
28:15 - The importance of considering fingerprints on adhesive materials like tape.
29:20 - Unraveling duct tape or bags on a victim's body to determine the cause of death.
31:00 - Heartbreaking details of J.J. Vallow's death and his struggle before dying.
33:00 - Dave's sadness about J.J. Vallow's suffering and awareness during his death.
33:30 - Joe announces a follow-up episode discussing the death of Tylee Ryan in depth.
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In this episode of Body Bags, host Joseph Scott Morgan and co-host Dave Mack delve into the emotionally challenging experiences and unique difficulties faced by death investigators and first responders during mass shooting events. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a systematic approach while navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of these events, they discuss the challenges of identifying victims in various settings, explore the significance of conducting autopsies in cases of mass shootings or multiple homicides, how to address religious objections, and the role of medical legal authorities in making final decisions.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:10 - JoeScott's friend's experience with the Columbine massacre.
02:30 - Discussing being inside the tape on a mass homicide.
03:55 - Broad range of incidents classified as mass shootings.
05:05 - Mention of H. Wayne Carver III and Sandy Hook case.
06:05 - Mass fatality events are not always defined by a specific number of victims.
07:00 - Joseph's involvement in the Buckhead shooting investigation.
08:20 - Mentally processing mass shooting crime scenes in everyday environments.
10:10 - First responders' life-saving mode and gathering information.
11:55 - Challenge of identifying victims in a mass shooting.
14:40 - Identifying victims in different settings (schools vs. public spaces).
15:50 - Increased difficulties faced by death investigators during mass shooting events.
17:30 - Emotional toll of being a death investigator in mass casualty situations.
18:10 - Potential dangers for first responders during mass shooting events.
20:40 - The concept of secondary devices and staying vigilant at crime scenes.
23:25 - Challenges in handling multiple victims and assessing postmortem changes.
25:20 - Use of Tyvek suits for protection during investigations.
26:35 - Composition of investigation teams and processing bodies at crime scenes.
28:05 - Importance of addressing legal requirements and thorough documentation.
31:05 - Moral and legal responsibilities of forensic investigators.
32:45 - Need for autopsies even when the perpetrator is known.
33:20 - Handling religious objections to autopsies.
36:00 - Medical legal authorities can override religious objections to autopsies.
37:30 - Outro.
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In this emotional and powerful episode of the Body Bags podcast, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard delve into the emotional challenges faced by medical legal death investigators, specifically when it comes to the difficult task of notifying next of kin about the death of a loved one. Joe Scott shares his personal experiences and insights on how the emotional aspect of death notifications can impact both the investigator and grieving family members, the lasting impact these moments have on both the families and himself, how science plays a role in his job but its limitations in dealing with the emotional aspects of death notification, as well as the importance of mercy and compassion in the face of death.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
03:30 - Joe Scott's first experience with a death notification.
06:10 - Improvements in emotional training for death investigators.
07:00 - Challenges of handling multiple cases and notifications.
08:55 - Families' need for confirmation of the deceased's location.
12:00 - The importance of timeliness in death notifications.
15:45 - Being vigilant during investigations and protecting loved ones' privacy.
17:25 - Balancing speed and thoroughness in death investigations.
19:05 - Family members as key sources of information for cases.
20:00 - The limited information retention of grieving families.
22:25 - The lasting impact of death notifications on families.
25:00 - Delivering death news directly.
26:50 - Notifying a family of a second son's death within six months.
28:55 - JoScott’s love for science and its role in his work but its limitations when it comes to dealing with the emotional aspects of death notification.
31:20 - The necessity of accurate deceased identification and location knowledge.
33:00 - Keeping information simple for grieving families.
33:45 - The need for compassion and mercy during emotionally low moments.
36:00 - Joe Scott's personal struggle with PTSD and the end of his career.
38:55 - Outro.
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In this episode of the Body Bags we delve into the chilling case of Elizabeth Capaldi, who was murdered by her husband, Stephen Capaldi. Capaldi, 57, has been sentenced to 22 to 44 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Elizabeth "Beth" Capaldi, 55, in October 2022. Incriminating evidence was found on his cellphone, including internet searches on how to get away with murder.
Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the unusual factors that contributed to the crime, including infidelity and a comic book obsession, the meticulous research Stephen conducted before the murder, the initial police response to Beth's missing person report, filed by her daughter Emma, and how inconsistencies during police interviews can raise red flags and lead to a suspect's downfall.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:07 - Overview of Beth Capaldi's murder case.
02:00 - Joseph asks Dave about his experience with comic books.
03:10 - Joseph's childhood love for comic books.
05:00 - Driving factors in Stephen Capaldi's case: infidelity and comic book obsession.
06:20 - Alternative ways Stephen could have ended his marriage.
08:15 - Sinister research Stephen did prior to Beth's disappearance.
11:50 - Emma Capaldi involves the police after talking to her father.
14:50 - JoScott explains how investigators approach missing person cases.
16:30 - Significance of observing behavior patterns in missing person's cases.
17:40 - Police questioning spouses and detecting deviations from their stories.
20:11 - Suspicious internet searches made by Stephen Capaldi.
33:10 - Joseph describes the intimate nature of the murder.
35:10 - Methods researched to dispose of Beth's body.
36:20 - Bloody aftermath in the basement and timeline of murder.
38:30 - Emotional impact of the crime scene.
45:15 - Outro.
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Gannon Stauch, an 11-year-old boy from Colorado, was found dead nearly two months after he was reported missing by his stepmother, Letecia Stauch. Gannon was initially reported as a runaway, but was later classified as a missing/endangered person. Surveillance footage revealed Letecia leaving with Gannon and returning without him, raising suspicions, and then Gannon's body was found in Florida. His stepmother now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder.
In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the timeline of the case, from Gannon's disappearance in Colorado Springs to the discovery of his body in a suitcase in Florida, the search warrants and investigation process in Gannon's bedroom, the challenges faced by the medical examiner when examining the body, and determining the cause of death.
Time-codes:
00:00 - Introduction.
01:40 - Overview of Letitia Stauch's ongoing trial.
03:55 - Timeline of Gannon's disappearance and investigation.
05:25 - Discovery of Gannon's body in Florida.
08:00- Difficulty in determining postmortem interval and medical examiner's ability to ascertain information.
10:10- Blood detection methods at crime scenes and investigating scenes with cleansers used.
14:20 - Role of forensic pathologists in death investigations and inspecting a child's bedroom for foul play.
17:15 - Search warrant limitations in a residence and police walkthrough.
19:35 - Blood evidence found in Gannon's bedroom and challenges faced by the medical examiner.
21:50 - Establishing identification and cause of death in Gannon's case.
24:10 - Shared jurisdiction and forensic pathologist's expertise in tropical environments.
27:40 - Establishing a timeline of Gannon's death and managing emotions during trial testimonies.
31:00 - Forensic pathologist's clinical and objective testimony and Gannon's injuries.
33:30 - Presentation of Gannon's injuries in court and quantifying drug levels in decomposed bodies.
34:25 - Testing for substances in decomposed bodies, including maggots.
35:45 - Medication found in Gannon's system and detailing his injuries.
37:30 - Differentiating between lacerations and sharp force injuries and interpreting wounds on decomposed bodies.
39:20 - Importance of medical examiner's experience.
39:35 - Outro.
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In part one of this two-part series on Body Bags hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take listeners through the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and its aftermath. They describe the chaos at Ford's Theater, the attending physicians' struggles as they assessed Lincoln's condition with limited medical knowledge and tools, the removal of Lincoln's body, and the irony of increased security after the assassination. They also delve into the autopsy process, highlighting the physicians' extensive experience and the challenges they faced.
Time-codes:
00:20 - Start of show.
01:35 - John Wilkes Booth's actions in the theater.
02:00 - Immediate response to the shooting.
02:35 - Lincoln's condition when the surgeon arrived.
03:15 - Initial confusion among the audience.
04:00 - Booth's calculated timing for the shooting.
05:30 - Surgeon realizes Lincoln's gunshot wound location.
05:55 - Limitations of medical knowledge and tools.
07:40 - Lincoln stops breathing and has dilated pupils.
08:10 - Surgeon removes clot, Lincoln breathes again.
09:20 - Difficulty transporting Lincoln to the White House.
09:55 - Physicians try to locate the lead ball in Lincoln's head.
11:30 - Attempt to drain blood and reduce intracranial pressure.
12:00 - Lincoln's death at 7:30 a.m.
13:50 - Lincoln remains unconscious throughout the ordeal.
16:40 - Removal of Lincoln's body from the boarding house.
17:15 - Absence of security and irony of increased security.
18:00 - Lincoln's tendency to dismiss security.
18:40 - Lincoln's body conveyed to White House for autopsy.
19:55 - Handsaw used to open Lincoln's skull.
21:10 - Delicate nature of dissecting the brain.
22:15 - Autopsy challenges: lack of electricity, reliance on touch.
23:00 - Physicians' extensive experience in dealing with trauma.
29:40 - Modern gunshot wound examination process.
30:30 - Role of x-rays in understanding bullet trajectories.
31:15 - Autopsy confirms nothing could have saved Lincoln.
32:55 - Limitations of 1800s medical treatments.
33:30 - John Wilkes Booth's autopsy.
34:50 - Physician's anger and resentment towards Booth.
35:30 - Booth's body relocation before returning to family.
36:05 - Outro.
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In part one of this two-part series on Body Bags we delve into the assassination and autopsy of President Abraham Lincoln.
Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack analyze the character and motivations of John Wilkes Booth, the layout of Ford's Theater, and the negligent behavior of John Parker, assigned to protect the president. They provide a fascinating explanation of the Philadelphia Deringer's firing mechanism, including its unique preloading process and firing sequence as well as going into Booth's meticulous planning, highlighting his knowledge of the play's comedic timing, Lincoln's potential focus on the orchestra pit, and the painstaking preparation involved in using the Deringer. Throughout this captivating episode, listeners uncover the chilling details and lasting impact of one of the most infamous moments in American history.
Time-codes:
00:25 - JoScott’s surprise at visiting presidential assassination locations.
01:30 - Description of Ford's Theater and the assassination scene.
02:20 - Introduction of Lincoln's assassination and autopsy topic.
06:10 - Discussion of access to the president during Lincoln's time.
07:10 - How did Booth gain access to Lincoln's box at Ford's Theater?
08:45 - Lincoln's well-publicized attendance at the theater.
10:35 - Comparison of past and present presidential security measures.
11:10 - John Parker, the inept officer assigned to protect Lincoln.
13:40 - Background on John Wilkes Booth and his Southern cause support.
16:00 - Long-lasting impact of Lincoln's assassination on the country.
18:15 - Specifics of the weapon used by John Wilkes Booth.
21:35 - Importance of caliber and limitations of Booth's weapon.
23:40 - Preloading the Philadelphia Deringer and its hammer mechanism.
24:55 - Comparison of the Deringer's firing sequence to modern weapons.
26:20 - Demonstration of the Deringer's firing sequence and sound.
27:10 - Proximity of Booth to Lincoln when he fired the weapon.
27:50 - Booth's understanding of the play's comedic timing and assassination planning.
29:40 - Discussion of Booth's planning and escape plan.
30:30 - Process of loading the Derringer and importance of seating the bullet properly.
32:15 - Please join us next time for part two!
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Episode Summary: In this episode of Body Bags we delve into a baffling triple homicide case with multiple murder scenes and explore the backgrounds of the victims and suspect, Elias Gudino, who has a history of drug trafficking, and consider potential motives for the murders.
Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the challenges of kidnapping, restraining, and controlling multiple victims, as well as the significance of the chosen dumping grounds. They examine forensic details, such as rigor mortis and postmortem lividity, to determine the crime scene and the sequence of events.
Shownotes:
00:20 - Introduction to a triple homicide case.
01:22 - Overview of the triple homicide, including bound, gagged, and shot victims.
04:00 - Speculation on whether one individual could carry out this crime spree and comparisons to other multiple homicide cases.
05:25 - The challenge of controlling, restraining, and transporting multiple victims as a single perpetrator.
07:05 - Introducing the suspect, Elias Gudino, and examining his background, including drug trafficking past.
08:05 - Roadway access and its importance in this case, along with crime scene locations and their potential significance.
09:50 - Forensics of the case and insights on where the crime began, postmortem lividity, and rigor mortis.
12:15 - Coordination when investigating multiple crime scenes and commonalities between them.
13:05 - The ages of the victims and possible connections between Gudino and the victims.
20:00 - Exploring where the crime began and how forensics can provide answers.
22:10 - How rigor mortis and algor mortis can be indicators in the investigation.
27:05 - Timeline for a body to become flaccid again and how it can be a useful clue for investigators.
29:45 - Were the victims at the crime scene all night or were they dumped just before the call came in?
30:45 - The limited illumination at the crime scene and how darkness plays a role in the perpetrator's actions.
31:15 - Different materials used for restraining the victims, types of knots, and the type of gag used on the victims.
32:40 - Examining casings and projectiles to link crime scenes to specific weapons.
33:45 - Questioning the perpetrator count and crime sequence
33:55 - Outro
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In this episode of Body Bags we unravel the harrowing story of Shaye Groves, a woman consumed by her obsession with serial killers and ultimately implicated in the brutal murder of her boyfriend, Frankie Fitzgerald. Delving into the chilling fascination that permeated her life and relationships the hosts uncover the disturbing evidence that led to the gruesome crime.
Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the challenges investigators face when encountering an unfamiliar crime scene and the unsettling environment they discover including a macabre collection of serial killer images and the couple's history of violent, videotaped sex acts. They discuss Shaye Groves' possible premeditation of the murder, her manipulation and blackmail of previous partners through recorded sex acts, and her meticulous execution of the crime, such as using bleach to clean up the scene.
Shownotes:
00:20 - Intro to case.
02:10 - Dave Mack gives background and overview of case.
04:10 - What impact did having serial killer images in her home have on Shay Groves and her mindset?
05:25 - The disturbing nature of Shay Groves' obsession and how it relates to the crime and her life.
07:10 - Shay Groves and Frankie Fitzgerald's romantic relationship and Shaye's controlling nature.
09:25 - Challenges investigators face when entering an unfamiliar crime scene and disturbing evidence and how their first impressions can impact their investigation.
11:50 - The couple's history of violent sex acts captured on video and how this escalated.
14:00 - The use of bleach in morgue cleanups and how the smell of bleach can linger, connecting it to the crime scene.
15:10 - Possibility of Shea Groves planning the murder and the use of bleach to clean the crime scene.
19:50 - Shea's obsession with serial killers, dark imagery, and the types of knives used in the murder.
21:55 - JoScott talks about the differences between single-edged and double-edged knife wounds.
24:40 - The catastrophic loss of blood that led to Frankie's death and Shaye’s possible motives and methods during the attack.
26:40 - Determining if any wounds were inflicted post-mortem and whether the crime was a torture event or a dark fantasy acted out by Shaye.
28:54 - Outro.
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Levi Axtell, a Minnesota man, murdered elderly Lawrence V. Scully, whom he accused of stalking his young daughter. Scully was convicted in 1979 of sexually assaulting a 6 year old girl and went to prison for 2 years. When carrying out the crime, Axtell used unconventional weapons in his attack – a shovel and a large moose antler – leaving a gruesome crime scene behind.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the perplexing case of a brutal attack involving a shovel and moose antlers. They explore the difficulties faced by forensic investigators in differentiating between injuries caused by these unconventional weapons, while also examining the chaotic nature and rapid timeline of the assault, as well as the psychological aspects driving the attacker to use such odd weapons, and how the investigation unfolded in this bizarre and gruesome case.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:05 - Background and overview of case
2:22 - Moose antlers being used as weapons.
3:55 - Levi Axtell and Lawrence Scully had been in conflict for years and Axtell eventually got an order of protection from him. What does that mean and what does it take to get an order of protection?
6:45 - Finding registered sex offenders in your area.
8:00 - Axtell got an order of protection from Scully which was then dismissed leading to heightened frustration and alertness.
10:10 - Scully’s criminal history.
13:05 - Axtell’s previous offenses.
13:50 - How did the whole situation escalate?
14:25 - Imagine a scenario where a blood-covered man confesses to murder at a police station.
15:30 - The role of 911 in reporting crimes.
16:40 - The police must ensure the safety of the suspect and others in the vicinity.
19:40 - Start asking questions.
21:10 - The suspect is agitated, how does that affect his interaction with the police?
22:30 - The use of a shovel in this case and how that may be used as evidence by Axtell's defense.
24:25 - Has JoScott Seen people use garden tools as weapons?
27:00 - How do forensic experts analyze and decipher complex crime scenes with widespread blood, defensive injuries, and splatter?
31:35 - How do forensic experts distinguish wounds from unusual weapons?
36:00 - How does the unique shape and weight of a moose antler influence its use as a weapon and the resulting injuries compared to other blunt force weapons?
39:10 - How the short time frame and frenzied nature of the attack may impact how police or forensic experts approach and investigate the crime scene.
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In this episode of the Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the chilling case of 76-year-old Leon Hignite, who is found abandoned in his home with gruesome injuries. They explore the forensic details of blood spatter patterns, analyze the severity of Leon's injuries, the challenges faced by the medical team, and the disturbing circumstances surrounding the incident.
Time Codes:
0:00 - Introduction
01:17 - Overview and background
04:28 - Dave questions how the blood on the ceiling and wall could have resulted from Leon's supposed fall in the bathroom.
05:07 - Leon's limited ability to communicate due to his blindness and hearing impairment.
06:17 - The autopsy reveals that Leon sustained at least 30 blunt force impacts to his head.
07:42 - Paramedics find Leon in a deplorable state on the bedroom floor, surrounded by blood and waste.
09:46 - Leon’s feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
10:10 - Leon is found after three days.
10:41 - Leon's medical condition, age, blindness, and other health issues.
11:04 - The police arrive to serve a search warrant and discover the house set on fire.
11:56 - Medical intervention needed for Leon's head trauma.
13:14 - Carol Hignite's claims she gave Leon ice chips to hydrate him.
14:39 - Were the injuries Leon sustained typical of a fall?
16:10 - The forensic implications of overlapping contusions and fractured areas.
18:05 - The pink hammer.
20:47 - The forensic challenges of blood being found on the hammer.
22:14 - The differences between blood spatter from impact vs. cast-off.
24:01 - Blood velocities and their relation to various weapons.
25:30 - What happened those 3 days before 911 was called?
27:40 - Outro
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Stephen Smith died mysteriously in 2015 in South Carolina. Though his death was initially ruled a hit-and-run, it has more recently gained attention following the 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh which lead to the reopening of his case two years ago. The Murdaugh family was mentioned in the initial investigation, but no charges were filed. Smith was found dead with a large gash on his forehead, a partially dislocated shoulder, and cuts and bruises on his hand. Authorities initially thought Smith had been shot, but no bullet or fragments were found. In March 2023, Smith's death was officially ruled a homicide by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss what types of injuries one sustains when hit by a vehicle, why Joe and Dave think the perpetrator was likely a local, exhumation, mirror strikes, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:26 - Encountering unexpected road obstacles
4:30 - Open homicide with lots to still investigate
6:45 - What happens when you call 911?
11:10 - Misidentifying a gunshot wound as a hit and run
13:00 - Joe describes types of injuries and evidence left on a vehicle when it strikes a pedestrian
20:40 - Why Joe and Dave think the perpetrator was likely a local
22:10 - Besides head trauma, what other physical damage would you expect to see in a hit and run case?
23:40 - What is a mirror strike?
27:25 - Exhumation and its challenges
34:00 - The importance of thorough examination including high-quality imaging and analysis
38:25 - Outro
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Edward LeClair, aged 57, was on trial in Denton, Texas for five counts of sexual abuse. While being read his conviction, he chugged an entire bottle of water in the courtroom.
LeClair was then transported to a holding cell and later when checked on by the bailiff was found unconscious. Emergency services were immediately called and LeClair was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss LeClair’s crimes, his decision to take his own life, sodium nitrate, what it does to your body, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:17 - Background
4:45 - Sentence for going after a minor
6:30 - The bottle of water
9:45 - LeClair’s decision to take his own life
11:50 - Would he have been allowed in with his own bottle of water?
14:55 - What substance was in the bottle?
17:50 - Sodium Nitrate
20:50 - What does Sodium Nitrate do to your body?
25:00 - Other times Sodium Nitrate has been used and what the toxicology tells us
28:15 - Can you reverse the effects of poisons? Could LeClair’s death have been prevented?
30:10 - Wrap up
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On March 15th in 44 B.C. Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator, was assassinated by a group of senators who stabbed him 23 times during a Senate meeting. The senators claimed Caesar's concentration of power threatened the Roman Republic. However, their efforts to restore the Republic failed, and the aftermath led to a civil war and the rise of the Roman Empire. His death also led to the earliest recorded autopsy in history.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss the purpose of autopsies, Caesar's life and leadership, the details of how he was attacked, the injuries sustained, and how this event shaped the course of history.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:12 - Background and overview
2:35 - What’s the purpose of an autopsy?
4:05 - Caesar’s life and work as a leader
7:15 - The day of Caesar’s assassination
9:15 - How the attack happened
10:50 - Caesar’s autopsy
13:20 - After someone is stabbed multiple times does blood keep flowing or will it eventually stop after a few hours?
17:10 - Could the doctor have attributed Caesar’s death to blood loss?
20:10 - What was the assassination plan for Caesar? Were there other injuries and what was Caesar's condition afterward?
22:10 - Where was the autopsy done?
23:40 - The start of 3D modeling
25:30 - How this event shaped history
27:05 - Outro
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Megan Hess, a former owner of the Colorado funeral home, Sunset Mesa, has pleaded guilty to secretly dissecting corpses and selling body parts without consent from relatives of the deceased. Hess and her mother, Shirley Koch, launched a non-profit donor service organization in 2009. They forged dozens of body donor consent forms and sold the body parts for profit. They have both been convicted and sentenced for their crimes.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss the purpose of funeral homes, how one decides what is done with a loved one's remains, the legal procedures for deciding what is done with bodily remains, using bodies for medical purposes, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Background
2:40 - What is the purpose of a funeral home?
5:05 - Gross Anatomy
5:50 - Deciding what is done with a body after death
8:10 - Donor Services and Megan Hess
13:35 - Can you tell if someone’s ashes aren’t real?
16:00 - Legal procedures for remains
18:10 - Non-transplant anatomical donation
19:30 - Jeff Peacock and finding out his parents were victims of Hess
23:40 - Body parts sold having certain diseases
25:30 - Using bodies for medical purposes
27:50 - Sentencing for Megan Hess and her mother Shirley Koch
28:30 - Wrap-up
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Debbie Collier, a Georgia resident, is reported missing on September 10th, 2022 after sending her daughter, Amanda, a Venmo payment for $2,385 with a message saying, “They are not going to let me go, love you.” She was found dead the next day in a ravine more than an hour north from her home. The newly released autopsy report reveals that when her body was found 80% of it was covered in second and third degree burns. Which is one of many reasons why the public was surprised to hear that the death has been ruled a suicide.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss Collier’s burns, the state of her clothing, the lack of debris found in her trachea, why police have ruled this a suicide, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Background and overview of case
4:45 - Debbie Collier’s clothing and what it tells us
8:45 - The autopsy report and Collier’s burns
11:30 - Burning to kill vs. burning to cover something up
13:05 - No evidence of debris in her trachea
15:05 - Police ruling this a suicide
18:25 - Carboxyhemoglobin level and hydrocodone
19:50 - Is there an indication that the burning took place after death?
22:10 - Manner of death
24:00 - Was this really a suicide?
25:40 - Do police sometimes downplay what they’ve seen to the public?
29:00 - Outro
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We revisit the Murdaugh trial in which South Carolina lawyer, Alex Murdaugh, is currently facing trial for the murder of his wife Maggie, and his son Paul. As the trial continues, we are learning more information about the nature of the crimes and how exactly they played out.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss the specifics of both Paul and Maggie’s injuries, why the prosecution uses diagrams vs. photographs when showing evidence in court, whether Paul had any defensive wounds, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:18 - Background and overview of the case
2:35 - Using diagrams in court vs. photographs
6:05 - Paul Murdaugh’s injuries
11:15 - The second shot to Paul Murdaugh’s head
14:50 - Paul’s face left intact
19:25 - Were there any type of defensive wounds on Paul?
20:30 - Maggie Murdaugh’s injuries
23:30 - Stippling around Maggie’s wounds
26:00 - Shot to the abdomen
29:00 - Was this overkill?
31:00 - Wrap up and outro
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On May 9th, 2021, in St. John’s County, Florida, 13 year old Tristyn Bailey goes missing. She was last seen by her sister just after midnight and is reported missing that morning by her family. The police and community begin searching for her that same day and at 6 p.m. that night her body is found by a neighbor in a remote area in the woods. She had been stabbed more than 100 times.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss the timeline of this case, how police track and identify suspects using surveillance footage, the different kinds of stab wounds, the importance of taking photographs of potential suspects, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Background and overview of case
3:40 - Thrill killing
6:20 - The timeline
8:50 - How can investigators get blood out of something that’s already been washed?
13:30 - How do police identify and track a suspect from footage used for evidence?
16:00 - Mother’s day and siblings not finding Tristyn in her bedroom
17:40 - Different kinds of stab wounds
23:00 - Presenting medical evidence in court and defensive vs. non-defensive wounds
26:10 - Tristyn attempting to fight off the killer
27:20 - Importance of taking photographs of potential suspects and all parts of their body
30:40 - Aiden Fucci
32:50 - Aspects of premeditation and Fucci’s mother’s awareness of the crime
34:50 - Fucci pleading not guilty, his story constantly changing, and then finally pleading guilty
36:30 - Wrap-up and outro
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Ana Walshe, a property manager for Tishman Speyer, goes missing January 1, 2023. She is reported missing by her employer and by her husband Brian Walshe. Her husband is arrested on January 8th and charged with misleading the police investigation. Police then obtained a search warrant to the couple’s home where in the basement they find a damaged and bloody knife.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the timeline of Ana’s disappearance, the bloody knife found in the basement, the logistics of dismembering a body, looking at suspects deviating from their behavior, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:18 - Background and overview of the case
2:45 - The disappearance timeline
4:20 - Bloody knife in the basement
7:20 - Evidence found from blood
10:40 - The husband and tracking his moves
14:20 - Hacksaw
15:20 - Dismembering a body
18:45 - Determining the search radius for a missing body
23:00 - Suspects deviating from their regular behaviors
26:20 - Investigators relying on intuition
28:20 - Death threats
29:45 - Outro
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On the evening of February 16th, 2022 Jared Bridegan is dropping off his daughter at his ex-wife’s home. On the drive over he has to stop because there’s a tire in the middle of the road and he cannot go around it. He steps out of the car to go and move it whereupon he is shot multiple times. Henry Tenon has been charged with Bridegan’s murder. His only known connection to Bridegan is that he is a former tenant of a property owned by Bridegan’s ex-wifes current husband.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the longevity and complexity of this case, the logistics of the shooting itself, the charges against the suspect, the evidence found from the tire and shell casings, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:18 - Background and overview of the case
3:25 - The logistics of the shooting
6:25 - Charges against the suspect
10:00 - Tenon’s truck
11:15 - Evidence from the tire
13:15 - Car rims and fingerprints
15:40 - Planning and pre-meditation
20:20 - The choke point and Florida climate
24:55 - Shell casings
30:15 - Video surveillance and tracking down the owner of the blue truck
32:45 - The longevity and complexity of this case
35:00 - Outro
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South Carolina lawyer, Alex Murdaugh, is currently facing trial for the murder of his wife and son. Due to the gruesome nature of the crime, people have begun to look extensively into the family’s history and background and in doing that have found connections with them and other deaths that had been initially ruled as accidents or deaths from natural causes. However, upon further investigation it seems that there may be something much darker at play.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss the Murdaugh family history and background, the various victims of this family, the injuries each of them sustained, how you marry anecdotal evidence with physical evidence, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
2:30 - Background and overview of case
6:50 - The 911 call
9:50 - Victims were shot with different weapons
11:40 - Injuries sustained by Paul
15:05 - Differences ammunition makes in injuries
19:10 - Gloria Satterfield
21:20 - What happened the day that Gloria Satterfield died?
25:00 - Tying together anecdotal evidence and physical evidence
28:20 - Steven Smith
31:20 - Steven’s injuries
35:30 - Using a car as a weapon
37:00 - How are the Murdaugh’s connected to Steven’s death?
38:30 - Mallory Beach
42:45 - How Mallory’s death shined a light on the Murdaugh family
44:35 - Outro
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Sasha Krause, a Mennonite school teacher in New Mexico, goes missing on January 18th, 2020. About a month later a camper goes out to Sunset Crater Visitor Center, an area 20 miles outside of Flagstaff Arizona, to gather firewood and stumbles upon a body near her campsite. After an autopsy, they identify this body as Sasha Krause. Another month later, Mark Gooch, a U.S. Air Force member is arrested for her murder.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the significance of how the victim’s body was found, the clothing that was missing, the temperature, and the connection between the victim and the suspect.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Background and overview of case
4:50 - Where did the investigators start?
7:40 - Setting up a timeline
9:30 - Discovering Sasha Krause’s body
10:50 - Processing the crime scene
12:35 - Drag marks
17:15 - Body position + temperature
24:30 - Finding a suspect: Mark Gooch
27:25 - Putting the evidence together
28:45 - Significance of missing clothing and lack of DNA evidence
30:50 - Fingerprints
34:05 - Gooch makes an effort to hide his movements from that night
37:10 - Wrap up
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Four University of Idaho students are brutally murdered in their home in Moscow, Idaho on November 13th, 2022. Police suspect that the murder took place between 3am-4 and their bodies are discovered by a friend that same morning around noon. Investigators believe that the murder weapon was a knife of some sort. More leads have been uncovered by police and investigators in the past weeks and the hunt is still on for a primary suspect.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard continue discussing the details of this unfolding case following the 19 page affidavit detailing evidence collected so far. Joe and Jackie discuss moving evidence as big as a mattress, the KA-BAR knife sheath and matching up knife inflicted wounds, history of KA-BAR knives, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:45 - Reopening the details of this case - 19-page affidavit dropped over the weekend.
2:30 - Multiple forms of evidence have been recovered including but not limited to DNA, Cell Phone, CCTV Footage, Footprints, and the Knife Sheath.
4:00 - What is Touch DNA?
7:32 - Has Blood evidence been found?
9:50 - What volume of DNA is needed to match a suspect from the evidence collected so far?
12:35 - Differentiation in wounds on the victim's bodies.
16:55 - Examining the mattresses that the bodies were found on, what they can reveal to a forensic expert.
21:45 - Proper handling of a piece of evidence as big as a person's mattress.
27:04 - How do you match up wounds on a victim to a knife that may have been used to inflict those injuries? A KA-BAR knife sheath was found discarded on one of the victim's beds.
31:47 - Before an Autopsy is conducted you perform an AP and a Lateral X-ray.
35:20 - History of the KA-BAR name and model.
37:07 - A footprint was discovered outside the surviving roommate's door. Investigators matched up the print to a Van skate shoe.
40:39 - footprints can tell you about how a person walks, what part of the foot they walk on, and the persons gait.
42:00 - Outro
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When Joseph Scott Morgan was on his first date with his wife Kim she asked him what he did for a living. When he responded by telling her that he worked for the Medical Examiner, essentially the coroner, examining dead bodies and performing autopsies, she looked at him with a puzzled expression…
We all have aspects of our lives that are unusual, whether it’s our family, our habits, or our jobs. But when we do these things every day, they become so normal to us that we don’t even question them anymore.
In this special episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard go into depth on the touchstone of forensic death investigation: autopsies. They discuss what an autopsy is, who can order one, the different kinds, and how Joe ended up in this unique profession.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
2:07 - What is an autopsy?
4:10 - Who determines when an autopsy is done? Why would you not do one?
7:40 - Can an autopsy be done even if the family doesn’t want it?
9:58 - Gloria Satterfield’s cause of death
12:45 - Are there different kinds of autopsies?
17:55 - Joe’s experience in the autopsy room
18:56 - What is a full autopsy and how long does it take?
26:50 - Can certain autopsies be prioritized?
30:22 - Is an autopsy considered surgery?
34:05 - How did Joseph Scott end up working in a morgue?
38:50 - Seeing bodies in all different kinds of states
41:40 - How does Joe’s family deal with his line of work?
43:45 - Joe’s take on his career
45:21 - Wrap up
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In April of 2019, police are investigating the death of a man named Phillip Pointer, who’s believed to have died of natural causes. When searching his property to confirm this, they stumble across a bucket, inside which they find a severed human foot. Little did they know that this foot would contain answers to a case police had been investigating for three years.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the difficulties of tracking body parts found in different locations, identifying a body, phenotyping, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Background and overview of the case
2:48 - What the police found at the scene
5:00 - What do investigators do to determine if there are any more remains on the property?
8:50 - Figuring out who the foot belongs to
10:50 - Is there a database that tracks body parts and when they are found?
12:55 - Connecting the dots
17:00 - What was the purpose behind the crime?
18:25 - Cause of death and how it was determined
22:45 - Identifying the body parts
26:50 - Identifying tattoos
29:20 - Different types of identification
32:38 - Phenotyping
35:50 - Identifying the victim
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On March 7, 2019 a man is driving down the road with his children in Las Vegas Valley when they notice a car with a rock thrown through its window. They call the police, and upon further inspection, a body is found in the trunk of the car with blood everywhere. The man is identified to be Dr. Thomas Burchard, a beloved child psychiatrist from Salinas, California.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the blood patterns, the evidence found inside the car, how many pieces of evidence are gathered from a crime scene, where Dr. Burchard was in his final days, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
2:25 - Background and overview of the case
5:12 - Blood patterns
7:15 - Determining the cause of death from blood patterns
12:10 - Gloves found inside the car
16:15 - Arson investigation
18:30 - How many pieces of evidence can be generated from a crime scene?
21:40 - The state the body is found in
25:40 - Tampering with the crime scene
27:30 - How did investigators figure out the victim had been beaten?
33:28 - Discovering where Dr. Burchard was during his final 3 days of life
37:00 - Investigators start to piece together the evidence
39:12 - Transfers of blood, swears, and wipes
42:38 - Wrap up
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Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-zone-7-with-sheryl-mccollu-106023288/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zone-7-with-sheryl-mccollum/id1660041219
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39AxkVOTQ9HjcNqykeJHX4
Stitcher/Simplecast: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1048440
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/zone-7-with-sheryl-mccollum/PC:1001048440
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60846f0d-334a-4a97-8105-78c07d29aecd/zone-7-with-sheryl-mccollum
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Four University of Idaho students are brutally murdered in their home in Moscow, Idaho on November 13th, 2022. Police suspect that the murders occurred between 3am-4 and their bodies were discovered by a friend that same morning around noon. Investigators believe that the murder weapon was a knife of some sort. More leads have been uncovered by police and investigators in the past weeks and the hunt is still on for a primary suspect.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard continue discussing the details of this unfolding case, the DNA evidence that has been collected, details on a vehicle of interest, the odd state of lockdown at the scene of the crime, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Reopening the details of this case
1:55 - Description of the vehicle of interest that police are looking for.
7:22 - How do you properly process a vehicle that may be connected to a crime?
10:55 - The volume of evidence collected so far will take some time to go through properly.
12:49 - Types of biological evidence, Blood and DNA, collected on site
16:39 - Other possible biological evidence at the scene
19:43 - How many tests will be run on these individual pieces of evidence?
23:13 - Will running tests on evidence destroy the sample you have collected?
26:04 - Confusion on the details of the weapon involved in the stabbings
29:12 - Joe’s experience with grieving families
31:20 - Items returned to families immediately lose their evidentiary value in most cases
34:56 - Covering your bases as a Medical Legal Death investigator when thinking about the courtroom deposition of your findings.
36:38 - The importance of contextual location
39:56 - Joe Scott’s position on the importance of doing things in the proper order
41:23 - Outro
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Christopher Osborn is found and pronounced dead in his home in Dublin, Ohio on July 18th, 2018, just after 7:30 a.m. He had been shot in the head three times in his sleep. His wife, Holli Osborn, drunkenly calls her father to tell him that her husband is dead. Her father calls the police and shortly thereafter they arrive at the house. After finding two guns next to the bed and seeing the state of Ms. Osborn, they take her into custody and eventually charge her with the murder of her husband.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the state Dr. Osborn was murdered in, gunshot residue, how to assess a crime scene after its been altered, how the location of where Holli’s DNA was found eventually proved she was the perpetrator, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Background and overview of the case
2:43 - Evidence from the bed
6:23 - In a case like this, what evidence do you start with first?
9:28 - Who arrived at the scene first?
12:20 - Assessing the crime scene after it's been damaged
15:40 - How to tell the difference between something that was part of the crime vs. caused by first responders when they arrived at the scene
19:40 - Does the amount of blood depend on how many times you were shot or where you were shot?
29:20 - Does Dr. Osborn’s physical state (sleeping) factor into his body’s reaction when he was shot?
34:40 - Gunshot residue
40:43 - Are all gun powders the same?
42:30 - Distribution of gunpowder
47:00 - “10 particles”
49:35 - Holli’s DNA being found on the gun and how it was proven that she was the perpetrator
50:50 - Outro
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Katie Baunach is last seen alive on September 29th, 2022, when she tells a friend she is going to her ex-husband's home to pick up some of her belongings. She obtained a restraining order from him the previous month after allegations he had abused one of their children. When police went to investigate the house they detected “signs of a physical struggle” and upon looking further found something much more sinister.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss how luminol is used to detect blood, the difficulties of burning a body, non-specific homicidal trauma, “roid rage”, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Background and overview of the case
2:58 - Moving of the car
5:40 - Using luminol to detect blood
12:13 - Who invented spraying blood with luminol to see it under a black light?
14:30 - The difficulties of burning a body
20:34 - Why did the barrel smell of decay? (check)
22:18 - Moving the body
24:10 - How do you determine the cause of death for a body that had been moved multiple times?
26:50 - Non-specific homicidal trauma
30:02 - Dealing with stress
30:33 - Police find suspicious substances
34:03 - What is “roid rage” and what causes it?
40:45 - Wrap up
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Four University of Idaho students are brutally murdered in their home in Moscow, Idaho on November 13th, 2022. Police suspect that the murder took place between 3am-4 and their bodies are discovered by a friend that same morning around noon. Investigators believe that the murder weapon was a knife of some sort. This case is still unfolding.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the gruesome nature of this case, the murder weapon, making sense of the chaos of the crime scene, what police are looking for in the surveillance footage, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Background and overview of case
2:26 - The police not knowing what they were walking into
6:20 - Side door being the point of entry
8:30 - Signs of forced entry, the window, and how it could have been pried open
10:07 - Light sources
12:30 - Two roommates who survived, who was stabbed first, the murder weapon
18:26 - The style of weapon suggests that this was a targeted attack
21:34 - How do we tell who was stabbed first and what are we going to find on the other victims?
26:38 - Making sense of the chaos
28:05 - Co-mingling of blood, actions of the perpetrator, finding the knife
31:54 - Other injuries to expect in this case
35:38 - What exactly are the police looking for in the video surveillance footage?
40:38 - Outro
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reagan Simmons Hancock, 21, is found dead in her New Boston home by her mother on the morning of October 9th, 2020. She was seven and a half months pregnant, had been stabbed over 100 times, strangled, and had her unborn child removed from her womb. The perpetrator is Taylor Parker, a friend of Hancock’s, who had been faking a pregnancy for over 10 months.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the blood patterns at the crime scene, the injuries sustained by Hancock, the logistics of performing an at-home C-section, and how Parker may have gone about planning the attack.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:18 - Background and overview of case
3:14 - Blood patterns
4:42 - Two questions: 1. How much blood is in the human body? 2. With blood everywhere, how do you figure out where the murder actually occurred?
7:50 - Stab wounds/strangulation
10:40 - How Reagan’s pregnancy factored into her murder/death
13:32 - Scalpels, surgical tools, C-sections
17:25 - Langer lines
19:50 - How did the assailant perform the C-section without harming the baby?
23:11 - Finding the perpetrator: Taylor Parker
24:10 - The placenta and Parker faking the baby’s birth
27:35 - Major indicators that a woman has given birth
30:28 - What ultimately led to the death of the child?
32:30 - Wrap up and final thoughts
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On April 16th, 2022 a mushroom hunter calls 911 to tell them he’s found an abandoned suitcase in the middle of the woods. Inside the suitcase is the body of a young boy. The boy is later identified as 5-year-old Cairo Ammar Jordan from Atlanta, Georgia. He was never reported missing.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the state of Cairo’s body when it was found, his cause of death, how police process a crime scene like this, what it’s like to discover a body, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:57 - Background and overview of the case
3:10 - How did they get Cairo into the suitcase?
7:25 - The state of Cairo’s body when found
10:45 - Discovering bodies
14:55 - How do police begin processing a scene like this?
18:15 - Joe describes the tests done on evidence found
21:30 - The inside of the suitcase
27:30 - Pulling fingerprints and finding the crime scene as the perpetrator left it
31:35 - Cairo’s cause of death
35:45 - How does an electrolyte imbalance kill you?
38:10 - Viral gastroenteritis
43:10 - Wrap up
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Four men in Okmulgee, Oklahoma leave a friend's house on bikes on the evening of October 9th, 2022. Investigators believe that these men intended to commit a crime, or series of crimes. They are soon reported missing. On October 14th, their bodies are found in Deep For River having been shot and dismembered. After looking into the case officials believe that this act was premeditated.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the overt violence of the murder, how to track a bicycle, how you distinguish between blood types, how investigators retrieve body parts, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:12 - Background and overview of the case
3:20 - How do you track a bicycle?
9:45 - How do you calculate how far to extend your search?
12:10 - Police using tracking information to find the victims
15:30 - Bodies dumped in the river
16:15 - How is it physically possible to kill four men in a short period of time?
20:35 - What exactly is “a violent act”?
24:15 - The steps taken in an autopsy to distinguish between blood types
29:00 - What do two different blood types look like on a slide?
30:58 - Visual deception
32:10 - Would the victim's skeleton be visible by this point?
36:10 - How does the gruesome state of the victim’s bodies interfere with being able to figure out what happened to them?
39:40 - How do you retrieve body parts and keep them in the state they’re found?
46:05 - Wrap up
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sarah Boone calls authorities to report that her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr. is dead in their home in Winter Park, Florida. The couple had been drinking the night before and thought it would be “funny” if Mr. Torres crawled inside a suitcase and Ms.Boone zipped him inside. She then goes upstairs and passes out in her bed. When she woke up the next morning she finds Torres still in the suitcase and unresponsive. After police uncovered video from Boone’s phone with Torres yelling Boones name and attempting to escape, they charge her with second-degree murder.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss what happens to your body when it’s deprived of oxygen, positional vs. compression asphyxiation, how much of a role the couple’s alcohol consumption played into the case, injuries sustained by Mr. Torres, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:40 - Background and overview of case
3:25 - Cause of death
5:40 - Positional asphyxiation
8:00 - What volume of oxygen does your brain require?
10:30 - What does lack of oxygen do to your body?
15:45 - How is it exactly that lack of oxygen makes you die?
18:05 - Fear of running out of oxygen
20:25 - Other items found in the suitcase
23:25 - Compression asphyxia vs. Positional asphyxia
26:35 - How compressed does your chest have to be for asphyxiation to occur?
28:45 - How much of a role did alcohol play in this case?
30:55 - Discovering a body in a suitcase
31:35 - Injuries Mr. Torres sustained
35:40 - Could Torres have gotten out of the suitcase?
37:55 - History of domestic violence
39:14 - Wrap up
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Jan. 18, 2021, 46-year-old Francis Kelly’s body was discovered. Police find Kelly on his couch, in his home, and a bag of cocaine underneath him. The unexpected autopsy says he died of strangulation. All while during a heated custody battle between Kelly and Littlefield.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss how Francis Kelly’s death was ultimately a staged overdose, the significant differences between fentanyl and cocaine, how the body reacts to the different drugs, why strangulation was not obvious to investigators, and much more!
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction to Body Bags with forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and producer Jackie Howard
0:36 - Brief overview of the homicide case involving victim Francis Kelly
1:14 - Introduction of CrimeOnline’s Jackie Howard
2:09 - When Francis Kelly's body was discovered, police found him on his couch in his home and a bag of cocaine underneath him
2:57 - The difference between fentanyl and cocaine
4:32 - Left ventricular hypertrophy
8:11 - Fentanyl was originally developed as a partner for surgical use
10:00 - How fentanyl works within the body vs. cocaine
11:08 - Narcan and its uses
16:03 - Questions: How did he get the fentanyl in his body? Is that a normal way of taking fentanyl? Is that way going to have a different reaction in the body? Would he have tasted it? Does ingesting it offer a different kind of effect?
19:26 - What is skin popping?
24:52 - “There is nothing as an investigator that will make you stop cold in your tracks than an unexpected result at autopsy. It's something that makes you question your abilities. It's something that makes you question the care that you took with the case because this is key: Once the scene has been left, the body has been removed from the scene, and can never reset.”
25:34 - Autopsy reports that Kelly was in fact strangled and did not OD as suspected
26:32 - Question: Kelly was strangled with a tie. Why was that not originally obvious? Specifically, because ligature marks typically leave a mark
31:51 - We later find out that Kelly's death was a result of a custody dispute between Littlefield and Kelly. Littlefield claimed Kelly was abusive
32:22 - Question: The other thing that we find out, which I find very interesting and kind of explains some things about the cocaine, knowing that he died from fentanyl and that it was cocaine that was found. We're looking at a good case of staging here, aren't we, Joe?
38:57 - The verdict is in
39:28 - Heidi Littlefield was sentenced to 115 years in a state prison, which included 60 years for murder. 20 years for attempted poisonings, and 35 years for conspiracy to commit murder resulting in a death
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On January 7th, 1972, Nancy Anderson, 19, is found dead in her Waikiki apartment with over 60 stab wounds. The case goes cold for fifty years until new DNA technology and detective work leads to the arrest of a suspect: Tudor Chirila Jr.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the lack of evidence the crime scene, why Nancy’s roommate thought this might have been a suicide, distinguishing between stab wounds, how phenotyping lead to the breakthrough in this case, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
2:37 - Background and overview of case
4:15 - How do you investigate a case once it's gone cold?
7:20 - Stab wounds
11:30 - No evidence of foul play at the crime scene
15:45 - The roommate and thinking Nancy had comitted suicide
18:40 - Water running in the bathroom
21:00 - How do you distinguish between wounds?
24:40 - The salesman as suspects
26:35 - Bathrooms as a popular crime scene
30:05 - Blood testing process
35:35 - How do you preserve evidence?
41:17 - What is Phenotyping and how did it help the investigation?
47:55 - Genealogy and a son
49:20 - The suspect is found
50:43 - Wrap up
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eliza Fletcher, a Memphis teacher and mother, is reported missing the morning of September 2, 2022 after she doesn't return home from her morning jog. A search is launched shortly thereafter and comes to an end on September 5th when her body is found by police. Suspect, Cleotha Abston has been arrested and charged for her murder.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss what the autopsy report shows, what her cause of death was determined to be, what drugs were found in her system, and more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - Background and overview of case
1:42 - The autopsy report: how you read it and what you learn from it
16:17 - Eliza’s cause of death
22:16 - What the gunshot wound tells us
26:23 - Internal and external beveling
28:03 - Le Fort fracture
32:25 - Submission
34:10 - Fentanyl
40:13 - Was Eliza Fletcher raped?
43:36 - Wrap up
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s the morning of March 31st, 2020 a jogger finds Dr. Beth Potter and her husband Robin Carre shot in the head execution-style in University of Wisconsin Arboretum. Carre is pronounced dead on the scene by police while his wife, who was still alive, was rushed to the hospital where she also dies. Initially the police believed this to be a random homicide, but after reviewing video surveillance and GPS data, they redirect their sights on a potential suspect: Khari Sanford - the boyfriend of the victim’s adopted daughter Mimi.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the gruesome nature of this case, how the cooler temperature affected the crime scene (specifically, the blood), how conscious Dr. Potter was for the hours that she was alive after the attack and the motive of the suspect.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Background and overview of the case
5:21 - Did Robin Carre die from his gunshot wound/was it exacerbated from the cold temperature?
7:23 - Was Dr. Potter really still breathing when they found her?
9:34 - The significance of the area where you’re shot
12:01 - How do we know the victims were killed on the pathway where they were found?
16:15 - Would the cooler temperatures affect the state of the blood found at the crime scene?
18:26 - Shell casings
21:10 - Was Dr. Potter in and out of consciousness the whole night before she was found?
25:14 - Finding the suspect, Khari Sanford (the boyfriend of the victim’s daughter)
29:41 - Hearsay and the weight is has in a court of law
33:20 - Sanford and Mimi (the victim’s daughter) reportedly spoke of the parents having “bands of money” and that they were “rich”
36:35 - Wrap up and final details
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pamela Hargan and her daughter Helen were found dead in their home in McLean, Virginia, the victims of an apparent murder-suicide, in July 2017. Once police investigated further, they realized that the crime scene had been staged and this was a homicide that they were looking at. Eventually, police narrowed it down to one prime suspect - Pamela’s oldest daughter Megan.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss how the police realized the crime scene was staged, the significance of where the gun was found, blood spatter patterns, how they came to suspect Pamela’s oldest daughter Megan, and much more.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Background and overview of the case
3:35 - How did the police know that the crime scene had been staged?
7:05 - The significance of the location where the gun was found
10:08 - The forces of gravity and homicide v. suicide investigations
15:45 - Gunshot residue
19:30 - Blood spatter pattern
25:20 - After recreating the crime scene, what did they discover about Pamela’s death?
29:55 - What happens when someone is shot in the head?
34:30 - Pamela’s oldest daughter, Megan, is charged with the murder
38:35 - Megan’s phone call to her boyfriend
40:00 - After the police realized the crime scene was staged, how did they start investigating the case as a homicide?
44:25 - Wrapping up and final details of the case
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Amie Harwick, a sex therapist and former fiancé of actor Drew Carey, is found unresponsive under a balcony in her Hollywood Hills home on the morning of February 15th, 2020. She is rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, passes away. The evidence at the crime scene and on Harwick’s body indicated signs of a struggle and her having been thrown from the balcony.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss blunt force trauma, the difference between falling/being thrown from a great height, how to tell in what order injuries occur, and why a nicotine syringe became a major factor in this case.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Background and overview of the case
3:45 - Where do you start with a case like this?
5:10 - Amie Harwick being thrown from her balcony
7:30 - How do we know she was thrown off the balcony?
15:45 - Do the injuries differ depending on whether you are thrown from a great height or fall from one?
19:00 - Blunt force trauma
20:10 - How does the M.E. go about examining all the injuries?
25:50 - Is it possible that Amie was beaten and that caused the injuries to her liver, not the fall?
29:40 - How can you tell what order the injuries happened in?
32:00 - If Amie fell, and was not thrown, would her death still be considered blunt force trauma?
34:00 - Suspects in Amie’s case
34:55 - How investigators suspect the murder played out
36:40 - Finding a nicotine filled syringe and what that signifies
42:10 - Harwick’s ex-boyfriend, Gareth Pursehouse, becomes the prime suspect
44:45 - Pursehouse has been charged with murder, first degree residential burglary, and special circumstance allegation of lying in wait.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year old mother of Memphis, Tennessee went missing around 4am, September 2nd, 2022 while out for a morning run. CCTV footage shows her being forced into an SUV. An arrest has been made in connection to her disappearance.
Eliza Fletcher's remains have now been found and positively identified.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
First responders arrive at a “battle scene” in 77-year-old Barbara Steele's West Virginia home. Her body is beaten, eviscerated, and positioned on a makeshift altar by 28-year-old Joshua Drennen, who after leaving her residence, continues his string of assaults on unsuspecting civilians, until immobilized by a Charleston police officer.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the antique item used in the physical attacks and injuries sustained by Barbara Steele and two other individuals in the community.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
2:46 - Description of an antique iron owned and utilized by 77-year-old Barbara Steele
6:47 - Police are alerted to a criminal act committed by Joshua Drennen inside Barbara Steele’s home
8:03 - Joe describes the crime scene, the assault on Barbara Steele’s vehicle, and her participation within the community.
10:45 - Jackie and Joe discuss the continued acts of violence by Joshua Drennen against a woman inside her parked vehicle
9:23 - An explanation of cubing injuries to a body from an explosion of safety glass and how investigators use that information to determine a body’s position within a vehicle
13:31 - Joshua Drennen’s continued acts of violence throughout the community
17:29 - Charleston Police Patrolman Terrence Casto stops the threat by Joshua Drennen
18:24 - Joe describes the violent crime scene and the horrendous blunt force trauma Barbara Steele’s body experienced
26:21 - Beyond the trauma to her face and head, the police noticed Barbara's body had been eviscerated, as well as sexually assaulted post-mortem
31:33 - Joe and Jackie discuss the way Barbara Steele’s body was positioned and items located near her after the attack
35:49 - Why Barbara Steele and the woman in the parking lot?
37:24 - Overview of Joshua Drennen’s trial and conviction
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Christian Obumseli, boyfriend of OnlyFans model Courtney Cleeney is found by police in their Miami apartment fatally stabbed. The pair have been dating for approximately two years and have a reportedly “tumultuous” relationship. Courtney Cleeney claims to have been acting out of self defense, but the physical evidence may seem to suggest something else. Courtney Cleeney has since been charged with second degree murder.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the details of the stabbing, the physical evidence found at the crime scene, the injuries sustained by Christian Obumseli that led to his death, and how witness testimony will play into this ongoing case.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
2:09 - Courtney Cleeney’s OnlyFans account and relationship with Christian Obumseli
3:44 - Video and pictures of Courtney Cleeney covered in blood
5:00 - Courtney Cleeney and Christian Obumseli’s lavish lifestyle
7:32 - The 911 call and the physical evidence of the crime scene
12:02 - What are the police seeing at the crime scene?
18:58 - What it means for blood to “leech out”
22:03 - How the blood appeared on Courtney Cleeney
25:36 - The timeline of the crime
29:05 - Injuries sustained by Christian Obumseli
35:34 - Knowing what we know now, is Courtney Cleeney’s claim that she threw the knife while acting in self defense possible?
40:51 - If what Courtney Cleeney claims happened is true, would the remaining blood patterns be different?
44:20 - How will the video evidence and witness statements of assault play into the case?
48:28 - How do you approach a “he said, she said” court case?
51:14 - Final thoughts and wrapping up the show
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Video surveillance captures the final images of 80-year-old Edna Suttles alive in a hotel parking lot in one of the most beautiful places in the United States, a tiny South Carolina town called Travelers Rest. Nearly a month after her disappearance, Edna's body is found buried across state lines in a wooded area of North Carolina. Investigators work tirelessly to piece together the events that lead to her death, and in the process, realize they’re dealing with a serial killer.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the details of Edna Suttles’ death and the unexpected discovery during the investigation. They talk about the similarities between the four confirmed victims, the behavior of serial killers, and the methods Daniel Printz used to murder his victims.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
3:16 - Joseph Scott and Jackie discuss the details of Edna Suttles’ disappearance
4:20 - Discussion about Edna Suttles as South Carolina’s first female bail bondsman, and the heightened awareness that someone develops while working in that career
5:55 - Who reported Edna as a missing person?
7:12 - The discovery of Edna’s body and why the FBI was involved in this case
9:23 - The ominous findings by the medical examiner
11:52 - Surveillance video confirms Edna Suttles and Daniel Printz were in the same place and had some type of relationship
14:01 - The lethal cocktail that was given to Edna and how a body reacts when administered in those doses
15:22 - The unusual location on Daniel Printz’s property where he stored Edna’s belongings
18:34 - Using cadaver dogs to facilitate the discovery and recovery of remains
22:40 - The massive discovery by police at Daniel Printz’s home while investigating Edna’s death
25:56 - Connecting Daniel Printz to multiple murders through evidence found and commentary he made
28:42 - Analysis of serial killers’ behaviors and the unusual deviation Daniel Printz took in the murder of Nancy Rego
34:55 - Investigators learn of a fourth murder victim, Leigh Goodman
36:17 - Joe talks about Daniel Printz as a predator and the relationship between him and Leigh Goodman
39:04 - What sets these murders apart?
40:46 - Daniel Printz’s case is tried in the federal district court
42:27 - Where else has Daniel Printz been and who else has he impacted?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On February 14, 2018, a 19-year-old named Nikolas Cruz opens fire on students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, murdering 17 people and injuring 17 more. It is still the deadliest high school shooting in United States history, surpassing even the Columbine shooting, in 1999, which ended with 15 people dead. Nikolas Cruz arrives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School via an Uber, constructs his firearm, and then begins his assault on his former classmates.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the details of the shooting, the weapon used in the attack, how the crime scene remains untouched after all these years, the reasons behind preserving the high school in this way, and the significance of the date of the shooting.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Joseph Scott and Jackie discuss the details of the shooting itself
7:45 - Did Cruz pull the fire alarm or could it have been triggered by smoke from the gun?
9:23 - Explanation of the layout of the building, crime scene, and how investigators would go about analyzing it
12:23 - The evolution of crime scene investigations
14:56 - The duration of the shooting and how hurricane proof glass ended up saving lives
19:01 - Nikolas Cruz’s background and how he blended in with students to escape the scene
20:29 - Cruz’s arrest and recovery of the weapon
21:30 - Joe talks about the weapon used in the attack
22:51 - The fear that teachers and students experienced seeing and hearing the gunshots
24:44 - Joe explains the Big Black Gun Theory
27:18 - Joe and Jackie discuss the crime scene remaining untouched since the shooting
28:50 - As evidence is collected, it’s sealed - how do you seal an entire building?
31:05 - Why would you want to leave a crime scene untouched for this long?
33:14 - Joe talks about the importance of chain of custody in forensics
35:34 - The reasons for preserving the high school in its condition
39:22 - Joe talks about the significance of this occurring on Valentine’s Day
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For more than ten years, the family of Ellen Greenberg has been looking for answers and justice. The 27-year-old first grade teacher and bride-to-be was found stabbed behind the locked door of her apartment. In fact, she was stabbed 20 times, including wounds to her back and head. The original finding by the medical examiner determined homicide. So, why does the final ruling say Ellen Greenberg committed suicide? Listen to former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan's analysis, then join him as he and Nancy Grace recreate the crime scene and hear from Ellen Greenberg's parents in Teacher Death Mystery: A Nancy Grace Investigation, streaming now on Fox Nation.
Was it suicide, or did something more sinister happen to Ellen Greenberg?
Follow the push for justice with Teacher Death Mystery: A Nancy Grace Investigation, and Behind the Locked Door with Joseph Scott Morgan.
STREAMING NOW: Teacher Death Mystery: A Nancy Grace Investigation
Follow this case on Facebook at "Justice for Ellen."
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Avid big game hunter, Bianca Rudolph, is found unresponsive in a cabin in Zambia with a gunshot wound to her chest. Her husband of 34 years, Dr. Larry Rudolph, the only other person in the cabin at the time, claims to have been showering when he heard the gunshot. He claims accidental discharge, but investigators disagree.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the likelihood of Bianca Rudolph accidentally shooting herself, the complications of working a crime scene in the wilderness of Africa, the odd behaviors displayed by her husband at the time of her death, and the tip that lead authorities to an in-depth investigation, and eventual guilty verdict of her husband, Dr. Larry Rudolph.
Show Notes:
0:15 - Introducing the death of Dr. Larry Rudolph’s wife of 34 years, Bianca Rudolph
2:14 - While packing up following a two-week hunting trip in Zambia, Dr. Rudolph claims his wife accidentally shot herself
6:56 - Is it physically possible to shoot yourself while packing away a shotgun?
8:48 - Explanation of the type of gun that killed Bianca, and ruling out possible suicide
12:05 - Joe explains the injury sustained to Bianca’s body from multiple 30-caliber-sized projectiles
16:29 - Looking for evidence of powder distribution on Bianca’s body and clothing
19:32 - Smooth bore weapons vs rifled weapons
21:37 - Working a crime scene in the wilderness of one of the world’s largest game preserves and how bodies are back to the US from Africa
25:24 - Dr. Rudolph’s push to have Bianca’s body cremated within three days of her death and the steps taken by the consular chief in Zambia to document her injuries
27:49 - The tip that leads to an in-depth FBI investigation
29:57 - Events that lead authorities to conclude Bianca’s death was no accident
34:09 - Odd behavior displayed by Dr. Larry Rudolph in the moments after he heard the gunshot
38:21 - Joseph Scott describes what happens when a round passes through an intermediate target and the amount of blood that he would be expected to be present in that situation.
40:39 - When the body is assaulted by such an event, does it fall in a specific manner?
42:47 - Resolution in the case against Dr. Larry Rudolph
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Talented and beloved musician, Scott Sessions, is found brutally murdered in an ambush attack, his throat slashed to near decapitation. Shortly afterward, his lover, who lured him to the moment of his death, Heather Frank, is also found dead with gunshot wounds to her chest. Investigators find Heather Frank wrapped in the same burnt plastic as they found Scott Sessions. The suspect? Heather Frank’s boyfriend, Kevin Eastman.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the horrific murders of Scott Sessions and Heather Frank. They delve into the mechanics of murder by an edged weapon to the throat, the pathology of an enraged killer, rendering a body by fire, and the connective evidence found at both crime scenes.
Show Notes:
1:00 - Introducing the deaths of Scott Sessions and Heather Frank
3:39 - The connection between Scott Sessions, Heather Frank, and Kevin Eastman
4:55 - The visibility of a toxic, abusive relationship on a body
6:54 - Anatomy of bruises and how professionals grade them in abuse cases
13:08 - What happened to Scott Sessions
14:54 - The mechanics of slitting a throat with an edged weapon
17:05 - Volume of blood within the body, types and locations of injuries that cause blood loss, and the forensic importance of a victim’s blood that has pooled outside of the body
22:14 - The horrific injuries Scott Sessions sustained
27:30 - Pathology of a killer who is full of anger and rage
29:18 - The death of Heather Frank
31:59- Why did Heather have to die?
34:36 - The failed attempt to render down Scott’s body by fire and the common evidence found on both victims
39:07 - Looking for connectivity/tieback in forensics: evidence found at both crime scenes
41:57 - The discovery of Scott Sessions and Heather Frank’s bodies
43:57 - The conviction of Kevin Eastman
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow’s bodies are discovered on June 9, 2020, on the property of Chad Daybell in Rexburg, Idaho. After months of missing person investigations, complicated circumstances surrounding their disappearance, and a string of suspicious deaths, police have charged Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell in the horrific murders of Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the complex case against Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell in the murders of Tylee Ryan and J.J Vallow. They also discuss the striking differences between the ways in which Tylee and J.J 's bodies were treated post-mortem, complications of processing the crime scene, and the request to allow for forensic DNA testing on the evidence collected by the state of Idaho.
Show Notes:
1:00 - Introducing the deaths of Tylee Ryan and Joshua Jaxon “J.J.” Vallow
1:54 - Sections 1: A brief history of the confusing events that led to finding the remains of Tylee and J.J. buried on the property of Chad Daybell
5:29 - The mysterious death of Tammy Daybell
8:03 - Cause of death: natural causes, a seemingly inaccurate determination for a physically active woman who was in good health
10:32 - Searching for physical evidence of the cause of death in an exhumed embalmed body
12:00 - How authorities located the remains of Tylee and J.J.
15:41 - The striking differences between the treatment of Tylee and J.J.'s bodies
18:32 - Section 2: Processing the crime scene
20:57 - Examining the evidence on the tape and plastic bag encasing J.J. Vallow
22:17 - The problem with cutting open a bag containing remains at the crime scene
24:07- Recovery of Tylee’s remains
28:24 - Individualization of evidence: examining every bone fragment of a dismembered body
30:16 - Section three: Forensic DNA testing on the evidence recovered at Daybell’s property by the state’s crime scene unit
33:40 - Specific evidence found at the crime scene
39:30 - Consumptive testing: setting a dangerous precedent by allowing third-party observers
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Lorenzen Wright, an NBA star basketball player, goes missing on the night of July 18th, 2010 leading to a 10-day search that ends when investigators find Lorenzen Wright’s remains in a heavily wooded area near Germantown, Tennessee. By the time his body is found, the 6’11” star athlete has decomposed to the point of his remains totaling only 57 pounds, just one of the many struggles that investigators need to overcome in order to solve this case.
It took over 7 years, but investigators finally found the gun that they believe was used to murder Lorenzen Wright, leading to multiple convictions related to 1st Degree Murder.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard provide details on Lorenzen’s life including the death of one of his children, the financial troubles that may have played a role in the motives behind his murder, and why it can be so difficult to find sufficient evidence in a forensic investigation that starts ten days after a death has occurred.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Emily Noble goes missing on the night of her 52nd birthday. Leaving behind her phone, keys, ID, wallet, and car, with no signs of a forced entry, and her husband claiming that he went to bed in the couple's guest room; Emily Noble has essentially vanished in the middle of the night.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard detail the search effort, potential pathways to solve any case that begins with almost no tangible evidence, and the unfortunate scene when Emily Noble's body is finally found.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tammy Jo Blanton's body is found in her bathtub by police responding to a welfare check request. Just the night before, September 10th, 2014, Blanton called 911, saying that her ex-boyfriend, Joseph Oberhandsley, would not leave the front of her home. The welfare check had been requested by Blanton's friend and co-worker when Blanton did not show up for work. When police arrive at the home, Joseph Oberhandsley answers the door, covered in blood. Police find signs of a forced entry, and ultimately Tammy Jo Blanton's body. She has not only been stabbed repeatedly, but her body mutilated and also cannibalized.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss the differences between dismemberment and mutilation, the perspective of the judge and jury when it is revealed that injuries to the body are post-mortem, and the horrific details in the case of Tammy Jo Blanton’s murder.
Show Notes:
0:30 - Introducing Tammy Jo Blanton’s murder
1:30 - Tammy Jo Blanton calls the police because her ex-boyfriend, Joseph Oberhansley would not leave her home
3:00 - Describing the initial murder scene
5:00 - Cause of death: sharp force injuries. Multiple stab wounds all over her body.
10:00 - How exactly does the body stop functioning when you are stabbed to death?
12:30 - Post-mortem vs Antemortem
13:30 - The additional “twisting of the knife” when injuries to a deceased body are post-mortem
14:00 - Section 2: Walking into the crime scene
16:30 - A section of Tammy Jo’s chest is open, a parts of her heart and a lung are missing
18:00 - The differences between dismemberment and mutilation
20:00 - A jigsaw was found on the scene. This continues to show evidence of how much time it took to mutilate the body
23:00 - Section 3: Joseph Oberhansley’s mental state and the trial for this case
27:00 - Oberhansley’s criminal record included shooting his own mother, shooting and killing the teenage mother of his child. He had also shot himself, attempting suicide in the past.
29:30 - An exploration into the different types of cannibalism
33:00 - Joseph Oberhansley was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
College freshman AJ Hadsell returns home for spring break, March 2015. Five weeks later her body is discovered face-down in a ditch, covered by a sheet of plywood. Investigators immediately identify that foul play is involved. Deep bruises are visible on Hadsell's torso and face. Hadsell has been murdered. Detectives turn their attention towards AJ’s stepfather, Wesley Hadsell, as their primary suspect, but why?
AJ Hadsell dies of a heroin overdose, but the family is adamant that AJ did not use drugs. Here is the first connection to the stepfather. Wesley Hadsell has been kicked out of the family home by AJ’s mother due to his drug use, heroin specifically. Then, authorities find suspicious items in his car, including some of AJ’s belongings, as well as duct tape and a shovel.
In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard explore and explain the details of AJ’s murder, the difficulties of investigating a body that has been outside and exposed to the elements for weeks, and why AJ’s stepfather, Wesley Hadsell, was the first suspect in this case.
Show Notes:
01:00 - Introducing the case; 18 year old AJ Hadsell, found face-down in a drainage ditch.
05:00 - The murder investigation begins immediately upon finding AJ Hadsell’s body.
06:40 - Why it was obvious that this was a death caused by another person, from the autopsy table.
11:00 - Once a body has excessive decomposition, it can be very difficult to ascertain cause, method, and/or modes of death.
15:30 - The unique and morbid skillset that Medical Death Investigators need to have in order to be successful in their jobs.
16:00 - The mode of death in the case of AJ Hadsell.
21:00 - With three times the lethal amount of Heroin found in her body, AJ Hadsell’s life had a horrific ending.
24:00 - Heroin as a mode of murder and the search for AJ’s killer.
25:30 - Drug testing via hair follicle and how this helped authorities rule out self-administered accidental Heroin overdose.
30:00 - Who had access to AJ Hadsell and could remove her from her home without signs of distress?
31:00 - Wesley Hadsell’s history of violence against women and other evidence used by investigators to charge Wesley with the murder of AJ Hadsell
32:30 - The tragedy in this case continues to intensify as details about the positioning of AJ’s clothing on her body when she was found.
37:30 - Determining assault can be extremely difficult after weeks of decomposition.
38:00 - Wesley Hadsell was found guilty of First-degree Murder and Concealment of a Dead Body in February, 2022. He maintains his innocence. He has been sentenced to Life + 15 years in prison.
Rest in peace, Anjelica “AJ” Hadsell. 1996 - 2015.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Murdered in a uniquely gruesome and prolonged series of events; Reggie and Carol Sumner are the helpless victims of a month-long plan carried out with the help of a familiar face. Buried alive in a pre-dug hole near the Florida/Georgia line, these two high-school sweethearts suffer their terrible end at the hands of Tiffany Cole, her boyfriend Michael James Jackson, Alan Wade, and Bruce Kent Nixon, Jr.
Tiffany Cole buys a vehicle from the Sumner family and travels to Jacksonville regularly to pay down her debt. That is, until her new boyfriend, Michael James Jackson, hatches a plan that ends in the Sumners' deaths.
After being buried alive, under hundreds of pounds of dirt, an autopsy determines that the couple's cause of death is mechanical asphyxiation (i.e. physical interference with breathing and or circulation). In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard take a closer look at these horrifying deaths.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The body of Gloria Satterfield, longtime housekeeper for disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh, will be exhumed. Satterfield died after a trip and fall accident at the Murdaugh home. No autopsy was performed and her manner of death listed as natural. Now, after the string of deaths linked to the Murdaugh name, investigators want to know more. Exhumations are not ordered for just any old case, but when a court orders the embalmed remains of a human being be uninterred, everyone pays attention, including our forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard discuss what exhumation is, and why exhumation must be handled with the utmost of care.
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Show Notes:
Introduction [02:00]
Events that lead to the pending exhumation of Gloria Satterfield [03:32]
Judiciary regulations regarding exhumations [05:58]
The effect that embalming (or not) has on exhumations, and factors that impact a successful exhumation and investigation [08:31]
Joseph Scott Morgan describes the investigative process, vital medical records, and test results he would study prior to the exhumation of Gloria Satterfield [17:08]
The impact that medical intervention, autopsy, and body preparation for burial have on the investigation of a trauma-related death, and the particular problem with the Gloria Satterfield case [20:24]
Information investigators will be looking for when reviewing Gloria’s body [27:27]
The types of professionals who perform autopsies of exhumed bodies, and concerns regarding the omission of the South Carolina medical-legal community in the Satterfield case [29:46]
Kathleen Savio, Shele Danishefsky Covlin, and other high-profile exhumation cases in the US [32:36]
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Beloved chef Daniel Brophy is found shot to the death in the kitchen of the culinary institute where he works. There is no sign of forced entry at the Oregon Culinary Institute Instructor, in fact, the door is locked. Students coming into class that day say it's normal for Brophy to come in early, set up the day's instruction, then open the door to students. On this day, that didn't happen. Another instructor had to open the door and that's when Brophy is found shot twice. Who killed Dan Brophy, and why? Ultimately, police build a circumstantial case against Nancy Crampton Brophy, the chef's wife. Where's the proof?
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December 9th, 2001, novelist Michael Peterson calls 911 telling the operator that he's found his wife at the bottom of stairs in their home. She is still breathing, but there's lots of blood coming from her head. Kathleen Peterson later dies. When police and emergency personnel first enter the home, Peterson's injuries are characterized as accidental and the scene is not handled properly, forensically. Soon, however, the facts do not add up and Michael Peterson is charged with murder. Kathleen Peterson has seven head injuries. So where does the owl come in? The owl theory speculates that an owl attacked Kathleen, precipitating her fall, but in fact, this theory never makes it into court. Michael Peterson is found guilty at trial, and sentenced to life in prison. Eight years later, he is granted a new trial after evidence comes to light that a prosecution witness lied. Peterson is eventually released. New charges aren't filed because Michael Peterson takes an Alford plea. This allows him to not admit guilt, but rather acknowledge that the state has enough evidence to convict. Peterson said he simply didn't want to go through another trial ordeal. He was sentenced to time served.
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Teacher and former beauty queen Tara Grinstead vanishes from her Georgia home. There is no sign of forced entry. There is no sign of a struggle, but some things were out of place. Grinstead's bedside clock was found under her bed, and a broken lamp was propped against the wall on her nightstand.
The 30-year-old attended a beauty pageant and a cookout with co-workers before going home. Friends and family called Grinstead the next day, but couldn't reach her. When Grinstead did not show up to teach at Irwin County High school, co-workers called police.
Some 12 years later, Grinstead's remains are found in a pecan orchard and two of her past students charged with her murder. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan looks at what details may have been overlooked at the time of Tara's disappearance.
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SPECIAL LOOK AT THE HIT PODCAST! "Shattered Souls: The Car Barn Murders." Retired detective Karen Smith discovers that her father kept a family secret for decades. In 2002, her father revealed that Karen's great uncle, Emory Smith, was the victim of a heinous murder and that her grandfather had been held as a suspect. Karen begins her journey to solve her great uncle Emory's murder.
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Recorded live in front of a studio audience at CrimeCon in Las Vegas, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan re-examines the injuries to Ellen Greenberg. The teacher and soon-to-be-bride, is found death in her apartment with more than 20 stab wounds, and her death is ruled a suicide.
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Kenneth, Janet and Matthew Lindquist die at the hands of two vicious killers. 21-year-old Matthew Lindquist, a recovering heroin addict, has a relapse and makes a deal with Sergio Correa, exchanging his dad's guns for drugs. Correa shows up to the deal with his adopted sister Ruth, and the carnage begins. The couple chases Matthew into the woods, hacking him to death with a machete. It is months before Matthew's body is found. The Correa's then invade the Lindquist home, pulling the parents from their bed, beating them with a baseball bat, strangling Janet, then setting the house on fire to cover their evil. Today on Body Bags, forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan explains the extensive injuries.
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Celebration, Florida police are asked to do a wellness check on the Todt family, who haven't been heard from in days. No one seems to be home at the residence. Soon thereafter federal agents, accompanied by local police, show up to serve an arrest warrant on Tony Todt. Todt owns Family Physical Therapy and he's being investigated on fraud charges. When investigators enter the home, they find the bodies of Todt's family, his wife, three children and the family dog. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan looks at the Todt family massacre.
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After seven years, the murders of Russell Dermond, 88 and his 87-year-old wife Shirley, remain unsolved. Friends go to check on the couple days after the Dermonds did not show up for a planned Kentucky Derby party. The headless body of Russell Dermond is found in the garage. Police say there is no forced entry to the home, nor is the house ransacked. Shirley Dermond's body is found 5 miles away, murdered and floating in a lake. Her body has been weighted down by cement blocks. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert and professor Joseph Scott Morgan explains what possible evidence may have been left behind.
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Linda Collins was a self-made woman. She built a financial empire based in real estate and hotel management. Her passion, however, was love of community. She worked tirelessly to support the area in which she lived, by supporting improvements in tourism and civic pride. Collins was elected to both the state house and senate. Her body was found wrapped in a tarp at the end of her driveway. What happened to Linda Collins?
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After a long, hard work week , Andre Daigle looks to have a few laughs, a few beers, and a round or two of pool. What he had was a run in with evil. Daigle mets a woman at a Kenner. She lures him to her apartment. It's a plan set in motion by Charles Gervais, 24, of New Orleans, and Michael Phillips, 21, of Kenner. The men wanted to see if they had the nerve to kill someone, anyone, and Andre Daigle was the random person chosen. Once in the apartment, the men took turns beating Daigle on the head with a hammer, then strangled him with a vacuum cleaner cord. Then it was time to dispose of the body. Daigle was wrapped in curtains and placed inside a sofa, then dumped in a weedy area off a highway.
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Savannah Hardin lied. She ate a candy bar given to her by a classmate. Hardin was not allowed to eat chocolate due to a medical condition, made worse by consuming caffeine. When her Joyce Hardin Garrard found out, the Alabama grandmother made the 9-year-old run. Eye witnesses told police that Garrard, made the little girl run for more than three hours without stopping. The little girl was also forced to carry firewood. By 6:30 that night, Savannah was on the ground, vomiting and seizing. Savannah died at the hospital days later from extreme physical exertion, an autopsy ruled. Her grandmother was convicted of capital murder.
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Todd Mullis calls 911 as he drives his wife to an Iowa hospital. Amy Mullis was found by the couple's 13-year-old son, impaled on a corn rake and does not survive her injuries. An autopsy is completed and the forensic pathologist finds not four puncture wounds in Mullis' back, but six. The corn rake Todd Mullis says his wife fell on, only has four tines. Also, while Mullis told police he had a good relationship with his wife, investigators learn that Amy was apparently unhappy in the marriage and had at least two affairs. She reportedly told a friend that if Mullis caught her he would “throw her to the pigs.” Court documents showed Amy Mullis called a friend petrified and screaming that Todd Mullis had found out about her affair. Todd Mullis is arrested and convicted of killing his wife.
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Twenty years ago, the discovery of a human skull would reveal one of Georgia’s most gruesome and bizarre crimes. More than 300 decomposing bodies were found discarded on the grounds of the Tri-State Crematory. Located in the mountains of northwest Georgia, the facility serviced funeral homes in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. An investigation revealed the abused could have been going on as long as the mid-1990's. The owner, Ray Brent Marsh, ultimately served 13 years in prison for multiple charges including abusing a corpse, burial service-related fraud and theft by deception. Even now, two decades later, not all of the remains have been identified. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert and former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan reveals what it's like to work such a horrific case.
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Joel Guy Sr., 61, and Lisa Guy, 55, were stabbed to death inside their Knoxville home following Thanksgiving. Prosecutors said Joel Guy, Jr., 28, killed his parents after they informed him they planned to retire and would be cutting him off financially.
Guy Jr. stabbed his father at least 42 times and his mother at least 30 times. He then dismembered their bodies and put their arms, torsos, and legs in plastic bins containing corrosive chemicals in an attempt to dissolve them.
Court testimony revealed that Guy, Sr.’s head was placed facedown in the corrosive chemicals. Guy, Jr. also decapitated his mother and put her severed head in a covered stockpot — which he then placed on a burning stove. The couple’s bodies were discovered the following Monday after Lisa Guy failed to come to work. Guy, Jr. was sentenced to two life sentences, consecutively with an additional four years for abuse of a corpse.
Today, forensics expert and former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan looks at the case.
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The release of autopsy and forensic reports for Brian Laundrie provides an interesting study in forensics. When Laundrie, 23, was found dead of an apparent suicide, police had been searching for him in connection to the death of his girlfriend Gabby Petito. The newly-released documents show that Laundrie’s “skeletal remains and personal effects were in plain sight and scattered upon the dirt ground.”
Details also show that the area had been underwater, which could explain why investigators did not discover the remains sooner. The documents strongly indicate Laundrie died quite some time before his body was found, as there was no soft tissue left on the skeleton. There was also an indication of animal activity characterized by gnawing and chewing. Investigators reportedly believe that wild dogs, coyotes, and/or vermin were among the animal predators that disturbed the remains. The medical examiner’s report shows that Brian Laundrie killed himself with a single bullet, which entered his skull on the left side.
Today on Body Bags, forensics expert and former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan explains the details and the significance.
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Most men will do just about anything for a girlfriend, but would you murder your own family? Grant Amato did for a woman who was only his girlfriend in his own mind. After losing his job, Grant Amato became obsessed with a Bulgarian Webcam model. Night after night, Amato watched "Silvie" model, dance and more. He paid upwards of $200,000 for access to "Silve" and her online content, including sexually explicit photos and videos. When Amato began stealing money from his family to keep his "connection" to "Silvie," his family stepped in, getting him professional help. This did not stop Amato. His family gave him an ultimatum. Stop communicating with Silvie or move out. On January 25 ,2019, Grant Amato shot and killed his mother, father and brother inside their Orlando home. Amato was convicted of first-degree murder and a sentenced to life in prison.
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40-year-old Ingrid Lyne, a mother of three, disappears after a date to a professional baseball game. Her date, 37-year-old John Charlton, tells police he was too drunk the night before to remember what happened. Lyne's partial remains were found in a recycling bin miles away from her home. Investigators believe Lyne was killed in her own home, and dismembered in the bathtub with a 15-inch pruning saw. Human flesh and blood were found in the bathtub drain. An investigation finds that Charlton has a criminal history in six states and that his parents had taken out a restraining order against him. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert and former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan looks at what it would take to go through with this type of grisly crime.
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Diane McIver was riding in the front passenger seat of a Ford Expedition SUV when she was shot by her husband Tex McIver. He admitted that to police. The question, as the investigation went on, was whether the firing was intentional or discharged by accident. Tex McIver claimed the latter...that the .38-caliber snub-nose revolver, discharged by accident. McIver's attorneys have filed an appeal of his murder conviction, claiming the judge made several errors during the trial. Today on Body Bags, former death scene investigator and forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan looks at what the evidence tells us.
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A meal with Daddy at Chick-fil-A... that's what 22-month-old Cooper Harris enjoys the June morning that he dies. Father Justin Ross Harris, 41, takes his son to breakfast, and then instead of turning toward the daycare to drop off his son, Harris drives to work, parks his SUV in the lot and heads inside. The little boy is still strapped in his car seat. The temperatures that day are over 90 degrees outside, and 125 degrees in the car, according to experts. Cooper Harris suffers heatstroke and dies. Justin Ross Harris returns from lunch, stops to put a purchase inside the car, but doesn't see his son inside. The discovery of the body happens that evening as Harris is driving home. He pulls over into a parking lot, unlocking the lifeless body of his only child from it's restraints. Harris is charged and convicted of eight counts including malice murder. A judge sentences him to life without parole as well as 32 more years in prison. Now the killer dad is asking for a new trial. Today on Body Bags, former death scene investigator and forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan walks us through the terrible details of this case.
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On July 1, Bart and Krista Halderson decide to go to their lakeside cottage...at least that's what their son, Chandler, says. Six days later, the 23-year-old reports his parents as missing. An investigation ensues, and a series of lies are uncovered, lies that start long before Chandler Halderson says he parents went on a trip.
Halderson is now charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating and hiding a corpse, and giving false information to authorities. Police say Halderson killed his parents and dismembered their bodies after Bart and Krista discover their son's untruths.
Today, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan breaks down the gruesome details surrounding this case, including how police believe Halderson burned his parents' skulls in the fireplace.
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A body is found. Investigators are called, but who's going to show up? Will it be a coroner or a medical examiner? Today on Body Bags, former death investigator Joseph Scott Morgan answers the question: What's the difference?
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A chaotic opening night at the Astroworld Festival results in 10 people dead and hundreds more injured, as the crowd of 50,000 people surges toward the stage during Travis Scott's concert. Victims range in age from 9-years-old to 27-years-old. According to the medical examiner's report all 10 of the victims died from compression asphyxia. Today on Body Bags, former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan explains the physical aspects of this type of death.
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11-year-old Gannon Stauch is reported missing by his stepmother. Two months later the boy's body is found 1400 miles away from his Colorado home. We now know, Gannon Stauch was, according to police, murdered in his bedroom by his stepmother. Recovered evidence supports a violent event occurred in the bedroom with blood spatter on the walls, and soaked through the carpet. Police say Stauch was shot in the jaw and stabbed more than 18 times. Today, forensics expert and former death scene investigator Josph Scott Morgan, breaks down the evidence that could be used in Leteica Stauch.
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Chad Daybell's trial for multiple counts of first-degree murder is set to begin just after the new year. The Idaho man is accused of killing his wife, Tammy Daybell and the children of the woman he marries just two weeks after Tammy died. JJ and Tylee Vallow are missing for months before their bodies are found on Daybell's property. At first, Tammy Daybell's death is ruled natural cases. The seemingly healthy 49-year-old is training to run a 4K race, but Chad Daybell reports that his wife is dead in the bed beside him one morning. The coroner does not attend the scene, only officers who say the death appears to be natural. What's more, an autopsy is refused by the family. As bodies seem to pile up around the newlywed family, questions are raised. Other deaths connected to this investigation include Lori Vallow Daybell's ex-husbands, and her brother. Today on Body Bags, forensic expert and former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan looks into the unexplained death of Tammy Daybell.
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After weeks of searching for Brian Laundrie, the main suspect in the death of his girlfriend Gabby Petito, a partial skull is found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida. The remains and skull are confirmed to belong to Laundrie. The medical examiner concluded laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert and former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan explain what we can learn from the recovered skull.
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A South Carolina dad drives his five children around the deep south for nine days. Their bodies are in garbage bags in the trunk. Timothy Jones Jr. strangles four of them. The other, a 6-year-old boy named Nahtahn, is forced to exercise until he dies. The dad uses the activity as punishment after he accuses Nahtahn of breaking an electrical outlet in the home. After driving for almost two weeks, Jones dumps the bags off a logging road in rural Alabama. Today on Body Bags, forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan explains what happened to the children's bodies.
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Katherine “Katie” Janness takes her dog, Bowie, for a late-night walk in the Midtown area of Atlanta. Janness stops at a local bar to say hello to her girlfriend, who's working. When Janness' girlfriend gets off work, no one is home, but should have been. After unanswered phone calls and texts, Emma Clark uses the 'find my phone' app, which leads her to a horrifying discovery. Just inside Atlanta's popular Piedmont Park, 40-year-old Katherine Janness has been brutally attacked, stabbed more than 50 times, and her body horrifically mutilated.
Discretion advised: Details in this report may be disturbing.
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Teen Heather Mack and her mother Sheila von Wiese-Mack plan a tropical vacation. The pair goes to Bali to work on their relationship, but they're not the only ones. Heather Mack buys her boyfriend a ticket, using her mother's credit card. Within 10 hours of Tommy Schaefer's arrival, the 62-year-old socialite is dead. Von Wiese-Mack is bludgeoned to death by Schaeffer with a heavy fruit bowl, and her body stuffed inside a suitcase. The lovers and soon-to-be parents are charged and convicted. Tommy Schaefer is still in an Indonesian prison. Heather Mack served 7 years of her ten-year sentence and gave birth behind bars. She was recently released and expelled from Bali. Upon her arrival back in the U.S., Mack was taken into custody on multiple charges. Today, forensics expert and former death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan explains the carnage to Sheila von Wiese-Mack's body.
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Chris Watts’ wife and daughters were missing for three days before their bodies were found on the dad's former jobsite at Anadarko. Shanann Watts was buried in a shallow grave. The girls were stuff through hatches into oil tanks. During the days before the bodies were discovered, Watts played the grieving dad, giving interviews, begging for information on his missing family. What no one knows is Chris Watts is having an affair, and no longer wants to be part of a family unit. Murder was his way out. Ultimately, he tells police where he deposited their bodies. Today on Body Bags, former death scene investigator and forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan walks us through what investigators would have found at Anadarko.
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For more than ten years, the family of Ellen Greenberg has been looking for answers and justice. The 27-year-old first grade teacher and bride-to-be was found stabbed behind the locked door of her apartment. In fact, she was stabbed 20 times, including wounds to her back. The original finding by the medical examiner determined homicide. So, why does the final ruling say Ellen Greenberg committed suicide?
Follow this case on Facebook at "Justice for Ellen."
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The confirmation is in. The human remains found in Florida's Carlton Reserve is the body of fugitive Brian Laundrie, the person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito. The Laundrie family attorney says his clients are grieving. Brian Laundrie reportedly told his parent that he was going hiking in the Carlton Reserve. That was September 13th. He had not been seen since. The FBI confirming that dental comparisons were used to make the identification. Death scene investigator Joseph Scott Morgan walks us through the process of how an identification is made.
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After weeks of speculation, the cause of death for Gabby Petito has been released. When Petito's autopsy was performed, the coroner said quickly that Gabby was murdered. This week, we found out that the young woman was strangled to death by “human force.“ Dr. Brent Blue said that Petito was throttled. In today's Body Bags, death investigator Joseph Scott Morgan explain what throttling means, and what clues the coroner may have found to lead to that ruling.
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As news comes out the Maggie Murdaugh had sought the advice of a divorce attorney, Death Scene Investigator Joseph Scott Morgan takes us back to the Low Country of South Carolina to take a closer look at the double homicide of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Mother and son were found shot to death on June 7 at their family’s hunting lodge. Alex Murdaugh – Paul’s father and Maggie’s husband – discovered the bodies that evening after returning to the property. The victims, who were located outside the residence, had multiple gunshot wounds. No suspects have been named.
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Gabby Petito vanishes during a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. On Sept. 19, the FBI announces a body had been found in Wyoming. An autopsy confirms the remains belong to Petito. Her death is believed to be a homicide, but her cause of death remains a mystery. Why has Gabby Petito's cause of death not been revealed?
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Launching this week! Join Joseph Scott Morgan every week as he explores a world that not many have had a chance to visit, the realm of death. Jo Scott will lead listeners on journey through the blood soaked death scenes of America and then into the autopsy room to fully understand the science behind each case. Joseph Scott Morgan was the youngest death investigator in America when he began his career at the coroner's office in New Orleans, he finished up 20 years later in Atlanta where he was the senior investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. Jo Scott is one America’s leading experts on applied forensics and is regularly featured on ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’, ‘The Piketon Massacre’, Court TV and more.
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