Murder in the Heartland

When local ladies’ man Jim Cornwell is shot outside his home, July 4 festivities take a tragic turn. After multiple suspects emerge, all tied to Jim’s romantic life, a shocking confession arises, shattering the idyllic image of this Ozark community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suspects arise after a beloved mother is found stabbed in her Tomahawk, WI home. When another stabbing ensues the next day, detectives race to place her exes, a high school, and a taco joint under the microscope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The grotesque murder of a beloved citizen, Betsy Ball, shatters the quiet farm community of Vinton, Ohio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After James Skinner is found dead in his own bedroom, the agricultural community of Brownstown, IL enters into a paranoid spiral, unsure of who would want to kill this beloved local rodeo rider and cattle rancher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode investigates the brutal murder of Trina Langenbrunner in Cloquet, Minnesota. The discovery of her body sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Fond du Lac Reservation community, sparking an investigation into several potential leads, including her estranged husband Sean and various acquaintances. Despite years of interrogations, polygraph tests, and emerging tips involving suspects like Billy, Don, and Craig, investigators struggled to secure enough evidence for an arrest. The case eventually reached a resolution with the arrest and conviction of Joe Kuchar following new witness statements and DNA evidence, providing a somber moment of justice within the broader context of the MMIW movement.

This episode details the disappearance and murder of Lori Bray in Laurel, Montana. After her abandoned car was found with signs of a struggle, an intensive search led to the discovery of her body by an agate hunter. Investigators examined casino security footage and digital evidence to identify potential suspects, including Diego Hernandez and Benj Stoner. The investigation ultimately culminated in the arrest of Hernandez after DNA evidence and shoe tread patterns linked him to the crime, leading to his unexpected confession while testifying on the stand.

This episode explores the tragic double murder of Bob and Norma Bean, successful trucking company owners in Howard City, Michigan. After their bodies were discovered in a local gravel pit, the community was left in shock as investigators worked to uncover the motives behind the violent crime. The investigation followed the elimination of the victims' daughter as a suspect and led to a manhunt for individuals matching a specific description. The search eventually resulted in the identification and arrest of Tim Steffen and Bobby Fisk, whose conflicting confessions and eventual guilty pleas brought a close to the case, though the emotional impact on the family and community remains profound.

This episode explores the disappearance of Emily Murray from Gambier, Ohio, and the subsequent investigation that uncovered a series of grim discoveries. Following her final shift at Pirate's Cove, investigators looked into various theories ranging from kidnapping to personal connections within the small college town. The search eventually led to the discovery of Emily's body and vehicle in a trailer, alongside a second set of human remains on the same property. The investigation into these findings, including the discovery of victim Gregory Julius in a cistern, shifted focus toward Greg McKnight, ultimately revealing the actions of a serial killer and leaving a lasting impact on the community.

This episode explores the tragic murder of James Nibbe in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. Following a violent crime scene that left James dead and his wife Jennifer assaulted, investigators initially struggled to find a motive, as there was no evidence of forced entry or robbery. The investigation expanded to examine Jennifer's past relationships and financial motives, including the discovery of a new life insurance policy. The case reached a resolution when detectives arrested Jennifer, leading to her confession that she shot her husband and staged the crime scene.

This episode investigates the disappearance of Rusty and Becky Porter from Willard, Missouri, beginning with the unsettling discovery of a home smelling of bleach and showing signs of a struggle. Investigators initially explored various motives, including drug debts and conflicts with family members like Rusty's uncle, Bob Campbell. The investigation eventually led to a breakthrough via a jailhouse snitch, uncovering the couple's remains in an abandoned cabin. The case concluded with Philip Friend's confession regarding his father Tony's involvement in the execution-style murders, revealing that Robert Campbell orchestrated the killings for $100,000.

This episode explores the tragic murders of Karen and Jim Develbliss, well-known convenience store owners in Greenfield Township, Ohio. The investigation initially focused on the victims' grandson, Jeremy Moore, following the discovery of a ransacked home with no signs of forced entry. As detectives pursued various leads involving potential motives of inheritance and financial resentment, they eventually shifted focus from local suspects to Eric Hockman and Heidi Kidwell. Following a tip regarding blood-stained cash found by a moving company employee, authorities tracked the couple to Florida, where recovered stolen items led to confessions and convictions.

This episode explores the brutal murder of Charlene Puffenbarger in Twinsburg, Ohio, and the long-running investigation that followed. Initially, investigators faced a wide pool of suspects and a lack of physical evidence, even dealing with traumatic eyewitness accounts from Charlene's son that pointed toward law enforcement. A breakthrough finally arrived years later when a coworker's recollection of a chilling admission by Willard McCarley, combined with the discovery of a discarded police jacket and advanced DNA testing on a leather belt, linked McCarley to the crime. The case concludes with his arrest and sentencing for a murder motivated by a dispute over child support.

The investigation into the death of Larry Holman in Festus, Missouri, initially began as a suspected hunting accident but quickly unraveled into a complex murder inquiry. Detectives explored various leads involving suspicious figures near the crime scene and investigated rumors regarding Tammy Holman's extramarital affairs with men such as Tim Smith, Tom Ruble, and Charlie Miller. The case reached a turning point when evidence and confessions linked Charlie Miller to the shooting. The investigation ultimately revealed that Tammy Holman was the mastermind behind the murder, orchestrating the killing in pursuit of a perceived million-dollar insurance payout.

This episode investigates the murder of Nicole Birdie in Algona, Iowa, which began with the discovery of human remains inside a burned pickup truck. The investigation initially focused on Nicole's husband, Chad, and explored the personal tensions within her marriage and the community's reaction to the crime. The search for evidence eventually shifted focus toward Randy Bodie, a friend who was with Nicole the night she died. Following the discovery of DNA evidence linking him to the crime, Bodie entered a plea deal, confessing to the assault and strangulation of Nicole. The episode concludes with the impact of his reduced sentence on Nicole's grieving family.

Angie Lee, a single mother in Gillespie, Ohio is found beaten and strangled in her own home with her four-year-old son present, and the investigation quickly uproots the community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murder in the Heartland is your podcast for small-town American crime. Each episode is told through the collective point-of-view of a Middle American town and its residents, and every story documents a town and people in the heart of the country, and the provocative crime that tore through it. The townspeople are not only the storytellers, but they also hold the clues to the crimes that have forever changed their lives, and how they understand their home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 16th, we're releasing a new podcast called Murder in the Heartland. Murder in the Heartland is your podcast for small-town American crime. Stay tuned for Episode 1, releasing on July 16th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Columbia Kentucky, is the perfect place to raise a family, nestled quietly away form the hustle and bustle of city life. But, for one family, darkness is seeping in, threatening to destroy their peaceful lives and answers will be a long time coming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say everything's just a little sweeter in the South. At least that's the case for Jim and Kelley Cannon, one of Nashville ,Tennessee's, finest young couples. But this fairy tale isn't quite as enchanted as it seems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Ling is a single mom trying to raise her teenage daughter alone, until she meets Stephen Stanko, a down-on-his-luck author. Laura offers Stephen a helping hand and invites him into her family. His true nature soon shines through. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fierce hurricane rips through rural Chunchula, Alabama, leaving members of the tight-knit community to repair their town. But for Lisa Marie Nichols and her family, the storm has done more damage than they could ever imagine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sparks fly in Jackson, MS, and Bossier City, LA, when a smooth-talking cowboy comes to town and women start disappearing. Communities are on edge as police race to find answers. But how many more have to die before they find this devil in disguise? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prim and proper Marie Hilley of Anniston, Alabama, is left to fend for herself after a mysterious illness overtakes her husband. Despite a life insurance payout, her debts keep piling up as the same illness threatens to kill her daughter as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Police find a young woman covered in blood and clinging to life in her Augusta, Georgia, home. The case leads detectives on the hunt for a serial killer responsible for a long, horrifying series of murders and abductions in multiple states. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two women mysteriously disappear in Lafayette, LA, 13 years apart from each other. With a lack of evidence, police are stumped. It's a race against time to find out what happened to these two southern belles. Until then, Lafayette will never be the same. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia Phillips calls police to the home of her boyfriend, Melvin Roberts. Officers find Melvin murdered and Julia bound in duct tape. As detectives begin digging, they uncover a deadly scandal that rocks a small Southern town to its core. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derwin Brown wins the sheriff seat and promises to clean up the department. Incumbent sheriff Sidney Dorsey and his associates will stop at nothing to hold on to their jobs. It's a battle between good vs. evil, and someone ends up paying the price. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A beautiful, young co-ed is strangled to death in the bathroom of her Charlotte, North Carolina, home. Her murder ignites an investigation that leads police down a horrifying trail of bodies in pursuit of a diabolical serial killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A gang of outlaws wreaks havoc on small towns throughout Appalachia. Posing as federal agents, this group of bandits prey on innocent citizens of eastern Kentucky -- leading the state police and the FBI on a wild goose chase. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carol and Robyn are friends who've always been by each other's side. So when Robyn's husband Brian is found murdered in Lake Charles, LA, Carol is right by her side. But police uncover Brian's racy past and a love for women that may have been his demise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Genore Guillory is a generous soul and a friend to all, and when she doesn't show up at work one day, her colleagues are immediately concerned. When police discover her battered body but no enemies, they are left to wonder -- who loved Genore to death? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a retired couple is found murdered in their home, a Virginia town fears they have a killer on the loose. Neighboring police agencies join forces to hunt down the monster and uncover clues that may have them heading right into the devil's den. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the posh expanses of Virginia's Hunt Country, the fiery relationship between billionaire heiress Susan Cummings and her polo-playing boyfriend comes to a violent and shocking end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After growing up in a tiny coal town and pulling herself up by her bootstraps, FBI secretary Melissa Mooney had a whole lot to live for. When her promising life is suddenly cut short, friends wonder who would snuff out such a vivacious woman in her prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a beautiful young woman is killed in her apartment, Raleigh police must play a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse to obtain a DNA sample from her suspected murderer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spoiled southern belle Pat Allanson yearns to be the next Scarlett O'Hara. She thinks she found the perfect Rhett Butler in Tom Allanson, but when her privileges suddenly come to a halt, she will stop at nothing to get the life she thinks she deserves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whenever extended families get together, there's bound to be a little tension. But when two kissing cousins start carrying on, their scandalous relationship will end with nine people dead and a community that will never be the same. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A beautiful, young graduate student is brutally murdered in her Baton Rouge home. Her's is but one of a string of slayings that have police racing against the clock to prevent a serial killer from striking again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beloved preacher Matthew Winkler and his loving wife, Mary, seem like two peas in a pod. But they're hiding some scandalous secrets. Before long their horsing and carrying on will leave one of them dead and the other one running for the hills. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A househunting trip along the Ohio Turnpike in Spring 2005 for Dr. Gulam Moonda and his wife, Donna, ends in disaster when a gunman approaches on the side of the highway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Truck driver Bob Nelson is a week from completing his final cross-country ride before returning to his family and celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary. When he fails to show, cops discover his abandoned truck and a crime scene that raises questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a mom of three, a trip to the casino is a chance to escape for some fun. But when her journey is cut short and she fails to return home, her family panics and launches a search for her and her vehicle that ultimately reveals a terrible truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the body of 20-year-old transgender woman CeCe Dove is found floating in a suburban pond 20 miles from her Cleveland home, detectives consider motives personal and primal as they hunt down her ruthless killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty-two-year-old mom Shawn Williams heads to the store late one night and never comes home. When her body is found the following day along an Oklahoma river, investigators wonder if one of the men in Shawn's life might be her killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When shots ring out on a remote Florida beach, officers are devastated to learn the lives of two Georgia teens have been lost. Even with two jurisdictions on the case, leads are scarce. Until an unexpected call comes in and promises swift resolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A party in the woods ends in tragedy when the body of 18-year-old Jarret Clark is found floating in a lake. With many people camping in the Oklahoma wilderness that night, it's only a matter of time before agents come across a key witness to the crime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a night out ends in bloodshed for 23-year-old Navy veteran Raul Mendoza, Houston police have a lot of questions on their hands. But a tip from Raul's sister soon reveals that someone police have met before may hold the answers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 30-year-old Lloyd Tobin is gunned down on a lakefront beach in Texas, his family launches their own investigation to help police solve the case. More than 20 years later, closure comes from a surprising source. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the body of Richard Hodges is found along the Missouri River, police discover his mother has also been killed inside their home. As detectives get to work, they wonder if a secret in Richard's life might have been behind the murders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the body of 18-year-old Sharyn Kills Back is found in a Texas storm drain, Arlington detectives are left with few leads. But when a tip comes in from Fort Worth police twenty years later, detectives band together to bring her killer to justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.