Serialously with Annie Elise — Episode 338

"Murder Pact Gone Wrong, Sextortion Scheme, Man Kills GF With a Chainsaw"

Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Annie Elise (main), Amy (co-host for main discussions)
Podcast: Serialously with Annie Elise

Episode Overview

In this episode of Serialously, Annie Elise and guest/co-host Amy dive into three disturbing recent true crime stories grabbing national headlines:

• A murder-suicide pact that descended into violence within a struggling family,
• A shocking sextortion scam ending in murder,
• And the grotesque domestic homicide where a man killed his girlfriend with a chainsaw.

Annie also provides detailed updates on ongoing high-profile cases, highlighting overlooked legal maneuvers and the human impact on victims' families. The episode unfolds in an intimate, friend-to-friend style, blending raw emotion, conversational analysis, and careful attention to detail.

Major Case Updates (00:39–13:56)

The Bryan Kohberger Restitution Controversy

• What’s new: Updates on the Idaho murders case involving Bryan Kohberger. His defense team is contesting whether he should pay travel and lodging restitution to victims’ families, pushing back on the plea deal specifics.

• Key Details:

  • Kohberger’s commissary account has swelled to ~$30,000 from supporters.
  • He’s resisting restitution, claiming no job and, legally, not obligated for specific expenses.
  • Annie’s perspective: “He basically wanted this cushy plea deal...he was too much of a chicken shit to face the firing squad and go to trial.” (14:15)
  • Judge is frustrated; voiding the plea agreement and reverting to trial remains a possibility.
  • Legal strategy: Defense may be laying groundwork for post-plea appeals based on medical/mental illness—resurfacing prior diagnoses to potentially argue he didn’t understand the plea.
  • Annie notes: “His team…tried to argue that the death penalty should be taken off the table due to an autism diagnosis…The judge ultimately declined it.” (approx 07:16)
  • Public release of case documents creates additional complications for jury selection and trial fairness.

• On victim families’ perspective:

  • Families upset about a Lifetime movie being produced without consultation; actors reportedly did TikTok dances in costume (approx 11:55).
  • “It just is disgusting...the handling of this that has the families so upset.” —Annie

Sandra Birchmore Case

• Brief update; Annie refers listeners to a recent in-depth episode for more details.
• Sandra, groomed as a teen by police officers, was allegedly murdered by an officer after a pregnancy and the staging of her “suicide.” DNA later proved the child wasn’t his.
• “You killed this girl…and it wasn’t even your kid.” (approx 12:37)
• Encouragement to check out “10 to Life” for the complete story.

Brian Walsh Trial

• Walsh, accused of killing his wife Anna Walsh, is headed to trial.
• Annie promises ongoing coverage and refers listeners to an earlier deep-dive episode for background.

Case 1: Sextortion Scam Leading to Murder (14:00–23:44)

The Story

• James Hill, a 76-year-old retired Ohio State professor, fatally stabbed his wife Mary Hill after being targeted in a sextortion scam. He then attempted suicide and tried to kill the family dog, but both survived.

• Timeline and Details:

  • James met a woman on a dating site, sent her nude photos, and was immediately extorted for $15,000 in Apple gift cards.
  • Feeling desperate and ashamed, James decided to kill his wife and himself rather than confess.
  • Police found him with self-inflicted injuries, in the process of deleting photos from his computer before calling 911.

• Annie’s Commentary:

  • “Mary had absolutely nothing to do with these messages…But she unfortunately became the person who ultimately had to pay the price for his skeezy actions.” (20:23)
  • Warns against clicking suspicious links or responding to scam emails/texts.

• Amy’s Take / Notable Quotes:

  • “Is he a senior that was targeted…this is like a scammer, and he’s a lonely guy and getting attention?” (21:05)
  • Annie responds: “Nobody wants to see a 76-year-old wiener.” (21:40)

Key Moments & Quotes

• On the absurdity of the scam: Annie: “She also said, ‘oh yeah, pay me the $15,000, but I want payment in Apple gift cards.’” (19:20)
• On the digital generation gap: Amy: “As someone like our age…at this point, everyone’s kind of threatened with nudes.” (21:57)
• On victimhood: Annie: “Mary deserved so much more than to become collateral damage in her husband’s sick, gross secret.” (21:53)

Case 2: The Murder-Suicide Pact Gone Wrong (23:46–29:42)

The Story

• Setting: Lehigh Acres, Florida. A family of three (parents Barbara and Neil Bates, and their adult son with developmental disabilities) survive a near-fatal pact orchestrated by the mother.

• What happened:

  • Struggling with eviction, financial pressures, and caring for their disabled son, the parents allegedly planned a murder-suicide pact.
  • On the “final night,” Barbara prepared steak, watched a horror movie with family, then slit her husband’s, son’s, and her own throat.
  • All three survived; Barbara waited 40 minutes before calling 911 and confessed openly.

• Police Findings:

  • The son, with cognitive disabilities, could not have consented or devised such a plan.
  • Injuries on Barbara appeared superficial, raising doubts about her intent.
  • Both parents faced severe felony charges.

Key Insights

• Amy notes a troubling pattern: “It’s becoming more and more common…the stories that we’re covering here where a family member is committing these well-intentioned acts of violence and then calling authorities on themselves.” (27:15)
• On the son’s trauma: Annie: “For him to tell the investigators, too, that he panicked and didn’t want to go through with it anymore…” (28:07)

Notable Quotes

• Amy: “There are other options out there. Be nice. Don’t kill people.” (29:49)
• Annie: “We don’t want you on a jury.” (29:39)

Case 3: Chainsaw Murder—Domestic Violence to the Extreme (31:17–41:19)

The Story

• Location: Phoenix, Arizona.
• Victim: Paxton Wallace, 31, beloved by her community, deeply religious, and “pure sunshine” per her family (36:05).
• Perpetrator: Longtime boyfriend, Jeffrey Rael, 47, who made a chilling 911 call at 3:40 am:
  • “I had to kill her because she was possessed.” (31:24, paraphrased opening of the story)
• Crime Scene: Paxton was murdered with a chainsaw; her body was unrecognizable. Rael was found holding a hammer and cross, in what police speculate as a ritual act.
• Context: Paxton had been seeking help to leave the abusive relationship but could not access support services before her death.

Notable Family Reflections

• “She did everything with grace and humility.” (36:05, Paxton's family)
• “This will just be generational pain that you can’t soothe now.” (36:40, Paxton’s aunt)

Key Analysis & Statistics

• Annie emphasizes the tragic cycle of intimate partner violence:
  • “On average, it takes eight times to successfully leave somebody...a very alarming statistic of how many times somebody actively leaving results in death.” (38:42)
  • Paxton “was trying to get help...she knew it was dangerous, and she was doing everything survivors are told they should do. Yet she still did not get the protection that she needed in time.” (37:14)
• Amy: “Crime of passion is usually…most violent. She was probably leaving or putting up a boundary, and he felt like he lost control and called extreme.” (39:58)

Sobering Takeaway

• Annie: “It’s just sad because…it’s always too late…but it’s like, at what point is there gonna not be this flaw or break in the system to where people can get out safely?” (40:35)

Closing & Lighthearted Moments (41:19–45:24)

• Annie and Amy end with personal notes on gratitude for Thanksgiving and inside jokes about elderly sextortion, surviving without “dick pics,” and why neither should sit on a jury (42:03–43:19).
• They tease Patreon perks and reflect humorously on their early Christmas decorating habits.

Final Signoffs

• Annie: “Until the next one, be nice. Don’t kill people.”
• Amy: “Don’t send nudes.”
• Annie: “Don’t be a Bryan Kohberger in a world in which you can be literally anything else.”
• Amy: “Watch for red flags.”
• Annie: “Watch for red flags.” (45:17–45:24)

Episode Timestamps: Quick Reference

| Time | Segment | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 00:39-13:56 | Crime Headlines & In-Depth Case Updates | | 14:00-23:44 | Case 1: Professor's Sextortion Murder | | 23:46-29:42 | Case 2: Florida Family Murder-Pact | | 31:17-41:19 | Case 3: Chainsaw Girlfriend Murder (Phoenix, AZ) | | 41:19-45:24 | Closing, Gratitude, Patreon, Humor |

Memorable Quotes

• Annie Elise on Kohberger:
  “He was too much of a chicken shit to face the firing squad and go to trial.” — (14:15)
• On the scam case:
  “Mary deserved so much more than to become collateral damage in her husband’s sick, gross secret.” — Annie (21:53)
• On domestic violence:
  “She was trying to get out. She was trying to reach for help. No one wants to admit someone who says ‘I love you’ is actually hurting them.” — Quoting Paxton’s sister (37:14)
• On prevention:
  “Be nice. Don’t kill people.” — Amy (29:49)
  “Don’t send nudes.” — Annie & Amy (45:14–45:15)

Tone & Delivery

A blend of seriousness and banter, Annie and Amy balance empathy for victims with conversational humor. Their language is frank, sometimes profane, but always focused on rooting out crucial details while treating victims and families with sensitivity.

For listeners seeking the full case details, human context behind headlines, and an unfiltered best-friend-style breakdown, this episode of Serialously delivers both depth and candor.