My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Episode: Rewind with Karen & Georgia - Episode 42: Abject Failure
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Network: Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to Rewind Episode

[02:01]
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark kick off the episode by welcoming listeners to "Rewind with Karen and Georgia," a special segment where they revisit and recap their older episodes with fresh commentary, updates, and insights. This particular episode, titled "Abject Failure," revisits Episode 42 from November 10, 2016—a period marked by significant political upheaval following the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Reflecting on the 2016 Election Aftermath

[02:24] - [07:32]
The hosts delve into the emotional and societal impacts of the 2016 election results. Georgia shares the somber mood of that time, highlighting the challenges they faced in maintaining optimism amidst widespread uncertainty. Karen adds to the conversation by describing the surreal quietness in California, contrasting it with the usual hustle of the state. They discuss their efforts to support each other and their listeners during this turbulent period.

• Notable Quote:
  Karen: "It seems like people are looking inside themselves right now." [04:20]

Community Connections and Personal Stories

[07:53] - [14:38]
Karen expresses heartfelt appreciation for a Murderino meetup in Colorado, emphasizing the importance of community and human connection during tough times. Georgia shares personal anecdotes about her acupuncture sessions, where she discovered that her acupuncturist is a fan of their podcast. These interactions highlight the positive relationships they've built with their listeners.

• Notable Quote:
  Georgia: "It's what it's all about—people actually connecting with other human beings." [08:44]

Hometown Murder Stories

The core of the episode revolves around Karen and Georgia reading and discussing hometown murder stories submitted by their listeners. Each story is recounted with detailed narration and emotional reflections from the hosts.

1. Sarah Hodges Case

   • [30:07] - [35:17]
     An anonymous listener recounts the tragic disappearance and murder of 7-year-old Sarah Hodges in Santa Clarita Valley, California, in 1989. Curtis Cooper, a 14-year-old neighbor with a troubled past, was implicated in the crime. The story details the investigation, Curtis's conviction, and the profound grief experienced by Sarah's family.

   • Notable Quote:
     Karen: "Curtis used to play with Sarah and sometimes went horseback riding with her... Red flag. Sounds familiar." [31:54]

2. Adirondack Nightmare

   • [36:23] - [39:50]
     Jacqueline shares a horrifying account of Kayla Brown, a woman who was held captive in her own basement by Todd Kohlhepp, a convicted serial killer. The police eventually rescued Kayla after extensive investigation, uncovering multiple bodies on Kohlhepp's property.

   • Notable Quote:
     Georgia: "I just wish I'd saved this for last because how are we gonna be great?" [38:04]

3. My Husband's Murder House

   • [49:17] - [55:05]
     Mary narrates the story of Shatterick and Kia Miller, a couple who brutally murdered their two young children and each other in their home in South Carolina. The tragic event shocked the community, as the family appeared outwardly normal, holding Bible studies and maintaining a facade of happiness.

   • Notable Quote:
     Karen: "What the fuck?" [46:22]

4. My Hometown Horror

   • [65:53] - [73:05]
     Casey describes the disturbing case of a 17-year-old girl who was kidnapped while jogging and held captive for nearly 20 years before being found dismembered. The investigation revealed that Todd Kohlhepp, a history of violent crimes, was responsible for multiple murders in the area.

   • Notable Quote:
     Georgia: "How terrible it must have felt to be her and not be able to get help for that long." [67:50]

Host Reactions and Reflections

Throughout the recounting of these grim tales, Karen and Georgia provide candid and often humorous reactions, balancing the dark subject matter with their trademark comedic approach. They express empathy for the victims and their families while also navigating their own emotional responses to the stories.

• Notable Moment:
  Karen: "Bless her." [65:28]

Positive Endeavors and Charity

In an effort to conclude on a hopeful note, Karen and Georgia discuss their recent charitable activities. Georgia mentions donating to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, inspired by fellow podcasters Brian Safi and Erin Gibson from the "Throwing a Shade" podcast. They encourage listeners to engage in charitable acts, emphasizing the healing power of helping others.

• Notable Quote:
  Georgia: "If you don't have money to give, just give blood or become a donor. Marrow transplant." [70:27]

Conclusion and Updates

As the episode wraps up, Karen and Georgia provide updates on some of the cases they revisited. Notably, Curtis Cooper from the Sarah Hodges case remains incarcerated, while the Todd Kohlhepp case has been further explored in a deeper dive episode (Episode 458: "Demands are Incredible"). They reflect on the importance of mental health support in preventing such tragedies.

• Notable Quote:
  Karen: "Abject Failure is a pretty great name for this episode." [73:31]

Final Thoughts

Karen and Georgia reaffirm their commitment to their audience, encouraging continued support and engagement. They blend their discussions of true crime with personal anecdotes and broader societal reflections, maintaining the engaging and empathetic tone that their listeners have come to love.

• Closing Quote:
  Georgia: "Stay sexy and don't get murdered." [74:19]

Key Takeaways

• Community and Connection: The importance of building and maintaining supportive communities during challenging times.
• Impact of Politics: Reflecting on how political events can influence personal and collective emotions.
• Tragic Stories: Detailed exploration of several hometown murder cases, highlighting the complexities of criminal investigations and the profound effects on victims' families.
• Hope and Healing: Emphasizing positive actions, such as charity and helping others, as a means to find hope amidst darkness.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Karen: "It seems like people are looking inside themselves right now." [04:20]
• Georgia: "It's what it's all about—people actually connecting with other human beings." [08:44]
• Karen: "Curtis used to play with Sarah and sometimes went horseback riding with her... Red flag. Sounds familiar." [31:54]
• Georgia: "I just wish I'd saved this for last because how are we gonna be great?" [38:04]
• Karen: "What the fuck?" [46:22]
• Georgia: "How terrible it must have felt to be her and not be able to get help for that long." [67:50]
• Karen: "Bless her." [65:28]
• Georgia: "If you don't have money to give, just give blood or become a donor. Marrow transplant." [70:27]
• Karen: "Abject Failure is a pretty great name for this episode." [73:31]
• Georgia: "Stay sexy and don't get murdered." [74:19]

Conclusion

"Rewind with Karen & Georgia - Episode 42: Abject Failure" serves as a poignant reflection on a turbulent period in recent history, interwoven with compelling true crime stories that underscore the importance of community, mental health support, and resilience. Karen and Georgia adeptly balance the gravity of these narratives with their unique blend of empathy and humor, providing listeners with both insightful commentary and heartfelt connections.