A Baffling Ligature: The Complexity Behind Joysee Cartagena’s Death

The now former Pueblo County Colorado Coroner, Brian Cotter, has been replaced after an inspection of his Funeral Home found 20 decomposing bodies behind a hidden door. The bodies were supposed to have been cremated. Cotter told inspectors he gave grieving families "fake ashes". Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take a look at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado as well as similar cases where hundreds of bodies that were supposed to be buried or cremated ended up being desecrated while their loved ones became victims of fraud. Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction 00:44.66 Hiding a crime behind a closed door 04:54.49 Pueblo County has a new Coroner 09:05.34 Smell of human decomposition 14:03.03 Why were the bodies not buried or cremated? 20:07.57 Somebody had to know something was wrong 25:03.44 Some families would never get over the trauma 29:48.35 Storing bodies without embalming 34:19.74 North Georgia, 300 bodies, not buried, not cremated 39:28.65 This is happening more often lately 42:36.80 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Sep 43min

Charlie Kirk was a lightning rod for many people around the world. Some people loved him, some people didn't. Kirk believed that when we stop talking, having a dialogue with those with whom we disagree, bad things happen. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack were called to be on the air minutes after the shooting of Charlie Kirk before his death was announced. Since then, Joseph Scott Morgan has been on at least one show each day talking about this murder in broad daylight. Transcribe Highlights 00:13.15 Introduction 01:46.38 The Death of Charlie Kirk 05:04.66 Snyper had backpack to brace himself 09:40.54 College Campus filled with CCTV 14:00.17 Cartridges will provide info 19:54.71 Round drops as it goes down range 24:04.54 Concealed weapon used to kill Charlie Kirk 29:01.53 Description of area and crowd 33:43.00 Gun found in wooded area 39:14.10 Text messages between Robinson and boyfriend 43:36.94 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Sep 43min

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