The story of Brandon Swanson is a story of separation and sadness, but also of hope. One family’s response to tragedy lights the way for others who suffer loss in today’s episode of True Crime and Punishment.

Sources:

https://www.house.mn.gov/sessionweekly/art.asp?ls_year=86&issueid_=43&storyid=1297&year_=2009

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/18/grace.coldcase.swanson/index.html

https://www.marshallindependent.com/news/local-news/2015/10/gaining-ground-in-the-search-for-missing-adults/

https://www.house.mn.gov/sessionweekly/art.asp?ls_year=86&issueid_=43&storyid=1297&year_=2009

https://www.jonfrancisfoundation.org/

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2007/07/26/hikerfound

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/forms-documents/Documents/MMIW%20Task%20Force/MP%20Power%20Point%20MMIW%207-15-20.pdf

https://www.twincities.com/2015/10/13/brandon-swanson-search-resumes-in-western-minnesota/

https://thecrimewire.com/true-crime/Missing-Since-2008-Brandon-Swanson

Let's start with an apology. No excuses, just an apology. The lateness of this episode is entirely my  fault. Essentially, I thought I'd posted this in June, and I hadn't. Please ignore the "we'll be back after the summer lol" at the end of this episode. Now that Siera is back, consistency will be through the roof, 'cause she's the responsible one here. Once again, I apologize for not posting this months ago. My "post it , run away, and don't look back" tactic works much better when I actually, you know, post the episode. --Kayley

On May 6, 1993, three eight-year old boys were found murdered in a water-filled ditch in Robin Hood Hill in West Memphis, Arkansas. The town of West Memphis is terrified that someone who could do this is on the loose. As they begin their investigation, police get hung up on one possibility: a satanic cult was responsible.

In part three of this three part series, Kayley walks us through the trial and appeals process and how two documentaries caused public outrage once again--only this time, the public's outrage helped the West Memphis Three finally get a retrial.

Sources:

Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three—Book by Mara Leveritt

https://www.gq.com/story/west-memphis-three-trial-story-sean-flynn-gq-december-2011

https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three/crime-news/victims-injuries-animal-predation-west-memphis-three-case

https://www.eonline.com/news/1135012/inside-the-unknown-story-of-the-forgotten-west-memphis-three

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/23/us/west-memphis-three-dna-court-hearing/index.html

https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/04/06/ark-supreme-court-decides-favor-west-memphis-3-damien-echols-appeal/

https://www.britannica.com/event/West-Memphis-Three

https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/west-memphis-three-3039/

On May 6, 1993, three eight-year old boys were found murdered in a water-filled ditch in Robin Hood Hill in West Memphis, Arkansas. The town of West Memphis is terrified that someone who could do this is on the loose. As they begin their investigation, police get hung up on one possibility: a satanic cult was responsible.

In part two of this three part series, Kayley introduces the third member of the three, the police's newest and most unexpected (and unqualified) detective, and walks through how a seemingly coerced confession ends in a three way conviction.

Sources:

Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three—Book by Mara Leveritt

https://www.gq.com/story/west-memphis-three-trial-story-sean-flynn-gq-december-2011

https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three/crime-news/victims-injuries-animal-predation-west-memphis-three-case

https://www.eonline.com/news/1135012/inside-the-unknown-story-of-the-forgotten-west-memphis-three

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/23/us/west-memphis-three-dna-court-hearing/index.html

https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/04/06/ark-supreme-court-decides-favor-west-memphis-3-damien-echols-appeal/

https://www.britannica.com/event/West-Memphis-Three

https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/west-memphis-three-3039/

On May 6, 1993, three eight-year old boys were found murdered in Robin Hood Hill in West Memphis, Arkansas. The town of West Memphis was terrified that a vicious murderer was on the loose. As they began their investigation, police got hung up on one possibility: a satanic cult was responsible.

In part one of this series, Kayley walks us through the beginning investigation and how detectives land on their lead suspects, as well as how the case is bungled from the very start. Now, just days after the 30 year anniversary of the murders, we still can't be sure if justice was served for the three young boys who lost their lives. 

Sources:

Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three—Book by Mara Leveritt

https://www.gq.com/story/west-memphis-three-trial-story-sean-flynn-gq-december-2011

https://www.oxygen.com/the-forgotten-west-memphis-three/crime-news/victims-injuries-animal-predation-west-memphis-three-case

https://www.eonline.com/news/1135012/inside-the-unknown-story-of-the-forgotten-west-memphis-three

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/23/us/west-memphis-three-dna-court-hearing/index.html

https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/04/06/ark-supreme-court-decides-favor-west-memphis-3-damien-echols-appeal/

https://www.britannica.com/event/West-Memphis-Three

https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/west-memphis-three-3039/

Dorothea Puente looked like a harmless grandmotherly figure running a boardinghouse for people down on their luck. However, the discovery of buried bodies in her backyard called Puente's benevolent persona into question. 

Articles:

https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8b85fn5/entire_text/

https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-xpm-2011-mar-28-la-me-0328-dorothea-puente-20110328-story.html

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23400917

https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/in-print-dorothea-puentes-killer-cookbook/

The Chicago Tylenol murders took place in Chicago in 1982. Seven people were killed after multiple pills containing cyanide were placed in extra strength Tylenol bottles and sold to an unsuspecting public. The Tylenol murders were never solved, but thanks to a speedy response from manufacturers, the public was able to return to taking over-the-counter medications once again. However, in 1986, 52 year old Bruce Nickell came home from work with a headache. According to his wife, 42 year old Stella Nickell, Bruce took four extra strength Excedrin capsules and, minutes later, collapsed. Though it was years later, someone was once again tampering with over-the-counter pain medication. Only this time, the case of the Excedrin murders would not go cold, and the mystery of who was placing poison on store shelves would be solved.

Sources:

The Tylenol Murders

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Tylenol_murders

https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/cold-cases/chicago-tylenol-murders/

https://www.chicagohistory.org/tylenol-murders/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tylenol-murders-investigation-new-dna-tests-40-years-later/

pbs.org/newshour/health/tylenol-murders-1982

The Excedrin Murders:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/woman-convicted-for-tampering-with-excedrin

https://www.insider.com/woman-told-how-her-mom-was-killed-by-cyanide-poisoner-2022-11

https://murderpedia.org/female.N/n/nickell-stella.htm

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung

https://www.wcjn.org/Stella_Nickell.html

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=93160&page=1     bv

On September 11, 2016, officers responded to a call to the Holton residence. When officers responded, Jesse "Madison" Holton, April and Michael Holton's 17-year old son was waiting with his hands cuffed behind his back. His parents had called police over a party the teen had thrown. After learning that juvenile court would not open until the following Monday, Madison's parents decided to wait until Monday to potentially press charges. However, eleven minutes after leaving the Holton residence, police returned. This time, officers found Michael Holton dead and April clinging to life. Both had been shot in the head, and Madison was still waiting with his hands cuffed behind his back. Join Kayley and Siera as they ask the question: What happened to April and Michael? 

Sources:

https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-secrets-uncovered/crime-news/did-madison-holton-kill-parents-michael-and-april

https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-jesse-madison-holton-now/

https://heavy.com/news/2019/04/jesse-madison-holton/

https://www.wsfa.com/story/33273902/new-evidence-revealed-during-hearing-for-teen-charged-with-parents-murder/

https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/crime/2016/09/28/case-slain-eclectic-parents-goes-grand-jury/91234752/

https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/new-indictment-handed-down-in-eclectic-double-homicide/article_1c71444f-0908-5a6d-8092-3e3a7746ed11.html

https://www.foxnews.com/us/alabama-teen-once-charged-with-killing-his-parents-claims-sheriff-is-still-looking-for-ways-to-put-him-in-jail

https://thecinemaholic.com/april-and-mike-holton-murder/

Join Siera and Kayley as they tackle a tough topic in today's Tangent Tuesday: capital punishment. Emotions can quickly rise to the surface when we consider the sensitivities surrounding life, death, and justice. 

On Tangent Tuesdays, we take a break from covering cases to discuss general true crime topics. If you would like to join in the conversation, feel free to email your thoughts to us at [email protected]. 

In 1987, a shocking discovery launched a long investigation in the desert outside El Paso, Texas. The case of 6 murdered young women ended in a conviction--but no closure. Join Siera and Kayley as they cover their first serial killer case: The Desert Killer.

Articles: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-bodies-identified-karen-baker-and-maria-rosa-casio/480260001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-buried-body-identified-desiree-wheatley/480421001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-4th-body-identified-dawn-smith/480561001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-david-wood-rape-suspect-served-7-years-sex-offenses/480608001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1987-police-identify-fifth-body-angelica-jeannette-frausto/480762001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2017/08/10/murdered-missing-women-tied-serial-killer-david-leonard-wood/551097001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1988-david-wood-ready-fight/481038001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1988-6th-body-identified-police-ivy-williams/480993001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1990-convicted-rapist-david-wood-now-state-prison/481268001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/1991-desert-deaths-trial-set-open/481307001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/2009-david-wood-scheduled-executed-aug-20/488213001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/2009-execution-stayed-woods-mental-ability-issue/488399001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/archives/2017/08/10/2014-convicted-el-paso-serial-killer-loses-appeal/488778001/

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2017/08/10/desert-killer-david-leonard-wood-legal-saga-remains-tied-up/548308001/

https://apnews.com/article/de6a76455abbc93a619563e37e1d5400

Brief from the Supreme Court:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-9262/112415/20190814184654950_Wood%20Second%20BIO%20ID.pdf 

On Christmas day 2006, Ryan Waller was taken into custody following the murder of his 21 year old girlfriend Heather Quan. This case gained internet infamy because the entire hour long interrogation is available on Youtube. What first seems like an open and shut case turns out to be anything but.

Ryan Waller, eye swollen shut and face bruised, is detective's number one suspect in the murder of Heather Quan. However, as the interrogation proceeds, it becomes more evident that something is seriously wrong. Waller's story is all over the place, and he's claiming that two men with bows and arrows shot him in the eye. What happened in Phoenix, Arizona on Christmas day 2006? The answer is mind boggling. 

Sources:
this is monsters interview with Don Waller-- https://www.podcastone.com/episode/Searching-For-Justice-The-Ryan-Waller-Story

The interrogation video--  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI8G0KOOtqk&t=1309s

https://www.vizaca.com/ryan-waller/

okaybliss.com/ryan-waller-story/

https://www.maricopacountyattorney.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=185

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/ryan-waller-obituary?pid=177547295