Linda Leedom

Summary

Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode: Linda Leedom

Release Date: June 22, 2025
Host/Author: Oxygen

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, Oxygen delves deep into the tragic and unsettling case of Lula Young, a beloved community member from Horn Lake, Mississippi, whose life was cut short under suspicious circumstances. This detailed exploration uncovers the intricate web of friendship, betrayal, and calculated deceit that led to Lula's untimely death.

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Background: Lula Young and Her Best Friend Linda Leatham

Lula Welch, born on October 15, 1947, was a cherished member of the Horn Lake community. After graduating high school, she married her childhood sweetheart, John Young, and together they settled in Horn Lake, Mississippi, raising a family of four. Lula's life took a tumultuous turn when her 15-year marriage ended in divorce, but her unwavering spirit and close friendship with Linda Leatham kept her grounded.

Notable Quote:

• "She lived every day like it was the last one she had," recalls Lula's son, highlighting her resilience and zest for life. [11:40]

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The Friendship Turned Deadly

Linda Leatham moved next door to Lula in 1978, forming what appeared to be an unbreakable bond. Together, they navigated life's challenges, with Linda supporting Lula through financial hardships and her battle with cancer.

However, beneath the surface of their friendship lurked sinister intentions. In the late 1980s, as Lula fought breast cancer, Linda saw an opportunity for financial gain. Encouraged by Lula, who was battling her illness, Linda orchestrated an insurance fraud scheme that would eventually lead to tragedy.

Notable Quote:

• "Linda was somebody that mom confided in," shares Lula's son, emphasizing the trust that made Linda's betrayal all the more shocking. [08:27]

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The Fatal Night: December 19, 1994

On the early morning of December 19, 1994, Horn Lake was shaken by a devastating house fire at Lula Young's residence on Northwood Cove. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly half an hour before rescuing Lula, who was found unconscious between her bed and the wall. Despite their efforts, Lula succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Key Findings from the Investigation:

• A propane bottle was discovered inside Lula's home, suspiciously placed near the electric heater.
• The propane valve had been tampered with, indicating a deliberate act rather than an accidental fire.
• Lula had traces of sleeping pills in her system, raising questions about her state of mind during the fire.

Notable Quote:

• "It was extremely cold," notes a neighbor, symbolizing the chilling betrayal that awaited Lula. [42:07]

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Unraveling the Mystery: The Investigation

Initial investigations pointed towards arson, given the unnatural placement of the propane tank and the electric heater. Lula's friends and family were devastated, struggling to comprehend how something so dreadful could befall her.

The breakthrough came when insurance agent Brenda Driver reported seeing someone resembling Lula at a Walmart just weeks after the fire. Upon contacting Lula, Brenda was misled by Linda Leatham, who impersonated Lula's sister and confirmed her death. This deception raised red flags about Linda's involvement.

Notable Quote:

• "Linda used the money to purchase numerous rental houses," reveals investigators, highlighting the extent of her fraudulent activities. [27:57]

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Linda Leatham's Double Life

As investigators delved deeper, they uncovered that Linda had taken out substantial insurance policies on Lula, designating herself as the beneficiary. This revelation connected Linda directly to the motive behind Lula's murder.

Further complicating the case, Linda was found to have been involved in similar fraudulent activities elsewhere, suggesting a pattern of deceit and manipulation.

Notable Quote:

• "She was planning on killing somebody at six to begin with for money," asserts a neighbor, underscoring Linda's calculated nature. [42:45]

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The Sting Operation and Confessions

After months of stalled progress, confidential informants Robbie and David Vincent provided crucial testimonies. Robbie revealed Linda's proposition to kill Lula as a "mercy killing," while David disclosed that another individual, Charles Wayne Dunn, had been coerced by Linda to set the fire deliberately.

Under surveillance and with evidence mounting, Dunn confessed to orchestrating the fire, solidifying the case against Linda. Despite multiple attempts, Linda never confessed to her role, maintaining her innocence until her arrest.

Notable Quote:

• "Linda is planning on killing somebody at six to begin with for money," emphasizes the premeditated nature of her crimes. [42:45]

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Trial and Conviction

In August 1999, Linda Leatham stood trial for capital murder, conspiracy, forgery, arson, and fraud. The prosecution painted her as a manipulative and greedy individual who betrayed Lula's trust for financial gain. Key witness Charles Wayne Dunn testified against Linda, providing detailed accounts of her involvement.

Linda's demeanor during the trial was cold and unemotional, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew her. Ultimately, the jury found Linda guilty on all counts, and she was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Notable Quote:

• "Linda Litum was the greediest, selfish, cold-hearted person that I ever met," laments Lula's son, reflecting the community's sense of betrayal. [45:42]

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Aftermath and Legacy

Linda's conviction brought a semblance of closure to Lula's family and the Horn Lake community. However, the scars of deceit and loss lingered, serving as a somber reminder of how trust can sometimes hide dark motives.

Charles Wayne Dunn, who played a pivotal role in uncovering the truth, was also prosecuted for his involvement, ensuring that justice was served comprehensively.

Notable Quote:

• "Money is so cold-hearted, it's just hard to fathom," remarks a firefighter investigator, encapsulating the emotional turmoil caused by Linda's actions. [45:53]

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Conclusion

The Lula Young case stands as a poignant example of how close friendships can sometimes mask lethal intentions. Linda Leatham's calculated betrayal not only ended a life but also shattered the trust within a tight-knit community. Snapped: Women Who Murder masterfully unravels this complex narrative, offering listeners a thorough examination of the motives, investigations, and legal proceedings that culminated in justice for Lula Young.

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Key Takeaways

• Betrayal in Friendship: The case underscores the potential dangers of misplaced trust and highlights how personal relationships can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes.

• Financial Motives: Financial gain, especially through fraudulent means, played a central role in Linda Leatham's actions, driving her to commit heinous crimes.

• Investigation Persistence: The relentless efforts of investigators, coupled with critical testimonies from informants, were instrumental in solving the case and securing a conviction.

• Community Impact: The murder left an indelible mark on Horn Lake, reminding us of the profound effects that deceit and betrayal can have on a community.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Linda was somebody that mom confided in." — Lula's Son [08:27]
• "She lived every day like it was the last one she had." — Lula's Son [11:40]
• "Linda used the money to purchase numerous rental houses." — Investigator [27:57]
• "She was planning on killing somebody at six to begin with for money." — Neighbor [42:45]
• "Linda Litum was the greediest, selfish, cold-hearted person that I ever met." — Lula's Son [45:42]
• "Money is so cold-hearted, it's just hard to fathom." — Firefighter/Investigator [45:53]

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essential elements of the Snapped: Women Who Murder episode on Linda Leedom, providing listeners with a clear and detailed understanding of the case, its investigation, and its aftermath.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Narrator]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Narrator]

In a small Mississippi town, these two women were everything to each other.

[Friend/Family Member]

They brought a close friendship. If you seen one of them, you've seen both of them.

[Narrator]

In the early hours of one winter morning, their friendship goes up in smoke.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

We put a firefighter through the window. He found her between the foot of the bed and the wall.

[Narrator]

Investigators uncover a deadly betrayal that has been smoldering for years.

[Investigator]

This woman was supposed to be her best friend.

[Neighbor]

She seemed to be looking after her. I don't really think she was doing anything other than watching out for her investment.

[Narrator]

And as a sinister plan is revealed, a sighting from beyond the grave cements.

[Investigator]

Suspicions she had seen on the news where she had died. Then she was in Walmart shopping and saw her.

[Narrator]

As the truth unfolds, this small town may never be the same.

[Investigator]

Your past doesn't escape you.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

She didn't know it was coming. When it did come, she was shocked.

[Narrator]

Twenty minutes south of Memphis, the town of Horn Lake, Mississippi is generally a quiet place. But on Northwood Cove in the early morning hours of December 19, 1994, the calm is suddenly broken.

[Investigator]

In the early morning hours, one of the neighbors said they heard an explosion and they reported to the police.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

As the fire department approached, they found a structure that was fully involved.

[Narrator]

Neighbors are gathered outside the home that is now engulfed in flames.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

When we found out that the occupant of the house, which was Ms. Lilly Young. They all had said that Ms. Lula was at home at the time and they had not seen her come out.

[Narrator]

The members of the small town fire department know exactly who Ms. Lula is.

[Investigator]

Lula Young, she was an EMT. She was known by a lot of people in Horn Lake. The emergency services people were real familiar with her because she rode the ambulance. A lot of the people that were there and trying to get the fire out knew her personally. It was a bad situation.

[Narrator]

The firefighters mobilize with one team fighting the blaze and the other trying to locate 47 year old Lula Young.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

Fire was still going pretty good. We knew was going to need a hose line and to go through a bedroom window in order to try to get Ms. Lula out. We put a firefighter to the window with the hose line. He found her between the foot of the bed and the wall. She was unconscious. It appeared that she had gotten up and tried to get out and collapsed.

[Investigator]

Lula suffered first and second degree burns on her torso.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

It didn't appear that she was breathing and our biggest concern was get her away from the structure.

[Investigator]

When Lula was pulled from the fire, she never regained consciousness and she eventually died of smoke inhalation.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

They pronounced her dead at that point on the scene.

[Narrator]

Lula's friends and family are devastated.

[Neighbor]

Everybody that knew Ms. Young thought she was a good person. People were really sad that she had died. Good neighbor, literally. Young.

[Friend/Family Member]

It hurt is the biggest thing you can always say of a loss of a loved one in your life. With Lulu, it was a thing it's hard to really process in your mind.

[Lula's Son]

Mike Melton and me, that morning we got up to go deer hunting and Mike Melton's wife called. He said, hey bubba, he said, there's been a fire at your mom's house. And I said, is everything okay? And he looked at me and he shook his head no. That was not what I was anticipating. So you're saying mom's gone? Yeah, she's gone.

[Narrator]

Lula Welch grew up in a large, close knit family in Tunica, Mississippi.

[Lula's Son]

My mom was born down in central Mississippi. My grandfather was a farmer. My grandmother was a stay at home mom.

[Friend/Family Member]

Lula was born on October 15th of 1947. She was the second child of what eventually becomes seven. Lula had a heart, just biggest wheel, you know. Her biggest hobby was making other folks happy.

[Narrator]

After becoming one of the first in her family to graduate high school, Lula married her childhood sweetheart, John Young.

[Lula's Son]

When mom was a kid, her and my dad grew up together. They knew each other from back when they were, I'd say, 10 years old. My dad worked construction. So, you know, daddy was, you know, in this town today and that town tomorrow.

[Narrator]

In 1970, Lula learned she was pregnant. The birth of their son was followed a few years later by a daughter. Now a family of four, Lula and John settled in the small town of Horn Lake, Mississippi.

[Lula's Son]

My mom and dad were the Ozzie and Harriet of the South. I mean, mom stayed at home and took care of the house and dad went off to work. When dad got home, dinner was on the table.

[Narrator]

While John worked hard doing construction to support the family, Lula quickly endeared herself to the small southern community.

[Friend/Family Member]

Lula was a person who never met a stranger.

[Narrator]

Lula became especially close with her neighbor, Linda Liedham.

[Lula's Son]

Linda moved next door in 1978.

[Friend/Family Member]

She had two kids also, that was roughly about the same age as Lula's kids when they moved there. So they brought a close friendship.

[Narrator]

Linda grew up just a few hours from Horne Lake in the small town of St. Selmer, Tennessee, and eventually moved to Memphis during her high school years.

[Friend/Family Member]

They had a lot of property and money that way, and Linda got to doing taxes.

[Lula's Son]

She did everybody's taxes, you know.

[Narrator]

Linda worked from home and cared for her children, Melanie and Jennifer, while her husband Gary worked as a truck driver.

[Lula's Son]

Linda was somebody that mom confided in.

[Friend/Family Member]

Linda and Luda was two people. If you seen one of them, you seen both of them.

[Narrator]

When Lula's 15 year marriage to John came to an end, the two friends became even closer.

[Lula's Son]

Mom came down and she just broke the news, you know, dad was home one day and he was gone the next. Her and my dad divorced. That was it.

[Narrator]

As Lula settled into her new life as a single mom, Linda stuck by her friend's side.

[Lula's Son]

It was a wake up call, you know, I mean, when mom having to put money back to pay the light bill. At the end of the month.

[Narrator]

With Linda's support, Lula came up with a plan to get back on her feet.

[Lula's Son]

Linda had been taking courses to become a nurse. She told mom that she could make good money being a nurse. And so mom was working as a LPN and she got a raise to go work as a medical transcriber. And she was happy with that.

[Narrator]

In 1988, Lula also began volunteering with the Horn Lake Fire Department.

[Lula's Son]

When I turned 18, I was able to join the fire department. We needed somebody to do the book work and she joined the fire Department to be the bookkeeper and accounting firm for the fire department. And later my mom went and she got her EMT license.

[Narrator]

But in the late 1980s, 40 year old Lula was dealt a major setback.

[Lula's Son]

Mom was diagnosed with cancer in either 87 or 88. She had developed breast cancer, and then she had to take a series of chemo and radiation treatments.

[Friend/Family Member]

When Lula did find out she had the cancer, it really got her down mentally for a while. But then again, she had the idea I could beat this.

[Lula's Son]

I was devastated because of the fact that my mom was everything to me. Now she's having to put her life in other people's hands. She would just, you know, be sick. It was just terrible. I couldn't fathom having to go through that.

[Narrator]

Linda immediately stepped in to help.

[Neighbor]

Nobody had looked after her the way her friend Linda Leatham had looked after her.

[Friend/Family Member]

Linda would go buy groceries for her, bring them to the house. To her, Linda was a super friend to her.

[Narrator]

Lula endured grueling treatment, but after six years, she came out the other side cancer free.

[Friend/Family Member]

She found out she was in remission. It was a real uplift to her because she felt like she had beat it. It's something she said all the time, I can beat it. And she felt like she had.

[Lula's Son]

I asked her one time, yes. Did you regret anything? She said nothing. I mean, she lived every day like it was the last one she had.

[Narrator]

Tragically, Lula's second chance didn't last. On December 19, 1994, her hopes and dreams go up in smoke.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

We worked on the fire probably a good 25 to 30 minutes before we were able to bring it under control and knock it down.

[Narrator]

As fire investigators inspect the remains of the house, questions begin to arise.

[Investigator]

When firefighters entered the home on December 19, they observed a heater close to the front door.

[Narrator]

Near the heater, investigators find another unusual object among the ashes.

[Investigator]

There was a propane bottle inside the home. Not many people store propane bottles inside their home.

[Narrator]

When investigators take a closer look at the propane tank, their suspension, suspicions grow.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

The valve had been turned and left cracked. That means your gas is coming out. So that put a key indicator right there. There is something strange going on.

[Investigator]

They thought it might be said intentionally, but there was only one person in the home. That was Lulu Young.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

In my opinion, it wasn't just an accidental fire.

[Narrator]

Coming up, a witness claims to have seen a ghost.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

She said the person that she knew as miss Little Young was walking in.

[Narrator]

The store and points the investigation in a new direction.

[Investigator]

He Said Lola had asked her to do this.

[Narrator]

December 19, 1994. A house fire in Horn Lake, Mississippi has taken the life of cancer survivor and beloved community member, 47 year old Lula Young. Now investigators with the fire department have reason to believe the blaze was no accident.

[Investigator]

Propane bottles like you use for your gas grill are not normally kept inside the home. There was also a electric heater that was in close proximity to that tank. There was just several things that didn't add up.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

All of this in my mind at that point in time pointed that it wasn't just an accidental fire.

[Narrator]

For the time being, investigators decide to keep their suspicions to themselves.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

I like to keep a lot of this hidden from the public in the very beginning of it because you never know who's listening.

[Narrator]

There is one thing they can't keep under wraps. The news of Lula's death.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

One of the persons that had come up on the scene was Ms. Linda Lita. She openly said that she was the best friend of Ms. Young and how devastating this was.

[Narrator]

Linda tells investigators that she was home with her family when she heard about the fire.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

She said Neighbor had called Ms. Leland told her about the fire because she was her best friend.

[Narrator]

Lula's family struggles to accept the news.

[Friend/Family Member]

We got the phone call that morning at breakfast that Lula had passed away. It was down hard for all of us. Of course, we all had a lot of questions.

[Lula's Son]

The term that we got was that the house had literally exploded. So I was trying to figure out how the house could blow up. Nothing in the house was gas, so how could the house explode?

[Narrator]

Investigators have yet to reveal they found a propane tank in Lula's house.

[Investigator]

Investigators are usually pretty close to the chest on information they share. So when they do get a suspect, they can evaluate the evidence or the statement based on what's being said.

[Narrator]

Those who knew Lula are shocked that the trained first responder would have any fire hazards inside her home.

[Lula's Son]

She was scared of fire. That was her biggest fear.

[Neighbor]

Everybody said, well, she was pretty careful. She wouldn't do something dumb. That wasn't Ms. Young.

[Narrator]

Later that same day, investigators get the results of Lula's autopsy report.

[Investigator]

Lola's cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. Basically, she died of smoke inhalation.

[Neighbor]

I knew the coroner very well and he had ruled this as an accidental death.

[Narrator]

However, there is one detail from the autopsy that gives investigators pause.

[Investigator]

They found some sleeping pills in her blood.

Based on the pills found in the autopsy, one has to wonder, did Lula take these herself? And Actually set the fire herself, or did someone give them to her?

[Narrator]

The amount of medication was not fatal, but investigators must consider if the pills were meant to keep Lula asleep and unable to escape the raging fire.

[Neighbor]

Lula Young been in Horne Lake for a while. It's a fairly close knit community. Talking with her neighbors and people that knew her that she's now in remission. Absolutely no way that suicide would ever been a factor.

[Lula's Son]

She wasn't depressed at all. There was a lady that was looking forward to life the next day.

[Investigator]

At this point, investigators aren't sure about the sleeping pills or even if this is arson, but there are enough red flags to keep the investigation open.

[Narrator]

Investigators continue speaking to neighbors, but make little headway until just a few days later when they receive a call from an insurance agent, Brenda Driver. The agent explains that she'd sold Lula a policy just four months earlier.

[Investigator]

She had seen on the news where Lola had died in the fire.

[Narrator]

But that's not why Brenda's calling. She says that not long after the fire, she had the shock of a lifetime while grocery shopping.

[Investigator]

Within two weeks after the fire, Brenda Driver was in Walmart shopping and saw who she thought to be Lula Young, the person she sold the policy to.

[Friend/Family Member]

She said she went home and told her husband she'd seen a dead woman walking. Because she had these papers saying this lady's dead and I'm looking at her in the face, you know.

[Investigator]

Brenda Driver attempts to contact Lulu Young at the number she has for Lulu Young. Linda Laitum answers the phone, identifies herself as Linda Laudum and Lula's sister, and confirms she's dead.

[Narrator]

Investigators immediately bring Brenda in for an interview.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

Ms. Driver reported the fact that she had been to Ms. Lula's house and sold the policy to Ms. Lula for interest, and that it also named Ms. Linda Lulham as the beneficiary to that claim. Ms. Lula Young had told Brenda Driver that they basically were sisters, and that's the reason that Linda Litom was given the beneficiary part of it.

[Investigator]

The total amount of policies were approximately $700,000. Policies were so big that they required a physical.

[Narrator]

With their suspicions raised, investigators wonder, is it possible that Linda Leadum could have posed as Lula?

[Firefighter/Investigator]

They showed her a picture of Linda Leatham, and Linda Driver said, yes, that is the lady. Law enforcement also found a nurse that actually performed the physical.

[Investigator]

Showing photographs of Linda Leatham to the nurse who conducted the exam. Investigators were able to determine that Linda Ledum was the one that actually posed as Lola Young and took the medical exams.

[Narrator]

Instead of pulling Linda in for an interview, investigators opt to build their case by talking to those who know her best.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

We were building up with the case that we had. You talk to friends, you talk to family members. That's the easiest way that you find out information, own somebody.

[Narrator]

Investigators quickly learned that Linda's insurance scam wasn't exactly a secret. However, Linda claimed that Lula was in on it.

[Investigator]

Linda says to people, Lulu had asked her to do this and asked her to take the medical exams because she had cancer, and she knew she could not complete those exams and obtain those policies for that value. Linda was supposed to be taking care of the kids. That was Lula's wishes.

[Narrator]

But Lula's family isn't buying it.

[Friend/Family Member]

Lula never said anything about an insurance policy that she'd taken out for anybody.

[Investigator]

The DA Sent it to the feds to let them handle the insurance fraud, the mail fraud, so that there would be no chance of double jeopardy in state court if he was ever able to prove that Linda was involved.

[Narrator]

While federal authorities take over the fraud case, investigators refocus their attention on Lula's death.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

At this point in time, I do believe Linda Leland was involved. We found that Ms. Leland had a alibi, in fact, that she was at the home at the time of a fire. We knew it was arson, but trying to prove arson a lot of times is hard to do because it's hard to get to the person that actually set the fire.

[Narrator]

Coming up, the investigation falls into peril.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

We had a leak of information being given to a particular person. They were feeding information to her.

[Narrator]

Investigators make a bold move to uncover the truth.

[Investigator]

There's state investigators sitting in the other room listening on a body wire.

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[Narrator]

Mississippi authorities investigating the fire that took the life of 47 year old Lula Young have found that her best friend Linda Leadham stood to gain over $700,000 thousand dollars in insurance payouts.

[Investigator]

Linda was her best friend and she says Lola Young wanted Linda to take care of her kids. The intention was to defraud the insurance company about the cancer and for Linda to take care of her kids with that money.

[Narrator]

While federal authorities dig into the insurance fraud, local investigators continue looking for proof that Linda is behind Lula's murder.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

We knew it was arson, we just didn't know who had set the fight.

[Narrator]

Months pass with no new leads. However, they do learn that Linda Leadham has been keeping close tabs on the investigation.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

Ms. Leitem had two people that was good friends of hers also. One happened to be a dispatcher and they were feeding information to her. Ms. Leland was getting information about as fast as we were.

[Narrator]

To stop the leak investigators take an unusual step.

[Investigator]

They released false information to the public about an extension cord being the cause of the fire. To try to get the person who did set the fire to relax and not be worried about it.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

I wanted her to feel like, hey, everything's cool. I ain't got nothing to worry about.

[Narrator]

Although no arson or murder charges have been filed, Linda remains under investigation for insurance fraud.

[Investigator]

Early on, investigators had contacted the insurance companies and advised them not to pay on the policies. One of the policies still paid $275,000 before the investigation stopped payment of the rest of it.

[Lula's Son]

I never saw any of that money. I didn't know anything about the payouts or the money or the reasonings behind all of this.

[Investigator]

When it was all said and done, Linda used the money to purchase numerous rental houses.

[Narrator]

While Linda appears to have no intention of making good on her promise to care for Lula's kids, that doesn't prove she's a killer. For the next two years, investigators continue to question anyone familiar with Lula and Linda until 1997, when they finally get the break they've been waiting for.

[Investigator]

Confidential informant approached an officer that he had a trusting, real good relationship with and confided in him.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

He started talking about Ms. Lum and her involvement.

[Narrator]

On January 16, 1997, investigators sit down with the informant, Robbie.

[Investigator]

He was friends with Lola and Linda. He confided that Linda had actually approached him on two different occasions, asking him to basically kill Lola as a mercy killing. She had cancer. She was dead, dying.

[Narrator]

When Robbie declined, Linda asked him for advice.

[Investigator]

He was friends with several police officers, so she asked him about how to burn a house down without getting called. He didn't go to the authorities at that time because he didn't think she was going to really go through with it. I don't think he thought Linda was capable of actually doing it.

[Narrator]

Robbie's statement comes close to confirming investigators suspicions about Linda, but they will need more. Robbie is willing to help. He agrees to wear a wire and meet up with Linda.

[Investigator]

They began trying to use him to go in and speak to Linda and try to get her to confess. I don't know how many times they sent Robbie in to talk to Linda, you know, trying to get her to say on tape that she had been the one to do it. She didn't confess. They just never got what they wanted.

[Narrator]

Investigators fear the case is once again in danger of stalling out until a second informant named David Vincent comes forward. 2. After the first tip from Robbie, David.

[Investigator]

Vincent was trying to get A lighter sentence. He was in jail himself. He wanted help on his charges. On February 3, 1997, I went in to talk to the informant in jail.

[Narrator]

David tells them that he has information about Lula's death, Information he got from his former landlord, Charles Wayne Dunn.

[Investigator]

They'd been working together. Dunn had confided in him one day that he did something that he regretted. Charles Wayne Dunn told David Vincent that he had killed Lilliang and that Leland and Ladum had paid him to do it.

[Narrator]

At this point, David reveals a detail investigators have long suspected but never made public.

[Investigator]

Charles Wayne Dunn told David Benson that he had to make it look like an accident because if she died from cancer, the policies may not pay. When he was telling the story, what was running through my head is, we got her. I mean, this is the break we've been looking for. If he's telling the truth, the next step for me is to try to substantiate what David Benson is telling us. And so I did a little research on Dunn and found out that he was on probation.

[Narrator]

In Charles Wayne Dunn's file, investigators find information connecting him to Linda.

[Investigator]

Linda Leighton was listed as an employer and person to contact in case of emergency.

[Narrator]

Confident that they are on the right track, investigators set up a sting.

[Investigator]

I devised a plan with his probation officer to have done it, come into the probation office for a meeting, and.

They got David Vincent out and wired him and had him report like he was just been put on probation.

And I had him sit in the lobby together like they're waiting to see their probation officer.

[Narrator]

With the wire live, David acts surprised to see his former co worker and friend.

[Investigator]

We had him ease into the conversation and then get into what Dunn had told him in the past.

David Vincent had said that he was thinking about killing somebody, and that's the way he got the conversation started.

Dunn's response when Vincent's asking him about this situation was, you should think about it. Your past doesn't escape you. The irony of that, his past wasn't escaping. There's state investigators sitting in the other room listening on a body wire. And Vincent just said, hey, you remember the time you told me you killed this woman? While Dunn didn't come out and say exactly what I hoped he would say, he didn't deny it at all. At this point, I felt like that I was ready to actually talk to Dunn myself.

[Narrator]

Coming up, face to face with a suspected killer, investigators drill down for the truth.

[Investigator]

Chris told him, you know why you're here, and so do we.

[Narrator]

And a disturbing picture Begins to take shape.

[Investigator]

This was not the only time he had set a fire for Linda Layton.

[Narrator]

Two years after Lula Young is killed in a house fire, Mississippi authorities are eager to talk to Charles Wayne Dunn following incriminating statements made during a wiretap.

[Investigator]

On February 20, 1997. Chris Seeley and I went to Wayne Dunn's residence, and when we got there, Wayne goes, I've been expecting y' all.

[Narrator]

Dunn accompanies them back to the DA's office for an interview.

[Investigator]

I began interviewing Dunn and was going through some preliminary background stuff.

He was nervous and uptight and kind of panicky. Chris told him, you know why you're here, and so do we. Finally, he started his confession.

[Narrator]

Dunn explains that he met Lula in 1993 when she hired him to do some work around her house.

[Investigator]

Dunn was a handyman. He went over and did stuff for her.

[Narrator]

Charles Wayne Dunn was also friends with Linda, and He says in 1994, Linda came to him with a dangerous proposition.

[Investigator]

He said, Linda, she confronted him that she would give him $5,000 to kill Lula because Lula was suffering because she had cancer. She told Wayne Dunn that she was gonna die anyway, so why not take advantage of it?

Ultimately, Dunn confessed that he was the one that set the fire.

We got an arrest warrant that night, and one of us booked him into jail.

After Dunn confesses to the things, we, of course, would like to try to substantiate what he's telling us as much as we can by trying to get him to talk to Linda wearing a body wire.

[Narrator]

The following day, investigators put their third and hopefully final sting into action.

[Investigator]

They wire him up and send him into talked to Linda under the pretense that he's feeling bad about it. Linda didn't say the things we would like for her to have said, but she didn't say anything that indicated that she was innocent either. And to the contrary, she wound up giving him, like, $200, I think, to leave town.

[Narrator]

After failing to get the confession they need to make an arrest, Dunn returns to investigators who press him for more details of the murder.

[Investigator]

In Dunn's original confession, he left out the part about the propane tank and so forth.

[Narrator]

Dunn says on December 18, 1994, he went to Lula's house for a visit.

[Investigator]

Dunn went over, just act like he was coming by to visit with her because she was familiar with him.

[Narrator]

Dunn brought a propane tank Linda had asked Lula to keep for her.

[Investigator]

Dunn said he'd given her medicine to make her fall asleep so that she Wouldn't suffer. During the fire, he waited on her to go to sleep. Before he set the fire.

He talked about cracking the valve on the propane. And he put newspaper down in front of the propane heater.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

He turned the heater on and walked out the door and left. Once the heater come on, ignited the paper, the gas was already there for the paper to ignite it. And that's when you get the big explosion.

[Investigator]

He was telling us enough about it. That wasn't public information. He told it in a way that, that you got the feeling that he's telling you the truth or he did it himself.

[Narrator]

Before the interview ends, Charles Wayne Dunn drops one more bombshell, one that investigators do not see coming.

[Investigator]

One of the things that Dunn told us about when we were interviewing was that this was not the only time he had set a fire for Linda Ladum.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

There happened to be a fire that was set on a house that was in South Haven, and that house belonged to the Ms. Lydham's daughter. It was two years after the initial fire in Ms. Lula's house. They just evidently decided the best thing to do is set it on fire and then get that insurance money also.

[Narrator]

Investigators are stunned.

[Investigator]

Linda Lietham has gone from this person that everybody knew and liked to this basically criminal mastermind. We felt like we had enough after talking with Dunn and doing the body wire with Dunn that we could go to a grand jury to try to move forward with the case.

[Narrator]

On March 11, 1997, three years after Lula's death, the grand jury indicts Linda Litum and authorities move forward with an arrest that same day.

[Investigator]

The initial warrants for Linda Liedham were capital murder, conspiracy to commit capital murder, three counts of forgery, conspiracy to commit arson, arson and three counts of fraud. Check like she was in shot, if I remember correctly. She goes, what's this about?

[Narrator]

Following her arrest, investigators execute a search warrant at Linda's home.

[Investigator]

One of the things that we found in the search warrant was several hundred thousand dollars worth of insurance on another individual.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

The gentleman named Robert Stovall. And we found out that she was trying to make arrangements to whereby they was do him in also, just like they did Ms. Young for insurance purposes.

[Investigator]

I found all these insurance policies on Robert Stovall with Linda Lenham being the beneficiary. And we discovered Stovall was a individual that Linda Lenham's mother oversaw his financial dealings and so forth. This really brought a red flag to me because in my case against Dunn, I had interviewed his friend who Said he had actually been asked to help Dunn kill another individual. And at the time, I didn't give it much stock. Kind of felt like one of those deals where, oh, he's just trying to be important in the case and so forth. But then when I found these insurance policies, a little bell went off in my head and said, this is who he's talking about.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

She already had talked to somebody to actually take care of Robert as far as taking him out.

[Narrator]

Fortunately, they find that Linda hasn't yet had time to pull off her next plot. They find Robert Stovall alive and well.

[Investigator]

When Stovall was interviewed, he didn't even know who Linda Laytum was. Once she did it with Lola on the insurance stuff, I think she saw that opportunity with the Stovall situation too.

[Narrator]

Coming up, Lula's loved ones worry that her killer may escape justice.

[Investigator]

She was doing what Lula wanted, entertaining those policies fraudulently.

[Neighbor]

She's sitting there listening and totally unmoved by this.

[Friend/Family Member]

She probably felt like, money will buy me out of this also.

[Narrator]

By the spring of 1997, Linda Lidum is in custody, awaiting trial. Almost three years after the murder of her best friend, Lula Young. While Lula was battling cancer, the woman she thought was her best friend was plotting her death.

[Investigator]

Linda is planning on killing somebody at six to begin with for money.

[Neighbor]

She seemed to be looking after Ms. Young. I don't really think she was doing anything other than watching out for her investment. It was extremely cold, extremely cold.

[Narrator]

In August 1999, Linda stands trial.

[Investigator]

Linda, of course, did not plead guilty and went to trial, and we tried her for capital murder.

[Narrator]

Prosecutors paint Linda as a greedy woman who plotted Lula's murder for financial gain.

[Investigator]

The story that we were trying to show was just how manipulative and evil she was. I mean, this woman was supposed to be her best friend.

[Friend/Family Member]

To buy interest, wait them to go into effect, go take physicals to do it. I mean, this is not something I sign on Tuesday and I go do on Wednesday, and we take care of it on Thursday. I mean, no, this is a month, month, month long process.

[Narrator]

The prosecution's star witness bolsters their claims.

[Investigator]

In Linda's murder trial. Charles Wayne Dunn took the stand and told of his involvement in the murder of Lulu Young. And he also told of Linda Lydham's involvement. Linda's defense was she was doing what Lula wanted, entertaining those policies fraudulently. The plan was for her to be the recipient of the money because the kids couldn't supposedly handle the money.

[Narrator]

As the trial unfolds. Linda's lack of emotion stuns the courtroom.

[Neighbor]

She's sitting there listening and watching what's going down, but totally unmoved by this.

[Friend/Family Member]

In all of her life, if anything ever had went wrong with her, money bought her out of it. And I think in her heart she probably felt like money will buy me out of this also.

[Narrator]

After a brief deliberation, the jury returns a verdict.

[Investigator]

Linda was found guilty on all counts.

[Friend/Family Member]

When Linda was found guilty at the trial, the judge looked her in the face and the words he told her, you never deserved to walk the streets of Mississippi again, and I'll see that you don't. A year of her life in prison with no possibility parole.

[Narrator]

Though Linda is safely behind bars, the legacy of her cold hearted plot lingers in Horn Lake.

[Lula's Son]

Linda Litum was the greediest, selfish, cold heartedest person that I ever met. Linda Litum is exactly where she needs to be.

[Firefighter/Investigator]

She took of a lady that was already fighting cancer, a lady that was well known in the community of volunteers that helped anybody and to do her that way all for the one thing. Money is so cold hearted, it's just hard to fathom.

[Friend/Family Member]

What I never understood though, is how you can go from friendship to. To that, you know, it just. That's the part I never understood.

[Lula's Son]

My mom looked in the good of everyone. My mom tried to help anyone that she can with whatever she could.

[Advertiser]

Charles Wayne Dunn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit capital murder and received a life sentence. No one else was charged in Lula's murder.

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