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

December 9th, 2001, novelist Michael Peterson calls 911 telling the operator that he's found his wife at the bottom of stairs in their home. She is still breathing, but there's lots of blood coming from her head. Kathleen Peterson later dies. When police and emergency personnel first enter the home, Peterson's injuries are characterized as accidental and the scene is not handled properly, forensically. Soon, however, the facts do not add up and Michael Peterson is charged with murder. Kathleen Peterson has seven head injuries. So where does the owl come in? The owl theory speculates that an owl attacked Kathleen, precipitating her fall, but in fact, this theory never makes it into court. Michael Peterson is found guilty at trial, and sentenced to life in prison. Eight years later, he is granted a new trial after evidence comes to light that a prosecution witness lied. Peterson is eventually released. New charges aren't filed because Michael Peterson takes an Alford plea. This allows him to not admit guilt, but rather acknowledge that the state has enough evidence to convict. Peterson said he simply didn't want to go through another trial ordeal. He was sentenced to time served.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Mai 202241min

Teacher and former beauty queen Tara Grinstead vanishes from her Georgia home. There is no sign of forced entry. There is no sign of a struggle, but some things were out of place. Grinstead's bedside clock was found under her bed, and a broken lamp was propped against the wall on her nightstand. The 30-year-old attended a beauty pageant and a cookout with co-workers before going home. Friends and family called Grinstead the next day, but couldn't reach her. When Grinstead did not show up to teach at Irwin County High school, co-workers called police. Some 12 years later, Grinstead's remains are found in a pecan orchard and two of her past students charged with her murder. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan looks at what details may have been overlooked at the time of Tara's disappearance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Mai 20221h

SPECIAL LOOK AT THE HIT PODCAST! "Shattered Souls: The Car Barn Murders." Retired detective Karen Smith discovers that her father kept a family secret for decades. In 2002, her father revealed that Karen's great uncle, Emory Smith, was the victim of a heinous murder and that her grandfather had been held as a suspect. Karen begins her journey to solve her great uncle Emory's murder. Subscribe to the Shattered Souls podcast now to hear all new episodes! Episodes 1-8 available NOW! Apple Podcast iHeart Spotify See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Mai 202232min

Recorded live in front of a studio audience at CrimeCon in Las Vegas, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan re-examines the injuries to Ellen Greenberg. The teacher and soon-to-be-bride, is found death in her apartment with more than 20 stab wounds, and her death is ruled a suicide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Mai 202239min

Kenneth, Janet and Matthew Lindquist die at the hands of two vicious killers. 21-year-old Matthew Lindquist, a recovering heroin addict, has a relapse and makes a deal with Sergio Correa, exchanging his dad's guns for drugs. Correa shows up to the deal with his adopted sister Ruth, and the carnage begins. The couple chases Matthew into the woods, hacking him to death with a machete. It is months before Matthew's body is found. The Correa's then invade the Lindquist home, pulling the parents from their bed, beating them with a baseball bat, strangling Janet, then setting the house on fire to cover their evil. Today on Body Bags, forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan explains the extensive injuries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Mai 202246min

Celebration, Florida police are asked to do a wellness check on the Todt family, who haven't been heard from in days. No one seems to be home at the residence. Soon thereafter federal agents, accompanied by local police, show up to serve an arrest warrant on Tony Todt. Todt owns Family Physical Therapy and he's being investigated on fraud charges. When investigators enter the home, they find the bodies of Todt's family, his wife, three children and the family dog. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan looks at the Todt family massacre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Apr 202238min

After seven years, the murders of Russell Dermond, 88 and his 87-year-old wife Shirley, remain unsolved. Friends go to check on the couple days after the Dermonds did not show up for a planned Kentucky Derby party. The headless body of Russell Dermond is found in the garage. Police say there is no forced entry to the home, nor is the house ransacked. Shirley Dermond's body is found 5 miles away, murdered and floating in a lake. Her body has been weighted down by cement blocks. Today on Body Bags, forensics expert and professor Joseph Scott Morgan explains what possible evidence may have been left behind. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Apr 202241min

Linda Collins was a self-made woman. She built a financial empire based in real estate and hotel management. Her passion, however, was love of community. She worked tirelessly to support the area in which she lived, by supporting improvements in tourism and civic pride. Collins was elected to both the state house and senate. Her body was found wrapped in a tarp at the end of her driveway. What happened to Linda Collins? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Apr 202231min