Serialously with Annie Elise – Episode 324:

Proof Laken Deleted Photos, Karen Read’s PISSED & DoorDash Driver Delivers Hatchet & Zip Ties

Release Date: October 2, 2025 Host: Annie Elise (with guest Amy Collette)

Overview

In this episode of Serialously, Annie Elise delivers updates and in-depth commentary on key stories making waves in the true crime world. Major case developments include new legal moves in the Karen Read saga, further evidence in the Laken Snelling investigation, a chilling murder-for-hire plot out of Alabama, a tense hostage situation foiled by a suspicious delivery, and the tragic neglect case of baby Jasper Igoe. True to Annie’s signature style, each story is unraveled with detailed context, speculation about overlooked evidence, and a conversational, friend-to-friend tone. Guest Amy Collette joins for collaborative discussions on several cases.

Episode Breakdown

1. Karen Read Case: New Civil Suits & Countersuits

[00:32 - 08:56]

• Topic Summary:
  Karen Read, recently acquitted in the criminal trial over boyfriend John O’Keefe’s death, faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the O’Keefe family, alleging emotional distress from Read’s public statements and conspiracy claims.
• Familial Lawsuit:
  • Filed August 2024; family cites “public campaign of disinformation.”
  • Karen’s attorney, Alan Jackson, seeks dismissal of emotional distress claims, arguing the family didn’t witness the death (per legal precedents).
  • Next hearing is set for November 21st.
• Karen Read’s Counteractions:
  • Read, through counsel, announces plans to sue the Massachusetts State Police and several trial witnesses for defamation and civil damages, including Michael Proctor, Brian & Nicole Albert, Matthew & Jennifer McCabe, and Brian Higgins.
  • “Michael Proctor, otherwise known as the biggest douchebag who ever walked the face of the earth.” – Annie Elise [04:50]
• Media Intrigue:
  • Multiple book, TV, and movie deals arising from the case, playing out simultaneously as legal battles continue.
• Speculation & Questions:
  • Annie wonders if future litigation might bring out evidence excluded from the criminal trial: “Is there going to be other information that surfaces or is brought to light in terms of their communications or anything like that?” [06:54]

2. Laken Snelling Case: Digital Forensics and Concealed Pregnancy

[08:56 - 10:54]

• Topic Summary:
  Laken Snelling (21), former University of Kentucky student, is under investigation after an infant was found dead in her home on August 27, 2025.
• Key Details:
  • Laken’s phone yielded “images of her during labor, photos of her doing things ordinary pregnant woman should not be doing, and also a concealed or hidden pregnancy.” [09:41]
  • Evidence was deleted but later recovered by forensic teams.
  • Laken’s account is inconsistent: she told medical staff the baby whimpered after birth and "guessed he was alive," but told police she believed he wasn’t alive and she had fainted on top of him.
  • The baby was placed in a towel, put in a trash bag, and hidden in the closet. The body was discovered after a roommate’s dog alerted them.
  • No murder charge (autopsy is inconclusive; full-term status still unclear); charges include abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth.
• Forensic Implications:
  Annie notes how digital devices’ data—deleted or not—are critical in piecing together timelines and intent.
  • “Devices carry just like an enormous amount of information. So I think we're just scratching the surface here.” [10:26]
  • Grand jury consideration could occur sometime in October.

3. Muhammad Muhammad: Murder-for-Hire Plot Targeting Entire Family

[11:19 - 15:43] Guest: Amy Collette

• Topic Summary:
  Muhammad Muhammad, a 64-year-old plumber from Hoover, Alabama, is arrested for soliciting the murder of his ex-wife and six adult children, motivated by feelings that they “destroyed his pride and self-dignity.”
• Plot Description:
  • Muhammad met with an undercover FBI agent posing as a hitman.
  • Offered $20,000 for his ex-wife, $5,000 per child, and provided direct quotes:
    • “Your money. Maximum within two weeks. 20. Not five. 20, because it's the big head. The others, it's okay. They are trash cockroaches, you know. But this one deserves more. …you pick and choose who you're going to take out and get paid. Start with one. Take your time.” [12:09]
• History of Escalating Violence:
  • Past incidents included GPS stalking, burning his children’s vehicles, recruiting friends to reconcile with his ex, and more suspected arson.
  • “That’s six cars set on fire at his ex-wife’s house, three of which were belonging to his children. And while we don’t know it’s for sure him, it seems pretty suspicious.” – Amy [14:54]
• Legal Outcome:
  • Pleaded guilty; faces up to 70 years. Sentencing set for December 10.

4. DoorDash (Delivery) Driver Stops Potential Hostage Murder Scenario

[18:34 - 23:23]

• Topic Summary:
  In Sweetwater, Texas, a delivery driver, trusting his gut, alerts police after being asked to deliver trash bags, zip ties, bleach, and a hatchet to a motel. The quick action may have saved a life.
• Incident Details:
  • The recipient, Neil Cooper (42), refused to come out, claiming to be armed and possibly holding a hostage.
  • Hostage manages to escape; Cooper surrenders peacefully after negotiators intervene.
  • Both Cooper and the hostage arrested on outstanding warrants.
  • Annie praises the delivery driver’s intuition:
    • “…someone who really trusted his gut at the end of the day and refused to ignore the red flags and sprung into action and called the police.” [21:51]
  • Reminder to listeners: always pay attention to suspicious feelings.
    • “Always trust your gut, because it is there to act as your first line of defense against anything and everything.” [23:18]
• Related Anecdote:
  Annie and Amy recount a personal experience where Annie had to signal Amy during a suspicious Uber ride in Phoenix, illustrating the importance of intuition.
  • “If you're ever in a situation where you feel like you're being threatened by an Uber driver, pretend you have a box cutter on you, say that people are tracking you, grab the glass water bottle by the neck to be prepared for anything...” – Annie [27:33]

5. Tragic Child Neglect: The Sophie Igoe/Jasper Igoe Case

[28:02 - 34:13] Guest: Amy Collette

• Topic Summary:
  In Shelbyville, Indiana, police discover the severely decomposed, malnourished body of 22-month-old Jasper Igoe after his mother, Sophie Igoe, calls 911 and claims he was just dead and “cold to the touch.”
• Details:
  • Jasper found wrapped in a sheet, body already decomposing, weighing only 14 pounds (four pounds more than at two months old).
  • The house was described as wholly unfit: “Unsafe, unhealthy conditions… trash everywhere, bugs were crawling over every surface and there was hoarder like cluttering all over the house.” – Amy [30:06]
  • Sophie claimed single parenthood made doctor visits difficult; Jasper hadn’t seen one since two months old.
  • “How could this mother not know that her son was dead seemingly moments before this 911 call?” – Amy [29:40]
  • Sophie was charged with Level 1 neglect resulting in death (Indiana’s most serious neglect charge); bond set at $2 million.
• Speculation:
  • Annie and Amy wonder about Sophie’s mental state, possible depression or psychosis, and the conditions of the other children.
  • “My guess would be she started neglecting these kids. She didn’t want to deal with being a mom. Maybe she went into a depression after her husband left… that’s no excuse.” – Annie [32:32]
  • Discussion touches on societal issues and system failures in preventing such tragedies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On polarizing true crime cases and potential for more revelations:
  “I wonder too… if we will at all learn any additional information that maybe wasn’t allowed to be entered during the trial.” – Annie [06:54]

• On extreme family violence:
  “To call your own kids cockroaches. Get a grip.” – Annie, reacting to Muhammad’s statements [15:50]

• On trusting your instincts in dangerous situations:
  “Always trust your gut, because it is there to act as your first line of defense against anything and everything.” – Annie [23:18]

• Recalling Uber scare:
  “If you're ever in a situation where you feel like you're being threatened by an Uber driver, pretend you have a box cutter on you, say that people are tracking you, grab the glass water bottle by the neck…” – Annie [27:33]

• On confronting tragedy:
  “How could this mother not know that her son was dead seemingly moments before this 911 call?” – Amy [29:40]

Additional Announcements & Deep Dives

• Annie plugs upcoming live tour dates (Tampa, Orlando, Tacoma, Portland, San Francisco).
• References to deeper dives released earlier in the week on:
  • Death of singer David Celeste Hernandez (body found in trunk)
  • The Ellen Greenberg stabbing case, with Annie involved in a Hulu docuseries and commentary on shifting cause-of-death rulings [35:53]

Episode Navigation (Timestamps)

• Karen Read Civil Suit & Lawsuit Updates – [00:32-08:56]
• Laken Snelling Forensic Evidence – [08:56-10:54]
• Muhammad Murder-for-Hire Case – [11:19-15:43]
• Texas Motel Hostage/Delivery Driver – [18:34-23:23]
• Annie & Amy’s Suspicious Uber Ride – [23:23-27:33]
• Sophie Igoe/Jasper Neglect Case – [28:02-34:13]
• Episode wrap-up, deep dive previews, tour plug – [34:13-end]

For listeners seeking exhaustive case timelines, nuanced commentary, and an authentic “best friend” recounting style, this episode delivers Annie Elise’s unmistakable blend of empathy, outrage, and humor while keeping you completely current on headline-making crime stories.