Stay ConnectedJoin Joseph Scott Morgan every week as he explores a world that not many have had a chance to visit, the realm of death. Jo Scott will lead listeners on a journey through the blood soaked death scenes of America and then into the autopsy room to fully understand the science behind each case. Jo Scott is one America’s leading experts on applied forensics and is regularly featured on ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’, ‘The Piketon Massacre’, Court TV and more.
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Clinton and Cristen Brink have recently moved to Arkansas with their daughters and decide to go for a hike in Devils Den State Park.
Without warning, the family is ambushed on a hiking trail by a man with a knife. 43-year-old Clinton fights with the man as 41-year-old Cristen runs with their daughters, 9-year-old Arianna and 7-year-old Christina, until they are a safe distance away from where the attack is taking place.
Cristen tells the girls to run towards where they parked their car and get help. Cristen then returns to help her husband. The girls do as they are told, and some hikers in the park find them and take them to the entrance to the park to tell a ranger what happened.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss this shocking case and break down the forensic evidence that is used to identify the suspect, Andrew McGann, and what evidence directly ties him to the crime.
Transcript Highlights
00:01.22 Introduction
00:33.99 Haircuts with Pa-Paw
05:05.82 Multiple agency's involved
06:09.21 Two girls trying to find help
10:36.34 Mom gets girls to safety
14:54.34 Suspect gets out of park
18:58.82 Understanding the crime scene
24:00.80 Knife is painful way to die
29:12.39 Tracking suspect
34:14.21 Blood didn't match victims
39:26.36 Injuries on hand of suspect
44:27.28 Suspect Andrew McGann
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Erin Patterson went hunting for special mushrooms, Death Cap Mushrooms. She needed them for a very special meal she was preparing for her soon to be ex-in-laws. Her husband Simon was invited to be at the dinner with his parents and extended family but Simon decided not to be present. He had gotten sick too many times before when he wasn't able to watch his wife, Erin, prepare the food they ate. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack are covering this story, again, because there is finally a conclusion to the case. Was Erin Patterson wrongly accused of trying to kill her husband and his family with Beef Wellington and mushrooms, or was she using this very special dish as a weapon for murder?
Transcribe Highlights
00:04.45 Introduction - Favorite meals
02:11.60 Beef Wellington used for murder
07:17.61 Toxic Mushroom - Death Cap Mushroom
11:10.88 What was to goal?
15:39.31 Patterson picked deadly mushrooms on purpose
20:03.78 Family members die, one needs liver transplant
25:35.37 Husband, Simon, nearly died multiple times
30:05.28 Symptoms are the same, food is different
35:17.86 Doctor friend tells victim to keep food journal
40:19.74 Could not solve the problem
45:11.15 Children will be scarred
conclusion
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The FBI's investigation into James Knott's Kentucky home reveals a shocking discovery: 40 human skulls, femurs, hip bones, and spinal cords used as decorations. In response to this disturbing find, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve deep into the complex and unsettling world of how human remains are treated, examining the blurred boundaries between respect and violation. Through personal stories, including that of a mortician's questionable actions and a chilling account of James Knott's home adorned with human skulls, the duo grapples with society's morbid fascinations. Additionally, they explore historical figures like William Burke and contemporary controversies surrounding Harvard Medical School. The episode culminates in a somber reflection on the trade of human trophies in our digital age, and discussion of ethical dilemmas surrounding these issues, prompting us to question our society's values and the importance of respecting the dignity of the deceased.
Time-codes:
[00:00:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan gives an overview of his experience as a death investigator, introducing the episode's story about a man who worked for a prestigious institution and drove a car with vanity plate hinting at death
[00:04:00] - Joe Scott narrates a shocking tale of a mortician's twisted expression of love, and argues that the dead are the most defenseless and that those in the mortuary industry should honor the dead.
[00:06:20] - Dave Mack introduces the story of James Knott, a man in Kentucky whose home was raided by the FBI, leading to the discovery of 40 human skulls and other bones used as decorations.
[00:07:44] - Insight into the intricate and complex process of dissecting human brains and spinal cords is shared.
[00:10:13] - Joe's passion for history and architecture leads to a discussion on ossuaries in Portugal and Milan, Italy.
[00:13:00] - Joe recounts the chilling response of James Knott to FBI agents during a warrant execution and raises questions about Knott's motives and activities, speculating on the possibility of him being a necrophile, grave robber, serial killer, or trafficker in human remains.
[00:15:20] - A Harvard medical school bag's discovery thickens the plot around Knott.
[00:16:37] - Dave probes the enigma of preparing human remains for display, including cleaning and sourcing the remains.
[00:19:40] - How can one acquire so many skulls? Joe presents his theories and also discusses methods of cleaning bones, including using bleach or a heating process.
[00:23:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan delves into the history of William Burke and William Hare, two serial killers known for selling bodies for medical dissections, and explains the prohibition against human dissections in medical schools during that period, leading to a market for human remains.
[00:25:37] - The debate steers towards the legality and ethics of anatomical gifts, and the trust issues surrounding anatomical donations. Harvard Medical School's involvement in this case raises questions.
00:27:12] Morgan explains how certain individuals, including Cecil Lodge, former head of the Harvard Medical School Anatomical Gift Program, allegedly brokered human remains.
[00:28:06] - A step-by-step journey through the body dissection process in medical schools.
[00:29:38] - The morbid market of body parts as "souvenirs" is put under the spotlight. Dave highlights the modern-day horror of trading human trophies on social media.
[00:32:00] - Joe Scott contemplates the future repercussions of the episode's revelations on industry regulations.
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A baby is dropped off at the end of a Tennessee driveway. As witnesses call 911 to report the baby, another call is coming in from a county over about a possible quadruple homicide. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the murders of Adrianna Williams, 20, James Wilson, 21, Cortney Rose,, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, and the man who was arrested for the crime after days on the lam, Austin Drummond.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.11 Introduction
04:02.95 Infant dropped off at the end of driveway
08:15.20 Four dead, two are women
12:05.22 Posting photos on social media
16:14.68 Identification was fast
21:01.80 Possible concealment
24:20.42 Austin Drummond dated the grandmother
28:45.41 Austin Drummond prison cell
32:04.72 Austin Drummond captured
34:02.53 Conclusion
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Arsonists do it for many different reasons: Revenge, Money, Cover-up a Crime, Pyrophilia.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss arson and how the crime is investigated, the evidence left behind, and why burning up the scene of a crime to get rid of evidence often creates the evidence needed to catch the perp.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:00.00 Introduction - Fire
00:05:08.55 Getting hurt at fire scenes
00:09:59.88 Four sources
00:15:06.98 Watching fire
00:20:04.78 Arsonists use fire to make money, cover up a crime, render down a body
00:25:09.86 Somebody laying on their back, clothing on back many time is intact
00:30:17.15 Using fire for revenge
00:35:16.22 Memory of first time faced with a burned body in morgue
00:39:58.89 Linear surgical incisions to prevent body from splitting open
00:45:05.58 Most people die from smoke inhalation
00:50:17.55 Being short of breath, sad way to die
00:55:02.50 Treating the body with respect
00:59:47.19 Personal story, conclusion
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Bryan Kohberger snuck in to kill young ladies while they slept. Maddie and Kaylee woke up and fought for their lives. Ethan Chapin was killed as he slept. But one, Xana Kernodle, was wide awake when the devil showed up.
After reading through documents released by the Moscow Police, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack put together a timeline and a map of activity inside the house at 1122 King Road and what really took place. They also discuss the injuries and the effect those injuries had on the victims as well as breaking down the police reports with never before heard comments from survivors and the horror that was seen by police when they first arrived on scene.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.00 Introduction
04:25.35 Xana came from tough upbinging
08:55.66 All four students did well in school
14:25.39 Coming face to face with Satan
19:57.23 BK surprised by Xana
25:02.33 Ghastly injury from Xana grabbing knife
30:18.04 Xana was fully awake and engaged during attack
34:59.06 Ethan found in the bed, significant trauma
40:00.96 Similar injury caused by Courtney Clenney
45:10.40 No justice for what BK did
47:06.63 Conclusion
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The sentencing of Bryan Kohberger allowed for the release of documents that until now have been kept from the public.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case and examine the injuries suffered by Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kerodle, and Ethan Chapin. This episode covers the injuries suffered by Maddie and Kaylee, best friends, murdered by Bryan Kohberger on the third floor of 1122 King Road.
Tomorrow's episode will cover Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00:00.00 Introduction
00:02:15.60 Moscow Police files open for public
00:05:38.39 Kohberger "selfie"
00:09:44.63 Alivea Goncalves Impact statement
00:15:04.65 Warning about the damage done to Maddie and Kaylee
00:20:44.26 Prosecutors believe the "target" was Maddie or Kaylee
00:24:17.15 Wounds indicate Maddie was defending herself
00:29:11.95 Injuries to liver and lung
00:35:28.11 Very Sharp instrument
00:39:24.33 Kaylee was trapped between Maddie and the wall
00:44:08.05 Pink Blanket covering Maddie and Kaylee
00:49:37.59 Hand wrapped around Handle of Ka-Bar
00:54:58.43 Very vascular area struck
00:56:42.98 Conclusion
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In 1984, Terrance Arndt was an 18-year-old in Shasta County California. He and his girlfriend are sitting together in his vehicle when out of nowhere, a man with a gun shows up. Arndt tries to save his girlfriend and is shot in the process. The girlfriend is sexually assaulted and left for dead. She isn't dead. After the killer leaves, she bravely drives Arndt's car for help and the state highway patrol calls Shasta County Sheriff's department. Arndt is taken to an area hospital but dies from his injuries, his girlfriend, never named, survives. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case and the evidence left behind that allowed for science to catch up to the evidence collected. It took 40 years, but an arrest has been made.
Transcript Highlights
00:00.37 Introduction
01:41.48 Othram solves another cold case
02:45.31 Shasta County
05:11.66 Terrence Arndt killed, date raped
10:10.43 Small town athlete = star
14:42.98 Blood and DNA in 1984
20:08.18 Evidence that might be used later25:58.30 Tucson is a long way from Shasta County
29:56.59 Plug info into codis
35:19.30 Suspect shows up in court in a wheelchair and on oxygen
39:46.21 You can't outrun the numbers
42:09.96 Conclusion
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The victim impact statements in the Bryan Kohberger sentencing were powerful.
Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack have covered the case since it began in November 2022 and discuss the evidence used to convince Bryan Kohberger to take a plea deal.
JoScott also explains some of the injuries sustained by Kaylee Gonçalves and how they would have happened based on what we now know about the murders and how they took place.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.22 Introduction, memories
04:25.74 Idaho murders impact on society
10:03.64 Impact statements by family members
15:12.12 Still wanting to know the facts of the case
20:32.28 Did BK target one specific person?
25:27.39 Science solved the case
30:13.55 BK Comment on arrest "anyone else arrested?"
35:11.23 Timeline of activity
40:34.32 Defense theory of 4 other people
45:10.42 Parents, Grandparents, siblings, impacted
48:23.61 Conclusion
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Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss Forensic Anthropology, starting with the two questions usually asked of Forensic Anthropologists:
Joseph Scott Morgan explains what is Forensic Anthropology and how experts in the field are able to figure out what happened in cases where only a minimum of remains are left to investigate.
Transcribe Highlights
00:10.88 Introduction- Forensic Anthropology
05:05.90 Thinking neighbor was "the" Margaret Mead
10:26.47 Forensic Anthropologists - The Body Farm
14:56.66 Training is very intense
20:01.55 Terminator the liquid guy
25:03.32 Bones that make up the human skull
30:18.10 Swampy area - what happens to bones?
35:08.07 Study of human skeletal remains
40:42.60 Suture lines in floor of skull
44:34.54 Working case of genocide
50:36.76 Gunshot wound
55:22.21 Conclusion
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