Serialously with Annie Elise - Episode 287 Summary: "Travis Decker Kills His 3 Daughters, Teen Murdered by Roommates, and Toddler Sees Mom’s Murder"

Release Date: June 12, 2025
Host: Annie Elise
Produced by: 10 to LIFE & Audioboom Studios

Introduction

In Episode 287 of Serialously with Annie Elise, host Annie Elise delves into a series of harrowing true crime cases, each more disturbing than the last. From the tragic disappearance of a 17-year-old Australian teen to the chilling murder of a toddler's mother witnessed by the child himself, Annie unpacks these stories with her characteristic depth and empathy. The episode also touches on systemic failures in law enforcement responses and mental health support, culminating in the heart-wrenching case of Travis Decker, a father who murdered his three daughters.

Case 1: The Disappearance and Murder of Phoebe Bishop

Timeline of Events:

• May 15: 17-year-old Phoebe Bishop from Queensland, Australia, prepares to fly to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia.
• Phoebe’s roommates, 34-year-old James Wood and 33-year-old Tanika Bromley, offer her a ride to the airport.
• CCTV footage shows Phoebe never boarding her flight or entering the terminal.
• Phoebe’s boyfriend arrives at the airport, realizing she never boarded and hadn’t contacted anyone.

Investigation Insights:

• Law enforcement launches a missing persons investigation but initially finds no trace of Phoebe.
• Police interview James and Tanika, who claim Phoebe slept through her alarm and was angry about potentially missing her flight.
• Inconsistencies Noted:
  • James states they stopped the car half a mile from the airport to calm Phoebe, which contradicts her urgency to catch the flight.
  • “We thought if we could just get her there, she would maybe calm down” (00:45), James explains, raising suspicion about their true intentions.

Key Findings:

• The couple’s home declared a crime scene, revealing weapons, dead animals, and filth.
• June 4: James and Tanika are arrested and charged with murder without finding Phoebe’s body initially.
• June 6: Phoebe’s body is discovered near Goodnight Scrub National Park, suggesting she was likely lured there.

Notable Quote:

• Whitney Woodfield (Phoebe’s cousin):

  “We were very close. Like, we had very close connections.” (11:52)

Analysis: Annie ponders the disturbing elements, such as why a 17-year-old lived with significantly older roommates and the presence of dead animals, hinting at possible escalation from animal cruelty to human violence. Lead Detective Craig Mansfield mentions that there is evidence suggesting a motive, though specifics remain undisclosed.

Case 2: Neyza Cox and Her Two-Year-Old Son

Timeline of Events:

• May 18, 2024: Neza Cox and her two-year-old son are heading to the grocery store.
• Neyza is fatally shot in her car, leaving her son inches away as she bleeds out.

Investigation Insights:

• Neyza had no known enemies and was not involved in any criminal activity.
• Surveillance Footage: Shows Jamal, a known member of the YSL gang, and accomplices mistaking Neyza’s car for a rival gang member’s.
• 39 bullets were fired at her car, tragically killing her and leaving her son traumatized.

Legal Proceedings:

• June 2025: Jamal is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 65 years.
• The other two defendants are scheduled for trial later in the month.

Notable Quotes:

• Prosecutor Green:

  “Video shows Baker in the light colored hoodie and two others as they walk toward an apartment complex to look for their intended target.” (19:30)

Analysis: Annie reflects on the randomness and brutality of gang violence, highlighting the failure to correctly identify targets. The survival of Neyza’s son presents a deeply emotional aspect, emphasizing the long-term psychological impacts on innocent children.

Case 3: Victoria Goodwin’s Conspiracy to Commit Murder

Background:

• Victoria Goodwin, wife of Ghost Adventures star Aaron Goodwin, married in 2022 on Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride.
• Initially a seemingly perfect couple with shared interests in the supernatural and true crime.

Descent into Obsession:

• Victoria becomes obsessed with convicted killer Grant Amato after watching the true crime series Control, Alt, Desire.
• She starts secretly messaging Amato, developing a parasocial relationship with him.
• March 2025: Victoria and Amato plot to murder her husband Aaron, including:
  • Conducting Google searches for hitmen
  • Using burner phones for communication
  • Allocating $11,000 to hire a hitman

Arrest and Trial:

• Prison guards discover Victoria’s messages to Amato via a burner phone.
• June 5: Victoria appears in court, delivering a remorseful statement.
• She is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to three to seven and a half years in Nevada State Prison via a plea deal.

Notable Quotes:

• Victoria Goodwin in Court:

  “I am truly ashamed, embarrassed, and disappointed with myself and am deeply and sincerely remorseful for my actions.” (27:22)

• Aaron Goodwin’s Testimony:

  “After finding out she was cheating on me... she sought his help to kill me.” (29:54)

Analysis: Annie critiques the lenient sentence given Victoria despite her calculated plan to murder her husband, expressing concern over the justice system’s handling of such severe premeditated crimes. Aaron’s emotional recount underscores the devastating impact on the victim’s family.

Case 4: The Murder of Lavira Woodall by William Otto

Timeline of Events:

• May 6: Engaged couple William Otto and Lavira Woodall have a heated argument.
• William claims Lavira attacked him with a knife, leading him to shoot her in the head.

Discovery:

• William does not call 911 and remains with Lavira’s body for three days.
• Eventually leaves her decomposing body at home, citing the unbearable odor as his reason for abandoning her.

Investigation Insights:

• May 19: A neighbor reports a foul smell emanating from their apartment.
• Police find Lavira’s body with wrist zip ties and plastic bags over her head near a ravine.
• June 2: William is charged with murder.

Analysis: Annie expresses disbelief and horror at William’s inaction and cold demeanor following the murder, highlighting the extreme lack of remorse and the chilling nature of the crime.

Case 5: Travis Decker’s Murder of His Three Daughters

Timeline of Events:

• May 30: Travis Decker, a 32-year-old father from Washington state, picks up his three daughters—Peyton, Evelyn, and Olivia—for weekly visitation.
• June 2: The daughters’ bodies are discovered near a campground, with plastic bags over their heads and wrists zip-tied.

Issues Highlighted:

• Law Enforcement Failures:
  • Police issued an endangered missing persons alert instead of the more urgent Amber Alert.
  • Amber Alerts are crucial for quickly disseminating information about abducted children to the public, boasting a 90% success rate in safely recovering children.
  • The omission is attributed to not viewing Travis as an immediate danger, despite his history of severe mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, and borderline personality disorder.

Custody Details:

• 2023 Divorce: Travis initiated divorce due to mental health struggles, leading Whitney to secure full custody of their daughters.
• Visitation Schedule: Travis had limited visitation rights, which Whitney initially felt was working well as he remained an active father despite his mental health challenges.

Emotional Impact:

• Whitney’s Statement:

  “Do you mind if we ask how you're holding up?... I just want a home.” (16:07)

• Advocacy Efforts:
  • Whitney and her attorney are pushing for enhanced mental health resources for veterans and stricter criteria for issuing Amber Alerts.
  • A GoFundMe has been set up to support Whitney through her legal battles and advocacy work.

Notable Quotes:

• Annie Elise:

  “Just get a divorce. Honestly. Honestly.” (28:48)

• Whitney Woodfield:

  “She put down discovery. She put a hit out to kill me.” (31:31)

Analysis: Annie emphasizes the systemic failures that allowed Travis to remain undetected despite his severe mental health issues. The tragic loss of the three daughters highlights critical gaps in the response protocols for missing children, especially when the abductor is a parent with known mental health struggles. Whitney’s ongoing battle underscores the personal toll such tragedies have on families and the urgent need for reform in both mental health support and emergency response systems.

Conclusion

Episode 287 of Serialously with Annie Elise presents a series of deeply tragic and complex true crime cases that illustrate both the sinister depths of human behavior and the shortcomings of societal support systems. From the calculated murders carried out by seemingly ordinary individuals to the heart-wrenching aftermath faced by victims' families, Annie provides a comprehensive and empathetic exploration of each case. The episode underscores the necessity for improved mental health resources, more effective law enforcement protocols, and a societal commitment to preventing such tragedies in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Failures: The inability to issue an Amber Alert for Travis Decker’s case highlights significant flaws in emergency response protocols.
• Mental Health Awareness: Travis’s history of PTSD and depression emphasizes the critical need for robust mental health support systems for veterans and individuals struggling with severe mental health issues.
• Legal Shortcomings: Victoria Goodwin’s relatively lenient sentence for conspiracy to murder raises questions about the effectiveness and fairness of the legal system in handling premeditated crimes.
• Emotional Toll: The lasting impact on families, as seen with Phoebe Bishop’s relatives and Whitney Woodfield’s advocacy, showcases the enduring pain and need for support following such tragedies.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Whitney Woodfield on Phoebe’s Case (11:52):

  “We were very close. Like, we had very close connections.”

• Prosecutor Green on Neyza Cox’s Case (19:30):

  “Video shows Baker in the light colored hoodie and two others as they walk toward an apartment complex to look for their intended target.”

• Victoria Goodwin’s Court Statement (27:22):

  “I am truly ashamed, embarrassed, and disappointed with myself and am deeply and sincerely remorseful for my actions.”

• Aaron Goodwin’s Testimony (29:54):

  “After finding out she was cheating on me... she sought his help to kill me.”

• Annie Elise’s Advice (28:48):

  “Just get a divorce. Honestly. Honestly.”

Additional Resources

• Phoebe Bishop’s Case Updates: Follow updates and body cam footage on Annie’s YouTube channel.
• Victoria Goodwin’s GoFundMe: Support Whitney Woodfield’s advocacy and legal battles [Link in Show Notes].
• Mental Health Advocacy: Learn more about improving mental health resources for veterans through Whitney’s initiatives.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Serialously with Annie Elise. Stay informed, support each other, and advocate for the changes needed to prevent these tragedies from recurring.