Trials are over, as Fred Kray begins his investigation into the suspicious death of Alydar, tracking down reluctant witnesses even as doors slam in his face. Persistent, determined, Fred continues to connect the dots, that may exonerate an innocent man while providing answers to the many questions surrounded the death of the beloved, magnificent race horse, Alydar. Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com, July 2024. A...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 108
Jill welcomes guest, Christine Dana, an ‘all things’ Long Island Serial Killer expert! A resident of Long Island, Christine has witnessed Rex Heuermann in court, visited his home, Gilgo Beach, Oak Beach- and she shares all of her insights in the case, including his recent court appearance! This is an important update since The Lost Girls, Ep 24, 25 & 26, plus mini-case episode- “Let the Games Begin” (9/27/21)! #LISK #Gilgo Rex Heuermann Bail Application – click! Listen to Christine Dana’s po...
Jul 18, 2024•57 min•Ep. 107
Broken- the story for horse lovers continues! Alton Stone’s trial continues and proves to be a revelation for what happened in Alydar’s stall that chilly night at Calumet’s stallion barn, in 1990. Verdict in, federal prosecutors are not done, as the trials of disgraced former President of Calumet Farm, JT Lundy, and former Calumet CFO Gary Matthews takes an unconventional turn, as Jill delves into assumptions, lies, and conspiracy theories in the search of the truth! If you enjoyed the episode, ...
Jul 11, 2024•47 min•Ep. 106
Suspicions that Alydar had been killed for the insurance money have surfaced, as the Blue Grass Kentucky rumor mill churns. By 1998, the feds have a grand jury investigating, with watchman Alton Stone indicted for perjury. As his trial begins, it's clear Prosecutor Julia Tomala isn’t gunning for Stone, but squeezing him to get to the true bad guy. (Happy 4th America!) Leave a 5-star review if you support the Murder Shelf Book Club podcast wherever you listen! Sources, photos, diagrams, snack &am...
Jul 03, 2024•47 min•Ep. 105
Nov. 13, 1990: It was a quiet autumn night at Calumet Farm, of Blue Grass Kentucky, home to some of the most valuable thoroughbred racehorses in the USA. One, Alydar, had settled into his stall, only to be discovered by a nightwatchman, to have broken his leg. What on Earth had happened? Investigations begin, leading to over 30 years of inquiry, examination, and suspicions, as Jill delves into the oldest cold case in American thoroughbred racing- Was it an accident or where nepharious forces at ...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 104
The anticipation gave way to enthusiastic energy as Crimecon began in Nashville, May 31- June 2, 2024. These are Jill's "Reflections" on an amazing true crime weekend, rooted in ethics, decency and remembering the victims. Speakers, experts, law enforcement, victims, and family members who represent every aspect of true crime spoke, shared, and educated. The 3 Johns: John Douglas, the original "Mindhunter", John Walsh, honored for founding the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children a...
Jun 19, 2024•23 min•Ep. 103
Bestselling author and true crime superstar, Aphrodite Jones, discusses her new book, Levi’s Eyes with Jill in this exclusive interview! The ladies leave no stone unturned! What did convicted killer, Karl Karlsen tell Aphrodite over two long years!? What kind of monster IS Karl Karlsen? AND from deep within the Karlsen homestead, her conversations with Cindy Karlsen, whose story has never been told before. “The depth of this interview is amazing…glimpsing the evil hidden deep within” – Murder Bo...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 102
Part 3: As Cindy and Karl separate, suspicions about Karl’s involvement in son Levi’s death grow, leading Cindy to resort to very dangerous methods to stay safe while getting to the truth. Arrested, a murder trial looms over Karl, who protests his innocence. And while justice is delayed, its bittersweet arrival provides solace even as the love of money proves to be the source of all evil. Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbo...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 101
Part 2: Karl and 2nd wife, Cindy, settle into married life, with son, Alex joining the family. But the bad luck that follows Karl strikes again and again, with more trauma and deaths occurring, leaving soot and sorrow in their wake. Growing pains abound, life presents twists and turns, but tragedy is never far behind, as Cindy begins to wonder- Is all coincidence? (Listen to Part 1- Ep 87- first, this story is complex!) Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on ...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 100
See Part 1, Part 2, and Jill's exclusive interview with the author, Ep 30, 31 and 33! January 2021. In Part 3, 2ndCast: Cecilia’s Curse, Jill wonders if Cecilia Ludwig cursed Mishawaka, Indiana with her dying breath. Explore the bizarre and twisted legacy of Cecilia Ludwig’s murder by husband, Albin Ludwig, the prosecutor, Joseph Talbot and his family, neighbors and friends alike, following the ripples from the stone tossed in the pond across the century. Did Cecilia get justice? Listen and find...
May 04, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 39
Crimecon Nashville 2024 is happening in one month! Come meet Jill, yack about true crime and delve into our books & cases at Crimeon! 11:15ish PM after John Douglas on Friday May 31, 2024, Falls Bar at the hotel! AND~ Jill is currently featuring the true crime book, Levi’s Eyes by Aphrodite Jones—the bestselling author and true crime maven, who is ALSO at Crimecon. Listen to series and catch Jill’s interview with Aphrodite too! Listen! https://linktr.ee/murdershelfbookclub.com ANNOUNCEMENT- ...
May 01, 2024•2 min•Ep. 99
Part 1: Meet the Karlsens, Christina, Karl and their 3 small children. Living in Murphys, California, Christmas 1990 was filled with mistletoe, ribbons and home-made cookies. But the joy was cut short, with tragedy striking. Grieving, the Karlsens move across the country to Romulus, NY, trying to settle into a new life. But back in California, investigators dig into the events of New Year’s Day 1991, where Christina Karlsen lost her life in a devastating fire. With question unanswered, suspicion...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 98
Charged with 1st degree murder, Byron Smith’s trial beings for shooting Nicholas Brady and Haile Kifer to death in his basement on Thanksgiving 2012. Armed with damning evidence, the Prosecution presents its case of calculated revenge, as the Defense presents the Defendant as a fearful man, who only wanted to defend himself against violent intruders. The wheels of justice turn, with some stunning decisions, as debates erupt over the Castle Doctrine vs homicide, with very real consequences for le...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 97
In Pt 2, with two teenagers dead, the Byron Smith investigation heats up, focusing on the rash of burglaries that had occurred recently, including those at Smith’s previously, with damning conclusions. Accomplices and witnesses are interviewed, arrests are made, and another search warrant unearths the ‘mother lode’ of evidence that turns this case upside down, causing huge media surge and dividing the town, state and country in this divisive, emotional case of self-defense vs homicidal rage. Sou...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 96
Enjoying a day with the family, Lead Investigator Jeremy Luberts is called into work at the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office to look into a concerning call. Arriving at the Elm Street residence, a retired Byron Smith meets him, telling him two burglars had broken into his house, and he’d defended himself, shooting them. With 2 dead bodies, Jeremy Luberts begins an investigation that would change the small town of Little Falls, Minnesota and spark contentious debate across the country, changing h...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 95
In Part 4 on Frozen in Fear, Jill chats with our author and survivor of the East Area Rapist, Jane Carson-Sandler. Jane went from being a victim to a ‘Survivor-Thriver’, taking back control over her life, an extraordinary life of service, giving, and caring for others. You may want to listen to Ep 1 & 2 on Michelle McNamara’s book on the Golden State Killer, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark in conjunction with this trilogy. Donation Opportunity: Hope Haven of Lowcounty - Child Advocacy & Rape Ce...
Feb 29, 2024•39 min•Ep. 94
Part 3: In this uplifting conclusion of the Frozen in Fear trilogy, the voices of the survivors of the East Area Rapist are raised, allowing us to see how these brave souls overcame adversity, trauma, and worse, taking back control, rejecting fear Updating what’s happened since the 2018 arrest of EAR-the Golden State Killer, Jane Carson-Sandler and her sister survivors reflect on his arrest, and what’s happened since, as they enjoy the best revenge- living productive, satisfying lives. You may w...
Feb 15, 2024•40 min•Ep. 93
In Part 2- Struggling to climb out of the dark hole in the aftermath of rape, other challenges test Jane’s resolve and faith as she finds herself in rehab. With more rapes happening, Jane recounts the lessons learned from counselling & her work with other rape victims. And more voices of other EAR rape survivors are heard, sharing the impact he had on their lives, and their decisions to live their lives fully, on their own terms. You may want to listen to Ep 1 & 2 on Michelle McNamara’s ...
Feb 01, 2024•57 min•Ep. 92
Written by the 5th Victim of the East Area Rapist, Frozen in Fear tells Jane Carson-Sandler’s story of living a normal, fulfilling life in California in 1976- until the day a ski masked intruder, aka E.A.R., broke in and viciously raped her. Surviving, Jane shares how the rape impacted her life, the shame and guilt, loss of self-esteem, and anger, all feelings shared by many of other E.A.R. rape victims. Painful unanswered questions are asked; Who was this guy? Why is he doing this? —And Jill pr...
Jan 18, 2024•44 min•Ep. 91
Happy New Year 2024! Part 3: Franklin, Virginia was home to murder victim, Trent Whitley and the authors Anne Varner and Karen DeVanie. These energetic, dedicated ladies are also the hosts of the Sugar-Coated Murder podcast. Karen and Ann chat with Jill about how their book came about, their perseverance and determination to tell Trent’s story, and how they managed to get the insider information on the killers! You won't believe whose advice they rejected and the rush to publish before disaster ...
Jan 04, 2024•44 min•Ep. 90
Part 2: Trent Whitley’s family struggles with his loss and the uncertainty of what happened to their precious son. Certain someone knows something, Delores Whitley makes repeated appeals for that someone to come forward. Meanwhile, a killer’s life fractures under the weight of the responsibility for killing an innocent classmate. He knows only a confession can save him, but betraying his bloody partner is fraught with peril as paranoia and conspiracy theories plague him. When the truth is finall...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 89
Part 1: Blinding flash. BANG- and the target was dead. A missing person report was filed in Franklin, Virginia by anxious parents, searching for their precious teenager. The investigation would follow lead after lead, to no avail. Suspects would emerge, but those responsible would not fall under suspicion, as the frightened family held vigils, offered rewards, and paced with worry, night after night. Why a conspiracy to commit murder? How had 'The Plan' evolved? How did was the target selected? ...
Dec 06, 2023•58 min•Ep. 88
Part 3: With the families engrossed, the prosecution of Sean Vincent Gillis begins, with the Defense committed to saving his life and avoiding the death penalty. With his 40-hour confession, this should be a slam dunk, but it is far from that! Legal maneuvering calls for mistrial, and surprise rulings impact the trial’s progression. Then, the battle of the neuropsychologists begins, as they delve into Sean’s mental illness. WHY did Sean murder and dismember? Why are cardinal human taboos violate...
Nov 22, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 87
In Part 2, They get it. With over 60 women dead, Baton Rouge Sheriff Offices realize they have a serial killer on the loose! But they’re wrong. There are TWO; the murders of Sean Vincent Gillis are camouflaged by those of Derrick Todd Lee. No one is looking for Sean Gillis. As the victims’ families mourn, the investigation intensified, DNA works its magic, and finally, the police follow the tracks to Sean Gillis door. Arrested, he cannot stop talking, sharing the gruesome details of murder and d...
Nov 09, 2023•59 min•Ep. 86
Part 1: In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a gruesome murder is discovered, with the Sheriff’s office investigating, but the case goes cold. Repeat this over and over, and over as serial killer, Sean Vincent Gillis, kills and mutilates all over the area. An elderly woman and a housewife, he mostly preys largely on sex workers. But--no woman is safe-- the fear real. And he’s NOT the only one! WHO is Sean Vincent Gillis? Source material, show notes, photographs, maps are found on Jill’s blog at www.murder...
Oct 26, 2023•59 min•Ep. 85
Part 3: Now deep into the murder motive, each of the suspects are investigated and the evidence scrutinized fully. Who had a motive and opportunity to commit murder? Who benefitted from the death of Amy Robsart? Given the court verdict, what happened to the suspects? And Jill shares her theory on how Lady Dudley, Amy Robsart died! 2nd cast looks ahead to 1567: Seven year later, Elizabeth I’s cousin, the King-Consort of Scotland, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley is found strangled to death. Another cou...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 84
Part 2: Jill discusses Crimecon 2023 in Orlando! Being on Podcast Row, meeting her Murder Bookies and meeting so many in the True Crime community! ~Then, she continues the story of Lady Amy Robsart, found dead at the bottom of the stairs. In every royal court in Europe, and across every town and hamlet in England, the people of England wonder what to believe of their beautiful, young and unmarried Queen, Elizabeth I, whose relationship with Amy’s husband, Robert Dudley, is described widely as “m...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 83
Part 1: 1560: Tudor England. Amidst rumors of adultery, poisoning divorce, and murder, Lady Amy Dudley, nee Robsart, was found dead at the foot of the stairs. Immediately, suspicion fell upon her husband, Lord Robert Dudley, favorite of the newly ascended Queen of England, Elizabeth I. Had he done away with his wife to marry the Queen? The investigation, interviews, interrogations, and inquest does little to snuff out the speculation and debate—How did Amy Dudley die? Accident, Suicide, or Murde...
Sep 14, 2023•55 min•Ep. 82
And find Jill on PODCAST ROW AT CRIMECON 2025 DENVER!!! So EXCITED! Use cod murdershelf and save 10% on your badge! www.crimecon.com/CC25 UPDATE! We met Russ Faria after he was charged with the murder of his wife, Betsy. Wrongfully convicted, Russ spend 3 years in prison, until he was finally exonerated (Ep 40-44). Enter new DA, Mike Wood, who begins investigating the investigators for corruption, determined to right the unbelievable wrongs. In an alleged effort to derail the investigation, form...
Aug 31, 2023•26 min•Ep. 81
Part 4: Our author, the "most prolific cold case investigator in the United States for single-event homicides", Chief Clay Bryant chats with Jill, discussing his cold case investigations and a bit on life itself. His common sense and down to earth brilliance shines through, as Clay shares moments that simply take your breath away—What were the odds THAT could have happened? Get the inside story of the next book, on yet another cold case he solved and another killer off the streets. Murder Bookie...
Aug 17, 2023•56 min•Ep. 80
