Voices for the Victims
A crime journalism podcast series focused on unusual horrors in the hills and hollers of Appalachia. Created and hosted by Kendall Perkinson and Sarah James McLaughlin.
Season 1 - Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders
Season 2 - Big Savage: The Death Of Alexander Stevens
Season 3 - Outlandish
Season 4 - Listener Suggestions
49 most recent episodes
Visit website →Joan Ann Charlton was the first of her family to attend college. Three weeks into her freshman year at Frostburg State University, she was brutally murdered in the campus arboretum. This episode tracks three generations of college students, from 1980
This short Christmas special tells the story of a Pennsylvania Santa Claus (and his chauffeur) who definitely ended up on the naughty list in 1983. Taking listeners from the top of the tallest skyscraper in Pittsburgh to a backwoods hangar in West Vi
In one month, the killers of Julie Williams, Lollie Winans and at least two victims of the Colonial Parkway murders are identified. Bill Thomas joins us to discuss the details, and why there are still so many questions unanswered. Meanwhile the grave
In the second of this 2-part series, Jack Edward Hawkins is put on trial without physical evidence for three assaults committed by the Sunnyside rapist, but prosecutors refuse to claim he is a suspect in any others. Neighbors of the Hawkins family co
Fifteen years after the events of Season 1 (The WVU Coed Murders), Morgantown women are faced with a new predator: a rapist so meticulous and organized that he vanishes through police checkpoints and neighborhood lockdowns every summer. In the first
In the last of this 3-part series, we examine Mabel’s top suspects in the murder of Walter Curnutte. Years later, Tim and Becky discover an entirely new motive connected to a forged document, a federal racketeering case, South American cocaine, and,
After Walter Curnutte’s murder, his sister Mabel takes on the case, recording interviews, writing letters to powerful officials, and hiring a private detective. The community’s war on Walter comes to light – from protests to arson to civil disobedien
This is the beginning of a 3-part story about one square mile of the West Virginia mountains. The story winds its way through a savage war between Indians and settlers, a poor boy adopted into wealth for his ruthlessness, more than one murder trial,
A WVU alum working for the state prosecutor’s office suddenly finds herself on the scene of a very personal tragedy that could be much more sinister. Much to her dismay, her forensic investigation training is not being employed by authorities in the
Arthur's phone is tracked down, and we listen to audio of a Morgantown detective interviewing three students who headed out on the town with Arthur the night he died. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's App
This two-part special introduces the life and death of Arthur Bagenda, an international student at WVU who drowned in a ditch within sight of the Morgantown Police station. In this first episode, we visit the Walnut Street bridge, where a long-time l
A child's grave explodes after 63 years underground. As Morgantown police and reporters gather around the coffin, they are shocked to find that his corpse is strangely well-preserved. Cradle Will Rock is the story of the life, death, and disinterment
In this episode, we take a step back in time to the week Cathy Thomas and Becky Dowski were murdered in the first of several Colonial Parkway murders. As the crime scene tape still hangs from Becky Dowski’s doorway at William & Mary College, another
As Appalachian Mysteria finished covering the story of Julie and Lollie, author Kathryn Miles completed her own book about the murders. In this episode, Kathryn uses her total access to Dierdre Enright's evidence to bring to light new information — i
Darrell Rice is released from prison, but the publicity of his indictments makes a normal life elusive. The FBI plans a summit to examine other possible murders by Evonitz, but it falls by the wayside. Two decades later, we give it a shot. Resources:
Forensic evidence throws the upcoming trial of Darrell Rice into upheaval, and an unexpected conclusion leads to yet another indictment. Several of our guests openly disagree on the final results. Resources: Witness Points Out Suspect as Abductor — W
We examine key evidence in the pre-trial hearings of Darrell Rice: jailhouse informants, the audio recording that gave rise to hate crime charges, a shifting timeline, and a phone call that Rice’s defense attorney calls “a bizarre piece of evidence”.
Kara Robinson makes an escape, putting all the information she memorized to good use. Evonitz goes on the run. Kara talks to us about the complex ethics of telling stories like hers in the true crime genre, and explains what “trauma-informed” media l
The Attorney General of the United States announces the indictment of Darrell Rice. We review the life story of the serial killer responsible for the deaths of Sofia Silva and the Lisk sisters, and interview his final victim about her abduction. Reso
As murders and abductions haunt Lignum, Rt 29, and Shenandoah National Park, three children are taken from their front yards less than 30 miles away. The girls are the first known victims of a serial killer who will become an important part of our st
We investigate claims that the Park Service has a history of transferring troubled rangers. An NPS whistleblower explains a coverup culture within the agency, and shares the story of a ranger who investigated both the Shenandoah and Colonial Parkway
Eight Years Earlier: The Navy undertakes “purges” of lesbians from its ranks. The first of Virginia’s Colonial Parkway murders looks eerily familiar. A southern con-man helps find the killer — and defrauds the victims’ families. Resources and links:
Someone is pulling over dozens of women on a road just 15 miles from Skyline Drive. Alicia Reynolds disappears. At least three bodies turn up in a small hamlet nearby. The Innocence Project fights to free a man convicted of murder. Resources and link
A massive hunt for Julie & Lollie's killer begins. Some demand a hate crime investigation, drawing parallels to the attack of another lesbian couple hiking the Appalachian Trail. A lesbian defense lawyer finds herself arguing for the prosecution. Res
The unsolved murder of a young couple in Shenandoah National Park shakes the gay and lesbian communities. One year later, a bicyclist is assaulted in the same area, and authorities begin to suspect him of serial murder. Resources and Links: "Murder o
The conviction of Glen Woodall begins to look suspicious as a rookie lawyer ushers West Virginia into a new era of DNA testing. Prosecutors fight the new forensic method tooth and nail, but the results will uncover a trail of crime unprecedented in U
As ice storms sweep over Huntington, WV, a masked rapist is stalking the mall. After two abductions, suspicion falls on a nearby grave-digger with a checkered past. As evidence begins piling up, a forensic science superstar helps set the stage for a
After the Mysteria crew receives a concerned email from a professional working on sexual assault issues, we invite her on the show to critique Season 2, Big Savage. What follows is a discussion of Megan Shaffer’s poor defense, the biological response
A lot has happened since the season finale of Big Savage, including Megan Shaffer’s appeals, the unfortunate death of Alexander’s father, and a scandal involving the judge who presided over Megan's trial. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murde
A stranger approaches Teresa as the jury deliberates. The verdict is finally delivered, and we speak with two jurors about the discussion and debate that went on behind closed doors. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazo
Two medical examiners take the stand. Megan finally takes the stand to testify about the entire ordeal, closing out the trial. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@m
Kromatic Media sets legal precedent in Maryland by obtaining Megan's 911 call from the morning Alex was found dead. Jay and Tristan – Alex's father and sister – take the stand. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Ken
Sarah and Kendall get personal, Alex's therapist takes the stand, and a stranger testifies about finding Alex on her doorstep one week before High Rock. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motor
Three defense witnesses all make a claim that could swing the jury's opinion. But is there any evidence? One of those witnesses helps to arrange a third police interview with Megan, only 48 hours after Alex is found dead. Megan's story has one more i
The trial of Megan Shaffer begins with testimony from Steven Moon. We examine Megan's slightly shifting story of what happened that night. Sarah, Kendall and Teresa each make a visit to High Rock -- bringing a realization to all that only confuses th
In this episode, we try to find out who Alex & Megan really were. The second case file discovered by reporters makes the whole situation even more confusing. Pretrial hearings set the stage for an unusual prosecution. Sarah & Geoff's book about the W
Two “extremely close friends” perform a ritual on a clifftop in Savage River Forest. By morning, only one is still alive. Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens is an 8-part investigation into the baffling trial of a young woman charged with murd
This episode is the last of a three-part update on Appalachian Mysteria Season 1 — Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. Without a doubt, these three episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.In this episode,
These three episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.In this episode, we’re reintroduced to Danny Strakal, host of the YouTube series Spirit Walk Paranormal. Danny’s history with the spirit realm began in h
This episode is the first of a three part update on Appalachian Mysteria Season 1 — Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. Without a doubt, these two episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018. In this episode,
As the true-crime world revels in the decoding of a cipher written by the infamous Zodiac Killer, the team at Appalachian Mysteria have unearthed a discovery of their own. With the help of Dr. Korshi Dosoo, Sarah has decoded the mystical copper plate
In this, the final episode, we talk to a forensic pathologist about the state of the bodies, several characters from Parade of Horribles come back into play, Geoff reveals the identity of his top suspect, and Sarah offers an alternative theory. And f
In Episode 7, we flash forward to 2006 when a new investigation begins. We discover that the case affected those involved so strongly, they could not let it go. And we update listeners on where the case stands now. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU
The final chapter of Clawson's story. We take a close look at his trials, his multiple confessions, and his potential innocence. We also see how Mared and Karen live on, even almost 50 years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm
In this episode, a hard-working state trooper is fired, the governor lashes out at the press, a lost form of media is revisited, and we finally meet the man convicted of killing Mared & Karen. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (availabl
In Episode 4, we examine just a few people on the long, deplorable list of suspects in the murders of Mared & Karen. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalac
In Episode 3, the unidentified man at Mared & Karen's makeshift grave is investigated, Triangle is finally revealed, and panic hits WVU. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel C
In Episode 2, the headless bodies of Mared & Karen are finally discovered, a crusading newspaper man is forced into retirement, and the murders take on a decidedly mystical tone. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) K
The epic story of West Virginia's most notorious murders begins. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media