My Favorite Murder REWIND: Episode 81 "Weapon Bush"

Podcast: My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Release Date: January 28, 2026 (Original episode: August 10, 2017)
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark

Episode Overview

In this Rewind episode, Karen and Georgia revisit a classic My Favorite Murder installment: Episode 81, famously titled "Weapon Bush." The show features their warm camaraderie, irreverent humor, and deep dives into some of the most haunting true crime cases. As with other Rewind editions, they provide fresh context, personal anecdotes, cultural reflections, and candid discussions about the cases covered. Episode 81 looks back at two infamous stories: the sadistic crimes of Peter Kürten (“The Vampire of Düsseldorf”) and the controversial, complex MacDonald family murders involving Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald.

This Rewind also highlights how perspectives on crime, language, and podcasting itself have evolved since the episode's original airing. The hosts are candid about their growth, the feedback they've received, and the need for continuous learning, particularly regarding social issues and responsible storytelling.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Rewinding to Episode 81 & Early Banter

Timestamps: 02:42–12:00

• The hosts discuss the accidental origins of the episode title "Weapon Bush," reminiscing about chaos in the studio—including dog escapes, hot tears, and burger deliveries.
• Karen shares a misadventure with her escape-artist dog, George, illustrating everyday chaos and their authentic friendship.
• Georgia: “Crying in front of strangers is the most, like, vulnerable you can be. And you hope they react well. You're like, ‘Oh, honey, it's okay.’” (05:33)
• A detour into the health of beloved pets Elvis (dog) and Dottie (kitten), setting a lighthearted, relatable tone.

2. Corrections, Medical Terms & Audience Engagement

Timestamps: 08:16–11:32

• The hosts revisit a past confusion about brain hemorrhages versus aneurysms, quoting a detailed explanation from comedian Kara Klink’s neurologist brother, Colin.
• Georgia reads:

  “The good news is, neither of you was wrong. Generally speaking, hemorrhage just means bleeding, usually profusely, but not always… So cerebral hemorrhage is just a general term for bleeding in the brain. Lots of different things can cause cerebral hemorrhage, including trauma or aneurysms, as Karen pointed out.” (09:20)

• Emphasizes the ongoing learning process and how the MFM community—including listeners with expert knowledge—helps set the record straight.

3. Addressing Criticism, Learning About Privilege & Inclusion

Timestamps: 12:26–18:49

• Karen and Georgia address a critical article about the podcast, engaging with accusations of racism in true crime media and their own blind spots as hosts.
• Karen underscores the importance of listening and not centering white defensiveness:

  "It's hard to be told you're racist... So I just want to say, we are listening to you and we hear you and we are your allies." (14:02)

• Georgia reflects on privilege, referencing an experience with anti-Semitism:

  “...this whole time I've been like, well, I'm Jewish and the name Hardstark doesn't look Jewish. And so I missed this whole level of racism. Anti-Semitism.” (15:02)

• They reiterate a commitment to learning, correcting, and fostering an inclusive community.

4. Tour Announcements & Personal Anecdotes

Timestamps: 19:20–23:47

• The hosts enthusiastically share updates for their international tour, including landmark venues like the Sydney Opera House.
• Karen recounts a tender family history, detailing how her parents met aboard the Matson Lines—sparking both tears and laughter:

  "He said the second he saw her, he goes, she was wearing a green sweater and I knew I'm in trouble." (21:34)

• Light moments on mixing up names, parental occupations, and the chaos of live logistics (including Steven, their producer, wrangling burger deliveries).

5. Tangents, True Crime Obsession & “Weapon Bush” Origins

Timestamps: 33:24–35:44

• A playful deconstruction of how George the dog earned the nickname "Weapon Bush," due to her acrobatic escapes across neighborly fences and creative problem-solving.
• Hilarity in recounting how neighborhood pets outsmart their owners, and reflections on how casual asides often become running episode motifs.

Main Case 1: The Vampire of Düsseldorf (Peter Kürten)

Presented by: Karen Kilgariff
Timestamps: 40:19–63:11

Key Points & Memorable Moments

• Early Trauma and Pathology:
  • Born 1883, endured violent, abusive, and sexually exploitative upbringing. Befriends a dog catcher who tortures animals and introduces him to cruelty.
  • First murders at age 11—drowning two classmates (44:00).
• Escalation:
  • Animal cruelty turns into sexual violence and homicide. Early 20s: begins breaking into houses, commits serial murders of young girls and women, often returning to crime scenes to observe.
• Signature Behaviors:
  • Notably, brings scissors as a weapon, and enjoys taunting police, even joining angry mobs after his own crimes (54:37).
  • Dubbed "The Vampire of Düsseldorf" after press learns he drank victims' blood.
  • Confession includes 79 separate offenses; ultimately convicted and executed by guillotine in 1931, having sat caged during his trial to protect him from victims’ families (62:06).
• Quote:

  “He is a true original. Oh, I was gonna say it reminds me of the child murderer from Guernsey...very similar vibe.” – Karen (63:09)

Notable Quotes:

• “He was made to sit in a cage in the courtroom so that the family members of the victims didn't attack and kill him.” – Karen (62:06)
• “He is a deranged mind... all the worst things combined.” – Karen (47:19)

Main Case 2: The MacDonald Family Murders (Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald)

Presented by: Georgia Hardstark
Timestamps: 66:44–113:43

Key Points & Memorable Moments

• Who Was Jeffrey MacDonald?
  • An accomplished doctor, Princeton grad, Green Beret, seemingly living the American dream, when his pregnant wife Colette and two daughters are brutally murdered at Fort Bragg, NC, in 1970.
• MacDonald’s Version:
  • Claims commune of “acid-crazed hippies” broke in, chanting “Acid is groovy. Kill the pigs,” and attacked his family. His explanation seems rehearsed and implausible, especially given the details (71:09).
• Immediate Police Scrutiny:
  • Superficial wounds to MacDonald, staged crime scene, lack of supporting physical evidence. Investigators quickly suspect him.
• Iconic Details:
  • The story "Weapon Bush" emerges from analysis of the supposedly discarded weapons—all found conveniently tossed beneath the same bush outside (81:28).
• Actual Forensic Evidence:
  • Each family member had a different blood type, allowing unprecedented crime scene reconstruction (94:12).
  • Blood spatter, pajama threads, and magazine evidence (involving an Esquire story on the Manson murders) all point clearly to staging by MacDonald.
• Why Did He Do It?
  • Escalating marital disputes, MacDonald’s amphetamine use and narcissism, and a night of uncontrolled violence led to the murders. He attempted to mislead investigators with a fabricated story and self-inflicted, non-life-threatening wounds (108:38).
• Long-Term Impact:
  • MacDonald maintains his innocence, even after conviction and decades in prison. The complexity of the case, carelessness of 1970s evidence handling, and presence of other supposed confessions (by local drug users) continue to fuel debate.
• Notable Quotes:

  "So that's how. What really happened. Jeffrey McDonald is now 68 and he remarried and is still in prison." – Georgia (109:11)
  "How is it any easier for someone else to do it?... It's not. That's why he is this anomaly and this freak and this thing that we want to look at and talk about." – Karen (113:19)

Case Update:

• MacDonald remains incarcerated (as of 2026), his appeals consistently denied, highlighted in recent documentaries (e.g., FX’s "A Wilderness of Error") (113:43).

Community, Reflection & Final Thoughts

Timestamps: 114:54–117:43

• Karen and Georgia cap the episode with appreciation for their listeners and the journey from chaos to deeper understanding. Possible alternate episode titles are brainstormed (“Moment of Chaos,” “Levels of Hysteria”), poking fun at their own narrative style.
• The episode closes with gratitude, reminders of the importance of audience correction and growth, and the classic sign-off:

  "Stay sexy and don't get murdered." (117:41)

Notable Quotes

• On Evolving Language:
  “If you listen from the beginning, we didn't say (sex workers), we said prostitutes. Because we didn't know. As soon as we find, we correct ourselves...” – Georgia (17:36)

• On Podcasting:
  “We haven’t said it in a while, but, like, we didn’t know this would be a thing and we still don’t know this is a thing, this podcast.” – Georgia (07:14)

• On True Crime Fascination:
  “That to me, that like move right there is what I'm in it for, because it feels like if you took pictures of every crime scene of the people that were lined up, you could see the people who were respons...” – Karen, discussing serial killer psychology (55:32)

Key Timestamps Index

• 02:42 – Introduction to Rewind; podcast chaos
• 08:16–11:32 – Medical corrections corner: hemorrhage vs. aneurysm
• 12:26–18:49 – Addressing criticism, race, and inclusive language
• 19:20–23:47 – Tour stories and personal family anecdotes
• 40:19–63:11 – Case 1: The Vampire of Düsseldorf (Peter Kürten)
• 66:44–113:43 – Case 2: The MacDonald Family Murders
• 114:54–117:43 – Closing reflections and sign-off

Tone & Style

Throughout, Karen and Georgia balance their signature irreverence, authenticity, and empathy—melding dark subject matter with moments of levity and self-deprecating humor. The conversational, tangential style invites listeners into their friendship, while the structure ensures the gravity of the cases is respected.

Summary for New Listeners

This rewind episode provides rich context for two infamous criminal cases—one European, one American—framed by the hosts’ ongoing journey as public figures and learners. Along the way, listeners are treated to honest asides about podcasting chaos, evolving language, and mental health.
Not just a recap—this episode pulls listeners into the heart of what makes My Favorite Murder a true-crime classic: careful research, introspection, and a unique exchange between two friends still discovering, in real time, what it means to tell these stories right.