Serialously with Annie Elise

Episode 342: Parents Butcher Rebecca Park & Cut Out Her Baby, Parents Burned Alive, & Body Parts Found in Truck

Release Date: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Annie Elise with guest/co-host Amy

Main Theme & Purpose

In this true-crime-packed episode, Annie Elise and Amy tackle several chilling new cases and major updates on ongoing investigations. Today’s stories revolve around disturbing family violence, gruesome murders, and a mysterious disappearance that stuns the true crime community. As always, Annie blends meticulous details with candid reactions and contextual insights, guiding listeners through each twist and revelation as if confiding in a friend.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. Major Case Updates & True Crime Developments

Alex Murdoch's Appeal (02:12–05:27)

• Alex Murdoch—convicted for the double murder of his wife and son in 2023—is set for an appeal hearing on February 11, 2026.
  • Grounds for Appeal:
    • Alleged jury tampering by former court clerk Becky Hill (motivated by book and media deals)
    • Claims of improper admission of financial-crime-related evidence as murder motive
    • Alleged mishandling of forensic evidence and crime scene contamination
  • Annie’s Take: “He’s maintaining his innocence through all of this, which, you know what? I always get confused on the name… but we will see what happens in that hearing come February.” (05:05, Annie)

Brian Walsh Trial Begins (05:27–09:51)

• Brian Walsh is on trial for allegedly killing and dismembering his wife, Anna, in January 2023 (her body has never been found).
  • Evidence: Walsh’s incriminating search history including “how to dismember a body” and related queries.
  • Defense Angle: Will leverage the disgraced lead investigator Michael Proctor’s previous misconduct and possible investigation mishandling to raise doubts.
  • Courtroom Note: Same courthouse—and originally same judge—as the contentious Karen Reed case.
  • Annie’s Prediction: “I am confident he will be found guilty. I just think there is way too much evidence… although, yes, I guess circumstantial considering a body has not yet been recovered.”

Anna Kempner Cruise Ship Death Update (09:51–14:33)

• 18-year-old Anna was found dead in her cruise ship cabin, buried under life jackets and a blanket.
  • Death ruled a homicide—mechanical asphyxiation.
  • Stepbrother (only other person in the cabin) is a key suspect but not charged yet.
  • Family’s Frustration: Shared by Anna’s aunt Crystal Wright and her father: “We don’t understand why, if the boy is a suspect, why has he not been charged yet? What’s happening there?”
  • Investigation: Ongoing; family is being kept in the dark for fear information leaks to possible suspects.
  • Community Response: Many online commenters are angry with the family, feeling Anna was failed by everyone.

2. New Cases

Parents Burned Alive in North Adams, Massachusetts (14:33–19:49)

• Incident:
  • Darius Hazard, 44, is accused of savagely beating his elderly parents (Venture, 76, and Donald, 83), then dousing their house in gasoline and setting it alight while they were still alive.
  • The victims called out for help believing their son would return to save them.
  • Medical examiner: Death by smoke inhalation—burned alive.
• Annie Reacts:
  • “Something definitely does not add up here… people don’t go from yelling and breaking stuff to then killing their parents through a savage, physical, hands-on beating, and then burning down the house.” (18:09)
  • “Whatever explanation he gives, it’s certainly not going to undo that his parents were calling out for him while he’s walking away.”
• Amy’s Reaction:
  • “When you were reading what they were calling out to him, I got chills… just picturing parents screaming out in desperation… so incredibly awful” (19:49)

Murder & Dismemberment of Malachi Calder in Toledo, Ohio (20:19–26:17)

• Victim: Malachi Calder, 27, recently earned master’s degree, survived homelessness.
• Timeline:
  • Goes missing Nov 15; police check on his apartment (shower running, dog barking, TV on—no clear foul play initially).
  • Nov 25: Body parts found inside Calder’s own truck, which is being driven by Martell Huggins (prior violence history).
  • Medical examiner: Gunshot and stab wounds to the head, followed by dismemberment.
  • Motive and relationship between victim and suspect unknown.
• Discussion:
  • Annie speculates on motive: “To shoot someone and stab someone in the head and dismember them multiple times. That feels super personal.” (24:11)
  • Amy wonders if it was a botched robbery or a deeper personal connection.

The Disappearance and Likely Murder of Rebecca Park, Northern Michigan (30:51–38:24)

• Overview:
  • 22-year-old Rebecca, 38-39 weeks pregnant, vanishes after getting into a mysterious car.
  • Phone found ditched next morning; volunteer searchers find body in woods a few weeks later—baby missing.
• Investigation:
  • Family members rapidly arrested—fiancé (drug charges), sister (evidence tampering, lying), mother and stepfather (murder, torture, assault charges).
  • Bombshell: Mother and stepdad charged with Rebecca’s murder and the assault leading to miscarriage/stillbirth; baby is still missing.
  • Annie’s Assessment:
    • “For your parents to be involved, the sister, the fiancée, I mean this is… poor woman.” (36:00)
    • “Is that the story the mom was telling the police? Or maybe that whole story is complete BS from the jump, I don’t know.” (36:51)
  • Amy: “How do people do this? I don't understand.” (37:54)
  • No indication yet of baby’s fate or the precise sequence of events.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Annie (about the family): “Why are you lying? Why are you a liar, Kimberly? Tell us, Kimberly.”

Pregnant Woman and Baby Shot, Both Survive in Florida (40:11–44:16)

• Incident:
  • 8-month pregnant woman shot in the abdomen while sleeping with her children; boyfriend Eric Patterson (15x convicted felon) drove her to hospital and fled.
  • Both mom and baby survive—baby underwent surgery to remove bullet post emergency c-section.
• Investigation:
  • Surveillance footage and quick police work lead to Eric’s arrest (multiple severe charges).
  • Amy: “It’s nothing short of extraordinary… it’s a miracle story of survival and resilience.” (43:18)
  • Annie: “It could have been a quadruple homicide easily… what a story that baby's gonna have. Growing up, like, I was shot by my father before I… while I was still in my mom’s stomach.” (44:46)
• Broader Commentary:
  • The case sparks discussion about cycles of violence, female resilience, and the disbelief at partners repeatedly involved with dangerous felons.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Alex Murdoch’s Ongoing Appeals:

• “Still to this day, Alex is maintaining his innocence, which, you know—huge eye roll—I don’t think anybody believes that…” (05:01, Annie)

On the Hazard Parents Calling for Help:

• “Even in that moment, they were calling out for him, calling out for their son… not realizing that he is the one who started this fire and inflicted this, you know, horrific attack.” (16:54, Annie)
• “When you were reading what they were calling out to him, I got chills and started tearing up.” (19:49, Amy)

On the Malachi Calder Dismemberment Case:

• “To stab someone in the head, that is a very up close and personal and… a direct act of violence.” (24:11, Annie)
• “Just so many questions. What happened? How did it escalate to this point? Was this planned?” (22:55, Amy)

On the Rebecca Park Family Arrests:

• “What motivation would they have for killing her own daughter and then stealing her baby? Unless, of course, it somehow ties into the drug use…” (35:45, Annie)

On Survival Against All Odds:

• “Against all odds, somehow, both the mother and the baby survived. Doctors performed emergency surgery, delivered the baby early, and then the newborn had to be airlifted to another hospital, where surgeons removed the bullet from its abdomen, which is unbelievable, but extremely heroic.” (41:17, Amy)

Important Timestamps

• Alex Murdoch Appeal Discussion: 02:12–05:27
• Brian Walsh Trial Updates: 05:27–09:51
• Anna Kempner Case Update: 09:51–14:33
• Hazard Family Parents Burned Alive: 14:33–19:49
• Malachi Calder Dismemberment: 20:19–26:17
• Rebecca Park—Pregnant Woman Disappears, Family Arrests: 30:51–38:24
• Florida Pregnant Mother & Baby Shot, Both Survive: 40:11–44:16

Episode Tone & Style

Annie and Amy maintain a conversational, candid, and empathetic tone—balancing deep empathy for victims with incredulity and skepticism regarding suspect actions and systemic failures. The delivery is approachable, peppered with side remarks, relevant case connections, and personal reflections on the horrifying details and their broader implications.

Listen Next:

If you want regular updates or deep dives as these cases progress, Annie encourages feedback through YouTube comments and Spotify Q&A and shares how to access ad-free episodes and bonus content via Apple and Patreon.

For those passionate about true crime, this episode is both an emotional rollercoaster and a meticulous recap of shocking new developments in headline-making (and lesser-known) cases—perfect for those who want more than just the basic facts.