48 Hours: Post Mortem | What the Neighbors Saw

Podcast: 48 Hours
Host: Natalie Morales (filling in for Anne-Marie Green)
Episode Date: March 24, 2026
Topic: The murder of Gary Herbst and the involvement of his wife Connie and son Austin in rural Wisconsin

Episode Overview

This episode of “Post Mortem” delves deeper into the 48 Hours case “What the Neighbors Saw,” exploring the investigation into the murder of Gary Herbst. The discussion centers around how Gary’s remains were discovered years after he went missing, the roles played by family members, neighbor testimonies, police work, and the shocking confession by his son, Austin Herbst. Correspondent Peter Van Sant joins Natalie Morales to take listeners behind the scenes, unpacking key evidence, interviews, and the troubling dynamics of the Herbst family.

Key Discussion Points & Important Segments

1. The Discovery and Initial Background

• Timestamps: 01:59 – 04:27
• Gary Herbst was reported missing by his wife, Connie, in 2014.
• In 2017, a neighbor’s dog found a human skull with a gunshot wound in rural Wisconsin.
• It took another three years and the help of genetic genealogists to identify the remains as Gary Herbst.
• Connie claimed Gary left the family with $5,000 and a stranger in a gray Honda, but left his cell phone behind—a suspicious detail.

Peter Van Sant [03:00]: "In this case, Austin Herbst, Gary's son, not only admits it, but he gives us details, step by step, of how he murdered his own father and left his corpse in the woods for animals to eat..."

2. Investigative Red Flags and Changing Stories

• Timestamps: 04:27 – 06:38
• Connie’s story about Gary’s departure changed multiple times (home vs. library alibi; new information about a missing pistol).
• Austin’s accounts shifted, introducing a “mysterious man with tattoos” as Gary’s supposed driver.
• Polygraph tests indicated deception by Austin but not Connie.
• Investigators suspected lies but lacked enough evidence to act initially.

3. What the Neighbors Saw

• Timestamps: 06:38 – 08:51
• Neighbors reported seeing Austin and Connie scrubbing floors and loading large garbage bags and a rolled-up rug into Gary’s truck at night shortly before he vanished.
• The neighbors thought Gary was a dangerous man but still hesitated to report suspicions to police.
• Following Gary’s disappearance, Austin and Connie appeared relieved—hosting yard sales, selling Gary’s belongings, and mingling with neighbors.

Peter Van Sant [08:04]: "It's like that scene out of the wizard of Oz, you know, ding dong, the witch is dead...they were so happy...they were walking around with cookies and offering them to neighbors..."

4. Breakthroughs: Cadaver Dogs and Forensics

• Timestamps: 08:51 – 10:24
• Cadaver dog “Radar” alerted to human remains in the Herbst house—specifically in spots matching a reported red floor stain and basement exit.
• Luminol tests revealed extensive blood evidence in the house, confirming the murder scene.

Peter Van Sant [09:10]: "Radar went through the Herp's house and alerted at the very spot where the new owner said that she had seen this red stain on the floor...all over that house, it was glowing. It looked like, you know, Times Square."

5. Austin Herbst’s Admission and Motives

• Timestamps: 10:24 – 16:09
• Upon a fourth police interview in November 2020, Austin confessed to shooting his father, justifying the act based on years of abuse.
• In a rare and candid interview with Peter Van Sant, Austin described the murder and subsequent actions with chilling detachment.
• Austin admitted waiting until his mother left the house, then shooting Gary as he slept, driven by fear for safety.

Austin Herbst [14:21]: "Correct…I've been told, if you try to have me arrested...I will find you and kill you."

Austin Herbst [14:48]: "Absolutely. 100% kill or be killed."

6. Debate: Abuse Claims and Public Records

• Timestamps: 17:23 – 20:43
• Prosecutors found no prior reports or physical evidence of abuse; family (including a veteran cop uncle) also saw no signs.
• Austin argued many abuse cases go unreported, citing fear and apathy from others during his childhood.

Austin Herbst [19:36]: "I don't know the statistics, but I can guarantee you there are just as many that go unreported. Not everybody has the freedom or the courage or the ability to call the cops..."

7. The Cover-Up: Body Disposal and Evidence Destruction

• Timestamps: 21:09 – 23:26
• Austin described driving Gary’s body two hours away, abandoning it in the woods to be devoured by wildlife.
• Connie and Austin destroyed further evidence: the blood-soaked couch, personal items, and the murder weapon.

Austin Herbst [22:11]: "Absolutely. I was not in the state of mind that I ever want to revisit...I was at the lowest I'd ever been, both in my emotions and in my humanity."

8. Why Not Just Report? Distrust of Police

• Timestamps: 23:26 – 23:56
• Austin stated he and Connie didn’t call police because they were taught to fear police and believed they’d be “locked away for life”.

9. Legal Outcomes and Community Perspectives

• Timestamps: 23:56 – 26:45
• Connie Herbst took a plea deal (aiding offender after the fact), serving only three months.
• Austin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder—sentenced to 12.5 years, eligible for parole in 2029.
• The judge was sympathetic, attributing a lighter sentence to the story of abuse; prosecutors were surprised at the light sentences given the cover-up and desecration of remains.
• Neighbors, who disliked Gary, didn’t want Austin and Connie punished harshly—in an unusual show of support, some even offering Austin help or a job upon release.

Peter Van Sant [26:16]: “The neighbors...were very supportive...One said that she thinks Austin's sentence is too much time...Another neighbor felt that Austin's actions were justified and he even offered to help him when he gets out.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:00] Peter Van Sant: “Austin Herbst, Gary's son, not only admits it, but he gives us details, step by step, of how he murdered his own father and left his corpse in the woods for animals to eat, to destroy the evidence.”
• [09:10] Peter Van Sant: "Radar went through the Herp's house and alerted at the very spot where the new owner said that she had seen this red stain on the floor."
• [14:48] Austin Herbst: "Absolutely. 100% kill or be killed. Exactly. And it's a terrible situation to have been put in."
• [22:11] Austin Herbst: "Absolutely. I was not in the state of mind that I ever want to revisit. I was at the lowest I'd ever been, both in my emotions and in my humanity."
• [26:16] Peter Van Sant: "The neighbors, the former neighbors, were very supportive of the two of them. ... Another neighbor felt that Austin's actions were justified and he even offered to help him when he gets out."

Tone & Style

The episode balances sobering reporting with candid, nuanced perspectives. Peter Van Sant is direct yet empathetic, pressing Austin and contextualizing the case for listeners. Natalie Morales’s questioning maintains sensitivity, especially regarding abuse allegations and community reactions.

Conclusion

This “Post Mortem” episode provides a multi-dimensional look at the Gary Herbst murder case beyond initial headlines. Listeners gain insight into investigation strategies, conflicting testimonies, the psychological complexity of domestic abuse cases, and the rare instance of a community siding with admitted killers. The conversation with Austin is unique for its directness and detail, making this episode a compelling listen for those interested in the human stories behind crime and justice.