Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode Summary: "Doris Carlson"

Podcast: Snapped: Women Who Murder
Host: Oxygen
Original Air Date: August 24, 2025
Episode Focus: The attempted murder and subsequent death of Mary Lynn Carlson—a vulnerable woman with MS—unravels a chilling conspiracy involving her son David Carlson, daughter-in-law Doris Carlson, and two young accomplices, exposing deep betrayal and the horrifying lengths people will go for money.

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode explores the violent attack and eventual murder of 53-year-old Mary Lynn "Lynn" Carlson at an assisted living facility in Peoria, Arizona, in 1996. Through police interviews, family accounts, and confessions, the episode peels back the layers of a shocking plot hatched by Lynn’s immediate family and lodgers, driven by financial desperation and greed. The narrative examines themes of vulnerability, familial betrayal, and justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Crime (01:45–05:06; 11:37–13:55)

• Discovery of the Victim:
  • A nurse finds Lynn Carlson, wheelchair-bound and suffering from MS, stabbed multiple times but alive.
  • “She'd been stabbed multiple times. The main thing is to try to get her out and keep her heart moving. Life is going to be the number one priority.” (Detective, 04:05)
• Lynn’s Background:
  • Born in 1942 in Chicago, adopted, vivacious as a child, later struggled with progressive MS and alcoholism.
  • She adored her son, David, who eventually married Doris Hagenow.

Lynn’s Later Years and Family Dynamics (06:06–11:20)

• Lynn’s health decline leads to her entering an assisted living facility.
• David and Doris move in with Lynn and struggle financially after consuming much of Lynn’s money.
• Doris, a certified nursing assistant, supposedly cares for Lynn, but mounting evidence of neglect emerges.

Initial Investigation & Forensic Leads (13:14–15:43)

• Access to the Crime Scene:
  • Three keys exist for Lynn's room: accounted for with nurses, administration, and David/Doris.
  • Suspicious Clue:
    • A mysterious man in a white coat is seen the night of the attack, but this turns into a dead end.
    • "The door was actually locked when the nurse came in. So somebody had a key." (Detective, 13:29)
• Staging?:
  • Lynn’s purse and valuables untouched; items like the TV piled nearby to simulate burglary.

Financial Motive Emerges (18:01–20:08; 22:40–23:15)

• Lynn’s trust and annuities had been depleted, mostly by David and Doris for living expenses and luxury additions (a pool, home improvements).
• Investigators note mounting debts, a nearly foreclosed home, and misused rental income.

Interrogations & Alibis (17:14–25:21)

• David’s Evasive Behavior:
  • Appears evasive about his whereabouts at the time of the crime and the missing key.
  • "At that point, I believe that David's not being truthful with us." (Detective, 17:14)
• Doris’ Story Matches David’s:
  • Both claim to be home during the attack; their alibis are corroborated by live-in tenants (Scott Smith and Daniel McCreekin).

The Break in the Case – Accomplice Confessions (25:39–27:14; 31:24–33:00)

• Tip from Friend (Richard):
  • Richard contacts police, reporting that Daniel McCreekin confessed to being hired (along with Scott Smith) to kill Lynn for money promised by David after her death.
  • "He told him that him and Scott Smith were hired to break into her apartment and to kill Lynn." (Nurse/Medical Staff, 26:29; Detective, 26:39)
• Police orchestrate a recorded sting with Richard, confirming the plot.
  • "Scott comes out and...Richard just said, dude, what happened? He told Richard that, oh man, it was great. We went in, we got out, Daniel stabbed her. We're gonna get money." (Detective, 32:04)

Investigation of Abuse and Neglect (27:35–29:31)

• Trustees and a nurse uncover severe neglect:
  • "Lynn would be in the bathroom or on the floor, could not get herself up and she was left there. The worst I've seen." (Family Member/Close Friend, 28:47)
• Tension escalates:
  • "They were trying to bully Lynn into calling the trustees. They said, we are going to lose the house and it will be your fault." (Family Member/Close Friend, 29:47)

The Sting & Arrests (32:04–34:23)

• Richard’s Wiretaps:
  • Scott and Daniel’s confessions detail the planning (Doris provides key and ride, Daniel stabs, Scott stages).
  • Doris is implicated as the main planner; David as a knowing accomplice—"They told me what they were going to do and I told him to go ahead and do it, but I didn't think they'd have the balls." (David to Richard, 33:42)
• Arrests:
  • David, Doris, Daniel, and Scott are all arrested.

Questioning and Confession (35:02–39:56)

• Scott Smith:
  • Details Doris’ arrangement with Daniel ($20,000 for Lynn’s murder; Doris’ inheritance was $325,000).
• Daniel McCreekin:
  • Recalls moving Lynn’s wheelchair, stabbing her to cause quick death, describes Doris as instigator.
• David Carlson:
  • Admits he told Doris and the others to "go ahead and do it," but denies direct involvement.
• Doris Carlson:
  • Initially claims to be a victim, then admits providing key and ride but denies orchestrating the murder.

Consequences and Trials (40:32–44:48)

• Lynn’s Death:
  • Lynn succumbs to her injuries six months later; charges upgraded to first-degree murder.
  • "She finally died of her injuries, specifically the sepsis, the infection. At that point, now that changes everything because it's no longer attempted first degree murder. It's now first degree murder." (Detective, 41:42)
• Trial Outcomes:
  • Scott Smith testifies in exchange for a plea—10 years for second-degree murder (42:22).
  • Daniel and David found guilty; Daniel receives life, David receives 25 to life (42:47).
  • Doris receives death penalty, later overturned; serves life sentence (43:18–44:48).

Aftermath (45:04–45:41)

• Release & Incarceration:
  • Scott Smith released after 10 years (2008); David Carlson released after 25 (2023); Daniel and Doris remain incarcerated.
• Impact on Families:
  • "It hurts. It's not just the one woman that got killed...it's the rest of her family and our family that had to go through the horror, realizing that it was one of us that did this to another family. And that's not who we are." (Family Member/Sister of Doris, 45:04)
  • "It was terrifying...if these people were capable of doing this to their mother, you're like, oh wow, anybody could be capable of anything." (Family Member/Close Friend, 45:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the betrayal's depth:
  • “Stunned me. You know, how do you do that to your own mom?” (Detective, 37:45)
• On Doris as the mastermind:
  • “Doris really was the woman behind this plan.” (Nurse/Medical Staff, 37:08)
• On the cruelty of the act:
  • “She had no thought about how bad this was, how horrible it was, how cruel it was.” (Prosecutor/Legal Expert, 43:35)
• On the final impact:
  • “Still to this day. It affected me more than I even realized. And it was terrifying...” (Family Member/Close Friend, 45:23)

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Crime Discovery & Reaction: 01:45–05:06, 11:37–13:55
• Investigation and Motive: 18:01–20:08, 22:40–23:15
• Tip-off & Confessions: 25:39–27:14, 31:24–34:23
• Confessions of the Accomplices: 35:02–39:56
• Aftermath and Sentencing: 40:32–45:41

Episode Tone

Straightforward, investigative, and empathetic, with clinical clarifications from medical staff, sharp legal analyses, and emotional resonance from deeply affected family members.
The pervasive sense is one of betrayal, loss, and, ultimately, grim justice.

Conclusion

“Doris Carlson” delivers a harrowing and thorough exploration of how a vulnerable woman’s trust—placed in those closest to her—was grotesquely violated for financial gain, leading to a brutal, premeditated crime. The episode methodically lays out the irreparable damage wrought by greed and family dysfunction, culminating in accountability for all involved and deep, lasting trauma for both the victim’s and perpetrators’ families.