This Missouri Mayhem episode delves into the chilling story of Lorenzo Jerome Gilyard Jr., also known as the Kansas City Strangler. It explores his double life, earlier criminal activities, and the eventual breakthrough in the case through DNA evidence. This evidence conclusively linked Gilyard to the murders of six women, leading to his arrest on April 16, 2004, and subsequent charges of 12 counts of first-degree murder. The episode concludes with Gilyard's sentencing to life in prison without parole on March 17, 2007.

Resources & References:

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org

Serial Killer Calendar

https://www.serialkillercalendar.com

Radford University

https://maamodt.asp.radford.edu

Samuel J. Heyman Services to America Medals

https://servicetoamericamedals.org

Cdn6.f-cdn.com

https://cdn6.f-cdn.com

Crime Library

https://www.crimelibrary.org

NBC News

https://www.nbcnews.com

Bureau of Justice Assistance

https://bja.ojp.gov

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com

Peacock

https://www.peacocktv.com

Prezi

https://prezi.com

9News

https://www.9news.com

KOMU 8

https://www.komu.com

Wfmynews2.com

https://www.wfmynews2.com

Lawrence Journal-World

https://www2.ljworld.com

IMBDb

https://m.imbd.com

Serial Killer Database Wiki

https://skdb.fandom.com

In this episode of Missouri Mayhem, Mystery and Murder, hosts Mindy and Megan explore the intriguing history of two steamboats, the Arabia and the Malta, both of which met their fate on the Missouri River. The discussion delves into the cultural and historical significance of these vessels, the dangers of river travel in the 1800s, and the fascinating discoveries made during the excavation of the Arabia. The episode also touches on the ongoing mystery of the Malta and its impact on river navigation and safety.

REFERENCE LIST

Primary & Historical Sources

• “The Steamboat Arabia: A Time Capsule of Frontier Life.” Arabia Steamboat Museum publications.
• Gilman, D.C. The Steamboat Arabia and Its Artifacts. Kansas City Historical Society, 1992.
• Chittenden, H.M. History of Early Steamboat Navigation on the Missouri River. A.C. McClurg & Co., 1903.
• Army Corps of Engineers. Snag Removal Reports on the Missouri River, 1830–1870. U.S. Government Archives.
• Parkville Luminary Newspaper, 1856 contemporary accounts of the Arabia sinking.
• Missouri Republican (St. Louis). September 1856 reporting on the Arabia disaster.
• Merchant journals from the Missouri River Fur Trade, 1839–1848, including accounts referencing the Malta sinking.
• Peterson, Charles. “Graveyard of the Missouri River Steamboats.” Missouri Historical Review, 1978.

Secondary Sources

• Holleman, Jason. Lost Steamboats of the Missouri. Prairie River Press, 2007.
• Kane, M.J. Steamboats West: The Untold Story of America’s River Empires. Riverbend Books, 2011.
• National Park Service. “Steamboat Wrecks on the Missouri River.”
• Kansas City Public Library – Steamboat Arabia digital archives.

This Missouri Mayhem episode provides an overview of the Pony Express, a mail service that operated from April 1860 to October 1861, using relays of young riders on horses to deliver mail across approximately 2000 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. The service was prompted by California's rapidly growing population and aimed to deliver mail in about 10 days. Despite its speed and innovation, the Pony Express was not a financial success and went bankrupt after 18 months, largely due to the advent of the transcontinental telegraph.

Resources & References:

• National Geographic Society

https://education.nationalgeographic.org

• National Pony Express Association

https://nationalponyexpress.org

• LibGuides

https://slcl.libguides.com

• Buffalo Bill Center of the West

https://centerofthewest.org

• PBS Learning Media

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org

• National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov

• National Postal Museum

https://postalmuseum.si.edu

• Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org

• Rainbow Resource Center

https://www.rainbowresource.com

• The Philatelic Foundation

This episode of "Missouri Mayhem, Mystery and Murder" delves into the tragic story of Nicholas and Justin Diemel, two brothers from Wisconsin who were victims of a deceitful cattle fraud scheme. The brothers, known for their hard work and integrity, were lured into a business deal with Garland Joseph Nelson, a man with a history of cattle fraud. The episode uncovers the brothers' journey to Missouri to resolve a business dispute, only to face a grim fate at the hands of Nelson. The narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the devastating impact of unchecked fraud, culminating in a heartfelt reflection on the lives lost and the communities forever changed.

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Resources:

Federal & State Legal Documents

1. U.S. Department of Justice – Western District of Missouri “Braymer Man Sentenced to 32 Years for Cattle Fraud Scheme That Led to Murders.” (Press Release, April 24, 2023)
2. U.S. Department of Justice – Western District of Missouri “Cattle Fraud Scheme Resulted in Two Murders.” (Press Release, May 18, 2021)
3. U.S. Federal Court Records – Western District of Missouri Case filings related to mail fraud, firearm possession, and supervised release violations.
4. Missouri State Court Records State murder charges, plea agreements, sentencing transcripts, and pre-sentence investigation reports.

Major News Outlets

1. CBS News “32 more years in prison for Missouri man who killed brothers.” April 25, 2023.
2. Kansas City Star Multiple investigative articles on Nelson, farm operations, the brothers’ disappearance, and legal proceedings (2019–2023 coverage).
3. Associated Press “Missouri man pleads guilty to killing Wisconsin brothers.” April 21, 2022. “Missouri rancher sentenced in disappearance of two brothers.”
4. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin) In-depth coverage on Nicholas and Justin Diemel, their business, their disappearance, and courtroom developments.

This episode titled "The Ryan Ferguson Case" from the podcast "Missouri Mayhem, Mystery and Murder" delves into the wrongful conviction of Ryan Ferguson for the 2001 murder of sports editor Ken Heitholt in Columbia, Missouri. The hosts, Mindy and Megan, discuss the events leading to Ferguson's conviction, including the confession of Chuck Erickson, who implicated Ferguson. Despite a lack of physical evidence linking Ferguson to the crime, he was convicted based on Erickson's testimony. The episode also covers the efforts of defense attorney Kathleen Zellner, who helped overturn Ferguson's conviction in 2013, leading to his release after nearly a decade in prison. The hosts highlight the injustices in the case and Ferguson's subsequent advocacy for the wrongfully convicted.

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RESOURCES;

 Moriarty, Erin (November 7, 2013). "Ryan Ferguson Update: For 10

years, "48 Hours" has reported on the problem surrounding

Ferguson's now-vacated conviction". CBS News.

 David, Brennan (November 29, 2012). "'Dateline' to air second

Ferguson episode". Columbia Daily Tribune.

 Zellner, Kathleen (March 11, 2014). "Ryan Ferguson". Kathleen T.

Zellner & Associates.

 Smith, Jessica (April 18, 2012). "Chuck Erickson Takes the Stand in

Ferguson Hearing". Komu8.

 Erickson, Charles (April 24, 2007). "Charles Erickson Interrogation

Video". YouTube.

 "ABC News to air Ryan Ferguson story". ABC News. October 10,

2013.

 Zellner, Kathleen (November 12, 2013). "10 Turning Points Ryan

Ferguson's Attorney Says Led to His Release". Inside Dateline NBC.

 "Ryan Ferguson Files $100 Million Lawsuit against Judge Kevin

Crane, former CoMo Police Chief Randy Boehm, and others". The

Columbia Heart Beat. March 10, 2014.

 Piper, Brandie (March 11, 2014). "Ryan Ferguson's attorney files

$100M civil suit". KSDK.

This episode delves into the chilling true crime story of Ray and Faye Copeland, Missouri's oldest couple ever sentenced to death. Set in 1989, the narrative unfolds on a quiet farm in Mooresville, Missouri, where the discovery of human remains leads to the unraveling of a complex fraudulent scheme. Ray and Faye exploited drifters and transients, using them in a cattle-buying scam that escalated into serial murder. The episode explores their backgrounds, the execution-style killings, and the eventual capture and trial of the couple, highlighting the vulnerability of transient populations and the deceptive appearances of the elderly couple. The story concludes with reflections on the importance of evidence and the courage of a drifter who exposed the truth, ultimately leading to the Copelands' downfall.

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Sources & References

• Lohr, David. The True Story of Ray and Faye Copeland. Crime Library. crimelibrary.org+1
• “Elderly farmer sentenced to death”. UPI Archives. May 23, 1991. UPI
• Montaldo, Charles. “Serial Killer Couple Ray and Faye Copeland.” ThoughtCo. thoughtco.com
• “State v. Copeland”. Supreme Court of Missouri decisions. Justia Law
• Washington Examiner. “Crime History – 82‑year‑old serial killer dies.” Dec 28, 2009. Washington Examiner

This episode of "Missouri Mayhem, Mystery and Murder" delves into the chilling case of the I-70 killings that started in 1992 with a man who targeted store clerks along the I-70 highway, spanning multiple states. The episode provides a detailed account of the victims, the circumstances of their deaths, and the ongoing mystery surrounding the killer's identity. Despite being featured on various crime shows, the case remains unsolved, with no suspects identified. The hosts emphasize the importance of keeping the conversation alive in hopes of bringing justice to the victims and closure to their families.

MO State Highway Patrol - if you have any info that you can provide, please call them at 573-751-3313.

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Resources and References:

1. Penner, Diana. Indiana Unsolved: I-70 Killings Left 6 Victims

in 3 States& Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on

February 22, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.

2. Cyphers, Bob. April 8, 1992: The I-70 serial killer claims his

first victim kmov.com. KMOV. Retrieved December 28, 2021.

3. Leiker, Amy. ;1992 Murders at Bridal Shop Unsolved but not

Forgotten by Women39;s Families;. The Wichita Eagle.

4. Cyphers, Bob. 685 miles from first killing, I-70 serial killer

strikes again;. kmov.com. KMOV. Retrieved December

28, 2021.

5. Cyphers, Bob. & I-70 killer claims only known male victim: 39;I

think he was probably concerned about a

struggle ;. kmov.com. KMOV. Archived from the original on

December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.

6. Answers Remain Elusive 20 Years After St. Charles Murder,

Part of Interstate Spree;. St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

7. Years Later, 'I-70 Killer' Still At Large;. Kansas City,

MO: KMBC-TV.

8. Dinkel, Susan (November 9, 2021). A case gone cold, but not

forgotten: THPD says they are not giving up on I-70 Killer

investigation. wthitv.com. WTHI-TV. Retrieved December

28, 2021.

9. Cyphers, Bob (January 20, 2022). ;Did he strike again? I-70

killer could be linked to unsolved Terre Haute

KMOV. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

This episode of "Missouri Mayhem, Mystery and Murder" delves into the chilling case of the Staudte family, known as the Antifreeze Murders. The hosts, Megan and Mindy, explore the seemingly ordinary life of the Staudte family in Springfield, Missouri, which hid a dark secret. The episode recounts the deaths of Mark Staudte, his son Sean, and the near-death of his daughter Sarah, all orchestrated by Diane with the help of her daughter Rachel. The narrative unfolds with Diane's confession to poisoning her family using antifreeze, driven by resentment and a desire to rid herself of perceived burdens. The episode highlights the shocking nature of the crimes, the investigation that led to Diane's confession, and the eventual legal consequences for both Diane and Rachel. It concludes with reflections on the impact of the crimes on the surviving family members and the community.

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🎧 Show Notes: Sources & References

Primary News & Documentation

• A&E Crime Files: “How Diane and Rachel Staudte Killed Their Family with Antifreeze” – AETV.com
• ABC News: “Mom, Daughter Describe Killing Family Members with Antifreeze in Never-Before-Seen Interrogation Tapes” (20/20, 2015)
• Springfield News-Leader: “Springfield Mom Pleads Guilty in Antifreeze Murders”
• Ozarks First: “The Chilling Staudte Family Murders — A Springfield Story”
• Court Records: Greene County Circuit Court, State v. Diane Staudte (2016)

Podcasts & Audio Investigations

• Casefile True Crime, Episode 304: The Staudte Family Murders
• Once Upon A Crime: “A Family Affair: Diane & Rachel Staudte”
• Killer Queens Podcast: “The Antifreeze Murders”

Television Features & Documentaries

• ABC 20/20: “The Family That Killed Together”
• Investigation Discovery: Evil Kin: “The Staudte Family Murders”
• YouTube Crime Vault: “Mom-Daughter Duo Who Annihilated Their Family”