Southern Fried True Crime

On June 12th of 1983, 27-year-old Jerry Lynn Dean and 32-year-old Deborah Ruth Thornton met at a pool party. Right away, their chemistry was apparent—even though their budding relationship was doomed from the start. Jerry had recently separated from his wife, and Deborah was still married. Regardless, Jerry and Deborah decided to have a harmless one-night stand. But that night would turn out to be anything but harmless. By morning, both Jerry and Deborah were brutally killed. The murder weapon? A pickaxe and a hammer. And the murderers? Jerry’s estranged wife’s friends: 23-year-old Karla Faye Tucker and 37-year-old Danny Ryan Garrett. Sixteen years later, in 1998, Karla Faye Tucker would be the first woman executed in Texas in 135 years.Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley Recommended by Eileen

In August and September of 1969, one man killed five people in the span of 29 days in Memphis, Tennessee. These violent crimes shook the city of Memphis to its very core. Lock sales skyrocketed. Families adopted large dogs. People refused to leave their house after sunset. It felt like no one was safe. The police searched day and night for this elusive serial killer. They doubled—then tripled—their staff, canceled all vacation time, and poured over $100,000 into paid overtime. But were it not for the brave actions of the killer’s final victim, Mary Christine Pickens, the perpetrator might have walked free for far, far longer. This is part two of a two-part series.Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley Recommended by Kelly and others. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/george-howard-p

From August 13th to September 11th of 1969, five innocent people died at the hands of a serial killer in Memphis, Tennessee. 58-year-old Roy Dumas and his wife, 47-year-old Bernalyn Dumas; 82-year-old Leila Jackson; 21-year-old Glenda Sue Harden; and 59-year-old Mary Christine Pickens. For 29 days, the Memphis police diligently searched for the cold-blooded killer responsible for these horrific murders. They exhausted every avenue—interviewing over 2,000 people, contacting experts across state lines, and enlisting new homicide detectives in droves. But no matter how many resources law enforcement used, they seemed no closer to catching what the media dubbed “a cunning sex killer.” Until, one day, the citizens of Memphis just so happened to solve the case for the authorities. This is part one of a two-part series.Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Andrea MarshbankEdited by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixe

Here’s a preview of a new podcast I think you’ll enjoy. Amid the nuclear threat of the Cold War, America's prized secrets were falling into the hands of its sworn enemy, the Kremlin. The FBI's hunt for the leak led to an astonishing discovery—the mole was one of its own, special agent Robert Hanssen. For two decades, Hanssen masqueraded as a devoted patriot while ruthlessly selling out his country, trading classified intelligence to the Soviet Union and later Russia, in exchange for cash and diamonds. He was a whirlwind of contradictions—a self-proclaimed patriot and a traitor; a family man who sexually betrayed his wife; an ardent man of God and a sinner. In this CBS News limited series, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett delves into the shocking contradictions and life of Robert Hanssen, whose impact shaped U.S intelligence history. Listen to Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen wherever you get your podcasts.

One of television's most popular true-crime series is now adapted for your ears with the “48 Hours” podcast. Every week, award-winning CBS News correspondents investigate the most intriguing crime and justice cases. Here’s a preview of a new “48 Hours” episode, “The Night ofthe Idaho Student Murders”. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant sits down with family members of Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle, two of the four University of Idaho students shockingly murdered the night of November 13, 2022. You can hear the rest of this episode on the “48 Hours” podcast from CBS News. For even more “48 Hours”, listen to the new “Post Mortem” series every Tuesday, where the correspondents and producers share their first hand experiences reporting on the compelling cases they cover.Listen to 48 Hours ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts: Wondery.fm/48_SFTC

When 54-year-old Judi Beunoano was executed by the State of Florida on March 30th of 1998, she was widely known as Florida’s Black Widow. And that’s because, over the course of 12 years, Judi had made attempts on the lives of these four innocent men: James Edgar Goodyear, Bobby Joe Morris, Michael Arthur Goodyear, and John Wesley Gentry II. Two husbands, one fiancé, and one son. No one was safe from Judi. For all of Judi’s victims, she collected - or would have collected - huge amounts of money as the beneficiary of multiple life insurance policies. Judi needed a way to pay for her lavish lifestyle. Eventually, Judi would pay the ultimate price.Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley Sources:Sponsors for this episode:Today’s show is sponsored by Newspapers.com - my biggest resource for the show. U

In 1987, a circuit court judge and his wife, a former city council woman, who wanted to be mayor, were murdered in their home in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was obviously a professional hit. Vincent Sherry was a former criminal defense attorney who had defended members of the Dixie Mafia. Now, he was putting criminals away. Margaret Sherry was a fiery republican in a public slap fight with the current democratic mayor. She wanted to clean up the Biloxi strip of seedy night clubs and gambling, which of course, the Dixie Mafia ran. And she wanted to expose corruption in city hall. Who was the real target? It was a conspiracy that would take four years and the determination of their oldest daughter to unravel. Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley Gray & Erica KelleyEdited by Chaes GrayCase Suggestion by listeners: Casey Porter, Eileen Mace & Drew StuartSuggested Reading: Mississippi Mud: Southern Justice & The Dixie Mafia by Edward

By the 1960s, organized crime gangs were well and truly already becoming a presence across the north of the United States, as underworld figures fought for sole control over highly lucrative gambling, illegal alcohol, and prostitution rings. Down south, things were done a slightly different way. But even though one criminal network in particular didn’t have a strict code, this didn’t make them any less dangerous. Based out of Biloxi, MS, they soon monopolized the control of many illicit activities across numerous states where big profits could be made, but only by those willing to be uncompromisingly ruthless. This is the history of the Dixie Mafia. Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Gemma HarrisOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-dixie-mafiaSuggested reading: ‘Wicked Phenix City’ by Faith Serafin, ‘Last Gangster in Austin’ b

Thursday, October 13th of 1994 was a big day for New Orleans. On one side of town, their new police superintendent, Richard Pennington, was being sworn into office. On the other side of town, a beloved mother of three was being murdered. This mother was 32-year-old Kim Marie Groves. As a result of Kim’s unfortunate death at the hands of dirty police officers, the New Orleans Police Department’s rampant corruption would be exposed, and Superintendent Pennington’s reign as the head of the NOPD would be forever changed.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: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/kim-grovesSponsors for this episode:This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/southern and get on your way to being yo

In 1927, a young woman met a violent end in a Chattanooga hotel. Reports on how she came to her death are mixed, but the legend of her gruesome story persists almost 100 years later, and for good reason. The tragic young woman’s spirit is said, along with the ghosts of many others, some from the Civil War era, to haunt not only the room where she died but the entire establishment where she spent her final days. Fire, flood, a near-duel, and an infamous mobster are all part of the colorful, yet macabre and paranormal legend of the south’s longest continuously running - though still magnificent - hotel. This is the history of Annalisa Netherly and the Read House in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Gemma HarrisOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica KelleySources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/annalisa-netherlyTo enter the lottery for a night in room 311:

In January of 1999, 30 year old Belinda Temple, who was eight months pregnant, was found shot to death in her closet in Katy, Texas. Her husband, David Temple, was tried and convicted twice for the murder of his pregnant wife. But when the jury at his second trial in 2019 became deadlocked in the punishment phase, a mistrial was declared. David appealed, and the long wait for resentencing began. This is an update on Episodes 127 & 128: The Belinda Temple Case. Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Gemma Harris Additional writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley

In January of 1999, 30 year old Belinda Temple, who was eight months pregnant, was found shot to death in her closet in Katy, Texas. Her husband, David Temple, was the obvious first suspect. But there wasn’t much evidence to connect him to the murder and he was seen on store cameras during the suspected time of the murder. But he had the oldest motive in the world. And Harris County DA’s Office would take almost five years to finally bring charges against him. The complicated legal wranglings and clash of two courtroom titans made this case a national sensation. And sometimes the very real woman, Belinda Temple, and her unborn daughter, Erin, are forgotten in the sensationalism. This is part 1 of 2 episodes. Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley Gray & Erica KelleyWritten by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioSuggested by: Amy Brooks, Landry Moore & Michelle Kimmey

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