Episode Description: Kathy Augustine was a trailblazer in Nevada politics, sharp, ambitious, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. But in July 2006, her life came to a sudden and suspicious end. Found unconscious in her Reno home, Kathy’s death was initially ruled a cardiac event. Yet beneath the surface lay a chilling truth: her husband, Chaz Higgs, a critical care nurse, had used his medical expertise to orchestrate a murder that left almost no trace.

In this episode, we unravel the layers of Kathy’s life and death, from her rise in public office and turbulent marriage, to the calculated use of succinylcholine, a paralytic drug that silences the body while leaving the mind awake. We follow the investigation’s slow burn, the trial that exposed Higgs’s disturbing comments and online affairs, and the forensic detail that ultimately sealed his fate: a single puncture mark on Kathy’s body.

This is not just a story of political scandal or medical betrayal. It’s a story of a woman whose strength was met with cruelty, and whose legacy deserves more than a headline.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of death. Listener discretion is advised.

References Used in Research:

In this episode, we delve into the chilling case of Sean Vincent Gillis, a serial killer who operated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, between 1994 and 2004. Unlike the more publicly known offenders of the region, Gillis lurked in the shadows, his crimes marked by a disturbing blend of calculated violence and obsessive documentation. We explore the psychological underpinnings of his behaviour, the investigative breakthroughs that led to his arrest, and the lives of the women whose stories deserve to be told with dignity and care. This episode is not just about Gillis, it’s about the resilience of a community, the complexity of evil, and the importance of remembering victims beyond the headlines.

Content Warning  This episode contains detailed discussion of violent crimes, including murder, mutilation, and postmortem abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised, especially for those sensitive to themes involving graphic violence and psychological trauma. 

On Australia Day 1966, three siblings, Jane, Arnna, and Grant Beaumont, eft their home in Somerton Park for a short trip to Glenelg Beach. They never returned. What followed was the largest missing persons investigation in Australian history, a case that shattered the nation’s sense of safety and remains unsolved nearly six decades later.

This episode contains discussions of child abduction and sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Please take care while listening.

If you have any information, please visit the Crimes Stopper Australia page

https://crimestopperssa.com.au/media-releases/the-mystery-disappearance-of-the-beaumont-children/

References:

7News: https://youtu.be/6phR-jFnx3g?si=xpe2Iv7LqtcU45ad

The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/world/australasia/article/beaumont-children-missing-true-crime-3tfkjns66

News.com: https://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/search-for-missing-beaumont-children-called-off-after-failure-to-find-human-remains/news-story/978a918b97a9f9323b84f0e6a451d421

Amelia Dyer, the woman history remembers as the Reading Baby Farmer, preyed on society’s most vulnerable under the guise of care. In Victorian Britain, she turned the desperation of unwed mothers into profit, leaving a trail of innocent lives lost. This episode unravels the crimes, the trial, and the legacy of one of history’s most prolific killers.

In this episode we explore the extraordinary survival story of Alison Botha. In 1994, Alison was abducted, brutally attacked, and left for dead, but against all odds, she lived to tell her story.

This episode walks through the events of that night, the unimaginable violence she endured, and the strength that carried her through recovery. Alison’s courage has inspired countless people around the world, and her story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of the human spirit.

Content warning: This episode includes descriptions of extreme violence and trauma.

In this first episode of sophieimogene, we look into the heartbreaking case of Elizabeth Reiser and Brandi Hicks—two friends whose night took a terrifying turn in 2000. Elizabeth was tragically murdered, while Brandi managed to survive and later share her story.

Told with care and clarity, this episode explores the events leading up to the crime, the chilling details of their abduction, and Brandi’s incredible escape. It’s a story of friendship, horror, and resilience.

Content warning: This episode includes descriptions of violence and trauma.