Beginning in 1972, a series of suspicious deaths in rural Alabama left a community fearful, divided, and searching for answers. At the center of it all was a man known simply as “The Reverend,” whose life seemed marked by tragedy, rumor, and lingering suspicion.

Whispers of voodoo, insurance payouts, and unanswered questions spread quietly through the region — eventually capturing the attention of one of America’s most celebrated authors, Harper Lee.

What followed would become one of the South’s most unsettling true crime stories… a haunting case that blurred the lines between faith, folklore, justice, and revenge.

Sources

Primary Book Sources

•Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee — Casey Cep

•Biographical research regarding Harper Lee and her work

Historical Records & Research Materials

•newspapers.com

•Court records and legal reporting related to the proceedings

•Findagrave.com

Podcast Credits

Hosted by Darlene Hildreth & Melody Gwyn

Narration by Curtis Hildreth

Music by Isaiah Hildreth

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In this episode of Hard Times & True Crimes, we take a deep dive into a local Randolph County case that captured the community's attention - the trial of Heather Auman, accused in the death of her husband, MJ, a local firefighter.

After attending the trial in person, we walk you through the case from beginning to end - starting with the events leading up to that day at the lake, the 911 call, and the questions that quickly followed.

Heather claimed that MJ died by suicide. But as investigators began to examine the scene, and as testimony unfolded in court, a different narrative began to emerge.

This episode is based on testimony, evidence, and firsthand observations from inside the courtroom.

This case hits close to home for many in Randolph County, and throughout this episode, we aim to tell MJ's story with care, clarity, and respect.

If you followed the daily trial updates on TikTok, this is the full story - everything you didn't see in those short recaps.

Follow us for more true crime stories. Join our Facebook group for discussion and updates. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Narrator: Tim Gwyn

Intro & Outro Music: Isaiah Hildreth

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In March of 1895, a young Irish woman named Bridget Cleary was brutally murdered by her husband and several relatives in the small village of Ballyvadlea in County Tipperary. For several days, Bridget was subjected to interrogations, forced herbal mixtures, and violent rituals meant to “drive out” the fairy believed to be inhabiting her body. On the night of March 15, 1895, she was burned to death in the family home.

Books

• The Burning of Bridget Cleary – Angela Bourke
• Irish Superstitions – Lady Wilde
• Meeting the Other Crowd: The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland – Eddie Lenihan & Carolyn Eve Green

Historical Newspaper Archives

• Irish Times historical archives (1895 coverage of the trial)
• Freeman’s Journal trial reporting
• The New York Times international coverage of the case
• British Newspaper Archive
• newspapers.com

Online Historical Resources

• Smithsonian Magazine – Article on the Bridget Cleary case
• Irish Central – Historical features on the Cleary murder
• History Ireland – Research articles on Irish folklore and the case
• National Folklore Collection – Documentation of Irish fairy and changeling traditions
• https://philcleary.com.au/bridgetcleary/
• https://grokipedia.com/page/Death_of_Michael_Leahy
• https://www.digitalmedievalist.com/people/bridget-cleary-sex-death-fairies-and-other/
• https://brehonacademy.org/changelings-fairies-and-witchcraft-the-full-unsparing-account-of-bridget-clearys-murder-in-march-1895/
• wikipedia.com

Music:

“The Parting Glass – Royalty Free Vocal Version” by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords)

Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

“Long Road Ahead B” by Kevin MacLeod

Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

Source: Incompetech.com

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To purchase your merch - email us at hardtimesandtruecrimes@gmail.com with what you want, size, and a shipping address. We can accept Venmo or CashApp

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