Murder in Miami

Introducing: Symptomatic A Medical Mystery Podcast Season 3 Oct 15, 2024

Murder in Miami listeners, Lauren just launched season 3 of Symptomatic and we think you'll love it.

How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize and didn’t see coming? What if that enemy was coming from within; a disease that even doctors couldn’t identify? Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some chronic illness and many struggle for an accurate diagnosis. Every other week on Symptomatic, host Lauren Bright Pacheco unravels the medical mystery of a patient’s baffling symptoms and explores how their lives were turned upside down in search of answers. From the first signs of trouble, through a swirl of misdirection and failed treatment attempts, to the final relief at a confirmed diagnosis - these are their stories. This is Symptomatic. We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think of the show or share your own medical mystery by emailing us at Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com.

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Shadow Wars Blowback - MIM B9 Mar 28, 2023

Bonus 9: Lesley Bickerton shares her thoughts on how politics, power and shadowy ties to the international drug trade have had negative impacts- on a global scale- before, during and since the Lonestar era.

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Placing the Pieces - MIM E10 Mar 23, 2023

Detective Denmark deep dives into Clay Williams' medical case file and the main players of Murder in Miami contemplate their current thoughts in light of past perceptions and recent revelations about Lamar, Lonestar and loyalty.

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Murder in Miami Soundtrack - MIM B8 Mar 21, 2023

Bonus 8: Murder in Miami's original music and soundscaping was crafted by our audio editors and sound designers (Nikolas Harter, Evan Tyor and Taylor Chicoine) and plays an enormous role in bringing the show's era to life. In this week's bonus episode we wanted to share the uninterrupted singular Murder in Miami soundtrack created- and featuring music- by Evan Tyor, Phil Mayer, John Murchison and Taylor Chicoine. We hope you enjoy!

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The Crash - MIM E9 Mar 16, 2023

Ron Elliott spent the night before the crash at Lamar Chester’s farm in Cleveland, Georgia. He shared his memories and thoughts about the events leading up to Chester’s death with Phil.

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A Smuggler’s Loyalty - MIM B7 Mar 14, 2023

Bonus 7: In 1979, a joint DEA/FBI task force in Miami busted the Black Tuna Gang, a major marijuana smuggling ring responsible for bringing 500 tons of marijuana into the United States over a 16-month period. Black Tuna’s leader, Bobby Platshorn, shares the set-up that led to his serving twenty-nine years in federal prisons- and Ron ‘The Astronaut’ Elliott’s role in it.

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Witness - MIM E8 Mar 09, 2023

After being told by Chester that her life was in danger, Lesley flees Cleveland, Georgia only to find herself further ensnared in a federal investigation.

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The Bare Truth About the Cocaine Snorting Bear - MIM B6 Mar 07, 2023

Bonus 6: A movie about a cocaine snorting bear going on a brutal killing spree hits home with CB Hackworth, although it misses the mark when marketed as non-fiction.

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Crosshairs - MIM E7 Mar 02, 2023

After attempting for months to locate the mysterious woman caught up with Lamar and Lonestar, Lauren finally makes contact with Lesley Bickerton, Chester’s controversial former accountant.

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Cops, Corruption & Clever Cons - MIM B5 Feb 28, 2023

Bonus 5: The late 80s were loaded with ramifications of the unprecedented influx of drugs in Miami and the officers trying to police it. Former Miami Dade Detective Jeff Lewis sheds light on one of the infamous era’s most malignant periods of crime and out of control corruption for Miami’s law enforcement.

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Graymail - MIM E6 Feb 23, 2023

Phil agrees to travel to Georgia to assist Chester in assembling his graymail defense. Questions about Clay William’s unsolved murder arise when it’s linked to testimony in Operation Lonestar. Covering the sprawling investigation pulls a young reporter named CB Hackworth into Chester’s corrupting orbit and the presence of Happy Miles.

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The Cocaine Kid Meets the Genius Smuggler - MIM B4 Feb 21, 2023

Bonus 4: Lauren shares an early childhood memory laced with cocaine and celebrity before seeking the insight of Jerry Lee Wilson- a fascinating former dope pilot who made millions as a marketing-savvy inventor.

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Inquiry - MIM E5 Feb 16, 2023

Cocaine further ups the ante as the Coconut Grove group pops up on the radar of multiple levels of law enforcement. As the attention intensifies, so does the focus on ties the group- especially Chester- has with the Bahamas and its government.

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The Commodore of Cocaine - MIM B3 Feb 14, 2023

Bonus 3: Mr. Happy Miles shares the surprising inspiration that took him from The Commodore to eventually working with the cartel.

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Happy - MIM E4 Feb 09, 2023

Chester was part of an elite circle of prolific smuggling pilots who ruled the air in the early 80s. A man known as Happy Miles was also one of the power players that sprang from Coconut Grove - and he recalls some of the incredible and illicit adventures they shared.

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Cartel in the Kitchen - MIM B2 Feb 07, 2023

Bonus 2: Phil's former girlfriend Ruth shares the strangest murder she remembers from her days as a newspaper reporter in early 80s Miami.

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Induction - MIM E3 Feb 02, 2023

Stanford’s path finally crosses with the man behind Intercept’s operations, dashing drug smuggler Lamar Chester. Their encounter raises serious questions as to Intercept’s underlying interest in Stanford- and their understanding of who is really employing him.

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Cougars on Cocaine Alley - MIM B1 Jan 31, 2023

Bonus 1: Detectives Denmark and Lewis share stories about the surreal level of gruesome crime in early 80s Miami- with interesting overlap.

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Intercept - MIM E2 Jan 26, 2023

Phil finds himself stepping into the private detective position vacated by the killing of Clay Williams. Questions remain about Clay, his murder and Intercept agency- leading Phil to wonder whether the men he’s working for- and their biggest client- could be tied to much more than just routine investigations.

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Miami - MIM E1 Jan 19, 2023

Phil Stanford leaves political reporting in Washington D.C. to cover crime stories and stumbles directly into the dangerous, cocaine-fueled world of Miami in the early 1980s. In the process he finds himself intertwined with an unsolved murder after a chance encounter at a dive bar with a private detective named Clay Williams.

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Introducing: "Murder in Miami" Jan 19, 2023

In the 1980s crime journalist Phil Stanford dove into the decadent and dangerous world of Miami just as the city was becoming the cocaine- and murder- capital of the United States. His path would place him in the crosshairs of a federal investigation focusing on a mysterious and controversial drug smuggling pilot who claimed to be an operative of the American government- all while flaunting his extensive illicit activity. Murder in Miami traces the connection between the murder of a missing Miami private investigator to the sprawling roots of an international money laundering scheme as Stanford tries to make sense of his role in a surreal story of spies, smugglers, killers and corruption. All reaching to the highest levels on both sides of the law.

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Update: Frank Gable’s Conviction Vacated - MIO Bonus Sep 30, 2022

Three years ago the Murder in Oregon podcast posed the question ‘Who Killed Micheal Francke?’ and on September 29th, 2022 a court answered: NOT the man who was convicted of his murder and spent nearly 30 years in prison. Reactions from journalist Phil Stanford and Michael Francke's brothers.

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Epilogue - MIO E12 Jan 09, 2020

In the final episode of Murder in Oregon, Phil, the Francke brothers and Mike’s friends and colleagues share their thoughts on Michael Francke, his murder and the individuals who’ve avoided justice for the past thirty years.

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Habeas Corpus - MIO E11 Jan 02, 2020

The past ten episodes have been driven by the question: Who killed Michael Francke? Here is a recapitulation of the players, timeline, evidence covered... And a huge development regarding Frank Gable’s fight for freedom.

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Victims - MIO E10 Dec 26, 2019

Throughout this podcast we've seen the victimization of people caught in the crosshairs of politics and corruption. Lives twisted or destroyed by those with great power and little accountability. This episode addresses one of the darkest political scandals in Oregon's history - a woman deeply damaged as a result of a childhood disrupted, by a man who became one of the most powerful men in Oregon...and how that scandal played into the investigation of Mike Francke's murder.

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Darkness - MIO E9 Dec 19, 2019

A sworn statement, unearthed in 2004, presents some very damning information involving one of Michael Francke's former co-workers. It also could have greatly aided in the defense of Frank Gable, were it presented during his trial. That document, along with others, sparks renewed interest in the Francke murder and once again places Phil at odds with his former employer.

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Judgement - MIO E8 Dec 12, 2019

More than two years after Michael Francke's murder, a small time drug dealer named Frank Gable would be tried for the crime. The basis for the case and the outcome of the trial would shock and outrage many- including Kevin Francke.

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Patsy - MIO E7 Dec 05, 2019

More than a year after Michael Francke's death, public and political pressure is mounting to capture his killer. Then, in April of 1990, a small time Salem drug dealer named Frank Gable is arrested and indicted for his murder. But the case the state mounts against him raises serious questions and concerns.

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Rooster - MIO E6 Nov 28, 2019

Many people, including those closest to him, believe Tim 'Rooster' Natividad was involved in the murder of Michael Francke. His former girlfriend - and mother of his son - lays out the terrifying timeline of their relationship and the period leading up to, and after, Francke's murder. And it links to the mysterious man in the pinstripe suit.

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Depravity - MIO E5 Nov 21, 2019

The search for Mike's killer leads to a woman whose dysfunctional upbringing in Salem's drug scene was closely linked to corruption in Corrections. And the staggering violence and trauma she experienced is peppered with names closely tied to the Francke murder investigation.

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Corruption - MIO E4 Nov 14, 2019

A deep dive into the history of corruption in Salem reveals a long and sordid relationship between criminal and political powers. It also leads to a troubled and violent man some believe murdered Michael Francke.

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Breaking Point - MIO E3 Nov 07, 2019

Months after Mike's murder, the official investigation seems to stall. Frustrated, Pat and Kevin link up with newspaper columnist Phil Stanford. Their combined efforts lead them to a controversial confession, a mysterious sketch of a possible suspect and the fury of Salem government officials.

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Discrepancies - MIO E2 Oct 31, 2019

Inconsistencies in the narrative bring about issues as the official investigation into Michael Francke’s murder unfolds. The Francke family raise concerns that Mike was targeted and are met with resistance from state officials. By the time they get his autopsy report, all bets are off.

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The Murder - MIO E1 Oct 24, 2019

In January of 1989 the director of Oregon’s Department of Corrections, Michael Francke, was brutally stabbed to death outside his office building in Salem. His killing was quickly ruled a “car burglary gone wrong”, but inconsistencies soon called the official investigation into question. Was Michael Francke murdered...or assassinated?

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