Podcast Summary: Small Town Murder – Episode #589: Pig Farm Murders - Weimer, Oregon

Release Date: April 24, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #589 of Small Town Murder, hosts James Pietragallo and Jimmy Whisman delve into a chilling case from Weimer, Oregon—a small town plagued by mysterious disappearances and a gruesome murder involving a pig farm. Combining in-depth research with their signature comedic flair, the duo unpacks the harrowing events that unfolded on a secluded farm, exploring the intertwining lives, tragic outcomes, and the dark underbelly of rural America.

Background on Weimer, Oregon

Weimer is a diminutive town located in southwestern Oregon, approximately four hours from Portland and two hours from Weed, California. With a population predominantly composed of older residents (median age: 61.4) and skewed gender demographics (56% male, 44% female), the town presents an idyllic yet isolated picture. Despite its serene surroundings along Evans Creek and proximity to Rogue River, Weimer grapples with issues such as rising crime rates linked to the legalization of marijuana and the influx of transient workers.

James Pietragallo [09:20]: “Median home cost here is $376,800.”

Susan Monica: From Engineer to Isolated Farmer

Susan Monica, formerly Stephen Buchanan, is at the heart of the Pig Farm Murders. Enlisting in the Navy to fight in Vietnam and honorably discharged, Susan underwent a gender transition in the early 1970s. Post-service, she thrived in an engineering career before purchasing a 20-acre farm in Weimer in 1991, seeking solitude and a change from her previous life.

Jimmy Whisman [27:08]: “She was not just. She's going through a lot.”

Over the years, Susan established her farm, focusing on pigs and chickens, and ran a wrought iron fence and gate-building business named White Queen Construction. However, by 2012, signs of mental distress began to surface, marked by significant hair loss and withdrawal from personal hygiene, indicative of severe PTSD.

James Pietragallo [30:31]: “Nothing good has happened.”

The Disappearance of Robert Haney

In December 2013, Robert Harry Haney, a 59-year-old handyman hired by Susan through a Craigslist ad, vanished from the property under suspicious circumstances. Robert, known for his alcoholism and volatile behavior, had previously worked sporadically on Susan’s farm. His son, Jesse, reported Robert missing after failing to contact him for over two months.

Jimmy Whisman [37:08]: “Have you heard from dad? No, we all started to panic.”

Investigation and Discovery of Remains

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office initiated a missing persons report and commenced an investigation. Surveillance footage revealed Robert’s EBT card being used at a nearby Walmart after Susan claimed he had left to find work in Ashland, Oregon. This discrepancy raised immediate red flags.

When law enforcement executed a search warrant on Susan’s property, officials were met with squalor: garbage pits, animal enclosures, and signs of neglect. During the search, they discovered human remains—a severed leg—in a pond near Susan’s house, unmistakably human and not animal in origin.

James Pietragallo [52:46]: “They encounter a human leg. Just a leg?”

The shocking find led to intensified scrutiny of Susan’s activities and statements. Susan admitted to using Robert’s EBT card ostensibly for purchasing beer and basic food items, but her explanations were fraught with inconsistencies and bizarre justifications involving her pigs.

Arrest and Trial

Susan Monica was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, abuse of a corpse in the first degree, and identity theft. Her trial became a focal point for the community and garnered significant media attention due to the gruesome nature of the crimes and her erratic behavior.

During the trial, testimonies from former workers and neighbors painted a picture of a woman struggling with mental health issues and exhibiting controlling and abusive tendencies. Notably, an inmate testified that Susan had admitted to killing and feeding individuals to her pigs, further complicating her defense.

Jimmy Whisman [154:18]: “She admitted during the direct examination this inmate that she was in custody for a while on a probation violation.”

Despite her defense attorney’s attempts to portray the murders as acts of mercy or self-defense, the overwhelming evidence and contradictory statements led the jury to convict Susan Monica of both murders.

Key Testimonies and Evidence

1. Jordan Farris (Inmate): Testified that Susan admitted to shooting Steve Della Ceno during an argument and leaving his body for the pigs to consume.

   James Pietragallo [154:17]: “She admitted to killing Delicino during an argument.”

2. Michael Bales: A former worker who described Susan’s increasingly erratic behavior and her tendency to belittle and scold helpers.

   Jimmy Whisman [56:35]: “He looks like a dickhead sometimes.”

3. Neighbors and Former Workers: Provided accounts of Susan’s hostile interactions and her use of pigs as a means to dispose of bodies and dispose of unwanted individuals.

   James Pietragallo [136:50]: “She shot two of his dogs and one of his cats and used them for feed.”

Conclusion: Verdict and Sentencing

After a brief deliberation, the jury found Susan Monica guilty of two murders. The judge sentenced her to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, given her age and the severity of her crimes. The property remains a site of ongoing investigation and environmental cleanup due to the extensive neglect and contamination associated with the crimes.

James Pietragallo [176:18]: “Pig Lady” refers to an indie horror movie inspired by Susan’s case, highlighting the macabre fascination surrounding the murders.

Closing Thoughts

Episode #589 of Small Town Murder offers a gripping exploration of a bizarre and horrifying case that underscores the dark complexities hidden within seemingly peaceful rural communities. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, James and Jimmy shed light on Susan Monica’s descent into madness and the tragic consequences that befell those around her.

Notable Quotes

• James Pietragallo [07:13]: “We just don’t know who’s this belong to.”

• Jimmy Whisman [82:18]: “Sometimes you gotta take a leg.”

• James Pietragallo [143:35]: “What the fuck would you do? Like, she says, I shot him to put him out of his misery.”

• Jimmy Whisman [158:29]: “I have an urge to murder when they're in my way.”

For those intrigued by the intertwining of true crime and dark comedy, this episode of Small Town Murder is a must-listen. Subscribe and stay tuned for more in-depth analyses of small-town tragedies with a twist.