Episode Overview

Podcast: Small Town Murder
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Episode: “The Murder And The Miracle – Mont Vernon, New Hampshire”
Date: October 2, 2025

In this haunting episode, James and Jimmie delve into a brutal crime that shattered the peaceful small town of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire in 2009. Combining their signature mix of in-depth research, shock, and dark humor, the hosts recount the horrifying home invasion and murder of Kimberly Cates, as well as the remarkable survival of her 11-year-old daughter, Jamie. The episode navigates both the horrifying details and the “miracle” of Jamie’s endurance, while exploring the town, the perpetrators, and the community’s shock.

Setting the Scene: Mont Vernon, New Hampshire

[04:46–19:56]

• The town is pronounced "Mont" Vernon (not "Mount"), a quirky spelling choice with local lore.
• Small, rural, and affluent: population ~2,580, median income over $130,000.
• James: "You put a ring around Boston, and anything drivable is double the price... these people, I think they work in high-paying Boston jobs and live out here." (12:24)
• It’s safe, remote, and generally crime-free; infamous for having virtually no crime or business, and stunning autumns.
• Last murder before the incident in question was in 1840.
• Not much to do locally: farms, small waterfalls, wood carving, a drive-in—"festivals" are, in James’s words, "just going to gather."

Memorable Moments:

• [08:40] Jimmy jokes: “Well, it's that purge day.”
• [17:14] James, on a local tourist “feel good farm”: “I gave my wife a day of old timey work... Show her back on the range in New Hampshire for her birthday. Happy birthday, honey.”

Meet the Victims: The Cates Family

[21:12–27:02]

• David Cates: Engineer for BAE Systems, often traveling.
• Kimberly Cates: 42, vivacious, beloved nurse. “She’s a duck on the water... above she looks like everything’s fine.” (22:29)
• Jamie Cates: Age 11, mature, straight-A karate kid, “a little kid who might kick your ass, which is pretty cool.” (23:54)
• The Cateses had only lived in Mont Vernon for six years, picking it for its safety.
• Their house: large, isolated, on a dirt road named Trow Road.

Notable Quote:
James: “They immediately had an alarm system installed... whatever it is, this show has sold more security systems than any door to door salesman could ever do.” ([26:21])

The Crime: The Night of October 4, 2009

[27:02–41:09]

The Attack

• Early morning, around 4 AM, Kimberly and Jamie are attacked in their beds by multiple intruders wielding a machete and a knife.
• Jamie, after being stabbed 18 times and suffering massive wounds, drags herself to the kitchen and calls 911.
• Her whispered call:
  Jamie (11): “They killed my mommy.” ([32:54])
  — She collapses mid-call.

Police Response

• Sgt. Kevin Furlong arrives, smashes through the door; finds Jamie, gravely injured but alive, in a pool of blood.
• “Part of her foot was missing... she was attempting to scream but nothing was coming out.” ([33:58])
• Kimberly is found in the bedroom, dead—brutally butchered.

Jamie’s Survival and Bravery

• Jamie, lucid, directs paramedics to her mother.
• She’d pretended to be dead as attackers looted the house afterward.
• Jamie survives, despite injuries described as “no part of her body was untouched” and “her jaw shattered, foot partially amputated... close to stabbing her in the heart.” ([40:22])

James: “This kid is a badass... to not even go into shock.” ([34:07])
Jimmy: (of the attackers) “An 11-year-old. That gives you that story. Whoever did this is dangerous.” ([40:22])

The Investigation: Small Town & Big Suspicions

[41:09–43:04]

• Jamie can only describe the attackers: white men, more than one.
• The town is paralyzed with fear; “Kids don’t go to the bus stop anymore…”
• Pressure mounts to solve the case immediately.
• Cops look initially at the husband, but an immediate break comes from a local mom, who overhears her son’s friends basically boasting about the crime.

The Perpetrators: Cult of Chaos

[43:04–65:17]

Steven Spader

• Age 17 (born 1990), adopted at birth. Upbringing: loving, stable, “idyllic childhood.”
• Severe behavioral issues emerge in middle school: manipulative, belligerent, ultimately diagnosed bipolar, indulges in self-harm and violence fantasies.
• Drops out of school, drug abuse, obsesses over violence and serial killers; claims to have killed “28 people,” prospective Crip, all invented bravado. ([51:06])
• Founds his own “gang”—Disciples of Destruction (“DOD”)—inspired by pro wrestling factions:
  • "He called the group the Disciples of Destruction, the DOD. Really? Which absolutely sounds like a wrestling faction.” ([55:15])
• The “initiation”: a plan to break into a home, rob, torture, and kill strangers (“so no pussies in the group” ([58:20])).
• Other gang “members” were assigned titles, a logo, mission statement, and bylaws—"If he put that effort into a business... he could make money. There’s no stores in Mont Vernon—go open one.” ([56:29])

Christopher Gribble

• Age 20, the oldest “member.” Raised in a strictly religious Mormon family.
• Not much biographical detail provided yet; introduced as Spader’s right-hand man.

The Attack Itself

• Spader and Gribble lead the group.
• Entire scheme is the result of thrill-kill fantasy and warped loyalty testing for the DOD—random, brutal, and devoid of reason.

Memorable Quotes:

• James (on Spader’s wild claims): “He said he had killed 28 people... That’s more than Dahmer, you know what I mean?” ([52:27])
• Jimmy: “The Mount Vernon chapter of the Crips…” ([51:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01–04:45: Episode setup, standard show intro.
• 04:46–11:55: Mont Vernon background, demographics, real estate.
• 21:12–27:02: The Cates family profile.
• 27:02–37:57: The attack, Jamie’s 911 call, the crime scene.
• 37:57–41:09: Kimberly’s autopsy, Jamie’s injuries.
• 41:09–43:04: Investigation, community reaction, crucial tip-off.
• 43:04–55:37: Steven Spader’s background and the formation of the “Disciples of Destruction.”
• 58:28–65:17: Other group members, the “gang” fantasy world, and target selection.

Notable Quote Summary

• James (on Jamie’s bravery):
  “This kid is a badass. This girl’s a bastard badass. … To not even go into shock… she is a—her mind is strong. And her body.” ([34:07])
• Jamie (911 call):
  “They killed my mommy.” ([32:54])
• James (on town’s safety):
  “The murder that we're gonna talk about right now was the first murder in this town since 1840. And that was like a tavern brawl.” ([19:56])
• Jimmy (on the perpetrators' idiocy):
  “Imagine being so fucking terrible at this... literally, your job is to kill some—Oh my God, you’re so bad at this.” ([38:54])
• James (on Spader’s violence fixation):
  “He had an obsession with murder, serial killers, loved the Zodiac killer—a lot… and openly talked about with lots of his friends wanting to, quote: ‘kill people for fun.’” ([50:47])
• Jimmy (of the DOD ‘gang’):
  “They’re going with the Brotherhood. …It’s working great.” ([55:17])

Tone and Takeaway

Hosts maintain their trademark combination of genuine shock, morbid comedy, and exasperation at the senselessness of the attack. Their empathy for the victims, especially Jamie, is clear. The episode is as much a lament for the Cates family as it is a roast of the delusional, self-styled ‘villains’ who perpetrated the crime.

For listeners seeking a story of both horror and human survival, surrounded by the banter and disbelief of two seasoned true crime comics, this episode delivers it all—details, heart, and the occasional necessary laugh in the dark.