Crime Junkie Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: MURDERED: Kala Williams & Heather Higgins
Release Date: May 12, 2025
Presented by: Audiochuck Media Company
Hosts: Ashley Flowers and Britt

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Crime Junkie, hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt delve into the haunting cases of Kayla Williams and Heather Higgins. Both young women met tragic ends, and their families have been left grappling with inadequate investigations and systemic failures in the pursuit of justice.

Case Background

Kayla Williams was a 20-year-old woman from Spokane, Washington, who was found dismembered in a wooded area near her home in May 2012. Despite exhibiting signs of significant trauma, including sharp force wounds and defensive injuries, the official cause and manner of death were initially ruled as undetermined.

Heather Higgins disappeared in 2010 under suspicious circumstances. She had recently been struggling with personal issues, including substance abuse and financial instability. Her disappearance mirrored systemic neglect, as police responses were dismissive, attributing her absence to personal choices rather than investigating potential foul play.

Initial Investigation and Systemic Failures

The investigations into both Kayla's murder and Heather's disappearance were marred by technicalities and oversight. Ashley Flowers highlights the frustration of the families as they confront a justice system that seems indifferent.

Ashley Flowers [03:45]: "There's nothing that parenting books can prepare you for, like talking to your 12-year-old after they discover human remains in the woods."

In Kayla's case, despite the presence of disturbing evidence—such as a bloody towel, a blanket, and a camera strap with teeth marks—the initial autopsy failed to conclusively determine the cause of death. Dr. John Howard, the lead medical examiner, classified her death as undetermined, leaving many questions unanswered.

Breakthroughs and Continued Obstacles

Detective Mark Burbridge was assigned to Kayla’s case in early 2013. Upon reviewing the autopsy, he was baffled by the discrepancies between the report and the actual injuries observed on Kayla's body. Despite uncovering Robert Davis’s DNA on multiple pieces of evidence related to Kayla’s murder, including boxer shorts and a camera strap, prosecutors initially refused to press charges due to the official ruling of undetermined manner of death.

Britt [10:50]: "What?"

Ashley Flowers [10:55]: "If you can't determine the cause of death, but manner, I..."

This stagnation in the investigation was compounded by the prosecution's reluctance to challenge the medical examiner's findings, fearing the implications of admitting potential errors in other cases.

Connecting the Dots: Heather Higgins and Robert Davis

A pivotal moment occurred when Robert Davis, a man with a history of violent offenses, became a suspect in both Kayla’s and Heather’s cases. Two years after Heather's disappearance, Robert's mother revealed that Robert had confessed to disposing of Heather's body in a sleeping bag, the same type found with Kayla's remains.

Ashley Flowers [22:44]: "That's what Kayla's found in, too, her lower half."

Despite this revelation, law enforcement struggled to find concrete evidence linking Robert directly to Kayla’s murder, and efforts to secure a conviction were repeatedly thwarted by prosecutorial hesitance.

Medical Examiner's Office Under Scrutiny

In 2017, the Washington Department of Health investigated the medical examiner's office following multiple families' complaints about incorrect rulings. Cases like Brenda Thurman, Sarah Schmidt, and Cindy Lou Zeppenfeld Bergen were also highlighted, revealing a troubling pattern of misclassification of deaths.

Ashley Flowers [44:49]: "It doesn't... it's up to the medical examiners to change the rulings, which, at least for Kayla's case, we know they've refused to do."

The investigation concluded that the medical examiners met the standard of care, a conclusion the families vehemently disagreed with, feeling that systemic issues prevented accurate determinations of cause and manner of death.

Renewed Efforts and Partial Victories

With new leadership in the medical examiner's office, Dr. Veena Singh revisited previous cases, including Kayla's, ultimately upgrading her manner of death to homicide. This change was a significant victory for Kayla's family, though Heather's body remains unfound.

Ashley Flowers [47:36]: "In possibly the biggest victory her family has gotten, Dr. Singh changes Kayla's manner of death from undetermined to homicide."

However, prosecutorial inertia persisted. Charges against Robert Davis for Kayla's murder continued to be denied, leading to his eventual parole in 2024 despite significant evidence linking him to both cases.

Current Status and Call to Action

As of 2024, Robert Davis is on parole, with Kayla and Heather’s families still seeking justice. The systemic failures have left both families in a perpetual state of grief and frustration, feeling abandoned by the very institutions meant to protect them.

Ashley Flowers [56:24]: "But the system that is supposed to get them justice has just refused to do so."

The families are urging the community to assist by reaching out to the Washington State Attorney General to request a review of the cases, emphasizing the importance of addressing systemic issues to prevent similar injustices in the future.

Ashley Flowers [56:24]: "So if you want to join in on that fight, my recommendation is to contact the Washington State Attorney General and ask for a review of Kayla and Heather's cases."

Conclusion

This episode of Crime Junkie underscores the profound impact of systemic failures in the pursuit of justice. Through the stories of Kayla Williams and Heather Higgins, Ashley and Britt highlight the urgent need for accountability and reform within law enforcement and prosecutorial processes to ensure that victims’ families receive the closure they deserve.

Join the Fight for Justice:
Kayla and Heather's families continue their battle against a reluctant system. Listeners are encouraged to reach out to the Washington State Attorney General’s office to advocate for a thorough review of these cases. Contact information is available in the show notes on crimejunkiepodcast.com.

Stay Connected:
Follow Crime Junkie on Instagram for updates and more information on how you can assist in bringing justice to Kayla and Heather.

This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided and is intended to encapsulate the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented by Ashley Flowers and Britt in the episode.