A Not So Natural Death: The Murder of Betty Bowman

In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack examine the chilling case of Esmeralda Gonzalez, a young Instagram model whose life ended tragically in Las Vegas. They dissect the perpetrator's elaborate cover-up involving a U-Haul, 300 pounds of Quickcrete, lime, and a large water tank, revealing the peculiarities of a crime scene that mirrors a Hollywood thriller. They discuss the harsh reality of forensics as it unravels the effects of the desert environment on human remains, the recovery of the victim's jewelry, and the painstaking process of identification.    Time-codes:  00:00 - Introduction. 01:20 - Case of Esmeralda Gonzalez: introduction and discussion. 03:05 - Esmeralda's life, circumstances, and disappearance. 04:00 - Vulnerabilities and dangers in Las Vegas. 05:45 - Predatory tactics towards individuals with mental illnesses. 07:15 - Introduction of felon Christopher Prestapino and his criminal background. 09:25 - The ordeal Esmeralda faced in Prestapino's house. 10:25 - Discussion on the effects of acute mental illness and methamphetamine. 12:10 - Conditions under which Esmeralda was kept and her experiences. 14:15 - Analysis of Prestapino's fear, paranoia, and further criminal acts. 15:30 - Prestapino's dilemma after Esmeralda's death. 17:30 - Effects and application of pool cleaner injection. 20:40 - Timeline of Esmeralda's disappearance and discovery of her body. 21:35 - Prestapino's attempt to dispose of the body and suspicious activities. 24:15 - Analysis of Prestapino's thought process and planning of the crime. 26:30 - Gruesome details of how Esmeralda's remains were encased. 27:45 - Actions leading to Prestapino's downfall. 29:10 - Challenges faced by forensic scientists during the case. 30:15 - Discovery of Esmeralda's jewelry and its implications. 31:45 - Discussion of the brutal nature of the crime and attempts to hide it. 32:35 - Decomposition and identification challenges in the harsh desert environment. 33:20 - Resolution of the case and the pursuit of justice. 33:30 - Outro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Maj 202333min

In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack unearth the details of Tammy Daybell's untimely death in Rexburg, Idaho. They dissect the initial misdiagnosis of a heart event and navigate through a labyrinth of murder allegations ensnaring her husband, Chad Daybell, and his new wife, Lori Vallow Daybell. They also highlight the crucial role of the coroner, the complexities of exhumation procedures, and the startling forensic evidence that contradicts prior claims about Tammy's death.  Time-codes:  00:00 - Intro. 01:25 - Introduction of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell's connection to Tammy's death. 02:45 - Overview of Tammy Daybell's life and suspicious circumstances around her death. 05:50 - Critique of the initial lack of an autopsy and conflicting reports about Tammy's health. 08:40 - Discussion on the mysterious deaths surrounding Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow. 10:20 - Challenges of determining cause of death without an autopsy and the importance of the coroner's role. 16:30 - Overview of the complex circumstances surrounding the investigation. 18:05 - Examination of physical clues found on Tammy's body and ensuing exhumation. 21:00 - Tammy's alleged convulsions and implications, with Chad as the sole source of information. 24:15 - Explanation of the legal proceedings surrounding Tammy's exhumation. 27:05 - Emphasis on the role of detailed evidence in post-mortem examinations. 29:05 - Revelation of restraint and asphyxiation as the cause of Tammy's death. 33:30 - Forensic techniques used to understand Tammy's death. 35:00 - Speculation on multiple perpetrators and scrutiny of the timeline following Tammy's death. 37:15 - Conclusion and sign off from the episode of Body Bags.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Maj 202337min

In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the tragic and unsettling death of 17-year-old Tylee Ryan. They discuss Tylee's tumultuous family life, her struggle with pancreatitis, the discovery of her remains, the challenges forensic experts faced in determining the cause of death, and they provide insight into the methods and findings of the forensic anthropologist and pathologist.   Time-codes:  00:34 - Introduction to Tylee Ryan's tragic story and difficult life. 01:22 - Tylee's horrifying death and forensic pathologist insights. 03:26 - Tylee's body is discarded and attempts to cover up. 03:15 - The impact of Tylee's mother's multiple marriages on her life. 04:51 - Tylee's medical records reveal stress and anxiety. 06:20 - Explanation of pancreatitis and potential causes. 07:08 - Tylee's stressful family life and stepfather's murder. 08:14 - Tylee's resistance to her mother's manipulations. 09:22 - Lori Vallow's justification for Tylee's murder. 09:37 - Location of Tylee's remains on Chad Daybell's property. 11:41 - Stratification concept in the burn pile investigation. 12:42 - Discovery of Tylee's remains and difference in location from JJ's remains. 13:16 - Importance of multiple senses in an investigation. 15:00 - The crucial role of a forensic anthropologist at the scene. 16:33 - Difficulty in recovering Tylee's fragmented remains. 18:34 - Relationship between forensic pathologists and forensic anthropologists. 20:19 - Odor differences between bones and soft tissue decomposition. 21:00 - Dr. Christensen finds 100 bones of Tylee's remains. 21:13 - Difficulties in identifying specific causes of death for Tylee. 22:09 - Classification of Tylee's death as nonspecific homicidal trauma. 24:10 - Speculation on Tylee's skull fracture cause. 26:12 - Attempt to dismember Tylee's body. 27:48 - Challenges of rendering a body down through fire. 28:18 - Sharp force trauma on Tylee's left hip bone. 29:03 - Tools for dismemberment and potential trace evidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Maj 202330min

In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the harrowing case of J.J. Vallow. They reveal the disturbing details of J.J.'s death, the challenges faced by forensic pathologists in examining J.J.'s remains, the presence of GHB in his system, the crucial role of preserving evidence, and the potential for uncovering latent or plastic prints on surfaces involved in the case. Please join us on Thursday for part-two when we go in depth on Tylee Ryan’s autopsy.   Time-codes:  00:00 - Introduction. 00:55 - Joseph and Dave discuss the tragic fates of J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan. 01:10 - Dave shares his emotional struggle discussing the case's horrific details. 03:00 - Joseph describes courtroom reactions and limitations on gruesome evidence presentation. 04:10 - Dr. Garth Warren's role in transporting J.J. and Tylee's remains for examination. 04:40 - Explanation of bodies found in separate locations in Chad Daybell's backyard. 06:35 - The concept of clandestine graves and significance of the children's burial locations. 8:35 - The contrasting, peaceful burial site of JJ. 9:30 - Differences in the treatment of the children's bodies and what it reveals about the perpetrators. 11:35 - Police observations leading to the discovery of J.J.'s remains. 11:50 - The careful excavation process at crime scenes using gridding and documentation. 13:30 - The state of J.J.'s remains found wrapped in plastic bags. 14:20 - Joseph describes the emotional impact of finding the person they were searching for. 16:00 - Joseph explains careful handling of remains at the scene. 17:00 - The importance of maintaining a chain of custody for the body. 19:00 - Despite decomposition, J.J.'s recognizable face and the preference for scientific confirmation. 21:15 - Discussion on toxicology limitations and GHB presence in J.J.'s system. 24:05 - Joseph shares experiences with hesitancy during autopsies and preserving evidence. 25:50 - The process of examining J.J.'s remains while avoiding compromising evidence. 28:15 - The importance of considering fingerprints on adhesive materials like tape. 29:20 - Unraveling duct tape or bags on a victim's body to determine the cause of death. 31:00 - Heartbreaking details of J.J. Vallow's death and his struggle before dying. 33:00 - Dave's sadness about J.J. Vallow's suffering and awareness during his death. 33:30 - Joe announces a follow-up episode discussing the death of Tylee Ryan in depth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Maj 202333min

In this episode of Body Bags, host Joseph Scott Morgan and co-host Dave Mack delve into the emotionally challenging experiences and unique difficulties faced by death investigators and first responders during mass shooting events. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a systematic approach while navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of these events, they discuss the challenges of identifying victims in various settings, explore the significance of conducting autopsies in cases of mass shootings or multiple homicides, how to address religious objections, and the role of medical legal authorities in making final decisions.   Time-codes:  00:00 - Introduction. 01:10 - JoeScott's friend's experience with the Columbine massacre. 02:30 - Discussing being inside the tape on a mass homicide. 03:55 - Broad range of incidents classified as mass shootings. 05:05 - Mention of H. Wayne Carver III and Sandy Hook case. 06:05 - Mass fatality events are not always defined by a specific number of victims. 07:00 - Joseph's involvement in the Buckhead shooting investigation. 08:20 - Mentally processing mass shooting crime scenes in everyday environments. 10:10 - First responders' life-saving mode and gathering information. 11:55 - Challenge of identifying victims in a mass shooting. 14:40 - Identifying victims in different settings (schools vs. public spaces). 15:50 - Increased difficulties faced by death investigators during mass shooting events. 17:30 - Emotional toll of being a death investigator in mass casualty situations. 18:10 - Potential dangers for first responders during mass shooting events. 20:40 - The concept of secondary devices and staying vigilant at crime scenes. 23:25 - Challenges in handling multiple victims and assessing postmortem changes. 25:20 - Use of Tyvek suits for protection during investigations. 26:35 - Composition of investigation teams and processing bodies at crime scenes. 28:05 - Importance of addressing legal requirements and thorough documentation. 31:05 - Moral and legal responsibilities of forensic investigators. 32:45 - Need for autopsies even when the perpetrator is known. 33:20 - Handling religious objections to autopsies. 36:00 - Medical legal authorities can override religious objections to autopsies. 37:30 - Outro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Maj 202337min

In this emotional and powerful episode of the Body Bags podcast, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard delve into the emotional challenges faced by medical legal death investigators, specifically when it comes to the difficult task of notifying next of kin about the death of a loved one. Joe Scott shares his personal experiences and insights on how the emotional aspect of death notifications can impact both the investigator and grieving family members, the lasting impact these moments have on both the families and himself, how science plays a role in his job but its limitations in dealing with the emotional aspects of death notification, as well as the importance of mercy and compassion in the face of death.   Time-codes: 00:00 - Introduction. 03:30 - Joe Scott's first experience with a death notification. 06:10 - Improvements in emotional training for death investigators. 07:00 - Challenges of handling multiple cases and notifications. 08:55 - Families' need for confirmation of the deceased's location. 12:00 - The importance of timeliness in death notifications. 15:45 - Being vigilant during investigations and protecting loved ones' privacy. 17:25 - Balancing speed and thoroughness in death investigations. 19:05 - Family members as key sources of information for cases. 20:00 - The limited information retention of grieving families. 22:25 - The lasting impact of death notifications on families. 25:00 - Delivering death news directly. 26:50 - Notifying a family of a second son's death within six months. 28:55 - JoScott’s love for science and its role in his work but its limitations when it comes to dealing with the emotional aspects of death notification. 31:20 - The necessity of accurate deceased identification and location knowledge. 33:00 - Keeping information simple for grieving families. 33:45 - The need for compassion and mercy during emotionally low moments. 36:00 - Joe Scott's personal struggle with PTSD and the end of his career. 38:55 - Outro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Maj 202339min

In this episode of the Body Bags we delve into the chilling case of Elizabeth Capaldi, who was murdered by her husband, Stephen Capaldi. Capaldi, 57, has been sentenced to 22 to 44 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Elizabeth "Beth" Capaldi, 55, in October 2022. Incriminating evidence was found on his cellphone, including internet searches on how to get away with murder. Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the unusual factors that contributed to the crime, including infidelity and a comic book obsession, the meticulous research Stephen conducted before the murder, the initial police response to Beth's missing person report, filed by her daughter Emma, and how inconsistencies during police interviews can raise red flags and lead to a suspect's downfall.   Time-codes: 00:00 - Introduction. 01:07 - Overview of Beth Capaldi's murder case. 02:00 - Joseph asks Dave about his experience with comic books. 03:10 - Joseph's childhood love for comic books. 05:00 - Driving factors in Stephen Capaldi's case: infidelity and comic book obsession. 06:20 - Alternative ways Stephen could have ended his marriage. 08:15 - Sinister research Stephen did prior to Beth's disappearance. 11:50 - Emma Capaldi involves the police after talking to her father. 14:50 - JoScott explains how investigators approach missing person cases. 16:30 - Significance of observing behavior patterns in missing person's cases. 17:40 - Police questioning spouses and detecting deviations from their stories. 20:11 - Suspicious internet searches made by Stephen Capaldi. 33:10 - Joseph describes the intimate nature of the murder. 35:10 - Methods researched to dispose of Beth's body. 36:20 - Bloody aftermath in the basement and timeline of murder. 38:30 - Emotional impact of the crime scene. 45:15 - Outro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Apr 202344min

Gannon Stauch, an 11-year-old boy from Colorado, was found dead nearly two months after he was reported missing by his stepmother, Letecia Stauch. Gannon was initially reported as a runaway, but was later classified as a missing/endangered person. Surveillance footage revealed Letecia leaving with Gannon and returning without him, raising suspicions, and then Gannon's body was found in Florida. His stepmother now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder. In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the timeline of the case, from Gannon's disappearance in Colorado Springs to the discovery of his body in a suitcase in Florida, the search warrants and investigation process in Gannon's bedroom, the challenges faced by the medical examiner when examining the body, and determining the cause of death.   Time-codes: 00:00 - Introduction. 01:40 - Overview of Letitia Stauch's ongoing trial. 03:55 - Timeline of Gannon's disappearance and investigation. 05:25 - Discovery of Gannon's body in Florida. 08:00- Difficulty in determining postmortem interval and medical examiner's ability to ascertain information. 10:10- Blood detection methods at crime scenes and investigating scenes with cleansers used. 14:20 - Role of forensic pathologists in death investigations and inspecting a child's bedroom for foul play. 17:15 - Search warrant limitations in a residence and police walkthrough. 19:35 - Blood evidence found in Gannon's bedroom and challenges faced by the medical examiner. 21:50 - Establishing identification and cause of death in Gannon's case. 24:10 - Shared jurisdiction and forensic pathologist's expertise in tropical environments. 27:40 - Establishing a timeline of Gannon's death and managing emotions during trial testimonies. 31:00 - Forensic pathologist's clinical and objective testimony and Gannon's injuries. 33:30 - Presentation of Gannon's injuries in court and quantifying drug levels in decomposed bodies. 34:25 - Testing for substances in decomposed bodies, including maggots. 35:45 - Medication found in Gannon's system and detailing his injuries. 37:30 - Differentiating between lacerations and sharp force injuries and interpreting wounds on decomposed bodies. 39:20 - Importance of medical examiner's experience. 39:35 - Outro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Apr 202339min