In this episode of Crooked Tree, Kristin and Paul dive deep into the chaotic first days of the West Memphis Police Department’s investigation following the discovery of the three murdered boys. They examine the flurry of tips pouring in and the frantic pursuit of transients, truckers, bicyclists, and odd characters near the crime scene.

From the detailed logs at the Blue Beacon truck wash and the overlooked Union 76 truck stop right by the trails, to the rapid follow-ups on individuals like Carroll Coleman, Gary Chadwick, Paul Champagne, John Connolly/James Barry, Tim Cotten, and several others, this episode lays bare how the early investigation unfolded—full of promising leads, quick clearances, lingering questions, and the heavy reliance on polygraphs and thin alibis in those critical first days.

Kristin and Paul analyze timelines, physical evidence possibilities, investigative gaps, and how the focus began shifting.

If you’ve ever wondered what the police were actually doing before names like Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley dominated the case, this detailed walkthrough of the raw early files is essential listening.

In Episode 9 of Crooked Tree, Paul Day and Kristin Rich dive deep into the raw, unfiltered door-to-door canvassing notes compiled by West Memphis police during the critical first weekend after the discovery of the bodies of Christopher Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore (May 7–9, 1993). 

From over 700 homes visited and more than 50 tips received, the episode explores a flood of neighborhood rumors, suspicious vehicles (brown Chevys, maroon cars, white vans, red trucks), strange individuals on bikes, reports of cults and Satan worshippers in Robin Hood, gunshots ringing out around 10–11 PM, a dog barking near the pipebridge, and eerie encounters that raised red flags for residents and investigators alike. Paul and Kristin analyze the patterns, inconsistencies, and standout leads—including a resident who stood out enough for an officer to document him in detail—while noting what (and who) is conspicuously absent from the early sightings.

Recorded against the emotional backdrop of Mother’s Day weekend, this episode captures the fog of war in the earliest days of the investigation.

In this Q&A episode of Crooked Tree, Paul and Kristin tackle your thoughtful (and tough) questions about the West Memphis 3 case.

They start with an important clarification on the scuff and tool marks found on the east bank of the crime scene and what those marks actually reveal about how the perpetrator(s) tried to exit the area. The conversation then dives into the iconic loud splashes heard by Ryan and the searchers in Devil’s Den, Stevie Branch’s mysterious whereabouts between 4 and 5 PM, Christopher Byers’ skateboard, the shoe prints and lone fingerprint at the scene, and much more.

You’ll also hear discussion on registered sex offenders in the neighborhood, the rumor that Terry Hobbs was a confidential informant, updates on Detective Bryn Ridge, theories surrounding the Bojangles man, the other Jason Baldwin, LG Hollingsworth, the strength of the case without Misskelley’s confession, DNA and fiber evidence, knives connected to the case, and a thoughtful debate on the value and limitations of criminal profiling.

As always, the hosts share their current thinking, correct earlier miscommunications, and give insight into how they’re approaching the evidence. 

Note: The second half of the episode contains spoilers for topics not yet covered in the main numbered episodes. Skip ahead or save it for later if you’re listening sequentially and want to stay spoiler-free.

Join the conversation and submit your own questions in the Crooked Tree Facebook group. Thank you for listening and for being part of this journey for justice.

In this deep-dive episode, Kristin Rich and Paul Day—victim advocates for two of the families—break down the critical hours between the boys leaving school and their disappearance on May 5, 1993. Using original West Memphis Police Department door-to-door canvassing notes, neighborhood interviews, tips, newspaper articles, and compiled timelines, they reconstruct where Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch were playing that afternoon.

The hosts walk listeners through a detailed, chronological timeline of verified and probable sightings, complete with a custom map (posted in their Facebook group and on X) showing key locations in the Holiday Gardens neighborhood, cut-throughs, and the path toward Robin Hood Hills. They analyze who saw the boys (and when), when the three were together versus separated, Michael’s solo playtime, Stevie’s mysterious window around 4–5 PM, and the final confirmed movements near Devil’s Den just before 6:30 PM.

Paul and Kristin discuss authentic sightings from neighbors who knew the boys by name, evaluate doubtful or conflicting reports, and highlight lingering questions—like how and why the boys regrouped at 5:50 PM. They also share tips on how to follow along with the actual police notes (PDF available in their groups) and the officers’ handwritten observations.

Whether you’re new to the case or a longtime researcher, this episode is essential armchair criminology—packed with primary source details that help map the final afternoon of the victims’ lives.

Perfect for true crime fans who love timelines, maps, and granular neighborhood canvass analysis.

In Episode 7 of Crooked Tree, Paul Day and Kristin Rich dive deep into one of the most infamous and controversial incidents in the West Memphis 3 case — the Bojangles Man.

On the same night the three boys disappeared, a disoriented Black man, bleeding from one arm and wearing a cast/brace on the other, entered the women’s restroom at the Bojangles restaurant on North Missouri Street. Covered in mud and blood, he left behind a chaotic scene of blood on the walls, soiled clothes, and discarded sunglasses. Manager Marty King called police, Officer Regina Meek responded while actively searching for the missing children, and the next evening Detectives Allen and Ridge followed up — yet critical evidence was never properly collected or analyzed.

Paul and Kristin examine the timeline, the physical evidence (and what was lost), inconsistencies in reports, the proximity to the crime scene via the Ten Mile Bayou Diversion Channel and railroad tracks, and why this lead has haunted the case for decades. Was this man connected to the murders? Why was the response so lackluster? And what does this say about the early investigation?

A must-listen for anyone following the West Memphis 3 case, the original trial evidence, or alternate suspect theories.

Listen now and join the discussion in our Facebook group.

What do you think happened at Bojangles that night?

In this sixth episode of Crooked Tree, Kristin Rich and Paul Day dive even deeper into the chaotic day the bodies of Michael Moore, Christopher Byers, and Stevie Branch were discovered in the unnamed creek. What began as a missing persons case instantly transformed into a high-profile triple homicide when West Memphis PD assigned the ominous case number 93-05-0666.

The hosts examine the crime scene in detail: the mysterious “slicked-off bank,” footprints, a fingerprint left by someone standing in the Unnamed Creek, unusual sticks (one with a shirt wrapped around it), the children’s clothing, and the striking absence of blood at the scene. They discuss critical evidence that was collected—and the frustrating items that weren’t, including sticks, a floating glass bottle, and more.

Kristin and Paul also cover the immediate police response: rapid ACIC broadcasts with sensitive (and sometimes inaccurate) details, appeals for help on transients and hitchhikers, early rumors of devil worship in Robin Hood Hills, and the media frenzy that exploded almost instantly. From neighborhood tips and the bloody man at Bojangles to the pressure mounting on investigators, this episode captures the frenzied first hours and days as the case captured national attention.

A gripping look at how a small-town investigation spiraled into one of the most infamous cases of the 1990s. New listeners and longtime followers alike will find fresh insights and thought-provoking questions. 

Tune in for “Case No. 666.”

In this deeply emotional and difficult episode of Crooked Tree, hosts Paul Day (forensic geologist and victim advocate) and Kristin Rich (criminologist and victim advocate) confront the heartbreaking reality at the heart of the case—the discovery of the bodies of Christopher Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore.

This episode takes listeners into the wooded area near Robin Hood Hills and the unnamed creek on May 6, 1993. Paul provides a detailed, vivid breakdown of the challenging terrain—from the pipe bridge and Turtle Hill to the crooked tree, triple tree, ivy tree, and hollow tree—helping you visualize exactly where and how the search unfolded.

Through crime scene audio, officer accounts, and careful narration, Paul and Kristin walk through the grim discoveries made by Detectives Mike Allen and Bryn Ridge, the coroner’s on-scene observations, the recovery of the boys’ bicycles from the bayou, and the devastating moments when the families learned the truth.

This is the episode the hosts have been dreading most. They approach the subject with respect, humanity, and raw honesty, acknowledging the lasting trauma inflicted on the families, first responders, and the entire community. No detail is shared gratuitously, but nothing essential is avoided—the horror must be confronted to truly understand the case.

A heavy, essential listen for anyone seeking the truth about what happened to these three boys. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Crooked Tree is dedicated to honoring the victims and seeking justice for Christopher, Stevie, and Michael. Support the families and the continued fight for answers.

Welcome to the first bonus Q&A episode of Crooked Tree! Kristin Rich and Paul Day dive into your questions from the Facebook group, tackling key details from the West Memphis case.

In this episode: A deep dive into Officer Regina Meek’s timeline on May 5, 1993 (including the mosquito incident, dispatch logs, and trial testimony), Christopher Byers’ “white lie” about where Stevie Branch lived, the history of Robin Hood Hills, why the floating shoes and Cub Scout cap weren’t spotted earlier, the flow of the unnamed creek, Steve Branch’s biological father during the searches, curfews and the boys’ final hours, the Bojangles suspect, and more.

We also address popular theories like bite marks and the manhole cover, discuss challenges with eyewitness memory, and respond to your thoughts on the search efforts the night the boys disappeared. 

Listener questions drive the conversation — thank you for being part of it! New to the case? We’ve included a spoiler warning for future episodes.

Join the discussion in our Facebook group and submit your questions for the next Q&A. 

Crooked Tree is an independent examination of the 1993 West Memphis murders. New episodes drop regularly — subscribe and never miss one.

On the morning of May 6, 1993, exhausted and terrified parents in West Memphis, Arkansas, resume their desperate search for three missing eight-year-old boys—Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch—who vanished the evening before. With no meaningful help from law enforcement overnight, the families, joined by friends and community members, scour the bayous, woods, and bridges near Robin Hood Hills by first light.

As frustration mounts, Mark Byers pushes hard—alerting Search and Rescue, calling the media, and demanding action. Meanwhile, the West Memphis Police Department finally mobilizes, saturating Robin Hood Hills, the Blue Beacon woods, the 10-Mile Bayou, and surrounding areas. A helicopter thumps overhead, a search and rescue boat glides down the bayou, and volunteers on foot, bikes, and three-wheelers comb the terrain. Parents stand vigil at the pipe bridge, haunted by questions of how the boys could have crossed with their bikes—and whether the dark stains in the water are oil… or something far worse.

Then, as the search stretches into the afternoon, juvenile officer Steve Jones makes a chilling discovery while walking a remote gully: a small white shoe floating in an unnamed creek. Nearby, more shoes and a Cub Scout cap drift in the murky water.

What began as a frantic hunt for missing children takes a devastating turn. In this episode, we follow every tense step of that pivotal day—the community’s overwhelming response, the parents’ raw fear, and the moment that shifted the search from rescue to something much darker.

The discovery in the creek changes everything.

In this gripping continuation of the West Memphis Three case timeline, Paul Day and Kristin Rich dive deep into the chaotic night of May 5, 1993, after Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch disappeared.

From the moment the sun sets under a massive, bright waxing gibbous moon, the episode follows the desperate searches by the families and police. Paul and Kristin reconstruct key moments in detail: Pam Hobbs learning her son is missing while at work at Catfish Island, Officer John Moore taking reports, frantic foot searches in Robin Hood Hills and Devil’s Den, and the memorable “mosquito incident” at the pipe bridge.

You’ll hear about Jackie Hicks Sr.—Stevie’s grandfather, an expert hunter and Army veteran—rushing from Blytheville without socks, tracking bicycle trails by moonlight, and the chilling “evil presence” felt by multiple searchers in the woods. The episode explores family panic attacks, Terry Hobbs and David Jacoby’s nighttime searches behind Blue Beacon, Mark Byers’ calls for help, and shocking police miscommunications during the critical overnight hours.

With emotional firsthand accounts, precise timeline anchors, and analysis of how these overlooked evening events shaped the entire investigation, this episode sheds new light on the fear, confusion, and urgency of that fateful night.

A must-listen for anyone following the case, true crime fans, or those interested in victim advocacy and investigative breakdowns.