Small Town Murder – Episode Summary

Podcast: Small Town Murder

Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Episode: The Cowboy & The Con Man – Olancha, California
Date: September 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, James and Jimmie dive into a wild, twisting true crime tale set in the tiny, isolated community of Olancha, California. The show explores the town's odd history, introduces its rugged local legend, a massive ranch-owning cowboy, and uncovers the chilling saga of a conman whose manipulation, violence, and cunning left a trail of tragedy, headlines, and an infamous prison break. As always, the grim is offset by the hosts' dark wit and sharp banter.

Olancha, California: The Setting

[03:41–11:24]

• Location & Vibe:
  Olancha is in east-central California, near Inyo County, surrounded by mountains, with just 158 residents ("There's way more cattle than people" – James, 05:01).
• Accessibility & History:
  Isolated, hard to access due to the terrain; originally founded in the 1860s.
• Recurring Review Theme:
  Only one café, the Olancha Cafe—wildly mixed reviews and a quirky local flavor.
  • "Fucking place is Radiator Springs." – Jimmy, 08:15
  • Complaint: “Bring a goddamn sandwich with you.” – James, 09:18
• Local Attractions:
  Golden Cactus Ghost Town, Olancha Sculpture Garden, and a history tied to the Manson Family (famous fugitives hid out here after the Sharon Tate murders).

Meet the Main Characters

William “Bill” Thornburg: The Cowboy

[11:25–18:19]

• Legendary rancher, born in the 1920s, classic tough cowboy—took over the family ranch at 16 after his father's death during the Depression.
• Persona:
  Towering, “leather-skinned, calloused,” eternally sun-baked; expanded the family ranch from 100,000 to 900,000 acres (“That is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.” – James, 13:33).
• Community Standing:
  Local leader and philanthropist; discreetly funded scholarships and supported neighbors, hired ex-convicts to give them a second chance, and was generous with water and resources.
  • “He was an Inyo County Board of Supervisors member... a Lutheran church deacon, donated large sums... anonymously.” – James, 17:10

Callie Thornburg: The Daughter

[14:36–16:53]

• Raised in rugged cowboy fashion after her mother’s death in 1968.
• Learned ranching from her dad, won a junior rodeo, hands-on with everything from horses to heavy equipment.
• Known for independence, athleticism, and eventually at the center of the story’s tragedy.

Steve Wilson: The Con Man

[18:19–23:31]

• Drifter appears in 1976, age 30, “charming son of a bitch,” can work any job, claims a San Diego past, little detail about his life.
• Military background, multiple trade skills (licensed pilot, electrician, welder), rumored martial arts and law enforcement skills, and “a bit of a temper.”
  • "Make you think he's the nicest guy in the world." – James, 22:02

The Courtship & Collapse

[23:11–25:57]

• Steve and Callie meet at the ranch; he sweeps her off her feet; nine months later, they’re married in Reno.
  • “On the ride to Reno, Callie started to have some second thoughts ... but ‘her father approved of the marriage’...” – James, 23:48
• Two months in, abuse begins.
  • Physical violence starts on the wedding night; Steve tries to isolate Callie, seeks control over her finances, and threatens her beloved animals.
  • Rumored (unconfirmed) that he killed her dog; classic escalation of abusive control.
• “She takes off and heads back to the ranch and doesn’t want anything to do with him anymore.” – James, 25:42

Escalation: Threats, Stalking, Violence

[25:56–28:40]

• After Callie leaves, Steve becomes threatening:
  • “I will hurt you worse than you’ve ever been hurt before. I’ll take everything you love away from you. You will pay..."
  • "You will learn that loving me is easier than being away from me." – Steve, via James, 26:51
• Steve shows up at the ranch, attacks Bill's truck with a crowbar:
  • “You don’t fuck with a cowboy’s truck.” – Jimmy, 27:54
• Bill arms himself; Callie persuades him not to shoot to avoid escalation.

The Murder: Bill Thornburg Disappears

[33:16–38:19]

• Bill vanishes on the morning his daughter’s divorce is to become final (May 29, 1979).
  • Last seen doing his usual morning routine; coffee left steaming in the truck, then disappears without a trace.
  • Callie searches, employees haven't seen him. Simultaneously, Steve also can’t be found.
• Investigation fails to turn up leads; Steve’s truck is found in San Diego but not him.
• Months later, Christmas Eve 1979:
  • A teenager on a dirt bike finds human remains—brings home a skull to prove it.
    • “He brought a whole ass skull on Christmas Eve. He walked into the house holding a human skull. ‘Hey, Dad, I found this.’” – James, 37:25
  • Evidence shows Bill was made to dig his own grave and was executed with two shots to the head.

The Long Manhunt & Steve’s Fugitive Years

Arrest & Prison

[39:15–41:21]

• Steve found in Kodiak, Alaska (1981) living under the radar, arrested in Las Vegas; immediately confesses.
  • “I had a gun, and I ambushed his ass ... forced him to dig his own grave and then shot him in the fucking head twice.” – James, 40:29
• Sentenced to 25 to life at notorious Folsom Prison.

Escape & Global Manhunt

[41:24–72:29]

• Steve uses his charm and skills to rise in the prison work ranks (shipping clerk, warehouse supervisor with key access).
• Stages a dramatic escape (1984): hides in a delivery truck, cuts a hole in the roof, and vanishes (“First inmate in 15 years to escape from Folsom.” – James, 43:59).
  • Cover orchestrated with a staged three-forklift collision.
  • Authorities "lost him, fuck it, we'll get a new one." – James, 49:53 (hosts mock lax response).
• Manhunt spans years and several America's Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries features.
• Steve lives under false IDs as "Glenn Charles Moyer" in Oklahoma, Texas, then Florida.
  • Marries a widow with a half-million-dollar insurance payout; builds a house, beloved neighbor.
  • “He was the nicest guy you ever want to meet, … always waved as you passed by the house.” – Neighbor quote, 59:52

FBI Profile & Takedown

• FBI builds a psychological profile:
  • “Extreme narcissism ... ability to obtain false identities ... no empathy ... need for control ... superficial charm masking deep rage" – Profile summary, 55:41–55:54
• Lived as a model citizen, but couldn’t sever ties to long-term girlfriend Laurie Fitch
• Final capture (1992):
  • FBI tails Laurie to London, where she meets Steve at a hostel.
  • Attempted escape on foot, but he's tackled and arrested by U.S. and British authorities.
    • "He needed pussy. That’s his downfall. And he’s loyal." – James, 69:55

Aftermath & Legacy

[72:50–76:22]

• Steve is extradited but, due to treaty limitations, cannot be charged for the escape—serves out his murder sentence in supermax (Pelican Bay).
• Continued to plan escapes, had contraband mailed to him, further punished with isolation.
• Callie’s Life:
  • Sells the ranch, lives incognito, struggles with PTSD.
  • Founded a victims' rights support group and has testified for legislative reform.
    • "This destroyed her fucking life." – James, 75:10
• Steve’s Release:
  • Released around 2010; Laurie Fitch and son disappear, change identities.
  • Callie remains in hiding and in therapy:
    • “People ask why I still fear him... They don’t understand. He promised to come back.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “That is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.” – James, [13:33], about the ranch.
• “You will learn that loving me is easier than being away from me.” – Steve Wilson, [26:54], as recounted by James.
• “He brought a whole ass skull on Christmas Eve.” – James, [37:25], on the kid who found Bill’s remains.
• “He wasn’t just running, he was performing.” – FBI agent Joe Judge, [71:01], on Steve as a fugitive.
• “This destroyed her fucking life.” – James, [75:10], on Callie's long-term trauma.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Olancha, CA Background: 03:41–11:24
• Bill Thornburg’s Story: 11:25–18:19
• Arrival and Background of Steve Wilson: 18:19–23:31
• The Marriage and Abuse: 23:31–25:57
• Violence, Escalation, and the Murder: 25:57–38:19
• Search, Discovery, and Steve’s Confession: 38:19–41:21
• Prison, Escape, and National Manhunt: 41:24–72:29
• Arrest Abroad, Aftermath, and Legacy: 69:35–76:22

Tone & Takeaways

James and Jimmy balance genuine horror at the conman’s manipulations and the tragedy that befell the Thornburgs with caustic humor and sharp asides, especially about law enforcement’s seeming ineptitude and Olancha's small-town oddities. The hosts don’t shy away from the ongoing trauma experienced by survivors, offering empathy for Callie and local victims, while skewering both the criminal and systemic failures at every step.

For those who haven't listened:
This episode delivers everything Small Town Murder is known for: an unforgettable cast of real-life characters, bizarre twists, genuine empathy for victims, and comedic resilience—and a reminder that in a place as remote as Olancha, it only takes one dangerous stranger to unravel a whole community.