Murder With My Husband – Episode 302: Murdered By An Angel – The Death of Milton Sawyer

Release Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland
Podcast Theme: A true crime deep dive, blending Peyton’s fascination with cases and Garrett’s reluctant participation

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode explores the chilling 2018 murder of Milton Sawyer, a beloved pillar of the small North Carolina community of Elizabeth City. The hosts unravel the layers of a crime that at first glance seemed like a robbery-gone-wrong, ultimately exposing a devastating love triangle, betrayal, and shocking confessions.

Episode Structure and Key Segments

1. Introduction & Scene Setting ([03:01]–[05:00])

• Peyton introduces the case by painting Milton Sawyer as the “mascot” of Elizabeth City—a man admired by all, known for his kindness, love of antiques, and involvement with his local community.

“It’s these friendly faces that make a community feel like a home... when something tragic and seemingly random happens to one of these people... it feels personal.” – Peyton [03:11]

• Background: Milton’s personal life, first marriage, affair, and eventual marriage to Angel Marie Wilson.

2. Milton & Angel: Marriage and Early Signs of Trouble ([06:27]–[10:22])

• Despite his positive public persona, Milton’s relationships were complex.
• Angel Marie Wilson, his second wife, played an active role in his antique store but the relationship, burdened by managing seven children and business challenges, eventually faced routine and distance.
• Milton publicly posts affectionate messages about Angel on Facebook just days before the incident.

“Every man deserves a real woman that makes you forget every other woman on the planet. Okay, I found mine.” – Milton (read by Peyton) [08:01]

• The hosts reflect on the contrast between public declarations of love and private struggles.

“I do find his post kind of funny considering, like, his history in life.” – Peyton [09:48]

3. The Night of the Murder: Events Unfold ([10:22]–[14:41])

• August 2, 2018: Around 2am, neighbor Carl is awoken by Angel frantically banging on his door, covered in blood.
• Angel claims: A masked intruder broke in, tied both her and Milton up, assaulted them, and stole valuable jewelry.
• EMTs and police arrive to a chaotic, ransacked house, discovering Milton face down, hands duct-taped, dead in the bathroom.

"Dude, a hundred thousand dollars in jewelry? I know a lot." – Garrett [16:08]

4. The Investigation: Initial Clues & Suspicions ([15:41]–[21:10])

• The crime scene initially appears to confirm Angel's robbery story—except for a crucial clue: a key left on a table, likely used by the perpetrator to enter.
• Angel's injuries are real but her memory of the assailant is vague: a masked white male, possibly targeting the couple due to their business dealings.
• Angel references a yard sale post with their public address, suggesting a motive for a targeted robbery.
• Milton had met a man named Dylan Hostettier that night—a known criminal, but Dylan’s alibi checks out.

“She’s got to be involved. I know that sounds crazy to say right now, but... we’re 300 episodes in. She’s got to be involved.” – Garrett [21:57]

5. Doubts About the Robbery Theory ([23:12]–[26:25])

• No DNA, fingerprints, or evidence left at the scene; the only sign is the use of manual strangulation—a highly personal means of killing.
• Family and friends indicate cracks in Milton and Angel’s relationship—Angel was never satisfied, Milton reportedly hadn't been enough for her.

6. Angel’s Affairs & The Love Triangle ([26:25]–[30:17])

• Police uncover Angel's affair with Dylan and, more importantly, a deeper ongoing affair with her physical therapist, Isaac Melcher, who had his own family.
• Tension boiled over; Angel’s daughter warned Isaac about Milton’s suspicions.
• Isaac is evasive during police questioning—denies the affair and claims a lost phone as an alibi, raising red flags for investigators.

“Anytime someone has an issue with their phone, this is gonna look suspicious in a murder case.” – Peyton [30:20]

7. Confession: The Breaking Point ([33:42]–[35:12])

• In Oregon, Isaac confides in his former pastor, admitting not only to the affair but to strangling Milton—claiming Angel was in danger from her husband, though allegations of abuse are unsubstantiated.

“I reached the place where I asked the devil to help me because I knew I had to so fully turn my back on God to do this.” – Isaac (confession replayed by Peyton and read aloud) [35:47]

• Police, with the pastor’s help, record multiple confessions, including Isaac stating Angel helped plan everything and that they could only be together if Milton was gone.

8. The Plot Unravels: Arrests and Trials ([36:41]–[42:33])

• Isaac and Angel are both arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
• Investigation reveals they had planned the murder for weeks: attempts to poison Milton, setting up the house for a staged robbery, leaving a key for Isaac.
• On the murder night: Isaac strangles Milton, they stage the scene, Angel self-inflicts wounds (and has Isaac help) to fake a robbery assault.
• Angel attempts to shift the blame in later police interviews, but details—including her actions and relationship with Isaac—point to her involvement.

9. The Aftermath: Justice and Consequences ([42:33]–[44:43])

• Court Outcome: Isaac takes a plea deal for second-degree murder (20 years), agrees to testify against Angel, who is found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life.
• The hosts reflect on the tragedy, particularly how the aftermath ruins not just Milton’s memory but devastates the children and families involved.

“Dude, they all have kids. That is so messed up... Combined, there’s like ten kids alone that are involved.” – Garrett [42:33, 43:56]

• They lament that, had Angel and Isaac just left their spouses, so much devastation could have been avoided.

“If you care about your affair that much, just move on.” – Garrett [44:20]
“It’s easier than killing someone, in my opinion.” – Peyton [44:31]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Human Imperfection:
  “Everyone’s been the villain.” – Peyton [09:46]

• On the Irony of Social Media Posts:
  “No woman is going to do that for you. You got to do that yourself.” – Peyton, about Milton’s Facebook post [10:17]

• On the Impact of True Crime:
  “People don’t remember Milton as this man who always said hello... They now have this tainted view of him.” – Peyton [43:18]

• On Love Triangle Motives:
  “Every time they go to trial... this relationship that they killed for, it falls apart.” – Peyton [41:32]

Timeline & Timestamps of Key Segments

• [03:00] – Milton's character, background, and community status
• [08:01] – Milton’s affectionate Facebook post about Angel
• [10:22] – The night of the murder: neighbor finds Angel covered in blood
• [13:21] – Discovery of Milton’s body & initial investigation
• [16:18] – Clue: The key left in the lock, suggesting inside knowledge
• [21:57] – Suspicions about Angel’s involvement raised
• [23:57] – Discovery of manual strangulation as cause of death
• [26:25] – Angel’s affairs with Dylan and Isaac exposed
• [30:01] – Isaac’s suspicious lost phone alibi and denial
• [33:42] – Isaac’s confessions to his pastor
• [35:47] – Isaac’s explicit admission of asking “the devil” for help, and the role of Angel
• [36:41] – Arrests & charges for both Isaac and Angel
• [41:14] – Isaac pleads to lesser charge, Angel stands trial
• [41:50] – Jury quickly convicts Angel after Isaac testifies
• [42:33] – Aftermath for families and children; hosts' reflective discussion
• [43:56] – “Combined, there’s like ten kids alone that are involved.” – Garrett

Closing Thoughts

The case of Milton Sawyer’s murder reveals the dangers of love triangles, unchecked desires, and the tragic ripple effects of one night’s decision on entire families. Peyton and Garrett maintain a conversational, slightly irreverent but respectful tone—mixing compassion for the victim with some darkly comedic marital banter. Their main takeaway: “Just leave. It’s easier than killing someone.”

Episode Status: Highly recommended for fans of true crime that blends thorough research with a relatable, dialogue-driven narrative.