Evil Everywhere: A True Crime and Horror Podcast

Episode 25: The Murder of Amie Harwick

Los Angeles is filled with the glam, celebrities, high end shopping and of course the Hollywood Hills. However, the city is not always full of the fun and glitz. Tragedy struck when officers were called to the home of a well-known therapist by a panicked roommate. When the officers arrived to the home, Amie Nicole Harwick was found, brutally injured and barely clinging to life. The roommate had heard a struggle from Amie’s 3rd story bedroom, as well as her blood curdling screams before running for help. The home was searched and there were signs of a break in and a struggle. Who attacked this successful and thriving woman? Was she actually attacked or did she throw herself from the balcony? As investigators talked to Amie’s friends and family, they would learn of one character from her past, who did have the potential to commit evil against Amie. 
 
******DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-799-7233 or go thehotline.org**********
 
Sources:
https://www.huffandlakjer.com/obituary/amie-harwick
“How Murdered Hollywood Therapist Amie Harwick "Testified" at her Alleged Killer's Trial” by Lauren A. White on CBS News on February 11, 2024(https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amie-harwick-murder-hollywood-therapist-gareth-pursehouse-trial-48-hours/)
“Ex-Boyfriend of Celebrity Therapist Amie Harwick Sentenced to Life in Prison in her 2020 Slaying” by Antonio Planas and Phil Helsel on NBC News on December 6, 2023(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-boyfriend-celebrity-therapist-amie-harwick-sentenced-life-prison-20-rcna128452) 
“Amie Harwick's Killer "wanted to make a statement by killing her on Valentine's Day," says Prosecutor” by Erin Moriarty on CBS News on February 13, 2024(https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amie-harwick-murder-gareth-pursehouse-trial-valentines-day-48-hours/)
“The Evidence that Helped Convict Amie Harwick's Killer” by Cameron Rubner on CBS News on February 11, 2024(https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amie-harwick-killer-hollywood-therapist-gareth-pursehouse-evidence-48-hours/)
“Blood, a Broken Necklace and a Poison-Filled Syringe are Evidence in Amie Harwick's Violent Death” by Erin Moriarty on CBS News on December 7, 2023(https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amie-harwick-drew-carey-gareth-pursehouse-violent-death-evidence/)
“Slain Woman was a Therapist, Author” by Harriet Ryan in The Los Angeles Times on February 12, 2020
“Therapist had Alleged a History of Abuse” by Hannah Fry and Harriet Ryan in The Los Angeles Times on February 19, 2020
“Murder Charge Filed in Killing of Amie Harwick” by Luke Money and Harriet Ryan in The Los Angeles Times on February 20, 2020
“Therapist was Choked Before Deadly Impact” by Harriet Ryan in The Los Angeles Times on February 21, 2020
“Potential Life Term in Therapist’s Death” by Christian Martinez in The Los Angeles Times on October 2, 2023
"The Sex Therapist" on Killer Cases, Season 5, Episode 1 on Hulu May 15, 2024
 
 

Episode 24: The Story of Daniel and Loretta Burroughs

May’s Landing is a small rural community in Atlantic County, New Jersey with a population as of 2010 of only a little over 2,000 people. It was the perfect location for the newly married couple, Daniel and Loretta Burroughs to begin their life together. After being high school sweethearts but spending 30 years apart, the two reconnected after Daniel’s divorce from his first wife and Loretta’s unexpected loss of her husband Joseph. The couple married in 1999 and seemingly had the perfect life. That was until August of 2007, when Daniel would go missing. In shock, friends and family including Daniel’s children asked Loretta where Daniel could have gone. Loretta claimed that he had run off with his mistress and relocated to Florida. But why hadn’t anyone heard from him? Why hadn’t he taken any of his belongings? Tune in to hear the story of a couple who seemed to have found themselves together again after three decades apart only to be separated by evil. 
 
Sources: 
South Jersey Times – Woman gets 55 years in murder, dismemberment of spouse – Mark Daniels – April 26, 2015 – Retrieved: December 3, 2024
Press of Atlantic City – May 18, 2013 – Slain husband moved on with her – Lynda Cohen – Retrieved: December 5, 2024
Press of Atlantic City – May 24, 2013 – Wife’s arrest in Hamilton death reopens 20-year-old case in Pa. – Cindy Scharr – Retrieved: December 5, 2024
South Jersey Times – March 20, 2015 – N.J. woman who hid husband’s body parts in closet is convicted – Mark Daniels – Retrieved: December 5, 2024
Press of Atlantic City – March 12, 2015 – Husband in boxes trial in session – Lynda Cohen – Retrieved: December 5, 2024
Press of Atlantic City – March 18, 2015 – Husband’s remains stored in closet – Lynda Cohen – Retrieved: December 5, 2024
Press of Atlantic City – May 21, 2014 – Woman pleads not guilty to killing husband, keeping remains – Lynda Cohen – Retrieved: December 5, 2024
Snapped – Season 18: Episode 9 - Loretta Burroughs
Deadly Women - Investigation Discovery
Fox News - Woman convicted of killing husband, hiding his remains in containers gets 55 years in prison - April 22, 2015 
TheCinemaholic - Where is Loretta Burroughs Now? - June 17, 2021 - Viswa Vanapalli 
Daily Mail - Guilty: 'Head in a handbag' grandmother who murdered husband, chopped him up and moved remains from house to house for six years - Donna Andersen - March 18, 2015
Wikipedia - Mays Landing, New Jersey

Episode 23: The Disappearance of Victoria Prokopovitz

The small town of Pittsfield Wisconsin was left in utter confusion when one of their own, Victoria Prokopovitz seemingly vanished into thin air. Her family was left devasted with so many questions. Where did she go? Did she leave willingly? After years go by with no answers, investigators began to hone in on Vicki’s husband, Jim, attempting to get every detail of the last time anyone had seen her.  Did Jim murder Vicki? Did Vicki wander off and take her own life? Vicki was missing 11 years before a conviction would be passed, on the assumption she is no longer alive. Where are Vicki’s remains? Join us to listen to this story and to see if you could possibly provide any answers to this family searching for their mother.
 
Facebook page: facebook.com/helpfindvicki
Missing Persons Organization: https://www.wimissing.org/marshaloritz
 
Sources:
"Family, Friends of Missing Prokopovitz Encouraged at Vigil"   by Adam Rodewald in The Green Bay Press Gazette on April 26, 2014"Search Continues for Missing Woman" in The Green Bay Press Gazette on May 10, 2013"Missing Pittsfield Woman, 59, Sought" in The Green Bay Press Gazette on April 30, 2013https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/269161564/victoria-lynn-prokopovitz
https://charleyproject.org/case/victoria-lynn-prokopovitz"Wisconsin Pittsfield" in The Post Crescent, page B4 on July 28, 2014"Pittsfield Man Suspected of Killing Wife in 2013 Held on $2M Hold" by Paul Srubas in The Green Bay Press Gazette on May 10, 2019"Victoria Lynn Prokopovitz" by Abbeyflower19 on Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy, Inc. website, February 3, 2023(https://www.wimissing.org/post/victoria-lynn-prokopovitz)
“First Alert Exclusive: Daughter of Missing and Murdered Mom Speaks for First Time Since Stepdad’s Trial” by Sarah Thomsen on 2 First Alert on April 18, 2022(https://www.wbay.com/2022/04/18/first-alert-exclusive-daughter-missing-murdered-mom-speaks-first-time-since-stepdads-trial/)
“Woman Charged in Brown County Disappearance of Victoria Prokopovitz Dies” by Addy Bink on We Are Green Bay on November 2, 2020(https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/woman-charged-in-brown-county-disappearance-of-victoria-prokopovitz-dies/)
Wisconsin Cold Case: Victoria Prokopovitz” on We Are Green Bay on February 7, 2019(https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/wisconsin-cold-case-victoria-prokopovitz/)  
https://townofpittsfield.org/"Murder and the Missing Mom" on Killer Cases, Season 2, Episode 3 on Hulu October 27, 2021
 

Episode 22: The Abduction and Murder of Mark Kilroy

***Trigger Warning*** This case has a brief mention of sexual assault, body dismemberment and ritualistic practices.
 
The Gateway International Bridge that connects Brownsville Texas to Matamoros, Tamaulipas Mexico gets over 40 million crossings per year. Matamoros Mexico is the third most dangerous city in Tamaulipas with an incredibly high crime rate and an even higher rate of kidnapping. Back in March of 1989, University of Texas at Austin student Mark Kilroy with three of his friends, Bradley Moore, Bill Huddleston and Brent Martin and some college girls they had met along the way would cross the Gateway International Bridge to enter Matamoros with the plan to party and have a great time. What none of them had expected was that this spring break adventure to Mexico on March 14, 1989, would be the last time they would see Mark Kilroy alive. Listen to hear the story of the abduction and murder of an American college student that was so disturbing that it prompted the local community to coin the term “narcosatanicos”. 
 
Mark Kilroy Foundation - https://markkilroyfoundation.org/
 
Sources:
Wikipedia - Murder of Mark Kilroy - Wikipedia – Retrieved: November 18, 2024
The Baltimore Sun – April 23, 1989 – Mark Kilroy was slain in a ritual arising from the drug trade – David Simon – Retrieved: November 24, 2024
Corpus Christi Caller-Times – Intimate look at a nightmare – Joel Williams – November 4, 1990 – Retrieved: November 26, 2024
Tarleton State University – Retrieved: November 28, 2024
Wikipedia - Purdue University - Wikipedia – Retrieved: November 28, 2024
Mark Kilroy Foundation - Mark Kilroy Foundation, Santa Fe, Texas – Retrieved: November 28, 2024
Wikipedia – Palo (Religion) - Palo (religion) - Wikipedia – Retrieved: November 28, 2024
The Winnipeg Sun – Witchcraft! Devil made them do it – Max Haines – January 21, 1990 – Retrieved: December 2, 2024
Honolulu Star Bulletin – May 14, 1989 – Drug cult leader attracted rich and famous – Melinda Henneberger – Retrieved: December 2, 2024
The News and Observers – In true crime, the monsters are just folks – John Kilian – July 7, 1991 – Retrieved: December 2, 2024
The Galveston Daily News - Remembering Mark Kilroy – Joel Kirkpatrick – March 4, 1990 – Retrieved: December 3, 2024
The Tyler Courier-Times – Cult slaying victim’s parents try to resume lives – May 8, 1994 – Retrieved: December 3, 2024

Episode 21: The Murder of Michelle Martinko

In 1979, Cedar Rapids, IA, a farm friendly city was in turmoil when a shocking murder occurred. Michelle Martinko was a beautiful 18-year-old senior in Cedar Rapids, IA. She stood out in a crowd, always dressed impeccably and had a very friendly demeanor. Michelle was discovered brutally stabbed in her vehicle close to Christmas when doing some shopping. With very little evidence and technology to process it, the case went cold. Finally, DNA linked to Michelle's killer was uncovered. There were no confirmed DNA matches to pinpoint who it could be. How would detectives be able to narrow down the suspect pool and find the murderer? Listen to hear the science of catching a murderer decades after the crime. 
 
Sources:
"Michelle Martinko murder case evidence photos" by CBS News on  August 7, 2021 
(https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/michelle-martinko-murder-evidence-photos/) 
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104050435/michelle_marie-martinko 
"Supreme Court Affirms Jerry Burns' Conviction in 1979 Michelle Martinko Murder" by William Morris in the Des Moines Register on March 31, 2023 
(https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2023/03/31/iowa-supreme-court-michelle-martinko-jerry-burns-dna-conviction/70064243007/) 
"40 years later: What we Know About Michelle Martinko and the Arrest that Re-opened the Cold Case" by Anna Spoerre in the Des Moines Register on December 19, 2019
(https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2019/12/19/jerry-burns-michelle-martinko-accused-1979-iowa-killing/2702680001/) 
"New Plea for Murder Clues" by Kurt Rogahn in The Gazette on December 28, 1979 
"C.R. Student, 18, Slain" by Kurt Rogahn in The Gazette on December 20, 1979 
"New Theory, Plea in Martinko Case" by Dick Hogan and Kurt Rogahn The Gazette on January 25, 1980
"$10,000 Martinko Reward" by Nancy Stevens and Kurt Rogahn The Gazette on February 22, 1980 
"New Evidence Found in Decades-Old Murder Case" in The Daily Nonpareil on October 3, 2006 
"1979 Killer's Blood Found" by Dorothy de Souza Guedes in The Gazette on October 3, 2006 
"Murder at the Mall"  on Killer Cases, Season 1, Episode 7 on Hulu January 8, 2021

Episode 20: Thanksgiving Murders

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate thankfulness and peace. For many it marks the beginning of the holiday season. Most families in the United States gather together with their friends and family to feast on turkey, stuffing – all of the other delicious food and maybe even some pumpkin or apple pie. This is a time to express gratitude for the ones you love. That’s what Jim and Muriel Sitton planned to do on Thanksgiving, on November 26, 2009. But what they didn’t know was while they planned to celebrate the holiday with family, one of those family members had a very different, sinister plan. Listen while you prepare your households or prepare to go have a nice dinner with your families to hear the story that reminds us that evil is everywhere – even maybe at Thanksgiving dinner. 
 
Sources:
Wikipedia – 2009 Thanksgiving Murders - 2009 Thanksgiving murders - Wikipedia – Retrieved: November 19, 2024
Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs, Then Executed Family – Edecio Martinez – December 2, 2009 - Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs Then Executed Family - CBS News – Retrieved: November 19, 2024
YouTube – Mirror Mind – The Disturbing Story of Paul Merhige – Retrieved: November 22, 2024
South Florida Sun Sentinel – November 29, 2009 – Police expand search for shootings suspect – David Quinones – Retrieved: November 22, 2024
The Miami Herald – December 1, 2009 – Slain sisters’ voices heard again – Robert Samuels – Retrieved: November 22, 2024
The Miami Herald – November 25, 2010 – One year after killings, a family’s pain lingers – Andrew Marra – Retrieved: November 22, 2024

Episode 19: The Murder of Angela Bledsoe

Montclair is one of the wealthiest suburbs in NewJersey. Very progressive with very little crime. That is until October 2018 when police receive a chilling call. This call led police to the home of Angela Bledsoe and James Ray III. Angela was discovered, deceased on the kitchen floor. Angela, a very successful financial advisor lived with her boyfriend James, a very successful lawyer on North Mountain Avenue in Montclair with their daughter. James was nowhere to be found. This investigation led the FBI on an international manhunt to detain James. When they finally do locate him, an 18-page journal was found on him detailing the horrific murder. Did Angela truly lose her life in a case of self-defense as he claims? Or did something more sinister occur?
 
Sources:
"Death In Suburbia"  on Killer Cases, Season 4, Episode 11 on Hulu November 24, 2023https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196499613/angela-michelle-bledsoe"NJ Mom's Murder Leads to International Manhunt and an Unforgettable Twist" by Claire Lempert and Sami Wanderer in ABC News on December 8, 2023(https://abcnews.go.com/US/nj-moms-murder-leads-international-manhunt-unforgettable-twist/storyid=105357095#:~:text=Angela%20Bledsoe%2C%20a%20New%20Jersey,at%20his%20insurance%20brokerage%20firm.)"After an International Manhunt, a NJ Man Never Received a Sentence for Killing Girlfriend" by Juan Carlos Castillo in the Asbury Park Press on December 8, 2023(https://www.app.com/story/news/local/2023/12/08/james-ray-iii-never-served-a-sentence-for-the-murder-of-angela-bledsoe/71853298007/)"'It Seemed Like I Couldn't Stop Firing': Killer's Diary Gives Disturbing Insight into N.J. Mom's Murder" by KC Baker in People on December 8, 2023(https://people.com/angela-bledsoe-killing-new-jersey-mom-abc-special-8413553)"Montclair Murderer James Ray III Found Dead in Jail" by Julia Martin in The North Jersey Newspaper on June 19, 2023(https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/montclair/2023/06/19/james-ray-iii-convicted-of-montclair-murder-found-dead-in-jail/70335743007/)"Suspect in Slaying was Sued in 2013 for Sexual Harassment" by Keidu Ortiz in The Montclar Times on October 25, 2018"Monclar Homicide has a Global Twist" by Julia Martin in The Montclair Times on November 15, 2018"Murder Suspect Found in Cuba" by Rodrigo Torrejon and Julia  Martin in The Record on November 8, 2018"Lawyer Facing 30 to Life for Murdering his Girlfriend Dies in Custody" on AP News June 19, 2023 (https://apnews.com/article/girlfriend-murder-james-ray-angela bledsoe-6e7931a1b840b5e09d9e53014df15cc3)"ABC to Air ‘20/20′ Segment on N.J. Lawyer James Ray Murder Case"  by Richard Cowen, NJ Advance Media on December 8, 2023 (https://www.nj.com/essex/2023/12/abc-to-air-2020-segment-on-nj-lawyer-james-ray-murder-case.html)"Opening Statements Begin in Trial of James Ray, New Jersey Attorney Charged with Murdering his Girlfriend in 2018" by Alice Gainer in CBS News on March 29, 2023 (https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/james-ray-trial-opening-statement/)"Diary of a Killer"  on ABC 20/20, Season 46, Episode 9 on Hulu December 8, 2023

Episode 18: The Murder of Cassie Stoddart

Pocatello, Idaho has a population of roughly 57,000 people with a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 24%. However, back in 2006, the city of Pocatello would experience something unimaginable. On September 22, 2006, 17-year-old high school senior, Cassie Stoddart, was murdered. While house-sitting for her aunt and uncle on Whispering Cliffs Drive, she was stabbed an estimated thirty-times. Her body would be left on the living room couch for almost two days until her aunt and uncle returned home from vacation. Who would do something like this and why? When horrific things like this happen, people tend to look for a reason – what would make someone behave this way and commit such a brutal murder?
 
Sources: 
Murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart - Wikipedia – Retrieved: 11/12/2024
The Times-News – Teen’s Lawyer: Co-conspirator was lone stabber in Idaho slaying – June 2, 2007 – Retrieved: 11/12/2024
Idaho West – September 29, 2006 – Students face murder charges – Retrieved: November 13, 2024
Cassie Jo Stoddart (1989-2006) - Find a Grave Memorial – Retrieved: November 13, 2024
The Times News – Prosecutor: Idaho girl’s boyfriend also a murder target – November 6, 2006 – Retrieved: November 13, 2024
Bonner County Daily Bee – November 2, 2024 – Sale raises money for slain teen’s family – Retrieved: November 13, 2024
Idaho Statesman – October 1, 2006 – Bail revoked for accused killers – Retrieved: November 13, 2024
The Idaho Statesman – October 4, 2006 – Teen charged in murder had online tribute to Columbine shooting victims – Retrieved: November 13, 2024
South Idaho Press – November 16, 2006 – Students plead innocent in stabbing death – Retrieved: November 13, 2024
The Coeur d’Alene Press – October 8, 2006 – Trial date set in high school stabbing case – Retrieved: November 14, 2024
Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik: The Complete Tape [2006] - Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik: The Complete Tape [2006]
The Times-News – April 12, 2007 – Prosecutors begin case in Pocatello fatal stabbing – Retrieved: November 14, 2024.
The Coeur d’Alene Press – April 16, 2007 – Jury sees video made by Pocatello boys accused of killing classmate – Retrieved: November 14, 2024
South Idaho Press – April 18, 2007 – Pocatello teens convicted in fatal stabbing of schoolmate
 

Episode 17: The Blue Moon Murders

Escambia County Florida is no stranger to crime. From black widow murders to the apprehension of Ted Bundy, it's seen its fair share of horrific crimes. Another such crime occurred the summer of 2015. 3 members of a family were discovered, brutally murdered in their modest, but very cluttered, home after a welfare check had been called in. The only surviving member of the immediate family was the last to see these 3 people alive, a few days before the gruesome discovery. The sheriff made claims indicating the murders were ritualistic, based on findings. Were these murders a human sacrifice for a ritual?
 
Sources:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150271379/voncile-smithhttps://www.craversfh.com/obituary/3268975https://www.flomatonfh.com/obituary/3268977"Murder Under a Blue Moon" Season 1, Episode 2 of Killer Cases, series on Hulu, December 10, 2020"Sheriff: 'Ritualistic' Killings May be Tied to Blue Moon" by The Associated Press in The Jackson County Floridian on August 6, 2015"Triple Murder May be Tied to Ritual" by Will Isern in The Pensacola News Journal on August 5, 2015"Triple Murder Case May Finally go to Trial" by Kevin Robinson in  The Pensacola News Journal on April 4, 2019"Man Charged in 'Ritualistic' Murders" by Kevin Robinson in The Pensacola News Journal on October 28, 2015"Victims of 'Ritual' Slayings Laid to Rest" by Staff Reports in The Pensacola News Journal on August 15, 2015"Brother Indicted in 'Ritualistic Killings'" by Kevin Robinson in The Pensacola News Journal on November 11, 2015"'Blue Moon' Triple Murder Case is Underway" by Colin Warren-Hicks in The Pensacola News Journal on January 22, 2020"Hartung Guilty on all 3 Counts of Murder" by Colin Warren-Hicks in The Pensacola News Journal on January 30, 2020"Jury Selection has Begun for 'Blue Moon' Triple Murder Case" by Colin Warren-Hicks in The Pensacola News Journal on January 14, 2020"Closing Arguments Set in 'Blue Moon' Murder Trial" by Colin Warren-Hicks in The Pensacola News Journal on January 29, 2020"Pensacola Man Sentenced to 3 Life Terms for Killing Family Members" by Colin Warren-Hicks in The Pensacola News Journal on February 8, 2020Escambia County Court Records: State v. Donald Wayne Hartung Sr."Was Witchcraft to Blame for Florida's 'Blue Moon' Triple Murder?" by Adam Janos on A&E Networks (https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/blue-moon-killer)"Blue Moon Killer: Man accused of ‘ritualistic’ murders in Pensacola" by Summer Poole on News WKRG September 10, 2022 (https://www.wkrg.com/true-crime/blue-moon-killer-man-accused-of-ritualistic-murders-in-pensacola/)Donald Hartung Trial on Law&Crime Network YouTube channel, multiple parts (https://youtube.com/@lawandcrime?si=vDTWthk0jGVdOwbg) 

Episode 16: Serial Killer Dennis Nilsen

On November 23, 1945, a man by the name of Dennis Andrew Nilsen was born. He grew up in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. His childhood was filled with love and comfort but after the death of his grandfather in 1951, things started to change within Dennis. He grew more reclusive and didn't spend much time with friends or family. Eventually he would start having fantasies that at first involved an unconscious partner, but then quickly escalated to involving a dead partner.Between 1978 and 1983, Dennis would attempt to bring those fantasies to life. What atrocious things would Dennis do and how would anyone stop him?