Southern Fried True Crime

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175: The Neverending Staircase: The Death of Kathleen Peterson, PART 3 Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

For over two decades, Kathleen Peterson’s mysterious death has captivated America. After the most complex court proceeding in Durham, North Carolina’s history, Michael was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. This episode covers the infamous trial, Michael’s appeals and the overturning of his original verdict after he served over eight years in prison. Studies show less than 10% of criminal trials are overturned on appeal. Despite the incredible amount of corruption revealed in Michael’s case, people still believe he “got off on a technicality.” We will explore the truth of what happened in the investigation and trial of Michael Peterson, but can we ever really know for certain what really happened to Kathleen Peterson?
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched and written by Erica Kelley and Andrea Marshbank
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley
Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-neverending-staircase-part-3

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/southern and get on your way to being your best self.
Take a break and lose yourself searching for clues to solve a mystery set in the roaring 20’s with June’s Journey. Available on iOS, Android and Facebook Games on your PC.
Customize the US’s best home security system for your home by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.

174: The Neverending Staircase, The Death of Kathleen Peterson, PART 2 Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

In December of 2001, the seemingly accidental death of 48-year-old Kathleen Peterson made headlines in Durham, North Carolina. A beloved community figure, enjoying a night of celebration with some champagne, had lost her balance and tragically fallen down the stairs. But when 58-year-old Michael Peterson, Kathleen’s husband, was indicted for first-degree murder eleven days later, news outlets across the nation picked up the story. People were captivated with this seemingly idyllic couple’s descent into murder. From bungled police investigations to faulty crime scene photographs, this case had the chaotic appeal of any page-turning tabloid story. Michael Peterson’s character, sexuality, and marital fidelity were called into question. And when a mysterious death from Michael’s past comes to light, pandemonium ensues. This is part two of the Kathleen Peterson case.
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank and Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley
Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-neverending-staircase-part-2

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Go to BetterHelp.com/southern.
Take a break and lose yourself solving a fascinating mystery set in the roaring 20’s with June’s Journey!
Give yourself the gift of peace of mind by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.

Wondery Presents: Frozen Head Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

Hosted by Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart from the hit show Morbid.
When 90-year-old Laurence Pilgeram drops dead on the sidewalk outside his condo, you might think that’s the end of his story. But, really, it’s just the beginning. Because Laurence and others like him have signed up to be frozen and brought back to life in the future. And that belief will pull multiple generations of the Pilgeram family into a cryonics soap opera filled with dead pets, gold coins, grenades, fist fights, mysterious packages, family feuds, Hall of Fame baseball legends, and frozen heads — lots of frozen heads. From Wondery, comes a story about life, death, and what comes next.
Follow Frozen Head on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery App.
Listen to Frozen Head: Wondery.fm/FH_SFTC

173: The Neverending Staircase: The Death of Kathleen Peterson, PART 1 Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

December 9th, 2001 was an unseasonably warm night in Durham, North Carolina. At 2:40 a.m., a novelist named Michael Peterson called 911. He was frantic. He said his wife Kathleen had an accident. She had fallen down some stairs. Within 10 minutes, paramedics, police and the fire team swarmed the house.
They were all startled by the amount of blood. Kathleen’s blood was everywhere. It covered her body, the staircase, and the floor. Soon, homicide detectives were called to the scene. For the next 16 years, Durham law enforcement officials would pursue one fundamental question: Was Kathleen’s death an accident?
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank and Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley
Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-neverending-staircase-part-1

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Follow Sleep Sounds Meditation for Women wherever you listen to podcasts or start listening for free today for a better night’s sleep: https://linktr.ee/womensmeditationnetwork

172: The Murder of Ryan Poston Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

On Friday, October 12th, 2012, Shayna Hubers called 911. She explained to the emergency operator that she killed her boyfriend, Ryan Poston, in self-defense. When the police investigated the crime scene, they quickly realized that Shayna’s version of events didn’t align with reality.
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank and Erica Kelley
Case suggested by Amanda, “in Dolly we Trust”
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley
Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-murder-of-ryan-poston
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

US National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.org
Canada: visit this website to find the hotline in your area
UK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247

For resources in other countries, visit this website

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Go to BetterHelp.com/southern.
Cancel your unwanted subscriptions with RocketMoney.com/southernfried
Take a break and lose yourself solving a mystery set in the roaring 20’s with June’s Journey.
Give yourself the gift of peace of mind by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.

Introducing Season 2 of Suspect: Vanished in the Snow, by Wondery & Campside Media Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

For more than three and a half decades, the disappearance of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews was a mystery – a riddle neither authorities nor her family members could solve. The residents of her cloistered Colorado hometown had scoured every inch of prairie. Jonelle’s face had been on milk cartons nationwide. Even the President of the United States had appealed to the public for help. Still, every lead had fizzled. Every person of interest had turned out to be a dead end. Then, in 2019, Jonelle’s remains were unearthed near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. With the discovery came a troubling new question: Had the truth been hiding in plain sight the entire time? Was the man who couldn’t stop obsessing over Jonelle’s disappearance also the person who took her? From Campside Media and Wondery comes season two of SUSPECT.
Former CNN reporter Ashley Fantz and executive producers Matthew Shaer and Eric Benson (Suspect, Over My Dead Body) dig into one of the most mind-bending cold cases in modern history, in an attempt to separate fact and fiction, compulsion from guilt, and true-crime fandom from a motive for murder.
Listen to SUSPECT: Vanished in the Snow early and ad- free by subscribing to Wondery Plus in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app. Unique Url: https://wondery.app.link/suspect-sftc

171: The Murder of Lauren Burk Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

On a cool March evening of 2008, motorists on Highway 147 in Auburn, Alabama were startled to see a young girl in the road. She was naked, crying, covered in road rash and waving her arms desperately for help. Despite everyone’s best efforts, 18 year old Lauren Burk did not survive her ordeal. She had been shot and and bled out within 2 to 3 minutes after jumping from a moving car. The Auburn University student had been carjacked in a campus parking lot. The ensuing trial for her murderer, Courtney Lockhart, called into question many troubling aspects of the law. The standard for mental incompetency as well as the Alabama law that a judge can override a jury’s recommendation.
Trigger Warning: Discussion of PTSD due to combat
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched by Haley Gray
Written by Erica Kelley
Research Assistance by Anna Luria
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley
Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-murder-of-lauren-burk
- This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Go to BetterHelp.com/southern.
- This holiday, we are sponsored by the amazing gift for loved ones, Aura Frames. Go to AuraFrames.com/southernfried to save $10 off your first purchase.
- To get a much needed break and recharge your holiday brain, play Best Fiends, that’s Friends without the “R”
- Give yourself the gift of peace of mind by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.

170: Blue Eyed Butcher: The Controversial Murder of Jeff Wright Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

In January 2003, police arrived at an unassuming house in Northwest Houston, Texas after receiving a vague message from a local lawyer about a potential crime scene. In the backyard, they discovered the mutilated body of Jeff Wright. The master bedroom was a blood-splattered nightmare. Susan Wright, Jeff’s wife of five years, confessed to his shocking murder. At her trial, Susan claimed she killed Jeff in self-defense but, in an unforgettable courtroom spectacle, prosecuting lawyer Kelly Siegler would try to prove otherwise.
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank
Additional Writing by Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley
Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/blue-eyed-butcher-the-controversial-murder-of-jeff-wright
- US National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.org
- Canada: visit this website to find the hotline in your area
- UK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247
- For resources in other countries, visit this website
- This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Go to BetterHelp.com/southern.
- Every holiday, we are sponsored by the amazing gift for loved ones, StoryWorth. Go to StoryWorth.com/southern to save $10 off your first purchase.
- Also for a unique gift this holiday season, so to Highland Titles.com and use code “CRIME”
- Today’s show is also brought to you by Bare Necessities, he biggest online intimate apparel retailer. Go to BareNecessities.com code: sftc20 for 20% off your first order.

Amazon Presents: Killer Psyche Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

When a shocking crime occurs, former FBI Profiler Candice DeLong will have a lot to say about it. On KILLER PSYCHE DAILY, Candice digs into the motivations and behaviors of the criminal masterminds and killers who are dominating the headlines.
For 10 minutes, five days a week, she draws on her years of experience to break down complex criminal cases, look back at the historic crimes that still haunt us today, and share new insights. With new episodes every Monday through Friday, KILLER PSYCHE DAILY delivers a lot of true crime in just a little bit of time.
Listen only on Amazon Music: www.amazon.com/KPD_us_pfd_AA_110122

169: The Vanishing of Zebb Quinn Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

Zebb Quinn was only 18 years old when he went missing on January 2, 2000. Authorities had their suspicions that foul play was involved, but it would take 15 years and two other disappearances for anyone to find out what happened to Zebb.
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched by Haley Gray
Written by Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley
Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-vanishing-of-zebb-quinn
- This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Go to BetterHelp.com/southern.
- Every holiday, we are sponsored by the amazing gift for loved ones, StoryWorth. Go to StoryWorth.com/southern to save $10 off your first purchase.
- Also for a unique gift this holiday season, so to Highland Titles.com and use code “CRIME”
- Today’s show is also brought to you by Bare Necessities, he biggest online intimate apparel retailer. Go to BareNecessities.com code: sftc20 for 20% off your first order.

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