61: The Murder of Matthew Shepard
Episode description
Hello and welcome to Crime & Spirits, where your hosts teach you about true crime, spooky stories, and how to make a great cocktail.
Join us this week while we dive into the murder of Matthew Shepard.
On October 6, 1998, Matthew was approached by two men in a bar. They spent the next few hours having some drinks and chatting. At the end of the night, these two men offered to give Matthew a ride home. Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson had nefarious intentions that night. The two proceeded to attack Matthew. They beat and robbed him before tying him to a fence. Left for dead, Matthew was found 18 hours later. His injuries proved to be fatal a few days after the attack.
Matthew's murder sparked a national discussion regarding the LGBTQ+ community and how the law may or may not protect them. Matthew was open about his sexuality and very active in advocacy groups in Laramie. Was Matthew attacked simply because he was deemed to be an easy target? Or was there something more behind their motivation? Join Bree and Suze while they discuss the details of what happened to Matthew on that fateful night and how his death impacted the lives of so many over 20 years later.
For sipping along this week, we're mixing up a "Cowboy Cocktail."
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Thank you for your love and support. It means the world to us! Now, buckle up buttercups and sip tight. It's time to get on with the show!
My darling listener, if anything we talk about during this story resonates with you in any way, or if you know someone who may need assistance of some kind, you can contact the following foundations and helplines:
Nationally Available:
- The LGBTQ+ National Hotline in the US & Canada: 1-888-843-4564
- The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
- Sherlock's Homes Foundations: https://sherlockshomes.org/
- Love On A Mission: https://loveoneamission.org
Local to Erie:
- Compton's Table: https://comptonstable.org or text/call: 814-580-8185
- Northwest Pennsylvania Pride Alliance: https://www.nwpapride.org/