My Favorite Murder: Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 73: Chill Satanist

Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
Podcast Network: Exactly Right / iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Rewind with Karen & Georgia," the hosts revisit their original 2017 episode "Chill Satanist." This time, they offer new commentary, updates, and fresh context on the true crime stories they discussed, focusing in particular on the infamous Fall River cult murders and a notorious hostage crisis in Berkeley. The show also features their trademark blend of comedy, personal anecdotes, pop culture asides, and updated perspectives on issues like criminal justice reform and media’s role in covering crime.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recapping Old Episodes with Fresh Insights

• Karen and Georgia introduce the Rewind format, promising recaps plus new commentary and listener updates.

  “Every Wednesday, we recap our old shows for you with all new commentary, updates and insights. And you’re welcome to listen.” (01:47 – Karen)

• They reflect on the 2017 "Chill Satanist" episode, full of their signature playful banter about podcasting, dating, and early podcasting challenges.

2. Personal Updates & Banter

On Dating Apps and LA/National Dating Scenes

• Both hosts riff about the struggles and quirks of dating in LA versus NY, including banter about HomeGoods shopping dates.

  “LA was recently ranked second worst among large US cities for dating... New York seem... but New York seems fucking horrible.” (19:54 – Karen and Georgia)

• Memorable HomeGoods-date brainstorm:

  “How about just a walk through HomeGoods?... If they’re able to like make fun of things the way you're supposed to in HomeGoods… fucking marry that person.” (21:37 – Karen & Georgia)

3. True Crime News & Criminal Justice

Agnes Gund and Criminal Justice Philanthropy

• Karen highlights a positive news story: Agnes Gund sells a $165 million Lichtenstein to fund criminal justice reform.

  “She sold a Lichtenstein worth $165 million... and donated all of the money to criminal justice reform, specifically to reduce mass incarceration in this country.” (04:35 – Karen)

The Harshness of Drug Laws

• Georgia shares a personal anecdote about someone sentenced to eight years for marijuana possession in Florida, sparking a short, angry discussion about the legacy of outdated “blue laws.” (05:19 – 06:25)

4. Revisiting High-Profile Cases

Kayla Brown and Todd Kohlhepp

• The hosts discuss the infamous Kayla Brown rescue footage, expressing horror and empathy while critiquing the media and police response.

  “It was almost worse... she was so calm... it kind of hit home that thing of everyone always saying, you don’t know what you’re gonna be like in a crisis.” (08:07 – Georgia) “She’s not a child. It’s not her buddy... it’s not a buddy system.” (08:52 – Karen)

Update Segment [24:41 – 27:16]:

• Todd Kohlhepp is serving seven life sentences without parole.
• He has been punished for trying to profit from his crimes (discussing book/merch deals from prison).
• Karen references her comprehensive episode on Kohlhepp: MFM Episode 458: The Demands are Incredible.

5. Main Story Recap: The Fall River Cult Murders

A notorious series involving sex work, Satanism mythology, and brutal violence in 1970s-80s Fall River, MA.

Story Breakdown

• Set in the economic recession of late-1970s Fall River, which led to social decay and increased sex work.
• Victims: Doreen Levesque (17), Barbara Raposa (22), Karen Marsden (20).
• The “cult” was allegedly centered around Carl Drew, a violent pimp with a traumatic, abusive childhood.
• Ritualistic elements: animal sacrifice, seances, and sexual violence—likely fueled by drugs, paranoia, and the “Satanic Panic” of the time.
• Police investigations led to plea deals, shifting testimonies, and a tangled question of who was actually responsible for the murders—Carl Drew or teenage accomplice Robin Murphy.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Robin Murphy:

  “People still think... the actual ringleader and the murder isn’t Carl Drew, but is Robin, the 17-year-old wannabe pimp girl.” (57:37 – Georgia)

• On criminal manipulation and plea bargains:

  “So basically it was like, whoever runs forward first and says, I will snitch on everybody else, is the person who gets the deal.” (52:12 – Karen)

• Laughing darkly at the multiple “bad Carls” involved:

  “There’s a bunch of bad Carls in that area.” (56:57 – Karen)

Key Case Updates [66:53]:

• Carl Drew remains imprisoned, but recently won access to potentially exonerating files.
• Robin Murphy was released on parole in 2024, after demonstrating rehabilitation and earning a college degree in prison.

  “She acknowledged that due to her pattern of dishonesty, many people have been harmed. She’s willing to try and rectify the harm she has caused.” (67:46 – Parole Board, quoted by Georgia)

6. Story Two: The 1990 Berkeley Hostage Crisis

Host Karen recounts a harrowing mass shooting and hostage event in a Berkeley, CA bar.

Story Beat Highlights

• Iranian immigrant Murdad Dashti, suffering from untreated paranoid schizophrenia, takes 67 people hostage at Henry’s Pub in the Durant Hotel.
• He shoots several patrons, demands humiliating acts, and asks police to pay him $16 trillion for “psychic services” rendered to the government.
• The standoff, covered live on TV (with dangerous detail), lasts over eight hours and ends with police storming the bar; Dashti is shot and killed as the hostages are rescued.
• Key conversations on how unfiltered media coverage compromised hostage safety and triggered media policy overhaul.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Dashti’s motivation and the media’s role:

  “The news was running it live, like people got to watch it as it happened, was very bad... And it bolstered him, probably, because he was now a big deal.” (94:37 – 95:05 – Karen & Georgia)

• On the standoff’s psychological toll:

  “So she got up and walked out... she got shot eight times and didn’t even know it.” (80:26 – Karen)

Update Segment [105:33]:

• The hostages published an open letter criticizing media coverage, resulting in new reporting standards for breaking hostage situations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Playful banter on “phoning it in” during the original podcast intro:

  “We were told by podcast consultants that we should act like this at the beginning of the podcast... If you’re new to this podcast, you probably hate us already. You can go to hell.” (02:20–02:29)

• On the randomness of heroism during crises:

  “One guy steps forward and says, you can shoot me.” (91:35 – Karen, on the Berkeley hostage crisis)

• Reflecting on the pressures of early podcasting and juggling TV writing:

  “Here comes the breaking point of like, I worked my whole life to be a sitcom writer. It was finally happening, and it’s like, but now you have to quit because you have this other thing…” (107:53 – Karen)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Main show intro begins: 01:43
• Anecdotes on dating apps and LA dating life: 01:43 – 23:00
• Criminal justice stories and “good billionaire” Agnes Gund: 04:32 – 06:25
• Discussion of Todd Kohlhepp/Kayla Brown and media ethics: 06:26 – 09:49
• Listener updates, pop culture banter, plugs: 09:49 – 12:16
• Main story - Fall River cult murders recap: 34:32 – 61:22
• Case updates (Fall River, Robin Murphy parole): 66:53 – 68:43
• Main story - 1990 Berkeley hostage crisis: 72:27 – 105:15
• Hostage crisis updates and media aftermath: 105:33
• Wrap-up, positive notes, career reflections: 106:13 – end (111:22)

Episode Tone & Style

The episode blends grisly true-crime retelling with frank discussion of systemic issues, offbeat humor, and moments of philosophical reflection about criminal justice, empathy, and human resilience. Karen and Georgia maintain their signature conversational authenticity, weaving in sidebars and confessions that keep the subject matter engaging and anchored in their own lived experience.

Summary

In a return to their formative episode “Chill Satanist,” Karen and Georgia expertly dissect the facts and mythology surrounding the Fall River cult murders and the Berkeley hostage crisis. Their updated insights—specially on the evolution of plea deals, prison reform, and media responsibility—add richness, while their asides about dating, jobs, and HomeGoods dates add charm and levity. This episode is a strong showcase of MFM’s ability to blend irreverent humor with earnest commentary and support for survivors and advocates, while remaining critical of true crime’s darker tendencies—especially the risks of media sensationalism and killer glorification.

Notable Episode Titles Discarded/Discussed:

• "Chill Satanist" (original)
• "I Love Jamestown"
• "So Many Bad Carls"

Signature Signoff:

"Stay sexy and don’t get murdered!"