Podcast Summary: "Murder With My Husband" Episode 246 - "What Happened to Mary Day?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Murder With My Husband
• Host/Author: OH NO MEDIA
• Description: A true crime podcast that ventures into the darkest crimes with a wife who loves it and a husband who hates it.
• Episode: 246. What Happened to Mary Day?
• Release Date: December 9, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 246 of "Murder With My Husband," hosts Peyton and Garrett Moreland delve into the perplexing case of Mary Day, a young girl who disappeared under suspicious circumstances in 1981. This episode explores the intricate details of Mary's life, her mysterious disappearance, the ensuing investigation, and the baffling revelations that unfolded decades later.

The Day Family's Turbulent Beginnings

The story begins in the quiet town of Little Falls, New York, where Charlotte and Charles Day welcome their first daughter, Mary Louise Day, on February 19, 1968. Over the next few years, Charlotte and Charles add two more daughters to their family, Kathy and Sherry. However, the idyllic family portrait painted by the Days was marred by internal struggles.

• Foster Care Struggles: The children were often shuffled in and out of foster care during their early years, indicating underlying family issues.

• Divorce and Remarriage: Charlotte decided to divorce Charles to remove him from her life. Instead of working to regain custody of her daughters, Charlotte remarried William Hoole, an army officer, and moved the family to Hawaii.

Notable Quote:

Peyton Moreland [05:33]: "Mary Day's story is so full of twists and turns that it will make you realize just because we see patterns and have these preconceived notions... it actually doesn't necessarily mean that that's what happened."

Mary’s Disappearance: A Night of Terror

In Hawaii, the Day family's stability continued to deteriorate. Charlotte and William’s household was rife with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. On a fateful night in January 1981, William accused Mary of poisoning his dog. An altercation ensued, during which William reportedly beat Mary severely. Kathy, witnessing the abuse, was the last to see Mary in the apartment corner, covered in blood.

• The Night Incident: William’s accusations led to a violent confrontation where Mary was physically assaulted.

• Aftermath: The next morning, Mary was inexplicably missing. Charlotte claimed Mary had run away, a claim that was never substantiated by any missing person report.

Notable Quote:

Garrett Moreland [14:46]: "That's illegal, right? Like neglect?"

The Initial Investigation and Suspicious Findings

Years passed without any leads into Mary’s disappearance until 2003, when a surprising development emerged.

• Mary in Phoenix: A woman named Mary Louise Day was pulled over in Phoenix, Arizona. The police recognized the resemblance to the missing Mary Day.

• DNA Confirmation: Detective Joe Bertana was dispatched to verify Mary’s identity. DNA tests confirmed that Phoenix Mary was indeed Charlotte and William’s daughter.

• Suspicious Evidence: Further investigation revealed that Charlotte and William had continued to cash Mary’s Social Security checks, raising suspicions about their involvement in her disappearance.

Notable Quote:

Peyton Moreland [27:25]: "William is practically admitting, basically confessing."

The Unraveling of Mary’s Identity

As Detective Joe delved deeper, inconsistencies began to surface regarding Mary’s true identity.

• Behavioral Red Flags: Mary exhibited a thick Southern accent and had a magazine with a different name, Monica Devereaux, raising questions about her authenticity.

• Facial Recognition: A photo confirmation using facial recognition matched Phoenix Mary to the missing Mary Day with 99% accuracy.

• Police Theories: The police entertained theories that Charlotte and William might have had another daughter or manipulated Mary’s identity to cover up her disappearance.

Notable Quote:

Garrett Moreland [40:31]: "I just think it's weird that he said he killed her."

Final Resolution and Mary’s True Fate

In 2017, with her health failing due to cancer, Mary reached out to Detective Judy Velo, who reopened the case with fresh eyes.

• Personal Revelations: Mary recounted traumatic memories of the night she ran away, corroborating Kathy’s account of abuse.

• Supporting Evidence: A photo of Mary with a family in California and her efforts to secure a driver's license supported her claim of surviving and building a new life.

• Case Closure: Detective Judy concluded that Mary was alive all along, choosing to live under a new identity to escape her abusive past.

Notable Quote:

Peyton Moreland [48:09]: "Sometimes these cases are so obvious, we just see the pattern."

Conclusion

The case of Mary Day serves as a poignant reminder that not all missing persons cases follow predictable patterns. Despite the overwhelming evidence initially pointing towards foul play by her parents, Mary's ultimate survival and escape from an abusive household highlight the complexities involved in such investigations. Her story closes with her peaceful passing in 2017, finally bringing closure to a case that had long bewildered those involved.

Notable Quote:

Garrett Moreland [47:26]: "If my stepfather was bashing my head into a coffee table and a bathtub, I might run away and never say anything, too."

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Peyton Moreland [05:33]: "Mary Day's story is so full of twists and turns that it will make you realize just because we see patterns and have these preconceived notions... it actually doesn't necessarily mean that that's what happened."

• Garrett Moreland [14:46]: "That's illegal, right? Like neglect?"

• Peyton Moreland [27:25]: "William is practically admitting, basically confessing."

• Garrett Moreland [40:31]: "I just think it's weird that he said he killed her."

• Peyton Moreland [48:09]: "Sometimes these cases are so obvious, we just see the pattern."

• Garrett Moreland [47:26]: "If my stepfather was bashing my head into a coffee table and a bathtub, I might run away and never say anything, too."

Final Thoughts

Episode 246 of "Murder With My Husband" intricately weaves a tale of disappearance, deception, and the elusive quest for truth. The Morelands adeptly highlight the importance of not jumping to conclusions based solely on patterns or preconceived notions, emphasizing that every true crime story holds its unique set of complexities.