Gone South | S4E9: Good Friends – Detailed Summary
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Introduction
In Season 4, Episode 9 of "Gone South," hosted by Jed Lipinski, the podcast delves into the chilling and largely forgotten series of murders targeting the LGBTQ community in New Orleans during the summer of 1984. Titled "Good Friends," this episode unravels the intricate investigation led by documentary producer Vaughn Trudeau to uncover the truth behind the so-called Hammer Murders.
1. The Forgotten 1984 Hammer Murders
Timestamp: [00:38] – [02:50]
The episode opens against the vibrant backdrop of the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans, juxtaposing the city's festive atmosphere with a sinister undercurrent. Between late May and July of that summer, five gay men were brutally murdered in their homes, allegedly with hammers. Three of the victims died, and two were left permanently disabled. Initial reports by the Times Picayune suggested a possible connection between these killings, linking all victims to gay bars in the French Quarter. Despite intense fear within the queer community about a potential serial killer, the attacks ceased abruptly by the end of summer, and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) investigation went cold without any arrests. The case remained unsolved for over three decades until Vaughn Trudeau's inadvertent discovery reignited interest.
2. Vaughn Trudeau's Awakening
Timestamp: [02:50] – [03:35]
Vaughn Trudeau, a young documentary producer, recounts his initial indifference toward New Orleans during a cross-country trip with his mother. However, upon entering the city, he experiences an inexplicable sense of belonging, leading him to decide to make New Orleans his home in 2017. Immersing himself in the local LGBTQ community through volunteering with New Orleans Pride, Vaughn gains invaluable insights into the city’s queer history, laying the foundation for his future investigation.
Notable Quote:
“Something strange happened the moment we drove into the outskirts of town on Interstate 10. I had this very sudden, jarring feeling like I belonged there and like someday I would die there in a happy way.”
— Vaughn Trudeau [02:50]
3. Delving into the Past
a. Discovering the Overlooked Murders
Timestamp: [05:26] – [06:26]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vaughn reads a local historian's book, In Exile, the Queer History of the French Quarter, where he stumbles upon a brief mention of the 1984 Hammer Murders. Confused by the scant coverage compared to other incidents like the Upstairs Lounge fire and the French Quarter Slasher, Vaughn becomes determined to uncover why these murders were forgotten.
Notable Quote:
“I was just really overtaken with curiosity in this way that I don't think I ever have been by anything before.”
— Vaughn Trudeau [06:26]
b. Public Records Request
Timestamp: [09:11] – [10:29]
Vaughn initiates a public records request to the NOPD for detailed information on the Hammer Murders. Surprisingly, despite an initial rejection stating that the cases were still open, he soon receives an unexpected batch of hundreds of pages containing police records, including details of a sixth hammer attack previously unreported.
Notable Quote:
“It was any sort of police correspondence, so even inter office and interdepartmental memos that they were sharing with each other, it was summaries of witness interviews.”
— Vaughn Trudeau [12:31]
4. Building Trust in the Community
a. Becoming a Bartender at Good Friends
Timestamp: [16:40] – [17:19]
Realizing that gaining trust within the community was essential, Vaughn takes up a bartending job at Good Friends, a well-known gay bar in the French Quarter. His initial struggles behind the bar evolve into meaningful conversations with patrons, many of whom hold memories and connections to the Hammer Murders.
Notable Quote:
“I was a absolutely horrible bartender. For the first couple months there, I had never bartended a goddamn day in my life.”
— Vaughn Trudeau [17:19]
b. Interview with Chet Robin
Timestamp: [18:12] – [20:13]
Vaughn conducts interviews with locals like Chet Robin, who shares poignant memories of Jerry Beeson, a survivor of the Hammer Murders. These personal accounts shed light on the profound and lasting impact of the attacks on the LGBTQ community.
Notable Quote:
“Sometimes you weren't quite sure what he was thinking. He seemed distant. Of course, we never brought it up. We never discussed it anymore.”
— Chet Robin [19:59]
5. The Quest for Justice
a. Collaboration with Lt. Matt Patton
Timestamp: [29:16] – [30:50]
Despite Vaughn's extensive research, progress stalls until he partners with Lieutenant Matt Patton of the NOPD’s LGBTQ task force. Together, they advocate for reopening the cold cases, utilizing Vaughn’s amassed evidence and interviews.
Notable Quote:
“We, like, rehearsed what we were gonna say. We were just ready to go in there and plead our case of this is why we think you really, really, really need to reopen this case.”
— Angela Kinsey [30:12]
b. Reopening the Case
Timestamp: [30:12] – [31:50]
In March 2023, the Cold Case Unit agrees to revisit the Hammer Murders based on Vaughn and Matt's compelling presentation. They locate a key piece of evidence—the hammer used in the crimes—and submit it for DNA testing. However, as of the episode's release, the results are still pending.
Notable Quote:
“I have no doubt the case can be solved. If it is, or if a new development emerges, we'll return to the story in another episode.”
— Vaughn Trudeau [31:20]
6. Current Status and Reflection
Timestamp: [32:44] – [33:16]
While awaiting DNA results, Vaughn reflects on the journey and its significance. He emphasizes the importance of remembering and acknowledging past atrocities to prevent them from fading into oblivion and to address intergenerational trauma within the community.
Notable Quote:
“How do you remember that? But I've seen now that as long as we let these stories die, these problems are going to live with us and haunt us.”
— Angela Kinsey [32:46]
Conclusion
Episode 9 of "Gone South" masterfully intertwines historical tragedy with a contemporary quest for justice. Through Vaughn Trudeau's relentless pursuit, listeners gain a profound understanding of the systemic challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in New Orleans and the enduring impact of unsolved crimes. As the episode concludes, the narrative remains open-ended, promising future developments as DNA results come to light.
Notable Takeaways:
-
Systemic Neglect: The original investigation's abrupt discontinuation highlights systemic biases against the LGBTQ community in the 1980s.
-
Community Trust: Building trust within marginalized communities is crucial for uncovering buried truths and achieving justice.
-
Intergenerational Trauma: The episode underscores how unresolved violence perpetuates trauma across generations, emphasizing the need for collective memory and acknowledgment.
Call to Action
If you have information, story tips, or feedback related to the Hammer Murders or the LGBTQ community in New Orleans, the "Gone South" team encourages you to reach out via email at gonsouthpodcastmail.com or connect on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram @gonsouthpodcast.
Credits
- Host/Narrator: Jed Lipinski
- Executive Producers: Jenna Weiss Berman, Maddie Sprung Kaiser, Tom Lipinski, Lloyd Lock
- Story Editors: Tom Lipinski, Maddie Sprung Keyser, Joel Lovell
- Editors/Mixers/Masters: Chris Basil, Andy Jaskowicz
- Production Support: Ian Mont, Sean Cherry
- Special Thanks: J.D. Crowley, Leah Rees, Dennis, Maura Curran, Josephina Francis, Curt Courtney, Hilary Schoof
"Gone South" is an Audacy original podcast, available on the free Odyssey app and all major podcast platforms.