Crime and Coffee Couple: “The Susie Casey Murder” (Ep 220) – Detailed Episode Summary

Main Theme and Purpose In this episode, hosts Alison and Mike dive into the tragic murder of Susie Casey, a vibrant mother of four from eastern Montana, whose disappearance and subsequent homicide in 2008 shattered her family and small-town community. With their signature blend of heartfelt respect and lightly sarcastic banter, the married podcast duo unravel the case’s complex love-triangle motives, detail the determined pursuit of justice, and reflect on the devastating ripple effects of violence on families.

1. Personal Update and Dedication (03:43–11:24)

• Alison opens up about her recent, personal loss: the death of her mother Elizabeth, which deeply affected her. This leads to an honest conversation about grief, family, and cherishing loved ones.
• Mike expresses how much the listeners’ support has meant during this tough time and credits Alison's dedication to the podcast and its victims.
• Alison dedicates the episode to her late mother: “She was a bad arse b. And she is still fueling me a lot of strength. And my mom is someone that would have kicked me in the pants if I was just laying around crying. And that is why we are here recording right now.” (10:21)

2. Introducing the Susie Casey Case (11:24–13:39)

• Alison transitions the episode focus: “...today’s episode brings us to eastern Montana, a quiet place where a young mother of four’s disappearance shattered the community.”
• Sets the scene: In April 2008, 34-year-old Susie Casey goes missing after a night out. Her children and family quickly realize something is seriously wrong when she does not return home.
• Quick background: Susie described as “fun, outgoing, and vibrant”; was raised in rural Montana, loved the outdoors, and worked hard, both as a mother and in care positions.

3. Susie Casey’s Life and Family Dynamics (13:39–17:55)

• Discusses Susie’s upbringing and resilient nature: “She had absolutely no issues getting dirty...super fun and super feisty.” (13:39)
• Outlines her two marriages and four children:
  • First marriage to Marty Larson—two children, ends in divorce, Marty leaves town.
  • Second marriage to older rancher Ted Casey—two more children, but eventually marred by personality clashes and domestic violence. Ted is arrested for assaulting Susie in a public bar: “Ted suddenly dumped a beer over his wife’s head and then he slapped her across the face.” (17:41)
  • Susie regains her independence and moves out with all four children, soon returning to her social life.

4. Disappearance and Initial Search (17:55–25:18)

• Detailed account of Susie’s last known night—April 11, 2008:
  • Susie goes out with friends and is reported to have a date.
  • Her two eldest children, Mariah (14) and Shay (12), realize the next morning that their mother never came home.
  • Family and friends begin frantic calling and searching.
• Initial police investigation:
  • Brad Holzer is identified by Susie’s friends as the new boyfriend and last known person to see her.
  • When confronted, Brad states he dropped Susie at her apartment at 5am.

5. Early Investigation: Brad Holzer and Ted Casey (27:57–36:38)

• Both Brad and Ted are questioned:
  • Brad provides detailed alibi: “We were talking in smooching.” (30:27)
  • Brad's wife’s story and timeline checks out and is corroborated.
  • Ted also confirms his own whereabouts, with ATM and surveillance video supporting his testimony.
• Surveillance footage is critical:
  • Shows Susie exiting Brad’s vehicle and walking toward her apartment at 5:19am (36:13), and Ted’s car passing her apartment around 5:52am, never stopping.
• Both men’s stories and alibis are supported by evidence, eliminating them as suspects.

6. Break in the Case: Phone Records and a Third Suspect (39:54–51:45)

• Investigators focus on Susie’s phone activity:
  • Unusual number makes 22 calls in under four hours while Susie is out, with escalating desperation in the voicemails.
  • The calls are traced to Susie’s ex-husband, Marty Larson, who suddenly re-entered her life after a decade of no contact.
  • “It turned out that after nearly a decade with zero contact, Susie had reconnected with Marty after her marriage with Ted fell apart.” (42:27)
• Marty’s story:
  • Claims repeated calls and his drive to Glendive (Susie’s town) were out of “concern,” but both the volume and tone of calls, as well as cell phone tower pings, suggest a pattern of jealousy and control.
  • Previous violence in history: Marty had once shown up at Susie’s home with a shotgun and was given a lifetime restraining order.

7. Evidence Mounts Against Marty Larson (51:45–62:20)

• Marty’s visit to Glendive aligns precisely with the time when Susie is last seen alive, as confirmed by ATM footage and his phone pings.
• Investigators find Marty’s van extensively cleaned with bleach; an empty bleach bottle is found at his home.
• Despite these suspicions, forensic evidence is limited (animal blood under van, but possible trace of Susie’s hair inside).
• Marty leaves Montana for Arizona soon after questioning—a suspicious move as noted by detectives.
• Quote: “And not only that, after he was speaking with investigators, he’s suddenly now moving from Montana to Arizona. Yeah, that’s always suspicious too.” (51:45)

8. Arrest and Prosecution (54:30–62:20)

• Nearly four years after Susie’s murder, a new county attorney renews the case; Marty Larson is arrested and extradited from Arizona in February 2012.
• Tragedy compounds: Susie’s brother Rusty, obsessed with getting justice, dies by suicide; her daughter Mariah dies in a car accident shortly after Marty’s arrest.
  • “My heart breaks for Susie’s parents because now they haven’t lost one child, but two.” (55:58)
• At trial, prosecution presents evidence:
  • Cell records, unusual and controlling communication, bleach-cleaned van.
  • Hair consistent with Susie found in the back of the van.
  • Emails to Brad’s wife and strange calls all tracked to Marty’s computer.
  • Surveillance and phone data show Marty was at the crime scene in the window of Susie’s disappearance.
• Defense attempts to suggest Brad or Ted may be responsible, but their stories and alibis remain solid.

9. The Verdict and Aftermath (64:18–67:56)

• Jury returns a guilty verdict after six days of trial and three hours of deliberation.
• “Marty Larson was found guilty for Susie’s murder. He was given a 100 year sentence for her murder, plus 10 years for tampering with evidence.” (64:32)
• Marty remains eligible for parole in 2042.
• Reflection by Alison and Mike:
  • Emphasize the ripple effect of Susie’s murder: “Her disappearance and her tragic murder devastated not only her family, but also the small town of Glendive, Montana. And it was a domino effect. Rusty died, and then Mariah died.” (65:54)
  • Call for anyone in unsafe relationships to seek help.

10. Notable Quotes and Moments

• Alison’s emotional resonance:
  “And that's why we truly need to love and cherish the people around us while they're here. Don't take people for granted, because we never know what can happen.” (64:50)

• Mike on suspect priorities:
  “Anybody who's going to leave their children just not tops in my book. I like, I don't (...) Like step up to the freaking plate.” (14:49)

• Their classic marital banter:
  “Don’t call yourself Daddy.” (09:00 – Alison)

• On victim respect:
  “...This is what she does all the time. So we know that you guys, like, really appreciate all the work Alison does, and we appreciate your support. And so we wanted to come out and say, you know, share some terrible news, because this is what's going on.” (07:00 – Mike)

11. Key Timestamps

• Personal update and dedication: 03:43–11:24
• Introduction of Susie Casey: 11:24–13:39
• Domestic violence and Susie’s independence: 17:41–17:55
• Susie’s last night and initial search: 17:55–20:02
• Investigator breakthrough on phone records: 39:54–42:03
• The avalanche of tragedy: 54:30–57:09
• Trial and sentencing: 64:18–64:40
• Reflection and final thoughts: 65:54–67:56

Summary Flow Note

The episode’s tone seamlessly shifts between warm, family-like conversations, moments of wry humor, and gravely respectful true crime storytelling. Alison’s meticulous narrative and Mike’s empathetic questioning/reactions keep the story both accessible and deeply human, especially as the case’s many personal tragedies unfold.

Conclusion: Heartfelt Takeaways

• Susie Casey’s case is a sorrowful illustration of how jealousy, obsession, and domestic violence devastate not just one life, but whole families and communities.
• The episode underscores the importance of appreciating loved ones, seeking help in toxic relationships, and honoring victims by telling their stories with care.
• Both hosts remind listeners to cherish their own connections, as life can irrevocably change in an instant.

If you or someone you know is in an unsafe relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.