In the second episode of the Crimes in the Carolinas podcast hosted by librarians Shellie Taylor and Dottie Smith, we'll delve into the unsolved 1937 murder of 16-year-old Elva Brannock in Allegheny County, North Carolina. The episode covers the initial discovery of Elva's body, the subsequent investigation, the primary suspects—including local moonshiners and a man named Paul Edwards—and the community's response. 

Special insights are provided by Julie Gibson, a retired captain from the Iredell County Sheriff's Office. The hosts also discuss the societal and forensic challenges of the investigation in the 1930s and speculate on potential conspiracy theories and the possibility of utilizing modern DNA testing to solve the case. The episode concludes with a preview of an upcoming discussion on guerrilla warfare during the Civil War in North Carolina.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:58 Setting the Scene: Murder in the Mountains
01:15 The Investigation Begins
03:16 Discovery of Elva's Body
04:50 Suspects and Community Reactions
07:20 Law Enforcement and Forensic Challenges
15:45 New Evidence and Arrests
23:59 Paul Edwards: A Suspicious Character
27:36 Paul Edwards and Lonnie Wright: Suspects Under Scrutiny
29:23 The Arrest of Estelle Moxley
30:38 Frank Murphy's Chilling Confession
35:57 Eyewitness Testimonies and Community Reactions
44:41 Theories and Speculations: Was There a Cover-Up?
50:30 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Access the blog article about this episode here.

Crimes of the Carolinas 01: Till Death do us Part

Welcome to the first episode of the new Crimes of the Carolinas podcast hosted by true crime enthusiasts Shelly Taylor and Dottie Smith. In this debut episode, our hosts delve into the historical true crimes of Mary Minish and Netta White Harrison. Both women murdered their husbands, leading to significant legal and social ramifications. They explore details surrounding Minish's 1883 ax murder in Union Grove and Harrison's shooting incident in 1912 after suffering from severe mental instability. The episode also touches on the conditions and controversies in mental health institutions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to the New Crimes of the Carolinas Podcast
01:00 Introduction to Female Killers
02:25 The Case of Mary Minish
03:43 Mary Minish's Time in the Asylum
05:27 The Scandal at Dorothea Dix Hospital
08:11 The Case of Netta White Harrison
10:26 Netta's Mental Health and Legal Battles
15:51 Reflections on Historical Mental Health Care
20:07 Preview of the Next Episode

Access the corresponding blog post and transcript for this episode on our website.

The Crimes of the Carolinas podcast is a production of the Iredell County Public Library. We are committed to delivering content that is both educational and captivating, and strive to present information that is as accurate as the historical records allow.