Southern Fried True Crime

After the brutal murder of Belinda Temple, an 8 month pregnant school teacher in 1999, the Harris County DA’s office took five years to finally charge her husband, David, with murder. They had an ace in the hole. They had star prosecutor Kelley Siegler. But David Temple’s family hired Dick DeGuerin, the guy who got Robert Durst off after he dismembered his landlord. The trial had the promised fireworks but afterwards, Kelly Siegler was accused of prosecutorial misconduct. So David Temple went to trial for a second time, 20 years after his wife was murdered. Will Belinda Temple and her unborn daughter ever get justice?Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/127-128-the-belinda-temple-case-part-1-part-2Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica KelleySuggested by: Amy Brooks, Landry Moore & Michelle Kimmey

When Mike Williams vanishes on a hunting trip, the authorities suspect he was eaten by alligators but the true predators who took Mike may lurk much closer to home. The mystery of Mike’s disappearance might have faded from memory, if it wasn’t for one woman’s tireless crusade. From Wondery, comes a new season of Over My Dead Body; a story about an obsessive love affair, a scandalous secret and a mother’s battle for the truth. Follow Over My Dead Body: Gone Hunting on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery Plus in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app. Listen to Over My Dead Body: Wondery.fm/OMDB4_SFTC

In the spring of 1988, Liz and Charles Sennett were pillars of the Colbert County, Alabama, community. 45-year-old Liz was a mother, grandmother, and homemaker. Charles was a local pastor. They were beloved and respected. On March 18th, Charles discovered Liz's lifeless body in their home. It was a gruesome scene. Liz had been brutally beaten and stabbed to death. Initially, the authorities believed that Liz was the victim of a burglary gone wrong. But, as the officers continued to investigate, they noticed that things weren't adding up. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank Additional Writing by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleySources: southernfriedtruecrime.com/liz-sennettSponsors for this episode:Today’s episode is brought to you from The Vanished. The Vanished covers unsolved missing persons cases that have been overlooked or f

21-year-old Denise Amber Lee was a happily married stay-at-home mom when her life was abruptly snatched away from her. On January 17, 2008, she was abducted from her home. Her two young sons were left sleeping in a crib together. An hour later, Denise’s husband Nate returned home and immediately reported her missing and then called his father-in-law, who was a local police sergeant. He made sure Denise’s case was a top priority. Over the next seven hours, a massive search ensued. Over 300 police officers, multiple helicopters, several K-9 units, and more would comb North Port, Florida, in search of Denise. Several 911 phone calls were made about Denise’s abduction—including one from Denise herself. But, due to a miscommunication, important information about Denise’s attacker’s location was lost. And a minor bureaucratic mishap might have cost Denise her life. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank Additional Writing by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOri

Monday, February 4, 1991 started out as a normal day. 40 year old Priscilla Matula was rushing out the door for work. She owned and operated a car dealership with her husband, Nick. It soon became one of those days…where everything seems to go wrong and irritation bubbles to the surface. And making matters worse, by mid-morning, she had not heard from her mother, Margaret Abernathy, which was highly unusual. By noon, Priscilla decided to go check on her mother. What she found brought the whole Abernathy clan to its knees. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank Additional research and writing by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleySources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/margaret-abernathy

This is a short bonus episode for July. It's about the controversial Lindsey Lowe case, so I hope you find it interesting. I had a defense attorney reach out and give me the judge's signed ruling early and also give me some inside baseball about the case. If you want to listen to the original episode first, it's #119. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Gemma HarrisAdditional research and writing by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica Kelley

In September of 2017, 30-year-old Janae Carroll was preparing to end her longterm relationship with her boyfriend—who was also her abuser. After years of suffering, Janae had gathered the strength and the courage to leave him. But when an argument about the breakup escalated to an all-out fight between Janae and her abuser, she did what she had to, to protect herself and her children. Thus began her sad odyssey through the justice system.Petition to release Janae: https://www.change.org/p/judge-letitia-h-verdin-reunite-mother-sentenced-to-15-years-in-abuser-s-death-with-her-childrenDOMESTIC VIOLENCEUS National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.orgCanada: visit this website to find the hotline in your areaUK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247For resources in other countries, visit this websiteSources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/tiffany-janae-carrollHosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional research

Leon Benson spent 24 years in an Indiana state prison for the 1998 murder of a young man named Kasey Schoen. His conviction hinged on the testimony of two eyewitnesses – but what if their memories turned out to be wrong? And what if the people who knew what really happened had never been allowed to speak? Suspect Season 3: Five Shots in the Dark is the story of two victims: one murdered, one sentenced to life. Follow host Matt Shaer and attorney Lara Bazelon as they investigate how the justice system failed both Leon and Kasey, and who the real killer might be. Join this unprecedented look inside the attempt to overturn a wrongful conviction and find out if justice will finally be served. Listen to Suspect wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge Suspect ad-free on Wondery Plus.Find Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts: Wondery.fm/SuspectS3_SFTC

When 31-year-old Lindsey Lee didn’t show up for work bright and early one Tuesday morning, her coworkers at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department were immediately worried. Their fears were confirmed when the deputy who performed a wellness check at Lindsey’s home discovered her body. At first, investigators didn’t have any suspects for Lindsey’s murderer. Everyone liked her. Lindsey was so incredibly kind and friendly that she’d even maintained a good relationship with her soon-to-be ex-husband. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank Additional Writing by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleyCase recommended by Jennefer, an anonymous sender, and othersSources: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com/lindsey-leeSponsors for this episode:This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com

In 1971, Sundays in Savannah, Tennessee were for two things: church and family. That was especially true for the Stricklin family. One Sunday, 66-year-old Mollie and her husband, 81-year-old William, invited their son and his wife to their new home for a midday meal. Mollie made the food. Her daughter-in-law served the tea. Afterward, they all went for a nice drive in the city. The get-together seemed fun and innocent—until Mollie and William became terribly ill. Days later, William died. Mollie barely recovered. When evidence revealed that the Savannah couple had been poisoned with arsenic, questions started to arise. Little did they know that William’s death was only the beginning of a case that would change the Stricklin family’s lives forever. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank Additional Writing by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica

This week, we’re sharing an episode of Alphabet Boys. Alphabet Boys takes you inside secret investigations that the FBI, DEA, CIA, and other alphabet agencies never wanted the public to know about. These cases are both dangerous and absurd … and they raise a troubling question: Are America’s top cops catching criminals -- or creating them? In this episode, you’ll hear real audio from an illegal arms deal and meet our central character, who, despite being arrested, claims he works for the CIA. But does he? You’ll wonder: Who are the good guys? And who are the bad guys?Listen to Alphabet Boys at https://link.chtbl.com/sftcalphabetboys

28-year-old Avis Banks was five months pregnant and exhausted. On the evening of Wednesday, November 29th of 2006, Avis was driving home after a long day at work. All she wanted to do was go home, kick off her shoes, and relax. But Avis would never see the inside of her home again. The moment Avis exited her car after parking it in her garage, she was brutally attacked. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank Additional Writing by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleyCase recommended by Denita, Melissa and many othersSources: http://southernfriedtruecrime.com/avis-banksToday’s Sponsors: Save over 40% off your starter pack at LumeDeodorant.com and use code SFTCTake a break and lose yourself solving a mystery set in the roaring 20’s with June’s Journey. Download today on iOS or Android.Treat yourself to the best shapewear on the market and

Bonnie and Lieth Von Stein went to bed on a Sunday night in July 1988 content and looking forward to a new future. Hours later, Bonnie would wake to the sound of her husband’s screams and an intruder standing at the foot of her bed. She barely survived the attack herself and after a year of investigation, she would live through another horror when she learned who was responsible for destroying her life. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank & Erica Kelley Additional research by Haley GrayOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleyCase recommended by Stephanie & AinsleySources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/lieth-von-steinToday’s Sponsors: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions with RocketMoney.com/southernfriedCustomize the US’s best home security system for your home by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.A

On a hot Friday the 13th in June of 1980, Allan Gore was worried. He couldn't get a hold of his wife, Betty. For hours, he'd called her over and over. No answer. Betty always answered. She didn’t get out by herself, especially not with their two small daughters. She hated when he traveled--scared of being alone, so Allan was trying to check in to reassure her. Now he was starting to panic. He finally got his neighbors to get into his house. When he called back, he could never have been prepared for the staggering horror of what happened to his wife. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/candy-and-betty This story has been requested numerous times literally since I started the show. I understand the fascination now. A real suburban axe murder. It sounds like fiction. So thank you most recently to Melody and Denise but also to everyone who has emailed me over the years. Y’all were right. This one was a doozy.Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea Marshbank & Erica Kell

For the Alday family, May 14th of 1973 started like any other day. The Alday men woke up before sunrise to tend to their family farm, and the Alday women began working on their chores. They plowed the field, planted corn, and ate lunch. Little did they know that, by the end of that afternoon, their lives would be irreparably changed forever. Six members of the Alday family dead. Their farm decimated. Their future destroyed. All because four dangerous men, three of whom were prison escapees, would accidentally stumble upon their modest home in rural Seminole County, Georgia.Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleyCase suggested by: Tommy, Sandra, Carrie, Terry & JordieSources:https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-alday-family-massacreThis episode is brought to you by BetterH

In August of 1952, 43-year-old Ruby McCollum, a black woman, was two months pregnant. The father was a 48-year-old white politician named Dr. Clifford Leroy Adams, Jr. For seven years, Dr. Adams had manipulated, bullied, and raped Ruby. He forced her to bear one of his children already, and this unborn child would be the second. On Sunday, August 3rd, Ruby entered Dr. Adams’ medical practice for help with an ailing shoulder. But when Dr. Adams tried to force himself on Ruby once more, she snapped. And the State of Florida believed she should face the electric chair for it. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/ruby-mccollum Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleyCase requested by Rachel, Tracy, and DanitaThis episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Give on

On a Friday afternoon, Dr. Rick Lohstroh parked in his ex-wife Deborah Geisler’s driveway waiting to pick up his two sons. It had been a nasty custody battle and their ten year old son, Aaron, had turned completely against his father. Every pickup day was drama. This day it was worse, Deborah and the boys were running late after having to get her car towed and everyone was in a foul mood. While Deborah was helping her seven year old son, Kurt, tie his shoes, Aaron found his backpack and climbed into the back of his dad’s SUV, in the seat directly behind him. In his backpack was a loaded pistol he found in his mother’s closet. What happened next was an unimaginable tragedy. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/dr-rick-lohstrohHosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional research and writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica

In March 2007, 41-year-old Theresa spent the day moving boxes from her old house to her new apartment. The LaFayette, Georgia 911 dispatcher was leaving her husband. That evening, after seeing her sister, Theresa disappeared without a trace. And local law enforcement kept coming back to the same person: Theresa’s estranged husband, 52-year-old Sergeant Sam Parker of the LaFayette PD. Sam vehemently denied any involvement in Theresa’s disappearance. But he had also bragged for years about how he could kill someone and no one would ever find the body. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/theresa-parkerUS National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233Canada: visit this website to find the hotline in your areaUK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247For resources in other countries, visit this websiteHosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea MarshbankOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of S

Just because the police can’t solve a murder doesn’t mean other people won’t find someone to blame. In season 4 of Witnessed: Devil in the Ditch, journalist Larrison Campbell returns to her Mississippi hometown to reexamine one of its most notorious unsolved cold cases – the murder of her grandmother, Presh. What happens when a family and a community suspect one of their own?Subscribe to The Binge to get all episodes of Witnessed: Devil in the Ditch ad-free right now. Click ‘try free’ at the top of the Witnessed: Devil in the Ditch show page on Apple Podcasts to start your free trial or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you get your podcasts.

The pop culture of the Michael Peterson case is fascinating. There are many infamous true crime cases that create their own universe. The Peterson case was always going to be famous. But when Netflix bought the rights to Jean-Xavier de Lestrade’s docu-series, The Staircase, Michael Peterson and his family were launched into the stratosphere. There were already books…but after Netflix reopened the saga, we have every form of media jumping on the Peterson bandwagon. Including a sitcom. Outside of South Park lampooning OJ Simpson, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a murder case inspiring a comedy show with the likes of John Lithgow starring. What does this say about us as a society? How far should “journalists” go to keep trying to get interviews years after the man served his time. How long should his children be chained to this case? I’m not saying I have the answers. I just think it’s interesting to ask these questions. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Erica Kelley Original Graphic