220: The Murder of Rhonda Oakley

American Scandal is a podcast from Wondery that explores the darker stories that have shaped the United States. From the Unabomber to Bernie Madoff, these are stories that reveal the underbelly of America: ruthless, secretive, and power-hungry. The new season of American Scandal looks at the controversial decision made by a young government official named Daniel Ellsburg to leak the Pentagon Papers, the documents that led Americans to demand an end to the catastrophic Vietnam War. Once Ellsburg realized this terrible truth, he made the bold decision to leak the documents, and the consequences altered the course of American history. This is just a preview of American Scandal, but you can listen to the full episode at http://wondery.fm/AS_SouthernFriedTC

22 Joulu 20217min

On July 8, 1997, a young sailor returned home after a week at sea, and found his wife dead in their bedroom. Michelle Moore-Bosco had been raped and murdered. Police quickly zeroed in on a neighbor who insisted he was innocent. But after 10 hours of coercive interrogation, he confessed. Six months later, when his DNA was not a match, police changed their theory of the crime. Now, instead of clearing the neighbor, they insisted he didn’t act alone. Over the next few months, police would claim up to 8 suspects had attacked Michelle. Four would actually be indicted. It would take over a decade to prove their innocence, even though police had a DNA match and confession from Michelle’s real killer. Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley GrayWritten by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica KelleySources:https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/138-the-case-of-the-norfolk-fourSponsors: SimpliSafe.com/southernfried CALM.COM/southernfriedBetterHelp.com/southernBeachBound.com

20 Joulu 20211h 18min

On March 26,1994, 19 year old Shannon Melendi went on her lunch break - she had been working as the scorekeeper at the Softball Country Club of Atlanta. But Shannon never returned from break, and she was never seen again. Law enforcement treated her disappearance as a runaway and if some high powered politicians hadn't gotten involved, Shannon's killer would never have been brought to justice.Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley Gray and Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed Erica KelleySources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/137-georgias-first-no-body-conviction-the-murder-of-shannon-melindiPLEASE sign the petition to deny Butch Hinton parole when he is eligible to apply again. Here is the link the Melendi family created: https://www.change.org/p/victimservices-pap-state-ga-us-keep-shannon-melendi-s-murderer-colvin-butch-hinton-behind-bars-where-he-belongsPersonal letters are very influential and should be mailed to: Victim Services OfficeState Board of Pardons—Paroles2 M.L. King, Jr. Drive, SESuite 458, East TowerAtlanta GA, 30334RE: Parole Hearings for:Colvin C. "Butch" Hinton, III (GDC ID #0001201616Petitions can also be emailed to:letters4shannon@gmail.comfchristin@dadeschools.netNikkiHoHo@dadeschools.netSponsors: SimpliSafe.com/southernfried Best Fiends, that’s friends without the “R”BetterHelp.com/southernOliveandJune.com/southernfried

13 Joulu 20211h 5min

Few things are more devastating than a loved one going missing. On The Vanished podcast from Wondery, host Marissa Jones tells stories of missing persons that have gone overlooked by mainstream media. In a recent episode, Marissa looks into the disappearance of James Foster Chance. The 48-year-old man from Texas went missing in March of 2021. Devastated and without any leads, James’ family began searching for him. But in their search they began uncovering clues that James was not the man they thought he was. And worse -- that he may have disappeared on purpose. Listen to The Vanished at http://wondery.fm/TV_southernfried .

7 Joulu 20217min

After Steve Beard was shot in the gut with a 20 gauge shotgun, it was a miracle that he initially survived. He suffered for almost 4 months before succumbing to his horrific wounds. And it would take two years to prove that his wife, Celeste Beard, did in fact plan his murder. She destroyed so many lives with her scheming and hurt so many people, including her twin daughters who were forced to live with her lies, until they finally broke free of her. Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley GrayOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica KelleySponsors: StoryWorth.com/southernfried BeachBound.comBetterHelp.com/southernAuraFrames.com/southernfriedSources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/135-136-the-infamous-case-of-celeste-beard-part-1-part-2Merch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com@southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)Southern Fried True Crime Fans Discussion Group (Facebook Group)

6 Joulu 20211h 18min

At 3am on October 2, 1999, 74 year old Texas millionaire, Steven Beard called 911. Panicked and bewildered, he said “My guts blew out of my stomach!” He didn’t know what happened, just that he was literally holding his intestines with his hands. Paramedics thought maybe he had a recent surgery and stitches busted. Until one of them saw a shotgun shell on the floor. Thus began the infamous case of Celeste Beard. Gold digger? Loving mother? Was she a victim or a murderer? Who is the real Celeste Beard?Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley Gray and Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Next Day Podcast and Erica KelleySponsors: CALM.COM/southernfried BeachBound.comBetterHelp.com/southernSimpliSafe.com/southernfriedSources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/135-136-the-infamous-case-of-celeste-beard-part-1-part-2Merch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com@southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)Southern Fried True Crime Fans Discussion Group (Facebook Group)

22 Marras 202150min

Private First Class Kelli Bordeaux disappeared on the night of April 13th, 2012 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The petite, blonde, former cheerleader, didn't look like your typical soldier. Kelli was as tenacious as she was beautiful, and she dreamed of becoming a combat medic. But Kelli was also human: at the time of her disappearance, she was married and having an affair. Both men would be investigated exhaustively for two years before the mystery was finally solved. Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley GrayOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica KelleySuggested by Lance Kenison Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/134-the-disappearance-of-pfc-kelli-bordeauxMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com@southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)Southern Fried True Crime Fans Discussion Group (Facebook)Sponsors: StoryWorth.com/southernfried Best Fiends, that’s friends without the “R”BetterHelp.com/southernOliveandJune.com/southernfried

8 Marras 202145min

In the summer of 1990, just days before classes were to begin at the University of Florida in Gainesville, a monster crept through the night and viciously murdered five college students. He was finally caught and the weeks of terror ended. He was dubbed the Gainesville Ripper and his crimes, slaughtering innocent college students, inspired the horror movie, Scream. Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Haley GrayOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica KelleySuggested by Robert Stroh Jr., Stephanie Knuckles, and Stacy CasonSources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/133-the-gainsville-ripperSponsors: CALM.COM/southernfried BeachBound.comBetterHelp.com/southernBuyRaycon.com/southernfriedMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com@southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)

1 Marras 20211h 2min