Episode Summary: Murder With My Husband, Ep. 305

"Caught by the Algorithm: How Geo-Fencing Solved a Murder"

Release Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Peyton Moreland (true crime fan) & Garrett Moreland (the reluctant husband)

Overview

This episode tells the tragic story of Mitchell Jones Jr., an aspiring actor living outside Atlanta, Georgia, whose 2018 murder was solved with the help of cutting-edge geofencing technology. Hosts Peyton and Garrett explore privacy, the role of technology in investigations, and the personal fallout of violent crime—all with their signature dynamic: her passionate, detail-oriented storytelling balanced by his skeptical, often lighthearted reactions.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Introduction to the Hosts and Format

• Peyton welcomes new and existing listeners, noting the show’s debut on Netflix (03:00–05:00).
• The premise is explained: Peyton tells a true crime story to Garrett, who reacts in real time, unscripted.
• Quote (Peyton, 05:34): "You are just getting nitty gritty details about true crime cases from someone who loves it and someone who hates it."

Garrett’s 10 Seconds

• Updates listeners on his bagel shop plans—permit acquired, construction underway (06:07).

2. Setting the Stage: Atlanta 2018 & Mitchell Jones Jr.

• Atlanta’s rise in the entertainment world draws Mitchell from Erie, PA, to Marietta, GA, where he thrives both personally and professionally (09:02–12:00).
• Quote (Peyton, 10:16): "In Atlanta, he could be himself. He didn’t have to hide. Which was an important shift for Mitchell, who was also gay."

3. The Night of the Murder

• Thanksgiving weekend, Nov 23, 2018: Neighbor Lynette hears a disturbance in Mitchell’s apartment but decides not to interfere (12:00–13:38).
• Mitchell calls 911 around 9:30pm, weakly telling the operator he is dying but unable to give his address (13:38–14:10).
• Police trace the call, find Mitchell bleeding and semi-conscious, stabbed multiple times (face, head, torso), and rush him to the hospital—but he dies en route (14:10–15:00).
• Attack is immediately judged extremely violent—a likely crime of passion (16:23–17:15).

4. Crime Scene & Early Investigation

• Signs of a struggle in the bedroom; candles lit; Mitchell found in underwear (17:15–18:00).
• No murder weapon found. Key piece: Mitchell’s main phone is missing, but he called 911 from a backup device—suggests killer took his phone (18:00–18:53).
• Police canvass the neighborhood. Lynette heard fighting, but feels guilty for not intervening (18:53–19:04).

5. The Car Clue & Suspects

• Neighbor’s camera catches a dark Buick Lucerne arrive at 9:09pm and leave 20 mins later, consistent with the murder timeline (21:31–22:27).
• The Buick had been at Mitchell’s place before; indicates someone he knew (22:41).
• Police explore Mitchell’s dating life. Friends mention a former lover, only identified as "that boy" (24:36–25:11).
• Tattoo clue ("rest in peace Brandon") leads to Eric Hopkins, who has a violent history but denies involvement and lawyer’s up (25:11–26:59).

6. A Mysterious Number and DeAndre Fleming

• Eric’s phone records trace to frequent contact with DeAndre Fleming, whose parents have a dark Buick (29:15–30:03).
• DeAndre is evasive at first, then claims to know Eric only remotely through video games and "sharing a hotspot" (31:05–32:38).
• Police clarify that hotspot connections can appear as calls in records but are puzzled over the logistics themselves.

The DNA Break

• Blood from the crime scene doesn’t match Eric or DeAndre, and DNA isn’t in CODIS; case stalls (33:12–34:22).

7. Phone Records Hit a Wall

• Mitchell’s main phone missing; logs show no relevant texts or calls (34:22–34:47).
• Police realize the crucial conversation likely happened via social media/app that they can’t access without the phone or specialized warrants.
• However, phone records show Mitchell’s phone traveling to downtown Atlanta after the murder—a likely suspect dump site (34:51–35:15).

8. The Breakthrough: Geofencing Technology

• Detective uses new geofencing (from FBI seminar) to get Google’s SensorVault records: all phones in the area around the homicide, at the relevant time (38:40–41:48).
• Four devices found:
  • Two: elderly couple.
  • Third: visitor to a friend.
  • Fourth: a previously unknown man—Dante Holmes, age 22, with a violent record (43:17–43:25).
• Dante’s iCloud uploads a leg wound photo post-murder; his mother quickly sells a matching Buick; Dante’s phone travels with Mitchell’s phone to downtown right after the murder (44:11–44:13).
• Quote (Garrett, 44:11): "That's insane. That's insane."

9. The Interrogation & Confession

• Dante is brought in, changes his story: from denying he knew Mitchell to claiming "just hookups" back in September. Confronted with evidence, he alleges self-defense—Mitchell attacked first, he says (45:36–46:49).
• Police doubt his story, focusing on him taking Mitchell’s phone—sabotaging any emergency call (47:53).
• DNA matches confirm Dante’s blood at the scene. He’s charged with malice murder, aggravated assault, and more.

10. Technology on Trial: Geofencing’s Role

• Prosecution worried jurors won’t trust or grasp geofencing evidence; rely also on confession and DNA.
• Facing the death penalty, Dante pleads guilty to avoid it; sentenced to life in prison (49:10).

Reflection on Motive & Open Questions

• Motive unclear—possibly a "lover’s quarrel," but Dante never fully explains (49:33–50:05).
• Peyton and Garrett note we’ll likely never know for sure.

Technology, Privacy, and Controversy

• Geofencing helped solve the case—but the hosts discuss privacy concerns and possible pitfalls:

  • Innocent people like George Molina (Phoenix, 2018) have been wrongly arrested based on phone location, underscoring dangers of relying solely on tech (50:22–51:04).
  • Debate: Is privacy a right or a privilege? Does access to geofencing cross a line?

• Quote (Peyton, 50:53): "Who's to say who's carrying whose phone? It's just a phone. Not necessarily their person."

• Quote (Peyton, 52:42): "At least in Mitchell’s case, geofencing did lead to a success story. Mitchell’s father even praised it when he spoke to the press."

Notable Quotes & Host Reactions

• "Whenever you have a stabbing like this, it’s intimate, it’s close, and it’s personal." — Peyton (17:15)
• "Usually when someone is stabbed many times, it's usually a case of some sort of rage or passion..." — Garrett (16:23)
• "Why? Like why? Like why? ...To kill someone will never stop blowing my mind." — Garrett (52:42)
• "Honestly, I've been down the police bodycam footage rabbit hole lately..." — Peyton (53:08)
• "I love it and I hate it." — Garrett [signature sign off] (53:47)

Notable Timestamps

• [09:02] – Intro to Atlanta, Mitchell’s background
• [13:38] – The 911 call and discovery of Mitchell
• [21:31] – Neighbor’s camera catches suspect’s car
• [34:22] – Police hit dead end with traditional phone records
• [38:40] – Detective uses geofencing breakthrough
• [43:16] – Discovery of Dante Holmes
• [45:36–46:49] – Dante’s shifting story and confession
• [49:10] – Guilty plea and sentencing
• [50:22] – Discussion of geofencing controversy/mistakes

Memorable Moments

• Host banter over the confusion about "hotspot" call records (31:08–32:38).
• Signature dynamic: Peyton's rich detail meets Garrett's skeptical humor ("Get out of here. That's insane." – 33:12).
• Reflections on how technology can both bring justice and do harm—balanced discussion about the real-world tradeoffs as privacy and technology intersect with law enforcement.

Takeaways

• Technology as Double-Edged Sword: Geofencing helped crack a stalled case, but its potential for error and privacy issues remain unresolved.
• The Human Cost: The violent, senseless nature of Mitchell’s murder is bookended with a reminder that real lives—of victims, survivors, and even those wrongly accused—are forever changed.
• A Landmark Case: This may have been Georgia’s first murder solved with geofencing.
• Host Dynamic: The unique dynamic (true crime lover and doubter) makes the grim subject matter more accessible and relatable.

If you missed the episode, this summary covers the core story, technological breakthroughs, investigative twists, privacy debates, and the hosts' authentic reactions—painting a vivid portrait of both the case and the podcast’s one-of-a-kind approach.