Small Town Murder Express — “Master Of Deceit: South Salt Lake, Utah”

Podcast: Small Town Murder
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Episode Date: January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the dark story of Robert Eugene Bennett, a serial deceiver and suspected serial killer who terrorized South Salt Lake, Utah, and possibly beyond. The hosts, James and Jimmie, mix sharp research with biting, irreverent humor as they unpack the murder of Larry Dwayne White and the unnerving possibility that Bennett left a string of victims and mysteries in his wake. The episode explores small-town quirks, Bennett’s long trail of deceit, and the unresolved cases left behind.

Setting the Scene: South Salt Lake, Utah (04:10–12:07)

• Town Profile:
  South Salt Lake is depicted as a “barely-there suburb,” known more for its industrial buildings, lackluster urban features, and uninspired local events like the annual Mural Fest.
• Demographics:
  Population at time of the murder: ~10,000 (now 26,000+), median household income below national average, high home prices relative to income.
• Town Reviews:
  The hosts read out actual resident complaints, painting a picture of a place noted for trash, crime, and a peculiar sense of community.
  “South Salt Lake City… is a garbage wasteland full of crime. Full of it.” — (James, 09:40)

Discovery of the Crime — February 22, 1989 (12:07–16:41)

• A local man searching for wilted lettuce for his rabbits in a grocery store dumpster uncovers garbage bags that turn out to contain severed human legs.
• The remains are identified as Larry Dwayne White, a 52-year-old telemarketer and would-be writer living with his elderly father.
• The hosts’ comedic take:
  “If that guy wasn’t searching for lettuce, that dumpster was about to get dumped. Literally. … Without him and his goddamn rabbits, we wouldn’t even known to look for Larry.” (James, 35:57)

The Victim & The Suspect (16:43–24:51)

• Larry Dwayne White:
  Born 1937, studied interior decorating at BYU, attempted writing books, lived a low-profile life.
• Robert Eugene Bennett a.k.a. ‘Roy Anderson’:
  Real name revealed after discovery of multiple aliases (Robert Eugene Bennett, Joe King Bennett, Roy William Anderson, etc.). “He is what you’d call a master of deceit.” — Police Captain (James quoting, 23:36)

The Investigation Unfolds (24:51–32:01)

• Bennett flees Utah; tracked down in Las Vegas after a month and a half.
• Evidence mounts: He is found with White’s ID, applied for his birth certificate, had a gun, murder kit (garbage bags, tape, gloves), and stolen license plates.
• The search of his former Utah residence leads to a bizarre burial:
  • Torso found beneath concrete in the yard
  • Head found separately, also buried and wrapped
  • Arms never recovered

Memorable Quote:
“Anybody who’s just digging around accidentally… and they hit concrete, they’d stop.” — James, 33:54

Evidence & Forensics (32:01–36:49)

• Cause of death: Five .38 caliber gunshots (gun recovered).
• Dissection and disposal were post-mortem; forensic work connects all remains to Larry White.
• A hacksaw found in the shed appears to be the murder weapon for the dismemberment.

Robert Eugene Bennett: The Master of Deceit (36:50–54:49)

• Bennett refuses to speak to authorities; multiple aliases and identities over a decade suggest a broader criminal history.
• Law enforcement begins linking Bennett to other missing persons and unsolved cases.
• Chilling Pattern:
  Disappearance of Bennett’s wife, Floy “Jeannie” Bennett, in Beaverton, Oregon in 1978 — on precisely the same date, February 22, eleven years earlier.

Host Reaction:
“Why does he love that day?” — Jimmie, 39:36

A Deeper Pattern: More Missing Persons (54:50–58:56)

• Bennett suspected in other homicides through investigation of his movement across US states, after his wife’s disappearance.
• Marries his brother’s widow during his years on the run; authorities suspect a serial aspect to his crimes.
• FBI involved; Bennett’s cases entered into violent crime databases; evidence remains circumstantial for other possible murders.

Legal Proceedings & Sentencing (58:57–65:29)

• Bennett pleads guilty to second-degree murder to avoid trial and deeper probing into his “private life.”
• In-court admission:
  Judge: “Did you murder this man and dismember him and bury him in your yard?”
  Bennett: “Absolutely.” (James, 59:27)
• Sentence: 5 years to life in Utah State Prison (discretionary parole board system).

Hosts’ Take:
“That seems like… a waste of resources to have parole any kind of time three years after a dismemberment murder goes to trial.” — James, 72:23

Chilling Aftermath & Unsolved Mysteries (65:30–77:10)

• Authorities in Idaho contact Utah about a similar “torso and limbs” case in a cave that could fit Bennett’s timeline and methods.
• Bennett remains tight-lipped. His parole is denied (2004), after he admits the murder but offers a dubious “fit of anger” story.

Key Moments:

• “If there’s three, there’s definitely 10. And he won’t say — if there’s 10, there’s probably 50…” — James, 77:47

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You know, with Utah’s sentencing, you sir may fuck off. Five years to life.” — James, 65:29
• “My son blessed the food. And then I sat down and ate dinner with the man who was going to kill my son.” — Larry’s father, (James quoting, 37:47)
• “Master of Deceit” — The police label for Bennett, also the episode title (23:36)
• “Show us next time… Show us next time.” — Jimmie, on future possible parole hearings, 75:48

Important Timestamps

• 04:10: Introduction to South Salt Lake, Utah (history & flavor)
• 12:07: The murder discovery (Dumpster, February 1989)
• 16:43: The victim’s backstory
• 19:56: Introduction to suspect Robert Eugene Bennett / Roy Anderson
• 23:36: “Master of deceit” and police reflections
• 24:51: Bennett on the run and found in Las Vegas
• 26:57: Discovery of torso & head beneath concrete
• 32:01: Forensics and autopsy; cause of death
• 39:36: Introduction of the 1978 missing wife case
• 54:50: Bennett’s post-1978 movements and family links
• 59:27: Guilty plea & “Absolutely.”
• 65:29: Sentencing and parole discussion
• 72:23: Parole hearing and denial
• 77:47: Speculation on other murders

Tone & Style

James and Jimmie blend meticulous research and gallows humor, with rapid-fire riffs and irreverent asides. They reflect genuine outrage at Bennett and empathy for the victims while keeping the pace lively, droll, and self-aware. Their comedic spin often highlights the absurdity of both small-town quirks and the darkness of true crime cases.

Conclusion

This episode is a chilling, thorough, yet entertaining look into the life of a manipulative killer whose true body count may never be known. Through the hosts’ comedic but razor-sharp lens, listeners witness not just the murder at the center, but the ripple effects of deceit that may haunt small towns (and big states) for decades.

For true crime and comedy fans, “Master Of Deceit” offers a perfect blend of investigation, personality, and black humor — with enough twists to keep even seasoned listeners guessing.