Murderous Roots with Denise & Zelda

On July 30, 1897, President William McKinley appointed seven Black men to postmaster positions across the state of South Carolina. One town would not react well to the news. One town would see to it that they would run their new Black postmaster out of town, even if it meant killing him.
In this latest episode, part one of the story, Zelda and Denise explore the history of reconstruction and how it helped lead to the death of Frazier B. Baker. Then we discuss what happened to the Baker family after horrific murders of Frazier and his toddler, Julia. Next week we will return with part two where we discuss Baker’s family tree and then learn more about his killers as well as those who tried to help the Baker family.

Any references or other notes can be found on our website at murderousroots.com

Last week we discussed all that Marsha accomplished as well as her unsolved death and immediate family. In part 2 covering Marsha P. Johnson, we continue the conversation with her nephew Al Michaels and learn more about her parents and ancestors, including her grandmother, a Voodoo priestess..

To see all our sources and information discussed in the show, you can go to last week’s episode, Queen Marsha.

All notes and sources can be found on our website at https://murderousroots.com/episodes/marshajohnson1

After a day of festivities and fun at the Gay Pride Parade in New York City, the body of one of its most notable residents who fought for civil rights for all people, was found floating in the Hudson River on July 6, 1992. Marsha P. Johnson, born Malcolm Michaels, Jr, identified herself as a drag queen and was an outspoken activist for gay rights who first gained prominence during the Stonewall Uprising. We may never know the circumstances of her death, but her work lives on today.

In this episode, her nephew Al Michaels joins us as we discuss Martha’s life, activism, and death. We then learn more about her immediate family—including a tie to one of the earlies mass killings in the United States.

All sources and other information can be found on our website at murderousroots.com

In this Summersode, we continue our conversation on the family history of Dian Fossey which included two more murders, love affairs, World War II, a British naval hero from the 17th Century, and so much more.

All sources can be found at our website, murderousroots.com

Nynyiramachabelli, the woman that lives alone on the Mountain, is a Rwandan word used to describe gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey on her grave in Rwanda. It was the name given to her by Rwandan’s who lived near her in the Virugan Mountains of Rwanda. In 1963, Fossey first arrived on the continent of Africa. It would soon after become her permanent home until her murdered body was found in the early morning hours of December 27, 1985.

Listen to Part 1 of The Woman That Lives Alone on the Mountain, as we discuss what drew Fossey to Africa and her work with the gorillas she loved, the horrendous way she dealt with some poachers, and her death. Then we explore a fascinating family tree which helps us understand her more, but also delves into the troubled relationship she had with her parents as well as another tragic murder in her family.

All other sources and notes are available at our website at murderousroots.com

On this Summersode, as part of their Summer of Justice Series, Zelda and Denise discuss the events leading up to the horrific lynching of 14-year-old Chicago-native Emmett Till as well as what happened next. Then they explore is fascinating family tree with a history of struggle, success, and heartbreak.

For further notes and sources, go to murderousroots.com

On June 12, 1963, a scream permeated the air as Myrlie Evers opened her door to discover her husband, Medgar Evers, a civil rights leader in Jackson, Mississippi, collapsed on the ground. Moments before he had been shot in the back by an assassin’s bullet. Less than an hour later, he would die in an all-white hospital.

Evers’s death would shock a nation! His wife would spend decades to get justice for her husband, a struggle later written about in her book and in the movie Ghosts of Mississippi.

In this episode Denise and Zelda discuss the amazing man Medgar Evers was before his death at age 37 and explore what little is known of his family tree. Then we touch briefly on his killer.

If you want to learn more about Byron de la Beckwith, join our Patreon to gain access to a bonus episode where we discuss the Beckwith family tree.

We have exciting episodes coming this summer. Listen to the trailer to learn more about who we will be featuring!

In June 1985, the body of a young woman was found naked, wrapped in a sheet, in the trunk of a car. Upon looking at her body, a police officer told the press that it appeared as if she died of a drug overdose. When the autopsy came back, she had no drugs in her system.

For reasons unknown to her family, the police spent little to no time investigating what happened to 24-year-old Catherine “Catrina” Mowrey. Her family never got answers or any sense that the Dallas Police Department cared about what happened to her.

In this episode, we talk about what led up to Catherine’s death, the murder of her sister Joan, and the tragic death of her youngest sister, Deborah. The victim’s niece and namesake, Catrina Marshall, joined us to share information, what she hopes happens with her petition to the Dallas Police Department, and stayed for a discussion on the Mowrey family tree.

Betsy Faria thought she made a good friend at work; one who showed support and love during one of the most trying times in her life. She didn’t realize, until it was too late, that her friendship with Pamela Hupp would be more deadly than her terminal cancer diagnosis.

In this episode, Zelda and Denise discuss the murder Pam Hupp was convicted for as well as the other two murders she has been accused of committing. Then we dive into a fascinating family tree that leads to encounters with immigrant ancestors, Joseph Pulitzer, slavery, and even more murder.

For sources and all other information, please go to murderousroots.com