Crime Salad Episode Summary

Podcast: Crime Salad
Episode: Closed as Suicide: The Unanswered Questions in Libby Caswell’s Death
Hosts: Ashley & Ricky
Date: November 22, 2025

Overview

This episode investigates the controversial death of Libby Caswell, a 21-year-old woman found dead in a motel room in Independence, Missouri, in December 2017. Although authorities quickly ruled her death a suicide, persistent questions from Libby’s family, advocates, and independent forensic reviews have challenged that determination—raising the specter of domestic violence, investigative failures, and potential coverup. Hosts Ashley and Ricky carefully retrace Libby’s story, dissect the evidence, and amplify the ongoing push for justice.

Case Background & Libby Caswell’s Story

Libby’s Life:

• Born March 25, 1996; remembered as warm, talented, and driven (bright spirit; cheerleader, gymnast, dancer, guitar-player) [03:14–04:26].
• Became a mother to Xavier, who became her world [04:38].
• Her life veered into hardship due to a turbulent relationship and struggles with substance use.

The Night of Her Death:

• December 11, 2017: Police receive a call from Libby’s boyfriend, Devin Martin, claiming she had hanged herself in a motel bathroom [04:38–06:05].
• Police find Libby dead, rigor mortis already set in, belt around her neck, and evidence of recent bleeding; the room was in disarray [04:38].
• Key detail: Devin called 911 but then left and could not be found at the scene [06:05].

Key Discussion Points & Findings

1. Problems with the Official Narrative

• Inconsistent Timelines: Neighbor in room 320 reports hearing an argument and cries (“please stop hurting me”) just 20 minutes before police arrival—contradicted by evidence that Libby had been dead for hours [06:16–07:10].
  • Ashley: “But still, I think it's at least a first glance into the fact that something else might have been going on here.” [07:10]
• Questionable Witness Accounts:
  • The neighbor was deemed unreliable due to impairment and shifting story.
  • Devin claimed Libby was drunk and depressed, referencing “suicidal statements.” But toxicology results showed zero alcohol in her system [10:48–11:20].

“If Libby had really been drinking that morning, it should have showed up in her blood work.” – Ricky [10:48]

• Lost Evidence: Motel surveillance footage that could have clarified comings and goings was lost, reportedly overwritten before police obtained it [13:20–13:47].

2. Domestic Violence & Libby’s Past

• Pattern of Abuse: Multiple witnesses and Libby’s family describe years of escalating coercive control and violence, especially strangulation attempts by Devin [20:18–22:03].
  • Witness a week before her death saw Devin choking Libby; Libby told caseworkers the same [21:43–28:45].
• Institutional Failure: Despite protection orders, police fined Libby’s mother for calling for help, labeling her address a “nuisance property,” discouraging further police contact [24:06].
• Cycle of Trauma: Both Libby and Devin had histories marked by abuse; Libby’s efforts to regain custody of her son and build a new life were repeatedly sabotaged by Devin’s presence and violence [26:16–27:37].
• Raising Red Flags: Advocates point out that prior strangulation is a strong predictor of future homicide in domestic violence cases [38:41].

“She wouldn't have strangled herself multiple times and she wouldn't have left bruises on herself before she died.” – Ricky [37:27]

3. Deficient Police Investigation

• Contradictory Findings: The medical examiner’s report listed cause as “asphyxia” but classified the manner of death as “undetermined,” not suicide. Despite this, police ruled it a suicide within hours [13:47–14:47].
• Lack of Review: No deep forensic work or alternative hypotheses pursued, despite red flags [14:47].

“In a properly handled investigation, an undetermined manner of death would typically trigger deeper review.” – Ricky [14:47]

• Family's Persistent Advocacy: Libby’s mother and sister leveraged advocacy and social media (“Justice for Libby” Facebook page), providing a counter-narrative and directly alleging Devin’s culpability [28:57–30:28].

4. Independent Forensic Review—Justice Project

• Findings:
  • Alliance for Hope International conducted a four-year review: Determined Libby was murdered [35:29].
  • Noted multiple ligature marks, bruises, and a footprint on her back—indicative of strangulation and being held down, not suicide by hanging [36:07–38:04].
• Critique of Official Process:
  • Investigators too quickly adopted the suicide explanation, potentially from confirmation bias or institutional convenience [35:10–37:27].
  • Forensic team and Libby’s family call for an outside, independent investigation.

“One of the biggest mistakes investigators make in these kinds of cases is failing to ask if the facts actually make sense together.” – Gerald Feynman, Justice Project [45:13]

5. Broader Pattern: Underdiagnosed Homicides in Domestic Abuse

• ‘Staged’ Suicide Scenes: The Justice Project’s national work reveals a pattern: many domestic violence murders staged as suicides [43:30–44:53].
• Red Flag Factors Identified: Premature death; a suspicious “suicide” scene; prior DV and especially strangulation; partner as last person to see the victim [45:13].

“Early on, law enforcement is told this is a suicide. They have confirmation bias... Everything they do is designed to confirm it instead of looking at it like a blank slate.” – Gerald Feynman [45:13]

6. Recent Developments & Ongoing Impact

• Devin Martin’s Legal Troubles: Post-Libby, he continued to rack up charges—kidnapping, firearms possession, and drug offenses—confirming a persistent violent pattern [47:46–51:17].
  • He was sentenced in 2025 to 11 years in federal prison for firearms and drug offenses. His parental rights to Xavier were revoked.

“He doesn’t deserve a second chance because Libby will never get her second chance.” – Cynthia Caswell [53:05]

• Family’s Continued Fight: Cynthia and the family persist with media, legal, and community advocacy. They plan further rallies and press conferences [54:44].
• Closure of the Motel: In 2025, city officials announced closure of multiple “problem motels,” including the one where Libby died, following years of advocacy on this issue [53:18–54:29].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Inconsistent Timelines:
  “That timeline doesn't make sense… If she had already been dead for several hours… there's no way she could have been fighting or screaming 20 minutes earlier.” – Ricky, [06:46]

• On the Investigation’s Failures:
  “A manner of death listed as undetermined would typically trigger deeper review… But in this case, the police closed the file as suicide.” – Ricky, [14:47]

• On the Power of Advocacy:
  “Her voice will speak for her because he took her voice away. She will fight for Devin to face a jury for murder and be put in prison for the rest of his life.” – Cynthia Caswell, [53:05]

• On Generational Trauma:
  “Sadly, that pattern is trauma repeating itself from one generation to the next. It's something experts see all the time. People normalize what they grow up around, even when it's dangerous.” – Ricky, [26:03]

• Closing Letter:
  “Mom, I wish I could have saved you. I wish I could have told you it wasn't your job to carry his pain. I wish I had more than four short years with you. I'm older now, but I still feel like that little boy standing at the window, waiting for his mom to come home.” – Letter from Libby’s son, Xavier [56:16]

Key Timestamps

• Libby’s background and her death: [01:05–06:05]
• Crime scene details & witness reports: [06:16–08:20]
• Devin’s statements and timeline issues: [08:20–09:18]
• Contradictory toxicology results: [10:48–11:55]
• Motel footage lost: [13:20–13:47]
• Early closure as suicide & family reaction: [13:47–15:14]
• Documented pattern of domestic violence: [20:18–24:06]
• Systemic failures (nuisance law, lack of protection): [24:06–26:03]
• Posthumous advocacy: [28:57–30:28]
• Independent review: new findings: [35:29–38:04]
• Red flags in staged domestic violence deaths: [43:30–45:13]
• Recent charges & motel closure: [47:46–54:44]
• Xavier’s letter: [56:16]

Conclusion & Call to Action

Ashley and Ricky highlight the harrowing reality of domestic violence and institutional indifference. They underscore the need for vigilance when suicides are reported in abusive relationships, advocate for independent forensic reviews, and call upon listeners to support Libby’s family and similar victims.

Resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
• Alliance for Hope International—The Justice Project
• Justice for Libby Facebook page

Tone: Compassionate, frank, and fiercely advocacy-driven. The hosts blend meticulous case analysis with emotional, survivor-centered perspectives and a call for community action.