Susan was going about a normal day at work when an FBI Agent showed up with terrifying news. She was on a hit list. A notorious terrorist organization wanted her dead. Susan tries to find out why she of all people would be targeted. As she tries to answer this question, she must also work to protect herself. 

Articles referenced in the episode:  

The Seattle Times: 

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/man-suspected-of-killing-3-in-king-county-will-not-face-the-death-penalty/ 

Department of Justice:  

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/maryland-man-charged-interstate-transportation-stolen-vehicle 

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Hannah and Patia discuss the 1996 murder at Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy, where 16-year-old William Futrelle—new to the school—was killed by fellow students. They unpack the trial of Joseph Burris, who was charged with Futrelle’s murder, and examine the disturbing environment that enabled the crime. We also cover what happened with Bethesda Home for Girls, Bob and Betty Wills’ earlier “troubled teen” program in Mississippi, which was eventually shut down by the state. 

LA Times - https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-04-me-39141-story.html 

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-05-mn-39651-story.html 

Bethesda Home for Girls: https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/bethesda-home-girls-stolen-babies/ 

Cult Education Institute: https://www.culteducation.com/group/1059-mountain-park-baptist-church-and-boarding-academy/14571-insiders-tell-of-boarding-school-past-and-present.html 

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Meg Richter was branded a “troubled teen” and sent by her parents to Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy. But the rural Missouri facility wasn’t focused on education—it was more like a juvenile detention center masquerading as a Christian reform program. With no licensed therapists and a heavy reliance on corporal punishment, Mountain Park operated like a militaristic cult, where some students stayed well past their 18th birthdays.  

Links:  

I Survived A Cult: https://www.madeofmillions.com/articles/i-survived-a-cult-now-i-m-using-my-voice-to-make-a-difference 

Mountain Park Survivors: https://www.mountainparksurvivors.com/ 

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Patia shares the story of a string of bizarre robberies in Edwardsville, Illinois—cracked not by cops, but by the sharp-eyed owner of a local spa. One of the weirdest discoveries? A Walmart-style basement packed with stolen “trophies.” Then, Hannah dives into the rise and fall of Doc Gallagher, a Texas preacher and radio host who weaponized faith to run a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. 

Links:  

Texas Department of Insurance Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-texas-insurance-podcast/id1557773249 

AARP podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-perfect-scam/id1362050907 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-03-27/texas-preacher-doc-gallagher-stole-24-million-with-ponzi-scheme 

Recommendation: 

The Telepathy Tapes podcast 

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In 1991, Yolanda Thomas’ sister Jacquetta was murdered. A trial followed—conviction, life sentence—all without Yolanda or her family even knowing it happened. Sixteen years later, Yolanda finds herself in an unexpected battle: fighting to free Greg Taylor, the man convicted of killing her sister. 

Show Notes: 

Healing Justice  

https://healingjusticeproject.org/  

https://innocencecommission-nc.gov/wp-content/uploads/state-v-taylor/state-v-taylor-brief.pdf 

https://triad-city-beat.com/24930-2/ 

Documentary on Greg Taylor’s wrongful conviction:  https://inpursuitofjusticefilm.com/ 

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Hannah unpacks the wild true story of Osama El-Atari—a flashy con man- turned-jailhouse informant, who ultimately helps take down a serial killer. Also, Patia and Hannah discuss There Is No Ethan, Anna Akbari’s gripping account of a catfishing saga. 

There Is No Ethan: https://www.annaakbari.com/thereisnoethan 

Washington City Paper article: https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/195498/the-king-of-ashburn-the-life-and-murder-of-con-man-osama-elatari/ 

Additional Recommendation: The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby 

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Jennifer Thompson was a college student when a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. Jennifer did her best to help law enforcement capture her assailant, but years later would learn the wrong person had been held responsible. 

Show Notes: 

Healing Justice https://healingjusticeproject.org/ 

Picking Cotton https://www.pickingcottonbook.com/ 

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From pop culture to the FBI, the perception of polygraphs varies wildly depending on who you ask. So, Hannah and Patia speak to an expert polygraph examiner whose work led to a bombshell confession in a half-decade old missing persons case, turned murder. 

Show Notes:  

https://www.kansas.com/news/article1049717.html 

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Newly married and just a month into her pregnancy, Toni’s husband becomes physically abusive. Thousands of miles from her family, Toni carefully plans to escape with her children as her estranged husband’s harassment only escalates. Today, Toni hopes that telling her story will help others suffering from abuse to get help and to find safety. 

Show Notes:  

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.org

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On the very first episode of The Knife: Off Record, hosts Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton bring you a behind-the-scenes conversation about making a true crime podcast. Plus, Patia tells Hannah about a missing persons case in Tennessee. 

Show Notes: 

SOLVED 21 Year Old Missing Persons Case (Erin Foster & Jeremy Bechtel) 

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