Donna Emmel was fifteen years old and enjoying the summer between her sophomore and junior year of high school.  June 16, 1975, was a typical summer day in Newport, NC.  That day, Donna went to hang out with friends at the popular Grice’s Grill off Highway 70 in Newport., North Carolina.  Around 8:30 that evening, Donna’s mother called the grill and said it was time for Donna to head back home.  Donna was seen leaving, taking a shortcut through woods to her house which she had taken many times before, alone and in the dark.  However, this night was different.  Donna never made it home.  The search for Donna ended the next afternoon when her body was found in a drainage ditch, just across from her own home.  In the weeks after the murder, more than 100 people were questioned.  Over the years, law enforcement followed up on any leads in the investigation but still no answers.

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Zebb Quinn, an 18 year old from Asheville, NC, is out with a friend on the way to see a car when he receives a page from an unknown person.  He left his friend on the side of the road while he went to return a phone call.  When he returned from the call, he accidentally rear ended his friend's car.  He apologized, promised to pay for the damages but explained he had to immediately go tend to something.  This is the last time anyone ever saw Zebb.  Fast forward 22 years later and while law enforcement believe they know what happened, Zebb has never been found.

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Join Amber and Ginny as they cover the life and tragic death of the legendary Marilyn Monroe.  

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Join Christina and Heidi as they cover the poisoning death of Dr. Eric Miller.  Miller was only 30 years old when he was poisoned by his wife Ann Miller Kontz.  After nearly five years of investigation, Ann finally pleaded guilty on November 8, 2005 to the second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder which occurred on Dec. 2, 2000.  

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Amber and Christina talk with author of "Ship of Blood" Charles Oldham.  

1905.  Cape Fear, North Carolina.  Mutiny, manslaughter, conspiracy.

Author Charles Oldham brings the incredible and unpredictable tale to life for the first time in  his new true crime thriller, "Ship of Blood."

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Sending a special thank you to Greensboro Police Department's very own Detective Waddell who graciously shared his time to talk with us about the role of a homicide detective.

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Part 5

According to the hotline.org, "Abusive relationships are extremely complex situations and it takes a lot of courage to leave. Abuse is about power and control. When a survivor leaves their abusive relationship, they threaten the power and control their partner has established over the survivor’s agency, which may cause the partner to retaliate in harmful ways.

As a result, leaving is often the most dangerous period of time for survivors of abuse."

The True Crime Mamas podcast team walked away from Courtney's story seeking to understand why.  Why did Courtney stay?  Why didn't she leave her abusive relationship with DJ?  We were fortunate enough to meet domestic violence survivor Reba.  Reba courageously gave us insight by sharing her story.  This is part 2 of 2.

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Part 4

According to the hotline.org, "Abusive relationships are extremely complex situations and it takes a lot of courage to leave. Abuse is about power and control. When a survivor leaves their abusive relationship, they threaten the power and control their partner has established over the survivor’s agency, which may cause the partner to retaliate in harmful ways.

As a result, leaving is often the most dangerous period of time for survivors of abuse."

The True Crime Mamas podcast team walked away from Courtney's story seeking to understand why.  Why did Courtney stay?  Why didn't she leave her abusive relationship with DJ?  We were fortunate enough to meet domestic violence survivor Reba.  Reba courageously gave us insight by sharing her story.  This is part 1 of 2.

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Part 3

Illinois native Courtney Heater moved to North Carolina to live with her new boyfriend. The relationship is tumultuous from the beginning, eventually becoming physically violent. In November 2019, Courtney confided in her mom, Debbie that she wanted to leave the relationship. On February 2, 2020, Courtney was found dead in the house she shared with her boyfriend. She was transported to the morgue as a Jane Doe and Debbie was notified of Courtney's death hours later. The autopsy came back leaving more questions than answers. What happened to Courtney Heater and why?

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden

Part 2 

Illinois native Courtney Heater moved to North Carolina to live with her new boyfriend. The relationship is tumultuous from the beginning, eventually becoming physically violent. In November 2019, Courtney confided in her mom, Debbie that she wanted to leave the relationship. On February 2, 2020, Courtney was found dead in the house she shared with her boyfriend. She was transported to the morgue as a Jane Doe and Debbie was notified of Courtney's death hours later. The autopsy came back leaving more questions than answers. What happened to Courtney Heater and why?

Music by Bryan Anderson
Cover Art by Marley Soden