My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Episode: Rewind with Karen & Georgia - Episode 36: Live from LA Podcast Festival
Release Date: March 12, 2025

Introduction: Revisiting the First Live Show

In this special rewind episode, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark delve into one of their earliest milestones: Episode 36, titled "Live from LA Podcast Festival." Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and part of the Exactly Right podcast network, My Favorite Murder has long been celebrated for its unique blend of true crime storytelling and comedic banter. This episode revisits their inaugural live show, providing fresh commentary, case updates, and behind-the-scenes revelations.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for Live

Karen and Georgia reminisce about the preparations and anxieties leading up to their first live podcast at the LA Podcast Festival. Georgia shares her memory driving to the venue while trying to apply makeup in her car, expressing frustration over life's unpredictable challenges:

• Georgia Hardstark [02:22]: "I can still remember driving to that live show from work, trying to put on makeup in the car as I go to this, our first live show."

Karen discusses her resourcefulness in fulfilling a promise to bring a stuffed Elvis to recreate their podcast environment:

• Karen Kilgariff [05:13]: "And I was like, excuse me, don't you have some 6th grade teacher hand knit a Siamese cat... Elvis is here."

The tension backstage is palpable as Vince expresses his nervousness about the live performance:

• Vince [06:51]: "I'm nervous."

Karen attempts to calm him down, leading to humorous exchanges that set the tone for the live event.

Guest Appearance: Dave Anthony of The Dollop

Their first live show featured a special guest, Dave Anthony, co-host of The Dollop, adding a layer of camaraderie and shared passion for true crime. The trio engages in storytelling, each recounting harrowing true crime cases with their signature blend of humor and empathy.

True Crime Spotlight: David Carpenter – The Trailside Killer

Dave Anthony takes the lead in recounting the chilling case of David Carpenter, known as the Trailside Killer. The narrative covers Carpenter's troubled upbringing, marked by abuse and neglect, which ultimately spiraled into a life of crime:

• Dave Anthony [20:53]: "But no one knows about that one."

Carpenter's modus operandi involved targeting hikers in Northern California, with Carpenter evading capture for years due to initial investigative oversights:

• Karen Kilgariff [56:27]: "But Jennifer Mori is, like, one of my real Housewives, only she did something way cooler."

The podcast delves into Carpenter's eventual downfall, highlighting procedural lapses that delayed his arrest:

• Dave Anthony [58:56]: "There's no updates for this story. It's been over for a long time."

True Crime Spotlight: Gordon Northcott – Wineville Chicken Coop Murders

Karen Kilgariff passionately narrates the sordid tale of the Wineville Chicken Coop murders, drawing parallels to the Clint Eastwood film The Changeling. The story unfolds Gordon Northcott's heinous crimes, involving the abduction and murder of young boys, and the subsequent cover-up spearheaded by corrupt LAPD officials:

• Karen Kilgariff [75:03]: "It's a scariest thing."

The couple discusses the systemic corruption within the LAPD during the 1920s, exacerbating the inability to solve the murders promptly. Karen emphasizes the profound impact these crimes had on the community, leading to the town's name change from Wineville to Miraloma:

• Karen Kilgariff [67:29]: "That's how huge this was. And bad it was."

True Crime Spotlight: Mark Aaron Rust – Australian Serial Killer

Georgia Hardstark presents the disturbing case of Mark Aaron Rust, an Australian serial killer whose crimes spanned from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Rust's predatory behavior targeted young women, culminating in multiple rapes and murders:

• Vince [94:50]: "So he was charged seven times with indecency offenses, but was only fined, never convicted."

The discussion highlights Rust's evasion tactics, including manipulating witness testimonies and exploiting legal loopholes, which allowed him to continue his killing spree until his eventual capture and life sentences:

• Dave Anthony [112:59]: "He's still alive too."

Audience Interaction and Reflections

Throughout the live event, Karen, Georgia, and Dave engage with the audience, navigating humorous interruptions and spontaneous interactions. These moments underscore the dynamic nature of live podcasting, balancing the gravity of true crime stories with lighthearted banter:

• Georgia Hardstark [90:16]: "It's the scariest thing."

Case Updates and Ongoing Impact

The hosts provide updates on the discussed cases, revealing long-term consequences and current statuses:

• David Carpenter remains on death row at 94 years old, facing ongoing legal proceedings.
• Gordon Northcott's case remains a haunting chapter in true crime history, with lasting effects on community trust in law enforcement.
• Mark Aaron Rust continues to serve life sentences in Australia, maintaining his place as one of the country's most notorious criminals.

Conclusion: Evolution of the Podcast

Karen and Georgia reflect on their growth as podcasters, commending each other's abilities to handle sensitive true crime narratives with compassion and wit. They acknowledge the challenges of live performances but celebrate the enduring success of My Favorite Murder in bringing compelling true crime stories to a broad audience.

• Karen Kilgariff [93:48]: "Tell us, tell us everything."

They express gratitude to their guest, Dave Anthony, for his invaluable contribution to the live show and reaffirm their commitment to delivering thought-provoking and entertaining content.

Notable Quotes

• Karen Kilgariff [02:02]: "That's right, it is Wednesday, so we are recapping one of our old shows with all new commentary and case updates and emotional reveals."
• Georgia Hardstark [16:07]: "Why didn't we have Dave do one? Why didn't you or I do one? I don't know."
• Dave Anthony [16:30]: "He's been doing podcasts so long, he's just there, like, how are we gonna make this a good podcast, ultimately?"
• Vince [20:53]: "This is our first guest favorite murder."
• Karen Kilgariff [67:29]: "That's how huge this was. And bad it was. It was 1926."

Final Thoughts

My Favorite Murder continues to be a cornerstone in the true crime comedy genre, adeptly balancing macabre storytelling with genuine empathy and humor. This rewind episode not only revisits significant moments from their formative years but also reinforces the hosts' dedication to uncovering and sharing some of the most riveting true crime cases.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and adheres to the guidelines of avoiding non-content segments such as advertisements and intros. All notable quotes are attributed with their respective timestamps for reference.