Podcast Summary: Murder With My Husband

Episode 299: The Death From Success
Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland

Episode Overview

In this episode, Peyton and Garrett delve into the high-profile 1996 murder of Atlanta tech mogul Lance Herndon. The story explores how Lance’s remarkable success and opulent lifestyle ultimately led to betrayal and tragedy at the hands of someone from his romantic entanglements. The episode highlights both the dark side of ambition and the dangers of trust in the pursuit of success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Allure and Consequences of Success

• Success as Motivation and Risk:
  • Peyton opens by reflecting on how the drive for success brings both friends and enemies, often blurring the line between the two.
  • “Those new relationships are often the most dangerous part of success. Because the more people you let in… the more chances you have of getting hurt emotionally, financially, and maybe even physically.” (04:08, Peyton)

2. Lance Herndon: Self-Made Tech Tycoon & Atlanta Icon

• Background:
  • Grew up humble in New York, but established himself as a prosperous, award-winning entrepreneur in Atlanta.
  • Ran Access Inc., a computer consulting firm pulling in $3 million annually with clients like Coca-Cola, Delta, and NationsBank (05:04).
  • Known for his lavish parties and referred to as the "black Jay Gatsby."
  • Despite the high life, Lance had three divorces and multiple romantic relationships.

3. The Night of the Murder

• Discovery:
  • On August 8, 1996, Lance is found dead in his bed by his mother Jackie after employees are concerned about his absence from work (12:10).
  • The scene:
    • No forced entry
    • Blood on the walls, bludgeoned with a missing wrench
    • Unplugged alarm clocks, missing credit card and laptop
    • Photo of girlfriend Kathy Collins placed face-down
  • Peyton highlights the brutality:
    • “He’s naked and he has been bludgeoned to death… mostly in the head and face, which no mother should ever have to see.” (12:28, Peyton)

4. Lines of Investigation

Business Rivalries and Hidden Financial Trouble

• Despite the image of wealth, Lance’s business was in serious debt (16:01).
• Previous violence associated with his nightclub, including an unsolved murder of a DJ (17:03).

Romantic Complications

• Multiple Partners: At the time of death, Lance was seeing four different women and had three ex-wives.
• Suspicion on Ex-wife Janine Price:
  • She had motive due to a $750,000 life insurance policy but confirmed alibi (22:50).
• Girlfriend Kathy Collins:
  • Her behavior at the crime scene was deemed odd, but she was ruled out due to her own affair and verifiable alibi. (25:53)

Talana Caraway – Friend and Employee

• Last seen working late at Lance’s house, thought suspicious for requesting an attorney during initial questioning, but ultimately provided an accurate timeline and another clue:
  • Recalled repeated calls from a woman claiming to be Lance’s girlfriend that night, ultimately identified as Dionne Baugh (28:32).

5. Focus on Dionne Baugh: The Fatal Affair

• Dionne’s Background:
  • Jamaican-born, Atlanta executive assistant, married to a pilot, mother to a young daughter.
• Met Lance at a party months prior and quickly became involved—hid her marriage, received luxury gifts from Lance including a Mercedes.
• On the night of the murder, Dionne offers a story contradicted by other evidence, placing herself with her family, then with Lance, neither substantiated.

Escalating Violence and Motive

• Altercation in July:
  • Dionne previously caught Lance with another woman, showed up armed, was arrested for trespassing. They had a pending court date the morning of the murder (36:01).
• Financial Motive:
  • Dionne used Lance’s credit cards after his death and was to keep the Mercedes in the event of his passing (39:23).

6. Break in the Case & Legal Outcome

• Breakthrough via Dionne’s Husband:
  • During divorce, Dionne’s husband reports violent threats and a confession that she visited Lance’s the night of the murder (40:24).
  • DNA from bed hairs and fingernail scrapings match Dionne.
• Trial & Verdict:
  • Dionne is arrested after 18 months, tried, and found guilty of first-degree murder (2001).
  • On appeal, hearsay evidence led to a reversal, followed by a mistrial, and ultimately a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter (10-year sentence, served 7 years, released 2011) (45:12).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Success and Its Risks:

  • “Success can make you a lot of friends and a lot of enemies, and a lot of your enemies look like friends.”
    — Peyton (04:08)

• On Victim’s Public Persona vs. Private Reality:

  • “He’s been awarded by two presidents … but reality is, the business world goes up and down.” — Garrett (16:01)

• On the Tragic Discovery:

  • “Jackie, his mother, had found Lance lying in bed in a pool of his own blood… She is in hysterics when she's heard saying, 'Someone killed my baby.'” — Peyton (12:28)

• On Motive and Senselessness:

  • “It just feels so senseless again. Like—Not that the crimes ever have any sense.”
    — Peyton (46:12)

• On the Outcome:

  • “Meanwhile, Lance died before he ever even saw that age… His rags to riches story is a huge inspiration, especially in Atlanta’s business community.”
    — Peyton (45:12)

Key Timestamps

• 04:08: Framing the episode’s central theme: ambition and the dangers of newfound relationships.
• 12:28: Discovery of Lance’s body and crime scene details.
• 16:01: Revelation of Lance’s serious financial trouble.
• 22:50: Ex-wife Janine Price ruled out.
• 25:53: Kathy Collins (girlfriend) alibi and reaction.
• 28:32: Talana’s key memory: mysterious phone calls and transition to suspecting Dionne Baugh.
• 36:01: Details of Dionne’s violent altercation, court case, and evidence chain.
• 39:23: Financial motives and final break in the case via husband’s testimony.
• 45:12: Sentencing, aftermath, and the lasting legacy of Lance Herndon.
• 46:08-46:44: Reflections on motive, tragedy, and the senseless loss.

Tone & Dynamic

• Peyton: Utterly fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior, and focused on detail.
• Garrett: Sceptical but engaged, often grounding the discussion with practical and emotional commentary.

The husband/wife dynamic injects humor, normalcy, and occasional levity into dark subject matter ("This is why you only have one girlfriend at the time”—Garrett, 45:56), keeping the tone accessible.

Conclusion

This episode powerfully illustrates how outward success can obscure personal vulnerability, and how quickly trust and relationships can devolve into tragedy. Through meticulous research and clear storytelling, Peyton and Garrett reveal the many faces surrounding Lance Herndon's rise and fall—and remind listeners that sometimes, success’s most dangerous consequences come from those let closest into our lives.

This summary skips ads, announcements, and technical podcaster banter to focus strictly on the story and key insights.