Podcast
Deep Dark South: True Crime With A Twang
Hosted by Hydra Productions Online LLC · EN
What makes a person capable of a heinous act? We're exploring the dark side of the South, one crime at a time.
We’re just a married couple and a best friend who are obsessed with true crime, and we’re here to share our morbid fascination with you. Each week, we get together to dissect detailed accounts of both well-known and lesser-known true crime cases in the Southern United States.
From the first 911 call to the final verdict, we take a deep dive into the minds of criminals, the lives of victims, and the complexities of the justice system. We maybe even find a little bit of dark humor alo
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Murdered in the Sunshine State: The Sims and Walker Family Tragedies
Nov 1000:19:54Tap to summarizeIn this chilling double feature, host Raven takes listeners deep into two of Florida’s most haunting unsolved crimes — murders that shattered the illusion of safety in the Deep South and left generations grasping for answers.First, we revisit Tallahassee, 1966, where the Sims family was brutally slain inside their own home. Three lives lost, no forced entry, and no motive — a crime so senseless it changed the city forever. Then, we travel further back to Osprey, Florida, 1959, where the Walker family was massacred just six days before Christmas. The case’s eerie parallels to the Clutter family murders (the crime behind In Cold Blood) raise one terrifying question: did the same killers strike again in Florida?With haunting narration, historical context, and forensic insight, this episode of Deep Dark South shines a light on two devastating mysteries that remain unsolved to this day — a sobering reminder that evil can hide in even the most ordinary of places.[00:00] – Introduction: Raven sets the tone and theme for the episode.[01:40] – The Sims Family Murders (1966, Tallahassee): a quiet Southern town forever changed.[06:00] – Discovery of the crime scene and its horrifying details.[09:30] – Investigation missteps and contamination at 641 Muriel Court.[12:00] – Theories: the pastor, the teenage suspects, and the haunting lack of closure.[16:30] – The community fallout and enduring trauma.[18:00] – Transition: Raven introduces the Walker family case.[19:00] – The Walker Family Murders (1959, Osprey): tragedy before Christmas.[22:30] – The discovery, evidence, and chilling parallels to the Clutter killings.[27:00] – Theories linking Richard Hickock and Perry Smith (In Cold Blood) to the Walkers.[30:00] – DNA testing, unresolved questions, and modern forensic hope.[33:00] – Closing reflections and call to listeners for awareness and vigilance.Cases Covered:The Sims Family Murders – Tallahassee, Florida, October 22, 1966.The Walker Family Murders – Osprey, Florida, December 19, 1959.Documentary Mentioned:641 Muriel Court (A detailed look into the Sims family case).Key Individuals:Robert, Helen, and Joy Sims – victims in Tallahassee.Cliff, Christine, Jimmie, and Debbie Walker – victims in Osprey.Sheriff Larry Campbell – early investigator of the Sims murders.Richard “Dick” Hickock and Perry Smith – killers of the Clutter family, possible suspects in the Walker murders.Resources & Further Reading:Florida Department of Law Enforcement Cold Case DatabaseIn Cold Blood by Truman CapoteSarasota Herald-Tribune archives on the Walker family murdersTallahassee Democrat coverage of the Sims case anniversariesSupport the Show:Patreon.com/DeepDarkSouthBuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth🕵️ Episode Highlights:🧾 Show Notes:
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The Monster That Lives Too Close: The Murders of Christopher Barrios Jr. & Parker Scholtes
Nov 300:23:50Tap to summarizeIn this devastating episode of Deep Dark South, Raven pulls back the curtain on the kind of monsters that don’t hide in the woods — they live across the street, or sleep under the same roof.First, she takes us to Brunswick, Georgia, where six-year-old Christopher Barrios Jr. vanished from his mobile home park in 2007. What unfolded next was a case so horrifying it would shake even the most hardened investigators — a story of trust betrayed by the very neighbors sworn to watch out for him.Then Raven pivots to an ongoing nightmare out West: the heartbreaking Parker Scholtes case in Arizona. A two-year-old left in a car for hours by her own father — a crime born not of malice, but of staggering selfishness.Two different stories. Two forms of evil.One truth: the greatest threats to our children often come from where we least expect.Through her signature Southern gothic storytelling — equal parts grit, empathy, and dark wit — Raven examines how cruelty thrives in everyday places and what it means to stay vigilant in a world that keeps testing the light.🎧 Listen to bonus content and Southern lore episodes on Patreon: Patreon.com/DeepDarkSouth🛍️ Support the show with merch: BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth🕯️ Child advocacy & prevention resources: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — 1-800-4-A-CHILDChristopher Barrios Jr case, Parker Scholtes case, Deep Dark South podcast, Georgia child murder, Arizona hot car death, Southern true crime podcast, Deep Dark South Raven, Brunswick Georgia murder, child abuse awareness, Southern Gothic true crime
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Evil in the Neighborhood: The Murder of Tristyn Bailey
Oct 2700:47:36Tap to summarizeThis week on Deep Dark South, Raven and Eric dive deep into one of the most chilling cases in recent Florida history — the murder of 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey by her 14-year-old classmate, Aiden Fucci. It’s a story that shattered a community, raising haunting questions about youth, violence, mental health, and the systems that fail both victims and offenders.Through compassion and curiosity, the hosts unpack not only the details of that tragic night but also the ethical complexities of trying minors as adults, the impact of trauma and neglect, and the ripple effects of one family’s unimaginable loss.Between tears, tough questions, and thoughtful conversation, Raven and Eric explore how the Bailey family has turned grief into advocacy — and what we can learn about protecting the vulnerable before tragedy strikes again.Fun Segment:Before diving into the case, Raven and Eric catch up about new Deep Dark South merch (mugs, bags, and shirts available now!) and geek out over the Twilight anniversary re-release — because even true crime lovers need a little sparkle.Mentioned Links:The Tristyn Bailey Foundation: tristynbaileyfoundation.comDr. Gregory Prichard’s testimony (YouTube link if available)Deep Dark South Merch: https://linktr.ee/deepdarksouth#DeepDarkSouthPodcast #TrueCrime #TristynBailey #AidenFucci #FloridaCrime #JusticeForTristyn #SouthernTrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast
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The Quiet Kind of Evil: The Murders of John Moody & Richard Garcia
Oct 2200:17:03Tap to summarizeIn this haunting double case, Raven explores two Florida murders that reveal how evil can hide in plain sight.In 1994, kind-hearted John Moody opened his door to help a young man — and paid for it with his life.Just four years later, Richard Garcia did the same, extending a hand to someone down on his luck. Both men’s generosity would end in tragedy.Through her signature Southern storytelling — with dark wit, empathy, and a cup of something strong — Raven pulls apart how “quiet evil” thrives on trust, and how the smallest acts of kindness can sometimes bring you face-to-face with the darkest parts of humanity.Support the show & keep the stories alive. Join us on Patreon for early access to episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and bonus case discussions. Prefer a one-time gesture? You can help fund ongoing research at BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth.Every contribution helps shine a light on unsolved and underreported cases. 🕯️💜
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Missing Without A Trace: From Morgan Nick's Legacy to Lisa Irwin’s Vanishing
Oct 1400:35:19Tap to summarizeIn this compelling episode of Deep Dark South, we finish our first case—then shift into a full spotlight on one of America’s most haunting child disappearances: Lisa Renée Irwin, just ten months old, vanished from her Kansas City home in October 2011.Lights blazing. Doors unlocked. Phones missing. Witnesses saw a man walking with a baby. A cadaver dog alerted near her mother’s bed.But with no charges, no body, and no definitive answers, Lisa’s case remains a puzzle locked in time.Raven and Eric walk you through every twist, theory, and haunting detail—and ask: how does a baby vanish from her own crib without leaving a trace?Support the show & keep the stories alive.Join us on Patreon for early access to episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and bonus case discussions.Prefer a one-time gesture? You can help fund ongoing research at BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth.Every contribution helps shine a light on unsolved and underreported cases. 🕯️💜
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Highway 82: The Vanishings of Shannon Paulk & Heaven LaShae Ross (Part 2)
Sep 2400:38:30Tap to summarizeIn the second half of Deep Dark South’s chilling debut, Raven and Lanie return to the Highway 82 corridor to follow the haunting trail of three 11-year-old girls whose disappearances rocked their small Southern communities.Picking up with the unsolved murder of Shannon Paulk (2001), the hosts reveal new details of the investigation, a mysterious suspect sketch, a secretive grand jury, and the lingering frustration of a mother who still doesn’t know how her daughter died. From there, they examine the heartbreaking case of Heaven “Shae” LaShae Ross (2003)—a vibrant sixth-grader whose morning walk to the school bus ended in tragedy, sparking nationwide attention, suspicious family turmoil, and a devastating discovery three years later.Are these cases mere coincidence, or the work of a predator stalking young girls along Highway 82? Raven and Lanie weigh the evidence, sift through rumors, and invite listeners to form their own conclusions.Get early access and bonus content!Support the show on Patreon to unlock upcoming episodes, exclusive case updates, and behind-the-scenes commentary.Prefer a one-time gesture? Help keep the research going at BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth.Your support keeps these stories alive and helps shine a light on unsolved cases. 🕯️💜
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The Bathtub Killer: Dale Scheanette’s Reign of Terror
Jul 2800:25:00Tap to summarizeIn this chilling episode of Deep Dark South, Raven and Eric examine the terrifying case of Dale Scheanette, the so-called Bathtub Killer who stalked women in Arlington, Texas, during the late 1990s.Starting with the 1996 murders of Christine Vu and Wendie Prescott, Scheanette’s crimes sent shockwaves through the Peachtree Apartments community. Both women were found bound, assaulted, and strangled in their bathtubs—months apart, yet eerily similar. The killings sparked fear across the region and prompted a desperate hunt for a predator who seemed to vanish without a trace.Between 1998 and 1999, Scheanette attacked at least four more women, some of whom bravely survived to testify against him. A chance arrest during a burglary finally revealed his fingerprints and DNA, linking him to the murders. Despite a “good upbringing” defense, Scheanette showed no remorse, offering only cryptic final words before his 2009 execution.Raven and Eric break down the investigation, survivor stories, and the unsettling psychology behind a killer who inflicted terror simply because he wanted to.⚠️ Content WarningThis episode contains discussion of sexual assault, murder, and graphic violence.Listener discretion is strongly advised.Support the show & keep the stories alive.Join us on Patreon for early access to episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and bonus case discussions.Prefer a one-time gesture? You can help fund ongoing research at BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth.Every contribution helps shine a light on unsolved and underreported cases. 🕯️💜
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Justice for Two Young Mothers: The Unsolved Murders of Katrina Bentivegna & Andrea Cotten
Jul 2200:41:11Tap to summarizeIn this heart-wrenching episode of Deep Dark South, Raven and Eric spotlight two young mothers whose lives were stolen and whose cases remain unsolved decades later.First, Raven recounts the brutal 1995 homicide of 20-year-old Katrina Kay Bentivegna, whose dismembered body was found in a shallow Oklahoma grave. For 27 years she remained a Jane Doe—until cutting-edge forensic genealogy finally restored her name. But even with identification, her killer has never been caught, leaving her son and family searching for justice.Next, the hosts examine the 2004 disappearance of 17-year-old Andrea Cotten from Corsicana, Texas. Andrea vanished after leaving a cousin’s house, and conflicting witness accounts, troubling family dynamics, and delayed reporting have kept her case cold for nearly two decades. Despite age-progressed images and ongoing leads, Andrea’s fate is still unknown.These two stories expose the heartbreaking reality of unsolved violence against women—and the families who continue to fight for answers long after the headlines fade.⚠️ Content WarningThis episode contains discussion of graphic violence, dismemberment, sexual abuse allegations, and the disappearance of a minor.Listener discretion is strongly advised.Help keep these stories alive.Support Deep Dark South on Patreon for early access to episodes, bonus cold case updates, and behind-the-scenes discussions.Prefer a one-time show of support? Share a coffee with us at BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth to help fund research that keeps pressure on unsolved cases. 🕯️💜
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Strange Cases of the Missing: Bethany Markowski & Dana Lanell Stidham
Jul 1400:41:53Tap to summarizeIn this two-part deep dive, Raven and co-host Eric unravel two haunting disappearances separated by time and state lines—but united by unanswered questions.The first half explores the 2001 disappearance of 11-year-old Bethany Markowski from a Tennessee mall after a fraught custody battle and disturbing abuse allegations. Despite eyewitness reports of a mysterious woman enrolling a girl who looked like Bethany in a school weeks later, and hundreds of tips over two decades, Bethany’s fate remains a heartbreaking mystery.The second case reaches back to 1989, when 18-year-old Dana Lanell Stidham vanished during a routine errand in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Her abandoned car, scattered belongings, and remains discovered weeks later point to a violent crime—but despite potential suspects, bizarre alibis, and tantalizing clues, Dana’s killer has never been caught.These cases remind us how fragile justice can be and how the smallest details—a broken-down truck, a flat tire, or a stranger’s fleeting sighting—can mean everything in the search for the missing.⚠️ Content WarningThis episode contains discussion of child abduction, sexual abuse allegations, violence, and homicide.Listener discretion is strongly advised.Help us keep these cases alive.Support Deep Dark South on Patreon for early access to multi-part episodes, bonus cold case updates, and personal shoutouts.Prefer a one-time gesture? Share a coffee with us at BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth and help fund research that keeps these stories in the public eye. 🕯️💜
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The Vanishing of the Jamison Family: $32,000 Cash, Ghosts, and a Tragic Discovery
Jun 9, 202500:46:02Tap to summarizeIn October 2009, Bobby, Sherilynn, and six-year-old Madyson Jamison set off for a quick trip to view a piece of rural property in the Sans Bois Mountains of Oklahoma. Days later, their truck was found abandoned—filled with wallets, cell phones, GPS, $32,000 in cash, and their starving family dog.Four years would pass before hunters discovered the Jamisons’ skeletal remains a mere three miles from the truck, sparking one of Oklahoma’s most perplexing mysteries.In this chilling episode of Deep Dark South, Raven and co-host Lanie unravel the Jamison family’s strange final days: eerie security footage showing trance-like behavior, occult practices, violent family feuds, and a list of suspects ranging from white supremacists to drug traffickers. Was this a drug deal gone wrong, a cult killing, an accident in the woods, or something even more sinister?⚠️ Content WarningThis episode contains discussion of child death, mental illness, violence, and disturbing theories.Listener discretion is strongly advised.Help keep the mic on & the mysteries alive!Support Deep Dark South on Patreon for early access to multi-part episodes, bonus content, and personal shoutouts.Prefer a one-time gesture? Fuel our late-night research sessions at BuyMeACoffee.com/DeepDarkSouth.Every dollar keeps these unsolved stories in the light. 🕯️💜
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