Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

In October 1974, 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith vanished after an evening out with friends in Utah. Because her father was the local police chief, a massive search began immediately, but nine agonizing days passed before two hunters discovered her body in a Summit County ditch. Now, 50 years later, investigators used the breakthrough DNA profile confirmed in Laura Ann Aime’s case to match biological evidence preserved from Melissa Ann Smith, officially closing the 50-year cold case and confirming Ted Bundy was her killer. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the autopsy findings and physical evidence, examining how pathologists determined Melissa was held captive alive for several days before she was killed. Highlights: Here are the extracted timestamps and titles separated by double line breaks so they will not squish together when you copy and paste them. 00:01.410 Setting the Stage for a Dark Tale 00:10.570 The Power of "Iconic" in Crime 00:35.300 Bundy's Legacy and Victim Erasure 01:27.940 A New Revelation: Melissa Ann Smith 03:25.900 Bundy's Death and Its Impact 06:23.830 Bundy's Crimes: A Pattern of Violence 07:48.280 The Melissa Ann Smith Case Unfolds 08:33.679 Bundy's Final Days and Confessions 14:30.490 The Search for Melissa Ann Smith 26:38.270 The Autopsy Report: A Graphic Account 27:58.770 Understanding Bilateral Subdural Hematoma 28:12.940 Bundy's Brutal Attack on Melissa Ann 39:55.480 The Importance of DNA Evidence 40:20.920 DNA Evidence Cracks the Case 46:00.239 Remembering the Victims See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if Alex Murdaugh didn't murder his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul? What if Alex Murdaugh was judged guilty because the jury was stunned by information of financial crimes and drug addiction and believed if a man could do all the things Murdaugh was accused of doing, murdering his wife and son seemed more than just possible. And what if a trusted clerk of court was putting ideas into the heads of some jury members that led them to believe Murdaugh was a murderer. Alex Murdaugh’s double-murder conviction was officially overturned on May 13, 2026. The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously reversed his 2023 convictions and ordered a new trial. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack review the evidence that led to his conviction the first time to determine if a second guilty verdict is likely...or was an innocent man convicted for all the wrong reasons? Highlights: 00:01.400 Money and Motivation 01:02.140 The Murdaugh Murders Unfold 01:25.280 Greed and Expert Testimony 04:22.920 The Murdaugh Family's Dark Legacy 14:44.410 The Crime Scene and Forensic Evidence 16:49.940 The Shocking Double Homicide 32:31.860 Maggie's Fatal Shooting 33:07.310 The Crime Scene Analysis 33:53.170 The Brutal Murder of Maggie 35:27.150 Legal Developments and New Trial 35:41.260 Ballistic Evidence and Gun Types 37:59.760 The Fatal Shooting of Maggie 44:12.040 New Trial and DNA Evidence 45:49.250 Closing Thoughts on the Case See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Chief of Lansing Michigan says the recent attacks along a one mile stretch of the Lansing River Trail leading to the deaths of five men raises the possibility that this area of Michigan might have a serial killer in their midst. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss all five deaths to determine what happened in each case, and compare all of the cases to determine areas of similarity that could lead to one killer being responsible for all of the attacks. Highlights: 00:10.289 The Art of Pattern Recognition in Forensics 00:49.110 A Potential Serial Killer in Lansing, 01:33.220 Investigating Homeless Homicides 05:45.430 The Unique Nature of Homeless Victim Patterns 07:32.600 Task Forces and Big-Picture Investigations 15:07.320 The First Victim: Gino Chouinard 20:46.950 The Second Victim: Dennis Dunback 25:43.359 The Third Victim: Robert Smith 29:18.400 The Fourth Victim: Daniel Lusk 31:51.550 The Fifth Victim: Louis Woodruff 33:52.650 Analyzing the Evidence and Suspicions 35:24.650 The Nature of the Attacks 35:51.680 Investigating the Victims and Injuries 41:24.060 The Location and Modus Operandi 46:43.550 Closing Thoughts and Future Coverage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2012, 19-year-old UNC student Faith Hedgepeth was found murdered in her apartment following a savage sexual assault and blunt-force attack. The bloody crime scene yielded bizarre clues: a heavy rum bottle used as a weapon and a cryptic message written on a takeout bag. The case went cold for nearly a decade until genetic genealogy traced the killer's DNA to Miguel Salguero Olivares. Following a 2021 traffic stop that secured a matching DNA sample, a jury recently found him guilty on all counts, sentencing him to life in prison. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the physical evidence left at the scene and analyze the complex blood deposition on Faith's bed, explain the devastating impact of a thick liquor bottle as a weapon, and discuss how the mysterious takeout bag served as a confusing red herring. Highlights: 00:01.420 Welcome to Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan 00:10.630 Jimmy Buffett and Rum 02:59.280 The Faith Hedgepeth Case Begins 06:02.540 The Brutal Discovery 07:41.350 The Challenges of Blood Evidence 13:37.590 The 911 Call and Initial Scene 18:20.619 The Investigation Unfolds 31:18.890 The Rum Bottle and DNA Evidence 34:38.840 The Role of Blood in Investigations 39:27.070 The Suspect and the Crime Scene 41:11.200 The Challenges of Identifying Blood 43:10.660 A Violent Attack Unfolds 44:06.390 The Investigation Begins 49:13.270 The Role of DNA Evidence 52:48.610 The Trial and Its Challenges 55:02.580 Closing Thoughts on Forensic Science See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for missing women continues as investigators went through the Philly 'House of Horrors' spraying luminol, uncovering human DNA. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take a look at what is happening right now as crews are digging with excavators to see if what R.C, Horsch wrote about as works of fiction were actually descriptions of murder and disposal of women who came to the Olney home. This is an update to the earlier Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan episode, "Missing Women, Philly House Of Horrors! Dissolving Bodies & Snuff Films". Highlights: 00:01.420 Welcome to Body Bags 00:10.470 The Challenges of Concentration in Crime 01:23.120 The Philly House of Horrors Investigation 03:57.260 Preparing for the Worst: Investigator 10:12.050 The Power of Luminol in Crime Scene 16:26.640 Unraveling the Mystery of the Barrel 22:55.210 The Extensive Scope of the Investigation 27:48.170 R.C. Horsch's Dark Legacy and the Role of DNA 44:13.640 Wrapping Up the House of Horrors Case See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On December 22, 1978, a school bus driver about 11 miles east of Billings, Montana, spotted what looked to be trash dumped close to the road close to the I-90/Pryor Creek Interchange. The bus drivers stops to take a closer look when he notices a shoe and what appears to be a body. He just discovered the body of 16-year-old Corina Contreraz, and the beginning of a case that would not be solved for 48 years. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take an up-close look at the investigation into the murder of Corina and the incredible scientific work done by investigators in Montana and the team at Othram Labs. This is the first time in history where a murderer has been caught with an innocuous finger print sitting in an arrest file for 44 years. If the investigation was a numbers game, the equation that led to the suspect would look like this: 1978 + 16 + 2026 + 1982 = Angelo Stallsmith Sr. Highlights: 00:01.400 Setting the Stage for a Forensic Mystery 00:10.850 The Power of Friction Ridges 02:08.450 A Cold Case from 1978 10:21.309 The Discovery of the Body 21:56.840 Investigating the Crime Scene 22:54.570 A Mysterious Discovery 23:12.340 Investigating the Crime Scene 28:45.960 The Hunt for Clues 37:12.050 A Breakthrough in Forensic Science 37:19.680 The Breakthrough in Forensic Technology 42:42.600 Solving a 44-Year-Old Mystery See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trial of accused killer Matthew Farwell, 40, is underway. Farwell stands accused of murdering pregnant Sandra Birchmore, and staging the scene to look like Sandra took her own life. Farwell had known Sandra since she was 12 and a member of the Stoughton, Mass, Police Explorers Youth Program. Farwell was one of the active cops who volunteered their time to teach young people about law enforcement, and it was at these group meetings where Farwell is accused of grooming Sandra. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore some of the evidence to determine why Sandra's death was initially ruled a suicide, and how the ruling was changed, and how the Feds stepped in to charge Farwell in the death of Sandra Birchmore. Highlights: 00:01.400 Setting the Stage for a Federal Homicide Case 01:54.280 The Sandra Birchmore Case Unfolds 02:52.660 The Explorer Post and Grooming Process 06:18.580 A Pregnant Woman's Tragic Fate 28:53.630 The Investigation and Initial Ruling 32:22.230 Challenging the Suicide Verdict 33:22.980 Dr. Michael Baden's Expert Opinion 34:25.640 The Nuances of Hanging and Strangulation 39:13.489 Lividity and Asphyxial Death Indicators 41:19.590 The Trial and New Evidence 45:23.250 Federal Charges and Their Implications 48:20.350 Closing Thoughts on a Tragic Case See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 21 in Oxford, Mississippi, two young men were found dead on and near the campus of Ole Miss. Aidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Colorado, was found unresponsive in his dorm room at Stewart Hall, and was taken to a local hospital where he died. Robert Strang, 20, was found dead in an off-campus residence. Investigators reported finding packaging associated with Kratom-related products at both locations. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about the cases and how Kratom is linked to the deaths even though toxicology results haven't been made public yet. Highlights: 00:01.420 Setting the Stage for a Deadly Convenience 01:46.260 The Allure of Kratom: A Mysterious 02:32.919 A Tragic Double Death at Ole Miss 06:24.300 Kratom's Dual Nature: Sedative and Stimulant 14:38.930 The Wild West of Unregulated Substances 17:15.550 Investigating the Deaths: A Forensic 32:13.920 The Aftermath: Arrests and Legal Implications 43:48.090 Closing Thoughts on Kratom's Impact See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teen sisters Maggie and Mary Jenkins took a bus from their home in New Jersey to St Petersburg, Florida, in April of 1973. Maggie, 18, and Mary, 16, then hitchhiked from St. Petersburg to Key West and stayed with friends for a few weeks. On May 2, 1973, the Jenkins sisters had bus fare wired from their father but opted to hitchhike instead, as the teens were last seen alive on Stock Island, Florida, hitchhiking. On May 3, 1973, the bodies of Maggie and Mary Jenkins were found in Key Largo, about 100 miles from where they were last seen alive. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack open up the file and examine the investigation done by law enforcement at the time to try and determine why it took more than 50 years to identify a suspect! Another case involving great work by the original investigators and the new techniques created by Othram! Highlights: 00:01.400 Setting the Stage for a Chilling Case 00:10.590 The Joy of Road Trips with Jimmy Buffett 01:55.710 A Fateful Journey to Key West 05:20.440 The Brutal Discovery 08:10.060 The Extensive Search and Investigation 10:02.590 The Geographical Landscape of the Keys 12:29.429 The Nature of the Crime Scene 15:56.920 The Motivation Behind the Trip 32:36.080 The Investigation's Dead End 33:18.360 DNA Breakthrough and Resolution 42:27.219 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a botched lethal injection attempt, death row inmate Christa Pike was revived by medical staff and is now awake, walking around, and reportedly confused and angry. Rather than a divine intervention, legal maneuvering and systematic operational breakdowns in Tennessee’s execution protocol led to her survival. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the forensic, procedural, and legal failures of Christa Pike's botched execution. Highlights: 00:10.330 - Miracle in Nashville 01:18.160 - The Controversial Nature of "Miracles" 02:10.010 - The Execution Gone Wrong 12:47.080 - The Aftermath and Legal Implications 19:30.770 - The IV Fiasco and Medical Protocol 26:53.580 - The Future of Capital Punishment in Tennessee 27:47.140 - The Failed Execution of Christa Pike 29:54.650 - The Mechanics of Lethal Injection 37:34.260 - Legal and Political Implications 47:46.050 - Wrapping Up and Future Developments See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people following "True Crime" know the name "Texas Equusearch" and its founder, Tim Miller. Not everyone knows that Tim Miller is the father of Laura Miller, a 16-year-old who vanished September 10th, 1984, in the Texas coastal town of League City. For 17 months, Tim Miller worked with law enforcement and volunteers to find his daughter without success. On February 2nd, 1986, two boys riding their bikes through a field now known as the Texas Killing Fields, discovered the remains of Laura Miller and another woman who would not be identified for 33 years, Audrey Lee Cook. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the "Texas Killing Fields" in general and focus in on the murders of Laura Miller and Audrey Lee Cook. Highlights: 00:10.289 Death Investigation and PTSD 01:26.040 The Texas Killing Fields 02:45.660 Tim Miller and Texas EquuSearch 11:12.740 The Discovery of Laura Miller and Audrey Lee 14:24.710 Investigating Crime Scenes and Evidence 20:24.900 The Isolated Location and Evidence Challenges 29:13.990 The Importance of Tim Miller's Quest 38:52.890 The Confession and Justice Served 40:12.130 A Father's Decades-Long Search for Truth 40:54.469 The Confession and Legal Pursuit 42:31.050 Justice Served, But at What Cost? 43:47.890 The Brutal Truth Behind Laura's Death 44:27.610 The Elusive Truth in Unsolved Cases 46:22.210 Accountability in the Texas Killing Fields 50:18.550 Reflections on Justice and Loss See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Vlassakis was part of a group of men who preyed on the physically and mentally weak in their community, gaining banking and welfare information that created a waterfall of money that kept coming even after the victims were dead. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the case that became the subject of books, articles, and movies related to the deaths of at least 11 people, 8 of whom were found dismembered and dissolved in barrels filled with hydrochloric acid. James Vlassakis took part in the murders of at least 4 of the victims but turned rat for the state prosecution of the rest, negotiating a deal that allowed him to walk out of jail this month! Highlights: Here is the exact text transcribed from your image so you can easily copy and paste it: 00:10.690 - The Philadelphia House of Horrors 02:41.260 - Bodies in Barrels: A Shocking Discovery 06:36.390 - The Motivation Behind the Murders 10:07.500 - The Victims and Their Stories 12:49.660 - The Use of Hydrochloric Acid 23:14.340 - The Aftermath and Disposal of Bodies 39:55.640 - The Final Victim: Troy Udy 42:40.120 - The Eyes of Death 45:27.120 - Dismemberment and Acid Bath 49:25.080 - The Perils of Transporting Human Remains 54:21.100 - The Aftermath and Sentencing 55:58.640 - Closing Thoughts on Justice See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The execution of Christa Pike did not go off as planned and she is currently on a ventilator in ICU as her attorneys file motion to preserve evidence. The Head of Tennessee's Prison System resigns after the failed execution. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack review the case and the botched execution attempt and look to the future of what happens next. Highlights: 00:01.400 - The Colleen Slemmer Case 00:10.570 - A Forensic Anthropologist's Testimony 01:28.240 - The Murder of Colleen Slimmer 03:53.790 - The Botched Execution of Krista Pike 04:42.660 - The Execution Process and Its Challenges 12:18.130 - The Legacy of Krista Pike 32:12.720 - The Aftermath and Legal Implications 33:52.740 - The Execution Process Gone Wrong 34:17.540 - Pentobarbital: A Controversial Drug 36:01.830 - The History of Botched Executions 36:49.610 - The Decision to Save Lives 38:29.190 - The First Female Execution in Tennessee 40:07.230 - IV Insertion Challenges 42:45.900 - The Aftermath and Future Implications 50:28.910 - The Hippocratic Oath and Medical Ethics 54:01.290 - Remembering Colleen Slimmer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four days after Christmas on December 29, 1977, skeletal remains and clothing were discovered near the Firestone Tire plant in Wilson, North Carolina. After state and local police found the remains, a medical examiner said they belonged “to a white female, approximately 16 to 23 years old, who had likely been there for six months to two years." That was as far as the case seemed to go before it went cold. The case might have been cold but was never forgotten. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the investigation and how "Wilson County Jane Doe" was finally identified as a 15-year-old girl from Monkton, Maryland, Cindy Marcell Blizzard. You can help! If you have any information regarding this case, please call North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Cold Case Tip Line at 919-582-TIPS or email coldcases@ncsbi.gov or call Wilson County Sheriff’s Office at 252-237-2118. Highlights: 00:01.420 Nostalgia for 1977 00:46.440 A Different Era of Parenting 01:29.430 The Case of the Vanished Teenager 03:00.480 Musical and Cultural Context of 1977 03:41.570 The Changing Landscape of Missing Persons 07:48.800 Forensic Challenges of 1977 12:13.420 The Firestone Plant and Highway Connections 22:05.080 Identifying Skeletal Remains 36:05.200 The Power of DNA in Solving Cold Cases 37:13.410 Closing Remarks and Call to Action See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death of Hayden Panettiere has shocked millions of fans who watched her grow up in movies and on TV. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss her life and what led to her death as well as how her body was found face down sitting "crisscross applesauce" as well as the details surrounding her official cause of death and the newly released coroner investigation providing a much clearer picture of the scene. Highlights: 00:01.400 — Welcome to Body Bags 00:10.490 — South Carolina Connections 02:27.690 — Hayden Panettiere's Troubled Past 03:51.180 — The Fateful Trip to Greenville 14:34.830 — The Deadly Arrival 17: 07.990 — Narcan and the Signs of Overdose 27:46.740 — The Autopsy and Toxicology Report 35:10.700 — The Fentanyl Connection 45:11.940 — Closing Thoughts on the Investigation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The investigation into the House of Horror in Philadelphia keeps getting more disgusting by the day! Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the new evidence that has been uncovered, including R.C. Horsch ties to a funeral home shut down for selling body parts as well as a film showing a woman, alive, handcuffed to a bed, strangled, and what appears to be her lifeless body, a snuff film shot with multiple cameras including the killer filming with a handheld camera! Highlights: 00:01.400 Setting the Stage for a Disturbing Case 01:12.300 The Philly House of Horrors Unveiled 03:29.150 Snuff Films and the Dark Side of Human 05:45.480 The Horsch Family's Twisted Legacy 07:33.500 The Discovery and Its Aftermath 09:13.820 Lye: A Powerful and Versatile Substance 14:03.809 The Forensic Challenges of Rendering Human 19:06.170 The Vast Scope of Evidence and Investigation 25:13.970 Cremation and Wet Cremation: Understanding 42:49.510 Wrapping Up the Investigation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death of Nolan Wells has been in the national spotlight since he was reported missing in the first hour of July 5, 2026. His body was found at 8:45am on Monday, July 6, 2026 at the northwestern tip of Horn Island. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the unanimous decision not to indict: All 23 participating grand jurors returned a "No True Bill" after hearing from 43 witnesses and looking over the investigation that included 132 subpoenas. The grand jury found no conflicts of interest in the investigation or presentation of evidence. Highlights: 00:01.400 Setting the Stage for Nolan Wells Case 00:10.310 The Gulf's Hidden Secrets 00:48.700 Unraveling the Nolan Wells Mystery 01:18.660 Grand Jury Proceedings and Findings 08:13.760 The Day of the Tragic Accident 15:52.100 Autopsy and Decomposition Challenges 28:25.310 Cause of Death and Remaining Questions 37:47.900 Closing Thoughts on the Investigation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melissa Casias was not a "scientist", she worked as an administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a major U.S. nuclear research facility. Her husband also worked there. Melissa vanished on June 26, 2025. She was last seen walking along a state highway. An extensive search failed to find Melissa. Nearly a year after her disappearance, on May 28, 2026, her skeletonized remains were found along the McGaffey Ridge in the Carson National Forest, an area that had been searched previously without success. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack examine the known and unknown facts of the case. In the last few weeks, Joseph Scott Morgan has appeared on multiple TV shows, podcasts, and in print interviews talking about the "atypical" gunshot wound to the back of the head of Melissa Casias. Now he delves even deeper into the mysterious death of Melissa Casias. Highlights 00:01.400 Setting the Stage for Body Bags 00:10.310 The Blue Ridge Mountains' Solace 01:14.000 A Mysterious Disappearance in New Mexico 04:38.930 New Mexico's Military and Scientific Secrets 09:32.520 The Atypical Gunshot Wound 15:46.620 Melissa's Fateful Day 28:19.180 The Search and Discovery 33:03.570 The Bizarre Position and Cause of Death 35:14.700 The Challenges of Post-Mortem Positioning 35:51.010 An Atypical Gunshot Wound 42:03.060 The Complexity of Self-Inflicted Gunshot 48:43.300 The Investigation's Many Threads 50:13.219 Closing Thoughts on an Undetermined Case See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Chicago suburb of Frankfort, Illinois, neighbors are concerned they have a Lindsay Clancy "copycat" when a two-year-old toddler is found hanging from a rafter in the basement of the Walsh family home. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack break down the known facts of the case and question how some of the timeline of events have been reported. Highlights: 00:01.400 Setting the Stage for Body Bags 00:10.310 The Power of Imitation 02:05.310 The Clancy Case and Postpartum Depression 05:12.710 The Corey Walsh Case Unfolds 05:53.740 The Tragic Discovery of Bear's Body 17:29.119 The Investigation and Corey's Confession 21:44.970 The Autopsy and Forensic Analysis 40:17.930 The Aftermath and Future Implications 43:16.360 Closing Thoughts on Copycats and Reality See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During a Labor Day Weekend spent with family at Cedar Creek Lake, Jerry Mack Watkins and his wife, Shelley Watkins, get into an argument on Monday September 6th, that ends up with Jerry Mack taking the couple’s two daughters home, leaving Shelley time at the lake to cool off. Shelley arrives home from the lake at 11pm that night and the argument that began at the lake continues with Jerry Mack and Shelley arguing in the garage of their Corsicana, Texas, home. The argument escalates and Shelley tells Jerry Mack she is leaving and taking the girls with her. Jerry Mack takes Shelley's car keys and tells her she can leave, but she will not be taking the children. According to Jerry Mack Watkins, his wife, Shelley Watkins, leaves the home, by herself, on foot, at 11:30pm. And he went inside the house and went to bed. This is the story as told by Jerry Mack Watkins in 1993. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will break down the facts of the case, including the disappearance of Shelley Watkins, the recovery of her body 7 days later in the Trinity River, 40 miles away from the Watkins home. This story also includes a scandal with the District Attorney, the FBI "Sting" operation that sends the DA to prison, and murder charges against Jerry Mack Watkins DROPPED! Now, 33-years later, the unsolved murder of Shelley Watkins might be leaving the list of "unsolved" cases as a breakthrough in DNA technology could reveal who killed Shelley Watkins. Highlights 00:10.610 The Mysterious Disappearance 03:01.700 A River Runs Through It 04:53.990 The Argument and the Aftermath 08:16.450 The Discovery and Investigation 25:03.450 The Autopsy and Evidence 29:51.660 The Timeline of Deception 37:02.910 The Case Goes Cold 39:08.510 The Case Against Jerry Mack Watkins 40:18.680 New DNA Evidence and Its Implications 40:21.390 New DNA Evidence 43:39.100 The Brutality and Intimacy of the Crime Scene 45:20.460 Closing Thoughts and Future Updates See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.