Fear Thy Neighbor – "Cold Blooded Country"

Release Date: September 1, 2025
Host: ID
Episode Description:
In this harrowing episode set in rural Vermont, Fear Thy Neighbor recounts the deadly conflict between two neighbors—Kirby Stibe and Kevin Parker—whose escalating disputes spiral from petty squabbles to a fatal conclusion. Through first-person accounts, 911 calls, and investigator commentary, the episode explores the anatomy of a neighborly feud gone terribly wrong, leading listeners from idyllic beginnings to tragedy.

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode examines how simple, everyday neighbor disputes can evolve into life-altering—or ending—nightmares. With access to candid interviews and law enforcement reflections, it dives deeply into the psychological escalation, power dynamics, and lack of intervention that allowed a parking disagreement to snowball into harassment, violence, and ultimately murder.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting & Characters

• Location: Wardsboro, Vermont; a postcard-worthy, close-knit rural community with no local police department ([02:48]-[03:04]).
• Kirby Stibe: Hard-working, gentle road crew worker, lifelong resident; owned property with his family ([03:41]-[04:11], [04:27]).
• Kevin Parker: New neighbor, bachelor, carpenter, dog lover; initially bonds with Kirby over hunting ([05:17]-[06:16]).
• Laurie Gallagher: Kirby's partner, provided key narration and emotional insight ([03:30], throughout).

The Feud Begins: Parking & Property Disputes

• Initial Friendship: Kirby welcomes Kevin, friendship blossoms; they hunt together and appear compatible ([06:09]-[06:38]).

• Noise Complaint: Dispute begins when a malfunctioning alarm in Kirby's work truck repeatedly wakes Kevin ([07:19]-[08:08]).

  "You woke me up, man. You have any idea what time it is?" – Kevin ([07:28]).

• Parking Rights: Kevin demands Kirby stop parking work trucks on his land, constructing a rock wall and leaving a harsh voicemail.

  "Kirby, it’s Kevin. Listen up, jerk. I want your truck off my property today. You got it?" – Kevin ([09:35]).

• Kirby’s Perspective: Feels blindsided by the new restrictions after years of informal parking; Kevin asserts property rights ([09:05]-[09:25]).

• Escalation: Wall construction, accusations of trespassing, and building of a new driveway fuel bitterness ([10:02]).

Retaliation & Harassment

• Hostility Escalates:

  • Screws and nails appear in Kirby’s driveway; Kirby suspects Kevin, calls police ([15:44]-[16:23]).
  • Kevin counters by complaining to police about horse manure caused by Kirby’s horse, Pete ([16:37]-[17:05]).
  • Animal carcasses are found on the Stibe property—a clear, chilling threat ([17:43]-[18:04]).

    "We found animal carcasses on our property... It was a serious warning." – Laurie ([17:43]-[18:04])

• Law Enforcement Response:
  Police remain powerless without direct evidence; both sides feel abandoned and helpless ([18:24]-[18:45]).

  "It's what we can prove. It's not what we know." – Vermont State Trooper James Matthews ([16:32])

• Public Harassment:
  Kevin makes his animosity public by putting up a sign:

  "There was a sign that Mr. Parker had put on his property that said, 'white trash go away.'" – Trooper James Matthews ([26:23])

Violence & Intimidation

• Gunshots Fired:
  The Stibes return from a trip to find their house pockmarked by over 80 bullet holes.

  "If any of the Stibes were home at that point, Don would have gotten shot because there was a bullet hole through the window into the back of Don's chair." – Laurie ([20:02])

• Police Inaction:
  Despite suspicions, no charges; police repeatedly cite lack of evidence ([20:45]-[21:40]).

• Final Confrontations:

  • Physical threats and invitations to fight are exchanged; Laurie pushes Kirby to defend himself, but he is reluctant ([14:38]-[14:59]).

  • Kevin allegedly shoots in Kirby’s direction, then explicitly threatens:

    "If he comes on my property again, I will [shoot him]." – Kevin ([24:36])

  • Police urge the Stibes to install security; Kirby begins carrying a concealed pistol out of fear ([25:08]-[25:24]).

Tragic Climax

• Day of the Shooting [29:14 - 32:17]:

  • October 18, 2016: Pete the horse gets loose; Kirby, armed, cleans up the manure from a neighbor’s lawn.

  • Gunshots ring out; Kirby is found shot dead by Laurie, after suffering three bullet wounds ([31:08]-[32:17]).

    "Kirby was laying disheveled looking. He wasn't laying right. Get up, Kirby... And Kirby was laying disheveled looking. He wasn't laying right." – Laurie ([31:08]-[31:36])

  • Kevin’s 911 call:

    "He was shooting at me, so I shot him. I can't believe I've thrown my life away." – Kevin ([31:55])

  • Investigation finds no evidence that Kirby fired his weapon ([34:42]).

Aftermath & Justice

• Kevin Arrested and Released:
  Kevin is not held overnight; only later faces trial ([33:56], [34:15]).

• Delayed Justice:
  Trial delayed until 2023; by then, both Kirby’s parents have died ([34:15]-[34:33]).

  "Joan had passed of cancer. She never got to see the trial." – Trooper James Matthews ([34:33])

• Verdict:
  Kevin acquitted; family and friends left devastated ([35:00]).

  "Kevin killed somebody and got away with it." – Laurie ([35:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Some of the most shocking and deadly conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors in ordinary neighborhoods." – Host ([00:52])
• "We found animal carcasses on our property... It was a serious warning." – Laurie ([17:43]-[18:04])
• "There was a sign that Mr. Parker had put on his property that said, 'white trash go away.'" – Trooper Matthews ([26:23])
• "If he comes on my property again, I will [shoot him]." – Kevin ([24:36])
• "Kirby was the most loving person. You know, I still struggle and I get really upset... I lost everything. I lost my future." – Laurie ([36:00]-[36:38])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Introduction to the idyllic setting | 02:48–03:41 | | Kevin moves in, befriends Kirby | 05:09–06:16 | | Parking dispute begins | 07:19–08:08 | | Wall and voicemail escalate tensions | 09:35–10:19 | | Animal carcasses found, threats increase | 17:43–18:04 | | 80 bullet holes found in Stibe family home | 20:02–20:21 | | Kevin fires at (or near) Kirby | 23:32–24:52 | | Day of the shooting | 29:14–32:23 | | Family tragedy and delayed trial | 34:02–34:33 | | Acquittal and aftermath for survivors | 35:00–36:38 |

Tone & Narration

The episode’s tone is suspenseful and emotional, driven by the palpable fear and frustration of the Stibe family, the exasperation of investigators, and the unmitigated escalation that feels, in hindsight, both avoidable and inevitable. The narration maintains empathy for the victims while underscoring the impotence of law enforcement and the unpredictable violence lurking behind rural neighborly facades.

Final Reflections

"Cold Blooded Country" is a chilling case study of how failed communication, legal ambiguity, and compounding grievances can shatter lives. With first-hand narrative and law enforcement commentary, the episode drives home how easily small conflicts can become lethal—and how justice can remain elusive.

For more gripping tales like this, revisit previous episodes of Fear Thy Neighbor, or explore the true-crime anthology Deadliest Decade.