Dark Thirty

In the summer of 1992, fear gripped the streets of Knoxville, TN, as the bodies of young women began turning up. The city would come to know one man as the "Zoo Man", a shadowy figure who preyed on some of the community's most vulnerable. In this episode, we will see how Dr. Bill Bass of the Body Farm helped to provide evidence against Thomas Huskey-a seemingly unremarkable zoo employee whose double like as a sadistic serial killer shocked everyone. Join Catherine and Jessica as they discuss this case that leaves more questions than answers. 

In 2015 Irish businessman Jason Corbett was killed by his wife Molly and her father, former FBI agent Tom Martens. They claimed it was self defense. Catherine and Jessica will examine the complexities of this case as the evidence gives a very conflicting portrait of a tragic marriage gone wrong. 

In 2012, nursing student Megan Sharpton told relatives she was on her way to a family dinner. Hours later, her body was discovered on fire on the side of a road in rural Tennessee. Megan had big dreams until her life was stolen. Catherine and Jessica discuss the case to uncover the truth behind her murder and bring her killer to justice. 

In this episode Catherine and Jessica will dive into some of the most chilling true crime updates making headlines. They discuss new developments surrounding Gary Hilton, the notorious serial killer and death row inmate. Then, they break down the disturbing details revealed in Hulu's new documentary on Ruby Franke. Finally, they explore the unsettling reports and rising fears of a possible serial killer operating in Austin, Texas. Tune in for a deep, thoughtful, and gripping conversation on these high-profile cases. 

It's hard to believe this little true crime podcast is two year old! Catherine and Jessica reminisce about all their cases and bring a new one from Yorktown, VA while they're on a grand historical tour of the south. 

On a hot afternoon in August of 2014, James Chambers got a ride from a co-worker and was never seen again. This case takes some twists and turns. Tune in as Catherine and Jessica discuss. 

THIS is the Patricia Cornwell episode. 

The Body Farm Continues...Catherine and Jessica discuss how Dr. Bass met the famous crime writer Patricia Cornwell. He never expected a brief interaction and a request for an experiment would cause the Body Farm to burst into the spotlight. This is the story of how the Body Farm gained world wide fame!

The history of "The Body Farm" continues and Catherine and Jessica finish up their discussion. Catherine says Part 2 is "SO MUCH BETTER" than Part 1. You be the judge!

In 1981 Dr. Bill Bass established the University of Tennessee's Anthropological Research Facility, AKA "The Body Farm". The research done here is used by law enforcement, forensic scientists, and medical professionals. How did this cutting edge facility come to be? In this episode, Jessica and Catherine will discuss the history of The Body Farm.

In this episode, Catherine and Jessica discuss the 2007 carjacking, abduction, rape and murder of Channon Christian and her boyfriend Chris Newsom. This horrific crime happened in Knoxville, TN, and five defendants all blamed each other, leading to a complicated case. To make it worse, a corrupt judge was in charge of the trial! 

Margo Bennett was an instructor at the FBI academy when she met and had an affair with best selling crime author Patricia Cornwell. This affair fueled an already explosive relationship between her and her FBI agent husband, Eugene. This case is full of twists and turns. Listen and you'll also hear a special Halloween song!

It's been over three decades since Rhonda Sue Coleman was murdered in Jeff Davis County. No one has ever been charged with the homicide of this high school senior, who was last seen leaving a party just two weeks before graduation. We know Catherine doesn't like a cold case, but the updates in this investigation have led to some startling revelations. Listen as Catherine and Jessica discuss!

On Saturday, July 27, 1996, during the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA, a bomb blast killed two people and injured 110 others. This was just the first of four bombings perpetrated by a serial bomber with a serious problem against the government. There is more to the story, so listen as Jessica and Catherine discuss this horrific moment in US history.

In 2015 in Pensacola, FL, Richard Smith, an employee of Homeland Security, didn't show up for work. Three days later he and his family are discovered murdered in their home. The crime scene was strange, but did it warrant a press conference warning of a ritualistic killing? This case has lots of turns, so join Catherine and Jessica to hear the whole story!

In 1997, Kim Medlin disappeared from the Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe, N.C. Her car was found, still running, on the side of the road. They say it's always the husband, but is there more going on this case? Tune in as Catherine and Jessica discuss.

Catherine and Jessica discuss the unsolved murder of 80 year old Emmaline Croft, from Alcoa, TN. In December of 1990 Croft was found raped and murdered, but the motive was unclear and the case was never solved. Listen to the new episode for an update!

 August 6, 1887 was the date of the most infamous crime in 19th century Georgia. In the early hours of the morning, Tom Woolfolk murdered nine members of his family with an ax. It was an open and shut case, but is there more to the story? Listen to Jessica and Catherine to find out. 

A wealthy landowner in Meriwether County, GA, John Wallace, ruled his "Kingdom" with an iron fist. When he murdered one of his sharecroppers in 1948, he made the mistake of doing it just across the county line, in Coweta County. Sheriff Lamar Potts was one of the few not intimidated by Wallace, and made sure justice was served. Join Catherine and Jessica as they discuss the case, which was also a made for tv movie in 1983 starring Andy Griffith and Johnny Cash. 

Retired school teacher and church pianist Margaret Jack Slinger was brutally murdered on her farm  in Mooresburg, TN in 2015. Who would want Margaret Jack dead? Catherine and Jessica discuss the case in the newest episode. 

Tiny Juliette, GA is famous for one thing: the Whistle Stop Cafe from the classic book and movie "Fried Green Tomatoes". One cold January night in 1995, a real-life murder took place in this idyllic location. Catherine and Jessica examine the case in the latest episode of Dark Thirty.

This case was up for about 72 hours a few months ago and then disappeared. Don't ask how I got it up again, I don't know. If you missed it the first time: In 1992 in Townsend, TN, siblings Tommy Griffin and Connie Branam disappear. The peaceful side of the Smokies just got scary. Listen to find out what happened! Aunt Rachael joins Jessica and Catherine to discuss the case.

16-year-old best friends Megan Carr and Cherish DeSantis are brutally murdered on a desolate beach in Alligator Point, Fl. Catherine and Jessica discuss the case and Jessica's trip to Alligator Point the day of the murder!

A missing girl on Blood Mountain is just the beginning as we examine this case out of North Georgia in 2008. Catherine and Jessica will tell you the whole story!

Catherine and Jessica discuss the tragic 2012 murder of 20-year-old Anna Catherine Cardwell in Wetumpka, Alabama.

In December of 2001, a man comes home from work to find his wife murdered. In the sleepy, southern town of Alma, GA, murder is not the norm. The GBI is called in to help solve this heinous crime. Catherine and Jessica discuss the case in the newest episode. 

During the Salem witch trials of 1692-1693, 150 people were accused of witchcraft and 19 were executed by hanging. Historically, witch trials have been seen as notorious cases of mass hysteria. In this episode, Jessica and Catherine will discuss if there is perhaps a scientific explanation for some of these occurrences. 

On May 19, 1918, a white mob from Brooks County, Georgia, lynched Mary Turner, a Black woman who was eight months pregnant, at Folsom’s Bridge 16 miles north of Valdosta for speaking publicly against the lynching of her husband the day before. 

Bill Ross was murdered in his sleep. Could it be that opening his home to troubled teens led to his demise? The other innocent victim in this crime was his sweet little chihuahua. 

Jessica Dishon's murder was unsolved for 14 years. When the truth is revealed, it's more shocking than you can imagine! 

In this episode, Catherine and Jessica discuss the only murder ever committed in Cumberland Gap, TN. Harvey "Wolfman" Fuson was a beloved store owner and member of the community. Who would want Harvey dead? 

Catherine and Jessica give a quick update about Season Two and the upcoming episode.

Katie Autry was a freshman at WKU in 2003 when she was viciously attacked in her dorm room. Catherine and Jessica discuss this case from Bowling Green, KY. 

In 2002 Lee Ann Mangrum was found dead in Turnbull Creek. Catherine and Jessica examine this case that is full of twists and turns-and also Gypsy, Elvis, and crazy Bob. 

Catherine and Jessica revisit the case of the West Memphis Three. In 1993, three 8 year old boys were murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas. Three teenagers were convicted of the crime. The prosecution asserted the teens killed the boys as part of a Satanic ritual. That is just the beginning of a very long and twisted story. 

Catherine and Jessica discuss the 2005 disappearance of Ocilla, Ga teacher Tara Grinstead.

Catherine and Jessica discuss the 1981 murder of Danny Hansford by Jim Williams in Savannah, GA. This case was the inspiration for the book and movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". 

Brush Mountain State Penitentiary has a rich history. Hear about a famous escape in 1977 and the status of the prison today.

Jessica and Catherine discuss why there may be other suspects in this case. They close out the episode with "Meet the Hosts".

Jessica and Catherine examine the evidence against Wayne Williams and his conviction of two of the Atlanta Child Murders.