Mystery & Merlot: Recent Episodes
Britney
Small town girl, wife and mom of three shares her love of true crime; sometimes with the help of a friend or two to co-host maybe over a glass of wine. Go along as we delve into these unbelievable stories. Are you a TRUE true crime junkie? How much do you really know?
Single mother murdered and mutilated by someone sworn to protect and serve. Finally receives justice after almost years.
5 murders still plague small town Bardstown KY. Starting with the ambush of Officer Jason Ellis in 2013, the Netherland murders in 2014, the dissapearance and death of mother of 5 Crystal Rogers in 2015, and the subsequent assassination of her loving father Tommy Ballard in 2016.
https://www.wlky.com/article/fbi-puts-rush-on-2-items-of-interest-found-in-crystal-rogers-search/37516323#
Watch "The Dissapearance of Crystal Rogers"
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wdrb.com/news/bardstown-police-still-seeking-answers-8-years-after-officer-jason-ellis-murder/article_e94877ce-bd73-11eb-9e77-e3a188e26c9d.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiQoPrxnvjzAhWKW80KHfNJDXEQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw23WSMP-5HwZj9GruC3fldi
https://www.wdrb.com/news/seventh-anniversary-of-bardstown-police-officers-murder-brings-renewed-effort-for-tips/article_6b8eeec6-9ebb-11ea-9837-e3f3b288cb20.html
https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/multiple-unsolved-murders-kentucky-somehow-connected
https://www.wkyt.com/2021/09/01/46-arrested-21-victims-rescued-kentucky-human-trafficking-sting/
Anyone with information on Rogers' disappearance can report tips to the FBI at crystalrogerstaskforce.com/tips/ or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Rodney Alcala - bachelor #1 murdered at least 9 women and potentially many more. Under the guise of a photo contest he lured many unsuspecting women to their death.
For more information
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/24/us/rodney-alcala-dead-dating-game.html
https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/rodney-alcala
https://abcnews.go.com/US/close-call-serial-killer-rodney-alcala-appeared-dating/story?id=75039197
We finish up the story of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. The horrific sadness left in the wake of their crimes.
For more information see-
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/family-lori-vallow-said-her-marriage-doomsday-author-chad-daybell-n1280351
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chad-daybell-children-mother-asphyxiated/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chad-daybell-children-claim-he-was-fooled-lori-vallow-48-hours/
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler-breaking/2021/10/07/lori-vallow-case-video-tylee-ryan-charles-vallow-chandler-shooting/6015487001/
Doomsday Mommy herself Lori Vallow. Unlucky in love until she meets fellow conspiracy theorist Chad Daybell and the 2 along with Alex Cox kill anyone in their way.
For more information see-
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/family-lori-vallow-said-her-marriage-doomsday-author-chad-daybell-n1280351
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chad-daybell-children-mother-asphyxiated/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chad-daybell-children-claim-he-was-fooled-lori-vallow-48-hours/
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler-breaking/2021/10/07/lori-vallow-case-video-tylee-ryan-charles-vallow-chandler-shooting/6015487001/
Mental disorders aren't something to make fun of. But they shouldn't be ignored. After only serving 7 years for the brutal public murder of Tim Mclean, Will Baker is a free man. Roaming the streets of Canada without any recourse. Could you be his next victim?
Check out the following for more info-
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38945061
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/11/mentally-ill-man-who-beheaded-bus-passenger-is-freed-from-all-supervision
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6852683/
Keith Hunter Jesperson is a saddistic jerk who doesn't value women or human life or animal life for that matter. He couldn't stand not getting credit for his work so he confessed and signed it with a smiley face.
For more information check out-
Evil Lives Here- "Put on a Happy Face" Season 3 Episode 11
https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a36757893/melissa-moore-life-after-happy-face-killer-interview-2021/
https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/keith-hunter-jesperson
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8320275/Daughter-Happy-Face-serial-killer-recalls-strangling-cat.html
https://murderpedia.org/male.J/j/jesperson.htm
Joyce Mclain was 16 when she was brutally murdered. It took almost 40 years for justice to be served.
Check out the following for more information-
https://www.newscentermaine.com/mobile/article/news/local/justice-for-joyce-the-trial-her-family-community-has-waited-37-years-for/97-512137687
https://unsolved.com/gallery/joyce-mclain/
https://bangordailynews.com/topic/joyce-mclain/
https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-man-found-guilty-in-1980-slaying-of-joyce-mclain
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://people.com/crime/joyce-mcclain-murder-mom-helps-solve-case/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiVsNnktbjxAhUDbs0KHRv1BFgQFnoECAkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2r4bjTxQeMfDFErEpOyIDv
Email us at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
She was desperate for fulfillment and he was desperate for freedom. A prison break was supposed to provide both.
Email us at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Check out these links for more information-
https://www.nola.com/news/article_971d3204-cacb-11eb-b366-3ff3167934e0.html
https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/alcatraz-escape
https://tobydorr.com/
https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/toby-dorr-toby-young-who-helped-inmate-john-maynard-escape-max-prison-in-dog-crate-tells-story
Dateline S29 E48- Breakout
The only mystery in this case is why there has been no justice or action taken on behalf of the family. See the links below for more info and for ways to speak out-
https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
https://www.standwithbre.com/
The New York Times Presents- The Killing of Breonna Taylor
20/20- S43 E5 Say Her Name Breonna Taylor
https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/internal-investigation-louisville-police-told-no-suspicious-packages-sent-to-breonna-
https://www.npr.org/2021/01/06/953285549/two-louisville-police-officers-connected-to-breonna-taylor-shooting-have-been-fi
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2021/05/07/internal-investigator-found-officers-couldnt-fire-single-shot-safely-breonna-taylors-apartment/4973345001/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-race-noknock-trfn/your-home-is-your-castle-unless-police-mount-a-no-knock-raid-idUSKBN23P39D
A husband is supposed to love and protect his family. But he's also supposed to be faithful. Poor Laci she just wanted to be a mom. She deserved better than she got. Connor too.
For more info look at these-
Dateline
20/20
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/laci-peterson-murder-everything-you-need-to-know-199774/
https://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/law/12/11/court.archive.peterson10/
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/01/us/divorce-was-an-option-laci-petersons-mother-cries.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/us/scott-peterson-death-sentence-overturned.html
https://www.foxnews.com/story/timeline-the-laci-peterson-case
A 3 year old is raped and murdered. The police look no further than her innocent father helping to destroy a family and delay justice for the real murderer.
See the following for more info-
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/06/psychologist-explains-why-people-confess-crimes-they-didn-t-commit
https://abcnews.go.com/US/fbis-hunt-riley-foxs-killer-revealed-major-mistakes/story?id=77505898
abc7chicago.com/riley-fox-wilmington-story-death/10594188/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjtrJHv6L3wAhUWX80KHVYxB-wQFjAMegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw2QV4EEpkZvkN1v9RbPBtnh
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
A brutal murder of 18 year old Angie Dodge and the wrongful conviction of Chris Tapp finally finds justice after 20+ years thanks to a mom who never gives up.
Check out the following for more info-
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2021/02/brian-dripps-pleads-guilty-to-the-rape-and-murder-of-angie-dodge/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/mothers-pursuit-justice-overturns-wrongful-conviction-catches-true/story?id=76392277
20/20 Episode "Stranger than Fiction"
Email us at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
In 1970 someone took 12 year old Kelly Albright from her home and then took her life - stabbing her 18 times after raping her. Evidence is missing. No one is ever arrested.
Check out the following for more info-
https://www.hutchnews.com/article/20131207/News/312079907
http://forums.delphiforums.com/coldcases/messages/2728/128
https://www.hutchnews.com/article/20151008/Entertainment/310089910
https://www.insider.com/us-cold-cases-true-crime-2018-4
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Imagine being four years old, your mom is your whole world and you find her murdered in a pool of blood. At 40 years old, with the help of an old classmate you decide its time to finally get justice. This is the story of the murder of 23 year old single mother Loretta Jones in 1970 Price, Utah and how after 46 years her killer is found.
For more info check out-
On the Case with Paula Zahn S16 E14
Exhumed S1 E3
https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4253607&itype=CMSID
https://kutv.com/news/local/arrest-made-for-45-year-old-utah-cold-case-rape-and-murder
https://etvnews.com/46-years-later-tribute-ride-held-for-loretta-jones/
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Sometimes truth is more horrific than fiction. This serial killer was the inspiration for which the Scream Movie franchise was loosely based on. Danny Rollings wants to blame his childhood for killing 8 people, raping unknown numbers of women, and armed robbery but really not even that deep down he's just evil.
Check out the following for more info-
https://www.biography.com/news/danny-rolling-scream-killer-gainesville
https://www.gainesville.com/article/LK/20080619/News/604169999/GS
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1994-03-17-9403170307-story.html
Watch 20/20 Season 43 Episode 21- The Devil in Gainesville
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Hiding behind depravity and wealth the murder of 4 Detroit area kids remains unsolved even 40 years later.
Check out the following for more info-
The Kill Jar by J Reuben Appleman
Catherine Broad's Blog- https://catherinebroad.blog/
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2019/02/01/the-oakland-county-child-killer-case-background/
Watch- Children of the Snow
The fight for justice isn't over. But on today's episode we will discuss actual evidence and what should have been done in the first place.
Check out these links for more info-
https://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2017/oct/13/mindhunter-former-fbi-unit-chief-recalls-high-prof/
https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three/crime-news/west-memphis-three-case-new-dna-testing-wanted
http://proclaimjustice.org
https://www.truthandjusticepod.com/
Email us at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Visit our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Three young boys were murdered. Three teenagers were wrongfully convicted. Over 20 years later the real murderer is still out there.
Check out these sources for more info-
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/us/20arkansas.html?hp
https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/the-west-memphis-three-case-an-evolving-story-of-doubt-misinformation
https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
When you're 8 years old and its summer you just want to play with your friends. Never do you dream that its not safe....
Check out the following for more info-
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/jackie-clarke-fredericton-murder-the-detectives-1.4856829
https://globalnews.ca/news/4523478/n-b-detective-who-helped-solve-murder-of-young-girl-reconciles-with-past/
Case That Haunts Me- Season 2 Episode 5
Email us at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Checkout our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
This is the prime example of why I don't trust people. Especially with my kids. Kathy McDonald thought her friend Patricia was helping their family out . Not slowly killing her child spiritually and physically.
Check out these articles for more info-
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1821511/mother-of-louise-obrien-livid-at-sentence/
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/i-just-felt-numb-i-still-do-mother-haunted-by-daughter-louises-horror-end-20121023-282bu.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-30/grandmother-killed-teen-with-hammer2c-trial-told/3980676
Deadly Women Season 8 Episode 17- "Total Control "
Fast food will kill you. Especially when James Hu erty enters McDonald's with an arsenal of firearms. This horrific massacre may have been prevented if only someone had warned authorities.
Check this out for more info-
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sd-me-mcdonalds-documentary-20160920-story.html
https://apnews.com/article/d91276f1e42fe5248e4a7417c5af456b
https://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/23/california.mcdonalds.massacre/index.html
77 Minutes Documentary - Charlie Minn
Check out our website mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out awesome work of Densford Glass at
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DensfordsGlass
Can a murderer be a hero too? Maybe... if the victim is a Nazi sympathizer with child porn and bomb materials.
Check out these sources for more info-
https://bangordailynews.com/2010/02/12/news/amber-cummings-reflects-on-her-daughter-belfast-and-what-led-her-to-kill-her-abusive-husband/
https://bangordailynews.com/2009/02/10/news/state/report-dirty-bomb-parts-found-in-slain-mans-home/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amber-cummings-avoids-prison-for-killing-nazi-husband-while-he-slept/
Deadly Women- "Breaking Point"
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Email us at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out Densfords Glass on Twitter, Facebook, or Etsy!!
To love...honor....steal...and murder. The story of a Campbell County KY couple without the happy ending.
Check out these sources
https://www.fox19.com/story/5626577/family-confronts-amy-bosley-in-court/
Deadly Women "Married to Murder"
Forensic Files- "Dirty Laundry"
https://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=3546142&page=1
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Check out Densford Glass
https://m.facebook.com/densfordsglass/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwji38Gli8DuAhWDdc0KHcluA6YQFjAAegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw0OcTDZzCJItG-McpsIlZXo
Twitter @Densfordsglass
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DensfordsGlass
A true inspiration of survival. A 17 year old girl stops a serial rapist and murderer.
Check these links out for more info.
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/lisa-mcvey-interview&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiJ_4Glm6buAhVYCs0KHbroCcoQFjAAegQIChAB&usg=AOvVaw220waOnNkuz5QvrKRc0ei6
https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/bobby-joe-long
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-serial-killer-abducts-and-rapes-his-teenage-victim
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Believe_Me:_The_Abduction_of_Lisa_McVey
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
This horrific monster is one of the most deplorable human beings ever to live and may have been the real life basis for Hannibal Lector.
Check out these links for more information-
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-moon-maniac
https://allthatsinteresting.com/albert-fish
https://murderpedia.org/male.F/f/fish-albert.htm
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Fish
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Britney and Trevor take a look at Jolly Jane Toppan and her killer "nursey" ways.
For more information take a look at
https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/jolly-jane-toppan-killer-nurse-obsessed-death/
https://filmdaily.co/news/jolly-jane-toppan/
Deadly Women Season 3 Episode three.
Check out our website at mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Send us an email at mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
He ruined the life of many for no other reason than hatred and possibly a God complex. Eric Rudolph ran for almost 7 years from law enforcement. And an innocent man got the blame of one of the most publicized acts of domestic terrorism.
See the following links for more info-
https://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/04/04/rudolph.timeline/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/rudolph/stories/leader.htm
https://abc3340.com/news/local/abc-3340-exclusive-convicted-birmingham-clinic-bomber-appeals-life-sentence
He claimed responsibility for 93 murders. Some victims still haven't been identified or their bodies found. How much do you know about Sam Little?
Check out the links below for more information-
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/samuel-little-most-prolific-serial-killer-in-us-history-100619
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/31/us/samuel-little-dead.html
https://people.com/crime/samuel-little-serial-killer-confessed-93-murders-dies-80/
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/31/951918219/samuel-little-the-nations-most-prolific-serial-killer-dies-at-80
Email us at Mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Checkout our site at Mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
When Roy Kirk bought the vacant house next to 44 year old Ann Hoover things seemed fine. Fine went to horrible fast. Legal battles leads to death and dismemberment.
Check out these sources for more info
https://apnews.com/article/02b00dd11db555db9c113f2ccffca6a
https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=34921951&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjg5OTExMjk3LCJpYXQiOjE2MDk2Mjg0OTUsImV4cCI6MTYwOTcxNDg5NX0.TY8yGAFbheWTHDkEeufifX1_E57zn35Xr9jIgg6nNi4
https://old.post-gazette.com/neigh_north/20010531hoover2.asp
Murder Thy Neighbor by James Patterson
Listen as Britney and Tonya discuss True Crime cases. First there is the case of the horrific murders of redheaded beauties up and down the interstate. Next its a love affair gone wrong that ends in murder.
See the following links for more info
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldr5iAXHlt4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redhead_murders
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2019/12/19/suspect-named-redhead-murders-campbell-county-cold-case/2697031001/
https://g.co/kgs/MMa2i6
https://gazette.com/crime/colorado-springs-fatal-attraction-killer-jennifer-reali-dies-three-months-after-being-released-on-parole/article_9f3c606b-9f60-5614-8d9f-86306d97544e.html
https://g.co/kgs/YAsv11
After murdering his entire family, John List runs from the law for 18 years.
Check out these pages for more info-
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/nyregion/25list1.html
https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/02/nyregion/suspect-in-5-killings-in-1971-caught-with-aid-of-tv-show.html
https://murderpedia.org/male.L/l/list-john-emil.htm
https://nj1015.com/the-day-john-list-murdered-his-family/
Send us an email @ mysterynmerlot@gmail.com
Checkout our website @ mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com
Talk about looking for love in all the wrong places. This is a story of insurance fraud, arson, murder, and perhaps a great escape.
Check out my website- http://mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com/
Check out these sites for more info-
https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/belle-gunness
https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/belle-gunness-murders-serial-killer-mystery-butcher-of-men-hells-princess
https://laportelibrary.org/at-the-library/explore-local/belle-gunness/
Vampire Cult leader Rod Ferrell commits brutal murders of girlfriend's parents.
For more info-
Deadly Cults, Season 1 Episode 1- Vampire Clan
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-ne-vampire-killer-life-sentences-stand-20200420-vuh5gynm4ncobonh4xrlrzmdei-story.html
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2006-12-17-wendorf17-story.html
Checkout our website- https://mysterynmerlot.godaddysites.com/
1999 Murder of 17 year old Jessica Dishon Shepherdsville, KY and 1980's Disappearance of Virginia's Gina Renee Hall. Join Britney and her bestie Tonya as they discuss these two tragic events over a glass of wine.
Check out Cold Case Files Season 1 Episode 8-"A Family Secret "
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/bullitt/2015/01/22/dishon-pleads-guilty-death-niece/22179033/
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/bullitt/2015/03/27/jessica-dishon-family-wins-year-saga/70533396/
https://charleyproject.org/case/gina-renee-hall
https://murderpedia.org/male.E/e/epperly-stephen.htm
Special thanks to Crockett for Gina Hall case suggestion.
5 year old Melissa Brannen dissappears from a Christmas party in 1989 never to he seen again.
For more information checkout-
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-clothes-make-the-man-guilty
https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2019/04/19/abductor-year-old-melissa-brannen-be-released-prison-after-years/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2019/12/10/fairfax-police-still-seek-killer-year-old-melissa-brannen-who-vanished/