Murder, Not Murdering

A respected family man. A death that looked like an accident. And a city on edge as a mysterious figure scales its buildings in the dark.

In this episode of Murder, Not Murdering, your hosts bring two chilling true crime stories that prove the most dangerous people aren’t always the ones you expect.

Autumn dives into the Martin and Michele MacNeill case, a story of a seemingly perfect marriage, a suspicious death, and the daughters who refused to stop asking questions. How did a trusted pillar of the community nearly get away with it?

Erin follows with the strange and unsettling tale of the Denver Spider Man. Who was he, how did he pull it off, and what happened when the law finally caught up?

If you love true crime podcasts, unsolved mysteries, shocking criminal cases, and hosts who mix real storytelling with a little dark humor, this one’s for you.

Chapters

• 00:00 Halloween Highlights
• 04:11 Introduction to True Crime
• 07:10 The Case of Michele MacNeill
• 14:12 Family Dynamics and Secrets
• 19:22 Medical Manipulation and Suspicion
• 21:59 Family Tensions and Medical Concerns
• 24:32 The Day of Michele's Death
• 30:38 Aftermath and Suspicion
• 34:47 Unraveling Deceptions
• 38:08 The Funeral and Its Implications
• 42:48 The Nanny and New Beginnings
• 45:43 Identity Theft and Legal Troubles
• 49:07 Reopening the Case
• 51:55 Building the Case for Murder
• 52:24 Charges and Family Struggles
• 53:28 The Aftermath of Tragedy
• 54:46 The Murder Trial of Martin MacNeill
• 56:49 Verdict and Consequences
• 58:06 Reflections on Michele's Life
• 01:00:20 Introduction to the Denver Spider-Man
• 01:01:21 The Life of Theodore Edward Coneys
• 01:04:35 The Turning Point: A Tragic Decision
• 01:11:35 The Discovery of Philip Peters' Body
• 01:12:20 The Locked Room Mystery
• 01:18:41 The Arrest of Theodore Coneys
• 01:21:52 Trial and Sentencing of Coneys
• 01:23:20 The Duality of Tragedy

Keywords: true crime podcast, Martin MacNeill case, Michele MacNeill, Denver Spider Man, true crime stories, murder podcast, female true crime hosts, new true crime episode, criminal cases, Murder Not Murdering

Uncover the dark side of a "cure" and a haunting secret that refused to stay buried. In this week's spine-chilling episode of Murder, Not Murdering, we are diving deep into two tales of medical minds, madness, and the spirits left behind.

First, Erin takes us to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to uncover the terrifying legacy of A Cure for Death: Norman Baker and America’s Most Haunted Hotel. Discover how a flamboyant, purple-suited charlatan turned the beautiful Crescent Hotel into a makeshift cancer hospital filled with false hope, a basement morgue, and the restless spirits of patients who never checked out.

Then, Autumn switches gears to a different kind of medical mystery, breaking down the haunting case of Dr. Norman Spencer and his wife, Claire. When a woman connected to them both suddenly vanishes, the truth begins to unravel from the most unexpected place—beyond the grave. Is it a haunting, or a horrific cover-up?

Takeaways

• Haunting history of Crescent Hotel
• Norman Baker's fraudulent practices Dark secrets revealed
• Supernatural elements intertwined

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Halloween Excitement
• 03:13 The Crescent Hotel's Dark History
• 09:07 Norman Baker: The Conman
• 14:54 The Baker Cancer Hospital
• 21:08 The Aftermath of Baker's Deception
• 26:45 Paranormal Activity at the Crescent Hotel
• 32:57 Conclusion and Reflections
• 37:25 The Perfect Life Unraveled
• 40:11 Claire's Struggles and Strange Events
• 42:31 The Disappearance Next Door
• 44:47 Investigating the Neighbors
• 46:40 The Haunting Begins
• 48:17 Seeking Answers with a Ouija Board
• 49:30 The Connection to Madison
• 52:31 Claire's Obsession Grows
• 53:27 Memories Resurface
• 54:14 Confronting Norman
• 56:07 Jodi's Revelation
• 57:00 Norman's Dangerous Secrets
• 58:00 The Jewelry Box Discovery
• 01:00:44 The Confrontation with Norman
• 01:02:43 Norman's Confession
• 01:04:16 The Attack
• 01:06:44 The Drowning Attempt
• 01:09:01 The Final Struggle
• 01:11:10 The Aftermath and Reflection
• 01:12:40 Unraveling the Mystery
• 01:13:04 The Twist Revealed

This episode delves into the Hinterkaifeck massacre, a chilling unsolved case from 1922 Germany, exploring the eerie events leading up to the murders and the complex family dynamics involved. Erin and Autumn discuss the unsettling atmosphere surrounding the case. Then Erin delves into the Trick-or-Treat murder of LA hairdresser Peter Fabiano with a twist you will not see coming.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Hinterkaifeck Murders
• 03:00 The Eerie Atmosphere of the Case
• 06:03 The Family Background
• 08:50 Strange Occurrences Before the Murders
• 12:09 The Night of the Murders
• 15:07 Discovery of the Bodies
• 18:08 Investigation Challenges
• 31:09 The Hinterkaifeck Murders Unveiled
• 32:32 Suspects and Theories Explored
• 36:23 The Role of Evidence and Investigation
• 37:19 The Demolition and Discovery
• 40:20 From Historical Record to Folklore
• 46:51 The Trick-or-Treat Murder Case

Keywords
True crime, Los Angeles, LA crimes, Hinterkaifeck, Massacre, Halloween, Halloween crime, Unsolved

Explore the chilling case of Maria Marten, a woman murdered in 1827 England, whose story involves ghostly dreams, public executions, and morbid artifacts including death masks and a human skin bound book. This episode delves into historical forensic practices, classism, and the dark fascination with death.

keywords
true crime, historical murder, Maria Marten, public execution, forensic history, ghost stories, classism, morbid artifacts, Red Barn case

key topics
The life of Maria Marten and her background
The events leading up to her murder in 1827
The role of dreams and ghostly apparitions in the case
Details of the murder and the violent attack on Maria
The trial, execution, and public fascination with William Corter
The artifacts preserved from the case, including the skin-bound book and death masks
Discussion on the ethics of morbid artifacts and public executions
The influence of classism and misogyny in the case and society
Reflections on historical forensic practices and their evolution
The importance of remembering victims as individuals with futures

On this week's episode Autumn does a deep dive into the true crime case of Christa Pike whose execution is currently making headlines, she highlights the complexities of her background and the brutal murder of Colleen Slemmer. Autumn explores the legal battles, Pike's transformation during her time in prison, and the ethical implications surrounding her execution attempt in 2026, which ended in failure, raising questions about capital punishment and rehabilitation. Then Erin takes you back nearly 100 years for the Hex Hollow Murder in Pennsylvania Dutch country where folk healing and witchcraft leads to a brutal murder and fire leaving three men in its wake. See where folklore, powwow, magic, and violence meet.

Keywords: Christa Pike, Colleen Slemmer, True Crime, Pennsylvania, Hex Hollow, Current Events, Old Time Crime, Historical Crime

This week Erin starts us off with a local Pacific Northwest cult case with The Holy Rollers Love Cult/The Brides of Christ. It takes place in the early 1900s and involves a cult, blatant adultery, an attack, assassination attempts, murder, asylums, prisons, and that is just scratching the surface. Then Autumn takes us back to 1600's Salem for the story of Bridget Bishop the first person executed during the Salem Witch hysteria.

New episodes are out every Tuesday and listen wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of NFL star Steve McNair, the mysterious circumstances of his death, and the importance of understanding the full story beyond headlines. Next we delve into a chilling case from 1934 in Kisap's Erlands Point, Washington, revealing how a massacre that almost went cold was solved.

key topics

• Steve McNair's football career and legacy
• Circumstances surrounding Steve McNair's death
• Investigation and questions about the case
• The importance of understanding a person's full story
• Details of the Erlands Point massacre and investigation

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Steve McNair and today's case

02:04Autumn shares her day and personal mishaps

07:00Introduction to Steve McNair's early life and football career

11:59McNair's NFL achievements and Super Bowl run

17:07The tragic night of Steve McNair's death

20:00Details of the investigation and questions raised

25:14Reconstructing McNair's final hours and events

30:12Remembering Steve McNair beyond the headlines

32:14Introduction to the Erlands Point massacre case

36:01Discovery of the crime scene and initial investigation

39:58Media coverage and public reaction to the massacre

45:01The investigation, evidence, and unresolved questions

keywords Steve McNair, NFL, true crime, murder case, sports history, investigation, unsolved mysteries, crime analysis, Pacific Northwest, historical crime

In this episode, Erin covers the murder case of Dr. George Parkman and the trial of Harvard professor John White Webster. It explores the disappearance, discovery of body parts, dental evidence, and the sensational trial. Then Autumn delves into the reason why we check our Halloween candy with the Candy Man Case. The tragic story of Timothy O'Bryan, who died after consuming poisoned Halloween candy given to him by his father, Ronald O'Bryan.

Takeaways

• Forensic evidence played a crucial role in convicting the murderer.
• The trial attracted widespread attention and public interest. Early forensic evidence, such as dental identification, played a crucial role in the Parkman-Webster Trial.
• The Candy Man Case highlights the disturbing reality that danger can come from someone known and trusted, not just from strangers.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Disappearance of Dr. George Parkman
• 05:26 Discovery of Body Parts and Dental Evidence
• 08:53 Investigation and Suspicions
• 12:08 Webster's Arrest and Evidence Collection
• 27:51 Webster's Indictment and Trial
• 30:49 The Parkman-Webster Trial
• 34:25 The Verdict and Sentencing
• 43:38 The Candy Man Case

This week on Murder, Not Murdering, Autumn and Erin take a trip into the dark folklore of New England, where two infamous axe murderers became the stuff of legend.

First, Autumn revisits one of America’s most notorious unsolved mysteries: Lizzie Borden. On a sweltering August morning in 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally murdered inside their Fall River, Massachusetts home. Lizzie, the daughter of the victims, was accused of wielding the axe—but did she really do it? More than a century later, the question remains.

Then Erin takes us back to 1785 Connecticut for the strange and unsettling story of Thomas Goss, a man whose violent crime, bizarre behavior, and subsequent inquest raised questions about madness, murder, and the law. His case offers a glimpse into how early New England communities understood insanity—and what happened when a murderer was believed to be beyond his own control.

Two cases. Two axes. Two very different eras.

From whispered accusations and courtroom drama to madness, murder, and the gallows, The Witch, The Axe, & the Gallows explores how these two New England killers became part of American true-crime history.

Murder, Not Murdering — because sometimes the legend is only the beginning.

This week on Murder, Not Murdering, Erin brings us back to Spokane, Washington, in 1919 for the strange and unsettling case of W.H. McNutt. A missing brother, a hammer, and a medium all become pieces of a bizarre mystery that captured the attention of Spokane—and left behind more questions than answers.

Then Autumn dives into one of the most infamous kidnappings in American history: the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. In 1974, the 19-year-old heiress was abducted from her Berkeley apartment by the Symbionese Liberation Army. What happened next would become a media sensation, sparking questions about loyalty, coercion, radical politics, and the mysterious transformation of a kidnapping victim into one of the most controversial figures of the 1970s.

Two cases. Two very different eras. And two stories that prove sometimes the strangest crimes are the ones that refuse to fit neatly into a box.

Murder, Not Murdering — new episodes every Tuesday.