Podcast Summary: The Deck – “Theresa Dusevitch (Queen of Diamonds, Florida)”

Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Ashley Flowers
Key Contributors: Investigator Kelly Henderson, Nicole (Crime Stoppers Coordinator), Annie Roderick Jones (Reporter)

Main Theme and Episode Purpose

This episode investigates the 1973 unsolved murder of Teresa Dusevitch—“Queen of Diamonds” in Florida’s deck of cold case playing cards. Ashley Flowers guides listeners through the details of Teresa’s case, how it was long believed to be connected to another local murder, and how recent forensic advances and a cascade of interviews have forced a complete re-examination of the evidence, the suspects, and the lingering mysteries. The episode aims to highlight new angles, dispel false connections, and encourage listener tips that could finally bring justice after five decades.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Case Overview and Breaking the Initial Connection

• Teresa Dusevitch, 19, was found murdered near Niceville, FL in November 1973. For decades, her case was assumed to be linked to the murder of Deborah Espy, killed eight months earlier.
• Both women were found in similar states, with similar causes and locations. However, recent DNA analysis in Deborah’s solved case cleared her killer (Dennis Murphy) of involvement in Teresa’s case ([00:04]).
• Quote:
  “All the connections that seemed so linked were just coincidence. So now detectives are looking at Teresa's case with new eyes.” — Ashley Flowers ([01:00])

2. Discovery of the Crime Scene

• Teresa’s remains were found in a wooded area near Rocky Bayou Country Club, about 75ft off the road, in a shallow grave. She had been shot in the head; her clothing was partially removed ([01:10]).
• Key objects found: a black coat, pink underwear, a Coke bottle, cigarettes, and a “portable record player with the initials R.A.”—a detail that never fit any known connection ([01:50]).
• The Matador Club—where Teresa was last seen—still exists, serving as a symbolic time capsule ([04:04]).

3. Last Known Movements and Witnesses

• Teresa last seen at the Matador Club between 8pm and 11pm on Nov 20, 1973 ([04:55]).
• Quote:
  “Several witnesses...saw her on the night of the 20th...Between, I would say, 8 and 11, she was seen at the Matador Club." — Investigator Kelly Henderson ([04:55])

4. Parallel Attack and Ballistics Link

• Six months after Teresa’s murder, a 15-year-old girl survived a shooting by a stranger in the area. The bullet was matched to the same weapon that killed Teresa ([05:19]).
• The shooter was described as a 40–50-year-old Black man in a dark car, but remains unidentified ([05:19], [06:39]).
• Quote:
  “The analysis of the bullet determined that it was fired from the same gun that killed Teresa Ducevich. They never found the actual weapon or the shooter, though.” — Ashley Flowers ([05:36])
• Henderson believes the attacker may not have been Teresa’s killer, but rather someone who acquired the weapon later ([07:06]).

5. Suspects and Dead Ends

• Ernest Wayne Grover: Teresa’s ex-boyfriend, quickly ruled out due to alibi and passed polygraph ([08:09]).
• Richard McMahon: Neighbor who walked with Teresa the day she vanished, considered but dismissed ([08:23]).
• Harvey Duane Carnley: Drove Teresa’s friend to the site where she would be found dead, interviewed, but died suddenly before polygraph ([10:06]).
• Bobby (Alias):
  • Put himself on radar by implicating himself in both murders but gave inconsistent stories and failed polygraph.
  • Animal blood (not human) explained stains in his car.
  • Renewed focus due to statements by his stepson: Bobby was allegedly violent, knew how to conceal human blood, had an uncle (initials “RA”), and may have had a Black military friend named Crowley who could be tied to the shooting of the 15-year-old ([12:00]).
  • Quote:
    “Bobby had taught his family a nifty little trick. If you ever need to avoid detection of human blood, just put animal blood over it.” — Ashley Flowers ([12:30])
• Jay (Witness Turned Suspect):
  • Found the body but delayed notifying authorities, lied about knowing Teresa, and refused polygraph ({16:16]).
  • Blunt force trauma on Teresa’s skull might match a golf club, which he had access to ([17:14]).
  • Quote:
    “If all you did was find the body, then why not do the polygraph and just rule yourself out?” — Kelly Henderson ([16:16])

6. DNA Advances and New Evidence

• 2021: Fingernail scrapings from Teresa’s autopsy retested, yielding a DNA profile. The DNA matched a woman from the Dunbar family—a previously unknown name in the investigation ([17:32]).
• All 17 Dunbar women contacted by law enforcement—no clear connection surfaced.
• Quote:
  “I'm not going to completely rule out that a female is not responsible, but...my guess and my hopes is to find the female who maybe had an altercation with her a day or two prior.” — Kelly Henderson ([19:12])
• More evidence (record player, clothing, bottles, cigarettes) now slated for retesting with modern technology ([20:48]).

7. Current Status and Community Engagement

• Key persons of interest (Bobby, Jay) are alive; authorities have Bobby’s DNA but need Jay’s ([20:07]).
• Episodes like The Deck spark new leads and push investigators to reinvigorate cold cases ([22:45]).
• Crime Stoppers reports multiple valuable tips resulting from The Deck’s coverage of cases ([22:19]).
• Quote:
  “It puts the spark back in…let's see what movement we can make and get justice, you know, for the victim and a little bit of closure for the living family.” — Kelly Henderson ([23:12])
• Listeners encouraged to provide tips via Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers—with anonymity guaranteed ([23:33]).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the Era’s Changes:
  “Family owned drugstores become condos. Strip malls now stand where there was once a playground…but the Matador Club was still there. It was like a time warp to the 70s.” — Ashley Flowers ([04:04])
• A Suspect’s Death Before Polygraph:
  “We…law enforcement comes and talks to you about a 40 year old cold case and then three days later you're dead. That's a little strange.” — Kelly Henderson ([10:06])
• On Refusing Polygraphs:
  “If all you did was find the body, then why not do the polygraph and just rule yourself out?” — Kelly Henderson ([16:16])
• On DNA Technology:
  “There is DNA, but we haven't been able to positively identify that DNA. However, it has not been re-examined again. So I do believe that the technology, now we can reexamine it and possibly get a much better conclusion…” — Kelly Henderson ([20:48])
• On The Deck’s Impact:
  “It certainly lights that fire again.” — Kelly Henderson ([23:12])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:04 – Overview and initial connections between Teresa’s and Deborah’s murders
• 01:10 – Description of the crime scene and key evidence
• 04:00 – Matador Club context; last seen details
• 05:19 – Ballistic match with 1974 shooting of a 15-year-old
• 07:25 – Reexamining the case, early suspects
• 10:06 – Harvey Carnley’s sudden death post-interview
• 12:00 – Bobby’s stepson shares key suspicions and connections
• 16:16 – Scrutiny of Jay, the man who “found” Teresa’s body
• 17:32 – DNA breakthroughs: Dunbar surname
• 20:07 – Current investigative focus, retesting evidence
• 22:19 – Impact of audience tips from The Deck
• 23:33 – Crime Stoppers call-to-action

Episode Tone & Style

Ashley Flowers and the guests maintain a conversational but urgent and investigative tone. There’s a blend of respect for the victim, dogged pursuit of new leads, and a candid acknowledgment of the frustrating dead ends that come with half-century-old cases. The episode resonates with both nostalgia and renewed optimism, thanks to advances in forensic technology and the power of crowd-sourced tips.

Summary Takeaway

The episode emphasizes the importance of revisiting old evidence with new eyes, the power of persistent investigation, and the crucial role the public can play in solving cold cases. Teresa Dusevitch’s murder is no longer eclipsed by the shadow of a closed case; thanks to reopening lines of inquiry, retesting DNA, and listening to new voices, investigators have renewed hope of closure—reminding listeners that their tip could be what finally breaks the Queen of Diamonds's case wide open.