This Missouri Mayhem episode covers the disturbing case of Bertha Gifford, one of the earliest women in the United States to be labeled a serial killer. It follows how a trusted caregiver in rural Missouri built a reputation for compassion, then became the center of a decades-long poisoning investigation.We discuss the small-town setting of Morse Mill and Catawissa, the pattern of sudden illnesses and deaths under Bertha’s care, and how arsenic, exhumations, and a public trial eventually brought the case into focus.

Dedicated True Crime Books

• Missouri's Murderous Matrons: Emma Heppermann and Bertha Gifford: Written by Victoria Cosner and Lorelei Shannon, this book offers a complete history of Gifford’s time in Catawissa and compares her actions to those of money-driven black widow killers. It can be purchased online through retailers such as Walmart and Barnes & Noble.
• Tainted Legacy: The Story of Alleged Serial Killer Bertha Gifford: Written by S. Kay Murphy, Gifford's great-grandmother, this deeply personal account explores family perspectives and wrestles with whether Gifford was a well-meaning caregiver or a calculating monster.

Primary Sources & Archives

• The Bertha Gifford Case Study Site: A specialized research database containing deep-dive timelines of the Catawissa community during the 1920s. It features digitized copies of the official Missouri Certificates of Death for her alleged victims, including the Shamel boys and Edward Brinley.
• St. Louis Public Library Research Guide: A structured historical directory curated by the St. Louis County Library that aggregates localized archival links to Newspapers.com and the historical St. Louis Post-Dispatch database to track live reporting from her 1928 trial.
• Jefferson County Library Local History Articles: A collection of preserved regional newspaper clippings and historical documents detailing her early life in Morse Mill, Missouri.
• Ancestry Historical Records: Provides a portal to audit public lineage records, primary marriage certificates, and census rolls mapping out her family tree.

This Missouri Mayhem episode tells the story of Davy and Natalie Lloyd and Judes Montis, their work with Missions in Haiti, and the conditions in Haiti that shaped their lives and the events of May 23, 2024. It explains why the couple stayed committed to ministry despite escalating danger, while also tracing the history of Haiti and the long-term impact of colonial debt, instability, and gang violence.We also hear how Davy’s childhood in Haiti, Natalie’s Missouri roots, and their shared calling to service brought them together. The episode closes by reflecting on their legacy through family, faith, memorial programs, and the continuing work connected to their ministry.

Investigative Journalism & Timelines

• BBC News Report: Provides an immediate structural breakdown of the two distinct armed groups that ambushed the compound.
• The Associated Press Feature: Details the geopolitical context of the Lizon community and the initial updates provided by local police unions.
• CNN International Repatriation Coverage: Documents the complex logistical and security operations managed by the U.S. Embassy to recover their remains amid the airport lockdown.

Media Outlets Covering Live Communications

• ABC 7 News Timeline: Tracks the text-by-text updates posted live to social media by Missions in Haiti, Inc. as the compound was being breached.
• Relevant Magazine Deep-Dive: Examines the exact phone call transcripts between Davy and his father during the ransom negotiations.

First-Hand Testimonies & Books

• Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) Radio Interview: Features audio and transcribed testimony from parents David and Alicia Lloyd regarding what compound eyewitnesses overheard during the final moments of the standoff.
• Strong to the End Book Profile: Provides biographical essays and review notes on the official book published by the Lloyd family regarding the couple's ministry history.

This Missouri Mayhem episode follows the 38-year search for answers in the disappearance and presumed murder of Ronna Bremer, a 22-year-old mother who vanished in rural Missouri while seven months pregnant. Megan and Mindy trace the case from the original disappearance in 1988 to the 2026 arrest of Joel Bremer, showing how old evidence, renewed detective work, and modern DNA analysis finally brought the case back to life.We discuss the investigation’s long delay, the discovery and identification of Ronna’s skull, the history of domestic violence tied to the marriage, and the recent indictment for the deaths of Ronna and her unborn child. It is a true-crime episode centered on one family’s decades-long wait for justice.

Primary Sources

• Christian County Sheriff's Office news releases and public statements regarding the investigation and arrest.
• Christian County Circuit Court docket and publicly available court filings related to State of Missouri v. Joel Bremer.
• Greene County Sheriff's Office historical records concerning the 1991 mailing of human remains.
• Missouri Case.net (public court records).

Law Enforcement

• U.S. Marshals Service announcement regarding the July 31, 2026 arrest.
• Missouri State Highway Patrol Missing Persons Unit (historical case information, where applicable).

News Coverage

• KY3 (Springfield, Missouri)
• KOLR10 / OzarksFirst
• Springfield News-Leader
• KSPR 33
• Associated Press (if syndicated coverage is available)
• NBC News or ABC News, if national coverage appears.

Documentary Reference

• Cold Justice (Oxygen) — Coverage of the reopened investigation and law enforcement partnership, where applicable.

Background Reading

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (family resources).
• National Institute of Justice publications on cold-case investigations.
• U.S. Department of Justice resources on advances in forensic DNA analysis.

In this Missouri Mayhem episode, Mindy and Megan explore the heartbreaking case of the Denham family, whose peaceful lives in a tiny Missouri town shattered in 2016 by a violent crime. We examine the events leading up to the murders, the investigation's details, and the pursuit of justice six years in the making.

Key Topics

• The intimate history and community fabric of Edgerton, Missouri, and its significance in the case
• The sequence of events on February 19, 2016, including the house fire and discovery of the victims
• The mysterious disappearance of Grayden Denham, the grandson, and subsequent nationwide search
• Forensic evidence: pennies on the victims’ eyes, possible symbolic meanings, and the influence of the movie "The Boondock Saints"
• The investigation process, including mental health assessments and the long legal delay before trial
• The courtroom verdict: Grayden Denham’s guilty plea and life sentences without parole
• The emotional toll on the community, first responders, and the importance of remembering the victims

RESOURCES

Legal Documents and Judicial Records

• State Appellate Ruling: The official comprehensive factual review and judicial opinion regarding his conviction and appeal can be read via the FindLaw State v. Denham Case Docket.
• Prosecution Updates: Formal statements regarding the trial, jury deliberation details, and exact terms of the four consecutive life sentences are documented on the Platte County Prosecutor's Office Website.

Regional News Archives

• Sentencing & Case Narrative: A complete breakdown of the trial's physical evidence and sentencing details is available via The Kansas City Star Report.
• Investigation Tracking: Local updates charting the progression from the initial 2016 fire to Denham's competency evaluations can be reviewed on Fox 4 KC News.
• National Wire Release: A summary overview of the multi-state manhunt and Arizona arrest is cataloged by the Associated Press News Archive.

Local Small-Town Coverage

• Platte County Citizen: Community impact stories and localized timeline logs from the onset of the crime through the 2022 sentencing are hosted at The Platte County Citizen.

Missouri Mayhem: This episode explores the tragic disappearance of Crystal Lynn Kipper in 1997, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faced without modern technology and the lasting impact on her family. Join us for a detailed look at her case, the investigation, and the ongoing search for answers.

• The details of Crystal Kipper's last known movements and her disappearance on I-29
• Life in 1997: technology, communication, and how it impacted missing persons cases
• The significance of physical evidence and the discoveries made in John Williams' home
• The investigation timeline, challenges in missing persons cases without remains
• The link between Crystal's disappearance and the subsequent investigation of John Williams
• The importance of community and law enforcement efforts in unresolved cases
• How Crystal's case led to the creation of a memorial award honoring victims
• The ongoing quest for answers and the importance of public awareness
• NAMS - National Missing and Unidentified Persons System
• Law Enforcement Tip Hotline

RESOURCES

Missing Person Databases

• The Charley Project: View detailed background context, media source logs, and clothing descriptions on The Charley Project Profile.
• The Doe Network: Read the case summary, suspect timeline, and physical identifiers on The Doe Network Case 1827DFMO.
• NamUs: Review the official government missing person profile, case numbers, and biometrics tracking on NamUs Case #MP248.

Law Enforcement & Official Records

• Missouri State Highway Patrol: Access the official state missing person flyer and evidence photos on the MSHP Missing Profile.
• Department of Justice: Read historical news releases detailing victim advocacy recognition and memorial events held for the family via the U.S. Department of Justice Archive.
• Platte County Sheriff's Office: Contact the primary investigative agency holding the active file directly at (816) 858-3521.

Community-Led Analysis

• Reddit Unresolved Mysteries: Read community timelines, mapped locations, and discussion threads compiled by independent researchers on the Unresolved Mysteries Case Discussion.

This Missouri Mayhem episode recounts the devastating events of February 19, 2016, when a small-town family in Edgerton, Missouri, was brutally murdered in a house fire, leading to a complex investigation and a high-stakes legal case. We explore the community's shock, the details of the crime, the suspect's mysterious disappearance, and the pursuit of justice.

RESOURCES

Trial and Sentencing Coverage (2021–2022)

• The Kansas City Star: Provided comprehensive ongoing coverage of the trial, including details about the evidence presented (such as the chilling movie parallel from The Boondock Saints) and the final sentencing.
• KMBC 9 News: Detailed the verdict and final judgment where Grayden Denham received four consecutive life sentences without parole plus 115 years.
• Associated Press via AP News: Offered a concise national archival summary of the December 2021 jury verdict convicting Denham on multiple counts of first-degree murder and arson.
• Court TV: Summarized the court proceedings, the state's decision not to push forward with the death penalty, and the final life imprisonment outcome.

Initial Breaking News and Investigation (2016)

• Fox 4 Kansas City: Covered the timeline from the initial discovery of the bodies on Buena Vista Road, the multi-state manhunt that led to Denham's arrest in Arizona, through the eventual 2021 trial proceedings.
• The Platte County Citizen: Provided hyper-local reporting on the impact of the tragedy on the rural Edgerton community, the activation of the Metropolitan Major Case Squad, and the specifics of the investigative findings.
• KSHB 41 News: Archived early statements and interviews from family members during the initial aftermath of the 2016 tragedy.

This episode explores a series of devastating suicides connected to a close-knit college community in Kirksville, Missouri. We analyze the disturbing pattern, the role of a controversial figure, and the wider questions of responsibility and mental health support.

EPISODE CORRECTION - Alex Mullins passed away August of 2016. Not June. We apologize for this error.

Main Topics Covered:

• The timeline of five suicides within a year among Truman State University students and community members
• The involvement and suspicious behavior of Brandon Grossheim, a fraternity member
• The complex social environment, including alcohol use, academic stress, and fraternity culture
• The legal aftermath: civil lawsuits alleging negligence and misconduct
• Broader questions about mental health awareness and community safety protocols.

RESOURCES:

The Peacemaker Podcast (iHeartPodcasts): An eight-part investigative series hosted by journalists Ben Westhoff and Ryan Krull that dives into the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity deaths, police records, and the central figure connecting the victims. You can listen via Apple Podcasts or the official iHeart Radio Platform.

• St. Louis Magazine Feature Coverage: Analytical reporting by Ryan Krull detailing the localized aftermath, the timeline of the events, and how media narratives shifted over the years, accessible through STL Mag.
• The New Yorker Magazine Article: An extensive, deep-dive profile titled "A Mysterious Suicide Cluster" that explores the systemic issues, student culture, and community trauma surrounding the university, available on The New Yorker.
• Inside Higher Ed Legal Breakdown: A comprehensive report on the wrongful death lawsuits filed by the victims' parents targeting the university negligence and fraternity liabilities, hosted on Inside Higher Ed.
• Ben Westhoff's Substack Investigations: A multi-year journalistic log containing police interview details, local background research, and case analysis leading up to the podcast release, located on Ben Westhoff's Substack.
• CDC Community Guidance Documentation: The official tactical framework utilized by public health officials to handle local cluster responses and media reporting rules, found via the CDC MMWR Registry.

In this episode, we recount the tragic disappearance and murder of 19-year-old Becky Sutton in Missouri, exploring the investigation, the long quest for justice, and the importance of never giving up hope.

Main Topics Covered:

• The life and disappearance of Becky Sutton in 2003
• The discovery of her remains and investigation process
• The eventual confession and conviction of Philip Dodd
• Insights into forensic methods used in cold cases
• The impact of Becky’s story on her family and community.

Resources & References

Primary Sources

• Missouri State Highway Patrol – Official 2013 news release announcing charges filed in the 2003 homicide.
• Taney County Circuit Court records — guilty plea and sentencing.

News Coverage

• Missourinet – 2004 DNA confirmation of remains found near Bradleyville.
• Branson Tri-Lakes News – Reported emotional family statements at sentencing and case coverage.
• KY3 News – Regional coverage of the arrest in 2013.

Television Feature

• Evil Lives Here – Investigation Discovery episode covering Becky’s case, its challenges, and resolution.

If You Need Help

If you or someone you know is affected by violence or loss:

• National Missing & Exploited Children Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST
• Local law enforcement and victim services resources

Discover the hidden world beneath Missouri's surface with Mindy & Megan where limestone caves hold stories of disappearances, legends, and dark histories. Join us as we explore seven chilling tales from the depths of these subterranean sites, revealing the secrets and mysteries that still shroud Missouri's underground.

Research, Databases & Mapping Sites

• Missouri Speleological Survey (MSS): The leading authority for scientific cave data in the state. They manage the highly comprehensive Missouri Cave Database, which houses extensive records of maps, trip reports, and faunal observations.
• GeoSTRAT (via MO DNR): A powerful, free ArcGIS-powered mapping tool hosted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It allows researchers and cavers to visually track regional karst features and spatial terrain data.
• Cave Research Foundation (CRF): A national private non-profit that facilitates dedicated research ventures, cartography projects, and resource management operations inside Missouri's federally and state-protected lands.

Conservation & Landowner Guides

• Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy (MCKC): Focuss heavily on the structural preservation of delicate wild cave networks. Their Helpful Links Portal acts as a massive jumping-off point for multi-organizational cave initiatives.
• Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC): Provides excellent informational field materials, such as the widely used reference booklet A Guide to Missouri Cave Life, designed to help identify delicate underground organisms.
• Caring for Your Karst Guide: A specialized informational package explicitly created for rural landowners to safely manage surface-to-groundwater entryways like sinkholes and losing streams.
• Community Exploration Clubs (Grottos)

Public Tourism & Show Caves

• Missouri State Parks: Manages pristine, publicly accessible cavern systems offering guided natural history tours, including Onondaga Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Fisher Cave.
• Missouri Caves Association (MCA): The trade network representing privately owned commercial "show caves" throughout the state, mapping out major historic destinations like Meramec Caverns and Fantastic Caverns.

Missouri's Hidden Titanic Survival: The Caldwell Family Story

Discover the remarkable true story of a Missouri family who survived the Titanic together, defying fate amidst one of history's greatest maritime disasters. This episode explores their journey from Missouri to the sinking Atlantic, highlighting faith, love, and survival against all odds.

Biographical Databases & Archives

• Encyclopedia Titanica: The most detailed repository for the family's vital statistics, life events, and historical timelines. You can read the standalone entries for Albert Francis Caldwell and Sylvia Mae Caldwell.
• The Internet Archive: Offers a digital loan copy of the full text of A Rare Titanic Family for remote researchers.

Audio & Video Resources

• Albert Caldwell Interview Audio: An archival audio recording featuring a 90-year-old Albert Caldwell personally recounting the events of the sinking. [1]
• Author Presentation Video: A recorded presentation by Dr. Julie Hedgepeth Williams via YouTube, where she discusses her research, family lore, and the unique photographs the Caldwells took on the ship's deck.