Shows
Only Murders on the HarborMay Day Martyr: The Murder of William McKayIn this episode of Only Murders on the Harbor, host Kaydee explores the 1923 murder of William McKay, a dedicated Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) organizer in Aberdeen, Washington. Known as the Wobblies, McKay and his fellow labor activists stood at the center of a fierce struggle between timber workers and powerful mill owners on the Grays Harbor coast. Through firsthand accounts, historical documents, and contemporary reporting, we delve into the brutal tactics used by company-backed vigilantes, the rise of the Citizens’ Committees, and the violent repression that culminated in McKay’s assassination. Join us as we unpack the lega...2025-08-1123 min
Only Murders on the HarborAshes and Embers: The Fire that Changed AberdeenIn this haunting and powerful episode, host Kaydee takes listeners to October 16, 1903, when the booming timber town of Aberdeen, Washington, was nearly reduced to ashes by one of the most devastating urban fires in state history.Aberdeen, a coastal city built almost entirely from wood, was thriving at the turn of the century — its economy driven by logging, sawmills, and maritime trade. But that prosperity came with risk. Buildings, sidewalks, even streets were made of timber and layered with sawdust — a virtual tinderbox waiting for a spark.That spark came from a mysterious source — possibly a ciga...2025-07-2827 min
Only Murders on the HarborThe Marshal of CosmopolisIn November 1901, a routine civil warrant in the Pacific Northwest turned deadly. In the boomtown of Cosmopolis, Washington—where timber mills ran nonstop and the law walked on shaky ground—Town Marshal Silas W. Smith, age 57, was gunned down while attempting to disarm a local man during a property dispute.The shooter claimed he was within his rights to be armed as a U.S. mail carrier, sparking a legal debate that would result in a conviction, not for murder, but manslaughter. He was sentenced to ten years... and paroled in less than six.But who...2025-07-1417 min
Only Murders on the HarborThe Death of Dan Damitio - Felony, Firearms, and a Fatal ErrorOn the night of February 2, 1963, three individuals — Reinhart Nelson, John Patrick Jr., and Alberta “Dolly” Burns — drove through a rainy Grays Harbor night with one goal: to rob Dan Damitio, a quiet grocer and Army veteran believed to carry large amounts of cash.But their plan unraveled quickly. Shots were fired, and Dan Damitio lay dead in his home. What followed was more than just a murder case — it became a legal battle that would make its way to the Washington State Supreme Court and redefine due process in the state.In this episode, we examine th...2025-06-3023 min
Only Murders on the HarborThe Bassett Murders — Retrial and Release - Part 2In this episode, host Kaydee continues the story of Brian Bassett, who at age 16 committed the tragic murders of his parents, Michael and Wendy Bassett, and his 5-year-old brother Austin in McCleary, Washington in 1995.Part 2 focuses on the legal aftermath, including key Supreme Court rulings like Miller v. Alabama that banned mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles. We follow Brian’s multiple resentencing hearings, the impact of Washington State’s Miller-Fix Law, and the emotional courtroom moments involving family testimony and arguments from the defense and prosecution.The episode also covers Brian’s release in January 2024 under...2025-06-1620 min
Only Murders on the HarborThe Bassett Family Murders - Part 1On August 10, 1995, 16-year-old Brian Bassett murdered his parents and younger brother in McCleary, Washington. This episode covers the events leading up to the crime, the trial, and how this case sparked a decades-long legal journey that would impact juvenile sentencing in the state.👉 Part 2 coming soon: We’ll cover Bassett’s resentencing, legal appeals, and his eventual release.⚠️ Content WarningThis episode includes a discussion of familicide and juvenile incarceration. Listener discretion is advised.📚 SourcesThe Chronicle: Grays Harbor County Man Gets New SentenceKING 5 News: Brian Bassett ResentencedKXRO News: Bassett Released from...2025-06-0213 min
Only Murders on the HarborForgotten in the Forest: The Elma Jane Doe & Anne Lehman CasesIn this episode, we explore two haunting cold cases from the Pacific Northwest—one still unsolved, and another finally closed after nearly 50 years through the power of forensic genealogy.Case 1: Elma 1988 Jane Doe On October 24, 1988, skeletal remains were found off a remote logging road near Elma, WA. The woman had been killed by a gunshot to the head, likely between 1982 and 1988. She was about 28 years old, 5 feet tall, and possibly of Native American or Southeast Asian descent. Her jaw had been broken near the time of death.She was fully clothed in a men’s blue...2025-05-1920 min
Only Murders on the HarborGrays Harbor County John Doe Cases from 1997 & 2001Case 1: Grays Harbor County John Doe (1997)In April 1997, the partial remains of an unidentified white male were found washed ashore near Grayland, Washington. Estimated to be between his late teens and early 20s, about 5'11", and 170 pounds, the man had extensive dental work, including four stainless steel crowns and a missing or gapped front tooth. Due to advanced decomposition, the cause of death and other physical features like hair and eye color remain unknown. The case remains open with few leads, and authorities encourage tips via the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Department, NamUs, or the Doe Project...2025-05-0531 min
Only Murders on the HarborThe Laura Law Murder Part 3 - The Final Chapter of Laura Law's CaseIn this gripping final chapter of Only Murders on the Harbor, Kaydee and James trace the complex and haunting aftermath of Laura Law’s murder—a case that refused to fade quietly into history. From failed federal investigations and unsealed tax court revelations, to political conspiracies and Cold War hysteria, this episode dives deep into how Laura’s death became a pawn in local and national power struggles.Listeners will hear how key figures like County Commissioner Richard Ultican and union leader Dick Law became entangled in allegations of corruption, cover-ups, and Communist paranoia. We follow the trail...2025-04-2120 min
Only Murders on the HarborThe Laura Law Murder Part 2 - Civil Rights & ConspiracyIn Part 2 of our deep dive into the Laura Law murder case, we return to Grays Harbor to unravel the explosive political fallout that followed Laura’s tragic death. What began as a brutal homicide quickly transformed into a fierce ideological battle—one that exposed deep divisions between labor unions and local power structures.This episode traces the efforts of the Grays Harbor Civil Rights Committee to defend Laura’s husband, Dick Law, as they allege corruption, conspiracy, and cover-ups tied to powerful business interests. We explore the national attention the case drew, the push for Department of Jus...2025-04-0728 min
Only Murders on the HarborThe Laura Law Murder Part 1 - A Review of the Community Conflict & MurderSeason 1, Episode 1 of Only Murders on the Harbor sets the stage with an eerie, atmospheric tone, highlighting the fog-shrouded coastal town of Grays Harbor County, Washington. Hosted by Kaydee and her fiancé James, the podcast introduces the murder of Laura Law against a backdrop of labor unrest, political divisions, and anti-communist sentiment in 1930s Aberdeen. The episode explores Laura’s background as a Finnish immigrant and her role as a key organizer in the union movement alongside her husband, Dick Law—a prominent, controversial figure accused of communist affiliations. Tensions escalate with historical events like the Red Hall raid, clash...2025-03-2425 min
Only Murders on the HarborOnly Murders on the Harbor - TrailerThis is the first trailer for Only Murders on the Harbor, a show that explores real crimes and mysteries in Grays Harbor County, Washington. 2025-03-0804 min