Crime Junkie Podcast: INFAMOUS – Amber Spradlin

Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Ashley Flowers & Brit Prawat

Episode Overview

This intense episode investigates the brutal and perplexing murder of 38-year-old Amber Spradlin in Floyd County, Kentucky. Ashley and Brit recount the details of Amber’s tragic life, the web of suspects and local politics, and the suspicions of a cover-up that have shaken a small Appalachian community. The hosts also highlight broader issues about justice in rural America and the ongoing fight by Amber’s family and community to ensure her death is not forgotten.

Key Discussion Points

1. Amber Spradlin: A Life Marked by Tragedy

• Amber lost her mother and sister as a child and her father in her 20s, leading to a lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression ([03:14]).
• In 2023, at age 38, Amber was finally venturing into independence, with her own apartment and new job as a restaurant hostess.

2. The Night of the Murder & Immediate Aftermath

• On June 17, 2023, Amber failed to follow her strict routine—sparking immediate concern for her family ([04:17]).
• Her aunt Missy checked home security footage and couldn't see Amber return home after her work shift.
• Family friend with Kentucky State Police connections called with shocking news: Amber wasn't missing, she'd been found murdered ([06:17]).
• Initial police communication was chaotic and deeply frustrating for the family, with rumors conflicting about whether Amber was murdered or died accidentally ([07:37]).

3. The Crime Scene & First Statements

• The murder took place at the home of Dr. Michael McKinney II, restaurant owner and prominent local figure ([11:09]).
• Police 911 call transcript: Dr. McKinney seemed detached and unfamiliar with Amber—despite being her boss ([12:22]).

  “Yes, so I had some people come back to my house last night and there’s a girl on my couch that’s dead...” – Dr. Michael McKinney ([12:22])

• Responders found Amber upright on the couch, bloodied and with clearly non-accidental injuries.

4. The House's Inhabitants, Timelines & Alibis

• Six people were at the house; only five survived.
  • Roy Kidd (covered in blood), Dr. Michael McKinney, Michael’s son (MK), Josh Mullins & girlfriend Lauren, and Amber.
• Roy Kidd’s account: Claims extreme drunkenness, blacked out, found Amber in the morning, blood on him is his own from a fall ([16:43]).
• Lauren corroborates timeline—claiming everyone was fine when she went to bed around 7am ([22:24]).
• However, critical discrepancies:
  • A previous 911 call was made at 6am by MK regarding Roy’s drunken state, with MK stating Roy was "bleeding profusely" ([23:34]).
  • Police found no blood where Roy said he was injured.
• Roy failed a polygraph on key questions about witnessing or covering up the murder ([26:08]).

5. Evidence: Autopsy, Surveillance, and DNA

• Amber had 12 stab wounds, including her throat; the knife blade was left in her neck, but its handle and the house’s DVR cameras were missing ([29:33], [30:02]).
• Surveillance technology at the house—pointed directly at the crime scene—was gone, along with all footage ([31:26]).
• MK’s truck caught on video leaving at 8:30am, contradicting the story that he left during the night ([32:12]).
• Forensic evidence:
  • Defensive wounds, male biological material found under Amber’s fingernails.
  • YSTR DNA testing confirmed McKinney family male DNA—could be MK or his father Michael, but not Roy or Josh ([48:34], [49:29]).
  • Scratches observed on MK’s forearms matching potential defense wounds ([34:23]).
• “When MK goes to the KSP post to give his sample ... authorities notice that he has a bunch of scratches on both of his arms … kind of looks like claw marks.” – Ashley ([34:12])

6. Suspicions of a Cover-Up and Community Backlash

• The sequence of calls is suspicious:
  • Before phoning 911, Dr. McKinney called Chief Randy Woods (Prestonsburg PD) for eight minutes ([41:28]).
  • Chief Woods, uninvolved officially, later told Amber’s family to “settle down,” claiming Amber died by aspiration, not murder ([07:41], [37:09]).
• Community suspicions run high about corruption and influence due to the McKinney family’s connections.
• Previous questionable deaths in the county (Sharon Spradlin, Kristin Smith, Candy Green Gonzalez) are cited as symptomatic of Floyd County’s broader issues ([44:37]).

7. Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

• Charges: Only MK indicted for murder; Michael and Josh charged with evidence tampering ([49:57]).
  • Indictment alleges removal/destruction of knife handle, camera footage, cleaning of blood, etc. ([51:04]).
• MK, Michael, and Josh plead not guilty. MK is held in jail, the others on house arrest ([57:39]).
• Defense strategies: MK’s lawyers blame Roy, dispute DNA evidence as weak, allege Amber’s family is influencing opinion using social media ([55:15], [56:08], [57:36]).
• Huge delays: It took eight months for the DNA results due to lab backlogs ([48:32]).
• Amber’s family pursues a civil suit against officials and pushes for “Amber’s Law” for better funding of forensic labs ([59:26]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Amber] was just finding her footing... and for things to end like this for her, just doesn’t seem fair. They don’t want her death to be for nothing.” – Ashley ([59:27])
• “There are two kinds of justice in Floyd County. One for the haves and one for the have nots.” – Quoted from Amber’s cousin Debbie ([35:14])
• “So who do you arrest? It can’t be all of them. Not without proof.” – Ashley ([47:44])
• “MK killed Amber and then with Michael and Josh, ‘removed, concealed, or destroyed ... the handle on the knife, MK’s clothing, and the camera and digital recorder.’” – Ashley referencing court indictments ([51:04])
• “Scratches kind of like start at the inside of the elbow and move down ... kind of looks like claw marks.” – Ashley ([34:12])
• “Chief Woods ended up resigning ... five days after Amber’s murder.” – Ashley ([58:56])

Key Timestamps

• 02:36 – Introduction to Amber Spradlin and case outline
• 04:17–07:37 – Amber’s disappearance and first responses
• 12:22–14:38 – 911 call with Dr. Michael McKinney; description of the crime scene
• 16:43–24:49 – Roy Kidd's and others' accounts of the night, 911 calls, inconsistencies
• 29:33–32:58 – Autopsy results, missing surveillance, timeline contradictions
• 34:12 – Scratches found on MK’s arms
• 35:14 – Community suspicion of “two kinds of justice”
• 41:28–43:13 – Michael McKinney’s eight-minute call to Chief Woods before 911
• 44:37–47:18 – Prior unsolved/suspicious deaths in Floyd County
• 48:32–49:32 – Forensic findings and the charging decision
• 51:04–52:00 – Indictments and theory of evidence tampering
• 55:15–56:08 – Defense strategies and DNA dispute
• 58:56–59:27 – Chief Woods resigns and Amber’s Law introduction

Conclusion

Ashley and Brit end by emphasizing Amber’s humanity amidst the chaos of the investigation and the broader issues her case brings to light: the perils of small-town justice, the impact of wealth and connections, and the possibility of systemic cover-ups. Amber’s family’s relentless pursuit of justice continues with upcoming criminal and civil cases, community activism, and a push for legislative change. Listeners are encouraged to support the family, follow the upcoming trial, and help ensure that Amber—and other overlooked victims—are never forgotten.

Support Amber’s family:

• Join the Justice for Amber Facebook page
• Engage with advocacy for Amber’s Law to fix forensic lab backlogs

Full source material and further reading:
crimejunkie.com