Our True Crime Podcast

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Blame It On The Game: Mary Towey

On April 13, 1984, in a suburb of St Louis, Missouri, eighteen-year-old Mary Towey never showed up to the Friday the 13th party she was hosting at her parents' home.

Within a week, her body would be found, and her murderers arrested. Since it was the 80s, one of her killers would try to use the Satanic Panic to his advantage.

Join Cam and Jen as they discuss Blame It On The Game: Mary Towey

Research and writing by Lauretta Allen
Listener Discretion by Edward October from OctoberpodVHS & OctoberpodAM
Producer Nico at We Talk of Dreams

Thank you to HelloFresh for sponsoring this episode. We truly love using the HelloFresh meal kits!
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Sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Master-Disappearance-Dallas-Egbert/dp/0395355362

https://apnews.com/article/a1121256e68b13b701eea0bc355a6a5c

https://law.justia.com/cases/missouri/court-of-appeals/1987/50199-0.html

https://www.oxygen.com/in-ice-cold-blood/crime-news/in-ice-cold-blood-dungeons-and-dragons-moral-panic-explained

https://limsk.tripod.com/pulling.htm https://doctorow.medium.com/takes-one-to-know-one-104d7d749408

https://www.grunge.com/47814/easter-eggs-missed-dd/

https://mirrornews.hfcc.edu/news/2020/03-28/its-time-roll-dungeons-dragons-resurgence

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794216/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794234/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794219/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794213/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140820757/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794778/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794734/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/679238660/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/938709865/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140795850/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140857018/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140831302/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140833182/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/562445082/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140833892/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/679549926/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140833242/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140832999/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140846235/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140833634/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/679563696/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140904739/?terms=Mary%20Towey&match=1

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47138592/mary-christine-towey

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794315/?terms=Mary%20Towey%20Obituary&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140794734/?terms=Pezzani&match=1

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/18/us/when-dungeons-dragons-set-off-a-moral-panic.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Radeckihttps://winteriscoming.net/2022/07/12/stranger-things-inspires-600-search-increase-dungeons-dragons/

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/09/disappearances-dragons-the-james-dallas-egbert-iii-story/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_controversieshttps://www.newspapers.com/image/140833634/?terms=mary%20c%20towey&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/140847382/?terms=mary%20c%20towey&match=1

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/899/735/272658/

https://www.kmov.com/2022/01/21/horror-st-louis-hills-gary-consolino-ellen-dooling-murders-that-shook-city/

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/19/290/629222/

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

217. Web of Lies: Cherrylle Dell

It is March 17, 1997, and the day is winding down for Killaloe Ontario police superintendent Ken Leppert. As he leaves the Ontario Provincial Police dept, he is greeted by 39-year-old Nancy Filmore. The visibly upset woman demands to speak to a detective. As the two sit down, Nancy tells the detective she is there to talk about Cherrylle Dell. She blasts into name-calling, directed at the 42-year-old widow and mother of three, Cherrylle. Nancy goes on to say that Cherrylle has been opening accounts of credit under fake names and reporting bogus burglaries to gain insurance money. When asked if she could prove her allegations, Nancy said no, leaving the detective with little to go on. He takes her statement and files it away for now. When asked how she knows Cherrylle, Nancy said they used to date, but the relationship ended and not on a good note. Nancy adds that she is suing Cherryll, claiming that her ex-lover stole money and clothing from her. Now the detective wonders if this is just a scorned lover out for revenge, but this is only the beginning. As Nancy is telling the detective this long detailed story, Nancy messes up and tells a little too much…it is too late now. She could not go back. The detectives knew there was much more to this story than revenge and a jilted lover. Nancy is clearly scared of implicating herself...but in what and why?

Join Jen and Cam from Our True Crime Podcast as we discuss ‘Web of Lies: Cherrylle Dell.”

Listener discretion is by @octoberpodvhs
Music by our executive producer @wetalkofdream

Sources:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11027060/
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/archival-how-sex-lies-and-antifreeze-convicted-the-angel-of-death-cherrylle-dell
https://murderpedia.org/female.D/d/dell-cherrylle.htm
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/dells-daughter-tells-of-weird-conversation/article4169567/
http://www.fact.on.ca/news/news0102/ts010203.htm
https://ottawasun.com/2016/01/21/no-early-parole-for-convicted-killer-cherrylle-dell
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/killer-stripper-cherrylle-dell-stories-of-true-crime
https://www.ranker.com/list/crimes-committed-by-modern-witches/amber-fua
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/escaped-killer-arrested-in-toronto-1.1061528

216. Bega Schoolgirl Murders: Lauren Barry and Nichole Collins

Content Warning: this episode contains graphic details. Listener discretion is advised.

On October 3, 1997, Nichole Collins and Lauren Barry went camping near Tathra and Bega Roads in New South Wales, Australia. The group was celebrating Labour Day weekend along with Lauren's birthday. At 10 pm on Sunday, October 5, Lauren and Nichole decide to walk to a party in nearby Jellat Jellat, five miles away.

It should have been a safe journey.

215. For Sin Burns Like A Fire: Death of James Matheney

It is June 16, 1987, and we are in Nashville, Tennessee, and a beloved church named Emmanuel Church of Christ Oneness Pentecostal has experienced a substantial damaging fire. Detective Robert Moore reports to the scene. He quickly determined that the fire had severely damaged the structure, burning extremely hot. The organ had melted, and the chandeliers had fallen to the ground. The walls were black from soot and smoke damage. Although he could see the severity of the fire, he was not there to investigate the fire itself but rather something that the fireman discovered in the church's attic. Since there was no electricity, Moore had to use a flashlight to make his way. In the corner, he notices a pile of stuff, primarily unused wood, materials, just a bunch of stuff thrown on top of what looked like a rolled-up carpet. Wondering what could be on the rug, he begins to unroll it. As it unwinds, human feet appear, but the shock is yet to come. The body had no head, and half of the arm was missing. Upon closer inspection, he notices a belt with a belt buckle. The buckle had the initial ‘T’ on it. Only one person had such a buckle: the well-loved 44-year-old church pastor John David Terry. There was not a break-in, so robbery was out of the question. As the investigation begins, investigators will travel down a deep and twisty path to get a resolution. What they find out is difficult to believe, even for seasoned detectives.

Join Jen and Cam on this episode of ‘Our True Crime Podcast’ entitled ‘For Sin Burns Like Fire: Death of James Matheney’

This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh, America’s #1 Meal KitUse our special code to get your discount today! Go to HelloFresh.com/otcp and use code otcp50 for 50% off, plus your first box ships free!

Listener Discretion courtesy of @octoberpodVHS
Music is courtesy of our executive producer @wetalkofdreams

Sources:
https://www.nashvillepost.com/home/minister-terry-on-death-row-for-murder-apparently-kills-self-second-suicide-in-west-tn/article_30ffe683-6b66-5e4e-8ff8-0b1b2d28a956.html
https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/27/us/minister-sentenced-to-death.html
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115897725/john-david-terry
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7984224/
https://thecinemaholic.com/james-matheny-murder-how-did-john-david-terry-die/
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/tn-supreme-court/1257486.html
https://christianpundit.wordpress.com/2019/01/06/preacher-john-david-terry-murdered-and-beheaded-friend-to-fake-own-death-1987-equally-yoked-is-pointless/
https://casetext.com/case/state-v-terry-74

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

214. Death Of A Cover Girl: Raudha Athif

This is a case that has stuck with Jen for a few years now.

In late 2015 a breathtaking image of nineteen-year-old Raudha Athif wearing a snow-white sleeveless dress, standing chest high in the cerulean, teal swirl of the Indian Ocean. It wouldn’t take long before the image snagged the attention of Vogue magazine. While being a model is a dream for many young women. Raudha had aspirations of being a doctor like her father.

After receiving a scholarship to Islami Bank Medical College, Raudha headed to Bangladesh, which was quite a culture shock. Raudha adapted beautifully. When her Vogue cover hit the stands in October of 2016, the happiness Raudha felt soon gave way to concern. The students at the school began to treat her differently. She received threats and insults for not dressing in a manner appropriate for a Muslim girl. Raudha adhered to the dress code while at school, but modeling, in general, is looked down upon in some of the factions of Islam. To have her depicted in the magazine with exposed arms, shoulders, and hair made matters even worse.

By the end of March 2017, Raudha was found dead in her dorm room. While doctors in Bangladesh ruled her death a homicide, Raudha's family believes it was foul play.

Join Cam & Jen as they discuss "Death of a Cover Girl: Raudha Athif."

Call or text 988 if you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support. The Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

In the UK, you can call Samaritans' 24/7 hotline at 116 123
In Australia, you can call Lifeline’s 24/7 hotline at 13 11 14

Research and writing by Lauretta Allen
Listener Discretion by OctoberpodVHS & OctoberpodAM
Producer Music & Editing by Nico at We Talk of Dreams

Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK7d1U-SALY
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/death-of-vogue-cover-girl-raudha-athif-was-work-of-extremists-parents-say/news-story/654ee6a51a345e8f712bf043da038cd4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raudha_Athif https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/raudha-died-suicide-pib-1721938
https://www.india.com/viral/vogue-cover-girl-raudha-atif-allegedly-murdered-for-wearing-jeans-in-a-muslim-college-in-bangladesh-2009544/
https://mujunaeem.com/2017/04/02/the-case-of-the-missing-instagram-users-from-raudha-follow-list/
https://www.9news.com.au/world/60-minutes-team-forced-out-of-bangladesh-while-investigating-models-alleged-murder/29a5ce22-3b80-4963-bb5a-2c5b6069aa65
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldives https://www.archdaily.com/999412/a-brief-history-of-the-maldives-culture-contemporary-architecture-and-tourism
https://www.britannica.com/place/Maldives
https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bangladesh.htm http://rarolae.com/tragic-maldivian-vogue-model-raudha-athif-found-dead-in-dormitory-police-call-it-suicide/
https://globalvoices.org/2017/03/31/sudden-death-of-aqua-blue-eyed-model-shocks-maldives/#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20she%20became%20a,for%20her%20supposedly%20risque%20attire.
https://www.frukmagazine.com/model-raudha-athif-maldivian-girl-with-aqua-blue-eyes-commits-suicide/
https://twitter.com/DrMohamedAthif/status/1200074091648016384 https://everipedia.org/wiki/lang_en/raudha-athif h
ttps://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/maldivian-model-s-father-accuses-kashmiri-best-friend-of-murdering-her-in-college-hostel/story-ESWOPTunVqIk68DQB8fanJ_amp.html
https://edition.mv/news/2875

Saturday, May 27, 2023

213. Trolling for Murder: The Killings of Billy and Billie Jean

It is January 31, 2012, and a family member decides to drop by the home of 24-year-old Billie Jean Hayworth and her fiance 35-year-old Bill Payne. The couple, who shared a 6-month-old son, had recently gotten engaged and we were excited for the future. A family member who regularly stopped by to check in on the young family was always greeted by the baby crawling around. This time it was different. After not being invited into the home, she entered through the unlocked door. She was immediately thrown off since there was not the usual hustle and bustle of the morning. Instead, pure silence. The women called out to them but no one responded. As she made his way through the hallway, she looked into the bedroom and saw Bill Payne lifeless on the bed. Then he came upon Billie Jean on the floor, covered in blood, with her still clutching to her baby boy. The baby had her mother’s blood on him but seemed to be unharmed. The woman makes a frantic call to 911 in shock from what she has witnessed and tries to soothe the baby. Police head to the location nervous about what they will discover. This is not the norm in this quiet Tennessee town of Mountain City, population 2415. Agent Scott Lott from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports to the scene. He determines Bill Payne had a gunshot wound to the face and his throat had been slit. Billie Jean had a gunshot wound to the head as well. The house did not seem to be in disarray indicating this was not a burglary gone wrong. What it did indicate was that someone wanted both of them dead and made sure to make that happen. The murders looked clean, as in a hit.

Join Jen and Cam on this episode of Our True Crime Podcast entitled ‘Trolling for Murder: The Killing of Billy and Billie Jean.’

Listener Discretion courtesy of @octoberpodVHS

Music is courtesy of our executive producer @wetalkofdreams

Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m40-nbJzKLE
https://abcnews.go.com/US/social-media-feud-led-murder-young-tennessee-couple/story?id=34346840
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/matriarch-of-tennessee-family-convicted-of-infamous-facebook-murders-pleads-guilty-after-being-granted-new-trial/
https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/mother-daughter-convicted-in-facebook-murders-case-to-appear-in-court-tuesday/
https://www.timesnews.net/one-of-three-facebook-murder-convictions-overturned-mother-granted-new-trial/article_4aea9524-0618-11ec-a093-8b71991a842d.html
https://www.thetomahawk.com/news/article_495b5c6e-83ce-541f-92b3-26b9a209e73c.html
https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-criminal-appeals/2019/e2015-02261-cca-r3-cd.html
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/matriarch-of-tennessee-family-convicted-of-infamous-facebook-murders-pleads-guilty-after-being-granted-n/ew-trial

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

212. Unsolved in Massachusetts: Deanna Cremin

On March 29th, 1995, 17-year-old Deanna Cremins completed a project at school in which the assignment instructed her to list the five most important goals in her life.

These were Deanna’s answers:

To graduate high school.
To find a successful job that I enjoy.
To have a dark green convertible Mustang.
To have a happy family.
To live a long time and healthy. When the assignment asked which of the five things she would choose as the most important, Deanna answered: To live long and healthy.

No one could have known when she handed in that assignment that she would not achieve those goals because she had just hours left to live.

Join Cam and Jen as they discuss "Unsolved in Massachusetts: Deanna Cremins."

Anyone with any information regarding the murder of Deanna Cremin,
please call 617-448-3842

This episode was requested by Russell through our Twitter page. Thank you!

Promo this week is for our friends Mike and JT at Brew Crime

Research and writing by Lauretta Allen
Listener Discretion by OctoberpodVHS & OctoberpodAM
Producer Music & Editing by Nico at We Talk of Dreams

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Maria_Child
https://www.flufffestival.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-killed-deanna-cremin/id1473081850?i=1000468277808 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Hill_Gang
https://www.trailwentcold.com/?s=deanna+cremin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Deanna_Cremin
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2015/03/29/20-years-without-deanna/

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