In 1982, a young single mother, Jerilyn Towers, went missing after an evening spent at a local bar. When police started to question a man named James (Jimmy) Hicks who was thought to be involved, another missing woman's case came to light... and the crimes wouldn't stop then or there.Von Caitie & Kate

In October 1990, Pittsfield, Massachusetts was a small, quiet town where everyone knew everyone, neighbors didn't lock their doors, and kids were free to bike and walk everywhere no matter the time of day. Within hours, that all changed with the disappearance of 12 year old Jimmy Bernardo. The weeks following the disappearance were heartbreaking, a…

In the 1930s, a man named Joe Ball ruled Elmendorf, Texas. "Joe's Place" was a hoppin' spot- not just becuase beautiful women served beer and liquor, but because there was a giant alligator pit in the back where visitors were entertained by cruel alligator shows. Over the course of a decade, patrons noticed many attractive female employees coming a…

The early 1900s in Missouri ("Missour-a", as Kate says) was a weird time. But nothing was quite as weird as Bertha Gifford. Between 1906 and 1928, Bertha portrayed herself as a helpful nurse, when in fact, she was poisoning her patients- including at least 17 men, women and children. Nobody was safe from her "tonics", but despite her best efforts, …

On May 13, 2008, Brandon Swanson was celebrating the end of his spring semester with friends at parties in various small towns in rural Minnesota. Shortly after leaving a house party around midnight on May 14th, Brandon's car became stuck in a ditch, and he called his parents for help. What happened over the next several hours is confusing and has …

In 1988 and 1989, a maniac was hunting at-risk women in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Leaving a trail of horror in his wake, at the end of the spree, 9 women were dead, and 2 more were missing. Did this killer get caught? Stop on his own? Get imprisoned? Or move to Portugal and start his murdering spree all over?…

In August 1978, Olive and Burle Bramhall were settling in for the evening in their home near Seattle when their lives were cut short by a senseless act of violence. Nearly as bad as the crime itself is the complete and utter failure of the system meant to help and protect the mentally ill.Von Caitie & Kate

In March of 1960, Frances, Mildred and Lillian wanted a break from the hustle and bustle of Chicago housewife life, and slipped away for a gals weekend near the Illinois State Park of Starved Rock. Within moments of arriving at their hotel, the women disappeared, never to be seen alive again. This is another case of an investigation that was less t…

On January 29, 2010, Tanya Nikitina was just leaving her job as a preschool teacher, when shots were fired, and her life was cut short. Her ex mother-in-law was arrested for the murder, and the strange explanations for the killing have evolved over the years.Von Caitie & Kate

June 12, 1977 was a dark day at Camp Scott in Mayes County, Oklahoma. That night, while nestled safely in their tent on the first night of sleepaway Girl Scout camp, Lori Farmer, Michelle Guse, and Doris Milner were brutally assaulted and murdered. While the case has been closed- just in the last year- many questions still remain.…

This week, we take a cross-country roadtrip from New Orleans to Chicago and then to Washington D.C., following Joseph Dunbar Medley, a man with a penchant for red headed women. After escaping prison in Michigan in November of 1944, Joseph Medley goes on a three month long killing and robbing spree, leaving three young women dead.…

Between February 1926, and June, 1927, cities across North America were rocked by despicable slayings of mostly middle-aged land-ladies. In addition to being strangled, these women were sexually assaulted, and in some cases, mutilated. While he alluded police for over a year, Earle Nelson would finally get taken down by our wonderful neighbors to t…

This week, Caitie brings us a less obscure case, but one that has fascinated her for years. Belle Gunness was the OG Black Widow, having killed around 45 men, women and children in Illinois and Indiana. When you hear about her schemes, you will want to hop in your car and travel to the murder farm for the chance to uncover a watch, a package of dis…

In Part 2 of the Servant Girl Annihilator, Kate discusses the brutal murders of the final 5 victims. The mystery of whether they are all connected remains to this day, but the killings between New Years Eve 1884 and Christmas Eve 1885 will never be forgotten in Austin, Texas. Sources: The Midnight Assassin, by Skip Hollandsworth Chilling Historical…

In 1884 and 1885, Austin, Texas was rocked by a series of brutal slayings - most involving an axe - and all on young servant girls. In Episode 1, we focus on the murders of Mollie Smith, Eliza Shelly, and Irene Cross, all murdered at the hands of a deranged, barefooted creep in the middle of the night. Sources: The Midnight Assassin, by Skip Hollan…

In part 2, Caitie focuses on a brutal attack in the middle of the day, which ultimately leads to the arrest of Don Miller. But, if you thought his arrest would be the last part of this saga, you would be very wrong! Source: KILLING WOMEN: The True Story of Serial Killer Don Miller's Reign of TerrorVon Caitie and Kate

This week, Caitie brings us part one of a two part episode, where we head to Michigan to discuss the despicable life of Don Miller. In episode 1, we will discuss his four murder victims, Martha Sue Young, Marita Choquette, Wendy Bush, and Kristine Guske Stuart. Source: KILLING WOMEN: The True Story of Serial Killer Don Miller's Reign of Terror by R…

In November 1957, the city of Lincoln Nebraska became a target for a weeks long spree killing, which would ultimately leave 11 people dead, and a young couple on the run through Nebraska and eventually Wyoming.Von Caitie and Kate

Caitie brings us another oldie this week, when we travel to Illinois in 1949. Joan Coward and her fiancé, Arthur Marino, were out on a late June evening, celebrating Joan's 17th Birthday. What happened next would be disputed, but it ends with Joan dead, and Arthur severely injured.Von Caitie and Kate

In the early morning hours of September 8, 1981, a Sheriff's Deputy near Mount Vernon, South Dakota, received a phone call from a frantic man stating his entire family had been killed. With a quick arrest came a sense of ease in the community. However, it would not last long. Sources: South Dakota's Mathis Murders: Horror in the Heartland, by Noel …

This week, we head to Wisconsin for a devastating case involving the truly unbelievable murder of an entire family. When a family of 5 disappears from a rural town in western Wisconsin, the remaining member of the family, 15-year-old Bruce, is the only one left to help police piece together the puzzle of what could have happened. With the discovery…

In January of 1970, West Virginia University Freshmen, Mared and Karen, went to a movie with friends, and after hitching a ride back to campus, were never seen again. This case brings you everything you look for in true crime: false confessions, repulsive suspects, and a questionable conviction.Von Caitie and Kate

On Good Friday 1936, two upholsterers entered the 4th floor apartment of up and coming crime writer, Nancy Titterton. What they discovered was a crime scene that Nancy herself could not have fathomed. The real surprise in this case however, is how forensics - even back in 1936 - was able to nail the killer!…

This week, Kate brings us to Northern Idaho and a series of unsolved murders and disappearances that occurred between 1979 and 1982 and are all mysteriously connected to a single suspect who has eluded authorities to this day.Von Caitie and Kate

On the morning of March 6, 1963, Ruth Nelson opened her door to find a battered, bloody woman on her doorstep. She soon realized that this woman was a beloved neighbor, Carol Thompson. That, however, would be the least surprising part of this story.Von Caitie and Kate

On June 25, 1973, a seven year old girl went missing from the Montana campground where her family was vacationing. Somebody had slit open the back of their tent and snatched her from under their noses. None of them saw or heard anything. Susie Jaeger had vanished into thin air, plucked by a shadow. Officials would soon discover that the man respons…

In part two of this two part episode, we will discuss Bonnie's murder, Richard's trial, and what surprising characters rallied in his defense. Make sure you listen to part 1 if this is your first time here! Sources: The Killing of Bonnie Garland by Willard Gaylin, MD https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/20/nyregion/jury-finds-convicted-killer-liable-for…

Bonnie Garland had her entire life ahead of her when it was tragically cut short by a senseless and brutal slaying. Richard Herrin loved Bonnie, and if he could not have her, nobody else could. Sources for this episode: https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/20/nyregion/jury-finds-convicted-killer-liable-for-damages-to-parents-of-victim.html https://www.n…

Have you ever felt like a failure as a mom? Most likely you do every day! We will all fail at motherhood, but in failure, we learn to be our best. In this episode we look back at two of my most popular posts on my blog from just over a year ago. Feeling like a failure, and trying to pull myself out of late onset post partum depression.…

The scale is a sucky way to measure your progress when it comes to your health and fitness. Follow my 5 steps to keep your head in the game while you might be gaining inches along your journey to a healthier, happier you!Von Rebecca Hendrix | Health & Fitness Lifestyle Coach

It's easy to get distracted and lose focus of the important things in life, but rather than only focusing on the present, future or past, I walk you through the different places that are important to keep you moving forward even when you don't want to. You SHOULD be focused and live in the moment, be where your feet are. Look a few paces ahead, pla…