Into The Dark, Episode 146: The Night Out That Became a Nightmare – The Murder of Savannah Spurlock

Host: Payton Moreland
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this harrowing episode, Payton Moreland examines the chilling 2019 murder of Savannah Spurlock, a young Kentucky mother whose night of freedom turned tragic. The case is used not only to detail a true crime but also to confront recurring tendencies of victim-blaming and broader cultural issues regarding women’s safety and societal expectations. Payton delivers the story with a blend of empathy, anger, and sober analysis, challenging listeners to keep the blame on the perpetrator and reconsider the narratives surrounding women’s choices and vulnerability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Savannah’s Background and The Night Out

• Savannah Spurlock: 22, mother of four (including newborn twins), living with her mother in Richmond, Kentucky. Recently out of a relationship, co-parenting amicably. Had been isolated due to pregnancy and motherhood—craved a night out with friends.
  [04:00–05:50]
• The Decision to Go Out: Despite most friends declining, Savannah’s friend Jocelyn and her friend Dion agree to a chill evening at Dion’s Lexington home.
  [05:50–06:30]

“Everyone needs to have fun and socialize, even new mothers.” — Payton Moreland [05:18]

• Change in Plans: Savannah suggests they continue the night out at a bar for more social stimulation, leaving her car at Dion’s due to drinking.
  [08:00–09:00]

2. Disappearance and Immediate Aftermath

• Last Contact: After leaving the bar with three men (Brandon, Isaiah, and David), Savannah FaceTimes her mother from the car, very drunk but seemingly happy. She says she’ll be home close to dawn.
  [07:30–08:45]
• Savannah Never Comes Home: When her mother Ellen can’t reach her, and friends have no word, the police are notified.
  [09:00–10:00]

3. Police Investigation and Witness Accounts

• Timeline Construction: Police gather accounts from friends and review security footage from the bar. Identify that Savannah left with new acquaintances: Brandon Lewis, Isaiah Chase, and David Sparks.
  [12:52–13:40]
• Statements from the Men: Each claims Savannah was intoxicated, wanted to party, and went willingly. At David’s house, Savannah passes out, and Brandon and Isaiah leave, assuming David would care for her.
  [14:30–15:30]

4. Alarming Discoveries and Contradictory Stories

• Photos and Evidence: Police find explicit photos and videos on Brandon and Isaiah’s phones of Savannah, some after she’d lost consciousness. In some, the men are seen touching her inappropriately.
  [15:45–16:30]

“Some of the videos and photos showed the men touching her inappropriately while she was passed out…” — Payton Moreland [16:10]

• Changing Stories: With evidence mounting, Brandon and Isaiah admit David groped Savannah while she was unconscious, but stop short of taking much responsibility.
  [16:30–18:00]
• David’s Account: Claims he slept on the couch, gave Savannah his address when she awoke in the morning, and never saw her again. Officers instinctively distrust him but claim no concrete evidence at this point.
  [18:20–19:30]

5. Investigation Stalls and Community Efforts

• Stalemate: With no physical evidence or additional witnesses, the case stalls. Savannah’s family (notably her mother and friends) drive awareness online, creating a Facebook group with over 42,000 followers.
  [21:00–23:00]
• Extensive Searches: Police cover over 200 miles, question countless acquaintances, and entertain, then discard, theories including intentional disappearance.
  [23:00–24:32]

6. Discovery of the Body and Breakthrough

• Gruesome Find: Six months later (July 10, 2019), Savannah’s decomposed body is discovered in a shallow grave on a farm belonging to David’s family, bound with shipping tape, naked, and buried with a rug and trash bags.
  [25:28–27:00]

“The rug Savannah was buried with looks exactly like one in David’s home. And if you remember, he texted his sister, said, where did you get this rug? Investigators now know that Savannah had bled on it.” — Payton Moreland [27:53]

• David’s Odd Behavior: Present on site when body is found, visibly nervous, and keeping an eye on police.
• Forensic Evidence: Traces of Savannah’s blood found in David’s home.
  [28:00–29:00]

7. Arrest, Trial, and Aftermath

• David Turns Himself In: Unprompted, David comes to the police station, requests a lawyer, and insists he’s being set up.
  [29:05–29:54]
• Chilling Jail Drawings: David sketches tied-up nude women—one resembling Savannah—raising suspicions of potential other victims.
  [30:30–31:15]
• Trial: Facing overwhelming evidence (including the rug and blood in his home), David pleads guilty to murder, abuse of a corpse, and evidence tampering.
• Sentencing: Receives 50 years (the maximum). Brandon and Isaiah are never charged despite their illegal actions with Savannah while she was unconscious.
  [31:15–33:10]

“As far as the Courts were concerned. All that mattered was that David was willing to acknowledge what he had done, not the question of how he had done it. So they accept his plea, and David was sentenced to 50 years in prison…” — Payton Moreland [32:38]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Victim-Blaming:

  "Even if you disapprove of partying, drinking, casual hookups, you would probably agree that nobody deserves to be murdered for going out and having a good time. Women should be able to go out alone, get as drunk as they do, go home with whoever, and not be murdered. That is just the reality." — Payton Moreland [33:18]

• On Friends’ Complicity:

  "Brandon and Isaiah had been telling him, hey, if you had anything to do with this after we left, you need to come clean. Which is kind of ironic because the two of them hadn't really cared about justice for Savannah. On the night of her disappearance... they took pictures of their friend groping her while she was passed out." — Payton Moreland [29:58]

• Payton’s Closing Reflection:

  "Please take a moment to think about Savannah as the amazing mother she was. Think of her family who loved her so much, who sat and did what they could to support her while she was missing. The pain and grief they have felt since she was taken too soon. That is the core of this story." — Payton Moreland [34:45]

Important Timestamps

• Savannah’s background and decision to go out: [04:00–05:50]
• Savannah leaves the bar with three men: [12:52–13:40]
• Evidence of assault emerges: [15:45–16:30]
• The investigation stalls, community efforts: [21:00–23:00]
• Discovery of Savannah's body: [25:28–27:00]
• David turns himself in: [29:05–29:54]
• Trial and sentencing: [31:15–33:10]
• Victim-blaming discussion: [33:00–34:30]

Episode Tone & Language

Payton Moreland maintains a compassionate but direct style, balancing investigative detail with emotional sensitivity. At times, especially when addressing societal issues of victim-blaming, her tone becomes forceful and urgent, urging listeners to reflect and reject such tendencies.

Conclusion

Episode 146 offers a thorough, empathetic look at Savannah Spurlock’s case—carefully separating fact from speculation and holding the right parties accountable. Payton reminds us of the importance of resisting victim-blaming and the continuing dangers many women face, while honoring Savannah’s life and the ongoing grief of her loved ones. She closes by urging listeners to remember Savannah as a mother and person, not just as a victim.

End of summary.