True Crime Garage – "The Phantom Killer /// Part 1 /// 887"

Episode Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Nic & The Captain

Episode Overview

In this immersive episode, Nic and The Captain launch a two-part exploration of the chilling Texarkana Moonlight Murders — a decades-old case where a hooded, masked killer struck at night, terrorizing a twin city on the Texas-Arkansas border. Part 1 dissects the earliest attacks linked to the so-called "Phantom Killer," reconstructing the events and reflecting on the complex investigation, survivor testimonies, and the persistent mystery of the Phantom’s identity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context: The Texarkana Phantom’s Terror (04:08–05:54)

• The case is infamous for its randomness and shock: double murders at night, a masked gunman, and a community gripped by fear for decades.
• The killer remains unidentified, transforming the story into "a slasher film, a ghost story, and a murder mystery all wrapped up" (05:54–06:20).
• The timeline is murky, but the hosts start with the first known attack in 1946.

2. The First Attack: Jimmy Hollis & Mary Jean Larey (07:16–29:00)

• Event Reconstruction:
  • On February 22, 1946, after a movie, 24-year-old Jimmy Hollis and 19-year-old Mary Jean Larey parked in a secluded area ("lover’s lane") near Texarkana, TX.
  • A man in a white hood with eye and mouth holes, wielding a flashlight and pistol, approached, commanding them out of the car.

    "He demanded...‘Take off your goddamn britches’" – Nic (10:20)

  • The attacker violently struck Hollis in the head twice, leaving him unconscious and gravely injured.
  • He then assaulted Larey — including sexual assault with the gun's barrel — before she escaped.
• Survival and Aftermath:
  • Both victims survived; Larey ran for help, Hollis regained consciousness and flagged a motorist.
  • Police and the community responded with disbelief and skepticism, partly due to discrepancies in their statements.
  • Injuries were severe, with Hollis hospitalized for weeks with multiple skull fractures.

Main Theories Discussed

• Motives for Making Victims Disrobe:
  • To prevent escape or as part of a sexual motive.
  • "When a perpetrator...has a victim remove their clothes, it is to deter them from fleeing." – Nic (13:08)
• Law Enforcement Skepticism:
  • Police speculated the couple might be covering for someone they knew (#32:24), especially after learning both were married to others and possibly facing separations.
  • The hosts push back, calling the police theory unlikely.

Notable Quotes

• "If you don't find him, he's going to kill someone." – Jimmy Hollis warning police post-attack (36:58)
• "This is one of the most haunting mysteries...a triple threat: a slasher film, a ghost story, and a murder mystery." – Nic (05:54)

3. The First Double Homicide: Richard Griffin & Polly Ann Moore (39:00–45:00)

• Crime Scene Details:
  • March 24, 1946: Griffin (29) and Moore (17) were found dead in a car on another lovers’ lane.
  • Both shot in the head with a .32 caliber Colt. Evidence suggested they were killed outside the car and placed back inside.
• Forensic Observations:
  • Little evidence due to rain washing away prints and footprints.
  • Staging theorized to delay body discovery.

Forensic Reasoning

• The hosts puzzle over the physical effort required to move bodies back into the car, and whether the killer’s intention was concealment.
• Some reports suggest both were killed outside and staged post-mortem.

4. Second Double Homicide: Paul Martin & Betty Jo Booker (48:20–59:00)

• Chronology:
  • April 14, 1946: After a dance, Paul Martin (16) picked up Betty Jo Booker (15); their bodies were later found miles apart.
  • Martin: shot four times; body found on a roadside.
  • Booker: shot twice (heart and face), evidence of sexual assault, body hidden behind a tree, fully clothed and “buttoned up.”
  • Martin’s car was found abandoned three miles from Booker’s body.
• The Killer’s Method:
  • Possible the killer separated or hunted the victims ("hunting" theory), but specifics uncertain.
  • Pattern noted — all attacks occur on weekends.

Notable Discussion Points

• The hosts note consistent escalation: from assault to murder to more elaborate staging/abduction.
• "All of these attacks take place on a weekend...Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday..." – Nic (58:41)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Dark Humor/Relief:

  • Captain, after Nick details the attack: "Complete boner killer." (10:03)
  • Nick, responding to Captain’s question about the killer’s getaway: "The empty vehicle that she ran up to was probably his." (17:01)

• On Witness Descriptions:

  • Victims gave contradictory descriptions: Larey believed attacker was light-skinned Black; Hollis thought he was a tanned white man (25:13–25:28).

    "It would be hard to tell in the dark...your eyes have to readjust when you see a bright light and then you look into the darkness." – Captain (25:39)

• On Investigation Challenges:

  • “Their number-one job is to protect the public and keep everybody safe..." – Nic (47:39)

Timeline of Major Incidents

| Timestamp | Incident | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 07:16 | Jimmy Hollis & Mary Jean Larey attack | | 10:03-12:01| Details of attack and victim reactions | | 14:39 | Questions on attacker’s contradictory behavior | | 17:01 | Theories on attacker’s vehicle | | 36:58 | Hollis warns police: Killer will strike again | | 39:00 | Discovery of Griffin & Moore murder | | 48:20 | Paul Martin & Betty Jo Booker double murder |

Conclusion & Lead-In to Part 2

The episode concludes with a recap of mounting fear and investigative challenges. The hosts tease more to come as they continue dissecting the Phantom Killer's legacy in "Part 2."

"Want to thank everybody for joining us here in the garage... Stick around for Part 2." – Captain (59:12)

Episode Tone & Style

• Language/Tone: Conversational, dark-humored, and occasionally irreverent but always empathetic toward victims. The hosts employ banter and pop culture references to balance the gravity of the material.
• Approach: In-depth, evidence-based, with a critical eye on both law enforcement and popular mythmaking.

For New Listeners

This summary captures the main narrative arc, key forensic puzzles, and atmosphere of the first part of True Crime Garage’s deep dive into the Texarkana Moonlight Murders. For the full effect — from the hosts' wit to their thoughtful suspicions — listening is recommended, but this guide covers all essential details and major developments.