Shows
midwretchedS4E3: Ruthie May McCoy--The Bathroom Mirror MurderRuthie Mae McCoy is beginning to thrive with the support of mental health and social services. She aims to work her way out of Chicago’s Abbott Housing Projects. But her life is cut short when someone breaks in through her bathroom mirror. Mick and Tommy discuss Ruthie Mae’s murder, and how it became the inspiration (or not) for one of the greatest horror movies of all time. But more importantly, we try to understand how this happened and the people involved.
2025-01-231h 35midwretchedS4E2: The Disappearance of Brian ShafferBrian Shaffer vanished without a trace at a point in his life many would think was his prime. A handsome, well liked, successful medical student, Brian went out with friends in the bustling downtown bar district in Columbus, Ohio—in 2006 considered to be “the most surveilled city in America”—-and never made it home. This is a case oft-told, but perhaps, Tommy thinks, underdiscussed. Join us as we examine the disappearance of Brian Shaffer.
2024-12-271h 18midwretchedS4E1: Natalyah Mans/Natalia GraceThis story took the media by storm. But with all the publicity around the Natalia Grace story, Natalia herself somehow got lost in the dramatic narrative and misinformation. Mick attempts to look at the girl at the center of this story, exploring the facts that we know and conceptualizing what happened along the way. This is our first case back after our long hiatus, and we are still trying to get our legs back under us.
2024-12-022h 46midwretchedS4E0: We're baaaacckkkkFirst off: complete apologies. We never, ever intended to disappear like that. But we swear there was a legitimate reason. We’re excited to get back into it. Take a second and catch up with us, listen to our excuses, and our plans for the future of Midwretched.
2024-12-0232 minmidwretchedS3E10: Ted Kaczynski pt 2In Part 2 of our telling of Ted Kaczynski, we discuss the timeline of the bombings alongside his own writings and journals, focusing on his motivations and mental health decline.
2023-07-061h 49midwretchedS3E9: Ted Kaczynski: the UnabomberThis episode was recorded Thursday 6/8, just two days before Ted Kaczynski was found dead in his prison cell. Any references to him being alive were made when he was known to be alive. In this episode, Mick reviews Ted Kacyznski’s early life, including myths and stories surrounding his development and education. And discuss what took him from a painfully bland burnt out gifted kid to a domestic terrorist.
2023-06-151h 59midwretchedS3E8: The Marvin Gabrion InvestigationOn June 3, 1997, 19-year-old single mother Rachel Timmerman told her mom she was going on a date with a man she met at work, and that she would be taking her 11-month-old, Shannon, with her. About a month later, Rachel’s chained and bound body would be pulled from Oxford Lake in Newaygo County, Michigan. As this case unfolded, it would become a significant story in the landscape of Michigan criminal justice. Join Tommy and Mick as Tommy runs us through a tumultuous investigation of a true monster in Michigan.
2023-05-251h 35midwretchedS3E7: A Kidnapping, A Foundling, An Enduring Mystery: the Paul Fronczak StoryOn an April day in 1964, a joyful new mother enjoys her first days with her infant son. But when that baby suddenly disappears from the hospital, it sends the entire city into a whirlwind. After nearly two years, the family is reunited with the boy they think is their child. Decades will go by before that child grows up to uncover the mystery of who he really is, and what happened to the real Paul Fronczak.
2023-05-111h 48midwretchedS3E6: The Rise and Fall of the Indiana KlanThe history of the Ku Klux Klan is deeply intertwined with the history of the United States and, arguably, there’s no better demonstration of this than the rise and fall of the Indiana Klan—branch of the KKK borne out from one man’s megalomaniacal need for power. When the violent rape and subsequent death of a young female politician happens at the hands of this man, the face of the KKK would be forever altered. Join Tommy as she runs Mick through this horrifying chapter of Midwestern history.
2023-04-201h 29midwretchedS3E2: Precious Hope: St. Louis’s Little Jane DoeIn February 1983, two boys in St. Louis enter an abandoned building looking for scrap metal and find a horrific scene that traumatized the city. Mick and Tommy discuss the still unsolved murder of Precious Hope, St. Louis’s Little Jane Doe. A massive search leads nowhere and desperate police take desperate measures. We talk about theories of what happened and what hope there is for this case to finally be solved.
2023-04-061h 38midwretchedS3E4: The Skelton BoysAndrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton were last seen playing outside on Thanksgiving Day 2010, appearing as carefree and playful as they normally did to their neighbors in Morenci, Michigan. Less than 24 hours later, the boys were missing and their father was laid up in an Ohio hospital with a busted ankle. The story that follows is one of family drama, pointed fingers, impossible seeming stories, and questions that all boil down to one man withholding the truth. Join us as Tommy and Mick dive deep into the disappearance of the Skelton brothers.
2023-03-231h 36midwretchedS3E3: Calista Springer: FilicideIn a small town in Michigan, a young girl is trapped in her bedroom, unable to escape while her house catches fire. When Calista Springer lost her life, many initially thought of it as a tragic accident for her family. However, as the investigation unfolded, many in her community came forward to express their long-running concerns about her safety, with mounting accusations of abuse and neglect charged at her parents. Tommy and Mick explore the potential role of disability and stigma in Calista’s case. They also discuss the issue of Filicide and the National Disability Day of Mourning. 2023-03-011h 27midwretchedS3E2: Midwest Academy: The Troubled Teen Industry and the trial of KSEvery year, thousands of teens are taken from their homes and sent to “specialty schools and programs” for Trouble Teens. In this episode, we discuss the history and practices of the Troubled Teen Industry through reports from one Iowa school that was successfully taken down by the FBI and other investigative organizations. But only after dozens of reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of minors.
2023-02-161h 46midwretchedS3E1: The Flora FourMany people with more than a passing interest in true crime know about the double murder of two young girls in Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana in 2017. What fewer are aware of is the brutal arson a few months earlier that took the lives of four children in a neighboring town. Join in as Tommy leads us through a tough series of questions: what happened to Keyara, Keyana, Kerielle, and Kionnie? Why? How is it being investigated? And, finally, what is going on in Carroll County, Indiana?
2023-02-021h 52midwretchedS2E23: Missing and Murdered Girls in ChicagoIn the summer of 2009 and 2010, young girls in Chicago and the southern suburbs are going missing. Despite a clear pattern, little information is available about what is happening. Until a brave teen steps forward to report her attack, leading to the capture of a serial killer living just outside of the city. But despite a quick capture,12 years would go by before Kiara Windom, Kamika Coleman, and Mariah Edwards would get any sense of justice.
2023-01-191h 12midwretchedS2E22: Missing: Diamond Bynum and King WalkerOn a lovely, typical Saturday in 2015, 21 year old Diamond Bynum and her two year old nephew, King, started their day in their usual way: breakfast with Diamond’s stepmom, warm baths, and a mid-morning nap. When the stepmother woke up, Diamond and King were nowhere to be found. Gary, Indiana police were immediately on alert for the pair, who are considered endangered due to King’s age and Diamond’s unique medical challenges. Join Tommy as she runs Mick through this complex missing persons’ case, made all the more difficult due to the tumultuous context that is the city of Gary.2023-01-051h 28midwretchedS2E21: The Survival of Mary and Beth StaufferMary Stauffer and her young daughter, Beth, go out for final errands before leaving the country for a multi-year mission trip. But while leaving a salon, they are kidnapped by a mysterious man. While they kept in a closet for 7 weeks, they never lost hope that they would find their way home. Mick and Tommy discuss this survival story, and the tragic loss of 8 year-old Jason Wilkman who’s life was taken for one man’s obsession.
2022-12-021h 42midwretchedS2E20: The Disappearance of Timmothy PitzenTimmothy Pitzen was a vibrant and well-loved six-year-old living with his family in Aurora, Illinois--until the day that his mother picked him up early from kindergarten and took him on a vacation from which neither would return. What happened to Timmothy Pitzen? Were those final few days in various midwestern resort towns his last ones, or is he out there, alive, well, and with no knowledge of who he is? Join Tommy as she guides Mick through the twists and turns of this roadtrip gone wrong.
2022-11-181h 25midwretchedS2E19 The Exorcism of Anna EcklundIt’s one of the most well-known and well-documented exorcisms in history. And yet, we still know very little about the woman known as Anna Ecklund, her life and her experiences. But in a tiny town in Iowa, a woman undergoes the terrifying ordeal of an exorcism for many months. Anna (also known as Emma Schmidt) emerges proclaiming to be saved from the demons. But what really happened during those months in 1928? Mick and Tommy explore the many interpretations and grey areas in this event.
2022-10-311h 33midwretchedS2E18: The Villisca Axe MurdersVillisca, Iowa is famous for one thing and one thing only: the Villisca Axe Murders. On a balmy night in June, 1912, a mysterious predator sat in wait in the attic of the Moore family as they attended a youth service at their local church. When they came home, what unfolded would widely be considered a crime of the century—the brutal slaying of two adults and their four children and two little girls staying with them that night. Listen as Tommy details the story that took the wreck of the Titanic off of the front page of newspapers around th...2022-10-201h 27midwretchedS2 Bonus Episode: An interview with Abby WilliamsToday we got the opportunity to speak with Abby Williams, the daughter of Crystal Grubb. She shares memories of her mother and the family’s ongoing fight for justice. She invites listeners to join her family in the annual Crystal Grubb Memorial Walk on October 1st in Bloomington, IN.
Hear more about Crystal’s story in Season 2 Episodes 7 & 8
2022-09-3035 minmidwretchedS2E15: The Disappearance of Erica BakerThis week is a revisit and a re-telling of the case of Erica Baker. On a mild February evening in 1999, the 9-year-old Erica Baker takes her dog for a walk at the park near her home. When she doesn’t return by sundown, a frantic search begins. Erica’s disappearance changed her community for years. And the family continues to search for answers decades later.
2022-09-291h 09midwretchedS2E15: Rush: Ohio’s Fatal HazingsGoing off to college is one of the most exciting events in a young person's life, and so many seek friendship and belonging through fraternities and sororities. While most people will graduate from university relatively unscathed, for those who endure hazing, Greek life can leave indelible scars--both physical and emotional. For Colin Wiant and Stone Foltz, fraternity hazing would prove to be both horrifying and fatal. Join Tommy as she shares the stories of two promising young men and their families, connected by tragedy and united in a fight for legal change.
2022-09-161h 51midwretchedS2E14: Marcus FieselMarcus Fiesel was a lively, energetic toddler with developmental disabilities. He was placed in the care of Liz and David Carroll by the Ohio office of Job and Family Services. But after only a few months in the foster care system, little Marcus lost his life. Mick tells the story of Marcus’s short life and the legacy he left on the foster care system.
2022-09-011h 07midwretchedS2E13: Nikko Jenkins Part 2In this episode we continue our discussion of the spree of killings committed by Nikko Jenkins and his family. They recount the crimes, the confession, and the courtroom drama, all to try to make sense of these series of senseless killings.
2022-08-181h 46midwretchedS2E12: Nikko Jenkins Part 1Nikko Jenkins, the young man who terrorized Omaha, Nebraska for weeks. His killing spree ended the lives of 4 people. In this deep-dive, two parter, we take a good look at who Nikko Jenkins was and what led to his crimes. We’ll ask some questions about the role of different systems in raising a killer.
2022-08-111h 37midwretchedS2E11: Stefanie MoreyIn the summer of 1995, Stefanie Morey was a pretty typical, beloved 13 year old girl whiling away that last middle school summer in her hometown of Marissa, Illinois. In this listener request, Tommy takes us through the tragedy of Stefanie's murder and a devotion to Stefanie's memory with the hopes that her case not be lost to time and small town obscurity.
2022-07-281h 12midwretchedRe-Release! Shawn HornbeckOn October 6, 2002, 11 year old Shawn Hornbeck vanished into thin air while riding his bicycle along the country roads of his hometown of Richwoods, Missouri, leaving behind no trace of what might have happened. In the years following his disappearance, his parents founded organizations to help find other missing children, channeling their grief into action, while leads dried up and the case went cold. When 13 year old Ben Ownby disappeared under similar circumstances from nearby Beaumont in 2007, a case unlike any other would be cracked wide open.
2022-07-141h 25midwretchedS2E9: The Murder of the Chandler ChildrenA family tries to start fresh in a new town. But tragedy strikes the entire home and leaves the only survivor with nothing but amnesia and a feeling of helplessness in the fight for justice for the murder of her children. Mick tells the story of the brutal attack on a family that ended the lives of two bright and beautiful children.
2022-06-301h 11midwretchedS2E08: Crystal Grubb & Lauren Spierer, Part 2: Questions, Theories, and HopeIn Part 1 of the cases of missing Lauren Spierer and murdered Crystal Grubb, Tommy took us through timelines, important places, and persons of interest. In Part 2, she takes us through a deeper look at theories in both cases in the hopes that someday both women find justice in Bloomington.
2022-06-161h 21midwretchedS2E07: Crystal Grubb & Lauren Spierer, Part 1: Mysteries in BloomingtonBloomington is a city with a split identity: one part idyllic college town, another part gateway to Indiana's meth country. Each half hides the secret of what happened to two women: missing Indiana University sophomore Lauren Spierer and murdered mother of two Crystal Grubb. In part one of this two parter, Tommy lays out these mysterious disappearances and the disparities in local and national media coverage of each.
2022-06-091h 22midwretchedS2E6: Why are you like this, Robert Berdella?In the late 1980’s, Kansas City, MO, young men are going missing. One man terrorizes and takes advantage of a marginalized community for his own twisted fantasies. Robert Berdella drugs and tortures 6 young men, before one finally escapes his house of horrors. When police finally discover the extent of Berdella’s crimes, the notes, the photographs, the evidence is unbelievable. Mick and Tommy explore what drove Robert Berdella, his pathology, his personality, and his crimes.
2022-05-262h 20midwretchedS2E05: The I-65 KillerIn April 2022, genetic genealogy solved the 30 year mystery of the I-65 killer, a lesser known but prolific and ruthless murderer. But who was this man, what were his crimes, and is it possible that his death toll is higher than we know? Join Tommy as she regales Mick with the shockingly brazen case of the I-65 Killer.
2022-05-121h 50midwretchedS2E04: The Kent State MassacreTo many, it is known as “The Day the 60s Died.” On May 4, 1970, 4 Kent State University students were shot dead by the Ohio National Guard during a protest against the expanding War in Vietnam. Mick tells the story of a defining cultural moment and what, if anything, we’ve learned from these events.
2022-04-281h 37midwretchedS2E03: Who Killed Jane Mixer?In Season 1's episodes 2 and 3, Tommy took a two-part look at the infamous Ypsilanti Ripper murders that gripped southwestern Michigan's college towns in terror in the late 1960's. Out of the many murders in the series, one always stood out as not quite fitting into the profile of the series: the death of Jane Mixer. Some 40 years later, Mixer's case took a surprising turn–one that perhaps raises as many questions as it answers, and one that warrants an in-depth revisiting.
2022-04-141h 36midwretchedSeason 2 Episode 2: The Story of Joe Arridy, The Happiest Man on Death RowThis week we’ll be traveling slightly outside of the Midwest for a listener request. 1939, Canon City Colorado, a 23 year-old man is put to death for the murder of a young girl. But the story behind this young man’s trial and imprisonment is not what you might expect. The story of how Joe Arridy arrived in his cell, the story of his life and his death is nothing more than a grave injustice.
2022-03-311h 29midwretchedSeason 2 Episode 1: Episode 0: Where Are We Going, Where Have We Been?In this short mini-sode, we, Tommy and Mick get honest about the shows hiatus. Most of all, we discuss how excited we are to be back. This Episode does not cover any particular crimes.
2022-03-1728 minmidwretchedSeason 2 Episode 1: More Than ”Mean Girls:” Shanda Sharer’s Story Middle school life in so many ways is timeless--struggles with identity and belonging, relational drama, and extreme emotions. Most of us get to grow up and move on, but for 12 year old Shanda Sharer in 1992 suburban Indiana, all of those issues would culminate in the night of her horrific torture and murder. Join Tommy as she walks Mick through a case much more complex and nuanced than it appears on the surface.
2022-03-171h 44midwretchedQuick Announcement2021-09-2301 minmidwretchedEpisode 49: Special Edition: UFO Stories from Wright-Patt Air Force BasedTaking a break from some tragedy to chat about one of our favorite non-true crime topics: UFOs! Mick takes us back to her hometown to chat about a long-standing myth: that Wright-Patt Air Force Base is secretly hiding UFOs and Alien creatures! Mick and Tommy talk history, conspiracies, and pancakes. And Mick gets to play debunking killjoy. Join us for this special edition episode and we’ll be back for more traditional true crime next week.
2021-09-091h 16midwretchedReRelease! Episode 8: The St. Aubin Street Massacre of 1929Still on that self-care shit. But we'll be back next week with all new episodes. Until then, ring in Spooky Season with one of our favorite throwbacks!
On the night of July 3, 1929, a man enters the home of a local business man, mystic, and occult leader, Bennie Evangalista. He is shocked to see Evangalista, beheaded and surrounded by photos of his deceased infant son. Upstairs, the bodies of his wife and children are found in their beds. The scene mirrors those of Evangalista’s own visions and writings. Investigators are left with little more than a single bloody...2021-09-021h 17midwretchedRe-Release! Episode 17: The Gitchie Manitou Campfire MurdersWe're taking a week or so off for some much needed self-care. We take that very seriously around these parts. So please, enjoy this throwback episode, one of our favorites! And we'll see you with new stuff soon!
On a brisk night in November, 1973, a group of teenagers gather in the woods for a night of acoustic guitar and cuddling around the campfire. As their night goes on, they hear the rustling of branches and approaching footsteps--footsteps that would come to signal a night of horror at the hands of three madmen impersonating police. Listen as Tommy reg...2021-08-261h 19midwretchedEpisode 48: Leslie Irvine: The serial killer who got his conviction overturnedSouthern Indiana, 1954, a string of burglaries and murders rips across the region. A troop of teenage boys bravely hunt down information that leads to an arrest. The local media swarm the police station and courts, leaking vital information and causing a flurry around the offender, Leslie “Mad Dog” Irvin. A jail escape only brings more of a media storm, leading Irvin to appeal his case all the way to the US Supreme Court. Mick breaks down the story of the serial killer who managed to overturn his entire conviction. What went wrong? And what did we do to make sure it n...2021-08-191h 25midwretchedEpisode 47: The Bath School DisasterSchool violence sometimes seems like a modern phenomenon, but a deeper look reveals that schools have been subject to senseless bloodshed for far longer than the 1999 Columbine shooting--especially in the United States. In this episode, Tommy takes us back to the 1920’s for an in-depth look at what remains the deadliest school mass casualty event in U.S. history: the Bath School Disaster.
2021-08-121h 36midwretchedEpisode 46: Season 1 Updates!This week's episode is a bit of a change from our typical format. Tommy and Mick review updates from past cases and provide a few "Opes!" and reflections and things to think about.
Cases reviewed: Ericka Baker, The Cleveland Strangler, Sydney Loofe, Bobbie Joe Stinnet, Alyssa Bustamante, Belle Gunness, Shawn Hornback, Shaun Grate, Sister Margaret Ann Pahl
2021-08-0539 minmidwretchedEpisode 45: Khoua Her: A Family MassacreA woman calls 911, confused and disoriented. Before the operator can understand what is going on, the woman confesses to killing her 6 children. In this week’s case, Mick tells the tale of Khoua Her, a woman with a traumatic past who does the unthinkable. We look for the “whys” and try to make sense of this tragic case.
Please forgive us for the audio quality! Mick didn’t realize the mic wasn’t working until she went to edit it.
2021-07-291h 26midwretchedEpisode 44: The Murder of Kari NunemakerKari Nunemaker was a beautiful, vibrant 16 year old girl growing up in the sleepy small town of Wakarusa, Indiana. On January 28, 1991, she was excited for a fun day of shopping and watching soccer games with close friends. When she didn't return home that night, the clock began ticking on a vicious murder that would take 14 years to see solved.
2021-07-221h 09midwretchedEpisode 43: The Murder of Sister Margaret Ann PahlThis week’s episode takes us back to 1980s Toledo, OH, where we explore corruption, abuse, and murder in the Catholic Church. When the accomplished and respected Sister Margaret Ann Pahl is murder, a local priest becomes the prime suspect. But the investigation is quickly shut down and any progress is stunted. Decades later, when a survivor of clerical abuse comes forward to name her abusers, that priest is back in the spotlight. In this episode, communities, cultures, and crime collide, and Tommy and Mick struggle to tease out the many threads of this story.
*In this episod...2021-07-151h 56midwretchedEpisode 41: The I-70 Strangler/Herb Baumeister Case(s)In the 1980’s, amid the boom of up and coming suburban sprawl near Indianapolis, a serial strangler targeted gay men and male sex workers, leaving their abused bodies along the I-70 corridor. As the 80’s rolled over into the 90’s, those murders suddenly stopped, but a new series of vicious murders seemed to be an escalation of those original crimes. Join Tommy as she guides Mick through these cases and into the life of one of the Midwest’s most prolific and heartless serial killers.
2021-07-081h 38midwretchedEpisode 41: The Death of Kelly StoughKelly Stough was a beautiful young woman living in Detroit. She had a loving family and dreams of becoming a designer. Sadly, her life was cut short. Her death triggered a nationwide conversation about trans rights and hate crime laws. Although this 2018 case is still sitting in court, Mick walks us through the known events of that day and each side of this case. We also celebrate the life and spirit of Kelly
2021-07-0155 minmidwretchedEpisode 40: Anita Knutson18 year old Anita Knutson was a vibrant, beloved college student living and preparing for a bright future in Minot, North Dakota. Known for her big, fun personality and deep sense of compassion, when she was murdered, it was both an unspeakable tragedy and a dark mystery. Who killed Anita Knutson, and why?
2021-06-241h 21midwretchedEpisode 39: The Brown's Chicken MassacreA random mass shooting takes the lives of 7 workers at the Brown's Chicken and Pasta in Palatine, IL. Despite the brutality, few clues are left behind at the scene. When police investigations turn up little but false confession after false confession, families begin to lose hope. Until 9 years later when two women finally come forward with information. What happened? What motivated such a senseless massacre? Mick shares the story of one of the bloodiest nights in Illinois history.
2021-06-171h 19midwretchedEpisode 38: The Murder of Jason GageThe weekend of March 11, 2005 started like many others for 29 year old Jason Gage. A fun night out surrounded by good friends, enjoying the nightlife in Waterloo, Iowa’s local gay bar. When his friends realized a few days later that no one had seen him since, they reported his absence to the police. Join Tommy as she guides Mick through a murder that perhaps isn’t as straightforward as it seems.
2021-06-1057 minmidwretchedEpisode 37: The Betrayal and Murder of Gregory MayRetired tattoo artist Gregory May says goodbye to his girlfriend after the two finish making plans to travel to Florida. When neither she nor his children can get a hold of him after several weeks and dozens of calls and texts, they all start to worry. Investigation into his disappearance reveals a level of betrayal and brutality that no one could have expected. With his former best friend as the prime suspect, Mick and Tommie feel like something is off in this case.
2021-06-031h 23midwretchedEpisode 36: The Racine County Jane DoeOn a quiet summer morning in Raymond, Wisconsin, a father and daughter walking their dogs made the startling discovery of a young woman’s body along a row of cornfields. Upon further examination, a horrific story began to emerge: long-term torture, sexual assault, and near starvation. What was missing was an identity. The Racine area rallied around Jane Doe, making sure she had a beautiful funeral, and, crucially, that authorities would not let up on their search for her identity--and her killer. Join Tommy as she regales Mick with the story of a 20 year investigation to answer two crucial qu...2021-05-271h 03midwretchedEpisode 35: John Joseph Joubert: Serial KillerTo the outside world, John Joubert was a timid, bright, and respectable man. He presented himself as an Eagle Scout and a Military recruit. But behind this, he hid disturbing fantasies that would take the lives of at least three young boys. By the time Joubert was 22, he was sentenced to the electric chair by the state of Nebraska for murder and depravity. Mick is back on the case to give a profile of this serial killer, and presents an interesting theory to Tommy.
2021-05-201h 42midwretchedEpisode 34: Barbara Weaver: A Murder in Amish CountryWe never truly know what goes on behind closed doors, but that is even more pronounced when it comes to the Amish. We know the basics and certainly the stereotypes. Perhaps, like Tommy, you idealize the simple life, making it easy to forget that the lives behind those stunning white farmhouses are equally as complex as our own, and the capacity for darkness perhaps just as deep. Join Tommy as she shares the murder of Barbara Weaver, an Amish wife and mother of 5, and the tangled web of people around her that led to her shocking murder.
2021-05-131h 29midwretchedEpisode 33: The Bender FamilyIn 1871, a small family of homesteaders and spiritualists head out west to Kansas. The Bender Family sells themselves as entrepreneurs and mediums, offering supplies, rest, and mystical guidance to travelers along the Osage Trail. But it doesn’t take long for their bloodlust to show through. Join Mick as she guides Tommy through some gruesome Midwestern history and myth
2021-05-061h 15midwretchedEpisode 32: Purvi PatelThe one thing we know for sure is that 32 year old Purvi Patel of Granger, Indiana was pregnant in the summer of 2013. Her story would go on to make international headlines when she was charged with feticide in the death of her preterm infant. What were Purvi Patel’s intentions? What truly happened in the course and eventual demise of her pregnancy? Join Tommy as she guides Mick through her quest for answers in this puzzling and controversial local case.
2021-04-291h 28midwretchedEpisode 31: Johnny Gosch: Evidence, Theory, SpeculationThe little boy on the milk carton. Many people are familiar with this case, and how frustrating it can be to think about. The disappearance of Johnny Gosch was one of those cases that changed the way we think about our safety and the safety of our children. When the young paperboy disappears early one Sunday morning, the entire country is turned upside down. A small town case slowly evolves into a high level conspiracy. But how much of the story that is told is fact? And how much is conjecture? We may never know. Mick and Tommy work togeth...2021-04-222h 04midwretchedEpisode 30: The Ashland County Serial KillerIt all started with a 911 call—“I’ve been abducted.” When this arresting call came into the Ashland County, Ohio police dispatcher on September 13, 2016, no one could have seen coming that it would lead to a landslide of information and a shocking series of crimes against area women. Join Tommy as she takes Mick back to central Ohio for the story of this unbelievable contemporary serial killer.
2021-04-151h 22midwretchedEpisode 29: The Disappearance of Hang LeeA young girl seeking a new job to support her family and her future, suddenly goes missing after a job interview. Police have a solid lead, but are stonewalled for years. While their main suspect lives the life of a career criminal, there’s little they can find to connect him to the disappearance. Mick shares the story of the disappearance of Hang Lee, a young immigrant from St. Paul, MN and the frustrating nature of this unsolved case. Can recent changes in the suspect's criminal status help bring some tips to resolve this case?
2021-04-071h 09midwretchedEpisode 28: Richard Speck: Mass MurdererWe're back! And since we missed last week, we're giving this one to you a day early with the story of Richard Speck.
The evening of July 13, 1966 started off as a quiet and typical night for nine nursing students sharing a townhouse in Chicago until there came a knock at the door that unfurled into a night of utter terror. What kind of person could attack and kill so many young women entering into one of the most challenging and noble careers out there? Join Tommy as she walks Mick through one of America’s most infamous ma...2021-03-311h 22midwretchedEpisode 27: Gregory Green, Family AnnihilatorWhen Gregory Green is sentenced for the murder of his girlfriend, he diligently serves his time in prison. After winning over the parole board, he is released in 2008. But history tragically repeats itself when he slips back into old behavior. His new wife seeks protection for herself and her family, but this story ends in a gruesome tragedy that no one could have imagined. We travel back to Tommy’s hometown to explore this story of family devastation.
If you're experiencing Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence, we've included some resources to call, text, or visit below.
1-800-97...2021-03-181h 14midwretchedEpisode 26: The Murder of Christopher ReganChristopher Regan was a successful, well-liked 53 year old and recent transplant to the sleepy town of Iron River, Michigan when he was last heard from on a cool day in October. After two weeks of no contact from Chris, a friend with a gut feeling that something was wrong enlisted the help of Police Chief Laura Frizzo, whose dogged determination to solve this case and find Chris would eventually cost her her job. Join Tommy as she walks Mick through a tale of lonely hearts, manipulation, and a plot as dark and twisted as the northern woods themselves.
2021-03-111h 31midwretchedEpisode 25: The Death of David BocksA small town in southern Ohio hides a nuclear secret. When factory worker David Bocks goes missing, rumors swirl about the goings on at the Fernald Feed Plant. While investigators feel they have their answers quickly, David's family and isn't so sure. What stopped this case from being solve? Fear? Obfuscation? Stigma? Join Tommy and Mick as they explore a decades old unsolved mystery.
2021-03-041h 36midwretchedEpisode 24: The Hobbs-Tobias MurdersKrystal Tobias and Laura Hobbs were two seconds grade best friends who loved spending time together in their neighborhood in Zion, Illinois. When they were found killed in a local park in 2005, a perpetrator close to the victims was quickly apprehended. However, that isn’t the end of the story. Listen as Tommy tells Mick the tale of a double murder who’s ripple effect would cross state lines and cause havoc and confusion for years to come.
2021-02-251h 23midwretchedEpisode 23: Why are you like this Ed Gein?! Part 2The stunning conclusion to the story of Ed Gein. Mick and Tommy try to stitch together all the parts of Ed Gein to explain the man whose crimes and crafts stunned the world. When the horrors of the Gein home are discovered the town of Plainfield reacts with disbelief, and then rage. Police simply do not believe his explanations. But the truth is stranger, and scarier, than fiction when it comes to this particular character. Mick reviews (and judges) Gein’s psych eval, his confession, and his fate. And we somehow tie it together in a Britney Spears bow.
2021-02-182h 22midwretchedEpisode 22: Why are you like this Ed Gein?! Part 1He’s been called a Ghoul, a Deviant, and a Psycho. He’s the inspiration behind some of the greatest fictional villains. But how much do we really know about Ed Gein? The man who horrified a nation when grisly crafts of skulls, skin masks, furniture, and clothing made of human body parts were discovered in his home. How did Gein become the monster that we've come to know him to be? In the first of this multiparter, Mick deep dives into the life, the family, and the psyche of The Butch of Plainfield himself. And she and Tommy attempt...2021-02-111h 23midwretchedEpisode 21: Shawn HornbeckOn October 6, 2002, 11 year old Shawn Hornbeck vanished into thin air while riding his bicycle along the country roads of his hometown of Richwoods, Missouri, leaving behind no trace of what might have happened. In the years following his disappearance, his parents founded organizations to help find other missing children, channeling their grief into action, while leads dried up and the case went cold. When 13 year old Ben Ownby disappeared under similar circumstances from nearby Beaumont in 2007, a case unlike any other would be cracked wide open.
2021-02-091h 25midwretchedEpisode 20: Andrew Wessel SixWhen Don and Janet Allen put their used truck for sale to fund Don’s heart surgery, they could never have imagined the chaos and tragedy that would ensue. Their two daughters are assaulted, and the younger Kathy is kidnapped and murdered. The offenders are quickly apprehended and sentenced, with one being put to death. But our story has a twist when decades later, the state of Iowa begins to investigate cold cases and we get a deeper look into the horrors committed by Andrew Wessel Six.
2021-01-2854 minmidwretchedEpisode 19: John Eric ArmstrongAs 1999 rolled over into 2000, southwest Detroit’s close knit community of sex workers is shaken by an extremely aggressive John on the prowl. As assaults turn into slayings, Detroit police must uncover a mystery man who has been called “the smartest serial killer you’ve never heard of.” Join Tommy as she spins for Mick a tale of hometown horror and the backstory that shaped a coldblooded killer.
2021-01-211h 14midwretchedEpisode 18: Is there an active Serial Killer in Chicago?We’ve all heard the cliché that Chicago is a dangerous town. With a high murder rate and a low clearance rate from police, many families are left without justice or closure. But in the cases of 51 murdered Chicago women, there seem to be some suspicious connections. Over the past two decades, 51 women have been murdered and their bodies abandoned in strangely similar ways. Mick and Tommy explore the question of whether there is a serial killer operating in the Windy City. And Mick discusses some of the recent changes that might help get answers.
2021-01-141h 18midwretchedEpisode 17: The Gitchie Manitou Campfire MurdersOn a brisk night in November, 1973, a group of teenagers gather in the woods for a night of acoustic guitar and cuddling around the campfire. As their night goes on, they hear the rustling of branches and approaching footsteps--footsteps that would come to signal a night of horror at the hands of three madmen impersonating police. Listen as Tommy regales Mick with a survivor’s tale so bizarre that it defines that sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
2021-01-071h 19midwretchedEpisode 16: The Murder of Lorraine KirkleyLorraine Kirkley truly was the All American Girl, a hardworking cardiac nurse and active member of her Indiana community. Until a break-in reveals a bizarre obsession that ends in tragedy. Her killer’s defense amounts to little more than character assassination and nonsensical lies. Mick tells the unbelievable story of Lori’s murder and how the family finally found some closure.
2020-12-311h 18midwretchedEpisode 15: Belle Gunness and her Murder FarmHell’s Princess. Lady Bluebeard. The Black Widow. Belle Gunness was a woman of many names, and her death toll in turn-of-the-century rural Indiana is nothing short of shocking. As a mother, she was doting, maternal, and generous. As a killer, she was a ruthless predator of recent European immigrants. With all of the legend surrounding this infamous character, who really WAS Belle Gunness? Join Tommy as she walks Mick through the tale of one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.
2020-12-171h 48midwretchedEpisode 14: Alyssa Bustamante & the Prozac DefenseOn a cool October Evening, the 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten walks over to a friends house to play. When she doesn’t return in a timely manner, her family immediately begins to worry about the typically cautious and responsible girl. When police and the community discover what happened, they’re left with nothing but rage toward her 15-year-old killer, Alyssa Bustamante. Mick walks Tommy through an exploration of what makes a teenager kill, and gives a mini-dive into the Prozac Defense.
Quick warning for all, in this episode we will be discussing things like suicidal ideation and self-injury. If that’...2020-12-101h 40midwretchedEpisode 13: Bobbie Jo StinnettSkidmore, Missouri, a town infamous for its decades-long history of violent occurances, probably never realized it would make national headlines yet again in 2004--this time, for it’s more atrocious crime yet: the brutal murder of a pregnant 23 year old named Bobbie Jo Stinnett and the abduction of her 8 month fetus. Join Tommy as she guides Mick through this horrible situation and fallout--along with it’s baffling “Why?”
2020-12-031h 18midwretchedEpisode 12: Benjamin Smith-White Supremacist Spree ShooterThe weekend of July 4, 1999 Benjamin Smith begins a spree shooting that will cover 3 days and 2 states. In the end, 2 people are killed, 7 wounded, and Smith dies by suicide. All driven by a racist church and it’s small following. What led a 21-year-old to this disgusting ideology and act? Mick walks Tommy through an infuriating tale of racism and tragedy.
2020-11-261h 25midwretchedEpisode 11: Pretty Bird WomanIn 2001, Standing Rock Indian Reservation resident Ivy Archambault, whose Lakota name was Pretty Bird Woman, devoted herself to helping her community through her work as a social worker. On one October night, she mysteriously disappeared. While the investigation and subsequent arrest that followed were fairly expedient, the systemic issues that lead to her rape and murder are anything but simple. Join us as Tommy takes Mick through a crash course in reservation dynamics and the beautiful legacy Pretty Bird’s family set up in her honor.
2020-11-191h 08midwretchedEpisode 10: The Tragic Death of Sylvia LikensIn the summer of 1965, Sylvia and Jenny Likens were entrusted to the care of Gertrude Banizewski while their parents traveled to earn money for the family. Over the course of just a few months, Sylvia experienced unimaginable abuse and humiliation. But it wasn’t just Gertrude who was responsible; children from the family and around the neighborhood all participated in her death. Sylvia’s murder is a dark spot in Indiana history, changing both the culture and the law to ensure that the tragedy of Sylvia’s final months would never happen again. In this accidental deep dive, Tommy and Mick...2020-11-121h 54midwretchedEpisode 9: The Weepy Voiced Killer AKA A Tale of Weepy WoeIn the major metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, a brutal attack that leaves a young woman hanging on for dear life is tragic, but perhaps not unremarkable. When another attack happens, this one resulting in death, police are flummoxed by a weeping 911 caller who admits to the ruthless attacks. Over a two year span, the Twin Cities would be collectively captivated and terrified--who was this weeping man who kept attacking and stabbing their women? Why the phone calls? What motivated these crimes? Eventually, a chatty serial killer reveals his shocking secrets…
2020-11-051h 28midwretchedEpisode 8: The St. Aubin Street Massacre of 1929On the night of July 3, 1929, a man enters the home of a local business man, mystic, and occult leader, Bennie Evangalista. He is shocked to see Evangalista, beheaded and surrounded by photos of his deceased infant son. Upstairs, the bodies of his wife and children are found in their beds. The scene mirrors those of Evangalista’s own visions and writings. Investigators are left with little more than a single bloody fingerprint. Mick shares one of the oldest unsolved mysteries in Detroit history. Was it a competing cult? An illusive mafia connection? Or a disillusioned follower’s retaliation? We may never...2020-10-291h 17midwretchedEpisode 7: Amanda FroistadIn May 1995, a house fire in North Dakota claimed the life of five year old Amanda Marie Froistad. A family and a town grieved this tragic accident, until an internet confession three years later changed everything. This confession would catalyze an investigation that uncovered the real truth: a tragic life cut short and marked by bureaucratic failures within every system designed to protect her.
2020-10-221h 11midwretchedEpisode 6: The Murder of Sydney LoofeOn a cool November afternoon, Sydney Loofe leaves work to prepare for a date, excited for the prospect of a new relationship. When she doesn’t show up for work the next day, friends and family immediately know something is wrong. The investigation leaves a community reeling, and confused. Join Mick as she takes Tommy through this disorienting tale of tragedy.
2020-10-151h 16midwretchedEpisode 5: The Brenizer FamilyOn a calm April day in 1991, the small town of Cushing, Wisconsin is shaken when a family of five go missing. When their vehicle is found burnt out next to a trout fishing stream, a community becomes consumed with anxiety, fear, and Satanic panic as investigators uncover a devious plot to destroy this family.
2020-10-0851 minmidwretchedEpisode 4:The Cleveland StranglerBlack women are going missing in Cleveland, OH. Despite reports and pleas from grieving families the Cleveland Police fail to investigate, costing more and more lives. Mick tells the story of the Cleveland Strangler and the powerful survivors who helped finally put him behind bars.
2020-10-011h 30
midwretchedEpisode 3: The Ypsilanti Ripper Part 2The second half of this two parter takes us through the last two victims of the Ypsilanti Ripper, a final leg of investigation with more twists and turns than a corn maze, and the arrest and arraignment of a perpetrator whose guilt shocks the Ypsilanti community.
2020-09-241h 04midwretchedEpisode 2: The Ypsilanti Ripper Part 1In the first half of this two-parter, Tommy takes Mick back to 1967 Ypsilanti, Michigan, when this idyllic college town becomes host to the diabolical serial killings of several young women by a killer dubbed The Ypsilanti Ripper. As the crimes escalate, two university communities wonder when they will next know peace, safety, and justice.
2020-09-171h 21midwretchedEpisode 1: The Disappearance of Erica Baker9 year-old Erica Baker went for a walk with her family dog one February afternoon and never returned. Her sudden disappearance shook an Ohio suburb to the ground. In our inaugural episode, Mick takes Tommy through the journey of a hometown trauma, and her first experience with what these crimes can do to a community.
2020-09-1354 minmidwretchedEpisode 0-Welcome to Midwretched2020-09-1312 min