Murder In The Black

Episodes

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  If It Happened Now: Carlesha Freeland Gaither | Captured on Camera 22.10.2026 36m

  In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph follows the urgent, multi-state search to bring Carlesha home. A witness who called police twice. Detectives who promised her mother they would find her. An ATM transaction, a dealership decal, and a GPS tracker that helped investigators close the distance.At the center of every development was Carlesha: resisting, paying attention, and making decisions to survive nearly three days in captivity.As we prepare for our new series, If It Happened Now, this case raises a question: With more cameras and digital evidence available today, how much still depends on someone recognizing a clue—and acting before it’s too late?Content note: Discussion of kidnapping, violence, and captivity.CHAPTERS00:00 A camera captures the abduction01:24 A promise to Carlesha’s mother03:19 The attack and the witness who stayed05:20 Carlesha fights back07:13 Following the evidence10:27 The search reaches Maryland12:20 Identifying Delvin Barnes13:38 A dealership connection changes the search15:32 Her family waits for answers17:56 A tracker reveals a location18:26 Closing in—and bringing Carlesha home21:20 The people behind every breakthrough23:13 When evidence becomes public spectacle25:12 The guilty plea and sentence27:37 If it happened now30:59 Missing Black women, urgency, and unequal attention31:56 Centering Carlesha’s survivalFollow Murder in the Black, leave a rating or review, and share this episode. Join the conversation on Instagram @murderintheblack.
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  Murder in the Black: Unsolved Mysteries, Part 3 — Messages From the Dead: The Unsolved Deaths of Ricky McCormick and Henry McCabe 15.10.2026 44m

  For the finale of Murder in the Black: Unsolved Mysteries, Steph examines two cases in which recovering a person’s body did not answer the most important question: What happened to them?Ricky McCormick was found dead near a Missouri field in June 1999. Inside his pockets were two pages covered in handwritten letters, numbers and symbols. More than a decade later, the FBI publicly released the pages after its own cryptanalysts were unable to decipher them. But members of Ricky’s family questioned whether he could have written the notes at all.Were the pages connected to Ricky’s death, a private form of shorthand—or simply an unexplained distraction from the investigation?Sixteen years later, Henry McCabe disappeared after spending an evening with friends in Minnesota. During his final known hours, Henry’s wife received a disturbing voicemail filled with unusual sounds and fragmented speech. His body was eventually recovered from Rush Lake, but the discovery did not explain how he got there or what happened after he was dropped off that night.The coded pages and unsettling recording have become the most recognizable details in these cases. But neither provides a complete story.In this episode, Steph separates what is documented from what has been repeated online and returns to the question still facing both families: How did Ricky McCormick and Henry McCabe get from their final known locations to the places where they were found?Timestamps00:01 — Ricky McCormick’s mysterious handwritten pages01:01 — Introducing the Unsolved Mysteries finale02:29 — Why Ricky’s cause of death remained undetermined03:27 — Reconstructing Ricky’s final movements05:48 — Ricky’s family questions whether he wrote the pages06:16 — Addressing Ricky’s criminal history07:11 — The Florida trip and concerns that Ricky was afraid08:38 — Hospital visits, Ricky’s final call and his last reported sighting09:37 — Aunt Gloria remembers the last time she saw Ricky11:52 — Decomposition and the limitations of the autopsy13:16 — The FBI’s description of the mysterious pages15:32 — Repeated characters, possible patterns and the absence of a translation17:40 — The FBI asks the public for help19:58 — Ricky’s relatives challenge the coded-writing narrative22:08 — Investigative leads that never produced conclusive evidence23:55 — How the notes became the center of Ricky’s story26:41 — Introducing Henry McCabe27:40 — Henry’s life, family and career29:06 — The night out and the disputed gas-station drop-off31:33 — The disturbing voicemail33:36 — Search efforts and changes to the public timeline35:31 — Henry’s body is recovered from Rush Lake36:30 — Probable drowning without a complete explanation38:50 — Questions about the drop-off, Henry’s keys and his wallet41:43 — Remembering Henry beyond the recording43:10 — Parallels to other unexplained deaths45:03 — Closing the Unsolved Mysteries seriesIf you have informationIf you have information concerning Ricky McCormick’s death, contact Crime Stoppers at 866-371-8477.When discussing Ricky’s handwritten pages, focus on genuine handwriting samples or recognizable habits rather than unsupported online theories. A proposed translation is not evidence unless it can be independently verified.Do you believe Ricky’s notes were connected to his death? What do you hear when you listen to Henry’s final recording? And which case from this three-part series stayed with you the most?Follow Murder in the Black:Instagram: @murderintheblackFacebook: Murder in the Black PodcastEmail: murderintheblackpodcast36@gmail.comFollow Steph on Instagram: @stepher_Join the conversation
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  Murder in the Black: Unsolved Mysteries, Part 2 : Najah Ferrell and Kierra Coles 08.10.2026 40m

  In the second installment of Murder in the Black: Unsolved Mysteries, Steph examines the disappearances of Najah Ferrell in Indiana and Kierra Coles in Chicago.Najah disappeared on March 15, 2019, the day she was expected to begin a new job at Panera Bread. She never arrived at work and failed to pick up her children—both out of character. Her belongings were later recovered near Interstate 465 and Lafayette Road, and her 2018 Nissan Altima was found abandoned in Indianapolis. Weeks later, human remains were discovered more than 100 miles away near Crown Point. DNA confirmed they belonged to Najah.Investigators have never publicly explained how Najah traveled from Avon to Indianapolis, how her car and belongings came to be abandoned in separate locations, or how part of her remains ended up near Crown Point.Kierra Coles was 26, approximately three months pregnant and working for the United States Postal Service when she vanished from Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood in October 2018. Expanded surveillance later showed Kierra with a man identified as a person of interest and withdrawing money from a Walgreens ATM at approximately 10:43 p.m. Her vehicle later returned to her neighborhood without her. The man was seen entering Kierra’s building and leaving with unknown items, but the timeline still does not reveal what happened after Kierra disappeared from view.The cases are not publicly connected, but they share a frustrating pattern: cameras and physical evidence captured pieces of each woman’s final known movements without revealing what happened in the spaces between them.IN THIS EPISODE• Najah’s life as a mother of five, including three foster children• The belongings recovered near I-465 and Lafayette Road• Her abandoned Nissan Altima and the remains found near Crown Point• The missing link between Najah’s home, vehicle, belongings and remains• Kierra’s pregnancy and career with the Postal Service• Surveillance showing Kierra with a man identified as a person of interest• The 10:43 p.m. Walgreens ATM footage• Kierra’s vehicle returning without her• The purse, cellphone and packed lunch reportedly found in her vehicle• The increased reward of up to $250,000 in Kierra’s case• Why surveillance can document movement without providing an answerTIMESTAMPS00:00 — Najah’s disappearance02:29 — Why these cases are paired03:25 — Najah’s family and new job07:01 — Belongings found near I-46507:30 — Najah’s abandoned Altima11:48 — Remains found near Crown Point13:42 — The unexplained route through Indiana17:33 — Questions surrounding Najah’s final hours19:42 — Kierra’s life, pregnancy and postal career21:07 — The surveillance timeline21:35 — Walgreens ATM footage23:14 — Kierra’s vehicle returns without her26:55 — Kierra’s belongings are found30:45 — Expanded surveillance released32:41 — Reward increased to $250,00035:48 — Why the cases are paired37:14 — The limits of surveillance40:08 — Final case recaps42:33 — Closing and tip informationIF YOU HAVE INFORMATIONFor information about Najah Ferrell’s movements, vehicle or belongings recovered near I-465 and Lafayette Road, contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana or the Hendricks County Communications Center.For information concerning Kierra Coles, contact the United States Postal Inspection Service and reference case number 2693502.Please share Najah and Kierra’s names, especially with anyone who lived in Indiana or Chicago when they disappeared. A detail that seemed insignificant at the time could help close one of the gaps in these timelines.FOLLOW MURDER IN THE BLACKInstagram: @murderintheblackFacebook: Murder in the Black PodcastEmail: murderintheblackpodcast36@gmail.comSteph on Instagram: @stepher_Follow the show, leave a five-star rating and review, and share this episode with someone who will continue saying Najah Ferrell and Kierra Coles’ names.
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  Murder in the Black: Unsolved Mysteries, Part 1 | Dannarriah Finley & Bridget Lockhart 01.10.2026 32m

  A little girl disappears from her bedroom. A mother is killed while her children sleep. Decades later, their families are still fighting for answers.Steph opens the Unsolved Mysteries series with two cases: the unsolved murder of 4-year-old Dannarriah Finley in Orange, Texas, and the arrest nearly 27 years after Bridget Lockhart’s 1999 killing in Atlanta.Through the searches, physical evidence, unanswered questions, and a daughter’s determination to revisit her mother’s case, this episode explores what keeps an investigation alive—and what it takes to move it forward.Dannarriah’s case remains unsolved. In Bridget’s case, Janarra Sherrer has been charged but has not been convicted. An arrest begins a legal process; it does not establish guilt.In this episodeDannarriah’s disappearance and the community search to find her.The discovery on Pleasure Island and the clues investigators recovered.Circumstantial evidence, DNA testing, and the challenges of aging evidence.Bridget’s killing and her daughter Elandra’s efforts to get answers.The renewed investigation, arrest, and questions about evidence handling.Why both families’ searches for justice continue.Follow Murder in the Black, leave a review, and share this episode to help keep these stories in the conversation.Connect with usInstagram: @murderintheblackFacebook: Murder in the Black PodcastEmail: murderintheblackpodcast36@gmail.comFor more episodes, explore our paid subscription with a 3-day free trial.
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  The Death They Called a Suicide: Keith Warren 24.09.2026 47m

  Keith Warren was 19 when he was found hanging in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 1986. Authorities ruled his death a suicide without performing an autopsy. His mother, Mary Couey, spent decades questioning that conclusion—and the investigation behind it.Steph examines the scene photographs, the clothing questions, the anonymous envelope delivered on Keith’s birthday, and the reported warning involving Mark Finley. She also follows Sherri Warren’s fight for answers. Keith’s cause and manner of death were reclassified as undetermined in 2024, and police reopened the investigation in 2025. Neither development establishes that he was killed.At the end of the episode, True Crime in Current News features an update on Nolan Wells. Steph reflects on why his case brought Keith’s story back to mind while keeping the facts of each case distinct.Content warning: Discussion of a hanging death, possible suicide, racial violence, and crime-scene photographs.In The Episode: Why Keith’s family challenged the original rulingThe missing autopsy and limits of later forensic testingQuestions about the rope, tree, body position, and clothingMary Couey’s advocacy and the photographs left at her homeWhat is—and is not—known about Mark FinleyThe 2024 reclassification and 2025 reopeningA True Crime in Current News update on Nolan WellsTimestamps:00:00 — The photographs delivered on Keith’s birthday02:34 — Facts, family accounts, and unanswered questions03:04 — Why the history of lynching matters06:58 — Keith’s life and his family’s doubts08:19 — Keith goes missing and is found10:55 — The approximately 21-minute scene response12:21 — No autopsy and the limits of later testing13:57 — Body position and the rope16:30 — The clothing questions17:25 — Mary’s search for answers19:52 — The anonymous envelope21:29 — The reported warning and Mark Finley23:48 — The official ruling and the family’s concerns25:38 — Race, trust, and the power to classify a death28:55 — Uprooted and Sherri’s advocacy30:07 — Reclassified as undetermined30:49 — The investigation reopens33:24 — What remains unknown36:03 — Mary’s persistence and accountabilityAt the end — True Crime in Current News: Nolan Wells updateWhat should justice look like when an original investigation may have made the truth harder to find?Instagram: @murderintheblackSteph’s Instagram: @stepher_Facebook: Murder in the Black PodcastEmail: murderintheblackpodcast36@gmail.comFollow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. For more coverage, join the paid subscription and try it free for three days.
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  The Atlanta Child Murders: A City Afraid, a Case Unsettled 17.09.2026 52m

  Between 1979 and 1981, Black children, teenagers and young adults disappeared across Atlanta. As fear spread, grieving families organized searches, challenged city leaders and demanded that the cases be treated as a coordinated emergency.In this special episode, Steph examines the victims, the community’s fight for answers and the controversial case against Wayne Williams.Williams was convicted of murdering two adult men, Jimmy Ray Payne and Nathaniel Cater. He was never tried for the children’s murders, yet authorities attributed more than twenty additional deaths to him and closed those cases.We examine the Jackson Parkway bridge encounter, fiber and dog-hair evidence, disputed witnesses, Williams’s changing explanations, racial and political pressure, possible Klan involvement, and the differences among the victims that continue to raise questions.Was Wayne Williams responsible for every murder attributed to him, only some of them, or was one conviction used to provide Atlanta with an ending it desperately needed?Content warning: This episode discusses the murders of children and young adults, racial violence and disputed allegations.Remember the victims as individuals—not simply as evidence for or against Wayne Williams.
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  What They Came Back For: The Murder of Ashlea Harris 10.09.2026 32m

  On the morning after Thanksgiving in 2014, firefighters responded to a blaze inside a Fort Worth apartment. There, they discovered 31-year-old Ashlea Harris bound and murdered.Ashlea was a hardworking store manager who had recently helped police identify two former employees suspected of robbing the American Eagle store where she worked. Months later, those same former employees—Carter Cervantez and Clarence “David” Mallory—were accused of entering Ashlea’s home and carrying out a brutal act of revenge.But what were they looking for inside her apartment—and why did they believe Ashlea had it?In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the events leading to Ashlea’s murder, the evidence connecting Cervantez and Mallory to the crime, and the investigation that uncovered what they came back for.Follow Murder in the Black:Instagram: @murderintheblackFacebook: Murder in the Black PodcastSteph’s Instagram: @stepher_Email: murderintheblackpodcast36@gmail.comFollow the podcast wherever you listen, leave a five-star review, and share this episode with someone who loves true crime. You can also become a paid subscriber and start your three-day free trial for access to weekly bonus episodes.
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  The Diggs Family Murders: Five Dead, No Arrests, Fifty Years of Silence 03.09.2026 37m

  On December 6, 1975, Wesley Diggs returned to his home in Teaneck, New Jersey, and discovered his wife, Jean, and their four children—Audrey, Allison, Wesley Jr., and five-year-old Roger—shot to death.There was no obvious forced entry. Nothing appeared to have been stolen. Neighbors reportedly heard nothing, despite more than twenty shots being fired.In this episode, Steph examines the crime scene, Wesley’s business connections, the Harlem leads, three potential suspects, an informant’s account, and the controversial theory that Jean may have killed the children. We also consider whether race affected the investigation and why, after fifty years, no one has been held responsible.Someone entered—or was allowed into—the Diggs home that night. The question is: who, and why?Content warning: This episode discusses the murder of children, family homicide, gun violence, and descriptions of a crime scene.Follow Murder in the Black, leave a five-star review, and share the episode. Paid subscribers receive additional cases and exclusive episodes, with a three-day free trial available. Follow the podcast on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
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  Thirty-Six Wounds and an Unexplained Drive: What Happened to Jonathan Luna? 27.08.2026 35m

  On December 3, 2003, federal prosecutor Jonathan Luna left his Baltimore office shortly before midnight—but he never made it home. Hours later, his car was discovered beside a rural Pennsylvania creek, with Jonathan lying facedown beneath it. He had suffered 36 stab wounds and cuts before ultimately drowning.The local coroner ruled Jonathan’s death a homicide. However, federal investigators reportedly considered a dramatically different possibility: that Jonathan inflicted the wounds himself while attempting to stage an attack or disappearance.In this episode, Steph traces Jonathan’s unexplained interstate drive, the blood found throughout his vehicle, the professional pressures surrounding him, and the competing theories that have divided investigators for more than two decades. The recently unsealed autopsy confirms important details about his injuries—but does it bring us any closer to understanding what really happened?Also, before you go, check your feed for Steph’s special video interview with MD discussing the outcome of the Karmelo Anthony evidentiary hearing.Case discussed: Jonathan LunaContent warning: This episode discusses suicide, drowning, and sharp-force injuries.Follow Murder in the Black, leave a five-star review, and share the episode. For exclusive content, join the paid subscription on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and begin with a three-day free trial.
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  Did Karmelo Anthony Receive a Fair Trial? An Attorney Breaks Down the Evidentiary Hearing 26.08.2026 33m

  Steph sits down with MD to break down the Karmelo Anthony evidentiary hearing and what Judge Chitty was actually being asked to decide.This was not a new determination of guilt or innocence. Anthony’s appellate team was requesting a new trial based on alleged errors and constitutional violations connected to the original proceedings.Steph and MD discuss the alleged “gentleman’s agreement,” whether the defense relied on it when making critical trial decisions, and why the defense needed to prove that this reliance affected the outcome. They also examine the due-process arguments, Anthony’s right to present a complete defense, and the Waller test involving the right to a public trial.MD explains why appellate relief is difficult to obtain and why the public-trial claim may be the defense’s strongest argument. The episode closes with Steph and MD discussing why the trial can still raise serious fairness concerns—particularly regarding venue, jury selection, and public access.Timestamps00:31 – Steph introduces MD02:22 – What Judge Chitty had to decide04:17 – The alleged gentleman’s agreement08:10 – Proving breach and prejudice09:10 – How the agreement may have shaped trial strategy17:54 – The constitutional arguments18:49 – Due process and fundamental fairness21:26 – The Waller test and public-trial issue28:28 – Why damaging information may be inadmissible33:14 – How appellate courts evaluate errors35:11 – The defense’s strongest appellate argument37:05 – Why MD believes the trial was unfair39:00 – Closing thoughts and listener feedback
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  The Other Side of Silence: The Ruby McCollum Case 20.08.2026 1h 3m

  In 1952, Ruby McCollum walked into the office of prominent white physician and politician Doctor C. Leroy Adams in Live Oak, Florida, and fatally shot him.Ruby never denied the shooting. What she attempted to explain was everything behind it—an alleged sexual assault, a child she said Adams fathered, another pregnancy, financial dealings and the racial power that shaped their relationship.But in a segregated Florida courtroom, Ruby was repeatedly prevented from telling that story in full.In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine Ruby’s life before the shooting, the relationship between the McCollum and Adams households, the trial that sentenced her to death and the Florida Supreme Court decision that overturned her conviction. We also discuss why the new trial ordered by the court never happened and how Ruby instead spent nearly twenty years confined to a state hospital.The episode also considers the work of Zora Neale Hurston and journalist William Bradford Huie, the restrictions placed on their reporting and the importance of Black people being able to preserve and represent their own stories.Ruby had education, wealth and status, but none of those things separated her from a system capable of exercising its power over her. Her case remains a warning about what can happen when Black voices are discussed, interpreted and judged without being fully heard.TRUE CRIME IN CURRENT NEWSUpdated August 20, 2026Karmelo Anthony:Karmelo Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years for fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a 2025 high-school track meet.Anthony’s attorneys are seeking a new trial, arguing that courtroom-access restrictions, an off-the-record evidentiary agreement and the jury instructions affected his ability to receive a fair trial and fully present his self-defense claim.On August 19, Judge Sid Harle removed trial judge John Roach Jr. from the post-trial proceedings. Although Harle did not find that Roach had violated judicial rules, he determined that Roach’s public comments after the verdict could cause a reasonable observer to question his impartiality.Retired Judge Michael Chitty is now considering Anthony’s motion for a new trial. During the August 20 hearing, the defense challenged the courtroom restrictions and whether the findings required under Waller v. Georgia were properly made. Prosecutors defended the proceedings and disclosed that both sides had agreed to keep certain information about Anthony and Metcalf from the jury. A ruling must be issued by August 24 or the motion will be denied automatically.Tupac Shakur Murder Trial:The trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis is underway in Las Vegas. Davis is accused of helping organize the retaliatory 1996 shooting that killed Tupac Shakur. Prosecutors do not allege that Davis pulled the trigger. They argue that he obtained the gun, provided it to the men inside the Cadillac and helped arrange the shooting after Tupac’s entourage attacked Davis’s nephew, Orlando Anderson, at the MGM Grand.The prosecution is relying heavily on Davis’s interviews and memoir, in which he placed himself inside the Cadillac and described his involvement.The defense argues that Davis exaggerated or invented those accounts to gain attention and sell books. His attorney is asking jurors not to believe his client’s own words while emphasizing the absence of physical evidence connecting Davis to the weapon. The trial is expected to last several weeks.CONTENT WARNING:This episode discusses homicide, alleged sexual violence, reproductive coercion, racism, capital punishment and psychiatric confinement.
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  Alfred Wright: What Happened in the East Texas Woods? 13.08.2026 46m

  On November 7, 2013, 28-year-old physical therapist Alfred Wright experienced car trouble along a rural highway near Hemphill, Texas. While waiting for his parents to pick him up, Alfred suddenly ran from the area. During his final phone call, his wife said he sounded distressed.His clothing and personal belongings were later discovered scattered across the surrounding countryside—but the official search ended without finding him. Eighteen days after Alfred disappeared, his family organized another search and found his body in the same general area authorities had already searched.The official autopsy concluded that Alfred died accidentally from combined drug intoxication. Investigators uncovered toxicology evidence and messages connecting him to a cocaine supplier. Alfred’s family, however, questioned the search, the condition of his body, and whether the official conclusion explained everything that happened.In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the documented evidence, the Wright family’s concerns, the region’s racial history, and the rumors that have complicated Alfred’s story.What happened between the moment Alfred ran from that store and the moment he died in the East Texas woods?Follow Murder in the Black and join the conversation.Content warning: This episode discusses drug use, decomposition, postmortem injuries, racism, and disturbing descriptions of human remains.
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  The Map That Exposed a Serial Killer: The Maury Travis Case 06.08.2026 31m

  During the early 2000s, Black women began turning up dead across Missouri and Illinois. Their bodies were discovered in different jurisdictions, and for months, the connection between them remained unclear.Then, a St. Louis newspaper published a story about one of the women, Teresa Wilson. The article caught the attention of someone who claimed to be her killer—and he responded with a chilling letter, a challenge to the reporter, and a computer-generated map leading investigators to another victim.That map would eventually take authorities to Maury Travis and expose what had been happening inside an otherwise ordinary-looking home in Ferguson, Missouri.In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph walks through the investigation from the discovery of the women through the digital trail that led police directly to Travis. We also discuss the victims whose names are known, the women who remained unidentified for decades, and how three of those women finally regained their names in 2025.This story is not simply about how investigators caught a suspected serial killer. It is also about whose disappearances receive urgency, whose deaths are connected, and how vulnerable Black women were overlooked until their killer demanded attention.Content warning: This episode discusses murder, sexual violence, torture, substance-use disorder, and violence against women.Follow Murder in the Black on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Subscribe to the paid edition on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and exclusive content. New listeners can begin with a three-day free trial.Until next time, this is Murder in the Black.
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  The Child Everybody Saw: The Life and Death of Emani Moss 30.07.2026 40m

  Emani Gabrielle Moss was ten years old. Her family called her “Angelface.” She loved reading, dancing, and cooking, and her fourth-grade teacher remembered a child with a beautiful smile who always wanted to help people.But behind that smile, Emani was trying to survive. She went to school bruised and afraid. She disclosed abuse. She ran away. Teachers, relatives, police, and child-protection workers encountered pieces of her story—and still, she was returned to the home where she was being harmed.In this deeply difficult episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the warnings that came before Emani’s death, the adults and systems that had opportunities to intervene, and the family members who fought to protect her. Most importantly, this episode remembers Emani as a child: bright, helpful, loved, and deserving of the chance to grow up.CONTENT WARNINGThis episode discusses prolonged child abuse, neglect, starvation, domestic violence, the death of a child, and an attempt to conceal and destroy a child’s remains. The material is deeply distressing. Please take care of yourself while listening, and pause or skip this episode if needed.LISTENER CALL TO ACTIONIf this episode moved you, follow Murder in the Black on whatever podcast platform you use and leave a five-star review. Share Emani’s story—not because of how she died, but because of who she was. And if you know or suspect that a child is being harmed, do not assume someone else will act. Report the concern to the appropriate child-protection agency and contact emergency services if the danger is immediate.
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  Asia Adams: She Never Came Back Through the Door 23.07.2026 45m

  In this Thursday episode of Murder in the Black, we cover the murder of 21-year-old Asia Adams, a West Chester University student whose life was taken inside her mother’s Germantown home in November 2004.What first looked like a house fire quickly became something else. Investigators found Asia’s body in an upstairs bedroom, but the fire was not the beginning of the story. It was the cover-up.This episode follows the investigation from the neighbor who heard the door, to the missing bank cards, the ATM withdrawals, the nickname “Napoleon,” Asia’s dorm room, the witness statements, and the courtroom testimony that led to convictions for Thomas Strode and Simeon Bozic.We also talk about Asia’s life before the crime, her mother Shelah Harper’s fight for justice, and the work that came afterward through the Asia Adams Save Our Children Foundation.At the end of the episode, we close with a True Crime in Current News segment covering recent updates in the D4vd/Celeste Rivas Hernandez preliminary hearing and the independent autopsy update in the Nolan Xavier Wells case.Cases discussed:Asia AdamsThomas StrodeSimeon BozicCeleste Rivas HernandezNolan Xavier WellsListen with care. This episode discusses domestic violence, murder, arson, sexual assault allegations, violence against a young woman, and the death of a teenager.
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  The Boy Without a Name: The William DaShawn Hamilton Case 16.07.2026 42m

  In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of William Deshaun Hamilton, a six-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were discovered in the woods of DeKalb County, Georgia, in 1999. Despite years of investigation, forensic testing, and national attention, William remained unidentified until 2022.We trace the investigation from the discovery of his remains to the courtroom nearly 25 years later, exploring how advances in forensic science, facial reconstruction, and one woman's unwavering determination helped restore William's identity. We also discuss the trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black, the verdict, and the questions that remain unanswered.William's story is a reminder that even when decades pass, every child deserves to have their name restored—and their story told.The discovery of William's remains in DeKalb County, GeorgiaThe early investigative clues—and why they led nowhereHow forensic science evolved over two decadesThe role of facial reconstructions in identifying unidentified childrenAva McNeil's determination to uncover the truthHow a single tip finally identified "Clifton John Doe"The arrest and trial of Teresa Ann Bailey BlackThe verdict, sentencing, and unanswered questions surrounding William's deathTimeLine00:05 – The evening that changed everything00:35 – A devastating discovery in DeKalb County01:16 – The first clues investigators uncovered02:21 – Why the cause of death remains unknown03:57 – The decades-long search for William's identity05:09 – Buried as "Clifton John Doe"06:15 – Forensic evidence and overlooked clues07:58 – Why investigators believed William had been abandoned09:41 – DNA testing and the limitations of the late 1990s10:55 – The importance of forensic facial reconstructions13:32 – Ava McNeil's recognition and relentless search for answers15:28 – The reconstruction that reignited the investigation16:52 – William's life before he disappeared17:53 – Leaving Charlotte and William's disappearance20:47 – The tip that finally solved the mystery22:37 – Giving William his name back23:48 – The trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black36:31 – The verdict and sentencing41:57 – William's legacy and the search for justiceSourcesFOX 5 Atlanta. "Boy's remains found in cemetery still not identified 20 years later." Published February 27, 2019.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black murder trial: Old friend testifies against mother accused of murdering son in Atlanta." Published January 3, 2024.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black Trial: Mother accused of murdering 6-year-old son waives last chance to testify." Published January 8, 2024.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Black trial: Mother sentenced to 10 years for concealing son's death." Updated January 12, 2024.A&E Crime + Investigation. "A Decades-Old Cold Case Ends With the ID of a Young Boy, and His Mother Charged With Murder." Published December 16, 2022; updated August 27, 2025.Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) press releases and case information.DeKalb County Medical Examiner records and publicly reported court proceedings.Public court reporting and news coverage reviewed to verify the investigation timeline, trial proceedings, verdict, and sentencing.
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  LaVena Johnson: The Soldier, the Tent, and the Questions That Never Went Away 09.07.2026 44m

  Private First Class LaVena Johnson was just 19 years old when she died while serving in Iraq in 2005. The U.S. Army ruled her death a suicide, but her family—led by her father, John Johnson—has spent nearly two decades questioning that conclusion. In this episode, we examine the official investigation, the inconsistencies that continue to fuel public debate, and why LaVena's death remains one of the military's most discussed unresolved cases.We carefully separate documented facts from allegations and explore the competing theories surrounding her death, including the family's belief that critical questions were never answered. We also discuss the broader conversation about military accountability, violence against women in the armed forces, and what families face when they challenge official findings.In True Crime in Current News, we provide updates on the disappearance of Nolan Wells and the ongoing custody case involving Alicia Brown and her missing daughter, Aaliyah.In this episode:The life and military service of LaVena JohnsonThe Army's official ruling and the evidence citedThe Johnson family's unanswered questionsCompeting theories surrounding her deathMilitary accountability and transparencyNolan Wells case updateAlicia Brown custody and missing child updateIf you enjoy Murder in the Black, please follow the show, leave a five-star review, and share this episode with someone who values thoughtful true crime storytelling.
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  Predators Don’t Live in Folders | Jesse Matthew Jr. 02.07.2026 53m

  In this episode of Murder in the Black, we look at the case of Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. and the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham.This story is not just about how Matthew was eventually caught. It is about the years before that: the college allegations, the DNA that sat without a name attached to it, the missed opportunities, and the systems that treated each warning sign like it belonged in a separate folder.Morgan Harrington disappeared in 2009 after leaving a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, Virginia. Years later, UVA student Hannah Graham disappeared after a night out in the same city. DNA evidence eventually connected Matthew to a 2005 Fairfax assault, Morgan's case, and Hannah's case.The question at the center of this episode is not only what Jesse Matthew did. It is how many times he could have been stopped before another woman was harmed.Because predators do not live in folders.This episode discusses sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, violence against women, and institutional failures around campus safety.Jesse Matthew's early background and college football yearsSexual assault allegations at Liberty University and Christopher Newport UniversityThe 2005 Fairfax assault and unmatched DNA profileMorgan Harrington's disappearance after the 2009 Metallica concertThe search for Morgan and the creation of Help Save the Next GirlHannah Graham's 2014 disappearance in CharlottesvilleHow CCTV helped identify Matthew as a suspectThe DNA links between Fairfax, Morgan, and HannahMatthew's arrest in Texas, guilty pleas, and life sentencesThe larger conversation around campus safety, DNA policy, and missed warning signsAfter the main episode, I also cover two current stories:The death of Nateal Campbell, mother of NFL player Calais Campbell, and the charges against her son Ciarre CampbellThe update in Joniah Walker's case after the Milwaukee teen, missing since 2022, was found safeJesse Matthew was eventually convicted in the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham, but this case raises a bigger question: how many times could he have been stopped before another woman was harmed?This episode looks at the college allegations, the 2005 Fairfax assault, the DNA links, the disappearances of Morgan and Hannah, and the institutional gaps that allowed warning signs to stay separated.Because predators do not live in folders.Content warning: sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, and violence against women.If you made it this far, thank you for sitting with these stories with me. Let me know your thoughts on the missed opportunities in this case, because I really want to hear how y'all feel about that.For those of you who are like me and love to binge a story all the way through, episodes 6, 7, and 8 of What I Didn't See drop Sunday on the paid subscription, along with bonus journal entries with behind-the-scenes insight into Christina's thoughts.Thank you for the support, the comments, the shares, and the way y'all continue to show up for this space. Like, follow, and share this episode with someone who follows true crime with care. I'll see y'all in the next one.Research for this episode included public reporting from CNN, NBC News, NBC29, The Washington Post, CBS, WDBJ, and public case summaries related to Morgan Harrington, Hannah Graham, the 2005 Fairfax assault, and Jesse Matthew's convictions.Content WarningIn This EpisodeTrue Crime in Current NewsShort Spotify DescriptionListener CTASource Note For Spotify
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  The River Did Not Keep Her | The Murder of Lisa Eatmon 25.06.2026 41m

  Lisa Eatmon was a Brooklyn mother, Army veteran, and expectant mom preparing to welcome her son, Jaden Marquis. In April 2005, Lisa was found in the Hudson River, and what first seemed unclear soon became a homicide investigation.In this episode of Murder in the Black, we walk through Lisa’s life, the discovery in Manhattan, the evidence left behind at home, and the investigation that led detectives from phone records to a sanitation dock near the Hudson River.We also reflect on warning signs that can appear in relationships when pregnancy, accountability, secrecy, and control collide.Content warning: homicide, pregnancy loss, intimate partner violence, and grief involving a child losing a parent.If you or someone you love feels unsafe, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
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  The Lawyer Who Became the Case: Murder of Chiquita Tate 18.06.2026 50m

  In this episode, we revisit the tragic case of Chiquita Tate, a rising Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney whose life was violently taken inside her own law office. Chiquita was brilliant, ambitious, and building a name for herself in the courtroom when her final night at work became the center of a murder investigation.We walk through Chiquita’s life, the timeline of her last hours, the evidence found at the scene, and the courtroom battle that followed. From DNA and hair evidence to the missing wallet, blood evidence, possible staging, and the complicated personal history between Chiquita and her husband, Greg Harris, this case raises difficult questions about violence, control, justice, and legacy.This episode also includes a brief update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case, another heartbreaking story involving a young woman whose future was stolen.Key TopicsChiquita Tate’s life, career, and rise as a criminal defense attorneyThe timeline of her final night in Baton RougeThe crime scene evidence, including DNA, hair, blood evidence, and the missing walletHow the prosecution and defense interpreted the same evidence differentlyThe role of marriage, motive, life insurance, and possible separation plansGreg Harris’s trial, manslaughter conviction, sentencing, and appealsThe lasting impact of workplace and intimate-partner violenceChiquita’s legacy beyond the crime sceneTimestamps00:00 - Introduction and factual reporting note01:06 - A Baton Rouge law office becomes a crime scene02:04 - The murder of Chiquita Tate03:02 - Chiquita’s background, ambition, and legal career04:29 - Chiquita’s marriage to Greg Harris09:26 - February 19, 2009: dinner, work, and her final hours13:12 - Crime scene findings and early evidence15:59 - The suspect list and growing focus on Greg Harris17:31 - The discovery of Chiquita’s wallet19:37 - Evidence from Greg and Chiquita’s home22:17 - Possible motives: separation, control, and life insurance24:03 - A tip that redirected investigators26:41 - Sunglasses, DNA profiles, and forensic questions29:18 - Court proceedings and trial strategy36:16 - The verdict: manslaughter, not second-degree murder37:20 - Sentencing, appeals, and legal aftermath39:52 - Reflection on Chiquita’s life and legacy42:51 - Update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case47:14 - Closing message and listener gratitudeResources MentionedDNA evidence and forensic interpretationLouisiana second-degree murder and manslaughter lawCriminal appeals and post-conviction challengesThe Alexis Crawford caseIntimate-partner violence and workplace violence awarenessConnect With the HostFollow and connect on social media for case updates, episode discussions, and behind-the-scenes content.Final ReflectionThe heart of this story is not only the evidence. It is Chiquita Tate herself: a first-generation college graduate, a determined attorney, and a woman whose future was still unfolding. Her legacy reminds us to honor the lives behind the headlines and to keep speaking about violence that too often begins behind familiar doors.