Summary

In this gripping episode of Murder in the Black, host Steph examines a devastating series of arson fires that shattered a neighborhood in Akron, Ohio. The story begins with a late-night blaze that claimed the lives of Gloria Hart and Lindell Lewis, quickly raising suspicions that the fire was anything but accidental. As investigators dig deeper, a troubling pattern emerges—earlier incidents, escalating tensions, and a neighbor, Stanley Ford, whose ongoing complaints and proximity to the victims place him under scrutiny.

The episode traces how arson often unfolds not as a single act, but as a progression—beginning with smaller fires and grievances that quietly escalate into catastrophic violence. The investigation takes a devastating turn with a second fire that kills seven people, including five children, intensifying the urgency to identify the person responsible. Steph explores the investigative challenges, the psychological dimensions of arson, and how distance and planning shape this form of violence.

As the case moves toward arrest and trial, Stanley Ford emerges as the central figure, forcing difficult questions about intent, accountability, and the calculated nature of harm carried out without direct confrontation. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on violence, control, and what it means when fire becomes a weapon designed to erase rather than confront.

arson, true crime, murder, Stanley Ford, Akron Ohio, arson investigation, criminal psychology, neighborhood conflict, victim impact

00:00 — The Early Hours of Tragedy
09:09 — The Investigation Begins
18:34 — Unraveling the Suspect’s Motives
25:42 — The Trial and Its Complications
31:41 — Reflections on Violence and Intention

KeywordsChapters

In this episode of Murder in the Black, hosts Steph and Maia tell the story of Erica Vassel, a vibrant 21-year-old from Clewiston, Florida, whose life was cut short just days after Super Bowl Sunday in February 2011.

Known as America’s Sweetest Town, Clewiston sits on the edge of the Everglades, surrounded by sugar cane fields and built on familiarity and trust. But when Erica failed to come home, that sense of safety quickly unraveled.

Steph and Maia walk listeners through who Erica was before she became a headline — a young woman full of color, ambition, and promise — and then carefully unfold the events surrounding her disappearance, the rumors that flooded her small community, and the investigation that followed. As detectives chased leads, a burner phone, and conflicting stories, the truth ultimately emerged through a shocking confession.

This episode also explores the cultural and spiritual concept of “root work”, how belief systems can be misunderstood or weaponized, and the dangerous consequences when fear overrides accountability.

Through reflection, this case challenges us to consider trust, vigilance, and how even familiar places can hold hidden dangers.

• The life and legacy of Erica Vassel

• Her disappearance and discovery in Clewiston, Florida

• How rumors and community speculation can complicate investigations

• The role of belief systems in criminal confessions

• The dangers of misplaced fear and control

• The importance of community awareness and accountability

• A family’s fight for truth and justice

Missing persons • Community trust • Violence in familiar spaces • Cultural misunderstanding • Accountability • Vigilance • Justice

This episode invites listeners to reflect on personal safety, community responsibility, and how easily danger can be overlooked when it hides behind familiarity.

🕊️ What This Episode Explores🔎 Key Themes🎧 Listener Reflection

Summary

This conversation delves into the tragic story of Derwin Brown, a visionary police officer in DeKalb County, who was assassinated shortly after winning the sheriff election against Sydney Dorsey. The discussion covers the corruption within the police department, the election dynamics, the investigation into Brown's murder, and the subsequent trials of those involved. It highlights the impact of Brown's vision for change and the community's response to his untimely death.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to DeKalb County's Corruption Case

02:14 The Rise of Derwin Brown

06:09 The Election Showdown: Brown vs. Dorsey

09:00 Derwin Brown's Reform Agenda

12:29 The Assassination of Derwin Brown

15:58 The Investigation Begins

19:48 The Plot Unfolds: Cuffee's Confession

22:59 The Trials and Tribulations

25:46 Federal Charges and Final Sentences

30:13 trueCrime-outro-high-short.wav

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In this rebroadcast of Murder in the Black, the hosts revisit the haunting case of Gregory Agnew and the unresolved disappearance of his former girlfriend, Tammy Niver.

The story unfolds in Ypsilanti, a vibrant college town whose familiar streets hide a far darker history. Tammy vanished shortly after ending a volatile relationship with Gregory—one marked by control, intimidation, and escalating violence. Although suspicion surrounded Gregory early on, a lack of physical evidence prevented an arrest, leaving Tammy’s case cold and her family without answers for decades.

Years later, Gregory’s violent past came sharply into focus when he was convicted of murdering his estranged wife, Martha Anu. Martha had made repeated efforts to expose Gregory’s abusive behavior, placing herself in danger while seeking accountability. Her tragic death ultimately reignited attention on Tammy’s long-unsolved disappearance.

While justice was served in Martha’s case, Tammy Niver’s fate remains unknown. This rebroadcast highlights the devastating patterns of domestic violence, the long-term impact on victims and their families, and the importance of recognizing warning signs before it’s too late.

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⏱ Episode Chapters

00:00 — Introduction & Rebroadcast Overview
00:30 — The Setting: Ypsilanti, Michigan
01:58 — Tammy Niver’s Background
03:04 — Toxic Dynamics of Gregory and Tammy’s Relationship
05:40 — Suspicious Circumstances Surrounding Tammy’s Disappearance
08:13 — Martha Anu’s Efforts to Expose Gregory
17:59 — The Murder of Martha Anu
26:16 — Tammy Niver’s Unresolved Case

The episode unpacks the complex dynamics of control, manipulation, and power within relationships, while drawing unsettling parallels to the disappearance of Taalibah Islam, another woman connected to the same man. Through these cases, Steph challenges listeners to reflect on the role of witnesses, the warning signs of abuse, and the lasting impact unanswered questions leave on families.

As the season comes to a close, Steph reflects on the emotional journey of Season 8 and expresses deep gratitude to the Murder in the Black community for their continued support. Select episodes will rebroadcast during the break, with Season 9 returning with new cases and deeper conversations.

Keywords

Murder in the Black, Typhenie Johnson, Taalibah Islam, true crime, missing persons, unresolved case, kidnapping, control, abusive relationships, Season 8 finale

• Typhenie Johnson’s case remains unresolved despite a kidnapping conviction

• Legal accountability does not always bring closure

• Patterns of control and manipulation can escalate into disappearance

• Taalibah Islam’s case mirrors chilling similarities

• Families of the missing live with unanswered questions

• Community awareness and vigilance matter

• Witnesses to abuse play a critical role

• Gratitude and reflection close out Season 8

• Select rebroadcasts will air during the hiatus

• Season 9 promises deeper, more intentional storytelling
Chapters

00:00 – Season 8 Finale Introduction

00:00 – The Disappearance of Typhenie Johnson

00:00 – Parallels to Taalibah Islam 00:00 – Control, Abuse, and Power Dynamics

00:00 – Accountability vs. Closure 00:00 – Season Reflection & Community Thanks

In this episode, host Steph examines two deeply unsettling true-crime cases that reveal how pressure, secrecy, and fractured relationships can shape devastating outcomes. We begin with the disappearance of Harmahn Smith in 2005, a case that unraveled into a web of complex relationships, community pressures, and the vulnerabilities that young people often carry silently.

From there, Steph turns to the world of pageantry and perfection, unpacking the story of Aria Armstead and her boyfriend Nathan Ortiz—a couple whose lives spiraled into darkness, ultimately leading to the murder of Matthew Collins. Through Matthew’s tragic death, we see how competition, identity, and emotional instability can become combustible when amplified by outside expectations and internal turmoil.

Together, these intertwined narratives raise critical questions about justice, the roots of violence, and the cultural forces that quietly influence young lives long before tragedy strikes.

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Congratulations to our giveaway winners!
🖤 @kamariadowns3926
🖤 @TamTam-z8i-n5x
🖤 @lisaberry8443

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In this episode, Steph explores a real-life case that feels eerily similar to A Thin Line Between Love and Hate — except this story ends in tragedy, not movie credits.

When Memphis police officer Tony Hayes goes missing after Labor Day 2006, his family immediately senses something is wrong. Their search leads detectives straight to his girlfriend, Monique Johnson, a corrections officer whose jealousy, heartbreak, and long history of turbulent relationships spiral into violence.

As the investigation unfolds, the truth behind Tony and Monique’s relationship comes to light — the red flags, the manipulation, the rage, and the series of choices that ended with Tony’s body found in the trunk of his own car.

This episode also revisits Monique’s 2023 attempted murder charges, nearly 20 years later, showing that some patterns don’t disappear with time.

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🔍 In This Episode

• Tony’s disappearance and the frantic search to find him

• The toxic relationship between Tony and Monique

• Conflicting stories and the evidence that revealed the truth

• Why the jury convicted her of reckless homicide instead of murder

• The disturbing 2023 arrest involving a new boyfriend

• How unhealed trauma can turn dangerous

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  📌 Need Help?

  If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, contact:
  1-800-799-SAFE | thehotline.org

  
  

  🎄 Season 8 Announcements

  • Giveaway winners announced December 11

  • Holiday hiatus with rebroadcasts

  • New episodes for subscribers continue

  • Final episode of the year drops December 19

  • Giveaway winners announced December 11

In this deeply moving episode, we explore the life, loss, and legacy of Ben “Benji” Wilson—the nation’s #1 high school basketball player in 1984 and the pride of Chicago’s South Side.

What began as a typical school day spiraled into tragedy when Benji was shot just steps from Simeon High School. We walk you through the events leading up to the shooting, the emotional weight carried by his family and community, and the tense courtroom battle that followed.

Beyond the headlines, this episode shines a light on something even more heartbreaking: the systemic failures that played a devastating role in Benji’s death. The outdated EMS policy that sent him to a hospital unequipped to save him became a turning point for the city.

We also honor the resilience of his mother, Mary Wilson, whose advocacy helped change Chicago’s trauma response system—and whose strength ensured that Benji’s story would continue to shape futures long after his life was cut short.

Benji’s legacy lives on in Chicago gyms, in the #25 jersey worn proudly by generations of players, and in the policy reforms sparked by his tragedy. This story is a powerful reminder of what gun violence steals from families, communities, and the dreams of young Black men full of promise.

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Keywords

Benji Wilson, Chicago, Simeon High School, basketball, gun violence, emergency response, EMS policy, systemic failure, trial, community grief, Mary Wilson, legacy, youth athletes, Chicago history

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Key Takeaways

• Benji Wilson was a gifted basketball star whose talent and leadership made him a beacon of hope in Chicago.

• His fatal shooting in 1984 sent shockwaves through the city and became one of the most painful chapters in Chicago sports history.

• The trial of Billy Moore and Omar Dixon highlighted two competing narratives—and exposed how emotion and public pressure shaped the courtroom.

• A critical emergency response failure contributed to Benji’s death when he was transported to a non–trauma-equipped hospital.

• Benji’s tragedy directly influenced Chicago’s EMS reforms, ensuring gunshot victims are now taken to trauma centers.

• His mother, Mary Wilson, transformed her grief into advocacy, championing policy reform and youth safety.

• Benji’s legacy continues to inspire Chicago athletes, including NBA stars like Derrick Rose and Jabari Parker.

• His story remains a powerful reminder of the long-lasting impact of gun violence on families, communities, and generational dreams.

• Chicago still honors Benji’s influence on basketball culture—and his life continues to shape conversations about safety, justice, and hope.