Murder With My Husband – Episode 289: The Deadly Friend – The Murder of Steven B. Williams

Release Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the chilling murder of Steven B. Williams, a former Denver radio DJ turned aspiring chef whose trust in an old friend, Harvey Morrow, led to his untimely death. The hosts detail themes of trust, manipulation, financial crime, and the dangerous lengths some go to in pursuit of money. The case unfolds with Peyton’s meticulous storytelling, interspersed with Garrett’s reactions and reflections.

Key Points & Discussion Breakdown

1. The Challenge of Adult Friendships and Trust (02:47–04:22)

• Peyton reflects on how making friends becomes harder and more complicated with adulthood, hinting this theme will be central to today's case:

  “There are certain things that happen that should lead you to being more careful about the new people you let into your life. Because when someone is so eager to be your friend, there's usually good reason why. And like in today's story, sometimes that reason can be deadly.”
  (03:44)

2. Steven B. Williams’s Life & Career (04:22–09:41)

• Steven’s Rise: Gifted son of an Air Force family, Steven makes a name for himself as “the Voice of the Rockies” on Denver radio in the 1980s.
• Personality: Known for his charm and humility despite local fame.
• Career Shift: Moves into winemaking and culinary school after being laid off (late 1990s/early 2000s), then returns to California to care for his father.
• Inheritance: Steven and his sister Jan inherit a substantial estate—about $2.4 million—upon their father's death in 2003.
• Financial Struggles: Steven finds himself overwhelmed by his new wealth and inept at managing his finances.

3. Meeting Harvey Morrow & Fast Friendship (09:41–13:40)

• Enter Harvey Morrow: Introduced through a mutual friend, burnsished resume—claims of Wall Street success, luxury car trade, recent move to Los Angeles, ownership of a 75-foot luxury sailboat.
• Boat Dreams: Harvey and his wife Debbie dream of sailing the world, inviting Steven to join as their private chef.
• Growing Involvement: Steven invests time (and, unbeknownst to him, money) into fixing up Harvey’s boat, enhancing their friendship—or possible codependency.
• Trust Issues: Steven’s lack of financial acumen and yearning for connection make him vulnerable to Harvey’s charm.

4. Red Flags and Escalating Tensions (13:40–18:44)

• Control Over Finances: Harvey persuades Steven to let him manage his inheritance, establishing a trust fund on Steven’s behalf.
• Delays and Excuses: Harvey constantly postpones the boat trip; Steven grows frustrated after three years of preparation.
• Theft and Anxiety: In April 2006, Steven’s passport and laptop (with sensitive financial documents) are stolen from his car, further delaying plans.

5. Steven’s Disappearance: The Unraveling (18:44–24:38)

• Last Seen: May 4, 2006—Steven boards Harvey’s boat for a planned trip to Catalina Island.
• Radio Silence: Friends grow concerned after not hearing from Steven for days. Harvey provides conflicting stories—claims Steven went to Hawaii, then Mexico.

  “Why would you say—Because you forget your lies, idiot.”
  – Peyton (21:20)

• Missing Persons Report: Steven is officially reported missing around his birthday, May 14, 2006.
• Discovery of the Body: Four days later, a floating, decomposed body is found near Catalina Island. Distinctive physical features—most notably three missing fingers—help positively identify Steven.

6. The Murder Investigation (24:38–31:33)

• Suspicion Falls on Harvey: Friends recount Harvey’s conflicting accounts of Steven’s whereabouts.
• Boat Search: Police find no hard evidence on the boat. Key clue: a GPS manual exists, but the device itself is missing.
• Witness Testimony: Boat contractor notes Harvey acting oddly and that Steven's usual cabin was unusually clean.
• Last Phone Records: Steven and Harvey’s phones ping together near Catalina Island on May 4—the calls abruptly stop after that day.

7. Harvey’s Fraudulent Past & Deceptions (31:33–35:04)

• A History of Scams: Harvey’s claims of Wall Street success are lies; past includes an investment scam in Florida in the 1980s, fleeing prosecution, later an arson conviction.
• Financial Manipulation: Rather than safeguarding Steven’s inheritance, Harvey transfers the money to an offshore account and depletes the funds for personal use and for the boat.
• Impact on Victims: Steven is left destitute, and Jan is rendered homeless due to lack of access to their inheritance.

8. Escalating Motive, Confrontation, and Flight (35:04–37:49)

• Confrontation Predicted: Steven confides in a friend about confronting Harvey—ignoring advice to do so in public.
• Harvey Flees: After police search his boat in May 2006, Harvey disappears, abandoning his wife and escaping LA.

9. Harvey’s Capture & the Breakthrough (37:49–39:19)

• New Life in Montana: By September 2006, Harvey is living under his real name in Great Falls, MT, working at a used car dealership.

  “Apparently, Harvey didn’t even try to change his name.”
  – Peyton (37:49)

• Outed by an Ex-Cop: Joe Parsonage, his boss, researches him online, recognizes Harvey is wanted for murder, and notifies police.
• Arrest: Harvey is apprehended and extradited to California.

10. Evidence and Trial (39:19–41:06)

• Missing GPS Found: Yacht club employee discovers the missing GPS device, which confirms the boat’s suspicious movements—out to Catalina Island, circling, then returning—matching the timeline of Steven’s disappearance.
• Defense Strategy: Harvey’s team claims Steven committed suicide; asserts Harvey was owed the money due to a 20-year family debt—a claim with no supporting evidence.
• Jury Verdict: On November 9, 2011, Harvey Morrow is convicted of first-degree murder and murder for financial gain. He is sentenced to life without parole plus 25 years.

11. Aftermath and Reflections (41:06–End)

• Jan’s Fate: Authorities attempt to recover stolen funds for Jan, but she passes away about a year after the trial—at least having seen justice for her brother.
• Podcast Reflections: The hosts grapple with the dark web of greed and the psychological twists behind financial crimes escalating into murder.

  “Scammers, man. The pipeline from fraud money to murder is insane. Like it happens so often.”
  – Peyton (42:33) “I think that when you're committing a bunch of scams and you're stealing people's money and you're a con man, I think it's so easy for that person to justify murdering somebody.”
  – Garrett (42:44)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Money plays a huge role in so many aspects of—I mean, everything, to be honest.”
  – Garrett (24:38)

• “I'm one of those adults that's like, this is a scam.”
  – Peyton (04:12)

• “He had kids, too, Harvey. Yeah. Just like, what a horrible human being.”
  – Garrett (42:01)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Discussion on Friendships: 02:47–04:22
• Steven’s Backstory and Career: 04:22–13:40
• Steven Meets Harvey; Boat Plans: 09:41–13:40
• Inheritance and Financial Entrapment: 13:40–18:44
• Disappearance and False Alibis: 18:44–24:38
• Body Found, Identification & Motive Discussion: 21:49–25:46
• Initial Investigation and Boat Search: 25:54–31:33
• Harvey’s Past & Scam Details: 31:33–35:04
• Confrontation and Steven’s Final Days: 35:04–37:12
• Harvey in Montana & Arrest: 37:49–39:19
• Crucial GPS Evidence: 39:19–41:00
• Conviction and Reflections: 41:06–End

Tone & Host Dynamics

• Peyton: Empathetic and detailed, walking listeners through every nuance of Steven’s life and the crime.
• Garrett: Interjects with relatable, sometimes wry observations, grounding the story in everyday realities—often expressing exasperation at the greed and absurdity at play.

Summary

The episode encapsulates a tragic story of misplaced trust and greed, weaving together themes of friendship, manipulation, and the devastating consequences of financial predation. The hosts’ thoughtful insights and lively banter enhance the retelling, leaving listeners both informed and reflective about how crimes of the heart and wallet can collide with deadly consequences.