Southern Fried True Crime

The Christmas Eve murder of a beloved bartender and manager of a gay nightclub in Houma, Louisiana. Hate crime or robbery? Or maybe both. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/36-the-murder-of-robert-lecompteSpecial Thanks to this episode’s Patreon Producer, Lynn Cummings!Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

In 1997, in the tiny town of Santa Claus, Georgia, a former foster child returned to the loving family who had taken him in. Jerry Scott Heidler destroyed their family and almost destroyed the “town who loves children.”Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/35-santa-claus-georgiaSuggested Reading: Fear Came to Town: The Santa Claus, Georgia MurdersSpecial Thanks to this episode’s Patreon Producer, Megan BullardWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

In 1992, A young mother in Atlanta was in a loveless marriage. Her husband was a criminal. She wanted to leave, but he had too many legal connections and kept complete control of their money. When she decided to prove what he was, he had her shot to death in front of their two little boys. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/34-the-execution-of-sara-ambrusko-tokarsSpecial Thanks to listeners Sara Lindsey and John Williams who suggested today’s case.Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

In 1974, a feisty, outspoken woman in St. Augustine, FL became embroiled in a ridiculous feud with her neighbors, one that went public and turned most of the old city against her. Then she was brutally murdered with a machete on her own front porch, in broad daylight. And her murderer was set free. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/33-an-inconvenient-womanIf you're interested in reading more about this fascinating and infuriating case, please check out "Murder in St. Augustine: The Mysterious Death of Athalia Ponsell Lindsley" by Elizabeth Randall: Special thanks to Southern Fried listener, Chadwick, for suggesting this case.Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

Corpsewood Manor in Northern Georgia is an infamous haunted tourist attraction. And many believe it is cursed. Either by the ghosts of the men murdered there, or by a more mysterious and evil entity. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/32-the-corpsewood-manor-murdersReading recommendation: The Corpsewood Manor Murders of North Georgia by Amy PetullaWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

Double jeopardy protects our citizens from malicious prosecution. But every now and then, the good guys lose. And the bad guy benefits from this protection we all enjoy. The Brenda Schaefer case is an extreme example of dedicated police work and earnest prosecution still losing to abject evil. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/31-justice-deniedSpecial thank you to author Bob Hill. His book, Double Jeopardy, was an incredible resource in researching this case. Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey was bearing down on the gulf coast and a beautiful mother of two vanishes. In the days that followed, Baytown, Texas had to contend with historic rainfall and flooding while searching for Crystal McDowell. But if it wasn't for the storm, her murderer would probably have gotten away with it. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/30-the-disappearance-of-crystal-mcdowellWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

The conclusion to the Narcissistic Family Annihilator, Jeffrey MacDonald. MacDonald is a brutal and cold murderer that destroyed his family to save himself and in doing so, brought family annihilators into the public consciousness. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/28-29-jeffrey-macdonaldKey:A – Colette MacDonaldB – Jeffrey MacDonaldAB – Kimberley MacDonaldO – Kristen MacDonaldWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

There are some murders that are so intrinsically shocking that we all become obsessed. Known as the family annihilator, these horrific cases dominate our news and social media. This is the historic case of one of the most infamous monsters who destroy their families: Jeffrey MacDonald. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/28-29-jeffrey-macdonaldWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

The 1980’s were the beginning of a sea change in politics and drug culture in the United States. Listen to this tale of how a cocaine, corruption, a double murder, and a dead patsy trumped justice in one Ozark town. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/27-murder-in-the-ozarksWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

Bonus Episode-- an interview with acclaimed thriller novelist, Laura Lippman. Her modern noir novel, Sunburn, comes out in paperback today!http://www.lauralippman.nethttps://www.facebook.com/lauralippmanTwitter: @LauraMLippmanWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

Lauren Agee went to Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tennessee with some "friends" to attend the annual wake-boarding tournament known as WakeFest. They were camping on a steep cliff, 90 feet above the water. She supposedly went to bed Saturday night, and was missing the next morning. She was found hours later by two fishermen, floating dead, face down in a cove. Her death was barely investigated and her friends acted extremely suspicious. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/25-lauren-ageeSpecial thanks to private investigator, Sheila Wysocki. Check out her podcast on Lauren's case called Without Warning. It's a long form series on her investigation into Lauren's suspicious death. Also special thanks to Sherry and Michael Smith for trusting me with your daughter's story. I hope it helps.Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @so

I had a wonderful chat with Dr. Peter Vronsky, author, historian and serial killer expert. He came on the show to discuss his new book, Sons of Cain: A History of Serial Killers from the Stone Age to the Present. We covered everything, from the historical witch hunts, which Peter considers the state sanctioned serial murder of women, to Jack the Ripper and the Golden Age of serial killers, beginning in the 1970’s through the 90’s. And of course, his special relationship to serial killer, Richard Cotthingham. For more information, visit Peter’s website:http://www.petervronskybooks.comWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

I had a lovely chat with author and historian, Patrick Bowmaster, about his ebook "What the Little Dog Witnessed." He was kind enough to talk to me about his research as well as how he went about getting it published. Special shout out to Richard from the podcast True Crime Historian!For more information, please visit Patrick's blog:https://patrickbowmaster.wordpress.com/Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

The Reckoning: The Trials of Perry March is the conclusion to the Janet Levine March series. It took ten years to get Perry March to justice, and he didn’t go down alone.Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/20-21-22-janet-levine-marchWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

The investigation into the disappearance of Janet Levine March was going cold, but the war between Perry March and the Levines was about to explode. Part 2 of 3. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/20-21-22-janet-levine-marchWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime 

A beautiful young artist, mother and wealthy native of Nashville goes missing. (Part 1 of 3)Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/20-21-22-janet-levine-marchWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

We're shaking things up this week on Southern Fried! Join me as I chat with international best-selling author, Karin Slaughter. She is a critically acclaimed and much beloved crime writer known for her gripping page turners. And she's a sassy, southern woman who is a lot of fun to interview. I think you're gonna love her. We talk about crime, her writing process, getting to know female cops, the #metoo movement, daddy's girls and even dish about everyone's favorite guilty pleasure: VC Andrews. Go buy her brilliant stand alone novel "The Good Daughter" in paperback today! And be on the look out for her new novel, "Pieces of Her", coming out on August 21, 2018. http://www.karinslaughter.comhttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarinSlaughterTwitter: @SlaughterKarin  Insta: @karinslaughterauthorWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth

The story of Shelly Michael, former cheerleader, wife, mother, stepmother, nurse practitioner and murderer could not be contained in one episode. I hope you enjoy the conclusion of this West Virginian saga.Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/17-18-shelly-michaelIf you’re interested in learning more about this case, check out my best source. Author John Glatt wrote the definitive work on Shelly Michael: Playing with Fire: A Nurse, Her Husband, and a Marriage Turned Fatal. He covers Shelly’s trial in depth as well as many more players in this story I didn’t have time for. Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime 

The story of Shelly Michael, wife, mother, stepmother, nurse practitioner and murderer could not be contained in one episode. I hope you enjoy part one of this West Virginian saga about a former Mountaineer cheerleader turned murderess. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/17-18-shelly-michaelIf you’re interested in learning more about this case, check out my best source. Author John Glatt wrote the definitive work on Shelly Michael: Playing with Fire: A Nurse, Her Husband, and a Marriage Turned Fatal. He covers Shelly’s trial in depth as well as many more players in this story I didn’t have time for. Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime