My Favorite Murder, Episode 503: "Live at the Eccles Theater (Salt Lake City Night 2)"

Hosts: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
Date: October 23, 2025
Location: Eccles Theater, Salt Lake City
Network: Exactly Right & iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This lively episode of My Favorite Murder features Karen and Georgia performing the second of two sold-out live shows in Salt Lake City. After a playful warm-up banter reflecting on their experiences in town, the hosts deliver two signature true crime stories: Georgia recounts the bizarre rise, viral fame, and mysterious removal of the Utah Monolith, while Karen dives into the legendary life (and disputed death) of Utah’s own Gentleman Bandit, Butch Cassidy. The episode also features an audience “hometown murder” story, serving classic MFM comedy, empathy, and crowd interaction throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[02:01–09:55] Warm Welcome, Local Banter, and Laughter

• Backstage & Audience Energy: Karen and Georgia joke about their “second night” in Salt Lake and playfully tease the returning audience. Georgia describes a trip to the local farmers’ market, sharing a story about meeting her favorite dog, “Gentleman.”
  Quote:

  “Guess how much I lost my fucking—when I saw this guy. He was so chill. There were, like, fucking rottweilers walking by him. And he was just like, double middle fingers.” —Georgia (04:47)

• Wardrobe Jokes: They humorously compare their outfits: “We look like Jolly Ranchers.” —Georgia (03:25)

• Tour Life Relatability: Karen discusses getting her nails done in the hotel, and the mishaps that ensued, involving a surprise IT rescue.
  Quote:

  “Finally, Christy pipes up, and she goes, ‘I actually work in IT.’ And I was like, ‘God damn it, Christy, get over here right now and fix this problem.’ And she did.” —Karen (07:27)

• Tour Anxiety and Gratitude: The hosts discuss returning to live shows after years away, with real honesty about nerves and gratitude for community support.
  Quote:

  “So grateful in times like these that you guys bought tickets, came out. We were so scared. It’s been six years since we’ve been on the road...” —Karen (08:58)

[09:55–14:44] Explaining MFM's Vibe and Format

• What is MFM, Anyway? Karen and Georgia riff on their “true crime/comedy” approach, unapologetically warning the uninitiated “drag alongs.”
  Quote:

  “We don’t think murder is funny. We think we’re funny. And we also grew up with lots of trauma like everybody else, probably, in this room. And we learned to cope with it through humor. And so that’s why this podcast is the way it is. And if you don’t like it, you can get the fuck out.” —Karen (13:07)

• Format Reminder: Each host picks a story without telling the other in advance, keeping things fresh for both them and the audience.

Georgia’s Story: The Utah Monolith Mystery

[18:23–50:22]

[18:23–23:59] Discovery and Description

• During COVID lockdown (November 2020), a mysterious, metallic monolith was spotted from a helicopter in the remote deserts of Utah. The finding sparked viral intrigue and rampant speculation.

• Georgia sets the scene with drama and classic MFM snark: Quote:

  “Was it a prankster or an artist? Or was it a fucking alien? Tonight we’re gonna try to unravel the mystery that refuses to be explained. This is the story of the Utah Monolith.” —Georgia (19:14)

• The structure is described as nearly 10 feet tall, made of sheet metal riveted over a plywood frame, planted firmly into a remote canyon.

[24:00–32:03] Internet Sleuths and Viral Madness

• Official attempts to keep its location secret were immediately foiled by internet detectives who cross-referenced images and tracked helicopter flight paths.

• Georgia humorously outlines one local woman’s determined quest to find the monolith, relating how “none of us had jobs at the time.” (28:28)

• Redditors and even Dutch journalists jump in, nailing down both the location and its installation window (sometime in 2016). The story becomes a symbol of internet obsession—and pandemic boredom.

[32:03–40:44] Environmental Backlash, Sudden Disappearance

• With the secret out, crowds flock to the site—damaging untouched land and risking personal safety.

• Environmentalists and officials are dismayed:
  Quote:

  “While curiosity is understandable, we discourage visiting the monolith. Along with safety concerns, increased crowds threaten the archaeological... [pause]... yeah, you nailed it. Third time’s a charm.” —Georgia & Karen (36:01)

• Mysterious Vanishing: Ten days after its discovery, the monolith disappears. Amateur investigators and photographers observe a group of men dismantling and removing it, leaving behind the phrase, “Leave no trace.”
  Quote:

  “This is why you don’t leave trash in the desert.” —One of the unidentified men who took it down (39:18)

[40:44–49:54] Whodunnit and the Aftermath

• Two local “nature guys” claim credit for removing the monolith to protect the land. Theories about its origins abound:

  • Prank?
  • Anonymous artist?
  • The late minimalist John McCracken?
  • “A bike messenger... just kind of a Weldy guy.” (44:59)

• The monolith’s viral success spawns global copycats, with versions found in Romania, India, Austria, and more.

  Notable Laugh Line:

  “The materials are unremarkable, and you’ve got to assume that they’ve got better tools and shit.” —Georgia, regarding the possibility of it being aliens (44:27)

Karen’s Story: Butch Cassidy – The Gentleman Bandit

[54:19–94:31]

[54:19–63:27] Origins and Early Crimes

• Born Robert Leroy Parker in Beaver, Utah (1866), to Mormon immigrant grandparents, he grows up the eldest of 13 children.

• His early mentor, Mike Cassidy, introduces him to cattle rustling and the outlaw life.

• Adopts the name “Butch Cassidy” after a stint at a Wyoming butcher shop.

• Quote:

  “He always seemed to possess from birth a set of standards below which he believed a gentleman should never stand... Generosity was his strong suit.” —Karen, paraphrasing Leerson’s biography (62:08)

[63:28–77:06] Leader of the Wild Bunch

• Butch teams up with notorious outlaws, creating a loose network later dubbed “The Wild Bunch.”

• The crew robs banks and trains with trademark politeness and minimal violence.

• Innovations include strategically stashing fresh horses for getaways.

  Quote:

  “It’s like a relay for horses.” —Georgia (66:02)

• Butch’s blend of charm and cunning allows him to repeatedly evade capture, even as a serious manhunt commences post-robberies.

[77:07–89:07] The Legendary Robberies and On the Run

• Describes famous, well-planned heists—like the daylight payroll wagon robbery and the sensational Union Pacific train job where “money flies everywhere” after a dynamite blast (82:45).

• Community members (including Mormon families, per a surprise audience email) sometimes provide safe houses for the gang, cementing the folkloric aura of the duo.

  Notable Hometown Email Read:

  “If you ever decide to rob a bank via old fashioned steam engine, know that the Mormons got your back.” —Mikaela, audience member’s family email, recounted by Karen (87:46)

[89:08–94:31] Mystery of Butch & Sundance's Deaths

• The pair flee to South America, living off the grid in Argentina, then allegedly die in a Bolivian shootout. The remains, however, are never conclusively identified. Quote:

  “DNA does not match... leading some historians to believe that the Bolivian authorities misidentified the men shot and killed that day, and that once again, Butch and Sundance escaped and lived out the rest of their lives under new names.” —Karen (92:37)

• The hosts ruminate on American mythmaking, the enduring power of legend, and the comforting camaraderie of Paul Newman and Robert Redford “drunk in heaven.”

[94:50–103:07] Hometown Murder: Megan’s Temple Square Stalker

• Live Audience Story (Megan):
  Megan recounts serving her Mormon mission on Temple Square, encountering a mentally ill stalker named Felix who follows her home. In the same month, the community reels from the high-profile disappearance and murder of Lori Hacking.

  • Megan and her companion narrowly avoid letting an impostor posing as a security guard into their apartment.
  • After being relocated, Megan participates in a memorial vigil for parents who lost children, where Lori Hacking’s parents speak powerfully about grief.
  • The story comes full circle as Megan finds meaning years later attending similar vigils at her own children’s resting place.

  Memorable Reaction:

  “That was a perfect hometown. A perfect hometown.” —Karen (103:25)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You want a clean glass, you wash that glass. We put up a sign. Your mom doesn’t work here at this theater, Janet.” —Karen (10:36)
• “We just appreciate you’ve given us very beautiful lives... and we will need that community going forward in these fucked up times. Please love each other, please help each other, and stay sexy.” —Karen (103:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:01–09:55] Show banter, Salt Lake City jokes, tour stories
• [18:23–50:22] Georgia’s story: The Utah Monolith
• [54:19–94:31] Karen’s story: Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch
• [94:50–103:07] Hometown from Megan: Temple Square, true crime connections
• [103:51–104:22] Closing gratitude, community message

Summary Tone & Style

• The episode is full of the hosts’ signature blend of vulnerability and irreverence, frequently breaking for goofy tangents about fashion, menopause, dogs, and Utah travel woes.
• Even when navigating grim subject matter—true crime, unsolved mysteries, societal trauma—they maintain a tone rooted in optimism, curiosity, and a commitment to community.
• Their comedic chemistry and crowd rapport are center stage, making the episode feel spontaneous and warmly interactive.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

Live from Salt Lake City, Karen and Georgia deliver stories with local flavor and classic humor, unpacking the pandemic-era mystery of the Utah Monolith and the enduring legend of Butch Cassidy. The episode’s big laughs and poignant moments—the anxiety of returning to live shows, tales of pandemic weirdness, audience connections, and generosity—provide both big entertainment and genuine emotional resonance. The show closes, as ever, with a cherished reminder to “stay sexy, and don’t get murdered.”