Sword and Scale – Episode 318 Summary

Main Theme

This episode of Sword and Scale explores the harrowing disappearance and murder of Jamie Haggard, a 27-year-old mother from Kenmore, Washington. Host Mike Boudet (as "Narrator") and contributors detail the years-long investigation, focusing on Jamie’s strained family relationships, the botched early investigation, the chilling discovery of her remains, and the eventual conviction of her half-brother, David Haggard. Through raw, often graphic audio and witness interviews, the episode unpacks the tragedy’s many twists—highlighting flawed justice, family dysfunction, and the persistent darkness at the heart of true crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Host’s Reflection

• Mike Boudet opens with a candid reflection about negativity and criticism surrounding the podcast and true crime coverage. He shares personal doubts and then affirms the mission of uncovering truth in the face of evil.
  • Quote: "If you celebrate the murder of someone simply because they have different beliefs than you... then you are the problem. You are the monster. Period." — Narrator (02:06)

2. Case Background: The Disappearance of Jamie Haggard

• Timeline: Jamie disappeared in June 2016. Last seen on June 9; scheduled to pick up her boyfriend from jail the next day but never showed (08:00).

• Suspicion: Family was suspicious due to Jamie’s close contact habits and because she left behind essential items.

  • Quote: “She doesn't deserve that. She has two little girls and she has a family that loves her so much.” — Jamie’s family member (08:22)
  • Authorities didn’t publicize the disappearance for nearly a month, hoping Jamie would return (09:35).

3. Early Police Investigation & Missed Opportunities

• Home found vacant, strange mound of fresh dirt in the yard, and a large, newly filled hole (10:09).
• No warrant, so no immediate search. Rumors flew, including supposed sightings.

4. Playing Card Cold Case Initiative

• Describes how law enforcement used playing cards featuring missing persons to elicit inmate tips, though Jamie never “earned a spot on the deck” (11:42–13:29).
• Family felt the case wasn’t prioritized.

5. Toxic Living Situation and Suspects

• Persons of Interest:

  • Jamie’s half-brother David Haggard, with a violent criminal past.

  • Roommate Jason Nolte, with history of domestic violence.

  • Friend Scott Barnes, a criminal and self-proclaimed Hell’s Angel.

  • Quote: “Garbage attracts more garbage.” — Narrator (18:50)

• Escalating Violence: Frequent domestic disputes, physical altercations, and contradictory statements about who hurt Jamie.

  • “She and David got into a physical altercation in the garage, where David allegedly knocked her unconscious.”— Narrator (16:22)

6. Investigative Interviews and Unraveling Lies

• Jason and David both deflect blame; both suggest Scott Barnes might be involved (18:10–18:50, 43:16).
• Fractured, contradictory accounts about what happened the day Jamie vanished, including claims she attempted suicide, was physically assaulted, or left with a mystery “Mexican man.”
• Key moment: Jason describes receiving a photo of Jamie tied up in the bathtub with an ominous text—usage of her phone becomes an investigation focus (19:48).

7. Physical Search and Forensic Evidence

• Police dug up the backyard but found no body—only burned coveralls and debris (48:29).
• Cadaver dogs alerted at the crawl space; a bloody mattress found, but little solid evidence (40:35–41:06).

8. Community Tips, Red Herrings, and Rumors

• Numerous leads proved false—rumors included Jamie being “cut up in a chipper” or thrown in a river (49:16).
• Jamie’s belongings left behind (purse, meds, phone), suggesting she didn’t intend to leave (54:06).

9. Break in the Case: Recovery of Remains

• In May 2018, workers cleaning roadside trash discovered a heavy suitcase; inside were burnt, dismembered human remains and a distinctive necklace (61:19–63:46).
  • Quote: “I just knew it was Jamie.” — Detective Kathleen Decker (63:46)
• Forensic DNA from bone confirmed in July 2018 the victim was Jamie Haggard.

10. Digital Evidence and The Smoking Gun

• Jamie’s phone is found in a melted state among the remains; data is painstakingly recovered by the FBI (75:24).
• A voice memo recorded by David pretending to be Jamie was discovered, matching a suspicious text sent after she disappeared. A selfie of David immediately following Jamie’s death, taken in the Kenmore house, is also found (75:45–76:45).
  • Quote: “The recovered contents were handed back to investigators... The voice recorded on her device was a man's—later determined to be her half brother, David.” — Narrator (76:01)

11. Trial and Conviction

• Based on digital, forensic, and circumstantial evidence—including the speech-to-text memo, bedsheets, testimony, and timeline inconsistencies—David is tried for Jamie’s murder in September 2022 (78:53).
• Outcome: David Haggard is convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years (79:21, 80:10).
  • Quote: "I trusted that the jury was going to hear the facts they needed to hear to come to the right conclusion... we did our job." — Detective Decker (78:53)

12. Unanswered Questions and Family Impact

• Jamie’s head remains missing; Scott Barnes and Jason Nolte were never charged (81:02).
• Detective Decker shares her (graphic and disturbing) theory that Jamie and David had a long-term incestuous relationship that may have motivated the murder (82:25–83:04).
  • Quote: “There’s no doubt that there is that relationship going on between the two of them.” — Detective Decker (82:33)
  • Quote: “I think David may have sexually assaulted Jamie... and strangled her.” — Detective Decker (83:04)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Celebrating Murder:
  "If you celebrate the murder of someone... you are the monster. Period." — Narrator (02:06)

• On Jamie’s Disappearance:
  “She doesn't deserve that. She has two little girls and she has a family that loves her so much.” — Jamie’s family member (08:22)

• On Dysfunction:
  “Garbage attracts more garbage.” — Narrator (18:50)

• On Family Denial:
  “No one wants to believe that a family member could kill one of their own. Denial is more than just a river in Egypt. It's one hell of a drug.” — Narrator (69:21)

• On Discovery of Remains:
  “I just knew it was Jamie.” — Detective Decker (63:46)

• On Investigation Challenges:
  "'A lot of what you hear isn’t factual. A lot of it might be lying. A lot of it is rumor, speculation.'" — Detective Decker (44:00)

• On Missing Justice:
  “Justice is a real elusive bitch. Sometimes justice is like that ex that dumped you after saying she loved you and then ghosts you...” — Narrator (80:42)

• On Incest and Motive:
  “We had reason to believe that Jamie and David had an incestuous relationship…and that that had been going on for several years.” — Detective Decker (82:25) “I think David may have sexually assaulted Jamie…strangled her…I think cutting her up was probably just ease of transfer.” — Detective Decker (83:04)

Timeline of Crucial Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Event | |-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:55–02:06 | Host’s reflection: purpose of show and “truth” | | 07:53–09:12 | Family describes disappearance, contacts police | | 10:09–11:58 | Suspicious yard/home; cold case “playing card” method | | 14:44–18:50 | Interview with Jason Nolte; toxic dynamics emerge | | 19:48–20:12 | Photo of Jamie tied up in bathtub surfaces | | 24:40–25:15 | Suspicious holes dug, dirt moved, missing security DVR | | 31:21–37:31 | David’s interrogation: failed polygraph, shifting story | | 40:35–41:06 | Cadaver dogs alert at crawl space | | 43:16–44:28 | All suspects point fingers at each other | | 48:29 | Excavation: only burnt coveralls found | | 61:19–63:46 | Suitcase discovery, bones inside, positive ID | | 75:24–76:45 | FBI recovers speech-to-text memo, selfie as evidence | | 78:53–80:10 | David found guilty, sentenced to 15 years | | 82:25–83:50 | Decker’s theory: incest, jealousy, motive |

Tone & Language

The episode’s tone is signature Sword and Scale: unsparing, darkly comedic, sometimes irreverent, and relentless in laying bare the ugliest facets of human nature and crime. The host frequently editorializes, using blunt, sarcastic, and at times profane language (“justice is a real elusive bitch…,” “garbage attracts more garbage,” “Jesus Christ. How’s that for an ending?”), while law enforcement interviews and family audio provide raw emotional counterpoints.

Conclusion

Sword and Scale's 318th episode is a grim journey through a family tragedy marked by violence, dysfunction, and bureaucratic failings. Jamie Haggard’s shocking end and the tortured investigation that follows unveil how difficult it often is to achieve real justice. Despite forensic breakthroughs and a conviction, the story lingers in ambiguity and unresolved pain—leaving lingering questions about who else may have been involved, and whether full truth was ever uncovered.

Memorable Final Quote:
“We might never actually find out what really happened to Jamie that day. Still, you have to wonder: did justice really prevail? Or is this case just another reminder that some people are better at getting away with murder than others?” — Narrator (84:33)

For listeners seeking a thorough, unvarnished look at a deeply disturbing true crime case, this episode offers a comprehensive, unflinching accounting of a family’s darkest hour and the arduous road to partial justice.