24: The Charming Kidnappers & the Swope Family Murders (?)

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! John Purnell was having a pretty normal day at his job as head of security for Great Britain’s biggest supermarket chain. Then he got a bizarre phone call from a local newscaster. The newscaster said they’d found a troubling document in their photocopier. The document was an extortion letter, aimed at Tesco. In it, a person calling themselves “SALLY,” threatened to send bombs to Tesco customers. The bombs would get bigger, and deadlier, unless Tesco paid up. Then Brandi tells us about Joe Musante, who was discovered dead in his pastor’s office. Investigators determined Joe’s death to be a suicide, but his sister, Rose, had questions. Hadn’t her brother and his wife recently been seeing their minister, AB Schirmer for marital counseling? When investigators looked into AB’s history, they discovered his wife had died tragically. And so had the one before her. And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: The documentary “Real Crime: Supermarket Heist” “Forgive me, says baby food poisoner as he goes free,” The Free Library.com “Tesco blackmail ‘bomber’ jailed,” BBC News “Inside the capture of Robert Dyer the supermarket blackmailer who threatened to bomb Tesco customers,” by Jennifer Newton for The Sun In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Sinister Minister” episode Accident Murder or Suicide “Death At The Parsonage” episode 48 Hours “DA Describes Prosecuting The ‘Sinister Minister,’ Who Had 2 Wives Die Under Mysterious Circumstances” by Benjamin H. Smith, oxygen.com “Former Lebanon pastor A.B. Schirmer sentenced in first wife's death” by Barbara Miller, Penn Live “Porn-addict pastor killed two wives and managed to make them look like accidents for years” by Akshay Pai, meaww.com YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 19+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!

10 Mars 20212h 14min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Brandi starts us off with a very Brandi case. It was Easter weekend, 1992, and Dana Ewell was concerned. He was spending time with his girlfriend’s family and couldn’t get a hold of his parents. When investigators arrived at the Ewell home, they discovered a chilling scene. Dana’s sister Tiffany had been shot. So had his father, Dale. His mother, Glee, had been shot four times. The killer had taken their time with the murders. They left no DNA. No prints. No shell casings. The home appeared to have been ransacked, but little -- if anything -- was taken.  Then Kristin tells us about the murder of talk radio show host April Kauffman. In what would later turn out to be April’s last day on the air at WIBG, The Talk of South Jersey, she told her listeners that she “felt like she was on borrowed time.” She said that if she were to be “taken out” and sent to “see our creator,” she could take comfort knowing that she’d raised her daughter, Kimberly with the right values. April’s co-host didn’t look too deeply into what April said. But April seemed to know she was in danger. The next day, she was dead. And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Family Secrets” Episode of 2020 “Freddy Augello, ‘hands dripping red with the blood of April Kauffman,’ convicted of her murder,” by Amy Rosenberg for The Philadelphia Inquirer “EHT man to be sentenced for witness tampering in April Kauffman murder trial,” by Molly Bilinksi for the Press of Atlantic City “Husband of slain radio host paid man to kill his wife 5 years ago, authorities say,” by Chris Franklin for New Jersey.com “‘I can breathe,’ says daughter of slain radio host after murder charges filed,” by Chris Franklin for New Jersey.com “‘I feel like I’m on borrowed time,’ April Kauffman said on radio before her killing,” by Claire Lowe for The Press of Atlantic City “Pagans guitar maker Freddy Augello sentenced to life plus 30 years in April Kauffman murder at Shore,” by Amy Rosenberg for The Philadelphia Inquirer “Ferdinand Augello sentenced to life in prison, +30 years for murder of April Kauffman,” Office of the Atlantic County Prosecutor “Atlantic County Prosecutor accused of mortgage, criminal investigation corruption,” by Dan Alexander WPG Talk Radio In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Two in a Million” episode Forensic Files “The Ewell Family Murders” by Lori Johnston, medium.com “Pure Greed” by Mark Gribben. The Malefactor’s Register “'Odd Couple' College Students Murder One's California Family For Inheritance” by Ethan Harfenist, oxygen.com “Dana Ewell” wikipedia.org “Dana Ewell” murderpedia.org YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 19+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!

3 Mars 20212h 25min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Mark Fisher just wanted to have a little fun. That’s why the 19-year-old college sophomore headed into New York City with his friends. While they were out drinking, Mark ran into another friend, and by the end of the night, he found himself at a house party in Brooklyn, surrounded by mostly strangers. The next morning, Mark’s body was discovered just two blocks from the house party. He’d been beaten and shot. When investigators tried to speak with the people Mark had partied with that night, they clammed up. But over time, police came to suspect John Giuca, who’d thrown the party, and his friend, 17-year-old Antonio Russo. Then Brandi tells us about yet another questionable bathtub murder. When Michele Somers’ family first met Martin MacNeil, they knew something was up. They couldn’t quite put their finger on it, but something about Martin seemed sketchy. But Michele was under Martin’s spell. They eloped in 1978, and aside from Martin’s six month jail stint for forgery, the couple had what appeared to be a healthy marriage. They raised four children, then adopted more. Martin got a medical degree and a law degree. They prospered. But after several decades of marriage, Michele became suspicious of Martin and unhappy with her appearance. Martin suggested she get a facelift.   And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Undercover Mother” episode of 20/20 “Mother Justice” by Christopher Ketcham for Vanity Fair “A murder, a conviction, and a never-ending case,” by Alan Feuer for The New York Times “Second suspect is charged in 2003 murder of student,” by Michael Wilson for The New York Times “Citing misconduct, lawyer seeks review of conviction in ‘03 Brooklyn killing,” by Vivian Yee for The New York Times In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Martin MacNeill: Was his wife Michele's death accidental or was it murder?” by Sara Lenz and Brian West, Desert News “Martin MacNeill timeline” by Brian West, Desert News “Secrets in Pleasant Grove” episode Dateline “Utah doctor's life of lies unravels after some of his children are convinced he murdered their mother” by Allie Yang, ABC News “Murder of Michele MacNeill” wikipedia.org  YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 19+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!

24 Feb 20212h 35min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! It was just before Christmas 1992. Randy Sheridan was out jogging near his house in Junction City, Kansas, when he was ambushed and killed. An investigation revealed that he’d been shot five times -- three times at a distance, and twice at point blank range. When investigators spoke to Randy’s girlfriend, Judy Junghans, she gave them some helpful information. Randy had a daughter with a woman named Dana Flynn, and Dana was convinced that Randy was a bad man. And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Dana Flynn” episode Snapped “‘God Wants Him Dead’: Evangelical Siblings Gun Down Woman’s Ex-Boyfriend Amid Custody Battle” by Benjamin H. Smith, Oxygen “Brother Convicted In Religion-Fueled Shotgun Murder Speaks Out In Exclusive ‘Snapped’ Interview” by Benjamin H. Smith, Oxygen “Court upholds Salina siblings’ convictions” Associated Press, Lawrence Journal-World “Closing arguments paint different picture of death” by David Clouston, The Salina Journal “Jury begins foray into ’92 murder” by David Clouston, The Salina Journal “Circumstantial evidence was enough against flimsy alibis” by David Clouston, The Salina Journal YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 19+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!

17 Feb 20211h 40min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! It was nearly 11 p.m. when Ryan Widmer called 911. He told the dispatcher, “My wife. She fell asleep in the bathtub, I think. I was downstairs. I just came up here and she was laying face down in the bathtub.” He said that his wife, Sarah, fell asleep in the bathtub “all the time.” Ryan drained the bathtub and removed Sarah from it, then began performing CPR. Paramedics showed up a short while later, but were unable to revive Sarah. Later, questions emerged about how exactly Sarah Widmer died. Brandi presented the only case because Kristin and Norm said goodbye to their sweet pup of 13 years this week. Peanut lived a long, happy life and left her mark on this podcast. She never shared a case, but she did make her presence known with an occasional bark. She’ll be missed.   And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “The Mystery in the Master Bedroom” episode Dateline “Sarah Widmer” chillingcrimes.com “Widmer admitted to punching, killing wife, witness testifies” by Denise G Callahan, Springfield News-Sun “Newly uncovered Ryan Widmer documents: My wife walked on tippy toes the night she drowned” by Keith BieryGolick, cincinatti.com “A decade after Sarah Widmer drowned in tub, husband is still trying to overturn murder conviction” by Paula Christian, WCPO Cincinnati “‘Reasonable Doubt’ explores Ryan Widmer case, concludes he lied to police” by Jay Warren, WCPO Cincinnati  YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 19+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!

10 Feb 20211h 29min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Brandi starts us off with a story about a serial killer who the New York Times dubbed, “the worst woman on Earth.” In 1889, Lizzie Brown took a job working as a housekeeper for a 70-year-old farmer named Paul Halliday. Paul quickly proposed to Lizzie, but he’d come to regret that decision. As it turned out, Lizzie Brown wasn’t her real name. Soon, the Halliday’s barn burned down. So did the family home. Paul’s adult son, John, died in the blaze. Neighbors suspected Lizzie had something to do with the fires.   Then Kristin tells us about the cruise from hell. “The Island Escape” is a no-frills cruise ship that sails the Mediterranean. It’s a converted ferryboat that caters to budget travelers and offers balconies that -- unlike most other cruise ships -- hang over the water. Nonetheless, this was the cruise that attorney Lonnie Kocontes selected when he wanted to woo his ex-wife, Micki Kanesaki.  And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: The “Open Water” episode of Dateline “Irvine attorney convicted in ex-wife’s cruise ship murder,” NBC Los Angeles ‘Almost Got Away With the Perfect Crime': Attorney Gets Life in Prison for Ex-Wife's Cruise Ship Murder,” NBC Los Angeles “Former lawyer convicted of murdering ex-wife on cruise, tossing her overboard,” by Amanda Woods for the New York Post In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “The Worst Woman on Earth” Murder by Gaslight “True Crime: The Worst Woman on Earth” by Kieran W, Medium “She Was Crazy About Killing by Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News “Lizzie Brown Halliday: The Worst Woman on Earth” by David Levine, Hudson Valley Magazine “Lizzie Halliday’s Trial” Buffalo Weekly Express, newspapers.com “Mrs. Halliday Convicted” Lancaster Intelligencer, newspapers.com “Lizzie Halliday” wikipedia.org YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 19+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!

3 Feb 20212h 35min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! We all think we know the story of Rosa Parks. She was an old, tired woman who got on a bus in segregated Montgomery, Alabama. When the white bus driver asked her to give up her seat to a white passenger, Rosa refused. She was tired! Her feet hurt! For refusing to move, Rosa Parks was arrested. Then, oopsies, she became a civil rights icon! … well, that’s not quite how it went down. Rosa Parks wasn’t that old. Her feet didn’t hurt. When she refused to give up her seat, she knew exactly what she was doing. She’d been a take-no-shit activist her entire life.  Then Brandi tells us about a serial killer. When Alice Williams showed up at 86-year-old Norma Davis’ house and shouted her name, Norma didn’t respond. Alice became concerned. So she cautiously made her way through Norma’s home. That’s how Alice discovered that Norma had been brutally murdered. A knife stuck out of Norma’s neck. Another stuck out of her chest. About a week later, another woman in Norma’s gated community was murdered.  And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: An episode of the show “The Origin of Everything,” titled “Is the Rosa Parks Story True?” A Ted Talk titled “The real story of Rosa Parks -- and why we need to confront myths about black history” by professor  David Ikard “Rosa Parks,” entry on Wikipedia “Edgar Nixon,” entry on Wikipedia “Recy Taylor,” entry on Wikipedia “Browder v. Gayle,” entry on Wikipedia In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Dana Sue Gray” episode Diabolical Women  “Addicted to Luxury: The Pampered Killer” by Katherine Ramsland, The Crime Library “Justice Story: Serial killer Dana Sue Gray offed elderly women so she could shop with their credit cards” by Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News “Dana Sue Gray” wikipedia.org YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 19+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!

27 Jan 20212h 20min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Stephenie Woods was beyond exhausted. She’d just had a c-section a week earlier, when she gave birth to her daughter, Abby. So Stephanie laid down on her couch for a nap. Abby was asleep in her crib, and Stephanie’s one-year-old son, Conner, was in his playpen. Stephenie woke to a stranger at her door. The woman was Shannon Torrez. She told Stephenie that her car had broken down. Could she use her phone? Could she use her bathroom? Stephenie was groggy and taken off guard. Bewildered, she agreed to help the woman. But Shannon wasn’t there for Stephenie’s phone. She was there for her baby. Then Kristin tells us about Elizabeth Thomas. In the fall of 2016, 15-year-old Elizabeth was at a particularly vulnerable time in her life. She and her siblings had been homeschooled their whole lives by an abusive mother. The kids eventually made the brave decision to call Child Protective Services on their mother, and she was removed from the home. This meant that at 15, Elizabeth would enter public school for the first time. It was a rocky transition, but her health teacher, Tad Cummins made it better. He took a special interest in her. He cared for her. At least, it seemed that way at first. And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: The 20/20 episode, “From Classroom to Captive” “‘The devil won, my dad freaked out,’ daughter of Tad Cummins pens letter before sentencing,” by Caitlyn Shelton for News Channel 9 “Teen kidnapped by former Maury County teacher Tad Cummins settles suit for $650,000,” by James Bennett for the Columbia Daily Herald “Tad Cummins sentenced to 20 years in prison for taking a teenage student from home for sex,” by Adam Tamburin for The Tennesseean “Tad Cummins’ wife files for divorce amidst Elizabeth Thomas Amber Alert,” by Natalie Neysa Alund for USA Today Network “Tad Cummins sentencing: Read the teen victim’s statement to teacher who took her for sex,” on The Tennessean In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Shannon Torrez” episode Snapped “MO Newborn Abducted Day of Stillbirth” NBC14 News “Kidnapped Baby Found” ABC News “Judge Gives Torrez Maximum Sentence” by Maggie Rotermund, emissourian.com “Franklin County woman sentenced in throat slashing and kidnapping” by Betsy Taylor/The Associated Press, The Columbia Missourian “Woman Gets 30 Years For Newborn Abduction” by The Associated Press, CBS News

20 Jan 20212h 15min