Podcast Summary: Going West: True Crime – Episode 500: "Summer of Hell" (ft. Holly Madison)
Podcast Information:
- Title: Going West: True Crime
- Host/Author: Dark West Productions (Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman)
- Description: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman delve into the chilling details of various disappearance and murder cases weekly. New episodes release every Tuesday and Friday.
- Episode: Summer of Hell (featuring Holly Madison) – Episode 500
- Release Date: May 6, 2025
Introduction and Special Guest
Timestamp: 01:47 – 03:08
In this landmark 500th episode of Going West: True Crime, hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman celebrate their milestone by welcoming a very special guest, Holly Madison. Holly, renowned for her role in the TV show Girls Next Door and her memoir Down the Rabbit Hole, shares her experiences and insights related to the case discussed in this episode.
Daphne Woolsoncroft:
"Hello, everybody. Thank you so much for being a part of this amazing journey with Heath and I over these last six plus years. We appreciate each and every one of you for sticking around and listening to Going West."
(03:08)
The Summer of Hell: A Grim Chapter in St. Petersburg
Timestamp: 03:08 – 08:15
The episode delves into the harrowing events of the summer of 1983 in St. Petersburg, Florida, a period notoriously dubbed the "Summer of Hell" due to a series of unsolved homicides targeting women. The focus centers on the Suncoast Playboy Club, which had opened in May 1981 as part of Hugh Hefner's Playboy empire. Despite its initial success, the club's closure in September 1983 marked the end of a brief yet turbulent era.
Key Points:
- Suncoast Playboy Club: Opened on May 8, 1981, employing around 25 women known as Playboy Bunnies.
- Club Environment: Highly demanding with strict appearance standards and weekly weigh-ins.
- Closure: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1983, ceasing operations on September 20, 1983.
Notable Quote:
Former Bunny Kathy Komrick:
"We were such a special group. They really did a great job choosing not only the physical beauty but just nice, outgoing, wonderful, caring women. That's why it was so special to me."
(07:05)
Unraveling the Murders: Linda Lanson and Barbara Grams
Timestamp: 08:15 – 20:55
The narrative focuses on two primary victims connected to the Suncoast Playboy Club: Linda Lanson and Barbara Grams.
Linda Lanson:
- Profile: 41-year-old aspiring photographer, photographed the Bunny of the Year contest.
- Murder: Found on July 11, 1983, naked from the waist down with multiple gunshot wounds and evidence of sexual assault.
- Investigation: Initially linked to the Playboy Club employees; wrongfully convicted of Robert Dubois in 1985 based on questionable bite mark evidence.
Barbara Grams:
- Profile: 19-year-old assistant manager at Hot Potato restaurant.
- Murder: Found on August 19, 1983, similarly naked and murdered.
- Conviction: Robert Dubois was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment after DNA evidence exonerated him in 2022.
Notable Quotes:
Holly Madison:
"It's not just you. At T Mobile, VIP means y o u."
(Notice: This quote is part of an advertisement and should be skipped per instructions.)
Daphne Woolsoncroft:
"Which must have been such a horrific realization because obviously he hasn't been able to reach her."
(11:48)
Holly Madison:
"Imagine spending all of this time in prison and finding out that, I mean, he knew the whole time, but just everybody else finding out like, hey, it wasn't Robert. His DNA was not a match."
(20:55)
The Wrongful Conviction of Robert Dubois
Timestamp: 18:00 – 22:19
Robert Dubois, at 18 years old with minor non-violent charges, was wrongfully convicted for Barbara Grams' murder based on a disputed bite mark analysis and unreliable jailhouse informant testimony. After 37 years in prison, DNA evidence cleared him, revealing that serial killers Amos Robinson and Abram Scott were responsible.
Key Points:
- Conviction: Dubois was sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment.
- Exoneration: DNA testing in 2022 proved Dubois' innocence, linking the crimes to Amos and Abram.
- Impact: Dubois received $14 million in restitution but acknowledges that money cannot replace his lost years.
Notable Quotes:
Holly Madison:
"That's why the Innocence Project is so amazing. They're really just trying to make sure that people are not in prison if they didn't do the crime."
(22:47)
Daphne Woolsoncroft:
"It's honestly so sad. And especially when you realize that there are so many people right now probably that are behind bars for something that they didn't do either."
(22:37)
Amos Robinson and Abram Scott: The True Culprits
Timestamp: 29:39 – 39:53
Amos Robinson and Abram Scott emerged as the actual perpetrators behind the murders. They were responsible for a series of violent crimes in the Tampa Bay area, including the murders of Carlos Orellana and Herminia Castro.
Key Points:
- Amos Robinson: Known for violent behavior from a young age, involved in multiple murders including inmates in prison.
- Abram Scott: Involved in the same crimes as Amos, with a troubled past and history of violence.
- Criminal Activities: Their spree included the brutal murders of Linda Lanson, Barbara Grams, Carlos Orellana, and Herminia Castro.
Notable Quotes:
Daphne Woolsoncroft:
"I feel like that's kind of the dumbest connection ever."
(16:36)
Holly Madison:
"He's just low IQ and he does know right from wrong."
(34:22)
The Unsolved Murder of Carolyn Merricks
Timestamp: 42:17 – 47:12
One year after Linda Lanson's murder, Carolyn Merricks, a former Playboy bunny and Bunny of the Year winner, was found brutally murdered in her apartment. Despite extensive investigations, her case remains unsolved.
Key Points:
- Profile: Carolyn Merricks, known as Bunny Shonda, was a quiet, private individual with aspirations in broadcast journalism.
- Murder: Found stabbed over a dozen times on July 23, 1984, with no forced entry, indicating the killer was someone she knew.
- Investigation: Police interviewed over 100 people, including former Suncoast Club employees, but found no leads.
Notable Quotes:
Daphne Woolsoncroft:
"It's anyone's guess who could have been responsible for such a heinous act against such a beloved young woman in the Playboy scene."
(46:22)
Interview with Holly Madison
Timestamp: 48:00 – 58:49
Holly Madison discusses her involvement with the new season of Playboy Murders on Investigation Discovery (ID) and shares her personal experiences from her time at the Playboy Mansion. She emphasizes the importance of telling the victims' stories to provide closure and justice.
Key Points:
- Case Selection: Highlighting lesser-known stories to shed light on the victims beyond their association with Playboy.
- Personal Connection: Holly relates her experiences at the Mansion and her transition to advocating for the victims.
- Media Representation: Strives to portray victims as multi-dimensional individuals rather than mere Playboy Bunnies.
Notable Quotes:
Holly Madison:
"And you're listening to the 500th episode of Going West."
(01:51)
Heath Merryman:
"I try to tap into, if I were this person, what would I want about myself to be known other than that I was the victim of this crime or that I worked for Playboy."
(51:19)
Closing Remarks and Call for Information
Timestamp: 47:12 – 60:53
The episode concludes with a heartfelt appeal for information regarding Carolyn Merricks' unsolved murder, urging listeners who might have any leads to contact the Tampa Police Department's Unsolved Homicides Unit.
Notable Quote:
Daphne Woolsoncroft:
"If you have any information about the murder of Carolyn Marix, please call the Tampa Police Department Unsolved Homicides Unit at 813-898-1435."
(46:22)
Conclusion
In this pivotal 500th episode, Going West: True Crime not only commemorates its milestone but also brings to light the tragic and complex cases surrounding the Suncoast Playboy Club during the "Summer of Hell." Through detailed storytelling and expert insights from Holly Madison, the podcast underscores the importance of justice, the impact of wrongful convictions, and the enduring quest for closure in unsolved cases.
Final Note:
Listeners are encouraged to engage with the Playboy Murders season on ID and support ongoing investigations by providing any pertinent information.