The Unforgotten – Season 4: Kill Site

Episode 5: "Naming Names"

Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Wes Ferguson (A)
Production: Free Range Productions in association with The Dallas Morning News

Episode Overview

This episode of The Unforgotten dives deep into the local dynamics, personal testimonies, and lingering questions surrounding the mysterious death of Christopher Whiteley in Laipan, Texas—a case officially ruled as a mountain-lion attack but shrouded in suspicion and contradictions. Host Wes Ferguson visits the site, speaks to family members, townspeople, and notably, Kenneth (Christopher's girlfriend Tyler’s great uncle), piecing together new first-hand accounts and addressing rumors, suspicions, and overlooked witnesses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Revisiting Laipan and Initial Tensions

• Wes discusses his unease about visiting Laipan, recalling previous hostility toward outsiders investigating the case ([00:01]).
• Kimberly (Christopher’s mother) warns Wes about visiting the property, mentioning dangerous locals and casting aspersions on Tyler’s family:
  • “Grandpa just got out of prison on a 40 year murder set... My good girlfriend's grandpa. They're real nasty people…she says she's a witch and I believe it.” (Kimberly, [00:40])
• Kimberly’s boyfriend chimes in, calling them “white trash” ([00:57]).

2. Kimberly’s Own Investigation

• Shortly after Christopher’s death, Kimberly and family visit the property armed and suspicious ([02:09]).
• They meet Kenneth (the property owner and Tyler’s great uncle), who is oddly more concerned about his broken van than the traumatic incident that just occurred ([02:45]).
• Kimberly describes attempts by Tyler to misdirect her about the location of Christopher's body:
  • “She sent me two pictures of that burnt house. That's not where Christopher's body was. Either way away from there.” (Kimberly, [03:15])
• Kimberly is convinced Tyler knows more than she says:
  • “Tyler, I guarantee knows what happened. But Tyler's probably not going to tell you nothing.” ([03:37])

3. Town Perspectives & Rumors

• Wes surveys locals, including Mayor Mike (about 80 years old, curt, and somewhat indifferent):
  • “I didn’t know the guy at all. Or any type of body.” (Mike, [04:58])
  • He also doubts the official story: “That was kind of the impression I got deal that it was kind of made up... I never did know really what happened to him.” (Mike, [05:10])
• At the Dollar General, Wes learns Tyler was banned for shoplifting; employees suggest looking for her and Kenneth at the local food pantry ([05:32]).

4. Interview with Kenneth (Tyler's Great Uncle)

• Wes finds Kenneth (sporting a ZZ Top beard) at the food pantry. Contrary to rumors, Kenneth has no history of violent crime—just a minor conviction for a fraudulent check ([09:19]).
• Kenneth candidly discusses his past substance abuse and extreme sugar consumption, but claims to be clean of drugs:
  • “When I was living in Irving, I was a Needle fanatic... I don't do nothing now.” ([10:35])
  • “I take a four pound bag of sugar in a week's time... I got to have my sugar.” ([12:07])
• On Christopher: Describes him as troubled, not mentally well, and difficult:
  • “He was not all right in the head... and he threw an ashtray at Tyler and hit the baby that she had in her arm.” ([12:22])

Relationship with Christopher

• Kenneth says they weren't close; his main memory is that Christopher colored in his Woody Woodpecker tattoo ([13:50]).
• Contradicts reports that Christopher and Tyler were back together, claiming Christopher occasionally visited but was not living there ([14:35]).

Night of the Incident – New Names & Alibis

• According to Kenneth, Christopher was at the house that night with Tyler's mom (Deonna), her boyfriend, and another woman—none previously mentioned in official accounts ([15:03]).
  • “There was a male, a female, and Chris... to see Deonna at the time. That was my niece.” (Kenneth, [15:05])
• Kenneth recalls a 3am incident when Deonna and Christopher startled him awake, asking an unknown question before quickly leaving. He claims to always sleep with a large knife for protection, referencing old prison habits:
  • “If I'd have grabbed that sucker, I would have sliced them. Not realize because here you wake up, have somebody stand over top of you...” ([16:54])
• The significance: According to official timelines, 3am is around when Tyler said she and Christopher went to bed. Kenneth’s recollection places Deonna and Christopher active in the house at that hour, potentially contradicting other testimonies ([18:11]).

The Aftermath & Theory Reflections

• Kenneth didn’t see Christopher after that night, later hearing of his death and relaying the official animal attack theory. He voices disbelief at allegations that Tyler would have killed Christopher ([19:12]).
• He repeats hearsay about local hogs and a wildcat scavenging Christopher's body, but Wes notes the autopsy disproves this ([21:07]).
• Kenneth questions the logic of Christopher walking through the woods at night, citing physical barriers and dangers unmentioned in the law enforcement report ([21:52]).
• When probed about the last phone call to Christopher’s dad, Kenneth speculates Christopher was likely dealing with “somebody at the house…probably talking to Tyler or now, usually argue.” ([23:26])

5. Lingering Questions, New Suspects, and Law Enforcement Critique

• Kenneth's account introduces new people present at the house—specifically Tyler’s mom and her boyfriend—who have never been interviewed by police ([24:12]).
• Wes wonders about the possibility of domestic violence, familial threats, and the likelihood of law enforcement turning a blind eye to possible “rough justice” ([24:40]).
• Kenneth closes with a pointed, ambiguous remark:
  • “Where all this stuff is, Tyler's the one that caused him to get hurt. I have no idea why.” (Kenneth, [25:53])

6. Town Rumors and Conclusion

• In the local bar, Wes hears townsfolk casually blaming Tyler for Christopher’s death—though no evidence exists and nobody seems motivated to pursue the issue ([26:02]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kimberly (Christopher’s mom), warning Wes about visiting:
  • “Be careful going on that property…real nasty people. Nasty people...she’s a witch and I believe it.” ([00:40])
• Kenneth, on Christopher's alleged attack:
  • “So that’s all I know that went on.” ([18:11])
• Kenneth on the town's attitude and mountain lion story:
  • “That was kind of the impression I got deal that it was kind of made up… I never did know really what happened to him…” (Mayor Mike, [05:10])
• Wes, after piecing together the day’s revelations:
  • “This whole story is bonkers… 3am, remember, is around the same time that Tyler said she and Christopher went to bed. And Kenneth is talking about the possibility of slicing people up while we’re talking about a guy whose throat was ripped out on Kenneth’s own property. I couldn’t make this up if I tried.” ([18:11])

Important Timestamps

• [00:40] – Kimberly’s warning about property and Tyler’s family
• [02:09] – Kimberly describes returning to the scene after Christopher’s death
• [03:15] – Suspicions about Tyler misdirecting Kimberly
• [04:49 – 05:10] – Mayor Mike doubting official animal attack theory
• [09:11 – 12:17] – Kenneth’s self-introduction, background, sugar obsession
• [15:03] – Kenneth introduces new witnesses present that night
• [16:54] – Incident at 3am, Kenneth nearly attacking Deonna and Christopher
• [19:12 – 21:59] – Kenneth recounts aftermath and confusion over body location
• [22:42] – Challenging the law enforcement narrative about Christopher walking through woods
• [24:12 – 24:40] – New names, lack of police interviews, speculation
• [25:53] – Kenneth’s ambiguous closing remark about Tyler

Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains a mix of dogged curiosity, rural noir, and dark humor, with Wes’s commentary alternating between empathy for the families and deadpan incredulity at the bizarre, often contradictory, local stories. Local voices, especially Kenneth’s, are unvarnished and gruff but reveal the complexities of small-town relationships and rumor.

Flow & Utility

Listeners are guided step-by-step through each new revelation as Wes encounters roadblocks, rumors, and ultimately uncovers new witnesses never before interviewed by authorities. This episode is invaluable for those following the case, introducing new possible suspects, highlighting law enforcement oversights, and providing a ground-level sense of the town’s culture and skepticism of outsiders. The human drama, confusion, and contradictions are palpable, painting a vivid if troubling, portrait of a community living with secrets.

Next up:

• An interview with mountain lion filmmaker Ben Masters
• The series finale, with reflections and audience questions