69 SOUTH

A simple traffic stop cracked open a far more unsettling story. We start with a warrant, a BMW X5, and a baggie that tested positive for cocaine—but the real revelations unfold through a chain of search warrants, IP logs, Amazon receipts, and devices pulled from a condo that point to harassment, nonconsensual recording, and calculated online impersonation. We walk through how fake Instagram accounts pushed intimate videos to the victim’s contacts, how detectives traced activity back to a Verizon home internet account, and how a forensic sweep uncovered a likely hidden-camera setup, a taped-over GoPro, and a closet bag packed with lock picks, AirTags, night vision, a fake badge, and more.

Along the way, we unpack the legal and human stakes: why “my house, my footage” fails when consent is absent, how revenge porn laws and protective orders intersect, and why prosecutors often enhance charges when drugs and firearms appear together. We also explore the platform side—how quick-burn sockpuppet accounts evade detection, what IP and device metadata can prove, and where Meta, Apple, and Google records become pivotal evidence. The iCloud trove matters here, including videos the victim says she never consented to and screenshots of her social graph that suggest a deliberate plan to maximize harm.

We then consider allegations from the workplace: late-night messages, missing wages, and attempts to access restricted sorority floors tied to a cleaning contract. Those claims, if true, fit the broader pattern of control and proximity. Our aim is clarity and caution: practical steps for digital safety, from recognizing clone profiles and unexpected AirTags to documenting harassment in ways that help investigators build a case. If you care about consent, privacy, and the way technology can be twisted to intimidate, this story offers a clear, sobering map of how abuse escalates—and how careful documentation can fight back.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs the awareness, and leave a review so others can find it. Want to support our work and keep new episodes coming? Join us at patreon.com/69South.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

Blue lights cut through the dark on KY-80, a state trooper lies 18 feet from his cruiser, and the questions haven’t stopped for 35 years. We revisit the life and final shift of Kentucky State Trooper Johnny Edrington, retracing the timeline from Post 11 to a fateful U-turn after a speeding pickup and the moments that vanished in between. With eyewitness accounts, a stolen light-colored Ford truck, and scene details that don’t add up, we unpack a case that sits between homicide, suicide, and something that looks a lot like a cover-up.

We start with who Johnny was—a hometown helper turned trooper, newly married and expecting—then follow the late-night radar run, the trucker’s statement, and the discovery of a right-handed officer found with his .357 in his left hand. We interrogate rumors that refuse to die: lapsed insurance, disconnected phones, and a staggering tax debt. Using Kentucky law, pay stub logic, and an earlier disciplinary case, we show why those claims wobble under pressure. Along the way, we examine the role of the Phelps brothers, the weight of small-town grudges during bootlegging and marijuana crackdowns, and how gossip can bury truth.

The serial killer thread adds heat: Robert Foley lived about two miles from the scene and offered shifting stories that investigators largely dismissed. Is he a misdirect or a missing key? We break down the forensics, including world-renowned pathologist Dr. Vincent DiMaio’s homicide conclusion, and consider what modern testing—touch DNA on the revolver and vehicle surfaces—could still reveal. Most of all, we push for sunlight: redacted files released, evidence reexamined, and rumors replaced by facts. Press play to walk the road, weigh the theories, and help us move this cold case toward clarity.

If this story matters to you, share the episode, leave a review, and tell us your theory—homicide, suicide, or something else entirely?

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

The predatory saga of former teacher Brittany Fortenberry takes another disturbing turn as we examine shocking new allegations from a third victim. What began as innocent visits to a friend's "aunt's" house quickly spiraled into a calculated pattern of exploitation that parents never suspected.

Through exclusive analysis of the latest probable cause affidavit, we uncover how Fortenberry allegedly groomed this teenage boy beginning at age 14. The victim describes a methodical progression of boundary violations—from providing marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms to escalating physical contact, ultimately leading to sexual encounters in her garage while other students were kept distracted elsewhere in the home. Most disturbing are the details about Fortenberry's creation of a sexualized environment with explicit materials readily accessible to minors visiting her home.

We dive deep into the digital aspects of this case, particularly how Snapchat's disappearing message feature allowed Fortenberry to send explicit content with minimal evidence trail. As parents ourselves, we share genuine concerns about how modern technology can enable predatory behavior, making this case a crucial wake-up call for any parent with teenagers. The victim's statement that Fortenberry was "handing it out to everybody and anybody" suggests this case may continue expanding as the investigation proceeds.

The discussion explores not just the criminal aspects but the psychological damage inflicted when trusted authority figures exploit their positions. With new charges added including sexual misconduct with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and dissemination of harmful material to minors, this case represents a devastating breach of professional ethics and basic human decency.

Subscribe to Podcast 69 South for continued updates on this developing case, and support our independent journalism at patreon.com/69South as we keep digging into stories that matter to our community.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

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Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

The digital shadows we cast can sometimes conceal our darkest impulses - but what happens when the monster behind the screen is the very person sworn to protect you?

In the tiny Michigan town of Bill City (population 312), 13-year-old Lauren received her first anonymous text message during a Halloween party. "Owen is breaking up with you," it claimed, referring to her boyfriend. What began as seemingly typical teenage drama quickly spiraled into a 15-month nightmare of relentless psychological torture. The unknown texter bombarded Lauren with up to 40 messages daily, calling her an "anorexic toddler," commanding her to "kill herself," and attempting to destroy her relationship.

The texting intensified around social events, showcasing intimate knowledge of Lauren's whereabouts and activities. Even after the teenage couple broke up under the pressure, the harassment continued, shifting to target Owen's new girlfriend. Parents contacted police, school officials held meetings, and the FBI was eventually called in. The entire community became consumed with speculation about who could harbor such hatred toward these teenagers.

When digital forensics finally traced the messages through sophisticated VPN networks to their source, no one was prepared for the truth. The tormentor wasn't a jealous classmate or online predator - it was Lauren's own mother, Kendra Lacari. The same woman who coached Lauren's basketball team, comforted her after receiving the texts, and actively participated in the investigation was creating the very trauma she pretended to help solve.

Psychological experts suggest Kendra's behavior aligns with "Munchausen by Internet," where someone creates crises to position themselves as heroes. While financial troubles and job loss may have contributed to her mental state, the calculated cruelty of her actions - including attempts to frame another student and explicit encouragement for the teens to engage in sexual activities - reveals something profoundly disturbing about the potential for betrayal from those we trust most.

Despite everything, Lauren showed remarkable resilience, continuing her education and becoming a standout athlete who now studies criminology in college. Her story reminds us that while technology can be weaponized in unimaginable ways, the human spirit can withstand even the most intimate betrayals.

If you've experienced cyberbullying or digital harassment, remember that help is available, and you deserve support no matter who the perpetrator might be.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

What happens when every system meant to protect a child fails at once? Five-year-old Zara Arnold's story answers this question in the most devastating way possible.

Zachary Arnold's violent history was no secret. With multiple arrests for violating protective orders, stalking charges, and even a rape accusation, he was a walking red flag. Yet somehow, the courts kept setting him free with minimal consequences, reducing his bonds from $200,000 to just $4,000, and dismissing serious felony charges in favor of misdemeanor pleas.

Meanwhile, Zara's mother Tiara fought a desperate battle to protect her daughter. She documented bruises, reported incidents to DCS, and even captured video evidence of Zachary grabbing Zara by the neck in public. Her reward? A family court judge who not only granted Zachary full custody but ordered Tiara to stop reporting abuse altogether, dismissing her legitimate fears as "paranoia."

The final days of Zara's life reveal a horror story of escalating violence. Hotel employees witnessed and reported Zachary choking Zara in a parking lot, but police never responded. Digital evidence would later show videos of Zachary placing a noose around his daughter's neck and strangling her repeatedly – all while his girlfriend Andrea watched via video calls without intervening.

By the time authorities found Zara's body on May 19, 2025, she had endured unimaginable suffering. The autopsy revealed blunt force trauma to her head, extensive bruising across her body, and evidence of repeated strangulation. At five years old, she weighed just 39 pounds.

This case exposes catastrophic failures at every level – from law enforcement to child protective services to family courts. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about how we handle domestic violence cases, particularly when children's lives hang in the balance.

Zara's story reminds us why we must speak up when we see something wrong. The system might fail, but perhaps we don't have to. Listen, share, and remember: your vigilance could save the next child that institutions overlook.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

A disturbing pattern of institutional failure at Mooresville Christian Academy has finally come to light with the arrest of Jacob Wessel, a former robotics teacher now facing multiple charges involving minors. For years, school administrators ignored glaring red flags while Wessel allegedly groomed and victimized students right under their noses.

The earliest documented incident dates back to 2021, when Wessel reportedly showed pornography to a 12-year-old student while driving him to a soccer game. Despite the student immediately reporting this to his mother (who worked at the school), administrators allegedly swept it under the rug. Afterward, Wessel began calling the boy a "snitch" in front of classmates – clear evidence that school principal Bruce Peters had spoken to Wessel about the allegations without taking any meaningful action.

Throughout 2022, concerned parents documented multiple disturbing incidents: female students sitting on Wessel's lap during technology class, uncomfortable interactions in hallways, and other boundary violations. Each time, Peters and the school board dismissed these reports as "harmful hearsay and gossip," gaslighting parents who were desperately trying to protect their children.

What makes this case particularly infuriating is the revelation of an "unwritten rule" within Mooresville schools that mandated staff report abuse concerns to administrators rather than directly to authorities as required by law. This created a filter where school officials could decide what warranted reporting – potentially violating mandatory reporting laws and endangering countless children.

When Wessel was finally terminated in December 2024 after texting a 13-year-old student, Peters sent an email to the entire school community praising him as "a wonderful employee" and bizarrely stating, "these types of things happen, and I speak from experience." After charges were filed in May 2025, Wessel went on the run for months before being arrested in August after barricading himself in an Indianapolis home.

As we await Wessel's November hearing, this case serves as a stark reminder of what happens when institutions prioritize their reputation over children's safety. If you've witnessed or experienced abuse, remember: you don't have to report to school administrators first – go directly to police or child protective services. Your voice matters, and speaking up could prevent others from suffering the same fate.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

What drives someone to risk everything for the darkest of compulsions? In this gripping episode, we dive into the disturbing case of Christopher Cooley, a Mooresville man who couldn't stop his predatory behavior even while out on bond for child exploitation charges.

The digital breadcrumbs tell a chilling story. Despite pretrial release restrictions, Cooley acquired burner phones, created fake accounts, and attempted to cover his tracks with technological tricks that ultimately failed. When Detective Henson of the IMPD Internet Crimes Against Children Unit received a report from a sex worker who'd been sent child pornography and offered $1,000 to bring a child for sexual services, it launched an investigation that revealed just how deeply entrenched these behaviors can become.

What's particularly disturbing isn't just Cooley's repeated offenses, but his escalation. From viewing to potentially facilitating hands-on abuse, his internet searches for content involving "mother rape," "infant," and even a browser game simulating child abduction paint a picture of someone whose compulsions were spiraling dangerously out of control. During his confession, Cooley admitted his attraction to infants and detailed how he sought out the darkest corners of the web to feed his addiction.

We also explore the troubling phenomenon of enablers – specifically Cooley's girlfriend who publicly defended him, calling his behavior merely a "slip-up" while insisting he had changed after just four months. Her contradictory statements about her own children's contact with Cooley raised serious safety concerns that we couldn't ignore.

This case forces us to confront uncomfortable questions: Can monsters truly change? Why do some individuals risk everything to continue behavior they know is wrong? And what does it say about our society when these predators find defenders even after confessing to the most disturbing of attractions?

Subscribe, share, and join our Patreon at patreon.com/69south to support our ongoing efforts to expose those who prey on the most vulnerable.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

What drives a person down a path of escalating criminal behavior despite multiple chances at redemption? In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the troubling case of Ryan Davis, Indiana DOC inmate #263161, whose criminal journey spans decades and reveals critical failures in our justice system.

From a Christmas Day arrest for syringes to hiding in a police officer's attic, carjacking a neighbor, and most recently being caught with a 15-year-old runaway and dangerous drugs, Davis's story unfolds like a roadmap of missed opportunities for intervention. We methodically trace his path through court records, highlighting how a pattern of lenient sentences and second chances culminated in his latest and most disturbing arrest.

The most shocking element? Despite being caught with methamphetamine laced with fentanyl and xylazine in the presence of a minor, Davis walked free on zero bond while the juvenile remained in custody. We examine this bewildering disparity and raise urgent questions about a system that repeatedly releases repeat offenders while failing to protect vulnerable youth.

This case touches on critical issues facing communities nationwide: the revolving door of addiction and crime, the manipulation of vulnerable teens, and the complex failures of pretrial release policies. Parents, community members, and justice reform advocates will find this episode particularly relevant as we confront uncomfortable truths about how our current system operates.

Have you witnessed similar patterns in your community? Do you believe in rehabilitation for repeat offenders, or should public safety take precedence? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on this case that continues to develop. Subscribe to stay updated as we follow this story and similar cases that highlight the intersection of addiction, crime, and justice in America today.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

Nestled among Kentucky's rolling hills and bourbon distilleries, Bardstown's charm earned it the title "America's Most Beautiful Small Town" in 2012. Yet behind this picturesque facade lurks a darker reality—five unsolved murders that have traumatized the community and left families searching for answers for over a decade.

At the heart of this mystery is Crystal Rogers, a devoted mother of five who vanished without a trace on July 3, 2015. Her abandoned car discovered on the Bluegrass Parkway—keys, purse, and phone still inside—was just the beginning of a saga that would expose a complex web of family ties, police corruption, and small-town secrets. When Crystal's father Tommy Ballard began getting too close to the truth during his relentless search for his daughter, he too was silenced—shot dead while hunting with his grandson 16 months after Crystal disappeared.

The 2025 trials finally brought some justice, with Crystal's boyfriend Brooks Houck receiving a life sentence for her murder. His employees, Stephen and Joseph Lawson, were also convicted for their roles in the conspiracy. Testimony revealed chilling details—discussions about using farm hogs to dispose of a body, suspicious tampering with evidence, and the hasty sale of a car where cadaver dogs later detected human remains. Yet despite these convictions, Crystal's body remains missing, and several alleged conspirators—including Brooks' brother Nick, a former police officer, and their mother Rosemary—haven't faced charges.

Perhaps most troubling is the connection to other Bardstown tragedies. Police Officer Jason Ellis was ambushed and killed on the same parkway in 2013. The Netherland mother and daughter were brutally murdered in 2014. Investigators hint at connections between all these cases but haven't revealed how they intersect.

Meanwhile, Crystal's young son remains in the custody of the Houck family—the very people implicated in his mother's murder—creating another painful chapter for her grieving family. As pink ribbons continue to flutter throughout Bardstown, they serve as reminders of the justice that remains incomplete.

What twisted motivations led to these crimes? How deeply do the connections run through this small Kentucky community? And will Crystal's remains ever be found to give her family the closure they desperately seek?

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!

A father's worst nightmare unfolded in the dead of night when Aaron Spencer discovered his 14-year-old daughter missing from her bed. What followed was a desperate search that would end in bloodshed and raise profound questions about justice, protection, and the failures of our legal system.

At the center of this Arkansas tragedy stands Michael Fosler, a 67-year-old Army veteran facing 43 felony charges including rape, sexual assault, and possession of child sexual abuse material—all related to Spencer's teenage daughter. Despite the severity of these accusations and a no-contact order, Fosler was released on a mere $50,000 bond. 

When Spencer found his daughter missing and discovered Fosler had been contacting her through food deliveries, he took matters into his own hands. Drawing on his training as a decorated combat veteran, Spencer tracked down Fosler's truck, confronted him, and ultimately shot him after reportedly finding him restraining his daughter. Now Spencer faces second-degree murder charges while attempting to navigate a system that seemingly failed to protect his child in the first place.

The case has ignited fierce debate about parental rights, self-defense, and institutional accountability. The Arkansas Supreme Court recently intervened, striking down a controversial gag order as "a gross abuse of discretion" and criticizing Judge Barbara Elmore's handling of the case. Meanwhile, allegations of evidence tampering and questions about Fosler's potential connections to law enforcement have fueled community suspicions.

As this family waits for a September trial date, their story forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about what happens when systems meant to protect children fail. What would you do if faced with the same impossible choice? When seconds matter and a child's life hangs in the balance, where is the line between heroism and vigilantism? The Spencer case doesn't just challenge our notions of justice—it asks what we truly value as a society.

Come join Patreon.com/69South for your daily dose of The Dailly Detour. A 30 minute daily episode discussing the weird, crazy, and odd news stories with a light hearted funny take. 

Visit Rosie's Posy for all your farmstead, sourdough and flower needs at 6082 E. Hadley Rd. , Moorseville, Indiana. 

Support the show

Disclaimer: All defendants are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law. All facts are alleged until a conviction!