Podcast Summary: Small Town Murder
Episode: Real Life Murder Songs - Farmville, Virginia
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman

Introduction

Timestamp [00:00 - 01:22]
The episode begins with a series of advertisements for T-Mobile, featuring Zoe Saldana promoting their latest iPhone offer. The hosts briefly interact over the commercials before smoothly transitioning into the main content of the show.

Show Updates and Promotions

Timestamp [01:22 - 04:25]
James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman introduce themselves as the hosts of "Small Town Murder Express." They discuss recent changes to their show format, including the cessation of early access episodes previously available through Wondery Plus. The hosts emphasize their commitment to a unified listening experience for all audiences and tease upcoming content on their Patreon page. They also promote live show tickets available at shutupandgivemurder.com, highlighting sold-out events and urging listeners to secure their spots.

Notable Quote:
James Pietragallo: "We are just all getting them at the same time, which we really enjoy." [02:25]

Overview of Farmville, Virginia

Timestamp [04:25 - 10:06]
The hosts delve into the setting of the episode: Farmville, Virginia. They provide demographic and historical insights, noting its rural nature, low median household income ($35,000), and affordable median home cost ($214,000). Farmville, with a population of approximately 7,266, is described as a tight-knit community with minimal violent crime. The town's history is traced back to its founding in 1798, with origins in coal mining.

Notable Quote:
Jimmy Wissman: "It's a community." [02:27]

Notable Personalities from Farmville

Timestamp [07:55 - 08:33]
Farmville is home to several notable individuals, including Vince Gilligan, the creator of "Breaking Bad," and the rapper Lady of Rage. The hosts humorously highlight the contrast between the town's serene image and the diverse backgrounds of its residents.

Notable Quote:
James Pietragallo: "That's a great quote. It's the most specific." [05:57]

The Murder Case: Key Individuals

Timestamp [13:35 - 31:54]
The core of the episode focuses on a tragic murder case from Farmville in 2009. The victims include:

• Mark Niederbrock: Pastor of Walker's Presbyterian Church, described as a beloved and approachable spiritual leader.
• Deborah Kelly Niederbrock: Mark's wife, an associate professor of sociology and criminal justice studies at Longwood University.
• Emma Kelly Niederbrock: Their 16-year-old daughter, a creative and rebellious high school student involved in online communities.
• Melanie Grace Wells: Emma's 18-year-old friend from West Virginia, also interested in music and heavy metal.

Sammy "Psycho Sam" McCroskey III:
A 20-year-old horrorcore rapper from California, Sammy developed an online relationship with Emma via MySpace, drawn together by mutual interests in horrorcore rap. Sammy's background reveals a troubled adolescence marked by bullying and a detached family life.

Notable Quotes:
James Pietragallo: "He'd be a wonderful on Twitter. Boy, I'm sure he'd love that shit for the next 10 years." [40:13]
Jimmy Wissman: "He just didn't like to cooperate with police. And all he put out there was, 'Jesus told me to do it.'" [56:17]

The Crime and Investigation

Timestamp [41:18 - 58:22]
On September 12, 2009, Sammy visits Farmville to meet Emma in person and attend the Strictly for the Wicked Horrorcore Music Festival in Southgate, Michigan. After the festival, concerns arise when Melanie's mother from West Virginia reports not hearing from her daughter. Police visits to the Niederbrock household initially yield no results, with Sammy providing vague explanations.

Subsequent police investigations reveal four gruesome murders: Deborah, Melanie, Emma, and Mark Niederbrock, all bludgeoned and found in the family home. The primary murder weapons identified are a ball peen hammer and a wood-splitting maul. Sammy is later apprehended in California but remains elusive initially.

Notable Quote:
James Pietragallo: "Mark came over the house on September 17th about 5pm just to check on everybody... Sam jumped out with the mall and attacked him in the living room." [61:55]

Arrest, Trial, and Outcome

Timestamp [58:22 - 76:06]
Sammy is eventually located at Richmond Airport, where he is arrested for driving without a license. Upon interrogation, he expresses remorse and attributes his actions to a directive from Jesus, though his defense attorney emphasizes his emotional turmoil and lack of prior misconduct. Sammy pleads guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of capital murder, foregoing a trial. The plea deal results in a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Sammy's actions and demeanor during sentencing, including a smirk—a likely result of youth and emotional distress—highlight his complex psychological state.

Notable Quote:
James Pietragallo: "He spent a long day and a half with the bodies of his girlfriend and the other two. And the lawyer said... 'I think he was just contemplating.'" [70:44]
Judge: "I know exactly what to do about this. You, sir, may fuck off." [72:36]

Aftermath and Community Impact

Timestamp [76:06 - 78:39]
The community grapples with the shock of the murders, given Farmville's sparse history of violent crimes. The victims' families seek closure, while the case attracts attention from pundits like Dave Rimmer, an occult crimes expert whose interpretations are met with skepticism by the hosts. The episode underscores the profound impact of such tragedies on small communities and the complexities of addressing mental health and online relationships.

Notable Quote:
Jimmy Wissman: "He's just a young man being told no." [69:28]
James Pietragallo: "He's sitting in jail for the rest of his life. What does he do anymore?" [72:19]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp [78:37 - End]
The hosts wrap up the episode by reflecting on the case's implications and promoting upcoming content. They reiterate the move to a new network, Libsyn, and discuss ongoing efforts to provide an ad-free listening experience. The episode concludes with light-hearted banter, maintaining the show's characteristic blend of humor and serious discussion.

Notable Quote:
James Pietragallo: "We moved off of Wondery and not gonna talk any shit about Wondery. They're fine." [80:09]
Jimmie Whisman: "We are podcast raiders. We're podcast grapefruit. Essentially, that's what we are." [25:37]

Key Takeaways

• Impact of Online Relationships: The tragic case of Sammy and Emma underscores the potential dangers associated with online interactions, especially involving minors.

• Community Shock: Farmville's low history of violent crime magnifies the community's horror and struggle to comprehend the murders.

• Mental Health and Influence: Sammy's engagement with horrorcore rap and his subsequent violent actions raise questions about the influence of media and the importance of mental health support.

• Legal Proceedings: Sammy's swift plea deal, resulting in a life sentence without parole, highlights the legal system's handling of severe crimes involving young offenders.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• James Pietragallo: "We are just all getting them at the same time, which we really enjoy." [02:25]

• Jimmy Wissman: "It's a community." [02:27]

• James Pietragallo: "He'd be a wonderful on Twitter. Boy, I'm sure he'd love that shit for the next 10 years." [40:13]

• Jimmy Wissman: "He just didn't like to cooperate with police. And all he put out there was, 'Jesus told me to do it.'" [56:17]

• James Pietragallo: "Mark came over the house on September 17th about 5pm just to check on everybody... Sam jumped out with the mall and attacked him in the living room." [61:55]

• James Pietragallo: "He spent a long day and a half with the bodies of his girlfriend and the other two. And the lawyer said... 'I think he was just contemplating.'" [70:44]

• Judge: "I know exactly what to do about this. You, sir, may fuck off." [72:36]

• Jimmy Wissman: "He's just a young man being told no." [69:28]

• James Pietragallo: "He's sitting in jail for the rest of his life. What does he do anymore?" [72:19]

Disclaimer: The content of this summary involves discussions of violent crimes and may be distressing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.