Culpable: "A Bad Trip" | Episode 3 Summary
Podcast: Culpable
Host: Dennis Cooper (Tenderfoot TV & Audacy)
Date: September 8, 2025
Episode: "A Bad Trip" (S3, E3)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Dennis Cooper continues the investigation into the mysterious 1998 death of 17-year-old Danny Violette, found in a cornfield with suspicious injuries after being missing for 11 days. The episode explores Danny's final days, focusing especially on a Friday night involving LSD, the "acid trip" narrative, and the health crisis Danny suffered, as well as the lingering question: Was his death an accident, suicide, or homicide? Through interviews with Danny's friends, police interrogations, expert commentary, and autopsy findings, the episode methodically pieces together the night’s events and the possible motives—or lack thereof—surrounding his fate.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Police Interviews with Danny’s Friends
- Timeline Reconstruction: Investigators bring in Danny’s circle of friends (Steve, Judd, Adam, Matt) to reconstruct the events before his disappearance.
- Drug Deal Narrative: All accounts center on the group’s trip to Galleon to acquire acid (LSD), with Steve claiming the acid was fronted to Danny and he was to repay the supplier—potentially introducing a motive.
- Health Crisis: Multiple friends describe Danny behaving incoherently and suffering a seizure after taking the acid, an incident raising questions about his state and vulnerability.
“He was just like, making no sense… Think he was on anything? Yeah. What was he on? Acid. How do you know he was on acid? He told me.”
— Judd (13:34)
- Rumored Threats: After Danny went missing, Steve hears rumors—via Adam—that the drug supplier was threatening Danny over unpaid debt:
“Daddy better get the money back to him or he’s gonna beat his ass.”
— Dan Castle, retold by Steve (10:27)
2. Community Context and Local Response
- Setting: Eric, a local resident and advocate, describes Willard in the late 90s as a quiet ‘farm and factory’ town without a major drug or crime problem—typical teenage mischief notwithstanding (04:43).
- Justice for Danny Movement: Danielle and Eric have reignited local interest, with black and orange "Justice for Danny" signs visible across town.
“Since they started advocating for Danny, there’s been a resurgence of interest in his case… there’s enough [signs] spread around that it practically makes a trail leading to Danny’s house.”
— Dennis Cooper (06:41)
3. Evidence from the Crime Scene
- Initial Oversight: New items—Danny’s wallet, six ripped-up dollars, and his Michigan University T-shirt—are discovered in the cornfield after the first search, raising concerns about police thoroughness or potential evidence tampering.
- Interpretation Questions: The location and state of these items suggest possible altercation or attempts at repayment, but details remain murky.
“Why would there be a large patch of corn knocked down outside the line of harvesting? Could a fight have broken out there?”
— Dennis Cooper (22:28)
4. Interview with the Acid Supplier
- Supplier’s Account: The supplier details the night’s movements, admits Danny owed him $85, but adamantly denies involvement in Danny's death; agrees to take (and later passes) a polygraph.
- Supplier’s Theory: Claims neither he nor his associates knew Danny or would have had motive to harm him.
"I want to clarify that the acid and anything that happened to Danny had no relevancy to each other... I know that I didn’t do anything… I will gladly take any test.”
— Acid Supplier (24:18, 29:39)
5. Medical and Toxicology Analysis
- Expert Interview: Dr. Alyssa Peckham (psychiatry and addiction pharmacology) assesses Danny’s prescription history (lithium, Seroquel), toxicology findings (LSD and the anti-seizure drug Zurontin), and possible medical scenarios.
- Polypharmacy Risks: The combination of lithium and LSD dramatically increases seizure risks, and strobe lights further lower the threshold (30:33, 44:37).
- Key Findings: No alcohol, no lithium detected in toxicology, only trace LSD (consistent with ingestion at least 12–24 hours earlier), and a non-prescribed anti-seizure drug at subtherapeutic levels.
- Negative Overdose Theory: Dr. Peckham dismisses a fatal LSD overdose as unlikely.
"You don't take LSD, have a bad trip, go to sleep, wake up the next day, feel a little groggy, have everyone later on in the day report that you were fine...and then you end up dead in a cornfield. I have a hard time linking that back to LSD."
— Dr. Alyssa Peckham (45:47)
6. Alternative Theories and Autopsy Suspicion
- Autopsy Review: The manner of death is "undetermined," but the cause is asphyxia (by ligature or airway blockage). There are post-mortem abrasions suggestive of possible body movement post-mortem or a struggle.
- Expert Suspicion: Dr. Peckham and Dennis both highlight the suspicious injuries and question whether Danny’s death was solely drug-related.
"The one thing that stuck out to me is the post mortem abrasions...to me that sounds like there was another person involved in perhaps moving or manipulating the body...that's suspicious, to say the least."
— Dr. Alyssa Peckham (47:13)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Honestly, we were good kids. It’s just what people did, you know?” – Eric (04:43)
- “If it's about dope, then that's just, you know, that's the way it is. But if we can find these guys, get them in jail where they belong, that's where we're headed.” – Detective McLaughlin (16:55)
- “Was this just all good fun that went bad? I don't know but I think you have to keep an open mind for that. Cuz if you are doing acid, God knows the different possibilities.” – Unnamed Officer (48:02)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 02:20 | Police begin interviews with Danny’s friends, focusing on his mental state, acid use, and group dynamics | | 05:28 | Eric describes 1990s Willard and "Justice for Danny" local activism | | 08:12 | Reconstructing the night of the acid pick-up in Galleon; last sighting of Danny post-Friday night | | 13:24 | Judd Interview: Reconfirms timeline, notes Danny’s confusion after acid intake | | 15:36 | Adam Interview: Confirms acid debt, retells supplier threat rumor | | 18:12 | Matt Interview: Offers vague, noncommittal answers about the acid trip and Friday night | | 21:36 | Discovery of Danny’s wallet, ripped money, and shirt in the cornfield | | 24:18 | Detective interviews with the drug supplier; supplier’s alibi and polygraph offer | | 30:33 | Dr. Peckham discusses seizure risks with lithium and LSD combinations | | 35:57 | Dr. Peckham’s credentials and initial assessment of Danny’s medical and psychiatric history | | 39:14 | Puzzling absence of lithium in Danny’s tox report | | 41:19 | Analysis of LSD levels, dosing, and timing before death | | 43:11 | Role and possible reasons for anti-seizure drug Zurontin in Danny’s system | | 44:37 | Theory on why Danny had a seizure—drug interactions, strobe light | | 45:47 | Dismisses likelihood of LSD overdose/catalyzed death | | 47:13 | Concerns about post-mortem abrasions and their implications |
Flow of the Episode
The episode is a slow-burn, detail-heavy investigation that balances procedural police work, testimonies, and expert insight with compassionate, community-driven perspective. It raises critical questions about drug culture, police errors, the dangers of stigmatizing mental health/substance use, and the ambiguity in autopsy findings. The episode ends not with answers, but deeper questions about motive, accident vs. homicide, and the importance of scrutinizing every aspect before drawing conclusions.
Closing Thoughts
Episode 3 of "Culpable: A Bad Trip" draws listeners deep into the complicated web of Danny Violette’s final days, presenting thorough analysis, firsthand accounts, and expert medical opinion. While the acid-trip narrative dominates local rumor and some police theories, the evidence and expert commentary cast doubt on a simple accidental death, underscoring the need to investigate all avenues—including possible foul play. The episode sets up future explorations of forensic pathology and alternative scenarios as the search for justice continues.