Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

On a hot August day in the Nevada desert, two hikers find the body of a young woman about 20 miles east of Las Vegas near the Gypsum Wash in Clark County. The next day, August 28,  the Clark County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 27-year-old  Melonie White. Her death is listed as homicide due to strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head and police say she was also dragged behind a car before her body was left in the desert. Melonie and her infant son moved to Las Vegas with her boyfriend four months earlier from Phoenix, Arizona. But the boyfriend doesn't get a job and leaves Melonie alone with her baby in Las Vegas. Police investigate the case but fail to develope a viable suspect and the case turns cold. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the case that went unsolved for 30 years has finally been solved with DNA, gentic genealogy, and Othram.

Transcript Highlights

00:00.00 Introduction - First trip to Las Vegas

02:21.07 Death of Melonie White, 30 year mystery
 
05:06.81 Melonie White beaten, strangled, dragged by car into desert

10:12.12 Brothers report Melonie missing

16:26.41 Police say Melonie was tied to back of car and dragged

21:11.46 Las Vegas is an Oasis surrounded by nothingness

26:05.98 Joe describes other evidence needed 

31:22.50 No Lack of trauma

35:19.83. Very personal attack

40:16.59 Describing solving cold case 

41:34.76 Genetic Genealogy solves murder

44:27.92 Conclusion: Case solved after 30 years

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38-year-old Sara Bermudez and her three children, Madison, 8, James, 6, and Michael, 2, are viciously attacked in the middle of the night while they sleep. The murdererSexually assaults Sara and her 8-year-old daughter, with a knife and stabs the family to death before setting them on fire. Sara's father finds the carnage and calls for Help. Investigators catch a break in that the killer tried to use diesel to fuel the fire but it burned itself out before totally destroying all the evidence.Joseph Scott Morgan is going to take you inside the master bedroom and explain how investigators find a suspect from a portion of body fluid left behind at the scene. And the suspect isn't just close to the family, he is family. 

Transcript Highlights
00:00.96 Introduction - chewing and identity
04:20.45 Somebody breaks into a home in the middle of the night Slaughters the mom, daughter, two boys
09:20.18 Family murdered and set on fire
14:12.60 Disturbing element to the case 
18:12.07 Setting up a line to prevent contamination
22:57.18 Evidence of sexual assault
28:07.64 Knife used in sexual attack
32:56.90 Blood stains found on walls, carpet, lamp, other items
37:12.63 Finding blood in the fire
42:00.92 Mother defended her children
44:58.66 Conclusion

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How does a 130 pound, 58-year-old woman, put her 6'3", 300 pound husband on a burn pile?

When law enforcement was called to a farm outside of Atlanta, they were told a body was found burned up in a burn pile. Taking a quick look around, the body is burned beyond recognition, but it is probably 58-year-old Gary Farris. He and his wife Melody live on the 10-acre farm.  Gary Farris is a big man, 6 foot 3 inches tall, 300 pounds, it looks like he might have had a heart attack and fallen into the burn pile, dead. His body is burned to the bone and he is identified by dental records. But before this death can be written up as a natural death, a bullet is found lodged in one of his ribs! Joseph Scott Morgan will unpack what it's like to investigate a death that starts in a burn pile and Dave Mack will share how investigators put together a case that ends up with Gary Farris wife, Melody, convicted for his murder.

Transcript Highlights
00:00.47 Introduction - moving heavy weight

04:31.17 How to move 300 pounds of dead weight

09:45.12 What happens to a body when it is burned

14:06.78 Melody Farris burns body of husband

19:01.72 Can't get a height on a body that's been burned

25:52.49 Collecting body from burned area

30:37.21 How big is a bullet?

34:34.87 What was used to start fire?

39:29.36 Smell of Citronella at burn pit

42:02.85  Conclusion 

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Shayna Hubers calls 911 from Ryan Poston's condo in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and tells dispatch "I killed my boyfriend in self-defense". Hubers tells police Ryan Poston had been beating her all day long, tossing her around like a rag doll, and when he pulled out his gun, she grabbed it and shot him in the face. Police read Shayna Hubers her "Miranda" rights, and Hubers asks for a lawyer.  Even though Shayna Hubers has just been told she "has the right to remain silent" she lacks the ability, and tells investigators that she shot him twice in the face, then, as he was twitching, she said she thought he was going to die anyway or his face would be really deformed so she shot him 4 more times to make sure he was dead. Shayna Hubers tells police "I gave him the nose job he always wanted."  Joseph Scott Morgan explains how the crime scene and Ryan Poston's clothes tell a different story than the one Shayna Hubers is telling and Dave Mack digs into the background of an 18-month relationship that ended in the murder of a man who seemed to be everyone's favorite person.

Transcribe Highlights

00:03.40 Introduction - Rhinoplasty

04:55.81 Hammers, Chisels, and black eyes

09:27.14 Hubers gave boyfriend the "nose job he always wanted

14:58.88 Shayna Hubers and Jody Arias

20:15.42 What happened when Ryan Poston was murdered

25:04.98 True case of domestic abuse

30:20.01 Difference in bullet size

35:01.84 Stippling present on Ryan Poston

39:38.81 Hubers claims of abuse unfounded

44:21.70 Blood on shirt and pants indicates Poston seated

48:14.50 Conclusion

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James Skinner begins doing some work inside his home outside of Chicago when he finds a human skull stuffed in a wall! Not wanting to be accused of a murder, Skinner calls police and they investigate as far as they can in 1978, and after identifying the skull as human, the case goes cold and police send the skull to the  Batavia Depot Museum for storage. The skull was forgotten until March of 2021 when supervisors at the museum discovered a box with the skull inside. Joseph Scott Morgan will take you through the investigation that identified the skull and Dave Mack will tell the backstory of the 17-year-old girl, Esther Ann Granger, who died in 1866 and how did her skull end up inside the wall of a home outside of Chicago.  A cold case solved with Othram Labs.

00:00:04.46 Introduction

00:04:09.88 A Human skull found inside a wall 

00:10:20.41 Explaining what happens to bones that are protected from elements

00:14:14.68 Joe talks anthropology

00:19:09.14 Other than bones, a Bonet was discovered with skull

00:24:31.45 Discussion of Dr. Clyde Snow and his work

00:30:10.59 Age of bones determination

00:34:04.70 Othram Labs identifies a living relative 

00:40:36.81 Esther Granger identified, died during childbirth

00:42:36.56 Conclusion - Othram Labs www.dnasolves.com

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Delphi Murder Trial: What REALLY Happened to Libby and Abby
Body Bags Delphi Murders Part 2

Libby German and Abby Williams vanished from a public park area in broad daylight on February 13. Witnesses were all around, but nobody saw what happened to the girls. The girls were on the High Bridge at 2:13 pm taking pictures and posting them online. By 3:15 Libby isn't answering her phone and nobody can find the girls. Police are called early but Libby and Abby are nowhere to be found. The bodies of Libby and Abby are found on February 14. They were murdered. Joseph Scott Morgan has been involved in the case since it began and has met with Family members but waited until some of the forensic information was available so he could break it down and explain what the science tells us about the deaths of Libby German and Abby Williams

Transcript Highlights
00:00:00.89 INTRODUCTION: Delphi Murder Trial PART TWO 

00:02:00.29 Delphi Case-specifics of the box cutter

00:04:19.95 Blood four feet up from the ground

00:10:15.62 Recording Bridge Guy 

00:15:10.56 Law Enforcement knows evil is in the area

00:20:16.14 Other suspects, Keegan Kline

00:25:11.54 Describing the bodies

00:30:10.84 Libby was outgoing, Abby was quiet

00:35:02.39 How could one person control both girls

00:40:20.38 Discussion of the unfired bullet

00:45:00.12 Conclusion Trial is ongoing

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Liam Payne became a huge star as a member of One Direction and he has
been very public about his struggles with alcohol and depression. He recent 
death shocked millions of fans around the world. Joseph Scott Morgan takes
a close-up look at "Pink Cocaine" and other drugs rumored to be in Liam Payne's
Hotel room and what really happened in the moments before Liam Payne plunged to his death from his hotel balcony.

Transcript Highlights
00:14.53 Introduction - celebrity deaths

03:02.27 The death of Liam Payne

05:06.76 Living Recovery

10:02.36 Why do musicians have issues

14:08.85 Pink Cocaine - New?

20:15.60 Walter White - Blue Meth

24:58.34 Liam Payne talked about his life with alcohol

29:24.53 Autopsy 

34:35.74 Hotel was warned about a guest and balcony

39:13.93 Looking for security cameras

43:28.79 Was his death witnessed?

47:48.18 Conclusion - Dial 988

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Libby German and Abby Williams vanished from a public park area in broad daylight on February 13. Witnesses were all around, but nobody saw what happened to the girls. The girls were on the High Bridge at 2:13 pm taking pictures and posting them online. By 3:15 Libby isn't answering her phone and nobody can find the girls. Police are called early but Libby and Abby are nowhere to be found. The bodies of Libby and Abby are found on February 14. They were murdered. Joseph Scott Morgan has been involved in the case since it began and has met with Family members but waited until some of the forensic information was available so he could break it down and explain what the science tells us about the deaths of Libby German and Abby Williams. 

00:00:00.89 INTRODUCTION: Delphi Murder Trial

00:02:36.29 Delphi Case - getting to know Libby's grandparents

00:07:19.95 Who knows about a "snow day" "teacher day"

00:12:15.62 By 5pm Libby and Abby are missing

00:17:10.56 Libby and Abby not dressed for running off

00:22:16.14 Elderly gentleman finds the girls, turns his back, waits for police

00:27:21.54 Trial underway: More info available 

00:32:10.84 The Reason a large crime scene is created

00:37:02.39 Libby's shirt found tossed in tree

00:40:20.38 Trial is ongoing, this is the first show on Delphi
There will be more shows coming up

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Anthony Maggio has two children with his fiancé and has another child with his girlfriend. After a discussion about child support,

Ashtin Eaton is found dead on her kitchen floor by her 11-year-old daughter. Her 14-month old daughter Hazel is found smothered to death on her bed. What looks like a possible murder suicide turns out to be a double homicide. On this episode of Body Bags,

Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how investigators knew in the first few minutes that Ashtin Eaton did not kill her baby and commit suicide, and Dave Mack will break down the family dynamic that Anthony Maggio created, then destroyed.  

Transcribe Highlights

00:00:08.88 Introduction - Jury Duty

00:05:01.57 Anthony Maggio is engaged and has a girlfriend

00:09:52.16 Maggio's girlfriend and daughter are both killed

00:15:23.08 The "Finder" is 11-year-old daughter of girlfriend

00:19:57.83 Daughter sees purple discoloration on face and injury to left arm

00:25:13.33 Box cutter creates the injury on the victim

00:30:48.67 Smothering is an action that takes place

00:35:04.18 Reports mentions no sexual assault

00:40:17.40 Suicide by cutting wrist would not cause head to turn purple

00:41:45.79 Conclusion - The man called for jury duty passes out

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A Montana man, Dustin Kjersem, sets off on a camping trip. When he doesn't meet up with his friend at an appointed time and location the friend goes looking for him. When the friend makes it to Dustin, he calls 911 and reports his friend is dead from a Bear Attack! Joseph Scott Morgan explains how experts determine the shocking attack that caused the death of Dustin Kjersem was not done by a bear, it was someone swinging some type of weapon in a "chopping" motion. 

Transcript Highlights
00:20.21 Introduction

02:00.71 Savage Death 

04:56.01 Joe talking about Bear story

09:38.49 Victim is a "Man's Man"

15:01.06 The "Finder" and the "victim" both experienced
          No sign of bear activity

19:48.73 Injuries so shocking it must be a Bear Attack

25:13.58 A Bear would tear down tent in an attack

30:12.97 A Bear is constantly looking for food

34:27.69 Weapon like a hatchet

39:45.60 Expect fractured, fragmented bone

43:22.39 Chopping motion would cause blood spatter

47:25.54 Conclusion - not a bear attack

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The murder of Michael Jordan's father, James Jordan, was a very sad story that led to Michael Jordan retiring from Basketball in 1993. In 1996 Daniel Green was convicted for the murder based on the testimony of Larry Demery who took a plea deal and testified against his childhood friend, Green. Green was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. 28 years later, the judge who sentenced Green to prison for life believes he was wrong, and wants to help get Daniel Green out of prison. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how James Jordan ended up cremated as a an unidentified homicide victim "John Doe" in South Carolina, and Dave Mack  look behind the headlines to find out what really happened when the father of the most popular man on the planet vanished into thin air.

Transcript Highlights

00:26.31 Introduction - Being a Dad

04:14.50 James Jordan, father of Michael Jordan

09:11.94 James Jordan is missing, July 23, 1993

14:04.27 Using a swamp to get rid of evidence

19:01.45 Condition of James Jordan's body

23:10.14 Identifying a body. Jordan identified with dental records

27:23.88 James Jordan's body cremated as a "John Doe". Head and hands removed, kept for identification

32:36.18 Post-Mortem death investigation. Death was from gunshot wound to chest

37:01.94 County did not have cooler to store body

41:13.25 Car is found stripped down and stashed in the woods

46:00.01 Judge wants Daniel Green released, says evidence didn't support conviction

49:57.53 Blood evidence found in backseat

50:21.30 Conclusion

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Crystal Rasch is missing and her husband is using her bank card to purchase cleaning supplies. He also fails to report his estranged wife missing. Joseph Scott Morgan  explains the cleaning materials used as well as the type of experts that have to be brought in when investigators suspect a victim has been cremated in a backyard burn pile. Dave Mack will help uncover the relationship that left Crystal Rasch identified by a single tooth and her husband in jail. The trial has yet to happen but this is the first part of the story of Crystal and Zachariah Rasch. 

Transcribe Highlights
00:13.30 Introduction - back from London

01:00.71 Strangers in London tell Joe to watch for "pickpockets"

05:03.49 The married couple had separate bank accounts

09:55.96 Working a case from back to front

15:08.97 CCTV Records coupled with receipts from purchases

20:29.75 Wife missing, husband admits spending her money with her card

25:57.18 List of searches done on phone, gunshot wound to head vs chest

29:51.13 Search warrant explanation

35:07.58 Evidence found in a car, what to take out

39:31.91 Relationships between law enforcement and experts

44:02.09 Investigators find a tooth

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Quinton Simon is just 20-months old when he vanishes from his home. His mother and her boyfriend claim they Woke up, the front door was ajar, and Quinton was gone. Searches are conducted, the mother's story is vetted. Eight days into his disappearance, law enforcement announces they do not expect to find Quinton alive and his mother,Leilani Simon, is a suspect. Joseph Scott Morgan goes deep into the investigation, explaining what it is like to look for a child.What do searchers hope to find in a landfill and what can they expect to find. Joe Scott explainsDave Mack will fill in the background on all of the adults involved as this case continues to move through the system.Will there ever be justice for Quinton Simon?

Transcript Highlights

00:00.01. Introduction - Liars

01:20.05  The death of Quinton Simon

05:08.07   Detective says within every lie is a nugget of truth

10:07.10.  Story about someone coming into house makes no sense

15:35.82.  Talking about death investigations of children

20:21.01.  Looking for a child, close look. Finding Quinton, alive.

26:08.66   Perpetrator will take everything wrapped around victim

31:18.61. Garbage trucks push down on the waste, compressing

36:39.54   In a landfill,  everything looks the same

40:26.66  Dealing with skeletal remains, what will you find?

45:04:13  Conclusion - Mom and Grandma drinking in bar while people are looking for Quinton

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In April of 1982, Velma Nesset was attacked while she walked to work. When the 64-year-old woman didn't arrive at her job in the Permian Mall in Odessa, Texas, co-workers knew something was terribly wrong. Velma Nesset is a reliable, well-liked employee and co-workers, friends, and family begin searching immediately.  Police are contacted and a missing person report is filed. Hours after she should have arrived at work, the partially nude body of Velma Nesset is found in a drainage culvert. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what took place in the investigation from the moment her body was found all the way through more than 20 years of investigation.  Dave Mack helps explain how a suspect who confessed to the murder was acquitted in a jury trial a year after the murder, and how a very cold case became very hot - 20 years after the murder. 

Transcribe Highlights
00:29.66 Introduction - walking for fun
01:45.05 Velma Nesset, 64, walks to and from work
04:55.58 You can tell a lot about the suspect by how they treat the dead
09:06.25 Being stabbed or choked is intimate 14:40.57 Velma Nesset was stashed in a culvert 18:44.62 The suspect grabbed Velma Nesset in broad daylight
21:23.40 Blood would be everywhere, especially on the suspect
25:28.52 In 1982, DNA was not part of the solution for crimes
29:21.02 Description of evidence that would be gathered from body 
34:23.78 Texas has a program to test old sexual assault kits
38:07.00 Comparing DNA to unsolved cases
43:32.59 Cold Case Murder solved with genetic genealogy

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Nancy Grace joins Joseph Scott Morgan to talk about their years working together in front of the camera as well as their time BEFORE they were both on TV.  This is the first episode to be recorded in the brand new facility at Jacksonville State University, where Joseph Scott Morgan is the Distinguished Scholar of Applied Forensics. Nancy Grace talks with Joe about Chris Watts, Ellen Greenberg, and the most recent events in the Scott Peterson case. Recorded Live at JSU on October 9, 2024

00:57.81 INTRODUCTION 

02:33.81 When did Nancy Grace and Joseph Scott Morgan meet?

05:08.13 Talking about working with Nancy Grace on HLN

10:16.87 Nancy talks about victim families. Kaylee Goncalves in particular

15:07.06 What is the biggest need for prosecutors from Forensics, be prepared

20:26.83 Talking about people coming from rural areas and metro areas

25:55.57 Processing an outdoor scene

30:19.17 The importance of the right time of death

35:42.26 Talking about Ellen Greenberg case.

40:24.33 Scott Peterson and the new testing of duct tape

45:19.91 Training Evidence custodian and the chain of evidence

50:16.21 Multiple areas of Forensics

52:47.16 Conclusion - Thanks to Nancy Grace

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Shortly before 11 pm on a Sunday night, Annette Jackson calls the Calhoun County Sheriff's office to report her daughter missing.  Living in the town of Farnhamville with a population of just 400 people, Annette Jackson and  another daughter set out on foot to see if they can find Luna. As they are walking, calling out for Luna, they come upon a man, Nathaniel Bevers-McGivney, who appears to be covered in blood and he is in possession of Luna's scooter and other personal effects. When Police find Bevers-McGiveney, they read him his Miranda Rights and he immediately asks for a lawyer. Questioning ends before finding out where Luna is. Joseph Scott Morgan will dig into the forensic evidence to identify what could have happened to the teen as well as where it happened.

Transcript Highlights

00:00:00.00 Introduction 

00:04:03.54 Mom reports daughter, 17,  missing, starts looking

00:08:04.52 Mom sees a man, appearing to be covered in blood, with Luna's scooter

00:12:19.82 Description of passive action, preventing finding of body

00:17:45.25 Location of body

00:22:15.61 Is there an attempt to obscure who Luna was?

00:27:01.48 How did perpetrator know about location to hide body

00:32:18.54 Was this a sexual assault gone "bad"?

00:36:40.66 Very Personal, cutting of a throat is intimate

00:40:20.04 Prosecutor possibly seeking oversight due to size of community

00:42:43.14 Conclusion, will continue to update

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Lisa Snyder calls 911 after discovering her 8-year-old son Connor and 4-year-old daughter, Brinley, hanging in the basement. When EMTs arrive, the children are still hanging....and still ALIVE. Today on Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will share his personal experiences with hangings and explains what is to be learned from the scene as Dave Mack takes a look what the mother claims and what the facts of the case prove. Murder or Suicide, the deaths of Conner and Brinley Snyder.

Transcript Highlights

00:20.99 Introduction

01:39.59 Two Children found hanging in basement 

04:19.14 Suicidal ideation with vocalization

09:37.34 Discussion of death by hanging

14:59.93 Children were hanging but still alive

19:49.57 Not an accident

24:50.58 8-year-old Connor has dexterity issues

29:02.38 Children fully aware of what was happening to them

33:28.72 Description of what would have taken place if Snyder is telling the truth

38:24.73 Struggling with issues Crisis line 988

39:05.42 Conclusion

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On a Friday afternoon in North Myrtle Beach a 911 call comes in about a person apparently injured on the side of the road under an overpass. By the time help arrives, the victim is dead and the person that called 911 has vanished. No eyewitnesses but lots of information. The victim appears to have been shot in the face, her car is still running, her phone is inches away from her fingers and is working as there are messages and email chimes going off. The woman's purse with cash is inside the car, her name is Amber Berbiglia, 23-years-old. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the first impression that Amber was shot in the face with a gun turns out to be wrong and Dave Mack will breakdown the timeline on a murder that happened on a sunny afternoon near the beach that has gone as cold as a winter snow storm. 

00:00  Introduction

02:06  Amber Berbiglia Unsolved murder

05:05  How paying a bill in person plays into the story

09:20 Encampents under overpasses

15:11 Woman laid out dead on side of road

19:28  Amber's Cell Phone used up until

2:3024:30 What made Amber stop her vehicle

28:51 Wound so bad it was assumed to be gunshot wound

33:23 First Responder would not see the bones underneath

36:25 Whoever called 911 did not wait for help to arrive

41:49  Conclusion - Horry County, South Carolina still asking for tips

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After Judge Richard Mrazik ruled that there was probable cause to try Kouri Richins for aggravated murder and aggravated attempted murder and other charges, Joseph Scott Morgan decides to take a deeper look at the case against Kouri Richins. The Prosecution claims Kouri Richins tried to kill her husband Eric on Valentines day using a sandwich as the delivery method for the deadly fentanyl. But when Eric felt the effects, he put down the food and the attempt on his life falls short.  After the failed attempt, Kouri decides to try again, this time with more fentanyl and a different delivery method, the "Moscow Mule." And this time Eric Richins dies.  Kouri Richins defense team will certainly have answers for most of the charges against her and that is for the jury to decide. What is not in dispute is that Eric Richins died from Fentanyl, and that is what Joseph Scott Morgan is talking about on this episode of Body Bags.

Transcript Highlights

00:20 Introduction

02:30 The "Moscow Mule" delivery method

05:20 Talking about comparing drug strength to Morphine

08:00 Fentanyl is applied to other drugs as a "sales pitch"

11:34 Indicators of trauma15:04 Congestive heart failure

20:05 Autopsy Reports talking about odors

23:49 Fentanyl comparison to size of penny

27:50 Adding Fentanyl to other drugs for bigger "kick"

31:36 Update of the case: Kouri Richins left forensic bread crumbs

34:25 Using direct injection into heart

36:30 Conclusion: timeline will be powerful at trial

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Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan Recorded in Front of a "LIVE" audience at CrimeCon London, 2024. Joseph Scott Morgan is joined by Jo Millington. Jo Millington is a Forensic Scientist and has been using science to help solve major crimes for over 25 years. She is a renowned specialist in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) and delivers a range of training courses on the subject to professionals and true crime fans, including online and internationally. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00. Introduction 

05:00  Discussing training in forensics

09:35 Blood Spatter analysis

15:00 Correcting miscarriage of justice

19:00 Different methods in the UK

24:00 Discussion of velocity patterns

30:00 Identifying features in blood

35:00 conclusion

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Ana Walshe disappears in the first week of 2023. Her husband claims she caught a ride share to Logan Airport before flying to Washington DC. Ana Walshe never boarded the flight and has been missing ever since. Today on Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan talks about how investigators look through garbage at a landfill, and what is expected from the crime lab report at the next hearing in October. 

Transcribe Highlights 

00:00:37 Introduction - DNA Lab results

00:01:46 Case goes quiet

00:03:46 Karen Read Case trooper also involved in Walshe

00:06:49 Victim allegedly dismembered, nothing found but blood

00:10:54 Blood has to be verified, it isn't automatic

00:13:30  Discussion of decay in different environments

00:16:48 Investigators found very small amount of blood

00:19:42 Photographic evidence of Brian Walshe

00:22:32 Biological evidence is very fragile

00:25:32 Difficult to imagine what a perp is going to do

00:28:37 Body Parts in a landfill

00:32:02 Conclusion: Lab results coming in October

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OnlyFans and Instagram model, Courtney Tailor, is rich and famous. She is  living in a luxury high-rise in Edgewater, Miami, Florida and has banked over $3 Million dollars in the two years leading up to the death of her boyfriend, Christian Obumseli.
Her real name is Courtney Clenney and she is charged with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon in the death of Christian Obumseli, 27, in her high-rise Miami-area apartment on April 3, 2022.  Clenney claims she killed Obumseli in self-defense. 
Joseph Scott Morgan takes an up-close look at recently released information about what happened that fateful night and provides new insight into the death of Christian Obumseli. Was it self-defense or murder? 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:00 Introduction of case - why would you throw your only weapon?

00:02:00 A single stab wound by a thrown knife

00:06:37 Courtney Clenney and boyfriend fought

00:10:56 Funny stuff about throwing knives

00:15:26 911 call, victim says "I'm going to die"

00:19:43 Clenney claims she through kitchen knife from 10 feet away

00:24:16 Discussion of laptop, text messages, email

00:28:26 The Love of Money

00:30:55 Courtney Clenney, drunk, approaches teen in parents neighborhood

00:33:23 Conclusion – portent of things to come

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Harmony Montgomery was 5 years old when she was last seen in December of 2019, but she is not reported missing for two years. When police track down Adam Montgomery and ask about Harmony, he tells them Harmony is with her mother in Florida. Police inform him that Crystal Sorey, Harmony's mother is the one who asked for them to check on Harmony,  Adam Montgomery doesn't cooperate, but the media catches on to the story and pressure is brought to find the special needs girl with the beautiful smile. To this day, Harmony Montgomery is still missing. A judge declared Harmony dead in March 2024, clearing the way for Harmony's mother, Crystal Sorey to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the state of New Hampshire alleging systemic failures in the state's child protection system. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and answers from the state of New Hampshire surrounding Harmony's disappearance and death.

Adam Montgomery was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison for the murder of Harmony Montgomery as well as second-degree assault, witness tampering, falsifying physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. 



Transcript Highlights

00:00.00 Introduction - update Harmony Montgomery case
02:39.79 Crystal Sorey, Harmony's mother, files lawsuit against New Hampshire
05:00.76 Family called about abuse, nothing was done
09:03.23 Judge declared Harmony dead, body still not found
14:04.73 Adam Montgomery beats Harmony in back seat of car
18:57.46 Family told social services, Adam blackened her eye
24:28.68 Description of Harmony dying in backseat of car
27:46.64 Kayla Montgomery told police about beating in car
32:42.38 Conclusion - Hope someone listens

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More evidence has come out in the case of the shooting death of Jared Bridegan. There is now more evidence with the tire found in the road and other tires found at a suspects house and Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how all the numbers actually mean something and can become very compelling evidence. 

00:00 Introduction

02:45 Bridegan executed at close range

07:37 Sharing custody of children

11:42 Bridegan shot twice on left side

16:36 Numbers on tires mean something

21:53 multiple gunshots heard by witnesses

25:53 Wound Tracking

30:44 Bridegan injuries were not survivable 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After response to the Body Bags episode about decomposition called "The Smell Of Death", Joseph Scott Morgan realized he left our a couple things that are very important in the world of decomposition whether out in the field trying to solve a homicide, or in the cottage of a loved one who dies of old age in their favorite chair, bodies will decompose. And the rate of decomposition is dependent on many factors. Joseph Scott Morgan takes a close up look at decomposition and what it tells investigators who are looking for answers

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:23 Explaining skin slippage

00:05:27 Wearing skin like a glove

00:09:34 Examination of body on the scene

00:13:36 Preserving the body

00:18:39 Body decomposition inside a house

00:23:15 Landfill with everything breaking down

00:27:58 Body preserved when barely covered

00:31:24 Body preservation in frozen area ,

00:34:15 Conclusion

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This is an update to the story of Madeline Soto and her heartbreaking death, allegedly at the hands of her mother's boyfriend. A cause of death has been released but not the autopsy report due to the victim's age and it is a case of domestic violence. Joseph Scott Morgan pours through investigators reports to shed new light on what happened to Madeline Soto in the time before she was murdered as well as the days before her body was found. 

00:00 Introduction, life of Madeline Soto
04:54 Madeline made to sleep with mom's boyfriend
10:24 No Autopsy toxicology record available
14:15 Cause of Death; strangulation
18:28 Comparing injuries to neck
23:46 Suspect called "Master Manipulator", grooming
27:36 Madeline's body was tossed over fence
31:51 Conclusion 

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What is the worst thing you have ever seen on the job? This is one of the most common questions asked of Joseph Scott Morgan.  Today on Body Bags, the professor breaks down the stages of decomposition while sharing his firsthand accounts of working the scene of bodies that have been decomposing in the heat from a day to a month or more. This is a can't miss episode that provides an up close look at those who deal with death and the very natural things that take place in every person when they die.

Transcription Highlights

00:00:00 Introduction - What is the worst thing you have ever seen?
00:03:45 Sensory Memories and human remains
00:05:06 Talk about the "smell" of burning flesh
00:09:25 Particular smells, burning tires
00:15:25 Life and Death are natural
00:20:18 Description of decomposing body in a bed
00:25:07 Smelling coworkers for the smell of decomposition
00:30:14 Different levels of decomposition
00:35:38 Environmental temperature impacting decomposition
00:40:36 Looking at decomposition hiding injury
00:42:48 Conclusion

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 April  1977,  an unidentified body is pulled out of a septic tank and given the name, "Septic Tank Sam". The body had been burned before being wrapped in a yellow bed sheet and tied up with a nylon rope.

Today, Joseph Scott Morgan explains how it was possible that over four decades passed before "Sam" got his real name back. Attempts were made to find out the name of the man they called "Septic Tank Sam," but it wasn't until the scientists at Othram Labs got involved in the case that an answer was found.

Using genetic genealogy, Othram Labs was able to change the name of "Septic Tank Sam" and provide answers for the community that wondered, "whatever happened to Gordie?" "Septic Tank Sam" was actually Gordon "Gordie" Sanderson.  Please check out Othram: A Revolution in Cold Case Resolution. 

Transcript Highlights
00:00:05.95. Introduction - waste
00:04:14.33 The story of Septic Tank Sam
00:07:23.77 A couple looking in a septic tank finds a body
00:12:40.12 The body is protected
00:17:17.25 Environment helped preserve body
00:21:43.62 Discussion of desiccation
00:24:29.47 Body misidentified as caucasian
00:30:01.26 Cause of death, gunshot wound 
00:35:04.01 Defining prone and supine
00:40:00.92 Identification of bodies
00:45:40.95 Identifies body as indigenous
00:47:11.38 Conclusion, Othram providing answers

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Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts are the proud parents of twin boys, Ari and Leon. The twins are just six-weeks-old when family friend, Nicole Virzi, comes to visit and help with the babies. Virzi is a PHD candidate at UC San Diego in the Clinical Psychology program on break from school and she is welcomed with open arms. Days later, Ari Katz is at the hospital with injuries to his penis and Leon is fighting for his life with massive head trauma.  And all of the injuries suffered by the twins happened when they are left alone in the care of Nicole Virzi. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the injuries suffered by the twins don't match the description of what happened as told  by Nicole Virzi.

Transcript Highlights

00:00.00 Introduction
02:13.27 Talk about the Death Penalty
05:13.45 Description of injuries suffered by Ari
09:16.23 The is not a "sids" case
14:47.53 Nicole Virzi is not a stranger, she is a friend
19:07.90 Ari has bruises below belly button
24:15.22 Scratches don't appear to be "baby scratches"
29:09.13 Injuries to Leon's head
34:47.86 Joe describes how the skull grows
40:34.63 Virzi told 911 baby feel out of bassinet
44:45.67 Conclusion - will continue to follow story 

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An unidentified body is found in August 2005, in the picnic area of a rest stop off of a highway between Guelph and Rockwood in the Canadian province of Ontario. At the time, authorities determined the remains belonged to a woman who was potentially as young as 25 or as old as 45 when she died. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan sheds light on the remains known as Rockwood Jane Doe and how the scientists at Othram solved a missing person case that went unsolved for 18 years.  

Transcribe Highlights
00:00.01 Introduction - Family DNA
04:57.36 Discussion of Rockwood Jane Doe found in 2005
09:47.82 Discussion of Remains
15:35.81 Talk about the science of aging
20:23.69 Discussion How teeth wear down is a clue 
24:54.52 Discussion Broken Bones of victim, clues
30:14.10 Discussion Body Found in area under sleeping bag
34:11.55 Talk about suspicious death
42:13.81 Conclusion victim was Tammy Penner
 

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A Silver Alert was issued for 76-year-old Jackie Glynn. Her husband, Joe Glynn, tells the family their mother had terminal cancer and left home to attend a support group so she could die on her terms.  Joe Glynn had been married to Jackie Glynn for 24 years and her adult children don't believe what they are hearing from their mother's husband.  On this Episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan explain how the killer helped law enforcement by they way he chose to dispose of the body and the evil weapon he chose to carry out his murderous plan.

Transcribe Highlights

00:00.01 Introduction; Cancer breaking a Big Man
04:57.36 Discussion of using cancer as reason for disappearanceJoseph
09:47.82 Discussion of Jackie Glynn, an accomplished woman
15:35.81 Talk about "Amber Alert" "Silver Alert"
20:23.69 Discussion investigation targeting intimate
24:54.52 Discussion of Joseph Glynn killing wife
30:14.10 Discussion of getting innocents involved
34:11.55 Talk about recently turned earth
42:13.81 Discussion of suspect admitting everything
42:17.33 Conclusion, guilty plea, life in prison

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Sandra Birchmore is 23-years-old and 3-months pregnant when she is found dead in her apartment. Her death is ruled a suicide, but her family doesn't believe it so they hire world renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden, to review her death. The former chief medical examiner of New York City writes a letter of his findings in which he details why he believes the death of Sandra Birchmore is not a suicide, it is a homicide. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how Dr. Baden came to his conclusion and how the Federal Government got involved in the case that ended up with the arrest of Police Detective Matthew Farwell who is now charged with Murder and staging the crime scene.

Transcript Highlights
00:42.43 Introduction: Trust
02:12.59 Discussion of becoming numb to investigations
04:57.94 Discussion of "explorer" group
07:37.19 Discussion of police officers involved with children
10:01.54 Talk about investigation of suicide
15:01.44 Discussion of getting all possible info at scene
20:08.48 Discussion of Post Mortem Lividity in seated position
25:15.37 Talk about conversations among those who work closely
30:09.57 Discussion of victim being involved sexually with police officer, allegedly
35:21.22 Discussion about autopsy
40:04.86 Talk about what level of contact between law officers in different departments
44:17.43 Conclusion - Will Update 

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Mother of two,  Melissa Wolfenbarger is missing. Her husband doesn't report her missing and tells investigators that they always talked of changing their names, getting fake identification and going "off-grid" out west, and that is what he thinks she did. A skull is found near where Chris Wolfenbarger works, but it is identified as the skull of a man. Years go by before the skull and other bones found near her husband's former workplace are identified as Melissa Wolfenbarger. But the case remains unsolved. Investigator Sheryl McCollum devotes years on the case and documents it in her incredible podcast called Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will give you the complete story and explain how a Serial Killer helped break the case in an attempt to get justice for his daughter. 

Transcribe Highlights

00:11.82 Introduction - Avon Avenue and Melissa Wolfenbarger
05:03.78 Discussion of a skull and a missing mother of two
09:43.56 Discussion a head found in the road, where is the rest
15:02.40 Discussion of family and contact 
19:53.10 Talk about the "finder"
24:57.23 Discussion of what to do when you find part of a body
29:47.38 Discussion of skull identified as male
34:41.20 Discussion of arms and legs found
39:51.28 Discussion of investigation
45:29.76 Discussion of serial killer helped solve crime
Conclusion - listen to Zone 7 podcast for details

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In 1973, Martha and Flora Helmick went to a family reunion with Martha's employer, World War I War Hero,  John Keyton. The trio left Bridgewater, Virginia on August 3, 1973, but never arrived in Kentucky for the family reunion. As word spread about the WW1 War Hero and sisters vanishing, a search was conducted, but nothing was ever found. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how a bone found in a car that was found by firefighters during a training exorcise in the Kentucky River helped solve a 45 year old mystery.

Transcript Highlight
00:12.74 Introduction - Vanishing act circa 1973
05:00.88 Discussion of World War I veteran, Hero    
09:42.25 Discussion of Ford Fairlane, driving at night    
14:05.07 Discussion of 3 people vanishing on a trip     
20:07.28 Talk about finding a bone    
25:26.24 Discussion calling in expert    
30:05.68 Discussion of broken bone not healing properly    
35:01.86 Discussion of confirmatory evidence     
40:02.16 Talk about sisters vanish, firefighter helps solve case    
42:15.31 Conclusion remains tell the final tale     

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There really is a Language of the Dead and it is spoken by the deceased in a way that people like Professor Joseph Scott Morgan can understand.  On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan explains the Language of the dead known as the Post Mortem Interval, PMI. Many phrases are used on podcasts, tv shows, and movies where it is assumed the audience knows the meaning, but many times, we don't. Joseph Scott Morgan takes the time to define and explain PMI; Post Mortem Interval, in this somewhat different, very informative episode of Body Bags.

Transcribe Highlights
00:12.74 Introduction of PMI  Post Mortem Interval
04:42.25 Discussion sounds a dead body makes 
09:20.95 Discussion of death investigation
14:18.98 Discussion of Jacksonville State University 
19:18.52 Talk about the language of the dead
24:23.14 Discussion of what happens when a person dies
29:48.47 Discussion of "real world: conditions
34:18.51 Discussion of what happens when a person dies in unusual position
39:00.23 Talk about liquid seeks lowest area
43:12.20 Discussion of "fixed"
44:20.54 Conclusion Paying attention

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Jennifer Paxton was looking for a place to stay with friendly faces for a few days. Rebecca Dishman and Sean Finnegan seem to be the friendly faces she is looking for...until she walks into their apartment. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will talk about how Jennifer Paxton was beaten with a baseball bat, shackled to a bed, raped, tortured, and eventually murdered. 

Transcription Highlights

00:08.43 Introduction of Jennifer Paxton death
04:55.92 Discussion of victim, lured, tortured, raped, murdered
09:00.14 Discussion of someone treated as less than human
14:41.08 Talk about co-conspirator
19:10.79 Discussion of Paxton being placed in freezer
24:16.48 Describing police finding frozen body under bed
30:45.98 Discussion of over 50 injuries to victim
35:45.22 Talking about abuse of a corpse
40:34.78 Discussion of baseball bat used as weapon
43:10.84 Conclusion 

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Markayla Johnson moves with her two children, 4-year-old Miracle and 7-month-old Messiah, to Charlotte, North Carolina to be with her boyfriend, Benjamin Taylor.  Within weeks of arriving from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, her family realizes they haven't seen her like they would normally expect. Reaching out to check on Markayla, the family get text messages from her phone, but there is something wrong. The messages don't sound like Markayla. After going to the apartment and finding nobody home, the family of Markayla Johnson report her and the children missing. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan walks you through the apartment that is now a crime scene and explain what police found when they opened the plastic tub filled with air fresheners......and Markayla Johnson. But where are the children? 

Transcription Highlights

00:00.01 Introduction - Names of deadly drugs
04:59.53 Discussion of Markayla and children move to Charlotte
07:06.46 Discussion of text messages
10:53.00 Joe Talks about finding a body
12:22.00 Discussion of evidence of children
16:59.24 Talk about smell of decomposing bodies
22:06.34 Discussion of methodology of suffocation
25:35.12 Talk about smell of decomposition from trunk
30:17.86 Discussion of triple homicide
34:53.71 Discussion of small bruises around mouth
39:49.39 Discussion secure scene
45:37.10 Benjamin Taylor being held without bond

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Matthew Perry became a star surrounded by "Friends" and became a falling star surrounded by "Friends" who did nothing but feed his addiction. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how a death investigator determines if a body found submerged in a hot tub died from drowning, drugs, or a combination of both. And in the end, who is responsible?

Transcript Highlights

00:00.00 Introduction of a "friend" 
00:39.79 Joe Talks about being fan of Matthew Perry films
05:00.76 Discussion of Matthew Perry physically showing addiction
09:03.23 Discussion of addiction and death
14:04.73 Discussion of ketamine
18:57.46 Talk about Joe finding live addict during death investigation
24:28.68 Discussion of different types of drugs
27:46.64 Discussion of doctor selling $12 bottle of ketamine for $2,000
32:42.38 Discussion of death investigation, elements of drowning
36:21.22 Conclusion, will doctors be treated as street dealers

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The family of James Nalborczyk reports him missing on December 21, telling police the last time they saw or talked to James was on December 7. Police investigate and visit Nalborczyk's girlfriend, Michelina Goodwin who quickly tells them she and James broke up and he left driving a company truck to a job in  West Virginia. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how Michelina Goodwin's claim that she accidentally shot her boyfriend in the back does not match the evidence. If it was an accident, why did Michelina and a friend, chop up James into little pieces, put his body parts in bags, and hide the bags in very rural areas of two counties. 

Transcript Highlights

00:07.55 Introduction: Becoming a "Proctor"
05:00.24 Talk about Murder of Ingrid Lyne
09:47.51 Discussion of killers keeping body nearby
14:23.46 Discussion of family thinks James is missing, he is dead
19:20.00 Discussion of forensic evidence of weapon firing
24:28.57 Talk about "drop test" on a gun
29:29.26 Discussion of "accidental shooting"
34:27.65 Discussion of body being wrapped in paper
38:46.85 Talk about privacy law
44:18.04 Discussion of two perpetrators who roll over on each other
46:14.07 Conclusion - no way to make blood disappear

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Today we'd like to direct your attention to another podcast - the new Crime Alert Hourly Update. The Crime Alert team delivers hourly updates on breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/CrimeAlert_HourlyUpdate
It’s been 6 years since Chris Watts murdered his wife Shannan Watts and their two children Bella and Celeste. Now the 39 year old killer says he is afraid for his life.   

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In the Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan titled "Dinner, Drinks, Dismemberment-The Sade Robinson Murder, Joseph went into great detail of the facts as they were known in the first weeks of the investigation. On this special episode of Body Bags, more information has been made public that is even more shocking than the first part of the story. A confidential Informant tells investigators that Maxwell Anderson showed him the basement, and Anderson told him what he was going to do with his victim. It is too late to make a difference now, but why didn't this "confidential informant" with a direct line to police tell someone what Anderson was planning? 

Transcript Highlights 
00:05.25 Introduction - Sade Robinson, part 2
05:37.25 Discussion of confidential informant knew
09:53.01 Discussion of remembering dates and times
14:30.28 Talk about cutting a body into parts
19:37.78 Discussion of Maxwell Anderson relaxed before attack
24:08.34 Discussion 12 hour window between dinner and car on fire
29:29.95 Talk about hiding blood
34:24.64 Discussion information in public
39:38.27 Talk about clothing items and test surface for DNA
45:07.69 Discussion of bathing body of Black Dhalia
48:04.44 Conclusion: items found in basement could be the beginning

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Ashley Bush, pregnant with her fourth child, is the main breadwinner in her home.

However, she has been diagnosed with gestational hypertension and needs a job she can do from home. She connects with a woman named Lucy on a social media site for expectant mothers, who offer the exact type of job Ashley needs.

In this episode of "Body Bags," Joseph Scott Morgan explains how medical professionals determine when a birth has occurred naturally and when something has gone wrong. Dave Mack will delve behind the headlines to uncover what happened to Ashley Bush and what will become of those responsible for causing her harm.

Transcript Highlights

00:17.33 Introduction - times are tough
03:22.40 Discussion about set-up, work from home to lure pregnant woman
08:00.83 Discussion about stealing baby from womb, call 911
13:32.57 Talk about decomposition that happens inside mother's body
18:26.72 Discussion of woman has placenta in her pants, baby dies
22:41.29 Discussion gestational hypertension
27:00.24 Discussion of Waterman admits killing Ashley bush
31:49.71 Discussion of working neonatal unit
35:44.32 Talk about burning body, heat insufficient
40:03.01 Discussion of Jamie Waterman led investigators to body
41:10.24 Conclusion, sentencing in October 

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Ashley and Doug Benefield marry after knowing each other for 13 days. Doug's previous wife has only been dead 9-months and he has a 15-year-old daughter to raise. Ashley convinces Doug to finance her dream Ballet company and to get his vasectomy reversed. On this episode of Body Bags you will discover why a prosecutor said Ashley Benefield decided she wanted to be a single mom when she was pregnant, and Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how someone can be shot in the chest even when they are not facing the shooter! 

Transcript Highlights
00:00:16.23 Introduction Discovery of the Black Swan
00:04:10.75 Discussion of Ashley Benefield the ballerina
00:08:42.29 Talk Doug and Ashley marry 13 days after they meet
00:14:29.79 Discussion of family dynamic
00:19:09.37 Discussion about why they married so fast
00:25:00.33 Discussion about Ballet company, Ashley pregnant
00:29:08.13 Talk Black Swan claims domestic abuse
00:34:24.42 Discussion of Ashley lying to Doug in therapy
00:40:22.90 Talk about Doug being shot in the chest and leg
00:44:33.51 Jury did not believe self-defense, Black Swan convicted
 

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Some people say Gyspy-Rose Blanchard is Munchhausen-by-proxy survivor, the victim of her own mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. And they would be right. Some people say Gyspy-Rose Blanchard is a murderer, and they too, would be right.  After lifelong physical, mental, and medical abuse, Gypsy-Rose Blanchard met a disturbed young man online and concocted a plan to getaway from Dee Dee Blanchard and begin her life as an adult. But Dee Dee would have to die. The crime scene was shocking, and now the pictures are out in the public. On this episode of Body Bags,  Joseph Scott Morgan is going to explain why the photos were taken to begin with and how pictures at a crime scene actually do more than just document what has happened, sometimes they can help investigators discover a lot more.

Transcript Highlights

00:00.01 Introduction, taken advantage of a storm
03:07.93 Talk about Dee Dee Blanchard, opportunist
08:13.54 Discussion of Dee Dee claiming Gypsy-Rose was sick as a baby
10:37.33 Discussion of crime scene photos released
15:04.43 Talk about the story of Dee Dee and Gypsy-Rose
20:08.29 Discussion of using hurricane Katrina   
25:05.99 Discussion of surgeries not needed
29:54.59 Talk about Gypsy-Rose and boyfriend
34:14.12 Discussion of Gypsy-Rose "story" about death of Dee Dee
39:50.66 Discussion of crime scene photos of Dee Dee Blanchard murder
40:59.73 Talking about photographic documentation of crime scene
47:38.96 Conclusion
 

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The death of Ellen Greenberg has been in the news since the day her manner of death was changed from homicide to suicide. The question remains to this day; Ellen Greenberg is found dead in her kitchen with over 20 stab wounds to her head, back, neck, and chest. She has bruises all over her body in various stages of healing. Why was her case ruled a homicide and then changed to a suicide? On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will share his experiences with suicides and breakdown the wounds inflicted on Ellen Greenberg's body. Ellen Greenberg's are trying to have her manner of death changed from Suicide to Homicide or undetermined, either one will demand a new investigation into the death of their daughter. After years of hearing "no", they finally heard a "yes", the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is going to hear their case. Not about manner of death, but whether or not the parents of the victim have standing in court to argue on behalf of their deceased daughter. 

Transcript Highlights

00:12.98 Introduction,Hope for the parents of Ellen Greenberg
03:14.72 Discussion of Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear case
05:00.99 Discussion of changing manner of death from homicide to suicide I
09:04.99 Talk about 911 call
13:02.70 Discussion of giving family death notification
17:56.11 Discussion of recreation of scene
20:00.14 Talk about Ellen Greenberg body in kitchen
24:11.52 Discussion Phone Calls made before 911
28:34.29 Discussion of man who bled out from self inflicted knife wound
32:06.80 Discussion of stabbing yourself in the back
35:31.55 Talk about the effects of knife injuries
38:31.02 Discussion of suicide practice shot
40:06.80 Conclusion is it possible?

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Richard the Third died on the battlefield on August 22nd 1485. He had only been King of England for a little more than 2 years but he became the last King of England to die in battle. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will take a deep dive into history to tell the story of the Battle of Bosworth, and use current science to find the remains of the King, more than 500 years after they were lost.

Transcription Highlights

00:00:11.09 Introduction of Richard the Third
00:05:22.43 Discussion of The House of Lancaster and House of York
00:07:20.98 Discussion of finding the remains or Richard III after 500 years
00:10:21.94 Discussion of how the "victor" writes the history
00:15:55.72 Talk about the battles, weapons used in the 1500s
00:19:03.00 Discussion of geography, how people could "hear" the battle
00:21:12.66 Discussion of the death of chivalry with treatment of Richard III 
00:26:04.23 Discussion of injuries created weapons of the time
00:29:38.71 Talk about finding the remains or Richard the Third
00:34:23.37 Discussion of finding legs in the first grave uncovered
00:39:41.84 Talk about forensic anthropologist on site
00:44:03.03 Discussion of injuries sustained by Richard the Third
00:49:12.19 Conclusion: finding remains or Richard the Third

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A guest fails to check out on time at the five-star Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok. When hotel workers come to clean the room, the door is locked and hotel management and security are called. The door opens up and the nightmare begins. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what a body goes through when cyanide is used to kill and Dave Mack goes behind the headlines and the rumors to find out how 6 people end up dead in a hotel room, and nobody survived. No blood. No bullets. No knives. Just Cyanide.

Transcription Highlights
00:00:03.72 Introduction: Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
00:04:00.06 Discussion of cyanide death at Jonestown
00:07:25.90 Discussion of Cult taking cyanide
00:10:07.48 Discussion of getting someone to take the poison
00:12:27.13 Discussion of 6 people meeting for business
00:17:33.23 Talk about being around cyanide
00:21:22.19 Discussion of people dying in house fire, test positive for cyanide
00:25:47.21 Discussion of what people can use to take a life
00:30:33.98 Talk about variety of items with that are lethal, cyanide shows on top
00:34:40.03 Discussion trying to find cyanide
00:39:00.03 Discussion of therapeutic use of fentanyl, no medicinal use for cyanide
00:41:04.10 Discussion of symptoms of cyanide poisoning
00:44:56.39 Conclusion level of horror, dying from cyanide

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Police arrive at the apartment of Fasil Teklemariam in Washington DC for a call of an unconscious person. Police quickly note that Fasil is more than unconscious, he is dead. Multiple stab wounds, and it appears that one of his thumbs has been cut off. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what happens when a thumb is severed from a hand, and can experts tell if it happened when the victim was alive or dead. Dave Mack will dig into the background of those involved and try to figure out who talked. 

00:02.12 Introduction: "The Rule of Thumb"
02:51.25 Discuss removing thumb to rob victim
05:14.45 Discuss James Bond,"biometric" science
09:04.94 Talk about CCTV footage 
14:20.13 Discussion of thumb removed from body
19:08.42 Discussion of what happens when everything dries up
22:33.29 Talk suspects stole key fob allowing access to the building
27:57.92 Discuss thumb came after trying to extract info
32:00.21 Discussion of shoe print left behind
36:46.63 Discussion of weapons used, did they use knives found in kitchen
36:49.34 Conclusion: they wanted his money, took his life

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Bricen Rivers nearly beat his girlfriend to death in their car in Nashville while on a romantic weekend getaway.

Jailed with bond set high enough so he couldn't get out, his victim, Lauren Johansen, is recovering in Mississippi when a judge lowers River's bond, and lets him out to finish what he started.

On this episode of "Body Bags," Joseph Scott Morgan will explain the horrible injuries Lauren sustained in the first beating in Nashville, while Dave Mack breaks down the backstory on the relationship that was so toxic, Lauren Johansen winds up dead in the back of her own car in the middle of a cemetery.

Transcript Highlights

00:00:04.19 Introduction - Being a parent, Father .
00:04:26.07 Discussion of abusive relationship 
00:09:20.25 Talking about parenting a child in abusive relationship
00:13:39.86 Discussion of Nashville trip, how much effort it would take
00:18:40.36 Talk seeing trauma in hospital
00:23:22.52 Discussion or rocks as a weapon, pistol whipping
00:28:29.50 Discussion of wound to Lauren's head at hairline
00:32:02.27 Talk about man abusing woman, judge lowering bond
00:36:15.69 Discussion of Lauren being kidnapped from home
00:40:38.20 Discussion of wounds Lauren suffered before death
00:43:48.59 Talk about Lauren wasn't recovered from December 11 beating
00:46:41.34 Conclusion Lauren's father helped recover her body

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Cleo Loizides is 81-years-old and living in a senior care facility in Virginia. After a visit from her daughter, 53 and grandson, 24, an orderly finds her stiff and cold to the touch. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what happens when someone in a senior care facility passes away and how to tell the difference between a natural death and a murder. Dave Mack will look at the history of the family that begins with Cleo Loizides as a Model in the 1960s and ends with her death in 2024. 

Transcribe Highlights

00:00:02.39 Introduction - circle of life
00:01:07.72 Discussion of murder of 81-year-old woman
00:04:46.47 Discussion of Cleo Loizides found dead on floor
00:09:59.22 Talk about people in care facility
00:14:43.59 Discussion of nursing home deaths being investigated
00:19:44.18 Discussion of Elder abuse
00:22:30.18 Discussion of health, getting her own food, not needing help
00:26:10.21 Talk about knowing a body is dead
00:31:19.24 Discussion of daughter and grandson visiting
00:35:07.92 Discussion of cause of death
00:39:02.45 Discussion of daughter and grandson confess to murder
00:41:16.31 Conclusion Cleo deserved a better end

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Virginia Summers hears a rumor that "something" has happened to her adult daughter, Tara Capps. Tara is a free spirit but she maintains regular contact with the family. Virginia files a missing person report and begins looking for 36-year-old Tara. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how difficult it is to find forensic evidence in a homeless encampment, and Dave Mack will fill in the details of how the family searched, and found, Tara Capps. 

Transcript Highlights
00:14.80 Introduction of Tara Capps story
04:20.08 Discussion of camping and homeless camps
07:56.22 Discussion of searching for missing adult
12:12.03 Talk about mother getting tip about missing daughter
16:50.90 Discussion of homeless camp near body location
23:33.33 Discussion of decomposed body found between two living men
27:08.41 Talk about truth of what happened to Tara will come out
31:43.75 Discussion of Remains sealed inside plastic tote
36:25.48 Talk about evidence in the area
40:15.04 Discussion of how body was covered
42:28.16 Conclusion Family of Tara Capps needs answers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Travis McBride was in his teens, he got in trouble with the law over anger issues. As an adult he opens a successful therapy practice focusing on Anger Management.  The subject of this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, the alleged murder of a homeless man by an anger management therapist. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how blood will spread from a body to the trunk area of a vehicle and onto pavement.  Dave Mack investigates the background of the victim and finds Clinton Dorsey was married with three adult children and eight grandchildren. Was Clinton Dorsey really murdered by an Anger Management Therapist? 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:00 Introduction College choices 

00:04:21 Discussion Anger Management Therapist  

00:06:51 Discussion about applying education to life 

00:11:01 Talk about Anger Management therapist having anger issues 

00:16:24 Discussion of suspects previous charges  

00:21:38 Explaining charges  

00:26:04 Discussion of therapist charged with homicide 

00:33:17 Talk about how suspect cleaned blood in street 

00:38:26 Discussion about leaving blood around side area of car trunk 

00:40:03 Discussion of post-mortem lividity 

00:44:16 Conclusion - will update after the case goes to court 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Mayor with 28 years of law enforcement experience has been charged with first-degree murder in a triple homicide. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the weapons used in the murders and the possibility that one of the victims died while he was on the phone with 911. Dave Mack will try and explain what happened four days before the shooting  that may have led to the murders. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:00 Introduction people seeking power 

00:02:12 Discussion ex-mayor suspect triple homicide 

00:07:45 Discussion Triple homicide, 911 caller goes silent on call 

00:12:21 Talk about different types of guns 

00:17:35 Discussion suspect shows up with multiple weapons 

00:22:12 Discussion triple homicide occurs four days after event that led to it 

00:27:14 Discussion of defense strategy for shooting three people 

00:33:17 Talk about suspect showing up armed, left home enraged 

00:38:26 Discussion of victims shot with different guns 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra Pagniano vanishes from her home in the middle of the night while her husband and daughters are asleep. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how handwriting analysis broke the case wide open, while Dave Mack digs into the fractured marriage of David and Sandra Pagniano. All signs point to one suspect and one location where Sandra Pagniano was bound, gagged, and buried alive in a hand dug grave.  

Transcript Highlights

00:00:00 Introduction, history, writing, buried alive  

00:03:22 Discussion or “Person of Interest” 

00:06:21 Discussion of “notes” Jon Benet Ramsay note 

00:11:01 Talk about handwriting analysis 

00:16:15 Discussion of documents 

00:21:22 Discussion of obvious suspects 

00:24:19 Discussion of cadaver dogs 

00:26:32 Talk about using cell towers to track location 

00:31:41 Discussion – how to tell someone was buried alive 

00:35:29 Discussion kidnapped from her house, buried alive 

00:39:13 Conclusion – Life in Prison 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17-year-old Kaitlyn Coones is a runaway from a group home in Canton, Ohio, and is staying with Jonathon Jones, 33, at his mother's residence. Nicole Jones, 53, mother of Jonathon Jones, is unaware that her son has snuck a teen into his bedroom.  Days later, Kaitlyn Jones calls a case worker at the Canton group home informing her she has done something terrible and is on the road with Jonathon Jones. Canton Police call for a welfare check and officers discover Nicole Jones has vanished. Jones car, her son Jonathon, and Kaitlyn Coones are also missing.

In this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, Joe explains what evidence,  recovered by investigators, lead police to say Nicole Jones is dead  Dave Mack goes behind the headlines explaining  the relationship dynamic between Jonathon Jones and Kaitlyn Coones to determine if the teen is a victim, a suspect, or both. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:03 Introduction – teen kidnapped, mother missing, convicted son being sought 

00:04:47 Discussion of missing mom’s car tracked to Arizona and New Mexico 

00:07:52 Talk about attention focus when child is involved 

00:11:47 Discussion of 33-year-old man sneaks teen into his bedroom 

00:16:59 Discussion of Jonathon Jones and Kaitlyn Coones 

00:22:29 Talk about Nicole Jones being murdered in kitchen 

00:27:18 Discussion of circumstantial evidence 

00:32:30 Discussion about rock used as murder weapon 

00:36:44 Talk about Kaitlyn Coones giving Jonathon Jones 5 hours to kill 

00:40:03 Discussion of using GPS to track movement of suspects 

00:42:03 Discussion of blood and hair evidence 

00:44:02 Discussion of Jonathon Jones failure to disarm GPS tracker 

00:45:51 Talk about focus on Kaitlyn Coones being underage victim and suspect 

00:46:56 Conclusion Nicole Jones body will never be found, Jones and Coones are in prison 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Catherine Edwards is found naked and in handcuffs in her bathtub with about 4 inches of water. She has been sexually assaulted and murdered. Cause of death is drowning and asphyxia. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the case that went unsolved for nearly 30-years was solved with DNA, Genetic Genealogy and a tip of the cap to Othram . Dave Mack will help tell the story of the 31-year-old beloved schoolteacher and the killer who almost got away with her murder.  

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:06 Introduction of Cold Case Murder  

00:05:42 Discussion of shutting down crime scene 

00:09:44 Talk about Parents discovering body of their daughter 

00:13:27 Discussion of motivation 

00:18:01 Talk about “torture” 

00:22:21 Discussion of cause of death, drowning and asphyxia 

00:27:30 Discussion of drowning in bathtub 

00:31:23 Discussion of Shera LaPoint, the Gene Hunter 

00:35:33 Talk about familiarity between victim and suspect 

00:39:20 Discussion of DNA and genetic genealogy 

00:41:52 Discussion of Rape Kit 

00:46:35 Conclusion: DNA Solves  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six years before he became known as the Day Trader who went on a murderous rampage, Mark Barton was the suspect in the death of his first wife and her mother while they were camping at a lake in North Alabama. Today, Joseph Scott Morgan shares  personal memories of working the homicides in Atlanta, as well as breaking down the murders of Mark Barton’s first wife and her mother in the camper, and his second wife and children in their apartment.. Dave Mack fills in the back-story on how Mark Barton may have gotten away with murder and child molestation, but he couldn’t escape himself.  

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction of geography, family killer, mass murderer 

00:02:46 Discussion of Mark Barton 

00:07:21 Discussion of murderers and weapons 

00:11:44 Talk about day traders in Atlanta 

00:16:04 Discussion of murder in camper trailer on lake 

00:21:17 Discussion of “robber” that left behind cash and jewelry 

00:26:26 Talk about blood in the Camper 

00:31:02 Discussion of Mark Barton cheating on his wife 

00:35:57 Discussion of timeline of family murders and Buckhead massacre 

00:39:49 Discussion of Barton killing second wife and children with a hammer 

00:43:06 Discussion of murders at Momentum and All-Tech 

00:46:20 Conclusion, Barton shoots himself in the head 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skeletal remains found near the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee don't match up with any missing person cases in Chattanooga or the surrounding area. It takes several months before the remains are positively identified. On this episode of Body Bags,  Joseph Scott Morgan will take you into the field where the remains have been found and into the lab where identification takes place, and Dave Mack will look into the facts surrounding the disappearance of the 20-year-old beauty from Georgia and how she ended up as a skeleton on the side of a rural road outside Chattanooga Tennessee. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:25 Introduction of 20-year-old woman, missing 

00:04:07 Discussion of geography of the case 

00:07:20 Discussion of picking up body in jail 

00:11:51 Talk about Fentanyl becoming drug of choice 

00:16:13 Discussion of drugs and dealers 

00:20:48 Discussion of reporting missing person 

00:24:16 Talk about the deposition of the body 

00:28:08 Discussion of trauma on the bones 

00:32:32 Discussion explaining forensic anthropology at the scene 

00:37:13 Discussion of being absent of clothing 

00:41:40 Conclusion – Case is still open; we will follow up 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie and Clyde killed at least nine police officers and four civilians during their 21-month crime spree from 1932 to 1934. The couple were also responsible for several Bank robberies, gas stations hold-ups , and burglaries. They weren't very good thieves, as they rarely got away with more than $80. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how Bonnie Parker suffered so many bullet holes her body had to be plugged to hold embalming fluid, and Dave Mack will take you behind the scenes in the woods with Frank Hamer and Manny Gault as they brought down the  murderous "Bonnie and Clyde".

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:10 Introduction of human destruction 

00:02:09 Description of Bienville Parish 

00:05:24 Description of Bonnie and Clyde car on display 

00:08:14 Discussion Bonnie 23, Clyde 25 

00:11:15 Talk about Bonnie and Clyde murder young cop 

00:15:11 Discussion about State Coroners convention 

00:18:05 Discussion about transcribing 

00:21:32 Talk about Bonnie and Clyde murdering cops 

00:25:57 Discussion of BB Episode about Coroner system 

00:28:21 Talk about autopsy of famous people 

00:31:41 Discussion of Dr. Wade and others at the autopsy 

00:35:00 Discussion of injuries suffered by Bonnie Parker 

00:37:42 Conclusion: Bonnie and Clyde meet their end 

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Trista Spicer tells everyone her live-in boyfriend, Eric Mercado, left the house on October 11, 2014, and never returned.  Mercado’s family called him “Nino” and they printed up posters, circulated info on social media and physically looked for their “Nino” with no luck. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will detail what happens when someone is hit in the face with a frying pan and their throat is slit with a box cutter. Dave Mack will investigate the relationship between Trista Spicer, Eric Mercado, and Waylan Gentry, and who gave the police the “tip” that turned a missing persons case into a homicide investigation.

Transcript Highlights

00:00.01. Introduction - walking through graveyards

05:08.07  Discussion of social media, sharing too much

10:07.10. Discussion of victim, early 40s

15:35.82. Talk about spouses

20:20.01. Discussion about a missing family member

26:08.66  Discussion of what did Suspect tell new boyfriend

31:18.61. Talk about tattoos

36:39.54  Discussion - somebody always talks

40:26.66  Discussion of soft tissue, dehydrated skin

42:04:13  Conclusion - Face smashed in with frying pan, throat slit

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wade Wilson, not the superhero better known as "Deadpool" but Wade Wilson, Tattoo Face Killer. If Wilson has a favorite song it is probably "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash for the line "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die". For Tattoo Face Wade Wilson, using a gun to kill someone is too impersonal. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain just how personal it is to strangle the life out of someone with bare hands, and Dave Mack will go behind the tattoos and headlines to find out more about the victims of the vile creature capable of killing two women in a matter of hours, just because he can.  Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner in closing argument in murder trial of Wade Wilson:  "This case was about killing for the sake of killing. Strangulation is the epitome of life slipping through someone's hands." 

Transcribe Highlights

00:39.32 Introduction of a nightmare

05:03.44 Discussion of Wade Wilson, tattoo face

10:24.32 Talk about Wilson claiming to be a victim

15:00.63 Discussion about how Wade Wilson got invited back to woman's home

20:23.78 Discussion about destroying a person for no reason

25:52.10 Talk about isn't it enough? 

29:33.42 Discussion about Wilson leaves Melton's home in her car

33:49.88 Discussion of Diane Ruiz body damage, injuries and animals

38:23.24.Discussion Wilson tells Bio Father what he has done

42:13.10 Conclusion - Wade Wilson, Florida Justice

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jerry Harris's pregnant daughter is murdered, her uterus removed, and her body thrown in a river. She is found by fishermen six days after she is last seen alive. Jerry Harris commits suicide outside the Sheriff's Office. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan go behind the evidence and take a look at the body of Jerry Harris' daughter, Jennifer, a murder still unsolved. Dave Mack digs into the story of Jennifer Harris. Who knew she was pregnant and who wanted her dead? The ex-husband? The ex-boyfriend? Did Jerry Harris get so depressed over the murder of his daughter that he killed himself at the Sheriff's office as some kind of challenge?  We know Jerry Harris killed himself. Do we know why?

Transcript Highlights

00:00:17.19 Introduction of "Cold Case" and recent suicide

00:03:48.25 Discussion of life and "dark space"

00:07:29.51 Talk about notification of family

00:10:31.93 Discussion of Jennifer Harris before she vanishes

00:14:43.53 Discussion of evidence, finding Jennifer

00:19:47.66 Talk about detaching while investigating

00:25:25.90 Discussion of finding and condition of remains in Red River

00:29:57.94 Talking about water damage

00:33:35.52 Discussion of ex-husband alibi

00:39:03.49 Talk about Jeep, latent hand or palm print

00:40:04.96 Discussion of cabin in the woods, burned down

00:43:30.88 Discussion of skill level of the person removing uterus

00:45:36.30 Conclusion: Blue clay, caretakers' cabin, suicide of Jerry Harris

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Texas mother of 4 is found hanging from a dock with a rope around her neck in an apparent suicide. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will go behind the shocking story of an apparent suicide and Joe Scott will explain how a witness describing the woman’s body hanging from the dock tells him she didn’t kill herself; this is a murder!  

01:38.72 Introduction: Suicide or Murder 

05:20.55 Discussion of rigidity 

09:06:44 Talk about boat life, living at marina 

13:02.11 Discussion of arms hanging down 

16:41.60 Talk about 30-year old mom, 4 children 

19:31.74 Discussion of suicide 

24:33.02 Discussion of woman’s arm points to different conclusion 

28:06.63 Discussion of staging a suicide 

32:14.44 Talk about girlfriend leaves, doesn’t come back 

36:11.46 Discussion of post-mortem lividity in aquatic environment 

39:18.91Discussion of flaccid 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded LIVE at CrimeCon Nashville, 2024:

In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan explains how he challenges his class at Jacksonville State University to try and solve a cold case. Two years in a row, two different classes and students chose the unsolved murder of Blake Chappell. Blake Chappell tells his mother he is having the best night of his life with his girlfriend at the East Coweta High School Homecoming Dance.

Within a matter of hours, Blake will find himself chased out of his girlfriend’s house in the middle of the night, walking down the road at 5 a.m. texting his girlfriend, and telling her police just stopped and talked to him. One last text to his girlfriend that he is getting cold, and his phone goes quiet.

Blake Chappell is 17 and he never makes it back to his friend’s house. He just vanishes into thin air. It is October 16, 2011. Two months later on December 17, 2011, his nearly naked body is found floating in a creek, he has been shot in the back of the head.

The case is still unsolved. But new search warrants were served in March 2024, will there be justice for Blake Chappell? 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:13 Introduction Blake Chappel Case 

00:04:40 Discuss of family financial issues 

00:08:28 Blake finds ex-girlfriend who ran away 

00:10:32 Blake beaten up by ex’s stepfather 

00:12:26 Blake put in jail for finding his ex 

00:17:35 Mother takes Blake and date to homecoming dance 

00:20:48 Discussion of Blake activities walking in the night 

00:24:24 Talk about Blake walking miles to see girlfriend 

00:28:08 Talk about Blake texting girlfriend 

00:31:49 Talk about Blake doesn’t make it back to Austin’s house 

00:37:36 Discussion Blake shot in back of head 

00:43:22 Discussion rumors about Blake’s death 

00:48:12 Discussion Blake found wearing underwear, no shoes 

00:52:34 Conclusion Joseph Scott Morgan lets his JSU class pick unsolved crime to solve 

Two years in a row the case of Blake Chappel is chosen for the project 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Herb Baumeister lived more than just a “double life."

On this episode of "Body Bags," Joseph Scott Morgan explains how it is possible that Baumeister had over 10,000 remains on his million-dollar estate, and Dave Mack dives into the background of the married, father and businessman who owned two Save-a-lot stores in Indianapolis.

Baumeister, who took his own life in 1996, is suspected of enticing gay men to his home, where he killed them and disposed of their bodies at the rear of his property.

Investigators suspected that Baumeister, a married father of three at the time who frequented gay bars, enticed unsuspecting men to his property to murder them. By 1999, investigators connected him to the disappearance of at least 16 men since 1980.

Some of the victims’ bodies were discovered discarded in shallow streams in rural central Indiana and western Ohio

For 30 years, investigators have been working to identify thousands of human remains, will they ever know the truth about how many people Herb Baumeister murdered?

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:13 Introduction of serial killer graveyard 

00:04:40 Discuss killer double life, wife claims she didn’t know anything 

00:08:28 Talk about trying to identify bone from other items 

00:12:26 Discussion of Forensic anthropologists 

00:17:35 Discussion of hiding secrets from family 

00:20:48 Talk about serial killer obsession with dead animals 

00:24:24 Discussion of the depth of depravity  

00:28:08 Discussion of skeletonized body on the property 

00:31:49 Talk about trying to render body down to ash 

00:36:36 Discussion of method of destruction after burning 

00:40:22 Discussion of other serial killers 

00:44:12 Talk about the size of the property 

00:44:34 Conclusion 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why did police serve another search warrant at the home of Rex Heuermann? Remember, his wife and children still live in the house. After his original arrest and the search warrants were served, pictures appeared in the press showing the damage done as the home was stripped. What did they miss? Why did they bring out the ME? On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will take you into the house and what the ME might be looking for as well as the crime scenes and what has been found. Dave Mack will explain the “To-Do” list and go over the electronics Heuermann has been keeping for decades.  

Transcript Highlights

00:00:00 Introduction: Bernice Worden last victim of Ed Gein 

00:02:20 Discussion of Gilgo document release 

00:06:54 Talk about being on a jury 

00:09:44 Discussion – warning about content of episode 

00:13:55 Discussion of why go back with another search warrant? 

00:19:05 Talk about Rex Heuermann and the list he created 

00:23:11 Discussion of Heuermann electronics 

00:27:02 Discussion of Rex Heuermann planning note began in 2000 

00:30:59 Talk about violent, sexual torture 

00:34:17 Discussion of going to a scene, police don’t know what they have 

00:38:35 Talk about mutilated body a few miles from home 

00:42:15 Talk about access to material was different in the 1990s 

00:42:50 Conclusion, why they called the ME out to the scene 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1985 a skull and partial remains are found in a plastic bag near Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, California. Thinking the remains are from a recent victim, investigators work to solve what they think is a murder. Failing to identify the victim, the case goes cold. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the scientists at Othram Labs developed a DNA extract from the evidence and were able to identify “Ventura County Jane Doe "as the victim of a grave robbing that happened after her death in 1915. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will share the story of Gertrude Elliot-Littlehale, a woman born in 1864 and the amazing life she lived well before she became the unidentified “cold case” of “Ventura County Jane Doe”. Othram Labs is helping solve cases that seem unsolvable with the help of everyday people willing to make a small donation at DNASOLVES.COM Please take a moment of your time and visit DNASOLVES.COM and see how you can help solve a case.  

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction of Ventura County Jane Doe 

00:03:44 Discussion of Skull found in a bag in 1985 

00:07:19 Talk about history and DNA 

00:11:58 Discussion identifying bodies 

00:15:13 Talk about going from 1985 back to 1864 

00:20:49 Discussion of dogs and old bones 

00:24:14 Discussion of forensic anthropologist 

00:29:04 Discussion of “suture lines” 

00:33:03 Talk about solving crimes with DNA 

00:38:20 Discussion of building a family tree 

00:42:12 Discussion of “Gertie” and her life 

00:46:50 Talk about Othram Labs 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine waking up inside a body bag, declared dead and transported to a funeral home, where you find yourself short of breath, BUT STILL BREATHING! In this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan we will explore something that is happening far more often than you think, people being declared dead, who wake up on a table in a funeral home!  And how to make sure you are not Buried Alive!

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction: worst nightmare come true 

00:03:02 Discussion being buried alive  

00:07:28 Talk about funeral homes 

00:11:49 Discussion of hospice care nursing 

00:16:29 Discussion of soldier Battle of the Bulge 

00:20:24 Talk about forensic pathology 

00:24:46 Discussion of dead body, signs of death 

00:28:30 Discussion of death investigation 

00:31:34 Talk about people declared dead, waking up in funeral home 

00:34:16 Discussion of death and declaring someone dead 

00:38:04 Conclusion: cautionary tale, death investigation is important 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The victims of the Long Island Serial Killer have been known in the media as the “Gilgo 4”, but now that Rex Heuermann has been charged with two more murders the media will have to change the name to the “Gilgo 6”.  Rex Heuermann is an architect by trade, someone who can create and use blueprints. Investigators found a Serial Killer Blueprint on Heuermann’s computer. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how DNA evidence and hair might be enough to put away Rex Heuermann for good, and Dave Mack will explore some of the items found on Heuermann’s computer. From disturbing images of abuse and porn, to lists of supplies for torture, investigators found a goldmine during a recent search of Heuermann’s home.  

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction of Gilgo details 

00:02:09 Discuss Rex Heuermann two new murder charges 

00:07:19 Discussion of Data from a forensic standpoint 

00:12:01 Talk about seeing the dumping ground and home of Heuermann 

00:16:58 Discussion of more bodies found along Gilgo 

00:21:18 Discussion of area, easy to be seen 

00:25:25 Discussion of the court documents, new information 

00:29:37 Talk about changes in DNA science since early 90s 

00:33:36 Discussion of skin and injury 

00:37:05 Conclusion – more bodies 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They called themselves the "Gilbert Goons", a group of teens that were suspected of assaults at parties and parking lots, as well as armed robberies. Defended by their parents, the teens' reign of violence culminated with the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord. Preston was at a Halloween Party with friends when one of the "Gilbert Goons" stole a cheap necklace from a friend of Preston Lord.  On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will tell the story of how a town in Arizona was terrorized by a group of entitled teens who were defended by their entitled parents for years until they almost got away with murder. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction: Group Think 

00:03:56 Discussion of group of teens in Gilbert, Arizona 

00:07:22 Discussion of Gilbert Goons videotaping the beating  

00:11:15 Talk about the assaults attributed to the teens in Gilbert 

00:16:09 Discussion of how the beating of Preston Lord continued  

00:21:07 Discussion of a bully 

00:25:45 Talk about parents joking about the beating 

00:30:19 Discussion of severe blunt force trauma 

00:33:52 Discussion of shoe imprint on the body of victim 

00:38:02 Conclusion: judgement is coming. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chrystul Kizer is 17 when she is arrested for the first-degree murder of Randy Volar. The question that will be answered through investigation and the court system is whether or not Chrystul Kizer killed an innocent man, or did she kill a man who was sexually abusing her and other underage girls. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will breakdown the case and take an in-depth look at what story the forensics tell and what information a judge will have to consider in sentencing a teen who saw murder as her only way to live. 

Transcript Highlights

00:00:17 Introduction: growing up 

00:02:18 Discussion of Chrystul Kizer, 17, abuse victim 

00:06:52 Talk about fire debris and dead body 

00:09:57 Discussion of heat causing teeth to shatter 

00:13:15 Discussion of destruction of a person 

00:17:05 Discussion of multiple victims 

00:21:47 Talk about laws regarding sexual abuse 

00:25:54 Discussion of electronic forensics 

00:29:01 Talk about Chrystul Kizer trying to survive 

00:33:04 Discussion of damage 2 shots to the head can cause 

00:38:11 Discussion of stippling 

00:41:43 Talk about victim escaping in BMW 

00:44:27 Discussion of plea deal offered 

00:45:18 Conclusion – sentence coming in August 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia authorities find three victims tortured and murdered in Clayton County and taken to Fulton County. They were found in an abandoned car along I-85 at an exit ramp in Union City, Georgia on January 13, 2013. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will take you into the investigation that determined the victims were tortured and murdered and Dave Mack will go into the back story on how the case remained cold for 11-years until forensics led investigators to a Middle School Assistant Principal in Alabama and 3 other suspects. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction – Position of authority 

00:02:36 Talk about Assistant Principal arrested in cold-case triple murder  

00:08:06 Discussion -11 years after 3 dead bodies found in a car, a break in the case 

00:11:54 Discussion - victims found in Atlanta from Montgomery, Alabama 

00:17:02 Talk about suspect was assistant principal at a middle school 

00:20:51Discussion of multiple jurisdictions working on a case 

00:24:23 Talk about medical examiners 

00:27:40 Discussion of multiple suspects 

00:30:03 Discussion of asphyxiation 

00:31:14 Conclusion, what did the bodies say? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Institutes of Health, comparing a medical examiner and coroner, states that Coroners are elected lay people who often do not have professional training, whereas medical examiners are appointed and have board certification in a medical specialty.

All of this is true.

On this episode of "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan," Joe will take you back in history to a time when the person who finds the dead body in their yard has to gather a posse and solve the murder mystery or be stuck with paying taxes!!

The coroner system has a long history, some funny stories, some strange people, and a few mysteries to unpack.  

    Transcript Highlights 

00:22.56. Introduction of studying the dead. 

03:04.63 Discussion most people don’t die from bullet wounds 

06:01.87 Talk about forensics  

11:38.68 History of “Normans” 

17:44.17 Discussion of power of Coroners 

22:25.90 Discussion of Coroners Jury 

26:18.76 Discussion of authority of coroner 

31:00.67 Discussion of scientific people in coroner system 

32:05.27 Talk about who backs up the coroner 

37:48.5 Discussion of medical examiner state vs coroner state       

42:49.50 Conclusion 

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Grace Millane is in New Zealand when she meets Jesse Kempson on Tinder. Grace is on a Gap Year trip that has taken her to South America and now she is in Auckland, New Zealand where she is camping and hiking and meeting new people.  Connecting on Tinder, Grace meets Kempson for dinner and drinks, most of their evening captured by CCTV. They arrive back at Kempson's hotel and we see them get on and off the elevator. It is the evening of December 1 and Grace turns 22-years-old on December 2nd. On this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, Joe will breakdown what happened to Grace inside the hotel room and what Jesse Kempson did in the aftermath of the gruesome murder.  And Dave Mack will try and make sense of the timeline when, even now, we don't know if Grace made it to her 22nd birthday. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:18 Introduction of Grace Millane, gap year vacation 

00:04:27 Discussion of Tinder date timeline 

00:09:15 Discussion murderer goes on another Tinder date 

00:13:56 Talk about targeting victim, asphyxia 

00:18:33 Discussion of Gap Year  

00:23:46 Discussion of date captured on video 

00:28:17 Talk about murderer covering up the crime 

00:33:03 Discussion of destroying the victim 

00:36:31 Discussion of killing someone with hands around neck 

00:40:13 Talk about the sexual assault 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missy Bevers was murdered inside a church before 5 a.m. while she was preparing for her morning fitness class. Her body is found by a student and Missy is pronounced dead at the scene. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will discuss the possible weapons used to kill Missy Bevers and Dave Mack will dig into the possible suspects in an unsolved murder where the main suspect is caught on camera wearing a police swat kit and walking the halls of the church with an unusual gait, waiting for Missy to arrive. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:24 Introducing Missy Bevers 

00:01:51 Discussion of unsolved murder 

00:04:12 Talk about Camp Gladiator 

00:08:38 Discussion of murderer seen on video 

00:12:28 Discussion of odd gait 

00:17:13 Talk about suspect, man or woman? 

00:21:13 Discussion of SWAT disguise 

00:26:09 Talk about new kit 

00:30:13 Discussion of long hammer as a weapon 

00:34:31 Discussion of injuries matching weapon 

00:39:05 Talk about coverage of case in media 

00:43:20 Discussion of no gun belt 

00:46:44.Conclusion  

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On January 19, 2001, Tara Baker was murdered in her apartment.

The perpetrator sexually assaulted her and then lit the apartment on fire. The case went cold in the town of Athens, Georgia, for over 20 years.

On this episode of "Body Bags," Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the science of solving a cold case and Dave Mack will fill in the blanks of the story that shocked Northern Georgia for over 20 years.

Recently the murder of Laken Riley brought the Tara Baker homicide back into the conversation and with great detective work and with biological evidence and DNA science, the cold case became hot again, as hot as the fire the suspect set to destroy evidence of the horror he created.  

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:09 Introduction of influence 

00:01:24 Tragic Cold Case Solved, Tara Baker 

00:04:11 Discussion of Tara Baker case and Laken Riley 

00:08:32 Discussion of fire in apartment 

00:09:24 Talk about find body  

00:14:32 Discussion of accelerants 

00:19:21 Discussion of death investigation in fire 

00:24:41 Discussion of time involved in the attack 

00:27:58 Talk about predators selecting their victim 

00:31:33 Discussion of how to determine sex assault when body is burned 

00:37:20 Discussion of how a burned body is examined 

00:38:47 Talk about unsolved cold case 

00:41:50 Case solved; Edrick LaMont Faust arrested 

00:44:46 Conclusion, Faust is 48, Tara Baker died at 21 

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On this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, Joe is going to break with our regular format and take a look at a man who revolutionized the Medical legal death investigation field. He was famous as a “Celebrity Pathologist” but that doesn’t do the man justice. When others walk away from trouble, Dr. Cyril Wecht said, “Where is the brain of JFK?”  Joseph Scott Morgan shares his thoughts on the passing of Dr. Cyril Wecht.

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:18 Introduction from JFK movie  

00:00:47 Talk about Dr. Cyril Wecht 

00:04:06 Talk about passing of Werner Spitz 

00:08:21 Discussion of JFK 

00:11:37 Discussion of Dr. Wecht as Air Force Officer 

00:14:45 Talk about Wecht running for political office 

00:19:33 Discussion of Dr. Wecht from coroner’s office to medical examiner 

00:24:16 Talk about Wecht didn’t play golf, life was his hobby 

00:27:16 Discussion of Wecht getting sued for comments  

00:31:36 Talk about Wecht discovers JFK brain is missing 

00:35:02 Talk about destroying evidence to cover up a crime 

00:38:34 Discussion of Dr. Cyril Wecht accomplishments 

00:39:28 Discussion about over 42,000 Post-mortem exams 

00:43:49 Joseph Scott Morgan share thoughts on Dr Wecht 

I just want to take a moment and 1st off acknowledge his passing and certainly the wet family, the Duquesne family and all of his extended friends and colleagues. My deepest sympathies to them because he's a man. He is a man that Has impacted so many of us in the field of forensic science. He passed away peacefully on May 13th. 

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The autopsy of Noah Presgrove is released and for the first time in the history of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, Joe is going to issue you a warning for what you are about to hear. Noah Presgrove is at a birthday, end of summer, labor day party with friends all weekend. But something happened Sunday night to cause Noah to leave the party by himself. He is found the next morning at 5:53am, alone, dead, on the side of a rural highway. He is naked except for a pair of shoes, but one of the shoes isn't his, it belongs to a guy asleep at the house where the party took place. The "friends" he has known all of his life aren't talking. His brother sees teeth scattered near his brother's body and pieces of chain. Who or What killed Noah Presgrove? Will the autopsy help answer the question?

Transcript Highlights

00:00:08 Introduction: Growing up in rural area 

00:03:10 Talk about List of Injuries 

00:05:17 Discussion of group dynamics 

00:09:12 Discussion of what happens to clothing  

00:12:27 Talk about social media evidence 

00:16:11 Discussion of internal injuries 

00:20:26 Discussion of injuries cased by falling out of a truck  

00:24:14 Talk about skull fractures 

00:28:32 Discussion of brain fluid 

00:32:52 Discussion of broke teeth 

00:36:03 Talk about animals and body on road 

00:37:52 Discussion of cervical injuries 

00:40:00 Discussion of abrasions 

00:41:47 Talk about being hit by car 

00:43:59 Discussion of data 

00:44:17 Conclusion; After the autopsy we still don’t have answers 

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Dr. Werner Spitz is a man who spent his lifetime looking straight into the soul of man and looking death in the eye. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan gives a heartfelt tribute to a mentor he never met, a teacher that never gave him a test but one whose approval was sought in every written word and study as a death investigator. Dr. Werner Spitz passed away at the age of 97 on April 14, 2024, and this show is a special tribute to a man that actually did write the book of his profession, "Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death; Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation.

 Transcribe Highlights
00:33.95 Introduction to the life of Werner Spitz

05:59.93 Discussion of Spitz impact on forensic pathologists

09:53.32 Discussion of fleeing Nazi Germany

13:51.43 Talk about being the lone voice of truth that you see

17:35.73 Discussion of Mary Jo Kopechne

24:16.10 Discussion of Spitz being called into high profile situations

28:15.52 Talk about examination using photographs

31:38.41 Discussion of not being afraid to take on cases others wouldn't

36:52.60 Talk about paying for an opinion

37:01.94 Conclusion Those who fail to remember history, are doomed to repeat it

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The double homicide of Russell and Shirley Dermond rocked their gated community along Lake Oconee in Georgia.. The decapitated body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond was found in the garage and his wife of 68 years,  87-year Shirley Dermond was found in Lake Oconee weighted down with cinder blocks, 10 days after Russell's body was found.  On this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, you will learn about the evidence investigators found at the crime scene as well as what can be learned from a body that may have been in a lake for 10 days. The double homicide has gone unsolved for 10 years and the head of Russell Dermond has never been found.  How was this elderly couple, married 68 years, murdered and why?

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction about murders 

00:05:00 Discussion about neighbor checking on Dermond’s 

00:09:34 Talk about unsolved murders, 10 years 

00:14:04 Discussion about Shirley Dermond body found in lake 

00:19:05 Discussion of Russell Dermond head, it’s missing 

00:23:51 Discussion about Shirley was weighted down 

00:28:08 Talk after 10 years, case still unsolved 

00:31:39 Discussion of lack of blood at scene 

00:34:52 Talk about how head was removed 

00:37:57 Talk about DNA evidence 

00:40:28 Conclusion: After a decade, new evidence might solve the case 

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Was 7-year-old JJ Vallow alive when he was buried? Was 16-year-old Tylee Ryan dismembered before her remains were burned? What does the autopsy say about the death of Tammy Daybell? On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain the forensics of all 3 victims and Dave Mack will fill in the background on the story of what really happened to JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction, loving arms that didn’t hold JJ and Tylee 

00:04:21 Discussion of the deaths, JJ, Tylee, and Tammy Daybell 

00:07:54 Discussion of bodies buried near one another 

00:11:19 Discussion of death of Tammy Daybell  

00:14:57 Explaining asphyxia 

00:18:45 Talk about access and opportunity 

00:22:58 Discussion of Dr Warren on witness stand 

00:26:02 Discussion of Bones being scattered, broken up while burning 

00:29:07 Talk about JJ Vallow trying to pull bag off his head 

00:30:47 Conclusion: Justice, whatever that means, is coming. 

Justice, whatever that means, is coming and there is a reckoning coming. 

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At least 12 bodies have been pulled from "Lady Bird Lake" in Austin, Texas in the last 22 months. Some can be explained as deaths that happen on or near a lake, but not all. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the difference between a regular death in a lake and a possible serial killer, while Dave Mack breaks down the stories behind the victims. 

Transcript Highlights

00:16.18 Introduction about water and murder
03:37.66 Discussion does Austin have a serial killer?
08:13.12 Discussion what does "serial killer" do to an area
13:22.11 Talk about other serial killers, were they really caught
17:54.47 Talk about witnessing a death on the water
22:03.17 Discussion of toxicology
27:53.13 Discussion of victims
32:38.32 Talk about water as a dumping ground
36:26.16 Discussion of decomposition in water
40:04.57 Talk about water flow
47:42.83 Discussion about rumors over fact
Conclusion

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Mother of five,  Crystal Rogers is last seen July 3 by her live-in boyfriend, Brooks Houck. Crystal Rogers mother, Sherry Ballard, reports her missing on July 5. Later that day, Crystal Rogers red Chevy Malibu is found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway. The car has a flat tire, but Rogers' keys, phone and purse are still inside. 16-months later, Crystal Rogers is still missing and her father, Sherry Ballard's husband, Tommy Ballard, is murdered in the early morning hours as he prepares to go hunting on his own property with his 12-year-old grandson.

Ballard is shot from an undetermined distance, but his property backs up against the Bluegrass Parkway. It's a fast getaway in either direction for a gunman. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the disappearance of Crystal Rogers and the murder of her dad, Tommy Ballard.  Plus, Joseph Scott Morgan  explains how prosecutors can prove Crystal Rogers was murdered,  even though they haven't found her body.

Transcribe Highlights

00:12.12 Introduction of growing up with PaPaw Morgan
03:34.36 Discuss Crystal Rogers missing, her father Tommy Ballard murdered
06:15.27 Discussion of Bardstown Kentucky 
07:46.82 Discussion of why Brooks Houck didn't report Rogers missing
08:13.81 Talk about Crystal Rogers car found on Bluegrass parkway
15:45.34 Talk Rogers car found with flat tire, she is still missing
18:16.83 Discussion of Brooks Houck, suspect, brother is police officer
21:13.58 Discussion of police letting Houck talk to his brother on phone
26:27.16 Talk about tracking dogs pick up Crystal Rogers scent at farm, but not at her car
31:09.10. Discussion 16 months after Crystal Rogers vanishes, her dad, Tommy Ballard killed
34:36.43 Discussion of how bullet twists the skin
39:02.99 Discussion of Tommy Ballard hunting, murdered on his own property
40:52.53 Discussion of murder charges without a body
43:45.73 Conclusion - waiting for trial 

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Corey Micciolo did not meet his father until he was 5-years-old. Soon thereafter Corey landed in the middle of a custody battle. From the first time he was left alone with his father, Corey came home with bruises, busted lips, and more. His mother complained but nobody listened. Only now are people paying attention because of an awful video showing 6-year-old Corey Micciolo being forced to run on a treadmill and falling off, over and over. Each time he falls off the treadmill, his father puts him back on and turns the speed up, allegedly.  Christiopher Gregor is on trial facing murder charges for allegedly killing his own son in what the media calls the Treadmill Abuse Trial. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what really happened to Corey Micciolo and why 6-year-olds don't drop over dead, and Dave Mack will fill in the rest of the story of how Corey was given to a father that never bonded with him while his mother begged for anyone to listen.

00:38.98 Introduction, talk about weapons

05:17.90 Discussion of exorcise as punishment

10:01.23 Talk about making 6-year-old run on treadmill

16:01.12 Discussion of bruises and injuries

21:06.32 Talk about Corey's health is fine, except for bruises

26:20.26 Talk about Corey tells doctor about football and treadmill

32:41.40 Discussion of children don't die of natural causes at 6

37:27.82 Discussion of injury to abdomen

39:12:19 Conclusion Final Diagnosis, Blunt Force impact, laceration of heart

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Lisa and David Hernandez had been separated for a year before he starts stalking her, showing up at her job uninvited and unwelcome. He sends his estranged wife a bouquet of flowers with Lillies, "the Death Flower", knowing she is extremely allergic to them. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how someone can be killed by a blunt force instrument and a sharp-edged instrument at the same time and Dave Mack will fill in the story with the creepy stalking that David Hernandez allegedly did to his wife.

Transcribed Highlights
00:02:00 Introduction of Lisa Hernandez 

05:12.52 Discussion of "Death Flower" 

08:50.91 Talk about a tool as a weapon
14:17.46 Discussion of skull injury

19:46.20 Discussion of suspect knowing victim allergies

24:28.29 Talk about a "staged" scene
29:19.40 Discussion of allergic reaction 
32:32.27 Discussion of blunt force and sharp force 
36:26.87 Talk about tossing weapon / tool into lake
41:22.33  Discussion of Searching the bottom of a lake

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On August 4, 2020, 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin went to the corner store in his neighborhood to try and make a little money helping people carry their groceries home.  On this day,  he brings his new puppy with him and many people remember seeing the boy and his puppy. But Jaylen Griffin and his puppy never makes it home that evening. It seems as though Jaylen has vanished into thin air. Neighborhood searches, flyers, reward money, nothing helps bring the boy home. Three months after Jaylen goes missing his older brother is murdered, shot dead almost in front of their Buffalo, New York home. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. In September 2023, Jaylen's mother dies,
never knowing what happened to her 12-year-old son. Months after her passing, the decomposed remains of Jaylen Griffin are found in the attic of a house about 5-miles from where Jaylen lived in south Buffalo. The house was no stranger to law enforcement and many people wonder how it was possible the remains of a child could decompose in the attic of a house with many residents and nobody smelled or saw anything. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will breakdown the forensics that will help determine the  cause and manner of death and  try to answer questions that could lead to justice for Jaylin Griffin

Transcript Highlights

00:03.10 Introduction of life, memories 

01:06.13 Talk about 12-year-old boy missing 4 years

05:20.86 Talk about getting help from dentist to ID victim

07:45.26 Discussion of how to identify remains of a child

11:36.93 Discussion of "Bite" marks as evidence 

17:00.65 Jaylen and the "12-year molar"

20:05.82 Discussion of weather on remains

24:45.81 Talk about the home where Jaylen's remains were found

29:22.81 Discussion of remains and smell, compare to Harmony Montgomery

33:00.68 Discussion of law enforcement, fire, rescue calls to address

37:24.74 Talk about remains having "soft tissue"

41:20.56 Conclusion will the remains lead to a murderer?

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From Mother's Day 2020 until September 2023, only one person really knew that Suzanne Morphew wasn't just missing, she was dead. In September 2023 the remains of Suzanne Morphew were found while investigators were working a different crime, An autopsy was done on the remains and on this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how doctors were able to create a toxicology report using only bones, and why Susanne Morphew's death has been ruled a homicide.

Transcribed Highlights 
00:42.91 Introduction of Suzanne Morphew

03:21.30 Talk about autopsy of bones

06:54.40 Discussion of remains 

10:43.53 Discussion of Mountain Lions
 
14:37.94 Talk about the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew

18:16.37 Discussion of darts and animals

20:55.11 Talk about the depth of a hole for remains

26:25.13 Discussion of co-mingling of bones
 
30:06.14 Discussion of decomposed body

35:20.28.Talking about the bones in the arms
 
41:21.60 Discussion of darts and toxicology

47:03.48 Conclusion of the Suzanne Morphew

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This episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan is a look at the death and autopsy of John Wilkes Booth.  Booth shot Abraham Lincoln from behind around 10:15 pm April 14, 1865. He died the next morning, April 15, at 7:22 am. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will uncover the track that Booth took as he tried to escape, and finally being shot himself. Joseph Scott Morgan will make you feel like you witnessed the autopsy yourself as he explains, in great detail, the autopsy of John Wilkes Booth. 

Transcribe Highlights
00:13.63 Introduction - autopsy of John Wilkes Booth
01:45.79 Discuss Forensic expert is a history fan
05:09.53 Talk about the Booth acting family
08:22.93 Discussion of how Booth wrecked everything
12:47.62.Talk about Booth jumping to stage
18:45.53 Discussion of expectation
22:49.66 Talk about the conspiracy
27:50.24.Discussion of Booth broken leg
32:01.96 Talk about comparing Lincoln to Kennedy
38:40.42 Discussion of Booth not getting help
41:08.80 Talk about getting Booth on boat
48:59.90.Discussion of putting a door on saw horses as a table
50:03.11 Talk about Autopsy in 1800s
52:18.34 Discussion of Booth being wrapped in military blanket
56:27.97 Conclusion, Lincoln wanted the country to heal  

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Sade Robinson is having fun on her first date with a new guy. They pose together and post the picture to social media. Sade had no idea she was taking a picture with the devil and she only had hours to live.

In this episode of "Body Bags," Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the killer sealed his fate by trying to destroy evidence with fire.

Transcribe Highlights 

00:22.97 Introduction Milwaukee 

05:01.65. Talk about Jeffrey Dahmer 

07:29.72 Discussion of dismemberment 

09:53.60 Talk about getting rid of smell with tires 

14:06.81 Discussion of finding leg 

 20:10.93 Talk about remains being compromised  

25:18.19. Breaking down the timeline  

30:30.67. Discussion of other women missing 

34:38.48 Talk about fire inside a car 

36:38.64 Discussion of witness who saw person use lighter to start car fire 

39:33.42 Conclusion – how remains will tell what really happened to Sade 

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Boston Cop John O'Keefe and his girlfriend Karen Read go on a pub crawl before ending their the night at the home of a Boston cop friend of O'Keefe's at 12:45 am. 6 hours later, the body of John O'Keefe is found in the front yard of the house, covered in snow in blizzard conditions. He is wearing two shirts, jeans, socks and one shoe. Near his body on the snow are shards of glass and splotches of blood. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will take an up close look at the injuries and find out what really happened to John O'Keefe. Dave Mack will breakdown the story that has divided Boston and together they will try to answer the question: Who Killed John O'Keefe?

. 

Transcribed Highlights 

00:01.10   Introduction, talk about weather conditions and murder 

02:05.22 Discussion of Karen Read case 

05:05.56 Talk about Media coverage 

09:09.25 Discussion of forensics role in investigation 

14:06.82 Talk about background of relationship 

16:16.35 Breaking down timeline of events 

19:50.94 Discussion of physical injuries   

21:07.56 Talk about Blood Alcohol 

25:20.82 Talk about leaving bar, going to house party 

30:09.48 Talk about Text Messages, getting directions 

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Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley vanish on their way to pick up Veronica’s children to go to a birthday party. They were supposed to meet up with Veronica Butler’s ex-mother-in-law at a closed gas station in rural Texas County, Oklahoma. But they never make it. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how evidence from blood to tire treads will help solve the mystery of the Missing Moms.  

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:00 Introduction of shared custody 

00:03:10 Discussion or relationships and death 

00:06:50 Talk about terrain 

00:11:03 Discussion of moms reported missing 

00:14:08 Talk about how vehicle ended up where it is found 

00:18:46 Discussion of evidence found at scene 

00:23:21Talk about tire tread identification 

00:27:47 Discussion of term “puddle of blood” 

00:31:16 Discussion of meeting place 

00:34:16 Talk about SWAT Teams showing up in Rural County 

00:38:44 Talk about death penalty states 

00:40:56 Discussion identifying body 

00:42:29 Conclusion 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years she was labeled “Bones 20” the unidentified victim of the Green River Killer. But now, thanks to police work and Othram Labs, the victim has been named as Tammy Liles. She was from Everett, Washington, and vanished in the summer of 1983. She was only 16 years old when she became a victim of serial killer Gary Ridgeway. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will take you behind the headlines and into the lab that helped give a name to a young lady who spent decades being called “bones 20”.  

Transcript Highlights  

00:0:16 Introduction – The Green River Killer last victim identified 

00:02:28 Talk about age reference  

00:06:32 Discussion of high-profile murders 

00:10:48 Talk about the Green River Killer 16-year-old victim 

00:15:56 Discussion of identifying remains 

00:20:54 Discussion of the Green River Killer evidence 

00:25:58 Talk about starting with incomplete skeleton 

00:29:41 Discussion of Genetic Genealogy 

00:34:51 Talking about Othram labs 

00:37:39 Conclusion; might be the most noble of pursuits 

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Destiny Duckett’s cousin couldn’t reach her by phone, so she stopped by her apartment to check on her. The cousin knocks on the door, but Destiny doesn’t answer. The cousin can hear the baby crying and she is worried. She calls police to do a welfare check and when they enter Destiny Duckett’s apartment, her 8-week old son is on the bed, crying, and his 22-year-old mother is on the floor, dead. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will look into the mysterious death of 22-year-old new mother, Destiny Duckett and Joseph Scott Morgan  will explain how fingernails play a keep part in solving the murder. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:00 Introduction of case 

00:02:20 Discussion of fingernails  

00:05:37 Talk about cousin called police, heard baby crying 

00:10:56 Discussion of protective order leading to arrest of suspect  

00:15:26 Talk about leaving crying baby on the bed, alone, mother dead on floor 

00:19:43 Discussion of body being the biggest evidence 

00:24:16 Discussion of proving knees were on chest of victim 

00:28:26 Talk about fingernail marks on the neck 

00:33:55 Discussion of why suspect was already in jail 

00:36:33 Conclusion – Convicted, sentencing to come 

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A bag with a burned, dismembered torso is found by a boy out for a horseback ride about a mile from town. The police chief says he was mowing his lawn when he got the call about the headless, armless, legless, burned torso, and from that moment on it was "chaos". On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will tell the story of the dismembered and burned torso and how, after 44-years, he was finally identified with DNA and Othram labs.

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:00 Introduction of episode 

00:02:13 Talk about identifying Joseph Caliva 

00:06:15 Discussion of years beginning in 1979 

00:10:40 Talk about dismemberment 

00:15:48 Discussion of what was found 

00:17:39 Talk about burned remains 

00:22:25 Discussion about trying to ID person 

00:27:25 Talk about finding portions of the torso 

00:31:54 Talk about creating a person out of evidence 

00:36:34 Discussion after 44 years, victim identified 

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AUTOPSY REPORT WILL NOT BE RELEASED. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what happened to Madeline Soto and Dave Mack will dig into the back story of the entire family. You will find out by the time she reached 13-years-old, Madeline Soto had already been sexually abused for years. When she was a “missing 13-year-old" from Florida, the news covered every tidbit of information about the search for the teen. One piece of evidence that made it to the press was how Madeline Soto told a friend when she turned 13, she was going to live in the woods. That is why police searched the woods for Madeline.  

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:28 Introduction, talk about parents protecting children 

00:04:28 Talk about Madeline Soto saying she wanted to live in the woods 

00:05:31 Discussion of ages 12 and 13 

00:09:04 Discussion of Madeline not taking cell phone 

00:12:29 Talk about family being told about evidence 

00:16:42 Discussion of time children go to school 

00:20:07 Discussion of Madeline Soto seen in vehicle 

00:21:49 Talk about being haunted by evidence 

00:26:26 Discussion of Madeline Soto 

00:30:26 Talk about video surveillance of suspect 

00:33:22 Discussion of 60 charges against suspect  

00:37:32 Discussion of evidence of previous abuse 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fire department shows up at the home of one of their own and find Melissa Lamesch unconscious on the kitchen floor as her home goes up in flames around her. She is on maternity leave from her job as an EMT and is expecting her baby to be born any day. Melissa Lamesch and her unborn baby die in what authorities believe is asphyxiation from the fire. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will breakdown how trying to burn evidence of a crime, oftentimes creates the evidence needed for conviction.

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:08 Introduction of fire set to cover-up a murder 

00:01:18 Talk about fire and smoke 

00:03:10 Discussion of smoke as evidence 

00:05:05 Discussion of woman, 9 months pregnant, dying in a fire 

00:08:35 Talk about how healing takes place after being burned  

00:11:26 Discussion of hair catching fire in bathroom 

00:14:43 Victim is on maternity leave from job as EMT 

00:18:53 Discussion of the mother and her baby 

00:22:53 Discussion of monoxide 

00:28:01 Talk about suffocation 

00:33:33 Discussion of fire splash patterns 

00:36:55 Talk about the family talking to officials after the fire 

00:40:46 Discussion of dealing with the death of pregnant mother 

00:43:10 Conclusion, Matthew Plote convicted for Murder  

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Deborah Frazier calls 911 and tells them two burglars have shot her boyfriend, and as she is on the phone, a gunshot is heard and Frazier tells the dispatcher she has been shot in the leg by one of the burglars.

Police arrive and discover the first person shot, Mr. Thomas Waddell, is in the back room of his apartment, wrapped in a blanket and a garbage bag and secured with duct tape.

On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain all of the things police will have to believe for Deborah Frazier's story to be true and Dave Mack will explain how Frazier was using a second boyfriend to con Mr Waddell out of his life savings!

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:42 Talk about everything that has to be believed for the story to be true 

00:02:48 Discussion of not believing a story 

00:04:20 Discussion of “victim” shooting her boyfriend in the head 

00:05:53 Talk about cases too difficult to believe 

00:10:54 Talk about self-inflicted gunshot wound 

00:14:19 Discussion of the victim who just retired 

00:18:54 Talk about determining how long person has been dead 

00:23:19 Discuss investigation of digital background 

00:28:34 Talk about GSR test 

00:33:02 Discussion of police on scene, gunshot recorded 

00:37:57 Discussion of what has to be believed by investigators 

00:40:12 Talk about Pictures of a life shared, scattered on the floor 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Burned remains of a man found inside a foot locker and left in a blueberry field in Michigan were not identified for 13 years. In 2015 the case was called  "The Jack-in-the-Box Murder because it was a catchy title. The remains were not identified until the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office received a tip in 2015 that gave them the information they needed to use dental records to identify the deceased as Robert Caraballo. Investigating Caraballo's life at the time of his death took investigators to the home he shared with his wife and stepdaughter. Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the forensics that brought this case to a conclusion and Dave Mack will help tell the story of how the Jack-in-the-Box Murder became The Fugitive Wife Murder Trial. 

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:44 Introduction of story a burned body in a trunk found in blueberry field 

00:02:40 Talk about conspiracy and escaping to other side of the planet 

00:05:28 Discussion of victim being alive with hammer stuck in skull 

00:08:02 Discussion of injury caused by falling downstairs 

00:12:34 Talk about how remains could not be identified 

00:15:11 Discussion of evidence in hammer attack 

00:19:49 Discussion of hitting head with a hammer 

00:23:51Talk about how the skull breaks 

00:28:19 Discussion of destroying a body 

00:32:37 Discussion of “old school” identifying remains 

00:35:15 Talk about the plan to push victim down the stairs, hit him with a bat 

00:35:53 Talk about the conspiracy 

00:38:01 Discussion of law in Italy for hotel guests 

00:39:15 Discussion of cover-up 

00:40:06 Beverly McCallum guilty on all charges 

00:40:42 Talk about keeping a secret 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suicide or Murder?  Kendy Howard is found in a bathtub full of water with a gunshot wound to the head.  His body is cold, but the water in the tub is warm!  Red Flag number one.  On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will take a look at all of the "Red Flags" present in the reported suicide of Kendy Howard.  Why is there so little blood in the water? Why is her ex-trooper husband arrested at the airport? The biggest question of all, is the death of Kendy Howard a Suicide or Murder?

Transcript Highlights 

00:00:27 Joe talks about admiration for Troopers 

00:03:03 Discussion of law enforcement 

00:05:59 Discussion of “Red Flags” 

00:08:14 Talk about the water is warm, body is cold 

00:12:23 Investigation of suicide/murder 

00:16:33 Discussion of damage caused by gunshot in mouth 

00:17:49 Talk about direction of bullet 

00:21:26 Comparing murder of Travis Alexander 

00:25:53 Defining different types of asphyxiation 

00:30:08 Talk about injuries “frozen in time” 

00:35:33 Discussion of how much blood would be expected 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.