Transcript

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James Petregallo (0:18)

Small Town Murder is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, but potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations. Hello, everybody and welcome back to Small Town Murder Express. Yay.

Jimmy Whisman (1:02)

And choo choo.

James Petregallo (1:04)

Oh, yay indeed, Jimmy. Yay indeed. My name is James Petregallo. I'm here with my co host.

Jimmy Whisman (1:09)

I'm Jimmy Whisman.

James Petregallo (1:11)

Thank you folks so much for joining us today on another episode of Small Town Murder Express. All aboard the Murder train.

Jimmy Whisman (1:17)

Yeah.

James Petregallo (1:18)

Pulling away from the station. We have a wild one for you today, as usual. When are the expresses not crazy? When are the regulars not crazy? They're all crazy. They're murder stories. Just the thought of how it started. Gonna be crazy right there from the start. Before we get into that very quickly, definitely head over to shutupandgivememurder.com what's there? Get your tickets for live shows, everybody, including, well, it's gonna be this weekend. If you're listening to it, it's right now, right when it comes out, Nashville, February 21st. Get in there if there's still tickets left. Also, March 6th in Durham, March 7th in Atlanta.

Jimmy Whisman (1:53)

Let's go.

James Petregallo (1:54)

Get in there. Get those tickets. And then that the March 21st, your stupid opinion show, Phoenix at standup live. Come out and see us. Shut up and give me murder.com also get yourself patreon. Do yourself a favor. Patreon.com crimeinsports is where you get all of the bonus material. Anybody $5 a month or above, you're going to get everything we put out immediately upon subscription. Hundreds of back bonus episodes, new ones every other week. One crime and sports, one small town murder, and you get them all. This week. What we're going to give you is for crime and sports, we're going to do dead cyclists part. Yeah. Who knew that cycling is the most dangerous sport that's ever existed?

Summary

Small Town Murder – "Double Life, Double Murder – Newton, Kansas"

Podcast: Small Town Murder
Hosts: James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman
Episode Air Date: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, James and Jimmie delve into the small city of Newton, Kansas, unraveling a chilling murder case rooted in deception, brutal violence, and the consequences of a double life. The story centers around the 1994 murder of Rhonda Krebel in her own home – a crime initially enveloped in mystery but eventually linked to a killer with a secretly criminal past and a false identity. The hosts provide their usual in-depth research, gruesome crime details, and signature comedic banter, exploring not only the facts, but the oddities, frustrations, and small town quirks surrounding the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Newton, Kansas: Setting the Stage

Introduction to Newton
- Located 30 minutes from Wichita; population ~18,500.
- Median income below US average; affordable housing market.
- Notorious past: Gunfights, high crime reviews, alleged police corruption – “the wickedest city in the West.”
- Residents’ reviews: “Quiet town, good for raising kids, but meth is a problem”; others call it “the vortex of despair.”
  - Memorable Quote: “A vortex. The wickedest city in the west or the vortex of despair.” – James (09:17)
Local Flavor
- Events like Sand Creek Summer Days, cardboard boat regattas, and a surprisingly robust music scene – “good old Midwestern family fun.”

The Krebel Family and the Crime

Rhonda Krebel (née Schmidt)
- Born and raised in Newton, 1957. Married Von Andros Krebel in 1980; three daughters.
- Described as the ideal small-town mom: active in churches, nurseries, community groups, always a happy, welcoming home.
Precursor Incident
- Weeks before the murder, Rhonda argued with Matthew Murphy, a waiter/assistant manager at the Newton Inn, over a bill at a Christian Women’s Club meeting.
  - Matthew was enraged by the confrontation, describing Rhonda as “a fucking bitch.” (18:37)
  - Co-workers recall his regular complaints when serving her group.

The Day of the Murder: May 20, 1994

Rhonda brings her daughters and a friend home after a field trip; is last seen scooping ice cream for the kids.
Friend’s mother comes to pick up her daughter, finds no one answering, and eventually contacts Rhonda’s husband and a nearby relative (Kevin).
Kevin finds two young girls crying in a closet; the six-year-old says, “The bad man hurt Mommy” (26:25).
Police discover Rhonda’s body: hogtied with pantyhose, gagged with tape, strangled and severely beaten with a blunt instrument (13 head strikes); apparent attempted sexual assault interrupted.

Investigation and Community Crisis

Immediate Suspects
- Focus on family members; Kevin’s odd behavior (dumping Rhonda’s purse) and bizarre answers during questioning ("an angel stopped me from opening that bedroom door"; describes Rhonda as “sexy” – 44:00) make him an initial suspect, but he’s cleared due to the child witness’s recognition: “Kevin is a dipshit... but not the man in the house.” (46:58)
Child’s Testimony
- Six-year-old victim witness provides a surprisingly detailed description – tall, thin man, blue eyes, Jesus-fish red cap, aviator sunglasses (37:43).
- Lois Gibson (famed forensic sketch artist) creates a composite that’s plastered across Kansas, but leads go cold for over a year.
Physical Evidence
- Sunglasses under the bed (do not belong to the family), cigarette butts under the window (family are non-smokers, pointed to the killer’s surveillance), bindings made from materials within the house.

A Second Murder and the Unraveling of a Double Life

September 1995: Jody McCown’s Disappearance
- Wichita sex worker Jody McCown accepts an unusually large offer for an overnight “date”; her friend notes the john’s car license plate.
- Jody disappears; the car is traced to “Matthew Murphy,” but the man’s actual name is Chester Higginbotham – a felon with a tragic, abusive past and an intricate false identity.
Chester’s Background
- Child abuse victim; locked in closets; mother died when he was 13.
- Long criminal record: theft, burglary, forgery.
- Assumed the identity of an Arizona man who died in a bike accident to become “Matthew Murphy.”
Connecting the Murders
- Police, initially investigating Jody’s case, find rope, tape, and zip ties in Chester’s shed, matching bindings used in both killings.
- Both victims: hogtied, gagged, bound with improvised materials, apparent sexual assault interrupted – killer knew both women.
Breakthroughs
- Chester’s wife (Vicki) reports seeing a blonde woman slumped in his car (later identified as Jody), didn’t question him due to her meek nature (59:02).
- Chester previously worked as a waiter/assistant manager at the Newton Inn (Rhonda’s nemesis); he walked past her house daily, explaining surveillance.
- Vicki confirms Chester smokes the same brand of cigarettes found under Rhonda’s window and wore signature aviators and the Jesus-fish hat.
- At work after the murder, Chester had a swollen eye (Rhonda fought back).

Trials, Aftermath, and Closure

Trials & Sentencing
- Jody McCown’s case (1996):
  - Chain of physical evidence (rope, tape, matching tattoos in Chester’s sketchbook) leads to a first-degree murder and kidnapping conviction.
  - Verdict: Hard 40-year minimum sentence plus 49 months for kidnapping.
- Rhonda Krebel’s case (1999):
  - By now, DNA analysis definitively links Chester to the crime (1 in 5.5 billion match).
  - Signature similarity to Jody’s murder.
  - Verdict: Guilty – another “Hard 40” sentence.
- Quote from the judge (74:24):
  - “This is an especially heinous, atrocious and cruel crime... You, sir, may fuck off.” – Judge, on sentencing Chester
Psychological Profile
- Chester described as a manipulative sociopath formed by a cruel, abusive childhood.
Family & Community Response
- Krebel family’s impact statements and loss described as especially heartbreaking; video montages and victim support group outreach noted.
- Rhonda's sister refuses to judge Vicky, Chester's wife, noting, "She could have been a victim. She could have been killed, too." (74:56)
- Newton’s culture is permanently changed: from unlocked doors and safe neighborhoods to alarm systems and vigilance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Newton’s reputation:
- “A vortex. The wickedest city in the west or the vortex of despair.” – James (09:17)
Kevin’s interrogation:
- “An angel stopped me from opening that bedroom door.” – Kevin (42:37)
- “Sexy.” – Kevin on what he thinks about his cousin, the victim (44:00)
On suspects:
- “You're a complete jackass, let me tell you that. But I don't think you're a murderer.” – James, on Kevin (46:06)
On child witnesses:
- “Adults second guess themselves. They overthink it. Children just tell you what they saw.” – Lois Gibson (52:40)
Chester’s signature:
- “He wore his favorite shit to the murder.” – Jimmie (72:54)

Timestamps for Major Segments

Town Introduction and Reviews: 04:17 – 12:42
Background on the Krebels and lead-up to the crime: 12:42 – 19:54
The Murder & Immediate Aftermath: 20:05 – 34:05
Investigation & Child Witness: 34:05 – 40:49
Case Goes Cold, Community Panic: 50:03 – 52:55
Jody’s Case, Discovery of Chester’s Identity: 52:55 – 58:57
Storage Shed Search, Vicki’s Testimony: 61:50 – 62:41
Linking the Murders, Evidence Building: 62:41 – 67:29
Trials and Sentencing: 67:29 – 74:56
Final Thoughts and Reflections: 74:56 – 76:09

Tone & Delivery

The episode expertly balances detailed, factual storytelling with comedic detours and personal asides, staying sensitive when needed but unafraid to highlight the oddities and dark humor that only small-town America (and true crime) can provide. James and Jimmie punctuate the bleak story with banter, impressions, and relatable frustrations with institutions, suspects, and the odds of survival in a town like Newton.

Conclusion

This harrowing yet oddly absurd tale underscores the dangers lurking in plain sight and the layers of deception a single person can create in a trusting community. The hosts demonstrate both reverence for the victims and a critical eye toward law enforcement, witness behavior, and the quirks of small-town life.

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Double Life, Double Murder - Newton, Kansas