Podcast Episode 156: The Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Tragedy

In this chilling episode, we travel back to the summer of 1992 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to revisit a crime that shattered the sense of safety in a tight-knit community. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken wasn't just a restaurant; it was a "fried chicken royalty" landmark with direct ties to Colonel Sanders himself. But on August 17, that legacy of hospitality was met with unthinkable violence.

We detail the harrowing "execution-style" robbery that left four young employees dead in a walk-in cooler—all for a sum of just $2,000. From the "inside man" who planned the heist to the rapid-fire investigation and the 14-year legal battle that followed, we examine how one night changed Tulsa forever.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• The Legend of Lee’s: The fascinating history of Lee Cummings, the nephew of Colonel Harland Sanders, and how his family built a 42-year legacy at the corner of 9th and Sheridan.

• The "Kooky" Connection: How the Tulsa franchise owners were actually part of the extended Sanders family and why the community viewed the staff and regular patrons as one big family.

• A Planned Betrayal: The role of Donnie Daniels, a former employee who used his knowledge of closing procedures and the store safe to lead three others into a deadly trap.

• The Crime & The Victims: A somber tribute to the four lives lost: Joey Gooch (17), Ted Kindley (19), Stephen Williams (24), and Sendy Lara (27).

• The Investigation: How a suspicious security guard and a blue Chevrolet led Tulsa PD to identify and arrest all four suspects within just 48 hours.

• Justice and Appeals: A breakdown of the trials, the "Felony Murder Rule," and the final, controversial words of triggerman Corey Hamilton before his 2007 execution.

Key Facts & "Kooky" Insights:

• The Take-Home Price: When Lee’s first opened in 1966, a full three-piece chicken box with all the fixings cost just $1.25.

• The Inside Knowledge: The killers didn't wear masks because two of them were certain the employees would recognize them regardless—a chilling detail that foreshadowed their intent.

• A Community Staple: Despite the horror of 1992, the restaurant reopened and thrived for another 20 years, finally closing its doors in 2012.

"These four beautiful people were put on their knees and executed like they were a piece of trash... He had no remorse. None at all." — Janice Ramsey, mother of victim Stephen Williams.

Sources:

• News on 6

• The Oklahoman

• Find Law.com

• The Oklahoman - Taped Confessions

• The Oklahoman 

• The New York Times

• Wikipedia

• Murderpedia 

• OCCA