Sword and Scale – Episode 336 Summary
Date: January 27, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode dives into the nearly two-decade-long investigation of the 2004 murder of Rebecca Gould, highlighting the frustration and dark reality behind unsolved crimes, law enforcement missteps, obstructions, and the eventual confession from William Miller. The story transforms from a haunting cold case to a testament of citizen sleuthing, persistence, and the power of online communities to drive breakthroughs in justice.
1. Introduction and Episode Purpose
The episode sets out to unravel the chilling disappearance and murder of Rebecca Gould in Melbourne, Arkansas, and the turbulent investigation that followed for nearly 16 years. It explores:
- The impact of the crime on all involved, especially reporter George Jared
- Law enforcement’s focus on the wrong suspects for years
- How podcasts, web forums, and amateur sleuths revitalized a cold case
- The bizarre confession and arrest of William Miller, and lingering doubts
2. Key Discussion Points and Insights
A. The Disappearance and Discovery of Rebecca Gould
- Rebecca’s Background: A bright, independent 22-year-old visiting on-again/off-again boyfriend Casey McCullough in Melbourne, AR ([05:23]).
- Initial Reporting: George Jared, a rookie reporter, receives a call about Rebecca’s disappearance, attends the sheriff’s office, interviews family, and documents early leads ([04:42]-[05:57]).
- Crime Scene Details:
- House appeared normal except for a blood-soaked stripped mattress, blood-stained box springs, and bloody bedding spinning in the washer ([06:00]).
- Bleach and new cleaning supplies found, and any fingerprints wiped from key surfaces.
- “The amount of blood was so extreme, it had seeped into the subfloor. At this point, detectives knew they’d be searching for a dead body, not an alive Rebecca.” ([06:55])
- Discovery of the Body:
- Volunteers, tipped off by vultures, find Rebecca’s decomposed body down an embankment, wearing only a T-shirt and underwear ([09:04]).
- George recalls the trauma and emotional breakdown of Rebecca’s father upon the discovery ([09:28]).
Notable Quote:
“It was like being in a tunnel … all of a sudden I couldn’t hear anything. I couldn’t see anything. My heart was racing, my head just was throbbing.” – George Jared ([09:28])
B. The Frustrating Years of Investigation
Theories and Misplaced Suspects
- Focus on Wrong Suspect:
- Police zero in on local drug user Chris Cantrell, ignoring numerous inconsistencies—he lacked the sophistication to clean a scene and had no clear motive ([14:55]).
- Detective Dennis Simons, led by his “narc-cop” experience, saw every problem as a “nail,” refusing to consider other suspects, especially Rebecca’s boyfriend.
- Law Enforcement Obstinance:
- Withholding autopsy results, shunning outside investigators, and refusing public assistance ([23:09]), contributing to years of stasis.
- Circle Theory:
- Described by host: Investigators typically start with close relations before looking outward—yet in this case, they skip the boyfriend and focus on outliers ([14:00]).
Notable Quote:
“If you’re born a hammer, every problem in the world has to be a nail.” – George Jared ([17:48])
C. Rise of Citizen and Internet Sleuths
Turning Point with “Hell and Gone” Podcast
- Impact of Media: Podcast by Catherine Townsend, later joined by cold case investigator Jen Buchholz, brings massive public attention and renewed scrutiny ([21:33]).
- Formation of Online Communities:
- Jen and George launch a Facebook group, hoping to lure witnesses or even the killer, and assemble a crowdsourcing effort ([29:14]).
- Host’s Commentary:
- Wit about middle-aged women and web sleuths driving progress in cold cases ([24:28]).
- Cooperative Friction: Police largely ignore evidence or tips from private and citizen investigators ([23:09]).
Notable Quote:
“The law enforcement officers that to me are truly the real professionals are the ones that reach out to the public and they ask for help ... They don’t use their ego.” – Dr. Larry Gould (Rebecca’s father) ([23:49])
D. Building the Timeline and Red Flags
Suspicious Behavior of Casey McCullough
- Alibi Crack:
- Casey insists Rebecca dropped him at work and vanished afterward, but evidence and multiple timelines raise deep suspicion.
- Casey uses a friend’s phone to call his own voicemail, then immediately tells friends Rebecca is missing – hours before she’d been reported missing ([33:09]).
- Reactions and Lies:
- Insists he never returned home after her disappearance, but evidence shows otherwise ([36:57]).
- On being confronted about the crime scene mess, Casey claims ignorance; photos reveal the impossibility of “not noticing” ([39:05]).
- Casey’s confession to hurting Rebecca comes years later, allegedly after drinking with friends ([41:50]).
Notable Quote:
“Like, how would you go in your room? And his bed was moved to cover a big blood stain on the carpet. Like, you can’t tell me you didn’t notice ...” – Jen Buchholz ([39:05])
E. The Unexpected Suspect: William Miller
Facebook and Family Ties
- Entry of William Miller:
- Joining the Facebook group in 2019, William Miller appears interested, but soon raises red flags due to his family connections (Casey’s cousin), erratic messages, and deep forensic questions ([43:51]).
- Investigators discover that William was in the area at the time, with family living nearby—information concealed by the McCulloughs ([47:58]).
- Sync with Police:
- Simultaneously, Arkansas State Police are zeroing in on Miller as well.
Notable Quotes:
“He was, you know, postulating theories on how she died. And he was very active on the page, and we just thought he was a mole for the family ... you could just tell ... he was kind of a weirdo anyway.” – George Jared ([43:51])
F. The Interrogation and Confession
- Detective Interviews:
- After years of hiding overseas, William Miller voluntarily submits to police questioning and a polygraph in November 2020 ([56:32]).
- During the interview, detectives use classic bluffing techniques—claiming DNA evidence and blood evidence were found (they were not)—to break Miller.
- Polygraph Results:
- He fails the polygraph (“deception indicated”), then is shown supposed “evidence” by police ([65:05]).
- Confession:
- William finally confesses (“I did it. I’m telling you that I did it. Would you arrest me?” – [72:22]), though details are sparse, and he seems evasive or foggy on specifics.
- He admits to moving the body and disposing of key evidence, including a missing suitcase and possibly the murder weapon.
Notable Quotes:
“Listen, man, you know I, I, I’m telling you, you know, I’m confessing to you. I’m telling you that I did it.” – William Miller ([72:22])
“Billy, you’re under arrest for the murder of Rebecca Gould.” ([72:35])
- Case Strength: Only the suitcase’s recovery—exactly as William described—provides physical corroboration of his confession.
G. Lingering Doubt and Serial Confessions
- Casey’s Involvement:
- Miller later changes his story, saying Casey killed Rebecca, and he just cleaned up the scene ([79:25]).
- Miller the Serial Killer?:
- During the confession, William claims responsibility for five other murders, though no specifics or victims’ names are given ([80:41]).
- Debate on Guilt:
- Jen Buchholz remains convinced of Miller’s guilt, but also points out that physical evidence directly linking him to the crime scene is lacking—his conviction is based almost entirely on his confession ([81:41]).
Notable Quotes:
“He confessed to Rebecca’s murder ... then he confesses to five other murders, but he doesn’t give the names of the victims.” – George Jared ([80:41])
H. The Legacy and Citizen-Initiated Justice
- Operation Rebecca:
- Jen organizes “Operation Rebecca,” recruiting volunteer sleuths across states to check cold cases potentially linked to Miller ([85:40]).
- Final Reflection:
- The episode ends with a meditation on citizen justice and the digital era’s ability to solve what professionals left unsolved: “Justice doesn’t always wear a badge. Sometimes it looks like a true crime podcast enthusiast with a search tab open at 3am and way too much coffee ...” ([86:12])
3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I can honestly say that I was never the same person after that.” – George Jared, about finding Rebecca's body ([10:48])
- “Ego is a hell of a drug.” – Narrator/Host, about investigators’ refusal to ask for help ([17:34] and [23:09])
- “He was obsessed with her ... but weirdly, when she vanished, he didn’t spend one second looking for her.” – George Jared, on Casey ([11:41])
- “She told her sister, she’s like, I’m done. This is it ... I’m done with Casey.” – George Jared ([13:46])
4. Timeline and Timestamps of Important Segments
-
Rebecca’s Disappearance and Early Investigation
[04:42] George Jared recalls the first call
[06:00] Crime scene discovery details
[09:04] Body discovery
[10:39] Emotional aftermath -
Law Enforcement Focus and Missteps
[14:55] Years focused on Chris Cantrell
[17:48] Detective’s narrow focus and ego -
Citizen Sleuth Revival
[21:33] “Hell and Gone” podcast
[29:14] Facebook group creation and sleuthing -
Casey’s Alibi and Red Flags
[33:09] Casey tells friends Rebecca is missing
[39:05] Casey’s implausible claims of ignorance -
William Miller Enters the Scene
[43:51] Miller joins the Facebook group
[47:58] Discovery he was in town and family’s secrecy -
Confession and Interrogation
[56:32] Police finally interview William Miller
[64:44] Polygraph and confrontation
[72:22] Confession: “I did it. Would you arrest me?” -
Physical Evidence and Closure
[73:38-78:10] Suitcase recovery, inconsistencies -
Serial Confessions and Legacy
[80:41] Miller confesses to five other murders
[85:40] Operation Rebecca call-to-action
5. Tone and Language
The tone is unsparing, deeply skeptical of law enforcement’s capabilities, and occasionally sarcastic (e.g., jabs at “ego-driven cops and short shorts”). The episode draws heavily on raw, personal recollections from those closest to the case (especially journalist George Jared and investigator Jen Buchholz), as well as direct audio from the key players and confession.
6. Conclusion: The Ongoing Quest for Justice
Despite an eventual arrest and confession, the episode makes clear this is a story weighted with uncertainty, emotional scars, and unanswered questions. It is both a cautionary tale about investigative tunnel vision and a celebration of the justice that can be achieved when ordinary citizens refuse to let a victim’s memory fade. The hope: that collective effort—“a hive of citizens”—can solve even the darkest of mysteries.
Resource Links:
- For more on Operation Rebecca and how to join: [See show notes at swordandscale.com]
- George Jared and Jen Buchholz continue to work on the case and communicate with William Miller in prison.
For those interested in deep dives:
- Full police interviews and confessions are available on YouTube ([79:15]).