For years, Gone South has been a podcast about crime in the American South. But in Season 5, we’re widening the lens.Through deeply reported, narrative-driven stories—and conversations with journalists, historians, musicians, and people who’ve lived these stories firsthand—we’re digging into the myths, scandals, and power structures that still shape the South… and, in many ways, the country itself.From re-examining the cultural meaning of the Alamo to tracing the family history of Alex Murdaugh to investigating the federal indictment of New Orleans’s former mayor, each episode stands alone. Together, they paint a picture of what this region really is and how it came to be.Gone South is a show for people who want to understand how history lingers and why it still matters now.Written and hosted by award-winning journalist Jed Lipinski, Gone South is the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Achievement in Journalism.Previous serialized seasons include:Season 1: Who Killed Margaret Coon?Season 2: The Dixie MafiaSeason 3: The Sign CutterFollow Gone South to get new episodes every week.
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Max Marshall's book "Among the Bros" exposes a sophisticated, multi-million-dollar Xanax operation tied to the College of Charleston's Kappa Alpha fraternity, which involved counterfeit pills, a grenade launcher, and interstate drug trafficking. The episode explores how Max gained the trust of an imprisoned ringleader, Mikey Schmidt, to uncover the network's inner workings, its rapid expansion driven by campus demand and low-risk Xanax dealing, and the eventual downfall marked by betrayal and uneven justice, highlighting the deep appeal of frat culture and the stark reality of privilege.
When Australian comedian John Safran flew to Rankin County, Mississippi to confront a white nationalist named Richard Barrett with a surprise DNA test, he had no idea the man would be killed eleven months later — by a 22-year-old Black neighbor he'd hired to do yard work. Safran returned to Mississippi to write his first true-crime book, expecting a clear-cut story about racism and a perfect victim. What he found instead was something stranger: a town built on things left unspoken, a killer who ...
In 2003, Dennis Perry was convicted of the 1985 murders of Harold and Thelma Swain at Rising Daughter Baptist Church in Spring Bluff, Georgia. He was innocent. He would spend the next 20 years, six months, and ten days behind bars. This episode of Gone South tells the Georgia Church Murders story through Dennis's eyes — from his arrest and interrogation by detective Dale Bundy, to his trial, his two life sentences, and the years he spent inside Jimmy Autry State Prison waiting for someone to bel...
In 1985, Harold and Thelma Swain were shot and killed during Bible study at Rising Daughter Baptist Church in Spring Bluff, Georgia. The double murder went unsolved for years — until a man named Dennis Perry was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two life terms for a crime he almost certainly didn't commit. In 2019, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Josh Sharpe began investigating the case for the Georgia Innocence Project. What he found was damning: a botched investigation, unreliable wi...
This episode of Gone South re-examines the unsolved Axeman murders that plagued New Orleans in 1918. Former editor James Karst sifts through archives to uncover the earliest attacks, the chilling modus operandi, and the city's panic, including the bizarre "Axeman letter" demanding jazz music. The investigation highlights Joseph Mumphrey, an alleged Black Hand extortionist, whose criminal past and eventual death at the hands of a victim's wife offer a compelling, though unofficial, resolution to the terror.
Initially hailed for sending underprivileged Black students to elite universities through viral acceptance videos, TM Landry's inspiring story unraveled under investigation by New York Times reporters. They uncovered a sophisticated scheme involving fabricated transcripts, ghostwritten essays emphasizing false trauma, and a culture of control and abuse by its founder, Mike Landry. The scandal ultimately highlighted not only the founder's deception but also systemic vulnerabilities in college admissions that disproportionately affect minority students, contrasting with later exposed fraud by wealthy families.
Patterson Hood grew up in Florence, Alabama — a deeply conservative, Bible Belt town where his father was quietly making history. David Hood was a session bassist for the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, recording with Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, and Wilson Pickett at a time when it wasn't always safe to go to dinner with the artists you were recording with. Patterson learned early not to mention his dad's job at school. When people asked what church his father attended, he changed the sub...
Before the Civil Rights Movement's major victories of the 1960s, a pro wrestler named Sputnik Monroe was already integrating Memphis, Tennessee one arena at a time. Born Roscoe Brumbaugh in Dodge City, Kansas, Monroe became one of the most beloved figures in Memphis wrestling history, counting Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash among his friends and fans. This episode of Gone South tells the story of how Monroe — a white heel wrestler with a bleached streak in his hair and a gift for provocation — us...
This episode explores the bizarre journey of a lampshade found in post-Katrina New Orleans, initially dismissed as a strange artifact but later claimed to be "Nazi." Journalist Mark Jacobson's investigation uncovers conflicting DNA results suggesting human origin, delves into the historical myth of human-skin lampshades, and reveals the lampshade's seller to be the notorious "Cemetery Bandit." The mystery deepens as museums reject the controversial item, and the true providence remains an unsolved puzzle, prompting reflections on man's capacity for cruelty and the power of urban legends.
Explore the shocking 1903 assassination of influential South Carolina journalist Narciso Gonzalez by Lieutenant Governor James Tillman. This episode delves into the bitter, years-long feud between Gonzalez, a fearless critic, and the powerful Tillman political machine, led by Ben 'Pitchfork Ben' Tillman, architect of Jim Crow. It reveals the bloodline politics, raw violence, and the fight over press power that shaped the state's history, culminating in a murder trial engineered for acquittal and a legacy that still resonates today.
This episode delves into the federal case against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, focusing on her alleged misuse of public resources for personal gain and a controversial relationship with her security guard, Jeffrey Vappi. It traces Cantrell's impressive rise from a post-Katrina neighborhood leader to the city's first female mayor, contrasting her early successes with a tumultuous second term characterized by international travel controversies, surging crime, and a failed recall attempt. The indictment, rich in personal detail, highlights the intricate web of power, ambition, and the human element behind a major political scandal, ultimately leading to a reflection on the demanding nature of governing New Orleans.
This episode delves into the complex and controversial history of the Alamo, exploring how the 1836 battle became a powerful political myth. It traces the Texas Revolution back to conflicts over American immigration and slavery, challenging the traditional heroic Anglo-narrative. The discussion covers the roles of figures like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, the state-sponsored promotion of the myth, and the emergence of revisionist history, culminating in modern-day backlash and academic debate.
The premiere episode of "Murder at the U" revisits the 2006 murder of University of Miami football player Bryan Pata, a case that remained cold for over a decade. It highlights the Pata family's profound frustration with the lack of police progress and how an unusual plea from Miami PD initiated an ESPN investigation. The episode paints a picture of Pata's vibrant college life, his deep ties to "The U" and his family, contrasted with the haunting revelation of his hidden fears and premonitions of danger before his death.
This episode delves into the 1932 "Goat Castle" murder of former Southern belle Jenny Merrill, which captured national attention due to the eccentric white suspects: a failed concert pianist and an aging socialite living in a decaying mansion overrun with goats. Beneath the sensational headlines, historian Karen Cox unearths the true tragedy: Emily Burns, a young Black woman, was unjustly blamed and erased from history under the Jim Crow legal system. The episode explores the historical context of Natchez, the characters involved, and Cox's journey to write Emily Burns back into the narrative.
The podcast delves into the 2015 Dylann Roof shooting at Emanuel AME Church, sparked by an FBI chief's apparent memory lapse, and explores its deeper historical roots in Charleston's Confederate past. It chronicles the contentious fight to remove the Confederate flag and John C. Calhoun statue, revealing the complex public reactions and the moral dilemmas surrounding justice for Roof. The episode ultimately questions what the country chooses to remember or forget about its racial history.
This episode delves into the 2023 shooting of Scott Spivey, initially ruled self-defense following a road-rage incident and nine-mile chase. Spivey's sister, Jennifer Foley, tirelessly investigates, uncovering a trove of evidence including recorded phone calls and bodycam footage that expose significant police misconduct, conflicts of interest, and a manipulated narrative. Her civil lawsuit forces the release of crucial files, leading to public outcry, terminated officers, and ultimately, a judge rejecting the shooter's Stand Your Ground claim, raising questions about justice and gun laws.
Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein explores the Murdaugh family's century-long legal dynasty, arguing that the true story behind Alex Murdaugh's crimes lies in the deeply complicated men who preceded him. The episode chronicles the rise of Randolph Murdaugh Sr., "Buster" Murdaugh, and Randolph Murdaugh III, detailing their ruthless tactics, corruption, and the system they bent to maintain power in Hampton County, South Carolina. It culminates in the dynasty's downfall, brought about by modernity and Alex's unchecked hubris, ultimately exposing what used to happen in the shadows.
Gone South, the Edward R. Murrow award-winning podcast, is back for a fifth season. Join host Jed Lipinski as he investigates new southern-based stories each week.
Decades after Pauline Pusser's murder, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced findings strongly implicating her husband, Sheriff Buford Pusser, in her death, concluding he staged the famous ambush. The revelations detail forensic inconsistencies, evidence of a self-inflicted wound, and prior domestic violence. This has ignited a passionate debate in Adamsville, forcing the community to confront the truth about its celebrated lawman's legend.
Following the exhumation of Pauline Pusser's body, this episode explores long-held suspicions about her death, which was attributed to an ambush. Reporter Jed Lipinski joins a tour of key sites, where new witnesses, including the bus driver who claims to be first on scene, recount events that contradict Buford's heroic narrative. The episode uncovers tales of Buford's alleged gangster activities, extortion, and a mysterious gun transfer, leading to a cliffhanger as Pauline's autopsy results are finally announced.
In this season finale, Jed Lipinski, host of Gone South, steps into the interviewee chair to reflect on four seasons of the acclaimed true crime podcast. He shares his journey from print journalism to podcasting, detailing how the lack of visuals for his initial story led him to the audio medium and how he overcame discomfort with his own voice. Jed explains the show's narrative style, focusing on human motivations and heroic protagonists rather than just crime, and discusses his unique approach to finding older, untold stories that foster empathy with listeners from the American South.
After a federal witness is gunned down on his mother‘s doorstep, investigators began unraveling a murder conspiracy at the heart of operation sideswipe. In this episode, Reporter Mike Perlstein walks us through a dramatic bond hearing and the shocking details that finally brought two key players to justice. Find us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Twitter . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski ....
Dozens of fake car crashes. Millions in bogus injury claims. And a murder that stunned federal investigators. This episode tells the story of ‘Operation Sideswipe’, the federal probe that uncovered a widespread fraud ring operating on Louisiana highways. Part one of a new two-part series. Find us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Twitter . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski ....
In Part 2, Greg Leon faces trial for the Valentine’s Day shooting. As new attorneys take over, and witness tampering allegations surface, a once-sympathetic defendant watches his case - and his fate - slip out of his hands. Find us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Twitter . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski ....
Greg Leon, a prominent Mexican restaurant owner in South Carolina, became a federal informant in a local corruption probe. This episode traces his rise, his ties to law enforcement, and the events that unfolded after he discovered his wife with another man on Valentine’s Day. Find us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Twitter . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski ....
10 inmates escape from Orleans Parish Prison, located in the heart New Orleans. At the time this episode was released, two are still at large, and one has taken to social media to plead his innocence. Find us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Twitter . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski ....
Dick Harpootlian has defended and prosecuted some of South Carolina’s most high-profile cases. But none left a deeper mark than the murder trial of serial killer PeeWee Gaskins. From prison phone taps to a homemade bomb, Harpootlian recounts the case that still haunts him, and helped define his career. Find us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Twitter . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski ....
Pat Fanning, attorney for notorious New Orleans police officer Len Davis, discusses their unlikely relationship and how he defended a man already on death row. The episode delves into Davis's history, the deeply corrupt NOPD culture, the murder of Kim Groves, and the federal drug protection racket that led to his conviction. Fanning offers insights into Davis's personality and explains why he believes Davis ultimately rejected a presidential commutation to life in prison.
When valuable sculptures begin disappearing from iconic New Orleans cemeteries, a rookie detective is put on the case. His investigation would uncover a bizarre underworld of heroin addicts and antique dealers. Find us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and Twitter . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Gone South with Jed Lipinski ....
