True Crime Garage - Episode: Kentucky Fried Chicken Murders /// Part 1 /// 857
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Overview
In this gripping first part of a two-part series, True Crime Garage delves into the chilling events surrounding the 1983 Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Murders in Kilgore, Texas. Hosts Nic and the Captain, along with insights from their colleague, the Colonel, meticulously unpack the night that turned an ordinary fast-food restaurant into the scene of a heinous crime spree claiming five lives.
Setting the Scene: Kilgore, Texas [05:49 - 08:00]
The story unfolds in Kilgore, Texas, a town known primarily as an oil hub, nestled between Tyler and Longview, and located over a hundred miles east of Dallas. In 1983, Kilgore had a modest population of around 2,000, offering a stark contrast to its bustling present-day numbers.
Nic sets the geographical context:
"Kilgore is wedged pretty much right between the two cities of Tyler, Texas and Longview, Texas. Kilgore is just a little over a hundred miles east of Dallas and is actually closer to Shreveport, Louisiana rather than the great Big D of Dallas." [05:49]
The community was close-knit, with football serving as a central social activity, embodying the quintessential "Friday Night Lights" spirit that unified residents every week.
The Fateful Night: September 23, 1983 [08:00 - 18:14]
On Friday, September 23rd, 1983, Kilgore was alive with the excitement of a local high school football game. The KFC restaurant at 800 U.S. Highway 259—affectionately dubbed "Finger Licking Good"—was bustling as families flocked in for a quick meal before the game.
Nic narrates the initial circumstances:
"We have a bunch of restaurants, but the one that we are concerned with for this week's true crime story is located at 800 U.S. 259U.S highway 259. It's the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant Finger Licking Good." [05:49]
Amid the chaos of the busy evening, the restaurant's afternoon deposit was neglected, leaving over $2,000 in the register—a detail that would become pivotal.
At approximately 9:00 PM, Star Spagano and her boyfriend entered the KFC. Star noticed a white van parked unusually near the dumpster, a detail she initially dismissed but later found significant:
"She says before entering, as she would later recall, that she noticed a white van parked near the dumpster at the rear of the building... she made note of this because she thought it was a little strange." [10:00]
While waiting to order, Star overheard a conversation between KFC employee Kim Miller and her mother, Mary Tyler, the assistant manager. They discussed the substantial amount of money still in the register:
"Kim told her mother that the afternoon deposit still hadn't been made and there was now over $2,000 in the register." [10:02]
Additionally, Star observed two young men behind her in line who seemed to be eavesdropping on this conversation, raising suspicions:
"Star Spagano also noticed that there were two young men standing behind her in line. And she says that there was indication to her that those two men appear to have also heard or overheard this conversation." [10:02]
As the night progressed, Kim Miller left early, deviating from the usual closing routine. Concerned about her mother's unusually delayed return, Kim decided to return to the restaurant around 10:30 PM.
Discovery of the Bodies [18:14 - 33:07]
Upon her return, Kim found the front door locked as expected but was alarmed to see the back door wide open. Venturing cautiously inside, she discovered an empty restaurant and a puddle of blood in the kitchen:
"She finds the back door wide open... finds it empty... a puddle of blood approximately 9 inches in diameter on the floor of the kitchen." [18:14]
Believing there might be an injured employee, Kim drove to Laird Memorial Hospital but found no co-workers admitted. Fearing the worst, she contacted the Kilgore Police Department.
Kilgore Patrolman Wayne Reynolds was the first on the scene. He observed flowers spilled near the back door and footprints leading through it:
"Patrolman Wayne Reynolds... spotted flowers spilled near the back door with what appeared to be footprints tracking through it." [21:14]
Inside the manager's office, an open desk drawer revealed blood-stained files and missing money. Notably, time cards showed that Mary Tyler, Joey Johnson, and Opie Hughes had never punched out, and all employees' vehicles remained parked outside:
"Time cards indicated that Mary, Joey and Opie, the three that were working that night... had never punched out on those cards." [12:32]
By the next morning, the grim discovery unfolded further when Arthur Warlick, an oil worker, stumbled upon four bodies in a remote oil field, with some reports indicating the presence of a fifth body.
Investigation and Evidence [33:07 - 50:50]
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Mary Tyler (37) - Assistant Manager
- Joey Johnson (20) - Cook and fraternity member
- Opie Hughes (39) - Mother and KFC employee
- David Maxwell (20) - KFC employee, not scheduled to work that night
- Monty Landers (19) - Friend of David Maxwell, a college freshman
Autopsies revealed that all victims were shot execution-style, primarily in the back of the head. Additionally, a broken fingernail with type O blood was found on one of the victims, indicating perpetrator contact:
"A piece of a broken fingernail is found on one of the victim's belt loops... determined to have come from someone with type O blood." [54:27]
Physical evidence included:
- Blood around the counter and manager's office
- Missing cash from the register and manager's drawer
- Multiple shell casings, suggesting the use of at least two firearms
Nic speculates on the nature of the crime:
"These guys went in to rob the place, and even though they had guns, they were met with some resistance... the only reasonable explanation for them to abduct and murder all five people is either... they were met with some kind of resistance." [47:19]
The presence of the white van and the behavior of the two men in line during the transaction raised suspicions about their potential involvement.
Profiles of the Victims [44:14 - 60:07]
Mary Tyler was a dedicated mother of five, known for her kindness and exceptional work ethic at KFC. Her role as assistant manager placed her at the heart of the night's events.
David Maxwell had recently started working at KFC and was returning a motorcycle to a friend at the time of the abduction. His wife, Lana Maxwell, was away at home pregnant, and her absence inadvertently saved her life.
Joey Johnson, a 20-year-old fraternity brother and athlete, was the second victim. His involvement extended beyond work, contributing to tuition and supporting his family after his father's passing.
Opie Hughes, a 39-year-old mother juggling work and family, was beloved for her quiet and gentle nature, making her untimely death all the more tragic.
Monty Landers was a 19-year-old college freshman and aspiring mechanic, whose presence was purely coincidental as he tried to assist friends during their rush to a college party.
Theories and Speculations [50:50 - 61:22]
The investigation faces several complexities:
-
Multiple Firearms: The discovery of different shell types suggests the possibility of multiple assailants.
-
White Van: The initial sighting by Star Spagano of a white van near the dumpster raises questions about its connection to the crime.
-
Rapid Body Discovery: The swift revelation of the bodies by an oil worker indicates the perpetrators either wanted the bodies found quickly or failed to cover their tracks effectively.
Nic muses on the motives and planning behind the crime:
"It was just a touch after 9pm the restaurant closes... everything went down and everybody's out of there by 10:30." [50:49]
He further elaborates on the potential for these individuals to have planned the crime meticulously, possibly underestimating resistance from the victims:
"If in fact those guys in line were the perpetrators... they were met with some resistance that they didn't expect... And when that happened, the only reasonable explanation for them to abduct and murder all five people is..." [47:19]
The disproportionate amount of money taken during the robbery—$2,000—also raises questions about whether the motive extended beyond mere financial gain.
Conclusion and Teaser for Part 2 [61:22 - 61:45]
As Nic and the Colonel wrap up the first part of this harrowing case, they hint at further complexities and unresolved questions that will be addressed in the upcoming episode.
The Colonel signs off with a promise of deeper insights:
"So much more to get to in this true crime tale. Stick around for part two." [61:22]
Final Thoughts
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Murders in Kilgore, Texas, remain a haunting example of workplace violence intertwining with brutal robbery. As True Crime Garage peels back the layers of this case, listeners are left eager to uncover the motives, the masterminds behind the murders, and the quest for justice in Part 2.
Stay tuned for the continuation of this intense investigation in the next episode.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key points discussed in the podcast episode. For full details and nuances, listening to the episode is recommended.