216: The Wellnitz Family Murders

In a tiny town in Tennessee, a young couple are brutally shot, execution style in their home. Their infant son was still cradled in his dead mother’s arms. Initially police were baffled by the crime, until they uncovered a web of lies and manipulation so bizarre it would catapult the small town into the national spotlight. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/39-catfishing-in-mountain-city-tnCase suggested by Linda MorganSuggested Reading: Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee by James BrooksWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

8 Feb 201958min

In 1999, a dedicated rookie police officer on the luxury island of Bald Head, North Carolina, is shot in the back of the head while on duty. Emergency officials destroyed the crime scene and all evidence and the DA quickly closed the case, ruling it a suicide. Her family sued in civil court to get the ruling changed to homicide and the case is still open to this day. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/38-officer-davina-buff-jonesSuggested Reading: Out With Three: The Murder and Betrayal of Bald Head Island Police Officer Davina Buff JonesCase suggested by Allie R.Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

31 Jan 20191h

A young mother goes on a personal journey and leaves her deadbeat husband. He couldn’t let that happen. And the press disgustingly blamed her for it. US National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233UK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247Australia Rape & Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-737-732Canada: http://thelifelinecanada.ca./help/call/Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/37-heather-palumbo-jonesSpecial thanks to suggested by Lindsey Murphy-Thomas for suggesting this case.Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

10 Jan 201940min

Cyntoia Brown was granted clemency by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today. To hear Cyntoia's story, check out episode 9 #freeCyntoiaBrown: A Minor Facing Life in Prison.Sources for the original episode on Cyntoia's case and today's update: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/9-free-cyntoia-brownWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

8 Jan 20198min

The Christmas Eve murder of a beloved bartender and manager of a gay nightclub in Houma, Louisiana. Hate crime or robbery? Or maybe both. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/36-the-murder-of-robert-lecompteSpecial Thanks to this episode’s Patreon Producer, Lynn Cummings!Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

24 Des 201842min

In 1997, in the tiny town of Santa Claus, Georgia, a former foster child returned to the loving family who had taken him in. Jerry Scott Heidler destroyed their family and almost destroyed the “town who loves children.”Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/35-santa-claus-georgiaSuggested Reading: Fear Came to Town: The Santa Claus, Georgia MurdersSpecial Thanks to this episode’s Patreon Producer, Megan BullardWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

15 Des 201850min

In 1992, A young mother in Atlanta was in a loveless marriage. Her husband was a criminal. She wanted to leave, but he had too many legal connections and kept complete control of their money. When she decided to prove what he was, he had her shot to death in front of their two little boys. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/34-the-execution-of-sara-ambrusko-tokarsSpecial Thanks to listeners Sara Lindsey and John Williams who suggested today’s case.Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

29 Nov 201849min

In 1974, a feisty, outspoken woman in St. Augustine, FL became embroiled in a ridiculous feud with her neighbors, one that went public and turned most of the old city against her. Then she was brutally murdered with a machete on her own front porch, in broad daylight. And her murderer was set free. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/33-an-inconvenient-womanIf you're interested in reading more about this fascinating and infuriating case, please check out "Murder in St. Augustine: The Mysterious Death of Athalia Ponsell Lindsley" by Elizabeth Randall: Special thanks to Southern Fried listener, Chadwick, for suggesting this case.Written, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime

16 Nov 201853min