Murder Down South

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the mass shooting at Virginia Tech. This episode we’re telling the story of the 32 innocent people who lost their lives that day. Along the way we’ll learn what steps could have been taken to prevent the massacre, as well as how survivors and surviving family and friends have coped in the aftermath.

This week we’re talking about a case that was solved after being cold for 34 years. Timothy Coggins was murdered in October 1983, at the age of 23. The motive? Having the nerve to talk to a white woman while being black.

This episode we talk about one of the first serial killers in modern history. Herman Drenth, AKA Harry Powers, AKA Cornelius O. Pierson, AKA Joe Gildaw, AKA The Bluebeard of Quiet Dell, AKA The Bluebeard of Clarksburg, AKA The Lonely Hearts Murderer. Whatever name you know him by, he was a bad man.

Miami, Florida. Early 1980s.

Tensions are at an all time high after the Liberty City Race Riots. Arthur McDuffie, a black salesman and former Marine, was beat to death by the police, who faced no consequence. From the anger and pain of the incident rose a new religious sect, The Nation of Yahweh, led by Yahweh Ben Yahweh.

New Orleans, Louisiana. August, 2005.

As the temporary residents of Memorial Medical Center reach their limits, choices must be made on what to do next. With no rescue efforts in sight, and supplies running out, the hospital staff must decide what to do with the rest of the patients who hadn’t been evacuated yet.

New Orleans, Louisiana. August, 2005.

The storm has passed, but the real problems are just beginning for the folks stranded at Memorial Medical Center. With supplies and morale running low, everyone is hoping to find a way out soon.

New Orleans, Louisiana. August, 2005.

With Hurricane Katrina bearing down on the city, hundreds gathered at Memorial Medical Center, including patient, medical personnel, family, friends, and pets, to ride out the storm. Windswept debris shattered windows and flood waters began to rise. By late morning the storm had passed, but the worst was yet to come.

Alexandria, Kentucky. May, 2005.

An intruder breaks into the Bosley family home. Bob tries to fend him off and protect his wife, Amy, and their two children. The intruder shoots Bob and ransacks the home before fleeing the scene. Amy calls the police to report what had just happened, just 2 days before their 15th wedding anniversary. Police arrive to view the crime scene, and find some suspicious clues.

Birmingham, AL. Atlanta, GA. Savannah, GA. Jacksonville, FL. December, 1989.

After the exhaustive investigation of Robert Wayne O’Ferrell, the FBI was back to square one. They began taking another look at the bombs, having no other evidence. That is, until Lloyd Erwin showed up to save the day.

Birmingham, AL. Atlanta, GA. Savannah, GA. Jacksonville, FL. December, 1989.

A federal judge in Birmingham opened a package thinking it was a Christmas present from a co-worker. The package contained a pipe bomb, which exploded killing him instantly. A few months prior a similar package containing a tear gas bomb, had been received by the Atlanta NAACP office. More packages pop up as the FBI and US Marshals zero in on a one in a million lead.