378. Remorseless: The Murder of Alesha MacPhail

 Thank you to Riley for suggesting this episode!

In July 2018, a heartbreaking crime shocked a quiet community when six-year-old Alesha MacPhail disappeared while visiting family on the peaceful Isle of Bute in Scotland. Her sudden disappearance launched a massive search across the island, bringing together police, volunteers, and devastated family members in a desperate hope to find her safe.

Tragically, the search ended in a devastating loss that left the entire nation in shock and mourning. When the perpetrator was finally captured and brought to trial, the courtroom proceedings uncovered a deeply chilling reality. The trial judge strongly condemned the teenager, pointing out his terrifying lack of emotion and describing his actions as some of the most wicked the court had ever seen in decades.

Join Jen and Cam as they walk through the details of Remorseless: The Murder of Alesha MacPhail.

Thank you to our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠Edward October⁠⁠

Music by Nico Fyffe-Vettese

Editing by Jesse Fyffe-Vettese

Check them out at ⁠⁠The Inky Paw Print⁠

⁠'She was the brightest thing': The murder of Alesha MacPhail – Overview & Analysis | Crime+Investigation UK⁠

⁠Jul 05, 2018, page A13 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠ 

⁠Jul 05, 2018, page 19 - Belfast Telegraph at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Jul 04, 2018, page A17 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Jul 10, 2018, page M2 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Jul 25, 2018, page M8 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Jul 03, 2018, page M9 - The National at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Jul 11, 2018, page M8 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Aug 17, 2018, page M5 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Sep 14, 2018, page M7 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Sep 14, 2018, page M2 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Dec 11, 2018, page M10 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 17, 2019, page M53 - The Herald on Sunday at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 22, 2019, page A7-01 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 20, 2019, page M9 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 22, 2019, page 28 - Belfast Telegraph at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 20, 2019, page M9 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 24, 2019, page M18 - The National at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Mar 23, 2019, page M6 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 20, 2019, page M9 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 24, 2019, page M19 - The National at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 15, 2019, page 26 - Belfast Telegraph at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 13, 2019, page A20 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 15, 2019, page M1 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 16, 2019, page M9 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Feb 15, 2019, page A27 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Mar 22, 2019, page A5-01 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Mar 21, 2019, page M9 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Apr 05, 2019, page 22 - Belfast Telegraph at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Mar 22, 2019, page 23 - Evening Herald at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Apr 12, 2019, page A29 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Apr 03, 2019, page M21 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠May 15, 2019, page A22 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠May 10, 2019, page M7 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠May 27, 2019, page M4 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Aug 08, 2019, page A14 - The Guardian at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Sep 15, 2019, page M8 - The Herald (Glasgow ed.) at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Sep 12, 2019, page M20 - Greenock Telegraph at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Murder of Alesha MacPhail - Wikipedia⁠

⁠Isle of Bute - Wikipedia⁠

⁠Rothesay - Wikipedia⁠

⁠Kyles Hydopathic | Bute Museum & Natural History Society⁠

⁠water cure | Historic Hospitals⁠

⁠TIMELINE: Events surrounding the murder of Alesha MacPhail | The National⁠

⁠Apr 27, 2019, page M3 - Glasgow Times at Newspapers.com™⁠

⁠Alesha MacPhail murder: Life sentence for Aaron Campbell after he admits guilt⁠

⁠Alesha MacPhail murder trial: Six-year-old's injuries 'catastrophic'⁠

⁠Alesha MacPhail suffered 'catastrophic' sexual injuries before and after her death, murder trial told⁠

⁠Mother of Alesha MacPhail's killer led police to his door | Scotland | The Guardian⁠

⁠Tragic Alesha MacPhail's little sister vows to keep her memory alive by helping others - Daily Record⁠

⁠Alesha MacPhail murder: The schoolboy who became an opportunistic killer⁠

⁠CHILD KILLER - Aaron Campbell⁠.

⁠Alesha MacPhail's mum reveals chilling premonition on day daughter went missing - The Mirror⁠

What Happened to Aeryn Gillern? with Johanna & Annie from Fresh Hell

 In this special collaboration episode, Jen and Cam talk with Johanna and Annie from 

⁠Fresh Hell ⁠of an American who disappeared while living abroad.

In October 2007, 34-year-old Aeryn Michael John Gillern, a UNIDO researcher and former Mr. Gay Austria, left his home in Vienna, Austria, to enjoy a night out. It was a vibrant life abroad that suddenly spiraled into a chilling mystery.

After being last seen fleeing a sauna, exhibiting increasingly erratic behavior,  Aeryn vanished entirely into thin air under suspicious circumstances.

What followed was a deeply disturbing series of conflicting accounts, unhelpful and dismissive local police, and a desperate years-long crusade by Aeryn's mother and supporters through vigils and advocacy to uncover what truly happened to him. To this day, the case remains unsolved.

Join us as Johanna and Annie tell a haunting case filled with unanswered questions, frustrating police roadblocks, and a mother's relentless search for the truth.

Don’t forget to subscribe to ⁠Fresh Hell⁠. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Disclaimer: From the moment we met Johanna and Annie, we clicked right away. In our absolute excitement over finding new kindred spirits, you might catch a few moments where we get a little too enthusiastic and talk right over each other!

Thank you to our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠Edward October⁠

Music by Nico Fyffe-Vettese

Editing by Jesse Fyffe-Vettese

Check them out at ⁠The Inky Paw Print⁠

⁠

377. “Lil Devil”: Christa Pike’s Road to Execution — The Murder of Colleen Slemmer

 As of the release of this episode, Christa Pike remains scheduled to be executed by lethal injection by the State of Tennessee on September 30, 2026. If that status changes or new information becomes available, we will update accordingly. 

Interested in going to the Netherlands with us? Scroll to the bottom for info.

Little Devil: Christa Pike 

On the evening of January 12, 1995, Christa Pike stepped into the room of her friend Kim Iloilo at the Knoxville Job Corps Center and casually announced that she, her boyfriend Tadaryl Shipp, their friend Shadolla Peterson, and Colleen Slemmer were heading out to smoke marijuana. The combination immediately struck Kim as odd. Christa hated Colleen. So why were they suddenly

going anywhere together?

When Kim questioned her, Christa simply smiled, winked, and walked away. A little more than two hours later, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Kim saw Christa, Tadaryl, and Shadolla return to the center.

Colleen did not return. 

What had happened during those missing hours would become one of the most brutal murder cases in Tennessee history and a pending execution that is slated to happen on September 30, 2026. If the execution happens this month, she will be the first woman executed by the state of Tennessee since 1820.

As of the release of this episode, Christa Pike remains scheduled to be executed by lethal injection by the State of Tennessee on September 30, 2026. If that status changes or new information becomes available, we will update accordingly. 

Interested in going to the Netherlands with us? Scroll to the bottom for info.

On the evening of January 12, 1995, Christa Pike stepped into the room of her friend Kim Iloilo at the Knoxville Job Corps Center and casually announced that she, her boyfriend Tadaryl Shipp, their friend Shadolla Peterson, and Colleen Slemmer were heading out to smoke marijuana. The combination immediately struck Kim as odd. Christa hated Colleen. So why were they suddenly going anywhere together?

When Kim questioned her, Christa simply smiled, winked, and walked away. A little more than two hours later, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Kim saw Christa, Tadaryl, and Shadolla return to the center.

Colleen did not return. 

What had happened during those missing hours would become one of the most brutal murder cases in Tennessee history and a pending execution that is slated to happen on September 30, 2026. If the execution happens this month, she will be the first woman executed by the state of Tennessee since 1820.

As of the release of this episode, Christa Pike remains scheduled to be executed by lethal injection by the State of Tennessee on September 30, 2026. If that status changes or new information becomes available, we will update accordingly. 

Join Cam and Jen as we discuss  “Lil Devil”: Christa Pike’s Road to Execution — The Murder of Colleen Slemmer

Listener discretion by @octoberpodVHS

All music by our E.P @theinkypawprint

Sources: 

[Sources: STATE v. PIKE (1998) Supreme Court of Tennessee, at Knoxville; United States Court of Appeal (2018)]

[Media source: World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners S1 E8 Pike (2024)]

⁠https://youtu.be/Wo10ToeqHG0?is=D1xdW_2G9f3XAgPC⁠

⁠https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BSEZ_lV40xlIsEVBuQV8zkvP2nSKS3Gc/view⁠

⁠https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093004/http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-18901.html⁠

⁠https://www.willkern.com/pike.html⁠

⁠https://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/pike-s-own-words-did-her-in---court-not-convinced-killer-reacted-to-save-another-inmates-life-ep-894-353644061.html/⁠

⁠https://web.archive.org/web/20120329203025/http://www.ksdk.com/news/crime/article/311792/147/Death-row-inmate-woos-NJ-man-and-guard-to-help-plan-escape⁠

⁠https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/amnesty-international-members-worldwide-urge-tennessee-governor-bill-lee-to-stop-the-execution-of-christa-pike/⁠

https://dpw.lawschool.cornell.edu/advocacy/christa-pike/

⁠North, John. “September 2026 Execution Date Set for Christa Gail Pike, Only Woman on Tennessee’s Death Row.” WBIR / 10 News.⁠

⁠Lakin, Matt. “Hearing for Convicted Job Corps Killer Pike Resumes.” Knoxville News Sentinel, April 7, 2008.⁠

⁠Hale, Steven. “Tennessee Is Seeking an Execution Date for the Only Woman on the State’s Death Row.” Nashville Scene, June 8, 2021.⁠

⁠Jorge, Kaylin. “Only Woman on Death Row in Tennessee Seeks Commutation of Sentence.” Fox 17 / WZTV, June 8, 2021.⁠

⁠Pike v. Gross. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.⁠

⁠Brand, Bethany. “Forensic Psychological Addendum.” June 1, 2026.⁠

⁠“Claude Davis Charging & No Contest Plea.”⁠

⁠Satterfield, Jamie. “Federal Judge’s Ruling Opens Death Chamber Door for Christa Gail Pike.” Knoxville News Sentinel, March 11, 2016.⁠

⁠North, John. “Judge Dismisses Death Row Inmate Christa Pike’s Bid to Reopen Her Criminal Case.” WBIR-TV, October 31, 2023.⁠

⁠Satterfield, Jamie. “Rejected Appeal for Pike Revealing: Defense’s Testimony Details Death Row Inmate’s Childhood.” Knoxville News Sentinel, December 21, 2008.⁠

⁠Satterfield, Jamie. “Pike’s Own Words Did Her In — Court Not Convinced Killer Reacted to Save Another Inmate’s Life.” Knoxville News Sentinel, March 9, 2006.⁠

⁠Queally, James. “Raritan TWP Man Arrested.” The Star-Ledger.⁠

⁠Donila, Mike. “Federal Court Denies Pike’s Request to Overturn Death Penalty.” WBIR-TV, March 11, 2016.⁠

⁠“Slaying Suspect, 17, Will Be Tried as Adult; Grisly Tale of Job Corps Victim’s Death Told at Hearing.” Knoxville News Sentinel.⁠

⁠Holt, Erin. “Christa Pike Woos Donald Kohut and Justin Heflin to Help Plan Escape.” KSDK, March 22, 2012.⁠

⁠Satterfield, Jamie. “Judge Denies Job Corps Killer’s Appeal: Pike Will Stay on Death Row.” Knoxville News Sentinel, December 11, 2008.⁠

⁠“Tennessee Prisoner Faces 45 More Counts in N.J.” Hunterdon County Democrat.⁠

⁠Mealins, Evan. “Tennessee’s Only Woman on Death Row Featured in ‘Mean Girl Murders.’ Here’s What to Know.” USA Today, May 21, 2024.⁠

⁠Pike v. State, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, April 25, 2011.⁠

⁠“Murder Victim’s Mother Begs TN to Release Skull Fragment.” WBIR, January 16, 2015.⁠

⁠Loggins, Kirk. “Love and Hate on Death Row.” The Tennessean, July 6, 2003.⁠

⁠Sweeney, Catherine. “Special Master Declines Intervention in Christa Pike Execution.” WPLN News, August 22, 2026.⁠

⁠“Petition Alleging Violations of the Human Rights of Christa Pike by the United States of America and Request for Precautionary Measures.”⁠

⁠Satterfield, Jamie. “Final Death-Row Appeal of Christa Gail Pike Delayed Again.” Knoxville News Sentinel.⁠

⁠Caulfield, Philip. “2 Busted in Plot to Spring Female Killer From Death Row.” New York Daily News, March 22, 2012.⁠

⁠“Women on Death Row.” Tennessee Department of Correction.⁠

⁠Kenner, Randy. “Court of Criminal Appeals Grants Pike Stay of Execution.” Knoxville News Sentinel, August 2, 2002.⁠

⁠“Pair Planned to Copy Jail Key.” Chattanooga Times Free Press / Associated Press, March 24, 2012.⁠

⁠“Chattanooga Federal Judge Upholds Conviction of Christa Pike, Who Carried Out Torture Murder of Romantic Rival.” The Chattanoogan, March 17, 2016.⁠

⁠“Tadaryl Shipp Convicted.” The Orlando Sentinel, March 9, 1997.⁠

⁠Bedard, Hayley. “Death-Sentenced Prisoner Christa Pike Files Religious Challenge to Tennessee’s Execution Protocol.” Death Penalty Information Center, January 27, 2026.⁠

Interested in hearing more about the Netherlands trip with OTCP in July 2028. Join us for a meeting on September 24 at 6pm CST.

More info? Go to ourtruecrimepodcast.com