⚠️ Trigger Warning

This episode discusses graphic violence, torture, and murder involving a minor. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most disturbing crimes to come out of Knoxville, Tennessee. The brutal murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer shocked the community and revealed a chilling dynamic between three teenagers driven by jealousy, obsession, and a desire for control.

What unfolded in January 1995 was not just a senseless act of violence—but a deeply calculated and horrifying crime that still raises questions about manipulation, influence, and the darkness that can exist beneath the surface.

This episode of Moms Talk Murder was inspired by a Facebook reel claiming that bodies in Lake Tahoe remain fully preserved at the bottom of the lake.

We break down the long-standing myth that those who drown in Lake Tahoe never resurface — with some legends even claiming bodies are still standing upright on the lake floor. This episode explores where the story comes from, why the lake’s extreme depth and cold fuel these beliefs, and why divers and swimmers often report feeling like they’re being watched from below.

We separate myth from reality while explaining why the truth behind deep alpine lakes may be just as unsettling.

References

• Lake Tahoe depth, temperature, and alpine lake data (USGS)
• Cold-water decomposition and buoyancy research (forensic science literature)
• Public safety diver and search-and-rescue training materials
• Adipocere (“grave wax”) formation studies in aquatic environments
• News and educational reporting on Lake Tahoe drownings and recoveries
• Viral Facebook reel that inspired this episode (folklore source)

n this episode, we step inside one of the most infamous buildings in America — the haunting, historic Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Opened in 1927, the Cecil was once marketed as a glamorous destination. But over the decades, it became synonymous with tragedy, violence, and whispered stories of the supernatural. Located near Skid Row, the hotel developed a dark reputation tied to suicides, unexplained deaths, and even serial killers who once stayed within its walls.

We break down:

• The early history of the Cecil Hotel and how it declined

• Its connection to notorious criminals, including Richard Ramirez

• The separation of the hotel into “Stay on Main” and long-term residency

• The long list of deaths that earned it the nickname “The Suicide Hotel”

And then we dive into the case that reignited global fascination:

The Disappearance & Death of Elisa Lam

In 2013, 21-year-old college student Elisa Lam was traveling solo when she vanished while staying at the Cecil. Weeks later, hotel guests began complaining about water pressure and discoloration — leading to a horrifying discovery in the rooftop water tank.

We walk through:

• Elisa’s background and her mental health struggles

• The now-infamous elevator surveillance footage

• The timeline of her disappearance

• The autopsy findings and official ruling

• The conspiracy theories vs. documented facts

As moms, we talk about what it feels like to send your child out into the world — and how vulnerable solo travel can feel in hindsight. We also unpack how internet speculation can blur the line between curiosity and exploitation.

Is the Cecil Hotel truly haunted? Or is its reputation the product of decades of tragedy layered on top of one another?

This episode explores the intersection of history, mental health, urban legend, and the very real human cost behind sensational headlines.

⚠️ Listener discretion advised. This episode discusses suicide, mental health struggles, and violent crime.

In this mini episode, we’re diving into one of the most unsettling traditions in the criminal justice system — the last meals requested by death row inmates.

For decades, prisons across the United States have allowed condemned inmates to choose a final meal before their execution. Some requests are simple and nostalgic. Others are elaborate. And a few are downright shocking.

The Murder of Carla A. Mason

In this episode, we travel to Indiana to discuss the tragic murder of Carla A. Mason, a woman whose life was cut short after a seemingly routine night out.

Carla had been at Woody’s Steak House, a local restaurant where friends and families gathered for a good meal and good company. What should have been an ordinary evening turned into a devastating mystery when Carla left the restaurant and never safely made it home.

We break down:

• Who Carla A. Mason was beyond the headlines

• The timeline of events after she left Woody’s Steak House

• How investigators pieced together what happened

• The arrest and prosecution of the person responsible

• The impact this case had on her family and community

As mothers, we talk about that familiar feeling — watching someone walk out the door and expecting them to return. This case reminds us how quickly normal life can shatter, and how critical community awareness and accountability can be in seeking justice.

In this episode of Moms Talk Murder, we explore what happens after someone dies — and why the legal system often protects the dead more clearly than the living.

From laws surrounding tampering with a body, improper disposal, and abuse of a corpse… to the strict regulations governing death investigations… we break down what is — and isn’t — legal once a life becomes a crime scene.

But the conversation goes deeper.

We examine reactive policing, prevention failures, and why intervention so often happens only after violence escalates. When warning signs are ignored and victims aren’t protected early, the system shifts from prevention to prosecution.

References & Discussion Sources

• U.S. Department of Justice — Abuse of a Corpse & Evidence Tampering statutes
• FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program — Violent crime & homicide rates
• National Institute of Justice — Stalking & victimization studies
• Bureau of Justice Statistics — Attempted vs completed homicide data
• UK Stalking Protection Act (2019) — Stalking Prevention Orders
• Canadian Criminal Code — Attempted murder sentencing guidelines
• German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch) — Intent-based violent crime penalties
• Swedish Sexual Offences Act — Consent-based rape law reform
• Australian Institute of Criminology — Stalking & harassment enforcement

Hey freaky friends 👋

This week, the moms are diving into something we all avoid thinking about… until we absolutely have to.

What can you legally do after someone dies?
Who actually handles the body?
And how far can you really go with final arrangements?

We’re covering everything from:

➡️ Is it legal to be buried in my backyard?
➡️ What actually happens to your body immediately after death?
➡️ Can your family keep your ashes?
➡️ Can your remains really be shot into space?

Yes. We went there.

We break down:

• Who legally declares someone dead

• What happens if someone dies at home vs. in a hospital

• When the medical examiner gets involved

• What makes a death “natural” vs. “suspicious”

We also talk about the role of coroners vs. medical examiners and how jurisdiction works — because yes, it varies by state.

Short answer:
Sometimes… but it depends on where you live.

We cover:

• Which states allow home burials

• Zoning laws and health regulations

• When embalming is required

• Why most cities won’t let you start a family cemetery next to your garden

It’s way more complicated than just digging a hole and calling it a day.

What really happens behind the scenes?

We discuss:

• The embalming process (what it actually involves)

• Whether embalming is legally required (hint: usually not)

• How cremation works

• What happens to medical implants

• How remains are processed and returned to families

We also talk about the growing popularity of green burials and more environmentally conscious options.

This might be our favorite part.

We cover everything from traditional burial to:

• Human composting

• Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation)

• Turning ashes into diamonds

• Being planted as a tree

• And yes… having your cremated remains launched into space

Because apparently, your final destination can literally be outer space.

Yes — but it’s not exactly like a full astronaut send-off.

We talk about:

• How space memorial services work

• The cost

• Whether it’s your full remains or just a symbolic portion

• And why this has become increasingly popular

The moms have thoughts. Of course we do.

We also break down:

• Who has the legal right to make decisions after you die

• What happens if there’s no will

• Why pre-planning matters

• What families legally cannot do (even if someone requested it)

Because grief + legal confusion = chaos.

Death is uncomfortable.
It’s confusing.
And most of us have no idea what the law actually says.

So we decided to walk you through it — from backyard burials to space launches — in the only way we know how:

Educational.
Honest.
And just a little bit dark.

🎧 New episodes drop every Saturday at midnight.
Make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a case — or a deep dive like this one.

Stay safe. Stay curious.
And don’t let those betchs in. 💀

This week on Moms Talk Murder, we’re covering one of the most disturbing cases we’ve ever discussed—the murder of Heather Quan and the unimaginable treatment of her boyfriend, Ryan Waller, in the aftermath.

In January 2006, police responded to what should have been an urgent crime scene in Phoenix, Arizona. Inside the apartment, Heather Quan had been brutally murdered. Her boyfriend, Ryan Waller, was alive—but critically injured after being shot in the face. What happened next is almost as shocking as the crime itself.

Instead of receiving immediate medical care, Ryan was interrogated by police for hours while suffering from a severe gunshot wound, brain trauma, and obvious confusion. His visible injuries were ignored, his pleas for help dismissed, and crucial time was lost—time that would permanently alter the course of his life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Who Heather Quan was and the life she was building

• The violent home invasion that led to her murder

• Ryan Waller’s injuries and the catastrophic police response

• How failures by law enforcement compounded an already horrific tragedy

• The long-term consequences for Ryan and the search for accountability

This case raises deeply unsettling questions about police procedure, medical neglect, and how victims can be failed at every possible level. It’s a heartbreaking reminder that surviving a crime doesn’t always mean surviving the system that follows.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of extreme violence, gunshot wounds, and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

🖤 Our hearts are with Heather Quan, Ryan Waller, and everyone impacted by this case.