Just The Tip-Sters: True Crime Podcast

Latest Episodes:

156. Smells Like 1881 In 1981 - Ken Rex McElroy And The Vengeance Of A Small Town Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

If you’ve never experienced small town life, it’ll be almost impossible to comprehend the now-infamous tale of tiny Skidmore Missouri and the day nearly forty years ago that forever changed it. That day – July 10, 1981 – was the day 47 year-old Ken Rex McElroy was gunned down in cold blood, in a hail of gunfire, in broad daylight while sitting in his truck alongside his wife, on Skidmore’s Main Street, with several dozen of its citizens surrounding the truck. And yet, almost four decades after the fact, not a soul has admitted to seeing what happened. How does this happen? How does an entire town close ranks and keep a secret of such an unbelievably deadly act for so long? The truth hides in the cracks of a story so wild it begs credulity. It is a story of the sort of raw brutality and menace usually only found in cheap novels and overly broad morality plays. It turns out that Bad Guys who are Bad Guys just for the sake of being Bad Guys do exist in this world. And maybe the worst of the worst was the victim in this story – Ken Rex McElroy himself. “Town Bully” is the name usually tagged on McElroy – but he was so much more than that. An amazing force of dark nature, his subsistence – in fact, his entire existence - consisted of appropriation of that which he did not own, rape, intimidation, destruction of property and the use of a shotgun against people he decided, at his whim, were his enemies. Those enemies included not just the law, but parents of the 12 year-old girl he declared belonged to him, when those parents objected to his announced plans to marry their daughter. Or the owner of the local general store, whose wife had asked the simple question “have you paid for that?” when she saw one of McElroy’s children with a piece of candy from the candy counter. Add to all of this the complete absence of any police, and a County Sheriff’s office that was so intimidated by McElroy it completely abandoned the town of Skidmore to an ever-present sense of dread, waiting for the bully’s next outrage. Join Melissa as she recounts McElroy’s life and the years and the days leading up to that incredible moment on an otherwise peaceful summer day on Main Street, when an entire community seems to have decided to revert to 19th Century wild-west justice and end the dread of its own volition – and the ramifications of that decision on the soul of Skidmore that will last forever. You can learn more about the McElroy case in two excellent books Melissa refers to in this episode: In Broad Daylight by Harry N. MacLean (which was also made into a film starring Brian Dennehy); and Judgement Day by Bob Lancaster. Melissa also recommends the six-part documentary series No One Saw a Thing, now available on Amazon Prime.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

155. Smells Like Tragic Attraction - The Scorecard Killer Part Two Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

What makes a prolific serial killer like Randy Kraft – who authorities say brutalized, sexually assaulted and mutilated at least 61 (and almost certainly more unknown) young men in Southern California, Oregon and Michigan in the 1970s and early 1908s – prolific? How is it possible for such a large number of victims to fall prey to someone who is inarguably a monster? The answer appears to be that the best monsters know how to transform their image so that they appear as the exact opposite – as genuine, good people. And that is a terrifying thing to realize. In this, the second of two parts focusing on Kraft – the so-called “Scorecard Killer” because he had a list of nicknames of all of this victims – Melissa takes a closer look not just at the trial and interminably delayed prosecution in this horrific case, but at the question that most of us ask after serial killers are discovered: How could so many get tricked into Randy Kraft’s trap? In the stories of the only two survivors known to experience the darker side of Kraft and survive, Melissa presents us with a chilling reality: The most accomplished sociopathic killers make their victims want to go along with them, and don’t have a clue as to the monster’s real intent until it’s far too late. If you have any information that you think might help law enforcement identify any unidentified victims of Randy Kraft, you can contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 267-4800.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

154. Smells Like Randy Kraft Is Evil Incarnate - The Scorecard Killer Part One Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

For more than a dozen years, from the early 1970s through the early 1980s, Randy Kraft, a callous and truly sinister serial killer, terrorized young men and boys throughout Soutern California. His crimes, which included several in other states as well, were some of the most horrific and brutal ever seen by law enforcement. Kraft was convicted of 16 murders – which involved everything from torture, sodomy, emasculation and other unspeakable acts – and is suspected of killing as many as 67 in total. A book found in the trunk of his car on the night he was arrested included “code” names of 61 suspected victims – all having something to do with where and how he found or killed them. Police have, since the time Kraft was arrested, tied 45 of those names (including the 16 he was convicted of killing) to victims whose mutilated bodies were found thrown on freeway offramps, parking lots and even in the middle of the road over his long run of evil. That sinister book of code names has led to Kraft being dubbed “The Scorecard Killer.” In the first of a somber two part series about Kraft, Melissa discusses each and every one of the victims he was convicted of killing, describes all of the “code” names on Kraft’s deplorable “scorecard” and finally focuses in on the 16 names in that book who remain unnamed and unclaimed – and will always remain that way unless someone out there recognizes a clue and offers help – because to this day, Kraft (who has remained on California’s Death Row since his conviction in 1989) denies having killed anyone and refuses to talk. Listen – and say a prayer for the victims and their loved ones – but above all, listen for clues in any of Kraft’s bizarre code names that might provide help to law enforcement. If you have any information at all that you think might help, you can contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 267-4800. NOTE: There are a variety of Southern California freeway names (as opposed to route numbers) mentioned in this episode. If you are interested in mapping them, you can find information on all of the mentioned freeways at Wikipedia’s page on SoCal freeways here.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

153. Smells Like A Possible Serial Victim - The 1978 Long Beach John Doe Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

It’s the big Tuesday after the Big Thursday of last week, when our gal got her first taste of TV fame in her home town of Cincinnati – and it’s time to get back to the business at hand with a brand new episode...In June of 1978 the body of a young man – aged 15 to 19 years old – was discovered face down on a back street/alley/parking lot in Long Beach, California. He was well dressed. His body appeared to be healthy – there were no drugs found in his system. There were no signs of sexual assault. He had been strangled to death. There was nothing on his person to identify him other than a stamp on his wrist that indicated he had been to a bar or a club or a sporting event – or some other venue where he had paid for admission. While the crime scene was very near a popular gay bar, it was impossible to determine whether the stamp came from that establishment or somewhere else. Who could this young man – a child, really - this “Long Beach John Doe” - be? He was clearly well-taken care of; someone somewhere must have missed him. But no one has ever sought or claimed him. It is these cases that haunt and vex and form the reason Melissa started this podcast – to shed light on the forgotten deceased – to find their loved ones – to bring them home – and to seek justice for their untimely end. And therein begins the quest to determine if Long Beach John Doe could have been the victim of one of the country’s most evil serial killers – Long Beach native Randy Kraft (also known as the “Scorecard Killer,” the “Southern California Strangler” and the “Freeway Killer”). Kraft was convicted in 1989 of the rape and murder of 16 young boys and men between 1972 and 1983 – and is suspected of the murders of up to 53 others. Melissa will be focusing on Kraft and his horrific exploits starting with our next episode - and be prepared - it's disturbing stuff. Kraft was known for keeping a private “scorecard” of his victims – giving each of them nicknames. One of the nicknames in his book – the only one that could not be verified – is “Parking Lot.” Could that be the young man found in 1978? Kraft isn’t talking. But in this episode Melissa is pleading for Tip-Sters to review the case, look at this young man’s face and search their memory banks – could he be someone you remember going missing all those years ago? If so, PLEASE call the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office at (323) 343-0512 or the Long Beach California Police Department at (562) 570-5703. ***** ***** And a REMINDER: If you have not yet listened to Episode 147 of “Just The Tip-Sters,” please take the time to listen to Melissa’s interview with Detective Coy Cox of the Boone County Kentucky Sheriff’s Department on the Bill and Peggy Stephenson murder investigation. The family has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers – and your tip may be the final piece of the puzzle. If you have information please call (859) 334-8496 or send an email to stephensontip@boonecountyky.org

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

152. Smells Like The Pathology Of Pathology - With Special Guests Drs. Nicole Croom And Jordan Taylor Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Even though Nicole Croom (originally from Stockton California) and Jordan Taylor (originally from Waterbury Connecticut) grew up 3,000 miles apart from each other, both of the two young women found themselves fascinated with pathology – specifically forensic pathology – you know: the science of cutting into dead bodies to see what’s what. As it happens both Nicole and Jordan found themselves first year pathology residents at the University of California at San Francisco – where, at a mixer held for all pathology interns, they discovered they had even more in common than just their love of forensic pathology and became fast friends. Both huge fans of true crime podcasts, Nicole and Jordan began to become frustrated with the lack of scientific knowledge imparted – particularly with regard to their chosen field - during all those stories of murder and mayhem. Nicole began to (at first) joke with Jordan that they should start a podcast to focus on the stories of forensic pathology imbedded in some of true crime’s most fascinating cases. And then…suddenly…a website was built…recording equipment was acquired and…voila! Dead Men Do Tell Tales – starring Drs. Nicole Croom and Jordan Taylor – was born! Now more than a year after starting their podcast, Nicole and Jordan have developed a loyal following of medical professionals and a lot of folks who just love learning about the human body (including Melissa Morgan!) in a straightforward, intelligent and completely accessible format. Jordan and Nicole join Melissa on this episode from San Francisco to talk about their podcast, their lives and the devotion to, and love of, their work. A terrific, immersive conversation with two incredible, smart, fun and important scientists. If you have a show idea or just a question for the Dead Men Do Tell Tales podcast, you can send an email to Jordan and Nicole at TheDeadTellTales@gmail.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

151. Smells Like The Truth Is Out There - Randy Sellers Update Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

40 years ago this past weekend, on August 16, 1980, 17 year-old Randy Sellers went to the Kenton County, Kentucky Fair to meet with friends and hang out. Sometime during the evening, he had too much to drink, got into a fight, took a swing at one of the policemen who responded to the scene and was eventually taken away in a squad car. He has not been seen or heard from since. In early 2019, on Episode 69 of Just The Tip-Sters, Melissa interviewed the detective then assigned to the case. Then earlier this year on Episode 121, Melissa revealed the wild series of events that occurred after she visited Kenton County to poke around the case in the autumn of 2019. Suffice it to say that if you haven't listened to those past episodes, now is the time. In this episode, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Randy's disappearance, Melissa recaps the case, focusing on the story told by admitted serial killer Donald Leroy Evans, who led law enforcement on a protracted and needless wild goose chase claiming he was the killer - the more likely scenario of what really happened that night at the County Fair, and reinforcing the fact that this case is completely solvable - right now - and that if anyone knows anything about the disappearance of Randy Sellers, the Kentucky State Police want to hear from you - and you can call them at (859) 428-1212.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

150. Smells Like A Warning Sign - Animal Cruelty, John Thompson And The Krystal Scott Case Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

57 years ago psychiatrist J.M. Macdonald wrote a paper published in The American Journal of Psychiatry entitled "The Threat to Kill," in which he proposed that there is a link between three childhood behaviors - persistent bed-wetting past the age of 5, an obsession with fire and fire-starting, and cruelty to animals - and violent behavior, most notably homicidal and sexually predatory behavior. This formula for criminal behavior has come to be known as The Macdonald Triad, and while the theory is still debated by criminologists and criminal psychologists to this day, statistics over time have tended to bear out its worth. This is particularly true of the characteristic of animal cruelty. Time and again studies have shown a distinct tie between those who torture and/or kill animals and behaviors of sexual deviancy, serial murder and - as discussed in this episode - terrorism. One of the leaders in the charge to convince law enforcement to take seriously the extensive data on animal cruelty as it pertains to criminal acts against humans has been John Thompson, currently the e Executive Director of the National Animal Care & Control Association. Melissa shares this incredible man's story - how a police professional who never thought of animal abuse as anything other than an "animal control" issue came to realize how the treatment of animals could help predict future behavior through his own relationship with a beloved dog he fell in love with completely by accident. Melissa then shifts to a recent story out of Kokomo Indiana, where 19 year-old Krystal Scott, who is alleged to have tortured and killed numerous dogs, cats and reptiles and posted her deeds on social media, was caught because of the diligent work of some crafty Internet crime fighters some 1,800 miles away in Boise Idaho. Listen in for a compelling discussion on the importance of stopping and apprehending animal abusers early - and how "citizen sleuths" can work as a community to aid law enforcement in making that possible.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

149. MURDERTIZER - Smells Like Progress - Will Cierzan Update Aug 08, 2020

Show notes

One of the very reasons this podcast got started nearly three years ago was that Melissa became involved with her local community in searching for a man who seemingly disappeared into thin air back in 2017. As far as Linda Cierzan knew, her husband, Will Cierzan was at home making dinner on the evening of January 26, 2017. But when she entered the house upon returning from work, a chicken was sitting out of the oven, Will’s personal belongings (including his wallet and keys) were out in the open and Will was nowhere to be found. Melissa covered this case in Episodes 4, 64 and 120 – the first, second and third anniversaries of Will’s disappearance. As covered in those episodes, while the search for Will himself is frustrating, the frustration that comes from the fact that the people who are responsible for his disappearance were still free was even more frustrating. Well some of that frustration has now been dissipated. On this MURDERTIZER, Melissa breaks the happy news that law enforcement has finally made an arrest – one that has been anticipated for a long time. There’s still a way to go – and another potential perpetrator still uncharged – but progress seems to be the word of the day in this incredibly sad story.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

148. Smells Like Rotten Excusers And True Crime Abusers Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

On this episode Melissa gets real about a couple of true crime-related issues - one about those delightful folks who use (far too) easy racism as a way to excuse or further their awful or simply stupid deeds - and the other involving the very nature of the True Crime genre itself. We start off with a silly story from a detective contact Melissa converses with from time to time - involving a car, a gun, an alleged carjacking, a bullet hole in a...er...um...very personal part of the male anatomy - and a "victim" who isn't really a victim at all. We follow that up with the story of one Hannah Potts, a 23 year-old woman living in rural Gibson County, Indiana - who, with a couple of idiot friends, perpetrated a hoax abduction in which Ms. Potts herself was the "victim," terrifying her family, friends and loved ones, and tying up law enforcement resources for days - all in the cause, evidently, of writing a novel. Right. And what do these two stories have in common? A simple, sad and unfortunately tried-and-true scapegoat - the fictional African-American male with a gun. Melissa reflects on the evil of this worn out trope - and unleashes on those who continue to use it. Then - Melissa tackles one of the most nagging criticisms arising out of the popularity of True Crime - is the genre taking advantage of the suffering of victims in the service of entertainment? Does any actual good comes from it? Well. Melissa answers the question with an unequivocal YES - and explains why. A fascinating and compelling discussion.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

147. Smells Like A Gruesome Puzzle - The Stephenson Murders - With Special Guest Detective Coy Cox Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

Just across the Ohio River and a few miles south of downtown Cincinnati lies the quiet suburban community of Florence, Kentucky. It was there, in an average condominium on a quiet residential street in the community of Oakbrook, on Memorial Day weekend, when Bill and Peggy Stephenson were brutally murdered in the early morning hours of May 29, 2011. And they were murdered for reasons - and by people - no one has yet been able to determine. Unsolved murders are, unfortunately, not a rarity - but it isn't often that an unsolved case is simultaneously so disturbing and so puzzling as are the Stephenson murders. Both 74 years old when they were killed, Bill and Peggy were beloved members of the community. Members of their local Baptist church, Peggy was the church's organist; Bill ran a ministry at a local truck stop for truckers who couldn't be home for Sunday services, and performed charitable work in his home of Boone County as other parts of Eastern Kentucky. Who would have killed such a well-respected, elderly couple is mystery enough. But the strangeness of this case runs far deeper. The Stephensons' bodies were staged at the scene after their deaths. And the perpetrator - or perpetrators - placed odd items from the condominium both on and around the bodies but also in every room of the dwelling. Detective Coy Cox of the Boone County Sheriff's Department - Melissa's guest this episode - was on the scene on the day of the murders and has been investigating the case ever since. A fiercely determined law enforcement professional from the git-go, Detective Cox has taken the Stephenson case to heart and has dedicated himself to solving their brutal murders. And here's the thing: Detective Cox believes this case is solvable - he is certain that there is just one small grain of evidence - one tiny piece of the puzzle - that someone, somewhere knows that could finally bring justice to whomever committed these heinous crimes. You can contact Det. Cox directly by phone at (859) 334--8496 - or send a tip via email to stephensontip@boonecountyky.org - and of course you can always leave a message for Melissa on the TIP-STER HOTLINE at (832) TIP-STER (832-847-7837) or send Melissa an email at jttipsters@gmail.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Just The Tip-Sters: True Crime Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected