Small Town Murder Podcast Episode #545: "Google Map My Murder - Cary, North Carolina"

Release Date: November 21, 2024
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmy Whisman

Introduction to the Case

In episode #545 titled "Google Map My Murder - Cary, North Carolina", hosts James Pietragallo and Jimmy Whisman delve into the perplexing murder case of Nancy Cooper in the rapidly growing suburb of Cary, North Carolina. Balancing their comedic flair with in-depth research, James and Jimmy unravel the complexities of Nancy's disappearance, the ensuing investigation, and the controversial trial that followed.

Cary, North Carolina: The Setting [07:37 - 25:05]

James Pietragallo begins by painting a vivid picture of Cary, emphasizing its transformation from a modest town to an affluent suburb with a population boom—from 3,300 in 1960 to over 175,000 by the time of the episode. He humorously critiques the town's upscale amenities and burgeoning real estate market:

“And this is much different from when my dad lived there. $574,400 median. Yeah, that is wild.”
— James Pietragallo [18:12]

The hosts highlight Cary's emphasis on maintaining a "small town feel" amid rapid growth, citing ordinances that preserve green spaces and regulate development. Despite its charm, James humorously laments the lack of authentic Asian cuisine:

“There’s perfectly awesome middle ground between P.F. Chang’s and buffets, people.”
— James Pietragallo [13:57]

The Coopers: Marriage and Conflict [25:05 - 56:49]

The episode shifts focus to Brad and Nancy Cooper, a couple whose turbulent marriage sets the stage for tragedy. James and Jimmy explore the dynamics of their relationship, marked by mutual infidelity and financial strain. James shares insights into Brad's controlling behavior:

“He’d be responsible for paying all costs for the Cooper girls to get a private education from kindergarten through high school.”
— James Pietragallo [54:51]

Nancy's struggles with her visa restrictions and Brad's emotional abuse are underscored as significant stressors. The hosts discuss how financial control and lack of autonomy contributed to the deterioration of their marriage:

“He was financially controlling her to the point where she was selling her clothes and painting friends' houses just to buy groceries.”
— Jimmy Whisman [/something not directly timed]

Nancy Cooper's Disappearance [56:49 - 85:42]

On the morning of July 12, 2008, Nancy Cooper was reported missing after failing to return from a planned jog. The narrative details her last known movements, including interactions at a neighborhood barbecue and her intended jogging route. Key moments include:

• Nancy cancels her jog with a friend on the morning of her disappearance.

• Friends and neighbors begin to grow concerned as she fails to appear for scheduled activities.

• Nancy Grace and Mark Fuhrman speculate on possible motives, with Nancy Grace suggesting domestic betrayal:

  “In domestic homicides, we look at family members often. Because it’s in the context of attachment that envy, rage, and the wish to be like the other get stirred up.”
  — Nancy Grace [Unspecified Timestamp]

Brad Cooper's behavior post-disappearance, including his attempt to manage his image and restrict access to his finances, raises suspicions. James highlights inconsistencies in Brad's alibi and his actions leading up to the discovery of Nancy's body.

Police Investigation and Evidence [85:42 - 151:53]

The investigation reveals several red flags:

• Brad Cooper's Google Maps search history indicating a deep interest in the location where Nancy's body was found.
• Discrepancies in Brad's account of events, such as his cleaning the house hours after Nancy went missing.
• Multiple witness testimonies about suspicious vans in the area on the night of the disappearance.
• The discovery of Nancy's body with signs of strangulation and lack of clothing, raising questions about a possible staged scene.

Despite circumstantial evidence pointing towards Brad, the lack of concrete physical evidence initially complicated the case. The podcast hosts critique the police investigation, pointing out missed opportunities and procedural oversights:

“But all the tracks around her that they can find, they never take casts of any of the tire tracks or the footprints around her.”
— James Pietragallo [119:56]

Trial and Verdict [151:53 - 173:35]

The trial unfolds with the prosecution building a case based primarily on circumstantial evidence, including Brad's financial control, his Google Maps searches, and behavioral inconsistencies. Notable moments include:

• James Pietragallo criticizes the reliance on Google Maps as the cornerstone of the prosecution's argument:

  “The jury was not swayed by those shenanigans.”
  — James Pietragallo [165:35]

• The defense attempts to cast doubt on the evidence, highlighting alternative suspects and Brad's character flaws.

• Ultimately, Brad Cooper pleads guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea bargain, receiving a sentence of 12 to 15 years in prison.

James and Jimmy express skepticism about the fairness of the trial, suggesting that Brad's plea was a strategic move to secure a lesser sentence despite their belief in his guilt:

“I think he did it in a way where he left no evidence and did a very good job of doing it.”
— James Pietragallo [175:07]

Aftermath and Community Reaction [173:35 - End]

Following the verdict, the community grapples with the implications of Brad's conviction and the unresolved feelings surrounding Nancy's death. James and Jimmy discuss the formation of support groups and the spread of conspiracy theories online, comparing it to high-profile cases like Scott Peterson's.

The hosts reflect on the challenges of seeking justice in cases reliant on circumstantial evidence and the emotional toll on the families involved:

“Justice for Brad is there. The justice for Brad blog Lynn Blanchard wrote extremely lengthy posts.”
— James Pietragallo [177:18]

Conclusion

Episode #545 of Small Town Murder offers a compelling mix of investigative storytelling and comedic commentary on the tragic case of Nancy Cooper’s murder in Cary, North Carolina. James Pietragallo and Jimmy Whisman navigate the intricacies of the case, questioning the adequacy of the evidence and the integrity of the investigation, while engaging listeners with their unique blend of humor and critical analysis.

Notable Quotes:

• “There’s more to imagine when you listen.”
  — James Pietragallo [00:09]

• “You might not be for you. We may not.”
  — James Pietragallo [06:23]

• “If you think that true crime and comedy should never ever go together, we might not be for you.”
  — James Pietragallo [06:59]

• “But this absolutely feels like a small town.”
  — James Pietragallo [11:33]

• “They erase a murder victim's cell phone data.”
  — James Pietragallo [167:48]

For those intrigued by this harrowing tale, further insights and discussions are available by following Small Town Murder on social media or visiting their official website.