Small Town Murder – "A Deadly Blame Game – Pierre, South Dakota"

Podcast: Small Town Murder
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Episode Date: November 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode takes the listener to Pierre, South Dakota—a tiny state capital with an outsized tragedy. The hosts, with their signature irreverent comedic style, dig deep into the murder of Tamara “Tammy” Rie in 2006. Their discussion covers the quirks of life in Pierre, the escalating dysfunction in the Rie family, a brutal crime, and an unbelievable attempt by the killer to shift blame to his own daughter. The episode is marked by dark humor and sharp commentary, blending research with laughs and shock.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Portrait of Pierre, South Dakota

• [03:35] Town Quirks & Pronunciation Debate:
  • The hosts riff on how locals insist "Pierre" is pronounced "Pier," not the French way.
    • James: “They didn’t invent the word Pierre. You can’t just change the pronunciation of it.” (03:37)
  • Small state capital, population just over 14,000, median income above national average, but not much to do except fish, hunt, drink, or bowl.
• [07:25] Town Reviews:
  • Host reads online reviews: If you don’t like fishing, hunting, drinking or bowling, “this town is not for you.”
• [10:15] Local Festival and Entertainment:
  • Description of the Oahe Days festival—“Struggle Jennings” as a headliner.
  • Hosts joke about local bands and events, highlighting small-town energy.

2. Tammy Rie's Background and Family Dynamics

• [12:56] Introducing Tammy
  • Tammy was born in 1964 in Wyoming, oldest of three girls, athletic, attended college on a volleyball scholarship.
• [15:10] Meeting Brad Rie
  • Tammy meets Brad (divorced, Walmart manager with a twin, Brett) in Billings, Montana.
• [16:36] Move to Pierre
  • The family—including daughter Haley, born 1993—moves to Pierre in 2004 when Brad is promoted at Walmart.
  • Hosts mock the idea of Brad and Tammy taking over discount retail in the town (“dominating the discount superstores”). (18:28)
• [19:31] Marriage Estrangement
  • By 2006, Brad and Tammy’s marriage is cold: sleeping in separate rooms due to Brad’s restless leg syndrome and general distance.
  • Daughter Haley says:
    • “I had always been afraid of my dad…he was a quiet character who only cared about work or going fishing…self centered, obsessed with work, and we didn’t have much of a relationship.” (20:51)

3. The Affair and Tammy’s Plan to Divorce

• [21:37] Tammy’s New Relationship
  • Tammy begins an affair with Brian Clark, assistant manager at Kmart. Both are married; they don’t hide the affair at work.
• [23:35] Tammy Wants Out
  • Early February 2006, Tammy tells Brad she wants a divorce and wants to see other people.
  • Brad is devastated, tries to enlist Tammy’s mother to talk her out of it, falls into deep depression.
  • Host James on dealing with heartbreak: “It feels like weight on you…you just gotta either run the course or do the fucking therapy work to get through it.” (26:44)

4. Tammy Disappears—Events of February 7–8, 2006

• [31:17] Timeline of Disappearance
  • Feb 7: Tammy spends afternoon at a motel with Brian, watches her daughter’s basketball game, goes home early, in bed by 9 pm.
  • Night: Brad seen doing laundry late at night, acting oddly (according to Haley).
  • Feb 8, morning: Haley notices Tammy missing—her purse and phone left behind, car in the garage. Brad casually says she’s probably at her boyfriend’s, then tells Haley not to tell anyone.
    • Jimmy: “You don’t tell her. No. Don’t disparage the ex to your kids no matter what.” (34:56)
  • Tammy fails to call her mother as she does every day; family and Brian (the lover) alert police.

5. Investigation and Discovery of the Body

• [38:36] Suspects and Clues
  • Police interview Brian Clark, Tammy’s lover—he’s fully cooperative, has an airtight alibi.
  • Detectives find blood stains in the Rie garage and a strong smell of cleaning agents in Tammy’s SUV; Brad had done laundry at odd hours.
  • James: “If you go around with luminol…you're going to find some blood in your house. But this is a bit much though, for blood.” (45:25)
• [46:23] Brad Arrested
  • Despite no body yet, blood evidence is overwhelming and police fear evidence will be destroyed—Brad is arrested for first-degree murder.

6. Discovery of the Body and Evidence

• [49:41] Body Found by Oahe Dam
  • National Guard helicopter spots a body near the dam. Tammy is found nude, throat slashed, stabbed 37 times, some wounds possibly inflicted post-mortem.
    • “The brutality…was horrifying. There’s more wounds here than were needed to kill a person. And some…were also post mortem.” (50:07)
  • Possible bite marks found on her breast, adding a sexually disturbing dimension.
  • Scene strongly suggests overkill, intense rage.

7. Elaborate Cover-Up and Attempt to Shift Blame

• [55:23] Brad’s Clumsy Cover-Up
  • Brad tries to frame Brian Clark by anonymously sending letters loaded with insider details, including the placement of a condom in Tammy’s rectum ("lost rubber and ass"—61:02).
  • Bloody tarp, linens, and cleaning supplies found in garbage bags at a “good fishing spot” Brad used (discovered by a map he drew for his twin Brett).
  • Brett, the twin, is arrested for trying to dispose of evidence; evidence tying both brothers to the cover-up is overwhelming. Brett flips and testifies.

8. Trial and the Ultimate Blame Game

• [65:53] Defense Strategy: Blame the Daughter
  • Brad’s defense claims it wasn't Brad or Brian—his own 12-year-old, 90-pound daughter Haley did it, while in a dissociative episode, and Brad only covered it up to protect her.
    • James: “This is ridiculous. They said Brad was a good father, so he covered up to protect her.” (66:06)
• [68:01] Haley Testifies
  • Haley is forced to take the stand, firmly denies any involvement: “I don’t have the strength to do [that]…haven’t tried.”
• [69:07] Brad’s Outrageous Testimony
  • Brad testifies, claims he planted the condom to frame Brian and protect Haley.
    • Jimmie: “What a terrible thing to say out loud.” (69:07)
• [70:26] Prosecution’s Final Word
  • Prosecutor: “The most cowardly blame-sharing act I’ve seen…ever.” (70:26)
• [70:51] Verdict and Sentencing
  • Guilty of first-degree murder.
  • Judge: “You are not the victim. You are a predator. You sir, may fuck off. Life without parole.” (70:51)
• [71:38] Brett
  • Brett gets 2.5 years in prison, essentially time served, for accessory and testifying.

9. Aftermath

• [72:28] Haley’s Life
  • Haley is raised by grandparents, disowns her father, advocates publicly against domestic violence, and never speaks to Brad again.
    • “Being blamed for something so horrific by my dad is something I could have never expected… I haven’t spoken to my dad since I was 12.” (72:29)
• [73:02] Other Updates
  • The Kmart is closed (2016).
  • Brad dies in prison in 2024 at age 64.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pierre’s pronounciation:
  • James: “They'll laugh at you if you don't say Pier…they named it after a guy named Pierre. That's French. It's Pierre. Oh my God.” (03:37)
• On Haley’s relationship with Brad:
  • Haley: “I had always been afraid of my dad…He was self centered, obsessed with work, and we didn’t have much of a relationship.” (20:51)
• On bad divorce practices:
  • “Don’t disparage the ex to your kids no matter what.” – Jimmie (34:56)
• On Brad’s defense blaming Haley:
  • James: “This is ridiculous. They said Brad was a good father, so he covered up to protect her.” (66:06)
• On the prosecutor’s closing:
  • "That's the most cowardly blame sharing act I've seen from a defendant in 27 years ever." (70:26)
• Judge at sentencing:
  • “You are not the victim. You are a predator. You, sir, may fuck off.” (70:51)
• Haley on being accused:
  • “Being blamed for something so horrific by my dad is something I could have never expected… I haven’t spoken to my dad since I was 12.” (72:29)

Key Timestamps

• Pierre background & small town humor: 03:35–12:00
• Family & affair details: 12:56–24:25
• Divorce & familial dysfunction: 24:25–29:00
• Disappearance and investigation begin: 31:17–38:36
• Brad’s arrest and DNA/blood evidence: 41:46–46:23
• Body discovered: 49:41
• Cover-up unraveling (letters, fishing spot, Brett): 55:23–59:16
• Trial and defense’s blame game: 65:53–70:26
• Aftermath for Haley, Brad’s fate: 72:28–73:50

Tone and Style

The episode blends deeply researched true crime with the hosts’ signature dark comedic commentary, balancing respect for the tragedy with irreverence for small-town quirks, criminal hubris, and legal maneuvering. The hosts stay sharply critical of the perpetrator, provide empathetic support for the victim and especially Haley, and punctuate the story with memorable jokes, asides, and incredulous responses to the failed cover-up attempts.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This is a harrowing case of marital breakdown, small-town scandal, and astonishing betrayal—as the murderer not only tries framing an innocent bystander but stoops to blaming his own child. The episode is equal parts grim and hilarious, thanks to the hosts’ rapport and insight. Even in tragedy, the podcast spotlights resilience—most notably in Haley, who survives, speaks out, and rewrites her own story.