My Favorite Murder – Episode 496: Swim Angry

Hosts: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Date: September 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode of "My Favorite Murder," Karen and Georgia return with equal parts humor and heart, covering two riveting stories: the 1996 disappearance and murder of Ann Marie Fahey—a politically charged case from Delaware that reverberated through a tight-knit community—and the remarkable heroism of Armenian athlete Shavarsh Karapetyan, whose bravery in the face of a catastrophic trolleybus accident in 1976 saved dozens of lives. Interspersed with their signature banter and listener submissions, the hosts create a rich, layered exploration of true crime, survival, community, and unexpected heroes.

Main Discussion & Key Segments

1. Banter, Upcoming Tour, and Community Catch-up

• Timestamps: [02:14] – [09:35]
  • Karen and Georgia discuss tan lines, fake tanners, stage outfits, and their upcoming live tour (their first in over six years).
    • Georgia: “There’s some cities…San Diego. Why? Get it together. We were there for you.” [05:39]
    • Karen: “Leave the elephants alone. And we’re not going to say it again.” [07:19]
  • Reflections on the changing times, Gen X references, and the supportive MFM fanbase.
  • Plug for Exactly Right Media and an MFM Animated “Crow Omen” episode by Nick Terry.
    • Georgia: “…Nick Terry gets Vince’s beard and he’s like a calico cat beard and he gets it. So spot on.” [08:15]

2. Murder of Ann Marie Fahey: Power, Secrets, and Small Town Scandal

• Timestamps: [09:35] – [41:00]

Case Introduction

• Georgia introduces the disappearance of 29-year-old Ann Marie Fahey in Wilmington, Delaware, 1996.
  • “This isn’t just a story of a missing woman. It’s a story about power, corruption, and how far someone will go to protect their image.” – Georgia [10:34]
• Primary source: Ann Rule’s And Never Let Her Go, and a 2001 TV miniseries.

Background on Ann Marie Fahey

• Annie’s tight-knit Irish-American family, childhood difficulties (loss of mother, father’s alcoholism), self-sufficiency, and mental health struggles.
• Unique detail: Annie’s childhood stuffed animals with women’s rights buttons—“That kind of detail, I see that person so well based on that.” – Georgia [13:40]

Disappearance and Investigation

• Annie fails to show up for dinner with her boyfriend and brother; her meticulous habits make her absence (and the state of her apartment) deeply alarming.
• Roaming discussion of Wilmington culture (scrapple, strong community ties).
• Discovery of a love letter from lawyer/political figure Tom Capano.

Tom Capano: Privilege and Control

• Tom’s background: connected, respected, and with a family of “dirtbaggy brothers.”
• History of predatory, controlling relationships, including a previous plot to hire a hitman.
  • Karen quips: “Why are all the boyfriends that are so terrible, the ones that have, like, six girlfriends?” [24:53]
• Annie was trying to distance herself, but Tom’s obsession continued.

Break in the Case

• Evidence mounts: bloodstains, replaced carpet, and cleaning supplies named “Carbona Blood and Milk Remover.”
  • Karen: “Sir. What? That’s a confession.” [34:44]
• Use of Annie’s donated blood for DNA matching—a first-rate detective moment.

Confession and Conviction

• Brothers Jerry and Louis turn on Tom, testifying to his role in Annie’s murder and the disposal of her body at sea.
• Tom's feeble defense blaming another woman is dismantled.
• He becomes the first person in Delaware convicted of murder without a body or weapon.
• “What a loss.” – Karen [40:57]

3. Historic Heroism: Shavarsh Karapetyan, the Armenian Lifesaver

• Timestamps: [44:50] – [75:38]

Introduction: Unexpected Armenian Hero

• Karen tells of Shavarsh Karapetyan, a champion fin swimmer from Armenia who, in 1976, selflessly rescued approximately 20 people from a sunken trolleybus in Lake Yerevan.
  • “This is the story of a truly heroic Armenian athlete named Shivarsh Karapetyan.” [47:55]

Background & Training

• Shavarsh’s upbringing, rigorous (almost Rocky-esque) training, and career trajectory in the face of Soviet politics.

The 1976 Trolleybus Disaster

• Trolleybus careens into Lake Yerevan; almost 100 people are trapped.
• Shavarsh, training nearby, runs 13 miles with a 45-pound sandbag then immediately dives into polluted, freezing water, smashing windows to perform repeated rescues.
  • “To this day, I ask myself if I had sprinted to the scene and hadn’t seen Shavarsh in the water, would I have jumped in? The answer is always the same: 50/50.” – Kamo, Shavarsh’s brother [58:50]
  • “I knew that it wouldn’t be right if the world’s fastest underwater swimmer was there and didn’t even try to help.” – Shavarsh [75:22]

Aftermath and Quiet Fame

• Shavarsh contracts pneumonia and nearly dies, with his feat suppressed in the USSR until the 1980s.
• He never tells his wife—she finds out from a newspaper years later.
• Eventually, he receives the recognition he deserves, both in Armenia and internationally.
• Karen: “People that aren’t doing it for the glory.” [75:49]
• Georgia: “Ugh, amazing.” [73:47]

4. Listener “Honking Hoorays”: Celebrating the Good

• Timestamps: [79:02] – [85:04]
  • Listeners share celebratory emails: successful surgeries, surviving grad school, meaningful celebrity sightings (Pedro Pascal and Michelle Buteau), and the joys of parenting teens.
    • “Yay for Pedro Pascal being all of our daddies. And hooray for those arms.” – Laurenoscopy (listener email) [83:53]
    • “They are fiercely loyal, roast me daily in ways I can only admire…” – Roshni from New Zealand [81:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Everything is content.” – Georgia, reflecting on social media/live show moments [04:59]
• “Time is not linear.” – Georgia, in a philosophical aside [05:19]
• “Salami wheel. There’s gonna be a salami. So you’re gonna want to go.” – Karen, teasing live show surprises [06:22]
• “That cost one life.” – Shavarsh, recalling his regret at surfacing with a seat cushion, not a person [63:21]
• “Anyone can find himself in a place where somebody needs [help]. The main thing is to remember what makes you human.” – Shavarsh [73:47]
• On Pedro Pascal: “If all of us can love a man who is hell-bent on protecting our trans community…that speaks to how we define sexiness and healthy masculinity.” – Laurenoscopy (listener email) [83:53]

Tone and Language

• Witty, casual, and emotionally resonant, with the hosts’ trademark blend of irreverence and sincerity.
• Moments of deep empathy, especially discussing victim experiences and community ties.
• Tangents are humorous and heartfelt, providing natural breaks from heavier content.
• Listener emails bring lightness and community connection.

Episode Highlights with Timestamps

• Tour banter and nostalgia: [02:14] – [07:41]
• Animated MFM update/Nick Terry: [07:52] – [09:35]
• Ann Marie Fahey case deep dive: [09:35] – [41:00]
• Shavarsh Karapetyan’s heroism: [44:50] – [75:38]
• Listener “Honking Hoorays”: [79:02] – [85:04]
• Notable quotes and segment transitions highlighted inline above.

For New Listeners

This episode is a prime example of why "My Favorite Murder" continues to resonate: it weaves together true crime research, lived experiences, global heroism, and vibrant listener engagement, all with Karen and Georgia’s unique blend of candor and warmth. Whether exploring small-town Delaware or Soviet Armenia, “Swim Angry” delivers compelling stories, dark humor, and moments that will linger long after the episode ends.

Stay sexy. Don’t get murdered.