Appalachian Mysteria
Jam Street Media
Welcome to Appalachian Mysteria, a true-crime podcast series focused on crimes committed in the hills and hollers of Appalachia. Hosted by Kendall Parkinson and Sarah James McLaughlin. Check out past seasons: Mared and Karen WVU Coed Murders, Big Savage The Death Of Alexander Stevens, Outlandish, and our new season dedicated to stories brought to us by our listeners.
Away in a Hangar: A Christmas Special
This short Christmas special tells the story of a Pennsylvania Santa Claus (and his chauffeur) who definitely ended up on the naughty list in 1983. Taking listeners from the top of the tallest skyscraper in Pittsburgh to a backwoods hangar in West Virginia, this episode throws our own rules to the wind with a solved case, zero interviews, and way too much humor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wild Updates: Cases Solved! Suspect Killed! Gravestone Stolen!
In one month, the killers of Julie Williams, Lollie Winans and at least two victims of the Colonial Parkway murders are identified. Bill Thomas joins us to discuss the details, and why there are still so many questions unanswered. Meanwhile the grave of Harry Spitz, which inexplicably exploded in 1975, has its headstone stolen by thieves. A Morgantown resident and Appalachian Mysteria producer step up to set things right.
Harry Spitz Gravestone GoFundMe
1:30 – The FBI Press Conference
6:25 – Th
The Sunnyside Rapist (part 2)
In the second of this 2-part series, Jack Edward Hawkins is put on trial without physical evidence for three assaults committed by the Sunnyside rapist, but prosecutors refuse to claim he is a suspect in any others. Neighbors of the Hawkins family come forward to describe their experience with Jack and his children.As Hawkins’ involvement in a 1975 incident comes to light, the Mysteria team learns that a new West Virginia law now makes it impossible to learn details about any sexual ass
The Sunnyside Rapist
Fifteen years after the events of Season 1 (The WVU Coed Murders), Morgantown women are faced with a new predator: a rapist so meticulous and organized that he vanishes through police checkpoints and neighborhood lockdowns every summer.In the first of this two part series, we speak with two women who met the Sunnyside rapist face-to-face at both ends of his 10-year crime spree. Geoff Fuller (season 1) returns to help set the scene for a trial that will become studied internationally.Ela
Hell’s Square Mile, Part 3
In the last of this 3-part series, we examine Mabel’s top suspects in the murder of Walter Curnutte. Years later, Tim and Becky discover an entirely new motive connected to a forged document, a federal racketeering case, South American cocaine, and, potentially, the West Virginia mafia. 1:30 – Mabel’s top suspects15:54 – Modern day rumors18:41 – The Spadafore Conspiracy24:05 – The Puerto Rican doctor28:30 – A landing strip?33:23 – The mobThank you to our sponsor June’s Journey! Discov
Hell’s Square Mile, Part 2
After Walter Curnutte’s murder, his sister Mabel takes on the case, recording interviews, writing letters to powerful officials, and hiring a private detective. The community’s war on Walter comes to light – from protests to arson to civil disobedience. We look back at the strange month preceding Walter’s death – including his hiring of Herb Willie, the man tried for his murder. Was Herb a drunken liar, a murderer, or both? A state trooper who investigated the case has an opinion. Tim a
Yelling in my Car: A Specialist Critique of Big Savage (Season 2)
After the Mysteria crew receives a concerned email from a professional working on sexual assault issues, we invite her on the show to critique Season 2, Big Savage. What follows is a discussion of Megan Shaffer’s poor defense, the biological response to trauma, how the absence of expert testimony may have worked against her, and some ways that language affects how we perceive issues surrounding rape. Thank you to our sponsor June’s Journey! Discover your inner detective when you downlo
Hell’s Square Mile, Part 1
This is the beginning of a 3-part story about one square mile of the West Virginia mountains. The story winds its way through a savage war between Indians and settlers, a poor boy adopted into wealth for his ruthlessness, more than one murder trial, the infamous black hand mafia, environmental protests, and international cocaine smuggling.In Part 1, the descendants of West Virginia’s first white settlers find themselves at war with Indian tribes, eventually building a home that will bec
Burning Questions
A WVU alum working for the state prosecutor’s office suddenly finds herself on the scene of a very personal tragedy that could be much more sinister. Much to her dismay, her forensic investigation training is not being employed by authorities in the real world. Meanwhile, the victim’s sister is conducting her own investigation, releasing all of her findings to the public. Was the death of Amber Whitelaw a case of accidental fire or murder? Welcome to the first episode of Season 4! The f
Unattended Death Part 2
This episode contains detective interviews with three students who headed out on the town with Arthur the night he died. After speaking to each of them, a Morgantown detective feels confident that Arthur’s death was primarily due to his intoxication.
Two months later, Arthur’s phone turns on. After tracking the GPS coordinates, police arrive at the home of a bouncer who threw Arthur out of a club just before his death. While the detective tries to figure out whether this was a coincidence, Harri
Unattended Death Part 1
This two-part special introduces the life and death of Arthur Bagenda, an international student at WVU who drowned in a ditch within sight of the Morgantown Police station.In this first episode, we visit the Walnut Street bridge, where a long-time local explains her problems with hard drug users at the site of Arthur's death. We review forensic photographs from the scene, hear from Arthur’s mother about the 19-year-old son she lost, and explain the first 72 hours following the discovery
Bonus- Cradle Will Rock
A child's grave explodes after 63 years underground. As Morgantown police and reporters gather around the coffin, they are shocked to find that his corpse is strangely well-preserved. Cradle Will Rock is the story of the life, death, and disinterment of four-year-old Harry Spitz and his family, as uncovered by co-producer Jordan Carter. This stand-alone episode has been missing from our podcast catalog for two years, and we're finally making it available again.[00:00:00]Cradle Will Rock
Outlandish Extra: Oubliette
In this episode, we take a step back in time to the week Cathy Thomas and Becky Dowski were murdered in the first of several Colonial Parkway murders.
As the crime scene tape still hangs from Becky Dowski’s doorway at William & Mary College, another headline hits the student paper: Three men are being charged in the campus gang rape of another student.
Our guest for this episode was directly involved in that incident, and she helps us use it as a lens through which we can examine some failur
Family Affair (Season 1 Update: Part III)
This episode is the last of a three-part update on Appalachian Mysteria Season 1 — Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. Without a doubt, these three episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.In this episode, Devona Coffey — formerly Devona Daft — finds out about the existence of Geoff and Sarah’s book, and one paragraph in particular makes her blood boil. The passage leads to an emotional confrontation in the holler, and eventually to Devon
Facing Demons (Season 1 Update: Part II)
This episode is the second of a three-part update on Appalachian Mysteria Season 1 — Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. Without a doubt, these three episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.In this episode, we’re reintroduced to Danny Strakal, host of the YouTube series Spirit Walk Paranormal. Danny’s history with the spirit realm began in his childhood, but his full-scale investigations began after the release of our first podcast seaso
Exhumation (Season 1 Update: Part I)
This episode is the first of a three part update on Appalachian Mysteria Season 1 — Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. Without a doubt, these two episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.
In this episode, we’re reintroduced to Albert “Rod” Everly, a National Guardsman who was one of the first people on the scene when the bodies of Mared & Karen were found. As it turns out, Rod has been nursing a theory about the murders for more than 50 years. After
LIVE EVENT! THURSDAY OCTOBER 13!
We're going to be giving a presentation on Season 3, Outlandish, this Thursday night at the Samuels Library in Front Royal Virginia. This is the northern entrance to Shenandoah National Park, where Yvonna Malbasha was accosted and Julie and Lollie were found brutally murdered. Thursday, October 13 @ 6pm
Samuels Library, Front Royal, VA
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Trailed
As Appalachian Mysteria finished covering the story of Julie and Lollie, author Kathryn Miles completed her own book about the murders. In this episode, Kathryn uses her total access to Dierdre Enright's evidence to bring to light new information — including how we've been wrong about a key piece of evidence.
Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders — Purchase Kathryn’s book here.
Interviewees:
Kathryn Miles — Kathryn Miles is an award-winning journalist and science writer.
Abandoned Summit
Darrell Rice is released from prison, but the publicity of his indictments makes a normal life elusive. The FBI plans a summit to examine other possible murders by Evonitz, but it falls by the wayside. Two decades later, we give it a shot.
Description / Show Notes: The Pamela Gould Special — We’re hosting this 24-page special investigation from the Fredericksburg Freelance-Star until it is made available elsewhere. If you want to dive deep on the comparisons of Rice, Evonitz, and forensic eviden
Strategic Reasons
Forensic evidence throws the upcoming trial of Darrell Rice into upheaval, and an unexpected conclusion leads to yet another indictment. Several of our guests openly disagree on the final results. Resources: “Witness Point Out Suspect as Abductor” — Washington Post article on the Shomo trialThank you to our sponsor June's Journey. Download June’s Journey free today on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Thank you to our sponsor Switchcraft! Download Switchcraft for free and unlock the m
All Wrong, All the Time?
We examine key evidence in the pre-trial hearings of Darrell Rice: jailhouse informants, the audio recording that gave rise to hate crime charges, a shifting timeline, and a phone call that Rice’s defense attorney calls “a bizarre piece of evidence”. Description / Show Notes: Interviewees: Jerry (Gerald) Zerkin: One of Rice’s defense attorneys in the double-homicide of Julie & LollieThank you to our sponsor June's Journey. Download June’s Journey free today on the Apple App Store or
Survival Mode
Summary: Kara Robinson makes an escape, putting all the information she memorized to good use. Evonitz goes on the run. Kara talks to us about the complex ethics of telling stories like hers in the true crime genre, and explains what “trauma-informed” media looks like. Description / Show Notes: Resources and Links: Escape From Captivity — Oxygen Network documentary made with the involvement of Kara Robinson Interviewees: Kara Robinson Chamberlain — The survivor who ended the career of serial kil
Death Notice
The Attorney General of the United States announces the indictment of Darrell Rice. We review the life story of the serial killer responsible for the deaths of Sofia Silva and the Lisk sisters, and interview his final victim about her abduction.
Resources and links: Into the Water — Diane Fanning’s true crime book about the serial killer responsible for the deaths of Sofia Silva and the Lisk sisters Escape From Captivity — Oxygen Network documentary made with the involvement of Kara Robinson Int
Kindness and Fear
Summary: As murders and abductions haunt Lignum, Rt 29, and Shenandoah National Park, three children are taken from their front yards less than 30 miles away. The girls are the first known victims of a serial killer who will become an important part of our story.
Resources and links: Into the Water — Diane Fanning’s true crime book about the serial killer responsible for the deaths of Sofia Silva and the Lisk sisters Interviewees: Diane Fanning — Author of 15 true crime books and 11 novels
Thank
Once Upon a Time in the West
We investigate claims that the Park Service has a history of transferring troubled rangers. An NPS whistleblower explains a coverup culture within the agency, and shares the story of a ranger who investigated both the Shenandoah and Colonial Parkway murders.
Resources and Links: The Case of the Indian Trader — The book in which Paul Berkowitz extensively documents his investigation at Hubbell Trading Post. Recommended for fans of police procedurals. Culture of Sexual Harrassment — Washington Pos
Exploring Substantial Similarities
Eight Years Earlier: The Navy undertakes “purges” of lesbians from its ranks. The first of Virginia’s Colonial Parkway murders looks eerily familiar. A southern con-man helps find the killer — and defrauds the victims’ families. Resources and links: The Lover’s Lane Murders — Oxygen Network show about the Colonial Parkway murders, for which guest Bill Thomas served as consulting producer. Mind Over Murder — Entire podcast covering all the details of the Colonial Parkway Murders. Hosted
1996
Someone is pulling over dozens of women on a road just 15 miles from Skyline Drive. Alicia Reynolds disappears. At least three bodies turn up in a small hamlet nearby. The Innocence Project fights to free a man convicted of murder.Resources and links: Rt 29 Stalker — Unsolved Mysteries Wiki Twenty Years Later — Article by Scott Shenk on the 20th anniversary of the murder of Alicia Showalter Reynolds.Interviewees: Scott Shenk — Reporter with the Fredericksburg Freelance-Star.Thank you to
It Felt Like The World Exploded
A massive hunt for Julie & Lollie's killer begins. Some demand a hate crime investigation, drawing parallels to the attack of another lesbian couple hiking the Appalachian Trail. A lesbian defense lawyer finds herself arguing for the prosecution.Resources and links: "Panic Defense" — Podcast episode from Criminal with Phoebe Judge explaining the fascinating history of the gay/trans panic defense. "In the Hollow" — 15-minute documentary/short film featuring Claudia Brenner returning
Raveling Out
The unsolved murder of a young couple in Shenandoah National Park shakes the gay and lesbian communities. One year later, a bicyclist is assaulted in the same area, and authorities begin to suspect him of serial murder.
Resources and Links: "Murder on the Mountain" (1996) — Barry Yeoman's article quoted and discussed in this episode. Trail map of Shenandoah National Park — Julie and Lollie were killed just off the Skyland / Big Meadows Horse Trail, not far from Skyline Drive.
Interviewees: Yvonn
Season Three Trailer - Outlandish
A lesbian couple is found brutally murdered near the Appalachian Trail. As authorities build the first federal hate crime prosecution in the nation's history, a web of horrific crimes creeps down the Blue Ridge mountains into the heart of Virginia. A special agent who has been on the case for twenty five years uncovers details. Season 3 of Appalachian Mysteria explores the terrifying characters and narratives that weave through these stories, culminating in the violent death of a serial
Fitting the Crime Part 2 - Testing Truth
The conviction of Glen Woodall begins to look suspicious as a rookie lawyer ushers West Virginia into a new era of DNA testing. Prosecutors fight the new forensic method tooth and nail, but the results will uncover a trail of crime unprecedented in U.S. history.Download June’s Journey free today on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Download Switchcraft for free and unlock the magical mystery!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choice
Fitting the Crime Part 1 - A Town On Edge
As ice storms sweep over Huntington, WV, a masked rapist is stalking the mall. After two abductions, suspicion falls on a nearby grave-digger with a checkered past. As evidence begins piling up, a forensic science superstar helps set the stage for a court case that will echo through West Virginia history more than anyone can possibly know. (This episode does not contain graphic details of sexual assault, but the topic matter is mature. Listener discretion advised.) Thank you to our spo
An Important Update
We have several important updates regarding season two, “The Death of Alexander Stevens.” From the current state of Megan Shaffer’s appeals, to the unfortunate death of Alexander’s father and a scandal involving the presiding judge of the case, a lot has happened since the season finale. There's still so much more to come with Sarah and Kendall, so stay tuned for season three titled, “Outlandish” coming soon. Thank you to our sponsor June's Journey. Download June’s Journey free today on
Meet the Minds Behind Appalachian Mysteria Part 2
In a special two-part episode, the president of Jam Street Media, Matty Staudt, sits down with creators of Appalachian Mysteria, Kendall Perkinson, and Sarah James McLaughlin, to talk about their journey creating the first two seasons. Part two focuses on the creation of season two, Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens. Kendall and Sarah go down the rabbit hole of what went into making the season and how it was different from the first. Stick around until the end of the episode to
Meet the Minds Behind Appalachian Mysteria Part 1
In a special two-part episode, the president of Jam Street Media, Matty Staudt, sits down with the creators of Appalachian Mysteria, Kendall Perkinson, and Sarah James McLaughlin, to talk about their journey creating the first two seasons. They discuss their backgrounds, how they got into podcasting, details about each case, and what went into bringing each of these stories to life. Thank you to our sponsor June's Journey. Download June’s Journey free today on the Apple App Store or Google Play!
Mared and Karen: The Magical Plate Decoded
As the true-crime world revels in the decoding of a cipher written by the infamous Zodiac Killer, the team at Appalachian Mysteria have unearthed a discovery of their own. With the help of Dr. Korshi Dosoo, Sarah has decoded the mystical copper plate first introduced to our story in episode two of Mared and Karen. In this episode, we discover the real story behind the plate and learn more about the mystical Morgantown figure who wrote the mysterious text. Thank you to our sponsor June's Journey.
Closure is the Cruelest Word | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
A stranger approaches Teresa as the jury deliberates. The verdict is delivered, and we speak with two jurors about what went on behind closed doors. Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp! Get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mysteria Download June’s Journey free today on the Apple App Store or Google Play.https://junesjourney.io/Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Manner of Death | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
Two medical examiners take the stand. Megan testifies about the entire ordeal, closing out the trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Unanswered, Unasked | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
Kromatic Media sets legal precedent in Maryland by obtaining Megan's 911 call from the morning Alex was found dead. Jay and Tristan – Alex's father and sister – take the stand. Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp! Get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mysteria Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Personal Revelations | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
Sarah and Kendall get personal, Alex's therapist takes the stand, and a stranger testifies about finding Alex on her doorstep one week before High Rock. Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp! Get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mysteria
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The Third Interview | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
Three defense witnesses all make a claim that could swing the jury's opinion. But is there any evidence? One of those witnesses helps to arrange a third police interview, only 48 hours after Alex is found dead. Megan's story has one more important change. Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp! Get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mysteriaLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Trial Begins | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
Sarah and I visit High Rock for ourselves, where a new realization makes the case even more baffling. The trial begins with testimony from Steven Moon and the EMT who first arrived on the scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Folie à Deux? | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
We try to find out who Alex & Megan really were. The second case file discovered by reporters makes the whole situation even more confusing. Pretrial hearings set the stage for an unusual prosecution. Try 5 pairs of glasses at home for free at warbyparker.com/MYSTERIA. Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp! Get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mysteriaLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/
A Significant Event | Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens
Alexander Stevens is found dead in Savage River State Forest. Evidence of a ritual is discovered. A female companion emerges from the woods naked, injured and hypothermic. A strange and confusing tale begins. Try 5 pairs of glasses at home for free at warbyparker.com/MYSTERIA. Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp! Get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mysteria
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Burden of Proof | WVU Coed Murders
In this, the final episode, we talk to a forensic pathologist about the state of the bodies, several characters from Parade of Horribles come back into play, Geoff reveals the identity of his top suspect, and Sarah offers an alternative theory. And finally, we hear how the case may soon be solved.
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Not Letting Go | WVU Coed Murders
In Episode 7, we flash forward to 2006 when a new investigation begins. We discover that the case affected those involved so strongly, they could not let it go. And we update listeners on where the case stands now. Try 5 pairs of glasses at home for free at warbyparker.com/MYSTERIA. Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp! Get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mysteria
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Reasonable Doubt | WVU Coed Murders
The final chapter of Clawson's story. We take a close look at his trials, his multiple confessions, and his potential innocence. We also see how Mared and Karen live on, even almost 50 years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Window of Death | WVU Coed Murders
In this episode, a hard-working state trooper is fired, the governor lashes out at the press, a lost form of media is revisited, and we finally meet the man convicted of killing Mared & Karen.
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Parade of Horribles | WVU Coed Murders
In Episode 4, we examine just a few people on the long, deplorable list of suspects in the murders of Mared & Karen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Séance City | WVU Coed Murders
In Episode 3, the unidentified man at Mared & Karen's makeshift grave is investigated, Triangle is finally revealed, and panic hits WVU.
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88 Days Later | WVU Coed Murders
In Episode 2, the headless bodies of Mared & Karen are finally discovered, a crusading newspaper man is forced into retirement, and the murders take on a decidedly mystical tone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Disappearance | WVU Coed Murders
The epic story of West Virginia's most notorious murders begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Appalachian Mysteria | The WVU Coed Murders
The epic story of West Virginia's most notorious murders begins.
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