On New Year’s day of 2012, 38 year old Shelby Wilkie went missing. She left behind her three month old daughter. Shelby had been planning to leave her abusive husband. Michael Wilkie eventually admitted to burning Shelby’s body, though he insisted he didn’t kill her. He claimed that she committed suicide due to post partum depression. But the blood evidence in their home told a very different story. Sources :https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/45-the-murder-of-shelby-wilkie US National Domest...
Mar 22, 2019•41 min
From 1994 to 2008, a serial predator terrorized the Greater Nashville area. The Wooded Rapist moved like a ghost, through rainy nights, under the cover of trees, assaulting at least fourteen women before he was finally brought to justice. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/44-the-wooded-rapist-robert-jason-burdick Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In th...
Mar 17, 2019•59 min
In 2003, a domestic violence case ended in a hostage stand-off at a Bi-Lo grocery store in Greenville, South Carolina. A young mother lost her life and a cognitively impaired young man was sentenced to death. US National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 UK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247 Australia Rape & Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-737-732 Canada: http://thelifelinecanada.ca ./help/call/ Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/43-hostage-stand-off Episode Suggested by...
Mar 08, 2019•37 min
In the year 2000, Tracy Fortson was the first female deputy at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Department in Georgia. She filed a sexual harassment claim against the department and then her boyfriend went missing. His body was found, Tracy was charged, but to this day she says she was framed. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/42-the-deputy-the-body-builder Suggested Reading: M. William Phelps: Targeted: A Deputy, Her Love Affairs, A Brutal Murder Written, hosted, produced by Erica ...
Feb 28, 2019•47 min
Just before Christmas of 1985, a Corpus Christi couple was brutally slain with a hatchet and knife as they slept in their home. A local policeman was charged with the murders. The DA dropped the charges almost two years later due to lack of evidence, though it was a very strong circumstantial case. 34 years later and no other persons of interest have been investigated. #justice4Gillette If you have any information about this tragic case, please contact the Corpus Christi police department at 361...
Feb 22, 2019•44 min
Known as the “Bitter Blood Murders,” in 1985, first cousins and lovers, Susie Newsom Lynch and Fritz Klenner led police and SBI on a chase that ended in an explosion that killed them and Susie’s two young sons. It was the culmination of a bloody feud that had already left five dead, decimating two prominent families in a Southern Gothic tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/40-the-bitter-blood-murders This case was first reported in a series of art...
Feb 16, 2019•1 hr 4 min
In a tiny town in Tennessee, a young couple are brutally shot, execution style in their home. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother’s arms. Initially police were baffled by the crime, until they uncovered a web of lies and manipulation so bizarre it would catapult the small town into the national spotlight. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/39-catfishing-in-mountain-city-tn Case suggested by Linda Morgan Suggested Reading: Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders ...
Feb 08, 2019•58 min
In 1999, a dedicated rookie police officer on the luxury island of Bald Head, North Carolina, is shot in the back of the head while on duty. Emergency officials destroyed the crime scene and all evidence and the DA quickly closed the case, ruling it a suicide. Her family sued in civil court to get the ruling changed to homicide and the case is still open to this day. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/38-officer-davina-buff-jones Suggested Reading: Out With Three: The Murder and Bet...
Jan 31, 2019•1 hr 1 min
A young mother goes on a personal journey and leaves her deadbeat husband. He couldn’t let that happen. And the press disgustingly blamed her for it. US National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 UK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247 Australia Rape & Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-737-732 Canada: http://thelifelinecanada.ca ./help/call/ Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/37-heather-palumbo-jones Special thanks to suggested by Lindsey Murphy-Thomas for suggesting this ca...
Jan 10, 2019•40 min
Cyntoia Brown was granted clemency by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today. To hear Cyntoia's story, check out episode 9 #freeCyntoiaBrown: A Minor Facing Life in Prison. Sources for the original episode on Cyntoia's case and today's update: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/9-free-cyntoia-brown Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In the Media: https://southernfr...
Jan 08, 2019•8 min
The Christmas Eve murder of a beloved bartender and manager of a gay nightclub in Houma, Louisiana. Hate crime or robbery? Or maybe both. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/36-the-murder-of-robert-lecompte Special Thanks to this episode’s Patreon Producer, Lynn Cummings! Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In the Media: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com ...
Dec 24, 2018•43 min
In 1997, in the tiny town of Santa Claus, Georgia, a former foster child returned to the loving family who had taken him in. Jerry Scott Heidler destroyed their family and almost destroyed the “town who loves children.” Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/35-santa-claus-georgia Suggested Reading: Fear Came to Town: The Santa Claus, Georgia Murders Special Thanks to this episode’s Patreon Producer, Megan Bullard Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Orig...
Dec 15, 2018•50 min
In 1992, A young mother in Atlanta was in a loveless marriage. Her husband was a criminal. She wanted to leave, but he had too many legal connections and kept complete control of their money. When she decided to prove what he was, he had her shot to death in front of their two little boys. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/34-the-execution-of-sara-ambrusko-tokars Special Thanks to listeners Sara Lindsey and John Williams who suggested today’s case. Written, hosted, produced by Eric...
Nov 29, 2018•50 min
In 1974, a feisty, outspoken woman in St. Augustine, FL became embroiled in a ridiculous feud with her neighbors, one that went public and turned most of the old city against her. Then she was brutally murdered with a machete on her own front porch, in broad daylight. And her murderer was set free. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/33-an-inconvenient-woman If you're interested in reading more about this fascinating and infuriating case, please check out "Murder in St. Augustine: Th...
Nov 16, 2018•54 min
Corpsewood Manor in Northern Georgia is an infamous haunted tourist attraction. And many believe it is cursed. Either by the ghosts of the men murdered there, or by a more mysterious and evil entity. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/32-the-corpsewood-manor-murders Reading recommendation: The Corpsewood Manor Murders of North Georgia by Amy Petulla Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harriso...
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr
Double jeopardy protects our citizens from malicious prosecution. But every now and then, the good guys lose. And the bad guy benefits from this protection we all enjoy. The Brenda Schaefer case is an extreme example of dedicated police work and earnest prosecution still losing to abject evil. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/31-justice-denied Special thank you to author Bob Hill. His book, Double Jeopardy, was an incredible resource in researching this case. Written, hosted, prod...
Oct 18, 2018•1 hr 3 min
In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey was bearing down on the gulf coast and a beautiful mother of two vanishes. In the days that followed, Baytown, Texas had to contend with historic rainfall and flooding while searching for Crystal McDowell. But if it wasn't for the storm, her murderer would probably have gotten away with it. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/30-the-disappearance-of-crystal-mcdowell Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graph...
Oct 04, 2018•40 min
The conclusion to the Narcissistic Family Annihilator, Jeffrey MacDonald. MacDonald is a brutal and cold murderer that destroyed his family to save himself and in doing so, brought family annihilators into the public consciousness. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/28-29-jeffrey-macdonald Key: A – Colette MacDonald B – Jeffrey MacDonald AB – Kimberley MacDonald O – Kristen MacDonald Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley H...
Sep 12, 2018•1 hr 17 min
There are some murders that are so intrinsically shocking that we all become obsessed. Known as the family annihilator, these horrific cases dominate our news and social media. This is the historic case of one of the most infamous monsters who destroy their families: Jeffrey MacDonald. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/28-29-jeffrey-macdonald Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamm...
Sep 09, 2018•41 min
The 1980’s were the beginning of a sea change in politics and drug culture in the United States. Listen to this tale of how a cocaine, corruption, a double murder, and a dead patsy trumped justice in one Ozark town. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/27-murder-in-the-ozarks Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In the Media: https://southernfriedtruecrime.c...
Sep 03, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Bonus Episode-- an interview with acclaimed thriller novelist, Laura Lippman. Her modern noir novel, Sunburn, comes out in paperback today! http://www.lauralippman.net https://www.facebook.com/lauralippman Twitter: @LauraMLippman Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In the Media: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Ins...
Jul 31, 2018•41 min
Lauren Agee went to Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tennessee with some "friends" to attend the annual wake-boarding tournament known as WakeFest. They were camping on a steep cliff, 90 feet above the water. She supposedly went to bed Saturday night, and was missing the next morning. She was found hours later by two fishermen, floating dead, face down in a cove. Her death was barely investigated and her friends acted extremely suspicious. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/25-lauren...
Jul 19, 2018•1 hr 1 min
I had a wonderful chat with Dr. Peter Vronsky, author, historian and serial killer expert. He came on the show to discuss his new book, Sons of Cain: A History of Serial Killers from the Stone Age to the Present. We covered everything, from the historical witch hunts, which Peter considers the state sanctioned serial murder of women, to Jack the Ripper and the Golden Age of serial killers, beginning in the 1970’s through the 90’s. And of course, his special relationship to serial killer, Richard...
Jul 11, 2018•35 min
I had a lovely chat with author and historian, Patrick Bowmaster, about his ebook "What the Little Dog Witnessed." He was kind enough to talk to me about his research as well as how he went about getting it published. Special shout out to Richard from the podcast True Crime Historian! For more information, please visit Patrick's blog: https://patrickbowmaster.wordpress.com/ Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by...
Jul 06, 2018•29 min
The Reckoning: The Trials of Perry March is the conclusion to the Janet Levine March series. It took ten years to get Perry March to justice, and he didn’t go down alone. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/20-21-22-janet-levine-march Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In the Media: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfr...
May 29, 2018•54 min
The investigation into the disappearance of Janet Levine March was going cold, but the war between Perry March and the Levines was about to explode. Part 2 of 3. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/20-21-22-janet-levine-march Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In the Media: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecr...
May 22, 2018•48 min
A beautiful young artist, mother and wealthy native of Nashville goes missing. (Part 1 of 3) Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/20-21-22-janet-levine-march Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica Kelley Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio Merch | Donate | In the Media: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta) https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrime https://w...
May 18, 2018•35 min
We're shaking things up this week on Southern Fried! Join me as I chat with international best-selling author, Karin Slaughter. She is a critically acclaimed and much beloved crime writer known for her gripping page turners. And she's a sassy, southern woman who is a lot of fun to interview. I think you're gonna love her. We talk about crime, her writing process, getting to know female cops, the #metoo movement, daddy's girls and even dish about everyone's favorite guilty pleasure: VC Andrews. G...
May 09, 2018•43 min
The story of Shelly Michael, former cheerleader, wife, mother, stepmother, nurse practitioner and murderer could not be contained in one episode. I hope you enjoy the conclusion of this West Virginian saga. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/17-18-shelly-michael If you’re interested in learning more about this case, check out my best source. Author John Glatt wrote the definitive work on Shelly Michael: Playing with Fire: A Nurse, Her Husband, and a Marriage Turned Fatal. He covers ...
Apr 04, 2018•59 min
The story of Shelly Michael, wife, mother, stepmother, nurse practitioner and murderer could not be contained in one episode. I hope you enjoy part one of this West Virginian saga about a former Mountaineer cheerleader turned murderess. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/17-18-shelly-michael If you’re interested in learning more about this case, check out my best source. Author John Glatt wrote the definitive work on Shelly Michael: Playing with Fire: A Nurse, Her Husband, and a Mar...
Mar 31, 2018•52 min
