Lords of Death: Episode 1 - "Heartache Tonight"

Released on November 18, 2024 by Tenderfoot TV & Audacy

Introduction

In the premiere episode of "Lords of Death," host Thrasher Banks embarks on a gripping journey of discovery and investigation. While rummaging through an old memory box, Thrasher uncovers a collection of forgotten VHS tapes, police reports, and faded letters related to a chilling 1995 murder in Dayton, Ohio. This episode, titled "Heartache Tonight," sets the stage for a deep dive into unsolved crimes, memory, perception, and a personal quest for truth against the backdrop of Ohio during the 1980s and 90s—a time marked by the height of the satanic panic.

Discovery of the Box

Thrasher Banks introduces the mystery by describing the contents of the memory box:

Narrator: "I found an unlabeled VHS tape in a manila envelope." [02:35]

This VHS tape, along with other items like police reports and letters, ignites Thrasher's curiosity, suggesting connections to multiple unsolved murders. The nostalgia of VHS tapes and their deteriorating condition symbolizes the fading memories and obscured truths that Thrasher aims to unravel.

Carrie and Mick's Story

The narrative shifts to introduce Carrie, a single mother living in Five Oaks, an inner-city neighborhood in Dayton, Ohio, in 1994. Carrie shares her life on Roe Avenue, highlighting the challenges of living in a neighborhood strained by white flight and an increase in violent crime.

Carrie: "I was a single mom living on Roe Avenue in 1994. You could look down the street and see that it was not even a middle-class neighborhood." [05:41]

Carrie's life changes when she meets Mick McWhorter:

Carrie: "He was tall, slender, had long brownish dark hair, beautiful blue eyes. I think I had caught his [attention]." [06:16]

Mick, originally from Kentucky, moves in with Carrie and her children, creating a semblance of a family. Their relationship appears stable and loving:

Carrie: "We laughed a lot. We joked around with each other. We took the kids to the parks. It felt like family again." [07:11]

Arrival of Tim Terrell

Mick maintains contact with a man named Tim Terrell, whom he met while serving a prison sentence for robbing a gun store. Tim's presence introduces tension and unease into their household.

Carrie: "Tim was maybe five, seven, maybe not quite that tall, very skinny, blonde hair, glasses, kind of a sunken in face. Most of the friends in my circle... didn't really like Tim." [09:23]

Tim's demeanor is starkly different from Mick's. While Mick is outgoing and friendly, Tim is quiet and reserved, often displaying a menacing presence:

Carrie: "He had this side that I didn't know was just kind of like... pure evil look in his eyes." [12:36]

Tim's influence becomes more pronounced when Mick invites him to live with them:

Carrie: "Tim showed up in Dayton with very few belongings. A duffel bag, a shotgun, and a box full of letters." [11:48]

The Changing Dynamics

As Tim settles into the household, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. Despite Tim's helpfulness around the children, his unsettling behavior and the presence of firearms escalate the sense of danger.

Carrie: "Tim had a tattoo on his arm that said LOD—Lords of Death. I asked what it stood for, and was told it meant to take someone's soul through murder." [12:43]

Tim's obsession with his .357 Magnum revolver adds to the household's volatility:

Carrie: "Tim was very much obsessed with this .357. It was like his baby." [15:03]

The Night of the Murder

The pivotal moment occurs on the night of June 5, 1995, following the funeral of a close friend who drowned. During a family cookout, Tim's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, culminating in a violent confrontation at a local bar.

Carrie: "Tim and this man ended up in a fight. Tim was like a giant—no longer the reserved Tim I knew." [16:41]

After the altercation, Tim, Mick, and Carrie return home. An unsettling silence fills the house until late at night when Carrie discovers alarming evidence:

Carrie: "I put her [Cindy's] shorts in a plastic bag, and they were covered in blood and brain matter. I held them up and my exact words were, 'What the fuck happened?'" [25:02]

Mick and Tim's conflicting stories about the night's events deepen the mystery. Mick claims an accidental shooting involving a sex worker named Cindy:

Mick (James McWhorter): "A woman died that night... Tim was getting all agitated." [25:23]

Carrie, still grappling with the reality, confronts them aggressively, leading to a revelation that challenges her perception of Mick and Tim.

Aftermath and Realization

In the immediate aftermath, Carrie attempts to protect her children by moving them to a safe location. However, doubts about Mick and Tim's innocence persist:

Carrie: "I don't understand why he [Mick] would throw that away to protect Tim." [30:14]

Looking back, it's evident that the events of that night left deep scars and unresolved questions for Carrie's family.

Reflection and Investigation

Decades later, Thrasher Banks reflects on his mother's account as a child. Her steadfast belief in Mick's innocence raises doubts, prompting Thrasher to investigate further. He discovers that the murder of Cindy is just one piece of a larger puzzle involving the Lords of Death, potentially linked to multiple unsolved murders since the 1980s.

Carrie: "How do we know he's not a serial killer? How do we know he's not murdered other people?" [32:44]

This realization sets the foundation for Thrasher's ten-year investigation, seeking to uncover the truth behind the Lords of Death and their possible involvement in widespread violence.

Conclusion

"Heartache Tonight" effectively intertwines personal narrative with broader themes of memory, trust, and the quest for truth. Thrasher Banks not only delves into a haunting family history but also exposes the dark undercurrents of his community influenced by cult-like figures. As the episode concludes, listeners are left anticipating the unfolding of this true crime story and the mysteries that lie ahead.

Notable Quotes

• Thrasher Banks: "I was the only person who's watched this tape in decades." [04:43]

• Carrie: "This .357 meant a lot." [12:43]

• Mick (James McWhorter): "If you know what's good for you, stop." [25:23]

• Carrie: "Tim was laughing as he was torturing this lady." [32:46]

• Thrasher Banks: "I learned that Cindy's murder is only one part of the story." [30:14]

Join Thrasher Banks as he continues to unpack the mysteries surrounding the Lords of Death in upcoming episodes, exploring deeper into the shadows of Dayton's past and the lingering questions that haunt its present.