Murder Unscripted

In November of 1985, two 27-year-old friends, David Tyll and Brian Ognjan disappeared without a trace while on a hunting trip to the remote Michigan town of Mio. For 18 years, rumors swirled around Mio's most feared family - the Duvalls - namely, brothers Donald and Raymond.

The duo had been linked to several unexplained deaths in the area, and even took credit for the hunters' murders. Unfortunately, with no proof, and no help from the tight-lipped community, the case went colder than a Michigan winter.

Almost two decades later, a dogged cold case detective picks up the case and quickly uncovers a witness to the murders. After earning her trust, the witness shares an unbelievable story. Not only did she see the hunters brutally killed with her own eyes, she overheard the Duvall brothers discussing plans to put the their bodies in a wood chipper and feed them their angry hogs.

The witness' account is enough to bring charges against Donald and Raymond Duvall, and in 2003, convict them of first-degree murder. Both were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight while breaking down the barrier between fan and creator.

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In 1990, high schooler Jennifer McWhorter Taylor's life turned upside down when she learned her "Aunt Bet" (Betty Jones) had been brutally murdered in Starkville, Mississippi while visiting a friend. For nearly 30 years, her aunt's killer remained a mystery, until cold case investigator Bill Lott (fmr. Starkville Police Department) made it his mission to find the person responsible.

Leaning on advancements in DNA technology, and the revolutionary concept of genetic genealogy, the dogged investigator soon homed in on 52-year-old Michael Wayne DeVaughn - ending three decades of pain end heartache for Betty's family.

Today, MU is joined for a conversation by both Jennifer McWhorter Taylor and Homicide investigator Bill Lott - who have developed an unbreakable bond through this violent tragedy. Hear Jennifer discuss her emotional journey as Bill details his quest for justice.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight while breaking down the barrier between fan and creator.

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After covering the case for a soon-to-air spinoff of A&E's Cold Case Files, producer Ed Hydock tells the very personal tale of the murder of Betty Jones and sexual assault of Kathryn Crigler.

Labor Day evening, 1990, Starkville, Mississippi-native, Betty Jones, heard a knock at the door. She'd been staying with her friend, 81-year-old amputee, Kathryn Crigler, to help her through some health issues. When Betty answered the door, she was immediately met by a fierce attack. The suspect, a young man with spiked blonde hair and a "swarthy" complexion,

proceeded to slit Betty's throat before raping Kathryn Crigler and disappearing into the balmy Mississippi night. The brutal attacks sent shockwaves through the peaceful, tight-knit community.

For nearly three decades, the killer eluded police, until DNA technology and a dogged cold case investigator caught up with him. In 2018, 52-year-old Michael Wayne DeVaughn was arrested and charged with capital murder and sexual assault in connection with the crimes.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

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In episode 24 (BLOCK: "Friends Til the End"), the MU team dives into a tragic local case which rocked the close-knit community of Fishtown - a blue collar Philadelphia neighborhood.

No one should have to die the way Jason did...especially in an area like that. Our hearts go out to his friends, family, and loved ones.

R.I.P. Jason Keel Sweeney

1986 - 2003

In 2003, 16-year-old Jason Sweeney was working for his father, a contractor, on a building project in Philadelphia. He recently met a girl he liked, 15-year-old Justina Morley, with whom he had a date on the evening of Friday, May 30th. Unbeknownst to Sweeney, Morley had been engaging in sexual relations with two other 16-year-olds, Nicholas Coia and Eddie Batzig Jr. Batzig was Sweeney's best friend since the fourth grade. Nicholas Coia and his 17-year-old brother, Domenic, were also friends with Sweeney.

With the promise of sex, Morley lured Sweeney to "The Trails," a wooded area of Fishtown near the Delaware River, where Batzig and the Coia brothers were lying in wait. There, they brutally murdered Jason using multiple deadly weapons - stealing $500 from his wallet. After a short investigation, police charged all four suspects with Jason's murder, citing jealousy and robbery as the motives.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

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MU closes out October, and their block entitled, "Hollywood Horrors," in a conversation with the great Dr. Buzz Von Ornsteiner.

Dr. Buzz has offered expert commentary on hundreds of high-profile cases for CNN, Fox News, E! Entertainment, MSNBC, WNYW, Court TV News, Tru TV, WPIX, Investigation Discovery and many more! But perhaps he's best known for his role as the recurring psychologist on Reelz Network's hit crime show, "Copycat Killers." In this candid interview, Dr. Buzz opens up about his storied career as a forensic psychologist, his days as an 80's B-movie actor, and reflects on his time as the face of Copycat Killers.

As a bonus, Dr. Buzz also offers his insight on MU's two most recent cases - the 2014 attempted murder of Payton Leutner and the awful crimes committed by James Cushing - a man dubbed "The Queen Anne Axe Murderer" in 1990 after he followed in the footsteps of renowned suspected killer Lizzie Borden. You won't want to miss this deeply personal and insightful conversation!

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

#murderunscripted #crime #podcast #apple #YouTube

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The Lizzie Borden murders of 1892 and the Queen Anne axe murder by James Cushing in 1990 represent two strikingly different yet similarly sensational cases of violent crime that captured public attention in their respective eras.

Lizzie Borden Murders (1892): In Fall River, Massachusetts, Lizzie Borden was accused of the brutal murders of her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, using a hatchet. The case generated immense media coverage, driven by Lizzie’s enigmatic persona and the sensational nature of the crimes. The trial became a spectacle, reflecting societal issues related to gender, class, and morality in the Victorian era. Despite strong circumstantial evidence, Lizzie was acquitted, leading to enduring speculation about her guilt and the dynamics of her family life. Lizzie's story is also one that fascinated James William Cushing in 1990. In 1990, in a starkly different context,

James Cushing murdered 63-year-old Geneva McDonald with an axe in her Queen Anne neighborhood home in Seattle, Washington. This case emerged from a backdrop of personal turmoil, revealing deeper issues of mental health and the tragic consequences. Cushing’s case highlighted the urgent need for societal awareness around such issues.

The Borden case remains a symbol of mystery and speculation, while the Cushing case serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities of mental illness and the urgent need for early intervention.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

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The attempted murder of Payton Leutner, often referred to as the "Slenderman Stabbing," occurred in May of 2014 in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

12-year-old Payton was brutally attacked by her two friends, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, who believed they needed to commit a murder to become proxies for a fictional internet character known as Slenderman. The attack took place during a sleepover when the girls lured Payton into the woods and stabbed her multiple times. After the assault, Payton was able to crawl out of the woods and seek help from a passing cyclist, which ultimately saved her life.

The incident garnered significant media attention and raised discussions about mental health, the influence of internet culture, and the nature of friendship among adolescents. Both attackers were charged with attempted murder and faced legal consequences for their actions.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

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In episode 2 of MU's block on "Hollywood Horrors," Ed and Melissa go down under to analyze the tragic disappearance/murder of Peter Falconio, as well as the 2005 feature film Peter's case inspired - "Wolf Creek."

On the night of July 14th, 2001, 28-year-old British tourist, Peter Falconio and his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, were ambushed while on a backpacking trip through Australia's Northern Territory. Joanne escaped and managed to survive, but neither Peter, nor his body, has ever been found.

On December 13th, 2005, Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of Falconio's murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

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On November 9, 1971, John Emil List brutally murdered his wife, mother, and three children inside their Westfield, New Jersey home, before vanishing and starting a new life. Nearly a month passed before anyone suspected that anything was amiss.

After moving across country, List assumed his new identity as "Bob Clark," remarrying and eluded police for nearly 18 years. Finally, in 1989, after the story of his murders was broadcast on the television program, America's Most Wanted, John List was finally brought to justice.

Join us as we kick off block 5, entitled, "Hollywood Horrors" - digging into the list case and the 1987 movie it inspired -"The Stepfather."

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

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Denise Sam-Cali was nearly a victim of one of America's youngest serial killers. In 1993, Harvey Miguel Robinson broke into Sam-Cali's home, raped and choked her, and left her for dead, but she managed to break free of Robinson's grip and run outside. Robinson attempted to attack Sam-Cali again but she fled. Police later used Sam-Cali as bait to lure Robinson in order to capture him.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

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