My Favorite Murder: Rewind with Karen & Georgia – Episode 64: Live At Revolution Hall (October 1, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this special "Rewind" episode, hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark revisit their iconic 2017 live show at Portland’s Revolution Hall. Alongside podcast collaborator Dana Schwartz, they offer behind-the-scenes commentary, updates, and reflections on the live event. The episode revisits key stories from the original show—including a chilling serial killer case, a harrowing survivor’s experience, and an unforgettable audience hometown. The episode’s tone is lively, irreverent, self-deprecating, and deeply compassionate, with signature banter and true-crime insights.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Live Show Vibes, Banter, and Portland Memories

• [02:12–08:00] Karen, Georgia, and Steven set the scene at Revolution Hall, reflecting on the end of a touring run in Portland. Their signature banter covers fan ticket drama, Portland quirks, and backstage antics.
  • “I wish it could be like 14 more nights. It really has been very, very fun and exciting.” – Karen [03:29]
  • “That is so Portland of you, Portland. I swear to God.” – Karen [03:13]
• Fashion and Caffeine Tangents: Anecdotes about matching scalloped necklines, yerba mate-fueled energy, and clothes mishaps.
  • “Karen was like, cut yours off. And I'm like, I'm not cutting it off.” – Georgia [07:23]
  • “We’re just going to come out holding hands like the Shining Twins. Like, get ready for the wall of blood. Verbal. The verbal wall of blood.” – Karen [07:47]

2. Standout Audience Stories ("Hometown Murder" Recap)

• [08:10–11:34] Recounting an intense moment where an audience member’s sister army-rolled onto the stage to add details to a wild hometown murder story.
  • "That is not cool. That is not cool." – Karen [09:44]
  • “She goes, you're forgetting this important part, which is such a sister thing to say.” – Georgia [10:32]
• Reflections on the comedic and tense mishap, reinforcing the chaotic energy of early live shows.

3. Portland Love, Fan Encounters, and Shoe Talk

• [13:14–17:13] Stories of heartfelt (and humorous) hotel desk fan encounters, over-the-top donut tributes, and wardrobe details.
  • “We stood across the hotel front desk holding arms like I was gonna pull him up onto the lifeboat style, full on arm clasp.” – Karen [13:49]
  • “Donuts that look like us.” – Karen [18:39]
• Georgia recounts grappling with Portland's food scene and tour diet confessions.
  • "I basically had foie gras for breakfast today." – Georgia [17:46]

Core True Crime Stories

4. Karen’s Case: Bobby Jack Fowler & the Highway of Tears

• [27:21–41:09] Karen explores the grisly crimes of serial killer Bobby Jack Fowler, a transient with a string of violent offenses across North America.
  • Details:
    • Fowler's connection to the infamous Highway of Tears—where numerous Indigenous women disappeared.
    • His conviction following a survivor’s daring escape (jumping from a motel window with a rope around her ankle).
    • Posthumous DNA evidence linking him to long-unsolved murders.
  • "He’s like Ted Bundy level serial killer that no one’s ever heard of." – Karen [40:26]
  • "That hit was the oldest hit on a DNA sample in Interpol history." – Karen [38:01]
• [41:19–43:46] Rewind Commentary & Updates
  • Discussing recent developments: improvements in Highway 16 safety, Indigenous-led activism, and the 2019 Canadian report on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
  • “The Canadian National Inquiry… released its final report in 2019, officially calling this violence a form of genocide.” – Georgia [43:21]
  • “So many women… disappearing along Highway 16… had to start a task force for it.” – Karen [37:56]

5. Georgia’s Case: Klein Falls State Park Hatchet Attack

• [48:03–67:57] Georgia tells the survival story of Terry Jens and Shana Weiss, two Yale students attacked while camping in Oregon in 1977.
  • Details:
    • Attacked in their tent by a hatchet-wielding man in cowboy gear.
    • Both women survived with severe injuries; the case remained unsolved.
    • After years, Terry returned, investigated her own unsolved case, and wrote A Strange Piece of Paradise.
  • “She grabs the hatchet right here, like she’s praying, and says to him, please go away… and he fucking leaves.” – Georgia [52:36]
  • “She used to make—like, ‘Yeah, I got attacked… look how I got past this.’ And then suddenly she’s like, I have PTSD.” – Georgia [67:49]
• Investigation & Advocacy:
  • Terry’s activism led to the elimination of Oregon’s statute of limitations on attempted murder.
  • "So thank Terry, among other people, for that." – Georgia [66:29]

Hometown Story: Nicole & the ‘Pig Farm Killer’ (Susan Monica)

• [70:35–79:24] Audience member Nicole recounts a chilling stint in jail with Susan Monica, a woman convicted of murdering farm workers and feeding them to pigs.
  • “She’s a tall woman and she is completely hairless… And I was completely unaware of the situations going on in my own town.” – Nicole [72:35]
  • “She had court and they gave her a wig… she was mad about the wig because it wasn’t her natural hair.” – Nicole [73:25]
  • Nicole was tucked in to bed by Susan Monica in jail—a motherly gesture from a serial killer.
  • “And I will tell you guys, that’s the last time I’ve ever been in jail.” – Nicole [76:42]
  • Hosts’ reactions highlight the blend of horror and absurdity, ending on supportive and compassionate notes for Nicole’s recovery.

Behind the Scenes, Reflections & Updates

Rewind Commentary Highlights ([20:40–44:11])

• Commentary on the logistics and learning curve of early live shows (e.g., “...we were just getting on our live show feet…”).
• Fashion banter about coordinating tour outfits and the perils of matching.
• Insights on true crime storytelling evolution: “We didn’t know yet at live shows and even at regular not live shows to end with a positive story. So these are just both bad, both terrible.” – Dana [43:46]

Follow-ups and Aftermath

• Bobby Jack Fowler: No new charges since his death, but advances in awareness and Indigenous advocacy.
• Highway of Tears: Progress with transport safety and grassroots organizations; continued push for justice.
• Klein Falls Case: Terry Jens’ activism changed Oregon law, but the crime remains formally unsolved.
• Susan Monica: Still serving a 50-year sentence, no further legal developments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Get out of that relationship… if his mom still does his laundry.” – Karen (& Georgia in agreement) [80:47]
• “I can see everything and everyone and I can see her auras. Oh, shit, girl. Real good right now.” – Georgia [06:01]
• “Don’t date guys whose mom still do their laundry.” – Karen [80:56]
• “Portland, we adore you… one of the first pieces of ‘Stay Sexy, Don’t Get Murdered’ graffiti… was from Portland, Oregon, and it really meant the world to us.” – Karen [81:29]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Live Show Banter & Portland Memories: 02:12–08:00
• Wild Audience Story (Army Roll): 08:10–11:34
• Stumptown & Donuts: 13:14–18:39
• Karen’s Story: Bobby Jack Fowler: 27:21–41:09
• Rewind Updates on Highway of Tears: 41:19–43:46
• Georgia’s Story: Klein Falls Hatchet Attack: 48:03–67:57
• Hometown Corner (Susan Monica): 70:35–79:24
• Closing Reflections, Name Alternatives: 80:19–81:12

Tone and Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Karen and Georgia blend dark subject matter with humor, empathy, and an encouraging embrace of their community—both fans and survivors. The "Rewind" format layers nostalgia, growth, and self-awareness atop classic stories, illustrating how true crime discussion has evolved to center justice and compassion.

Closing Note:
“Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered. You vandalize in our name. Thank you kindly for that. You’ve graffitied our hearts.” – [82:02]

For further info and to support Indigenous safety efforts:
Visit tearstohope.ca (Tears to Hope Society) and the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (link).

Stay sexy, don’t get murdered, and cherish those Portland memories!