Burden of Proof

When Michael Reese was found murdered in his Alabama home, it initially appeared as a burglary gone wrong. However, as investigators dug deeper into this very average joe's life, they uncovered a chilling conspiracy involving his wife, Cindy Reese, and their former Pastor, Jeff Brown.

Tune in as Elysia unravels the details of this case, examining the motives, the evidence, and the web of lies that ultimately led to Cindy's conviction. Meanwhile, Savannah gets swept away in the small town Baptist Church gossip.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!⁠

Sources:

Dateline: Even the Devil Went to Church, Season 29, Episode 9

https://www.al.com/life/2023/03/the-milos-fries-that-broke-a-murder-case-true-crime-legend-gets-chrissy-teigens-attention.html

https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2019/06/woman-who-killed-husband-execution-style-sent-to-work-release-after-less-than-3-years-in-prison.html

https://www.the-sun.com/news/7310611/cindy-reese-murder-dateline-alabama/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-henderson-reese-9b6b1640

https://abc3340.com/news/local/woman-who-killed-husband-to-be-with-lover-denied-appeal

https://www.the-sun.com/news/7311360/who-cindy-henderson-michael-reese-where-dateline/

Snapped: Bonus Clip - Cindy

Snapped: Bonus Clip - Jeff

https://doc.alabama.gov/InmateHistory.aspx

https://doc.alabama.gov/docs/PublicFemaleInmateHandbook.pdf

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

Join us for this very special episode where Christie and Melissa from Buried Motives presents their coverage of the Patricia Rorrer case!

When Joann Katrinak and her 4 month old baby, Alex, went missing all detectives eyes were on her husband, Andy. That is until their bodies were found and evidence suggested that Andy's claims about his ex-girlfriend, Patty, started making sense. Was Patty spurred on by a jealous rage over the life she had wanted with Andy or did they conspire to set her up?

Tune in as Melissa presents the evidence and Christie, Savannah, and Elysia share their thoughts on whether Patty is a dirtbag or not.

If you like what you've heard, checkout Buried Motives wherever you listen:

https://buriedmotives.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/buried-motives/id1579516226

https://open.spotify.com/show/0EkGXVJtQnMJeFa9gox4TB

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!⁠⁠

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

In the suburb of Brandon, Mississippi, Ashley and Heath Smylie were, by all accounts, doing their best to raise their family in a loving and healthy home. This included Carly Gregg, Ashley's daughter from a previous marriage. From the outside everything appeared pretty normal.

Unfortunately, Carly's thoughts were anything but typical. Basically leading a double life, even her friends grew concerned. When one of them informed Ashley of the trouble, conflict arose and Carly made a deadly decision.

Tune in as Savannah breaks down the facts for us and shows off her impeccable geography skills. Meanwhile, Elysia is absolutely heartbroken over this entirely preventable case.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!⁠⁠

Sources:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/carly-gregg-murder-trial-verdict-b2616303.html

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2024/09/18/defense-carly-madison-gregg-expects-first-witness-in-murder-trial/75244116007/ 

https://www.wlbt.com/2024/09/26/first-interview-carly-greggs-biological-father-says-he-hopes-she-finds-jesus/ 

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2024/09/17/carly-madison-gregg-stepfather-heath-smylie-testifies-in-murder-trial/75244108007/

https://www.reddit.com/r/CarlyGregg/comments/1flvad0/how_did_carlys_sister_die/

https://www.wapt.com/article/carly-gregg-mother-murder-trial-day-4/62277234

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

23-year-old Bonnie Haim, a young mother from Jacksonville, Florida, mysteriously disappeared in January of 1993. Initially a missing person's case, detectives' suspicion of foul play arose quickly with Michael Haim, Bonnie's Husband, at the center of the investigation. Bonnie had been preparing to leave her marriage and making plans to start a new life with their young son, Aaron.

The case went cold for over two decades, until a shocking discovery in 2014. This episode dives into the years of mystery, the unraveling of the case, and the emotional toll on Aaron, who had always believed his father was guilty.

Tune in as Elysia reveals how justice was finally served and sends shivers down Savannah's spine with the words of a child.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!⁠

Sources:

Dateline: She Never Left, Season 27, Episode 40

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/crime/2019/05/21/judge-sentences-michael-haim-to-life-in-prison-for-wifes-death/986718007/

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-district-court-of-appeal/2124129.html

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/05/02/jacksonville-man-who-killed-wife-in-1993-again-appeals-conviction-now-claiming-ineffective-counsel/

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

In this episode, we dive into the tragic case of Kirsten Costas, a 15 year old high school student and cheerleader from the quiet suburb of Orinda, California, whose life was cut short by a fatal act of jealousy. Kirsten was lured out under false pretenses by her classmate Bernadette Protti and the evening took a horrifying turn.

What drove this deadly encounter between the two girls? We explore the toxic pressures of high school popularity, envy, and the shocking lengths Bernadette went to fit in. We discuss the events leading up to Kirsten's death and discuss the dynamics behind this heartbreaking crime.

Join us as Savannah examines how the intense desire to belong can sometimes lead to devastating consequences and Elysia asks all the questions no one can answer.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://murderpedia.org/female.P/p/protti-bernadette.htm 

https://loriajohnston.medium.com/kirsten-costas-the-real-life-death-of-a-cheerleader-95bc7b3f393

https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrime/comments/o6eupy/37_years_ago_today_kirsten_costas_15_was_murdered/

https://clickamericana.com/topics/crime/the-real-death-of-a-cheerleader-1985

https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=500&year1=198407&year2=202408

https://deadlywomen.fandom.com/wiki/Bernadette_Protti#:~:text=She%20had%20several%20older%20sisters,wealthier%20friends%2C%20including%20Kirsten%20Costas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qrGrV51egc&t=893s

https://www.tuko.co.ke/facts-lifehacks/435391-the-story-bernadette-protti-everything-know/#google_vignette

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

In this episode, we dive into the haunting case of the Rogers family murders also known as the Tampa Bay murders, a crime that shocked Florida in 1989. While on a dream vacation, Joan Rogers and her two daughters, Michelle and Christe, were lured onto a boat by Oba Chandler. What started as a friendly offer turned into a horrific crime when the family was bound, assaulted, and thrown into Tampa Bay to drown.

Tune in as Elysia unravels the chilling details of this tragic case, the investigation that followed, and how Chandler was ultimately caught and brought to justice years later. Meanwhile, Savannah gags at the thought of a dairy farm life.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

Family Massacre: The Rogers Family, Season 1, Episode 10

Forensic Files: Water Logged, Season 14, Episode 8

https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/classics/angels-and-demons/

https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1997/84812-0.html

https://library.law.fsu.edu/Digital-Collections/flsupct/dockets/84812/84812ans.pdf

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14143195/joan_mae_rogers

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14143204/michelle_lee_rogers

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14143213/christe-eugenia-rogers

https://www.tampabay.com/narratives/2019/06/05/from-2011-i-dont-need-any-closure-hal-rogers-rebuilds-his-life-oba-chandler-is-about-to-lose-his/

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

In this episode we unravel the horrifying story of Bruce McArthur, a seemingly harmless landscaper who preyed on Toronto's LGBTQ+ community. From his unsuspecting double life to the slow investigation that uncovered his gruesome crimes, we discuss each layer of the case.

We touch on the lives of his victims, the mistakes and breakthroughs that shaped the investigation, and the broader social context surrounding Toronto's marginalized communities. This episode isn't just about the crimes; it's about the resilience of a community, the failures of a system, and the haunting question of how evil can sometimes hide in plain sight.

Tune in as Savannah pieces together how McArthur was able to evade capture for so long - and how he was finally brought to justice. Meanwhile, Elysia is completely baffled by how someone with such violent tendencies waited so long to act on them.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/hunter-what-made-serial-killer-bruce-mcarthur-tick 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mcarthur-investigation-timeline-1.4697727 

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/a-timeline-of-the-toronto-police-investigation-into-bruce-mcarthur-and-the-gay-village-serial/article_373b4ce0-a463-5f5f-a28b-366a57d112db.html 

https://www.grunge.com/377322/heres-what-we-know-about-serial-killer-bruce-mcarthurs-childhood/ 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bruce-mcarthur-documents-released-1.4724392

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

Kay was just your typical single mother who was trying to find companionship, love and perhaps a good role model for her son, Jason. In December of 1993, she thought she may have found just that with Victor Gunnarsson. Right when Kay thought the relationship was moving forward though, Victor disappeared.

She didn't have much time to worry about Victor's disappearance because just six days later, Kay's mother, Catherine Miller, was murdered. With little to no evidence at the scene, detectives pressed Kay for any information that could help. It turned out she and Jason had been receiving threatening letters and calls, but they had no proof it was connected to Catherine's murder. When Victor's body was found in January of 1994, all signs began pointing at Kay's ex fiance, LC Underwood.

Tune in as Savannah unknowingly opens the episode perfectly with the perils of dating (especially with a large age gap). Elysia then gives her emotional whiplash in this unbelievable but true story about how one bad relationship can ruin so many lives.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

Forensic Files: To the Viktor, Season 10, Episode 39

Dead of Winter: Cold Blue, Season 2, Episode 2

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/nc-court-of-appeals/1435151.html

https://casetext.com/case/underwood-v-harkleroad#:~:text=FACTUAL%20AND%20PROCEDURAL%20BACKGROUND,and%20murder%20of%20Viktor%20Gunnarsson.

https://www.wbtv.com/story/11823288/judge-orders-new-trial-for-cop-convicted-of-murder/

https://www.salisburypost.com/2011/01/12/no-new-trial-for-l-c-underwood/

https://www.wataugademocrat.com/news/convicted-felon-former-officer-dies-while-serving-sentence-for-25-year-old-murder/article_122572e8-7598-58ce-b4ee-8d36d0f5f428.html

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206535233/lamont_claxton-underwood/photo

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme were just your typical teenage girls living in Christchurch, New Zealand in the 1950's, or so everyone thought. The pair became fast friends through their mutual health issues that excluded them from gym class. Then, they just as quickly established their mutual love for all things dark and depraved.

The girls' became obsessed with each other and with living out their disturbing fantasies. Pauline's parents in particular became extremely concerned with the relationship. So, when Juliet's parents, Henry and Hilda Hulme, decided to ship her to South Africa, Pauline knew her mother, Honorah Parker, would stop her from going with Juliet.

Tune in as Savannah details the unbelievable plan and flawless execution Pauline and Juliet conducted. Meanwhile, Elysia is simply befuddled as to why they would ever think it would work.

Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/parker-hulme-murder 

https://www.criminalbroads.com/episodes/2021/8/11/the-parker-hulme-murder-case 

https://youtu.be/3ZNxBbRb2Co?si=LxA7Jp1lcXiBvyts

https://allthatsinteresting.com/pauline-parker-juliet-hulme 

https://wondery.com/shows/morbid-a-true-crime-podcast/episode/10863-heavenly-creatures-the-parker-hulme-murder/ 

https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Digitised/ParkerHulme/Page23.asp 

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181⁠

To celebrate our 100th case, we discuss the women who inspired Maureen Dallas Watkins' play and longest running musical, Chicago. During the height of prohibition the beautiful and classy pair ended up in Cook County's murderess row after being charged with the murders of their lovers.

Belva Gaertner, the real life counterpart to Velma Kelly, was accused of shooting her lover after a drunken fight in her own car. After weeks of dominating the newspaper headlines, she had competition when Beulah Annan, counterpart to Roxie Hart, joined the cell block after shooting her lover while her husband was at work.

Join in as Savannah and Elysia put on their 100 year old personas and dance to Hula Lou, Beulah's favorite song. We discuss the crimes, trials, and how it was that they were acquitted.

Don't forget to let us know if you've seen Chicago for your Sunday shoutout! Find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook!

Sources:

"The Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers Who Inspired

https://www.chicagohistory.org/true-crime-beulah-annan/

https://chicagology.com/notorious-chicago/beaulahandbelva/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/03/09/photos-chicagos-murderess-row-in-1924-and-all-that-jazz/

https://blog.history.in.gov/maurine-dallas-watkins-sob-sisters-pretty-demons-and-all-that-jazz/

Graphic Art By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Taylor Poe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music By: https://archive.org/details/78_hula-lou_california-ramblers-milton-charles-and-wayne-king_gbia0430195a