Serial Killers in Tennessee

In this gripping episode of Criminology Chats, we sit down with high school educator Alex Campbell to discuss the incredible real-world impact of his classroom projects. We dive deep into the origins of the viral Murder 101 podcast and how a group of high school students in rural Tennessee sparked a nationwide conversation about cold cases and serial killers. The primary focus of their investigation—and the subject of this episode—is the haunting cold case of the Redhead Murders, a series of unsolved crimes involving young women with red hair found along Tennessee highways in the 1980s. You will hear how these students, whom Campbell calls his "six sisters" advocates, applied forensic science and victimology to create profiles that even the FBI admired, eventually dubbing their primary suspect the "Bible Belt Strangler."

The students' work on the Redhead Murders became the basis for the chart-topping Murder 101 podcast, and their research into the 1980s Tennessee serial killer epidemic has been featured in a major documentary streaming on platforms like Netflix. We also discuss their profound book, Driven by Rage, Fueled by Diesel: The Forgotten Victims of the Tennessee Highway Hunters, which investigates the "Tennessee Highway Hunters" and serial killers like the prolific Samuel Little. Campbell details the fascinating process of his students digging through FOIA requests and old police files, leading them to re-examine potential cases, such as the wrongful death ruling of Sedley Alley’s first wife, which is now being revisited thanks to their investigative efforts.

This project is a powerful testament to what students can achieve when they are trusted with authentic, meaningful work. Whether they are uncovering the history of the Tennessee Highway Hunters or helping law enforcement identify victims decades later, these students have proven that age is no barrier to seeking justice. Join your host JR Rainbolt and co-host Grace Farrell as we explore this coming-of-age true crime story that has captivated audiences from the Sundance Film Festival to the top of the podcast charts. Listen now to discover the full scope of the Murder 101 project and how these students are finally giving names and voices back to the forgotten victims of the Redhead Murders.

Links and Resources

• PODCAST MURDER 101: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-101/id1724019923
• ARTICLE ABOUT THE PROJECT: https://www.the74million.org/article/tennessee-high-schoolers-solved-a-nearly-40-year-old-serial-murder-mystery/
• The Chicago School: thechicagoschool.edu
• Criminology Chats: criminologychats.podbean.com/
• Email: criminologychatspodcast@gmail.com
• Executive Produced by: AMPeters www.dinomonster.com
• Post-Production Services by: Audio Photo Synthesis www.audiophotosynthesis.com