Coal Corn & Corpses

Southern Illinois is famously known for a lot of things. One thing most people don't think or even realize is actual number of serial killers who have either grew up, lived, or committed their gruesome crimes right here in the heart of "Little Egypt". We are going to tell you about one of those killers who was thankfully caught before his terror on this region would have continued. Unfortunately three young women would lose their lives to this monster before he was caught and brought to justice. John Paul Phillips was just that, a monster. After committing these three brutal sexual assaults and murders, his arrogance is what brought him to his demise. If you've never heard of this predator or these cases, join us for another crazy true crime story straight out of this area.   

 This is part 2 of the Finale for the Nitz story and of the Spillway Murder. If you were in disbelief from the last episode, this will drop bombshell after bombshell that will make you serious think what really happened and why? Did they convict the right people for this crime or was there serious injustice done to two people. We dont tell you what to think, we leave that up to you, but we will bring you all the facts so you can make that decision yourself, right here on Coal Corn and Corpses. 

We tried and tried to condense this down into one episode, but there was just too much detail we wanted to share with you all in this finale of this story.  So we told you the crazy story and beginning or Richard Nitz and his story. We told you all about Rita Brookmyer - Nitz and her insane story of how she got here. Now comes the bomb shell shocker of this story that will leave you shaking your head and wondering what, why, how did that...... As this episode begins the story of an absolutely unbelievable and tragic end for everyone. So listen along as we tell you this story. 

We are back with part 2 of this 3 part series on the Spillway Murder - The case of Richard and Rita Nitz (Brookmyer). If Richards story wasn't crazy enough, now you get to hear the crazy story of Rita, from how she grew up, all the way till she meets Richard. To say this was a match made in hell is truly an understatement. We hope you enjoy part 2 and we will have part 3 dropping soon to conclude this adventure. 

The Rita Nitz Story: Life Without Parole - Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rita-Nitz-Story-Without-Criminology/dp/0809326655

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In 1988 the city of Mt. Vernon was already trying to get back to a feeling of normalcy after already experiencing the unthinkable Tommy Odle murders of his entire family, the completely unimaginable and brutal rape and murder of 10 year old Amy Shultz. Only to be followed up by the absolute horrific and gruesome murders of the Dardeen Family in Ina. A year had pasted and just as the city of Mt. Vernon and the residents of Jefferson county believed that a possible return to a sense of normal was on the horizon. The dream was shattered within less than a year. On morning of May 6th of 1988, a local life long resident Jeff Reynolds had just gotten off work at a local factory. He and a friend had decided to spend that early spring morning fishing. Before departing on Jeff and his friends fishing trip, they decide to stop by Jeff's house to change some clothes. Upon arrival Jeff noticed that his new bride was still home and hadn't left for her college classes yet. As he made his way to go inside, he finds the rear door kicked in, with the bolt and door frame broken. Alarmed Jeff yells for his wife but there is no answer. As he enters him home he is met by the most unthinkable sight, a sight that is the basis of most peoples nightmares. Laying on the bed is the bloody and mutilated body of his wife, Jana. 22 year old Jana Reynolds had been severally raped, beaten, as well as cut and stabbed multiple times. An investigation follows but leads slowly dry up and its not until 13 years later that a set of new detectives look into the case and review the evidence that puts them on the track of this evil monster. With the assistance of another victim who had suffered a brutal attack and survived and new technology did they find this monster and place in where he belonged. So listen along with us as we tell you this story and all its twist and turns.

So in this episode we are sharing some of our listener tales and crazy things that happened to them. We apologize so much as we ran into some technical issues that prevented us from getting this up on Halloween. Even though its a day late in getting up, we REALLY hope you guys enjoy this episode as much as we did making it. Please don't forget to leave us a rating on whatever platform your listening to and check us out on our facebook page. Till next time..... 

We know we have been super busy and couldn't get an episode up this week. So we wanted to give you guys a sneak peek on whats coming as well as what we've been working on. So here ya go!!!

 In January of 1992, a weird 911 phone call comes into Herrin Illinois Police Dept. The caller advises there has been a rape and murder and where it happened at as well as where the body was located. Upon the police arrival they find a middle aged woman, by the name of Kathy Woodhouse. Shes been brutally beaten and sexually assaulted. An investigation takes off trying to find the monster who committed this evil crime. The investigation will lead police to look at several different people before receiving a tip that lands this to one man, Paul Taylor. What happens next as well as how did they piece this puzzle together? Well we have it all here on this episode. 

Have you ever wondered about things outside you think you've seen but just not sure? Ever been in Jackson County and ran into the local Mud Monster, or spent time near Alton and other places in Southern Illinois and seen the famous Piasa or "Thunderbird"? 
We all have thought we've heard strange sounds in the night, but never really sure what they are.... well follow us along on this journey into some of the creatures that supposedly haunt Southern Illinois.