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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Celeste Rivas Hernandez Autopsy Report is finally released. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack go over the timeline, from death to dismemberment and explain the fatal injury as well as look at a strange blue plastic found imbedded in the cut marks on bones.
Transcribe Highlights
00:02.55 Introduction - Celeste Rivas Autopsy
04:30.22 Two months to come up with answers
10:31.45 Body Bags not common to have around the office
15:21.69 Smell was brought about when vehicle was moved
20:06.92 What happened to Celest
25:07.06 Dental identification
30:22.84 Celeste dismembered May 5
34:59.00 Was Celeste dismembered in the woods?
40:21.34 Fatal injury
45:01.94 Right arm removed 9 inches below shoulder
50:58.80 Conclusion
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D4VD aka David Anthony Burke, charged with First-Degree Murder of Celeste Rivas, 14. Burk is also charged with Lying in wait, committing crime for financial gain, murdering the witness in an investigation, Lewd and Lascivious acts with individual under 14 and Mutilating Human remains of a body. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack update the case they have followed since it became known and break down the special circumstance charges that, if convicted, could become the death penalty.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.00 Introduction - The Truth
01:25.32 The death of Celeste Rivas update
05:05.46 D4VD owned Tesla with dead body
09:57.32 Burke charged with capital murder
15:26.76 Burke invited Celeste to his home, killed her
20:07.29 Difference between "time" and "time of pronouncement"
24:57.27 Luring, laying in wait, ambushing
30:27.86 Young girl butchered
35:09.05 PI Steve Fischer did not see freezer big enough to store body
40:05.59 Multiple generations of maggot husks present
45:50.05 Did "inner circle" help find a look-a-like
50:36.70 Conclusion
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"The Hamilton Strangler" got away with the 1986 murder of 20-year-old Clair Gravel, no suspect was ever caught and the case went cold. When the killer struck again in 2007, a little boy saved the life of his mother, and the suspect was caught. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take a look at the unsolved murder of Clair Gravel in 1986 and a similar attack in 2007 that led to the arrest and conviction of "The Hamilton Strangler".
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.70 Introduction - Softball
01:59.48 Claire Gravel dead after night out with softball team
04:07.03 No Proof Claire made it to her apartment
09:35.14 Clean White Sheets used to line body bag
14:17.26 Claire was victim of "The Hamilton Strangler"
19:58.84 What was biological matter called before "DNA"
25:05.87 Team frequented a local tavern - did killer see her in the bar.....
30:08.68 In 2007 - The Hamilton Strangler Strikes again, this time, the victim's small child scares the killer away
35:45.27 Suspect in 2007, DNA matched the 1986 murder of Clair Gravel.
40:37.07 Killer identified as John Carey, convicted for the 1986 murder of Clair Gravel, in April 2026
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Missy Bevers was killed just after 4am on April 18, 2016, and 10 years later, the case is still unsolved. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack review the timeline of the attack that had to take place in a very tight window of time. Joe breaks down the weapons used and the injuries expected. The killer was caught on surveillance video and the person has a very specific gait, someone knows who the killer is but hasn't spoke up, yet. The case is still open. If you have any information call Crime Stoppers tip line at (972)937-PAYS (7297)
Transcribe Highlights
00:06.07 Introduction
01:27.10 Missy Bevers case 2016
04:56.02 Murder happened 10-years-ago
09:56.35 Missy moved gladiator camp inside due to weather
14:55.38 Surveillance cameras capture killer getting into building
21:09.91 Killer wearing specific Police uniform
25:11.12 Was Missy confused by someone in police uniform inside building
29:57.50 Hammer "head" specific to manufacturer
35:07.90 Hammer as weapon makes attack "intimate"
40:01.30 Investigators think attacker might be female
45:06.01 Who would want to kill Missy Bevers
49:07.83 Conclusion
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Janice Randle was 30 and the mother of two girls when she was murdered at home in her bed in Graham, Washington. Her 18-month-old daughter, Kourtney, slept in a crib next to her mother's bed and was unharmed. Janice and her estranged husband, James Randle, were separated and headed for divorce at the time of her death. James Randle told investigators Janice may have died from a drug overdose, citing a past history of painkiller use, but autopsy results revealed there were no drugs in her system. Investigators had little evidence to go on and the case went cold for decades. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack look at the case from a time before the murder took place and examine how the daughters of Janice Randle revived the case with investigators, leading to an arrest nearly 34 years after the murder!
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.12 Intro - early years of parenting
04:21.05 Janice Randle found in bed, dead
09:40.34 why leave 18-month old alive....
15:15.29 Two daughters at time of death, 14 years and 18 months
20:10.78 Are contusions defense wounds?
24:59.38 No drugs in Janice system
30:32.86 Injuries from smothering
35:04.84 Daughters went to police
39:12.62 Conclusion
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Sandra Birchmore was a 23-year-old teacher's aide and instructional assistant who was found dead in her Canton, Massachusetts, home in February 2021. Sandra was known to many officers of the Stoughton Police department due to her involvement with an Explorer program as a teen. Her death, initially ruled a suicide, became the focus of a federal homicide investigation, leading to the 2024 arrest of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, who was charged with her murder. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack update the case with additional forensic evidence that is just now coming to light.
Transcribe Highlights
00:06.64 Introduction - Basic Training
02:29.94 Murder of Sandra Birchmore
05:05.01 Explorer Post is extension of scouting
10:08.64 Sandra was a Teachers-Aide
15:09.02 Suicide investigations
20:16.88 Discovery of body
25:24.73 Sandra excited - 10 weeks pregnant
30:02.03 Death ruling changed after 3 plus years
35:25.69 Investigation revealed others involved
40:05.90 FBI investigation
41:53.69 Conclusion
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Rex Heuermann changed his plea to "guilty" in the murders of 8 women whose remains were discovered, for the most part, in the Gilgo beach area of Long Island. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the change in plea and what was said in court, and what was not said. Joe describes his visit to the home of Rex Heuermann as well as his tour of the site where the Gilgo 4 were found.
Transcribe Highlights
00:03.58 Introduction
01:20.57 Rex Heuermann, convicted
05:12.73 Defense said evidence overwhelming
10:17.53 Heuermann admits to strangulation
15:07.64 How will FBI study Heuermann
20:16.82 Judge talked about pool reporting allowed;
25:04.45 "There are still bodies on that beach"
30:06.01 Heuermann home disgusting
35:12.73 Visiting the site of the Gilgo 4
40:10.32 Did Heuermann kill all bodies found at Gilgo?
45:06.34 Heuermann had to have privacy to dismember bodies
47:20.10 Conclusion
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In Florida, Palm Bay Police are called when a witness notices vultures circling around an area known as "The Compound", a 2700-acre abandoned residential development with 200 miles of paved roads but know homes. An area known for crime and illegal dumping. Officers arrive to find two suitcases in the tall weeds, and inside the trunks is the source of nightmares. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack open the bags and breakdown a story that has yet to be solved.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.03 Introduction
00:02.29 Exploring on bikes
01:34.51 The "Compound"
06:17.18 Police alerted to vultures circling
13:33.20 Bodies in trunks
18:10.20 JJ and Tylee recovery
23:28.89 Getting the bodies to a controlled area
29:23.80 Girlfriend talks to cops
35:16.24 One chance to paint a picture
39:52.55 Was this the first murder for the suspect?
44:55.64 Conclusion
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In 1966 Marjorie Rudolph, 60, opened the door to her killer. The person beat her over the head with an object, stomped on her enough to break multiple ribs, the drug her to the bathroom and put her in a bathtub full of water, and left. No arrest was made and the case went cold. But the people of San Rafael police department never forgot about Marjorie. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the timeline of what happened to Marjorie Rudolph and how, after 60 years, her killer is identified.
Transcribe Highlights
00:00.86 Introduction
02:59.32 60-year-old Historic case
05:42.30 Cigarette butts solved the murder
10:53.80 Victim found in bathtub filled with water
15:20.15 Investigators had a suspect, couldn't prove it
20:01.10 Husband in hospital
25:02.40 Suspect Laurel Spitzer left town
30:05.91 Biggest piece of evidence
35:17.23 Multiple cigs meant suspect was in house a while
40:24.37 Retired detectives work the case
45:24.48 Othram helping solve cold cases
46:34.16 Conclusion
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Matthew Whisman was always too trusting of his cousins, even when they were mean to him. On the last night of his life, Matthew Whisman was beaten senseless, forced to take a bath to wash off evidence, fed his "last supper", injected with fentanyl and dumped over a bridge. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack investigate the timeline to find out why Matthew was missing for three months before anyone reported him missing.
Transcript Highlights
00:00.09 Introduction - family
03:09.23 Matthew was very trusting
08:03.38 Text messages show Matthew helping police in shooting into a house
14:02.61 Suspects make Matthew wash himself
19:14.43 Last Supper
23:35.13 Torture/kidnap/poison homicide
28:34.17 Mom reports Matthew missing
32:52.57 Body in water for 5 months
38:24.95 Conclusion
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