Shattered Lives | Next of Kin and the Heartbreaking Task of Death Notifications

What's in a name? For Joseph Scott Morgan, it is very special, a family history, a personal story, and a challenge to make life a little less ordinary. In this very special episode of "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Joe talks about the man he is named after as well as a family history that is very deep, very dark, and very scary, but in the end, a life filled with unicorns, daffodils, and rainbows. The story begins with his namesake, his uncle, Joseph F. Killian (1903-1951) Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction 03:33.98 Othram determined to identify everyone 08:33.43 Joseph Killian, murdered 13:09.70 A daylight execution, 4 shots fired 19:26.89 Joseph, named after "uncle" 25:32.28 Dad moves Mom and Joe to Georgia, and leaves 30:02.29 Landed back in New Orleans, going to school 35:41.35 Autopsy on bodies so fresh, organs still warm 40:01.72 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Sep 42min

The search for Travis Decker began when he failed to return his three daughters to their mother after court ordered visitation. It took less than 72 hours to find the girls bodies, suffocated with bags over their heads in the campground area their homeless father called 'home'. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack update the story as bones have been discovered "in the area" where Decker allegedly killed his daughters. Transcribe Highlights 00:01.57 Introduction 05:05.93 Travis Decker is homeless living in a camp he made in the woods 09:30.35 The Decker girls bodies are found where there father was living 15:03.03 Bones found near Decker campsite 20:20.68 Why were bones found after three months of searching? 25:32.15 Suzanne Morphew bones were bleached white when found 30:42.68 Fractured, small parts of bone can be carried off my animals 35:22.50 Animal bones will be more robust than human bones 40:19.62 Decker used grocery bags around campsite, used to suffocate girls 45:21.88 Bones from big animals possible 49:12.12 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Sep 49min

Noah Presgrove's estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit in June naming Jack Newton, his father, Caleb Newton, and five others. So far, the only response came from Jack Newton and Caleb Newton. The other defendants in the wrongful death suit include Avery Jo Howard, Carter Combs, Johnnie Trout Wilcoxson Jr., Stevie Howard, and Logan Jernigan. Avery, Carter, and Logan allegedly threw the party Noah attended on Johnnie's property, in a home owned by Stevie, according to the suit. In the wrongful death suit, Jack Newton is alleged to have gotten alcohol for the party, and his father, Caleb Newton, allowed them to use the vehicle that Noah rolled over. The UPDATE is the response filed by the attorney for Jack Newton (supposed to be Noah's best friend) and his father, who claim Noah's death two years ago was "an unavoidable accident, casualty, and misfortune," AND they blame Noah!!!!!! Transcribe Highlights 00:00.42 Introduction 02:35.80 Noah Presgrove Horror Movie 08:12:51 Pedestrian vs Vehicle 10:20.99 Story of decapitation in car wreck 15:42.11 Injuries suffered by Noah 19:57.61 10 Broken ribs and more 25:16.27 Description of road rash 30:08.08 Skin torn to the bone 35:15.49 Were teeth knocked out or fractured 39:15.13 Was intoxicated 46:42.97 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Sep 46min

Lizzie Borden was arrested days after the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Her trial was held the following June. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack finish telling the story of what happened in the Borden home that fateful August morning and the investigation that followed. Professor Morgan explains how the heads of both victims were removed and what it took to prepare the skulls to appear in court for the trial of Lizzie Borden. It is no secret that Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the murders of her father and stepmother. The case remains an unsolved homicide. Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction 01:10.88 Timeline of Borden murders 03:25.18 Bodies in state of decay 07:09.39 What happens to injuries one week later 12:30.25 Mr and Mrs Borden both wore dentures 17:25.23 Borden ladies familiar with hatchet 22:55.84 Who was the target? 28:36.97 Mr Borden was large man 33:52.18 Injuries were vicious 39:21.22 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Sep 39min

Lizzie Borden took an axe, She gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done,She gave her father forty-one. It is a gruesome school yard rhyme known by millions of people, but it is factually inaccurate. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the UNSOLVED Murder of Andrew and Abby Borden in August 1892. Lizzie Borden was arrested and charged in the double homicide and went on trial in June 1893. Many people have heard of the crime but very few know what really happened, including how the schoolyard rhyme is incorrect and how the prosecutor brought the skulls of Andrew and Abby Borden into court! Transcribe Highlights00:00.88 Introduction 03:06.17 Fall River, Mass 05:11.48 Skulls in court 11:08.63 Faces Lab at LSU 16:08.46 Andrew Borden, tightwad 20:04.96 Andrew killed Lizzie's pigeons 24:56.48 Head injuries were bad on both 30:55.64 Jury sees the skulls 34:47.96 Conclusion part 1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Sep 35min

Update on Tara Baker Homicide. Tara Baker was a law student at UGA when she was murdered on January 19, 2001. Her apartment was set on fire to cover-up the murder. It took nearly 10 years to get a death certificate and more than another 10 to arrest a suspect. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case and why the trial of Edrick Lamont Faust, scheduled to begin in October, 2025, has been moved to January 2026. Transcript Highlights00:01.05 Introduction 02:34.58 Tara Baker, working and going to law school 05:01.75 Murders of Tara Baker and Laken Riley were less than 5 miles apart 10:08.02 Death Certificate is a "marker" 15:32.75 911 call was for an apartment fire 20:02.45 Firefighters have to be aware of their surroundings 24:56.80 Clothing might not burn - completely 29:56.47 Looking for what isn't destroyed by fire 33:17.54 Strap muscles in neck can indicate strangling 39:06.13 Fire used after the fact 43:42.43 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Sep 43min

Emmanuel Haro is still missing. His parents are both in jail and charged in his death. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case as well as what Jake Haro did to his daughter when she was just 10-weeks-old. Haro pleaded guilty and served 6-months in a work release program, but the 10-week-old is now seven and permanently bedridden because of the abuse inflicted by her father when she was an infant. Transcribe Highlights00:01.87 Introduction 02:07.37 Emmanuel Haro update 04:30.26 Rebecca Haro "black eye" 10:02.49 Looking back at 7-year-old daughter of Jake Haro 15:10.17 Soft-spot on the head of small child 20:14.87 Jake Haro beat 10-week-old daughter 25:08.74 Emmanuel Haro body not found 29:38.69 Placing child in trash very specific 33:10.04 Abuser may doctor shop 38:36.91 Police still searching for body 41:58.28 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Sep 42min

In a mystery that has captured national attention, Washington father Travis Decker picked up his three young daughters on May 30 for a "planned visitation," and never came back. The three girls -- Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5 -- were found dead near a Washington state campground on June 2. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case that has one of the most shocking crime scenes of all time. Professor Morgan explains the forensic evidence left behind inside the bags and the bloody handprint on the truck. As of today, Travis Decker is still on the run, the lone suspect in the murder of his three little girls. Officials say anyone who sees Decker or knows of his whereabouts should call 911. Transcribe Highlights00:00.88 Introduction 02:06.17 The Murder of the Decker Sisters 05:11.48 Decker picked up his girls for visitation 10:08.63 Help is a two-way street 15:08.46 Search for Decker began June 2nd 20:04.96 Bloody handprint on tailgate of truck 24:56.48 Bags don't breathe 30:55.64 Passive Homicide 34:47.96 Decker has a decent level of training 40:04.66 Decker DNA found on the bags 45:24.15 Eric Robert Rudolph 49:27.37 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Aug 49min