Crime To Burn

In part 5 of the Benson Car Bombing Case, we get into questions of Margaret Benson's will as well as the physical evidence they were able to find. We also go through some of the points of Carol Lynn's official statement to police including her absolutely unhinged accusations about Steven's wife. We also discuss some first-of-their-kind legal maneuvers that investigtors used to tie a suspect to the evidence. Did investigators behave ethically? Listen now to find out. 

Refer to the show notes for Episode 11 for the full list of sources used for this series. 

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In this fourth instalment of the Benson Car Bombing Case, we get into the investigation of the horrific crime that killed Margaret and Scott Benson and severely injured Carol Lynn. Police begin to develop a list of suspects and we start discussing who would have motive, means, and opportunity. 

Refer to the show notes for Episode 11 for the full list of sources used. 

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X or email us at [email protected]. We appreciate your positive reviews and we're happy to accept constructive feedback at our email address or through social media. 

As we continue the Benson Family Car Bombing Case, we'll look even deeper into the family history.  We'll learn some shocking bombshells about Carol Lynn's past that remained buried until the investigation into the bombing unearthed them and laid them bare in the press for the entire world to see. In addition, we learn about Scott and his addiction to fast cars, drugs, girls, and delusions about a professional tennis career. Scott also left in his wake plenty of angry people, could one of them have plotted to murder the entire family? 

Crime to Burn is a true crime podcast about criminal fires. Creator and co-host, April, is a former firefighter and a fire protection engineer with over 20 years of industry experience. Her husband joins her as co-host and he's seen the movie Backdraft at least twice. 

Please see the show notes for Episode 11: The Benson Car Bombing Case Part 1 for a full list of sources for this episode. 

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In part 2 of the Benson Car Bombing Case we dive into the Benson family's history to understand the dynamics at play so we can better understand who they were and who might want to hurt them. 

For a detailed list of sources, please refer to the show notes for Episode 11: The Benson Car Bombing Case Part 1. 

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We're back after a very long hiatus with a new co-host and a new horrific case. In July 1985, a widowed tobacco heiress and her three children were preparing to leave for an errand when their Chevrolet Suburban exploded in their driveway, killing Margaret Benson and her son, Scott and severely injuring her daughter, Carol Lynn. Unraveling this case exposes the soft white underbelly of a wealthy yet dysfunctional family including dark family secrets, decades of manipulation, and a cancerous greed. But who could hate the Bensons enough to want the entire family dead? 

Sources: 

Mewshaw, M. (2001). Money to Burn, The True Story of the Benson Family Murders. Touchstone

Greenya, J. (1987). Blood Relations, The Exclusive Inside Story of the Benson Family Murders. Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch; Blook Club Edition

State of Florida vs. Steven Wayne Benson Case Number 85778CFA31HDH court records from Collier County Circuit Court in Collier County, FL.

Stauffer, C., (1987, July 23, updated 1987, July 27). The Bensons: Lancaster family ripped apart by greed and murder 30 years ago. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-bensons-lancaster-family-ripped-apart-by-greed-and-murder-30-years-ago/article_f83a6526-312e-11e5-833e-479fc52b5ae4.html

Bovsun, M., (2022, July 2). Justince Story: Greed leeds to tobacco heiress fiery death. https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/07/02/justice-story-greed-leads-to-tobacco-heiresss-fiery-death/

Stauffer, C., (2015, July 27, updated 2015, July 28). Anger and lonliness: Steven Benson's life in prison after he killed his family members. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/danger-and-loneliness-steven-bensons-life-in-prison-after-he-killed-his-family-members/article_4a499c3c-31fd-11e5-834c-674601e629e0.html

Batten, B., (2016, April 1). Medical Examiner says Benson was stabbed to death in prison. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2016/04/01/medical-examiner-says-benson-was-stabbed-to-death-in-prison/85873180/

Greenya, J., (1986, August 8). Benson Found Guilty of Murder.  The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/08/08/benson-found-guilty/4d1327bc-9329-48a1-88b4-80b4614adfe2/

Hardy, J., (1986, July 28). Benson murder trial is soap opera material. UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/07/28/Benson-murder-trial-is-soap-opera-material/4992522907200/

Myers, B., (2023, Feb 23). Steven Benson's Motivation for Blowing Up His Mother, Tobacco Heiress Margaret Benson. Grunge. https://www.grunge.com/1208374/steven-bensons-motivation-for-blowing-up-his-mother-tobacco-heiress-margaret-benson/

Florida Man Murders, Season 1, Episode 3 on Oxygen. https://www.oxygen.com/florida-man-murders/season-1/episode-3/videos/investigators-recall-benson-family-murders-crime

Greenya, J., (1986, Aug 6). In Florida murder most malevolent. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/08/07/in-florida-murder-most-malevolent/3c1c9fb0-560b-4b40-8185-fc701724d936/

Saunders, S., (2020). Reason First: American Car Bomb - The Steven Benson Murders. Criminal. https://vocal.media/criminal/reason-first-american-car-bomb-the-steven-benson-murders

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District., (1989, Sept. 1). In re Estate of Benson. Casetext. https://casetext.com/case/in-re-estate-of-benson

Burchett, C., (2018, Oct. 20). State's misstep triggers mistrial. Perry News-Herald. https://medium.com/@cait.burchett/so-there-is-no-way-to-prove-you-did-not-do-it-correct-2b01be15e9c6

Crimebox., (2022, Jun 7). The Murder of Margaret Benson [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Eebt9XTkU

Stauffer, C., (2015, Jul 17). Man who blew up his tobacco heiress mother and brother dies in Florida prison. Lancaster Online. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/man-who-blew-up-his-tobacco-heiress-mother-and-brother-dies-in-florida-prison/article_7070299a-2bd0-11e5-b3a0-eb16fc0eb50a.html

Nordheimer, J., (1986, Aug 7). Florida Murder Trial that Bared Secrets of the Rich Nears End. NY Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/07/us/florida-murder-trial-that-bared-secrets-of-the-rich-nears-end.html

Hardy, J. (1986, Jul 24). Tobacco heiress Margaret Benson had 'heated discussions' with her... . UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/07/24/Tobacco-heiress-Margaret-Benson-had-heated-discussions-with-her/1629522561600/

(1986, Aug 18). All in the Family. Time. https://time.com/archive/6706871/all-in-the-family-8/

(1985, Jul. 11). Murder of 'Quiet' Heiress, son stuns exclusive area. Sun Sentinel. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1985/07/11/murder-of-quiet-heiress-son-stuns-exclusive-area/

Nordheimer, J., (1985, July 15). Florida Resort Shocked over Car-Bomb Slayings. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/15/us/florida-resort-shocked-over-car-bomb-slayings.html

Cottrill, C., (2016, Aug 3), 30 years ago: Sensational Benson murder trial garnered headlines. Naples Daily News. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/communities/the-banner/2016/08/03/30-years-ago-sensational-benson-murder-trial-garnered-headlines/87953310/

Bearak, B., (1986, Jun 30)., Tobacco Heir Charged in Bombing Deaths of Relatives., Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-30-mn-19-story.html

United Press International., (1986, Aug 5). Defense Rests in Benson Murder Case After Golfer Testifies. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-05-mn-1395-story.html

Contributed Content., (1988, Apr 13)., Chidren of Mother-Killer Inherit Heiress' Estate. Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/04/13/children-of-mother-killer-inherit-heiress-estate/

(1987, May 29). Woman Loses Child's Claim to Benson Estate. Orlando Sentinel. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1987/05/29/woman-loses-childs-claim-to-benson-estate/

TFIGlobal News Desk., (2021, Dec 14). Carol Lynn Benson sent her brother to justice. TFIGlobal News. https://tfiglobalnews.com/2021/12/14/carol-lynn-benson-sent-her-brother-to-justice/

Superior Court of Pennsylvania., (1992, Nov 6) In re Benson, Casetext. https://casetext.com/case/in-re-benson-30 

Join us for the highly anticipated conclusion to the case of the Steamboat Sultana. This week we return to the Mississippi River for the investigations that followed the explosion, fire, and sinking of the Steamboat Sultana that was carrying over 2,000 Union POWs following the Civil War. Was this negligence? Was it a terrible accident? Or was it sabotage and intentional murder? We'll give you the evidence for you to decide. 

Visit the Sultana Museum and consider contributing to their current brick drive here: https://www.sultanadisastermuseum.com/

Book Sources:

Sultana, A Case for Sabotage by D. H. Rule

The Sultana Tragedy by Jerry O. Potter

Loss of the Sultana and Reminiscences of Survivors compiled by Rev. Chester D. Berry. 

Documentary Sources:

History Detectives Special Investigations: Civil War Sabotage (PBS)

In Search of History - Sultana: Mississippi's Titanic (The History Channel)

Join us as we step back in history to the close of the US Civil War when one of the largest maritime disasters in US history claimed the lives of 1,800 people on the Mississippi River. The tragic explosion and subsequent fire on the Steamboat Sultana was so greatly overshadowed by other events at the time, that less than 2% of Americans surveyed knew about the disaster. However, this story includes criminal negligence, bribery, and corruption that leads all the way to the front door of the White House. In addition, there are even allegations of sabotage. How did such a massive tragedy become just a footnote in American History? We'll explain. 

Book Sources:

Sultana, A Case for Sabotage by D. H. Rule

The Sultana Tragedy by Jerry O. Potter

Loss of the Sultana and Reminiscences of Survivors compiled by Rev. Chester D. Berry. 

Documentary Sources:

History Detectives Special Investigations: Civil War Sabotage (PBS)

In Search of History - Sultana: Mississippi's Titanic (The History Channel)

We're finally back with the incredibly tardy conclusion to the John Orr case (aka: the Frito Bandito or the Pillowcase Pyro). If you haven't listened to parts 1 and 2, go do that before you listen to this part. But we owe you a huge apology. April's husband spent the summer without the use of one of his legs and as the only adult in the house with two working legs while undergoing a home renovation project and working a full time job, April had to put the pod on hold for a couple months. But we are back! Thanks for being so patient with us, we can't wait to get back into the swing of things!

This week we continue our series on the prolific arsonist once known as the Frito Bandito or the Pillowcase Pyro that terrorized California in the late 1980s. This week's episode brings you a plot twist as the investigators struggle to bring this horrific arsonist to justice. 

Sources will be released with the last episode of the series. 

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https://ko-fi.com/crimetoburn 

What started as a normal day in October of 1984 quickly turned to horror as a serial arsonist claimed 4 lives in a fire he set at an Ole's Hardware store in California. In Part 1, we'll cover his most deadly fire and how he achieved such nicknames as "The Pillow Pyro" and "The Frito Bandito." Will he be caught? Will all his crimes catch up to him? Listen to find out. Welcome to Crime to Burn created and hosted by Jenny and April.

Sources will be posted with part 2 so as not to reveal any spoilers.