Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Huntsville, Alabama, is a city where the past and future collide. Once a quiet Southern town-built frontier dreams, Huntsville transformed into “Rocket City”, a hub for NASA and military research. But beneath its veneer of progress, the city’s dense woods and old neighborhoods still harbor secrets, creating an atmosphere where isolation and darkness can thrive. It’s here, that the story of James Dominic “Jimmy” Cappello unfolds. Jimmy was the kind of man who could light up a room, a loving father, a devoted husband, and a private investigator with a gift for uncovering the truth. But sometimes, the greatest mysteries are the ones closest to home. As cracks began to show in Jimmy’s seemingly perfect life, a chilling tale of betrayal, addiction, and suspicion emerged. When Jimmy vanished one September night, his wife’s calm demeanor and conflicting stories only deepened the mystery. What really happened inside the Cappello home? Why did the scent of decay lead investigators to the family garage? And how did a trusted nurse become the prime suspect in a case that would haunt an entire community? This episode shows us that evil is everywhere, sometimes hiding in plain sight, behind the doors of a loving home, waiting for the moment when trust to turns to terror and darkness finally steps into the light.
Sources:
American Monster – Season 13, Episode 2 – Drip, Drip!
The Huntsville Times – Former nurse is indicted in husband’s poisoning death – Ashley Remkus – October 11, 2019
WAFF48 – 4 years later: Jim Cappello’s family raising his daughter – May 16, 2022 - 4 years later: Jim Cappello’s family raising his daughter
TheMirrorUS – Alabama nurse poisoned detective husband with insulin while he investigated her suspected drug use – Jeremiah Hassel – October 13, 2024 - Alabama nurse poisoned detective husband with insulin while he investigated her suspected drug use - The Mirror US
Moviedelic – James Cappello Murder: Where is Marjorie Nichole “Nikki” Cappello Now? – Naman Shrestha – November 4, 2025 - James Cappello Murder: Where is Marjorie Nichole "Nikki" Cappello Today?
WAFF48 – Estate of Madison County man murdered by his wife awarded millions in wrongful death lawsuit – March 17, 2025 - Estate of Jim Cappello awarded millions in wrongful death lawsuit
The Huntsville Times – Lawsuit filed in husband’s insulin death – William Thornton – September 23, 2020
