Podcast Summary:

The Binge Crimes: Fatal Fantasy
Episode 3: "One Big Oopsy"
Host: M. William Phelps
Date: March 16, 2026

Overview

In this gripping episode, M. William Phelps continues to unravel the layers behind the brutal 2001 murder of renowned DNA scientist Dr. Robert Schwartz. As investigators piece together the strange nexus of live-action role-playing (LARP), dark fantasy subcultures, and troubled young adults, a chilling homicide plot emerges—one that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, touching on themes of manipulation, mental health struggles, paganism, and lost youth. This episode focuses on the investigation’s rapid advances, the web of relationships between suspects, and the shocking role-playing game that may have fueled real-world violence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Underworld Game & Role-Playing Culture

• LARP as a Backdrop (01:07–06:35)
  • Main Insight: The suspects—Mike Foale, Katie Inglis, Clara Schwartz, and Kyle Hulbert—were all involved in a role-playing game called the Underworld, created by Clara. LARPing, while often innocent, provided a context for this group’s intensified social bonds and shared fantasy immersion.
  • Quote (M. William Phelps, 01:07): “As investigators spoke to Mike and Katie, they thought maybe both had perhaps taken these roleplaying games a bit more seriously than your average geek...”
  • Notable Moment: The discovery of a medieval sword with Dr. Schwartz’s DNA in Mike’s bedroom immediately tightened police suspicion.

The Renaissance Fair & Group Dynamics

• The Renaissance Fair Meeting (03:43–08:00)
  • Key Event: In September 2001, the group met at a Renaissance fair, where Kyle joined their tight-knit circle. Kyle's exuberance, flamboyant persona, and immediately strong connection with Brandi Dyer are highlighted.
  • Quote (Kyle on Brandi, 05:18): “She was really cute… I just remember looking at her eyes...”
  • Insight: Clara, described as introverted and enigmatic, was positioned as the “Queen” and “Lord of Chaos” in the fantasy game, with group members quickly adopting their in-game roles in real life.

Evidence and Interrogations

• Investigation Tightens (12:53–22:05)
  • Sword Found: Police discover Mike and Katie’s fingerprints, and Dr. Schwartz’s blood, on the sword in Mike's closet. Mike claims Kyle asked him to hide it and wipe it clean (19:25).
  • Quote (Detective Greg Locke, 13:51): “They would have known she was away at school and was not at home. My red flags went up...”
  • Insight: Investigators spot lies in Mike and Katie’s stories; their attempts to fabricate alibis are quickly unraveled.

Mental Health, Paganism & the Occult

• Kyle’s Background (16:02–18:29)
  • Expert Insight (Joe Laycock, 16:02): Lays out key differences between Wicca/paganism and occult practices, clarifying cultural misconceptions.
  • Kyle’s Struggles: Kyle, recently emancipated from foster care and diagnosed with schizophrenia, describes the sense of release upon turning 18, but immediately stops taking medication—a critical context for his mental state.
  • Quote (Kyle, 18:29): “I was happy. I was free. No more leashes... But three words were in my head. I am free.”

Arrest & Reactions

• Kyle’s Arrest (24:34–26:53)
  • Dramatic Moment: Armed police arrest Kyle at Brandi’s family home as he lies with her in bed; Brandi and her mother are shocked.
  • Quote (Kyle, 26:09): “I just suddenly hear, you know, police, freeze. Don’t fucking move... In my brain, it’s always this huge fucking cannon of a revolver pointed at my head.”
  • Brandi’s Support: Despite the accusations, Brandi’s mother assures Kyle she will not abandon him.

Motive and the Blurred Line Between Fantasy & Reality

• The Game as Motive (28:01–29:46)
  • Investigative Theory: Locke suspects the fantasy game played a direct role in the group’s real-world actions; game tasks may have become real violence.
  • Quote (Investigator, 28:01): “Clara was the Lord of Chaos… pretty much doled out orders to different people who participated in the game.”
  • Question Raised: Did the group act out a murder as part of a “quest”?

Turning Points in Testimony

• Shifting Stories and Revelations (31:51–37:54)
  • Breakthrough: Katie decides to cooperate, revealing Kyle went alone to Dr. Schwartz’s house the critical night.
  • Mike Cracks: After being pressed, Mike admits he and Katie knew Kyle intended to kill Clara’s father.
  • Chilling Quote (Mike, 37:45): When asked about the cumulative guilt and secrecy: “It’s one big oopsie.”
    • Note by Phelps: "I've heard murder described in a lot of ways, but never… boiled down to a childish, idiotic, ignorant faux pas, like spilling a glass of milk."
  • Kyle’s Family Tragedies: Kyle’s sister Natasha recounts his violent childhood episodes and separation from family to protect his siblings.

Foreshadowing and New Leads

• Setting Up Next Episode (38:00–39:05)
  • New Witness: Another participant in the game comes forward, revealing Clara may have assigned a “kill the old geezer” task in the Underworld game.
  • Quote (New Witness, 38:18): “One of the tasks that was assigned was to kill the old geezer.”
  • Deadly Plot Emerges: Audio of manipulative instructions about poisoning and coercion, attributed to a “voice with a deadly plan.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kyle describing the Renaissance fair:
  “It was everything I never wanted. Like, this was… everybody’s walking around in character. I had this really cool little cat mask on…” (04:38)

• Kyle on emancipation:
  “I am free.” (18:29)

• Mike, on the group’s crime:
  “It’s one big oopsie.” (37:45)

• Detective Locke on suspect statements:
  “It’s the little white lies that strangle you, not the big ones. The truth is inherent. You do not have to remember it…” (14:35)

• New witness on game’s violence:
  “One of the tasks that was assigned was to kill the old geezer.” (38:18)

Important Timestamps

• 01:07 – LARP and the Underworld game explained
• 03:43–08:00 – Group meets Kyle at Renaissance Fair; dynamics established
• 12:53 – Discovery of the bloodied sword; focus shifts to Kyle
• 16:02 – Joe Laycock explains Wicca and occult connections
• 18:29 – Kyle on his emancipation and mental health
• 24:34–26:53 – Kyle’s dramatic arrest recounted
• 28:01–29:46 – Investigators explore overlap between fantasy gaming and the crime
• 31:51–37:54 – Key confessions, Katie and Mike implicate Kyle
• 38:00–39:05 – New witness points to murder as a “quest”; chilling details surface

Final Thoughts

Episode 3 reveals how deeply entwined these young adults were in their alternative world, primed by fantasy, social isolation, and manipulation. The detectives peel back lies, exposing the dark power dynamics at work inside both the group and the fictional Underworld. Motive, means, and opportunity coalesce—and the episode ends with new evidence pointing back to the role-playing game’s architect.
Listeners are left with the haunting question: When does a game stop being a game?

Rich, engaging, and full of chilling twists, this episode is crucial for understanding both the criminal case and the troubled connections among the suspects.