Murder Through The Grapevine Podcast

March 19, 1964: An Innocent Life Taken, a Mystery That Lasted Decades, and a DNA Breakthrough That Changed Everything.

The murder of 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson of Elmira, New York, remained unsolved for more than 61 years. Now, thanks to advances in forensic science, investigative genealogy, and the determination of investigators who refused to give up, her family finally has answers.

On the night of August 29, 2002, Audrey May Herron finished her shift as a nurse, said goodbye to her coworkers, and headed home to her family. It was a routine drive she had made countless times before.She never arrived.

On January 26, 2002, two people were discovered brutally murdered inside an apartment on Brunswick Road in Troy, New York. The victims were Arica Lynn Schneider, an 18-year-old Troy native, and her boyfriend, Samuel “Frost” Holley, 27.Their deaths launched an investigation that would span years, implicate two men who were ultimately cleared, and expose the extraordinary importance of forensic DNA evidence.For years, investigators pursued a theory that the killings were connected to a robbery targeting a drug dealer. But a DNA match eventually pointed them in another direction, changing the course of the case and leading to the conviction of Michael Mosley.This is a story about two lives lost, an investigation that went badly off course, and the evidence that ultimately brought a killer to justice.

Saratoga Springs’ 1980 Cold Case That Remains UnsolvedWine Pairing: protea Dry RoseSaratoga Springs is known for its mineral springs, horses, history—and, for nearly half a century, one haunting mystery that remains unsolved.On November 25, 1980, 22-year-old Sheila Shepherd was found dead inside her apartment on Church Street. She had been bound and gagged, and a five-inch steak knife had been placed in her abdomen after her death. Investigators determined that Sheila had been suffocated, and evidence suggested the crime scene had been staged.More than 45 years later, no one has been arrested for Sheila’s murder.For this episode of Murder Through the Grapevine, we travel to Saratoga Springs to examine the life of Sheila Shepherd, the circumstances surrounding her death, the suspects and theories that have emerged over the years, and whether modern forensic technology could finally provide answers.

This episode includes AI-generated content.

This episode features a special guest appearance by renowned psychic medium Katie Manning, co-host of the Psychics On The Scene podcast. Katie joins us to discuss the case, share her perspective, and offer unique insights that make this one of our most fascinating episodes yet. Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast, interested in the paranormal, or simply curious about the intersection of both, Katie brings an engaging perspective to the conversation.

This week on Murder Through the Grapevine, we’re staying close to home as we explore one of New York’s most disturbing serial killer cases. Known as the Mohawk Valley Ripper, who terrorized communities across the Mohawk Valley during the 1970s, leaving behind a trail of violence that would haunt investigators for decades.

This episode includes AI-generated content.

While investigators have never publicly confirmed a link, the similarities between the two unsolved homicide cases are difficult to ignore. Both women were teenagers, both disappeared from the Milton, New York area, and both were eventually found in the remote woods of Greenfield.

The latest Murder Through the Grapevine episode revisits the 2001 Hudson Valley murder of Nancy Smith, now solved after more than two decades. Authorities identified Robert Young, a local musician, as her killer, finally providing closure. Jessica’s earlier theory about the suspect proved impressively accurate as new details emerged. The episode pairs the case update with a tasting of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Réserve Champagne, offering both true crime insight and a celebratory toast to the resolution.

In the quiet suburbs of New Scotland, New York, nothing ever seems out of place—until it does. When 35-year-old physician assistant Philip Rabadi failed to show up for work, it immediately raised alarms. Reliable. Respected. The kind of medical professional patients trusted without hesitation. So when a welfare check was called in, no one expected what deputies would find inside his own home.

‍A Brutal Crime That Still Has No Answers In December 2000, a quiet neighborhood in New Windsor, New York was shaken by a crime that, more than two decades later, still remains unsolved.Nancy Smith, a responsible and cautious 32-year-old woman, failed to show up for work—something her family knew was completely out of character. Within hours, her parents would uncover a devastating scene inside her home.

There were no signs of forced entry.
Nothing had been stolen.
And yet, Nancy had been brutally murdered.

In February 2018, what began as a routine ski trip to New York’s Adirondacks turned into one of the most baffling missing-person cases in recent memory.