Podcast Summary – Fear Thy Neighbor

Episode: Better Get to Running
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: ID

Overview

This episode of Fear Thy Neighbor, titled "Better Get to Running," explores the tragic escalation of a conflict between two families in the rural heartland outside Hagerstown, Indiana. What begins as minor annoyances between the retired Wilson couple and their new neighbors, the young Simpson-Southard family, spirals into a deadly feud fueled by personality clashes, property disputes, animal altercations, and unresolved resentment. The story is told through interviews, commentary from law enforcement, family, and neighbors, and features real 911 audio, culminating in a fatal day and the legal aftermath.

Key Discussion Points and Episode Structure

Setting the Scene and Introductions

• Location: Countryside on the edge of Hagerstown, Indiana—quiet, open, rural farmland.
• The Wilsons: Billy Wilson, Vietnam vet, and his wife Mabel, inhabitants for nearly 40 years (04:09).
• The Simpsons-Southards: Young couple Casey Simpson and Rachelle Southard, two young kids, new to the area. Casey is a jack-of-all-trades with a passion for racing, and Rachelle a healthcare worker (05:15, 05:34).
• Initial Relations: Friendly and cordial beginnings—offers of leftover shingles, gentle neighbor interactions (07:09).
• Tone: From peaceful coexistence to simmering resentment.

Escalation of Tensions

• Lifestyle Clashes:
  – The Wilsons disapprove of the noise and perceived mess from Casey’s garage projects, ATV use, and parties (07:53, 08:10).
  – Nighttime incidents (fireworks, parties) disrupt Wilsons’ peace (08:46).
  – Perception divides: Rick Bush (town marshal) defends Casey’s property maintenance (08:22).

• Inciting Incidents:
  – Party on what Billy claims is a cemetery sparks emotional confrontation (11:15); Casey and friends unaware, as there are no visible markers (11:47, 11:57).

• Quotable Confrontations:

  “These are soldiers. They fought for our freedom. I fought in Vietnam for people like you. Now show some damn respect.”
  – Billy to Casey over fireworks on alleged graveyard (12:05).

Animal and Property Disputes

• New Family Member:
  – Casey gets a large, intimidating dog named Zeus. Frequent concerns about the dog roaming and threatening the Wilsons’ cat, Elsa (15:30–16:10).
• Gun Range Incident:
  – Zeus appears aggressive toward Billy at the local range, increasing Billy’s anxiety (16:27).
• Police Involvement:
  – Billy seeks advice from a VA psychologist; tries to remain calm (17:02).
  – After more altercations, Billy calls the sheriff, who tells him he can protect himself from the dog (18:34).

Violence Erupts

• Zeus is Shot:
  – Billy shoots Zeus, claiming self-defense. Dog was retreating when shot, based on wound location (19:20–20:39).
• Aftermath:
  – Police intervention, but no charges against Billy (20:49).
  – Relations worsen; Casey builds a fence for security but the boundary is disputed (21:25–23:15).
• Psychological Toll:
  – Both families feel besieged and unsafe. Casey installs surveillance; kids are barred from outside (23:15–23:32).

Retaliation and Tit-for-Tat

• Chickens Killed:
  – Rachelle’s chickens are mysteriously killed; suspicion falls on Billy but is unproved (26:52).
• Elsa the Cat is Killed:
  – Casey, still bitter over Zeus and the chickens, kills the Wilsons’ cat and leaves it in their yard (27:54).
• Cycle of Threats:
  – Direct threats escalate:

  “One day, I’m gonna take care of you. You and your kids.” – Billy to Rachelle (25:15)
  “It means I’m gonna shoot you all.” (25:20)

The Fatal Encounter

• Property Line Survey Showdown:
  – Surveyor confirms property line favors Casey, including Billy’s driveway (30:02). – Confrontation escalates; Billy loses control.
  • As Casey begins marking his new boundary, Billy threatens him:

    “You better get your ass back in the house before I shoot you.” – Billy (31:01)
    “You better get to running.” (31:13)

• Shooting:
  – Billy shoots Casey multiple times as he flees. Casey tries to escape and loses his gun (31:19–31:46). – Rachelle witnesses Billy approach the house with gun in hand, slams the door, and calls 911 (32:29).
• Real 911 Call (32:29):
  – Rachelle: “Please get in here now. Somebody’s trying to shoot you. I am kissing home.”
  – Billy calls 911, confesses shooting Casey, but claims self-defense (32:47).
  – Police arrive, Billy refuses initial commands, but is ultimately arrested (33:12).

Legal and Emotional Aftermath

• Casey’s Death:
  – Casey dies in hospital after being airlifted (33:59).

• Trial and Sentencing:
  – Billy Wilson is charged with first degree homicide; claims self-defense. The surveyor testifies Billy shot Casey as he fled, undermining self-defense (34:33, 34:52).
  – Convicted and sentenced to 48 years; shows no remorse (35:12, 35:22).

• Enduring Trauma:
  – Casey’s mother, Andrea, imparts a lesson:

  “Don’t ever think your neighbor won’t shoot you if they’re threatening it, because evidently they will... Avoid them at all costs. You just can’t explain how you feel when you lose a child... It just affects you so bad every day like you just can’t even imagine.” (36:01)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Early Tensions:
  • "At the beginning, everything was pretty good. I mean, I don’t think that they had cookouts and stuff, but it was at least peaceful." – Detective Andy Wandersea (07:27)
• On Billy’s Motivation:
  • "If they was talking, it wouldn’t be the greatest conversation to be in since New York. Neither one of them liked the other one." – Danny McMillan (13:57)
• Surveillance and Fear:
  • "Casey did install surveillance cameras on the house because they were afraid of Billy’s threats." – Andy Wandersea (23:15)
• On the Shootings:
  • “Shot a dog. Shot the owner. Claimed self-defense on both occasions. Eyewitness testimony clearly pointed the other way.” – Andrea Simpson (34:57)
• Final Lesson:
  • "Don’t ever think your neighbor won’t shoot you if they’re threatening it because evidently they will … avoid them at all costs." – Andrea Simpson (36:01)

Key Timestamps of Important Segments

• Rural Setting and Character Introductions: 03:50–05:26
• First Hospitality Turned Sour: 07:09–08:32
• Party Incident on “Cemetery” Land: 10:46–12:17
• Clash over Dog Zeus and Gun Range Attack: 15:30–16:45
• Billy Shoots the Dog: 19:16–20:39
• Cat is Killed in Retaliation: 27:38–28:14
• Showdown at Property Line, Surveyor’s Ruling: 29:56–30:32
• Deadly Confrontation and Shooting: 31:01–32:29
• Real 911 Calls: 32:29–32:56
• Casey’s Death and Legal Resolution: 33:59–35:22
• Reflection from Casey’s Mother: 36:01–36:41

Tone and Reflection

The story is marked by a sense of mounting dread, disbelief at how small grievances can spiral into tragedy, and the heartbreak of irreparable loss for both families and community. The speakers candidly share sorrow, anger, and lessons hard-won through traumatic experience.

This episode of Fear Thy Neighbor offers a visceral illustration of how resentment, pride, and lack of mediation can irreparably destroy lives—warning listeners of the deadly potential lurking even in the quietest neighborhoods.