The Mysterious Disappearance of Tara Grinstead

On the evening of August 15,  Connor and Betty Bowman stay home and have drinks together. The last drink Betty remembered having was a smoothie. The next morning Betty Bowman is sick. So sick she goes to the hospital where they admit her and treat her for what seemed like food poisoning. Betty Bowman is 32 and healthy but over the next 4 days her condition worsens and she dies. When her husband, Connor Bowman, tries to have her cremated right away with no autopsy, alarms bells go off and police are called. It seems that Connor Bowman was researching a particular medication used to treat gout, and what would be the lethal amount for someone the size of Betty Bowman. Join forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan and co-host Dave Mack as look into the almost perfect weapon and crime.  Time Code- Highlights 00:00:00  Some natural remedies have been know to humanity for thousands of years. Could one have been used for murder?  00:04:46 Discussion of Betty and Connor Bowman's educations and professions. Both are pharmacists. 00:07:59 Bowman marriage difficulties discussed.  00:09:08 Betty Bowman hospitalized with what is thought to be food poisoning and dies   00:09:12 Connor Bowman has to be smart, based on educational accomplishments 00:09:15  32 years old Betty Bowman found a way to travel. She traveled the world.  00:09:20 Betty went to Hawaii, the Caribbea, Iceland, Grand Canyon.  00:09:35 Connor had such massive debt from college that they kept their money separate 00:09:44 Conner Bowman told a friend there was $450,000 life insurance on Betty Bowman 00:10:05  Betty Bowman was in good health. She and Conner  talking about divorce.  00:10:12 August 15, Betty and Connor Bowman at home, drinking and watching movies 00:10:39 Betty wakes up sick, thought food poisoning, went to Mayo clinic, St Mary Hospital August 16 00:10:59 Betty admitted to hospital and they treat her for food poisoning 00:11:05 Treat her for gastrointestinal distress and dehydration 00:11:14 After treatment, nothing gets better and she dies after four days.  00:11:58 Marriage on downhill slope 00:35:21 Connor Bowman says no autopsy, wife doesn't want to be a cadaver. 00:39:02 Connor Bowman asked if cremation would cause more "in depth" tox screen 00:41:35 Bowman looked up colchicine on laptop. What's a lethal dose?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Nov 202332min

Kathryn Pham, 21. had been dating Daniel Gunnarsson, 23, hardly a month, but the 23-year-old's obsession with Pham grew quickly. He would get angry if anyone else had the young woman's attention. Gunnarsson confided to his stepfather that he thought Pham was breaking up with him. The stepfather's advice?  Apologize. Gunnarsson did and somehow convinced Pham to go with him to his stepfather's home. Once there, painters were on the scene. The couple went in to the garage. Soon after the painters hear screaming, but wait an hour before going to check.  Inside the garage, Kathryn Phan is laying on the floor, naked and bloodied. Daniel Gunnarsson struck Pham with an ice axe at least 10 times. Join forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan and co-host Dave Mack as they look at the destruction and mayhem caused by one tool.   Time Codes-highlights 00:00:00  Joseph Scott Morgan discusses what it's like to receive a jury duty letter in the mail only to find the possible case is murder.  00:02:29  An ice axe is not a tool found in most homes. Usually it is only in locations with colder temperature.  How could it be used for murder?  00:04:14 Description of an ice axe 00:06:50  Dating relationship between Daniel Gunnarsson and Katie Pham introduced 00:07:56 Daniel Gunnarsson red flag behavior details.   00:09:06  Katie Pham's trip to Gunnarsson's stepfather's garage  00:09:38  Painters start hearing a girl's screams. Body is discovered. Scene described.  00:12:28 Katie Pham's injuries described   00:15:56 Injuries occurred in the upper body, the chest, the neck  and the head. .  00:20:08 Dead body touched in sexual manner 00:21:34 Suspect was wearing gloves.  00:24:45 Jurors had to hear details of an ice axe murder.  00:25:34 Victim was struck at least 10 times.  00:28:36  Is it possible to determine the order of injuries?  00:29:41 Defense strategy was that someone else snuck into the garage.   00:31:01 Jurors wept  00:31:20  Daniel Gunderson was  found guilty.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Nov 202331min

Kara Nichols is found dead, strangled and buried alongside a horse on a property owned by her murderer's parents, several years after she has been declared missing. Confessed killer Joel Hollendorfer is at the center of this tale that explores not just the murder itself, but its far-reaching repercussions. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack traverse the winding roads of Kara's life and the cold case that took years to solve. They discuss the forensics of strangulation, the ethics of grief, and the complexities of moral responsibility. Dave delves into the timeline of Kara's last days, while Joseph navigates the complicated web of legal hurdles that investigators faced. This episode also questions whether it's possible to die of a broken heart, highlighting the psychological and emotional toll a murder can take on the families involved.   Mentioned Podcast:   Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum on Apple Podcasts   Time-coded Highlights:   00:00:43 — Joseph Scott Morgan discusses the theme of the episode, which is whether people can die of a broken heart, or from grief. He introduces a case where a murderer believes his father died from the shock of his confession.   00:02:03 — Dave Mack shares his philosophical views on the overwhelming power of grief.   00:03:20— Details about the murder of Kara Nichols are shared.    00:05:00—Joseph Scott Morgan talks about the emotional burden for the perpetrator's parents.   006:10, Dave questions the moral responsibility of those who know about the crime.   00:07:58—The close relationship between Kara and her brother is spotlighted.   00:08:27—The discussion shifts to the challenging circumstances of Kara's life. 00:09:14—Joe Scott Morgan reveals that persistence and hard work solved this cold case.   00:10:05 — Dave Mack expresses admiration for cold case workers like Cheryl McCollum.   00:15:05 — The movements of Kara are traced back to a specific suspect via her phone.   00:16:40 — Joel Hollendorfer’s conversation with Detective Gugliotta is discussed.   00:18:20 — The complexities of obtaining a search warrant are outlined.   00:23:11 — Morgan discusses the complexities of using ground penetrating radar in investigations.   00:24:14 — Dave Mack reveals that Joel Hollendorfer confessed to his parents about killing a young woman.    00:28:08 — Explaination of the use of lime on a body to speed up the decompositional process.   00:36:48 — Morgan explains the intricacies of strangulation and the role of the hyoid bone in determining the cause of death.   00:38:20 — The trial and conviction of Joel Hollendorfer are dissected, leaving listeners with the unsettling thought that he still has a chance at a life outside prison.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Nov 202339min

In an unfathomable act, the lifeless body of young Zion Staples is discovered abandoned in a trash can. The grim finding sends waves through the community, raising existential questions on human morality. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack dissect the intricacies of the case, exploring topics ranging from the science of decomposition to the societal implications of how we treat our deceased. While Morgan brings his forensic expertise to the table, offering unique insights into time of death estimation and the decomposition process, Mack provides additional context, revealing dark layers of the family's involvement.   Time-coded Highlights:   00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan sets the tone by musing on the value of life.   00:01:20 — The tragic story of Zion Staples is introduced.    00:01:54 — Taking out the trash is discussed as an everyday act with dark implications in the Zion Staples case.   00:03:00 — Dave Mack contextualizes the focus on garbage and decomposition in the case.   00:03:50 — The connection between smell and taste in the context of decomposition is explained by Joe Scott.   00:04:08 — Society's treatment of the deceased is examined.    00:07:14 — Dispelling a common misconception, Joseph Scott Morgan talks about the challenges in determining the exact time of death.   00:09:11 — Morgan shares details about another mysterious case involving a person missing for seven months.   00:14:37 — A detailed explanation of body tissue disintegration after death is given.   00:16:22 — Cause of death's impact on decomposition rates is discussed after Dave Mack brings up the example of a gunshot wound to the head.   00:21:14 — Significant changes that a decomposing body undergoes are highlighted by Morgan, emphasizing the importance of evidence preservation.   00:29:00 — New information about Zion's mother, Sushi Staples, and her history with child services is revealed.    00:30:40 — Joe Scott Morgan discusses the challenges of the investigation due to the time elapsed since the incident and the lack of concrete evidence.   00:32:08 — Morgan reveals that Sushi Staples has only been charged with concealing the body of her 10-year-old son in a garbage can, not with his death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 Okt 202332min

Two horrific murders shake a university town to its core, as Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom fall prey to a monstrous crime. In a dilapidated house in East Knoxville, Tennessee, the young couple are kidnapped and tortured in an environment that can only be described as hellish. In this gripping episode, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the gruesome details, chilling forensics, and unfathomable cruelty behind the case. With firsthand experience and unsettling revelations, they bring you closer to understanding the harrowing ordeal these victims went through. The episode delves into forensic complexities, offers insights into the minds of the perpetrators, and discusses the pivotal moments that led to their capture. Brace yourselves for a haunting journey through one of the darkest chapters of true crime.   Time-coded Highlights: 00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan sets the stage for the episode’s chilling focus: two horrific murders in a university town, considered among the most horrifying covered by Morgan. 00:01:20 — The names of the victims, Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom, are introduced alongside the setting—a rundown house in East Knoxville. 00:01:40 — Joseph Scott Morgan discloses his personal involvement in covering the Eric Boyd trial. 00:03:00 — A visceral account of the kidnapping and the setting is provided by Dave Mack. 00:04:40 — It's revealed that the atrocities committed against Channon and Christopher are akin to acts of “Satan himself." 00:07:31 — The suffering endured by Christopher Newsom, including torture and being set on fire, is hauntingly detailed by Dave Mack. 00:08:04 — The agonizing torment Channon Christian went through is elaborated upon by Joseph Scott Morgan. 00:08:46 — The seclusion and inaccessibility of railway tracks as common dumping grounds for victims are discussed. 00:10:02 — Dave Mack specifies that Christopher was not killed at the house but was later taken to the railway tracks. 00:10:54 — Dave Mack reveals that unusual activities at the house on the night of the crime were noticed by a dump truck driver. 00:11:27 — Treatment of the victims is equated to "torture," akin to how prisoners of war are treated. 00:15:04 — The crime scene’s dehumanizing aspects and the extreme physical abuse suffered by the victims are dissected. 00:23:05 — Psychological manipulation used on the victim by promising release is exposed. 00:30:27 — The discovery of the female victim's body in a garbage can, constricted into a fetal position, adds another layer of horror to the narrative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Okt 202332min

Dorothy Dusold's life comes to a chilling end, her body marred by manual strangulation and the telltale signs of anoxic encephalopathy—a gruesome testament to oxygen deprivation and ensuing cardiac arrest. True crime experts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack join forces to dissect this unsettling narrative, where familial love crumbles into fatal brutality. Diving deep into the psychosocial underpinnings, forensic evidence, and medical realities of the case, they guide us from the eerie echoes of the 911 call to the contentious forensic findings that sway the court. Through their exhaustive analysis, they illuminate not only Dorothy's agonizing final moments but also the grim medical trajectories that culminated in her tragic demise. This episode serves as a poignant and intellectually rigorous examination of the shadowy corners where family ties fray into lethal violence.   Time-coded Highlights: 00:00:20—Joseph Scott Morgan introduces the unique case of a daughter allegedly squeezing her mother to death. 00:02:40—Joe Scott and Dave Mack discuss the physical strength required to squeeze someone to death. 00:03:20 — The 911 call made by Cassandra Dusold is discussed.  00:04:20—Morgan lauds the invaluable role of first responders in high-stakes situations. 00:06:20 — The concept of deception in the case is introduced. 00:07:04 — Joe Scott Morgan explains what a 'code' means in a hospital setting, specifically a 'code blue' which indicates cardiac arrest. 00:08:31— The crucial steps in emergency cardiac care are outlined.  00:14:09 — Dave Mack opens up a dialogue on the unusual circumstances surrounding Dorothy Dusold's death. 00:16:40—Dave highlights inconsistencies in Cassandra's story, creating doubt about her credibility. 00:18:40, the possibility of Dorothy having bilateral black eyes and ear bleeding is explored. 00:27:49 — A medical breakdown of how the victim's throat was constricted is presented. 00:30:00, Joe Scott delves into various methods of manual strangulation, questioning the story told by Cassandra. 00:31:40 — The episode wraps up with the conviction of the perpetrator, Cassandra Dussault, for manslaughter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Okt 202332min

Jamie Faith, a special forces operator in Tennessee, is fatally shot seven times while walking his dog, a part of his morning routine with his wife Jennifer. What initially appears as a masked perpetrator's random act of violence unravels into a dark tale of manipulation, emotional affairs, and meticulous planning. Join Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack as they delve into the layers of this case, from shot groupings to text messages that expose a staggering truth. Hear about their personal experiences with gun control and their love for dogs, which add nuanced layers to this tragic narrative. With revelations of a GoFundMe scam and the psychological tactics of a supposedly grieving widow, this episode leaves you questioning where love ends and deceit begins.   Time-coded Highlights: 00:00:20—Joe Scott Morgan sets a serene scene by sharing his morning routine with his rescue dogs before diving into Jamie and Jennifer Faith's heart-wrenching story. 00:01:23—The tragic murder of Jamie Faith is introduced by Morgan, marking the contrast between a mundane dog-walking routine and a violent death. 00:01:55—A light moment as Morgan teases a secret about Dave Mack. 00:02:29—Dave Mack speaks fondly of his English Bulldog, Hank, adding to the hosts' evident love for dogs. 00:03:40—The story of Jamie and Jennifer Faith comes to life as Mack paints a vivid picture of the couple. 00:04:22—Joseph Scott Morgan describes the peaceful neighborhood where Jamie was killed starkly and how it contrasts with the horror that unfolded there. 00:07:03—The complexity of shooting scenarios is discussed, touching upon the differences in training between the military and police. 00:09:10—Shot grouping and its accuracy are detailed, with Morgan using the example of an index card. 00:12:11—Morgan's personal connection to the case reveals the story's emotional weight. 00:15:02—The hosts discuss the striking contrast between the crime scene and its peaceful setting, noting Jamie's strategic targeting. 00:18:21—A 45 caliber handgun's history and effectiveness are elaborated on by Morgan. 00:22:57—Dave Mack starts to reveal the investigation's findings, including a peculiar connection to Jennifer, Jamie's wife. 00:25:00—Digital forensics bring shocking text messages to light, discussed by both Mack and Morgan. 00:30:20—A perforating gunshot wound in Jamie's groin emphasizes the brutality of the attack. 00:31:00—The episode concludes with Joe Scott stating that the shooter was highly skilled, having left no trace of soot or gunpowder on Jamie's body.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Okt 202331min

Ashli Ehrhardt, a woman embroiled in a tumultuous marriage, meets a devastating end in her laundry room. With signs of struggle all around and her body bearing multiple types of wounds—a belt around the neck, stab wounds, and puncture injuries—Ashli's father is the one who horrifyingly discovers her. Her husband, John Wonder, becomes the prime suspect in what appears to be a crime of passion layered with complex clues. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unravel the chilling details surrounding Ashli’s death. From the puzzling written messages left at the crime scene to the suspect's unsettling social media behavior, this episode dives deep into the importance of forensic documentation. As the narrative unfolds, listen in for insights into unusual wounds, psychological profiles, and the critical role of time-stamped messages.    Time-coded Highlights: 00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan opens the episode by discussing the power of written communication and its ability to express deep emotions. 00:02:20 — Dave Mack introduces the case involving John Wonder and Ashli Ehrhardt, a married couple going through a divorce. Mack speculates on their use of social media and text messaging. 00:07:00 — The importance of co-workers in death investigations is highlighted, especially in cases of suicide. 00:08:06  — Dave Mack discusses John Wonder's peculiar behavior. 00:10:20 — The heartbreaking moment Ashli's father discovers her body. 00:11:00 — Joseph Scott Morgan brings the horror of the scene to life by discussing the amount of blood present. 00:12:00 — Questions are raised about the cause of death when a belt is found around Ashley's neck. 00:16:42 — The unusual circumstances at the crime scene, including the belt and potential staging, are questioned by Dave Mack. 00:19:00 — Morgan stresses the necessity of a thorough examination at the autopsy table for determining the cause of death. 00:21:42 — Distinctions between stab and puncture wounds are explored.  00:29:50 — A disturbing text message from John to his sister is revealed.  00:30:20 — Mack shares an alleged text message from John indicating his plans to flee. 00:31:40 — The role of forensic document examiners in cases like this is introduced. 00:34:00 — Focusing on the writing in blood, the possibility of the defense claiming a setup is discussed. 00:40:47—The episode closes on a serious note as Joseph Scott Morgan shares the National Domestic Violence Hotline, urging those in abusive relationships to seek help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Okt 202338min