12 Dead Bodies in 22 Months: Does Austin Have A Serial Killer?

Luigi Mangione allegedly shot and killed CEO of United Healthcare Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. The suspect in the shooting is a 26-year-old person of means; smart, educated, and now, possibly a killer. Joseph Scott Morgan breaks down the type of weapon used and how it would function, the ammunition used, as well as the damage it could do to the intended target. Dave Mack tries to fill in the background of the story as it continues to evolve. This is Part One of Two. Transcript Highlights 00:00:00.71 Introduction 00:00:57.91 Growing up spoiled 00:05:28.58 Luigi Mangione manifesto 00:08:55.84 Mangione creating characters on computer 00:12:26.42 Chronic pain in lower back 00:17:38.37 Description of using 3D printed gun 00:24:56.27 Scheduling an event, waiting for victim 00:28:37.77 Suspect and weapons 00:33:23.74 Description of "site picture" 00:38:29.89 Shot and effect on body 00:39:01.33 Conclusion of part oneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Dec 202440min

Shamra Felkel is last seen in Hartselle, South Carolina, on September 25. On October 7, friends and family report her missing. Shamra Felkel's daughters, Karli Felkel and Kasey Wolfe begin searching right away but say local law enforcement isn't taking the case seriously. 11 weeks after she vanishes into thin air, Kasey Wolfe gets an anonymous tip that leads her to ask a close family friend to search the Ruby Road area near her mother's property. The friend discovers human remains and calls authorities. Deputies respond and rope off the area. Joseph Scott Morgan explains what condition the remains will be in after being buried near a dry well for over two months and what will be learned at autopsy. Transcript Highlights00:00:13.06 Introduction00:04:55.00 We are creatures of habit00:10:14.37 Graveyard or Cemetery00:14:40.13 Building a well00:19:18.58 Who found the body of Shamra Felkel00:25:00.66 After remains are found....what happens next00:30:13.69 Investigators haven't announced type of strangulation00:35:21.26 Charges of murder, kidnapping, obstruction of justice00:39:05.01 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Dec 202438min

A Shot in the Dark: Investigating Lincoln's Assassination and the Chilling Conspiracy | Part 1In part one of this two-part series on Body Bags we delve into the assassination and autopsy of President Abraham Lincoln. Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack analyze the character and motivations of John Wilkes Booth, the layout of Ford's Theater, and the negligent behavior of John Parker, assigned to protect the president. They provide a fascinating explanation of the Philadelphia Deringer's firing mechanism, including its unique preloading process and firing sequence as well as going into Booth's meticulous planning, highlighting his knowledge of the play's comedic timing, Lincoln's potential focus on the orchestra pit, and the painstaking preparation involved in using the Deringer. Throughout this captivating episode, listeners uncover the chilling details and lasting impact of one of the most infamous moments in American history. Time-codes:00:25 - JoScott’s surprise at visiting presidential assassination locations.01:30 - Description of Ford's Theater and the assassination scene.02:20 - Introduction of Lincoln's assassination and autopsy topic.06:10 - Discussion of access to the president during Lincoln's time.07:10 - How did Booth gain access to Lincoln's box at Ford's Theater?08:45 - Lincoln's well-publicized attendance at the theater.10:35 - Comparison of past and present presidential security measures.11:10 - John Parker, the inept officer assigned to protect Lincoln.13:40 - Background on John Wilkes Booth and his Southern cause support.16:00 - Long-lasting impact of Lincoln's assassination on the country.18:15 - Specifics of the weapon used by John Wilkes Booth.21:35 - Importance of caliber and limitations of Booth's weapon.23:40 - Preloading the Philadelphia Deringer and its hammer mechanism.24:55 - Comparison of the Deringer's firing sequence to modern weapons.26:20 - Demonstration of the Deringer's firing sequence and sound.27:10 - Proximity of Booth to Lincoln when he fired the weapon.27:50 - Booth's understanding of the play's comedic timing and assassination planning.29:40 - Discussion of Booth's planning and escape plan.30:30 - Process of loading the Derringer and importance of seating the bullet properly.32:15 - Please join us next time for part two!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Dec 202432min

When Joseph Scott Morgan was on his first date with his wife Kim she asked him what he did for a living. When he responded by telling her that he worked for the Medical Examiner, essentially the coroner, examining dead bodies and performing autopsies, she looked at him with a puzzled expression…We all have aspects of our lives that are unusual, whether it’s our family, our habits, or our jobs. But when we do these things every day, they become so normal to us that we don’t even question them anymore. In this special episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard go into depth on the touchstone of forensic death investigation: autopsies. They discuss what an autopsy is, who can order one, the different kinds, and how Joe ended up in this unique profession. Show Notes :0:00 - Intro 2:07 - What is an autopsy? 4:10 - Who determines when an autopsy is done? Why would you not do one? 7:40 - Can an autopsy be done even if the family doesn’t want it? 9:58 - Gloria Satterfield’s cause of death 12:45 - Are there different kinds of autopsies? 17:55 - Joe’s experience in the autopsy room 18:56 - What is a full autopsy and how long does it take? 26:50 - Can certain autopsies be prioritized? 30:22 - Is an autopsy considered surgery? 34:05 - How did Joseph Scott end up working in a morgue? 38:50 - Seeing bodies in all different kinds of states 41:40 - How does Joe’s family deal with his line of work? 43:45 - Joe’s take on his career 45:21 - Wrap upSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Dec 202445min

The body of Melody Hoffman is discovered on a cold February morning. The person who finds her body calls 911 and describes her beautiful skin, she has all kinds of marks on her back, "like slashes" and her hands are curled in a way they shouldn't have been. She has been left in the freezing cold with nothing on but her underwear. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how it is possible that the 20-year-p; has slashes across her back and has lost a lot of blood, but that isn't what killed her. Dave Mack digs into the different relationships that led to the murder of a 20-year-old woman who just wanted a boyfriend to care about her. Transcript Highlights 00:01.16 Introduction 04:29.89 Melody Hoffman is missing 09:45.20 Melody might have been pregnant 14:30.41 Buy killing supplies 19:19.24 Picture on phone of Melody beaten, crying, tape over mouth 25:49.51 Murder happened February 18th, very cold 30:46.08 Does weather impact dead body 35:26.44 How much abuse had boyfriend put her through 39:39.14 Melody was strangled to death 47:58.86 Why was body left where it would be found ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Dec 202449min

17-year-old Esther Gonzalez is walking from her parents house to her sister's house, and she never arrives. The next day her body is found in a snowpack on the side of the road. She has been raped and bludgeoned to death. The man who finds the body, Randy Williamson, talks to police and is described as argumentative. He ends up taking a polygraph and passes. With the only person of interest eliminated, the case goes cold. Joseph Scott Morgan explains what happens to a body over time and how the evidence gathered by detectives in 1979, made it possible to solve a cold case 44-years later. To learn about the incredible work being done by Othram labs take a look at www.othram.com. Othram: A revolution in Cold Case Resolution. Transcript Highlight 00:01.65 Introduction02:58.10 Geography of California05:00.02 Snow and Surf on the same day09:56.34 No surveillance cameras, easy dumping ground15:01.25 Body of Esther found in snowbank20:00.88 Why was "the finder" arguing with police?25:18.98 Esther Gonzalez was raped and bludgeoned to death30:00.11 The "finder" passes a polygraph test35:44.63 Hairs that co-mingle40:09.99 Detectives never gave up, kept investigating44:59.73 Othram got a match to Randy Williamson. He was the killer. He died in 2014.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Dec 202449min

Dead bodies and romance.....in Horry County South Carolina, Meagan Jackson is a contractor for the county delivering dead bodies to the morgue of the funeral home. She and her longtime boyfriend Gregory Rice have broken up and they are negotiating custody and support for their four children. Deputy Coroner Christopher Dontell is married to a school teacher and they have two children. The deputy Coroner and the woman bringing dead bodies to the morgue strike up a romance. When Gregory Rice goes missing and turns up dead, suspicion falls on his ex, Meagan and her new boyfriend, the very married Deputy Coroner, Christopher Dontell. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what happens in the world of death investigation and how people can grow close to their coworkers under extreme circumstances. Joseph Scott Morgan will also take a close look at Meagan Jackson and Chris Dontell - did she think Dontell, because of his occupation, would know better how to get rid of a dead body? Dave Mack will help untangle the web of lies as Joseph Scott Morgan explains why Dontell has changed his plea and what will happen when he testifies against the woman who was carrying his child when her ex-boyfriend is found dead.          Transcribe Highlights 00:00.50 Introduction 03:29.84 South Carolina has rich Coroner history  05:12.67 Elected Coroner in Horry County 10:03.41 Explaining "Livery" service 14:52.41 Deputy Coroner having affair with woman who delivers bodies 20:11.42 An affair the includes death and getting rid of body 24:25.02 Special training, would a deputy coroner have a better idea how to get rid of a body 29:57.62 Questions of a death investigator  35:05.65 Digital evidence puts suspect at the scene of where body is found 41:08.05 Conclusion - Deputy Coroner cuts a deal and will testify for the stateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Dec 202440min

We revisit the Murdaugh trial in which South Carolina lawyer, Alex Murdaugh, is currently facing trial for the murder of his wife Maggie, and his son Paul. As the trial continues, we are learning more information about the nature of the crimes and how exactly they played out.In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host  Dave Mack discuss the specifics of both Paul and Maggie’s injuries, why the prosecution uses diagrams vs. photographs when showing evidence in court, whether Paul had any defensive wounds, and much more.          Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro1:18 - Background and overview of the case 2:35 - Using diagrams in court vs. photographs 6:05 - Paul Murdaugh’s injuries 11:15 - The second shot to Paul Murdaugh’s head 14:50 - Paul’s face left intact 19:25 - Were there any type of defensive wounds on Paul? 20:30 - Maggie Murdaugh’s injuries 23:30 - Stippling around Maggie’s wounds 26:00 - Shot to the abdomen 29:00 - Was this overkill? 31:00 - Wrap up and outroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Dec 202430min