True Crime Obsessed - Episode 431: Southern Fried Lies

Release Date: May 27, 2025

Summary

In Episode 431 of True Crime Obsessed, titled "Southern Fried Lies," hosts Jillian Betzavali and Patrick Hines unravel a chilling narrative of deceit, manipulation, and mysterious deaths in Camden, Arkansas. This episode delves into the life of Matt Jacobs, his tragic death, the sinister actions of Donna Herring, and the subsequent unraveling of a fraudulent scheme that implicated multiple individuals within his circle.

1. Introduction to Camden's Dark Secrets [00:00 – 02:09]

The episode kicks off with Jillian and Patrick engaging in their characteristic witty banter before diving into the heart of today's true crime story. They set the stage for a complex case involving Matt Jacobs, Donna Herring, and a series of suspicious deaths that have left the small town of Camden reeling.

2. The Tragic Death of Matt Jacobs [02:09 – 05:00]

Matt Jacobs, a hardworking oil rig worker, met an untimely death on January 19, 2015, in what initially appeared to be a straightforward car accident. However, inconsistencies soon emerged, sparking suspicions of foul play.

• Quote [02:21]: Patrick Hines: "Southern fried lies. This is on Peacock and Oxygen. I'd never seen a case like this. Money laundering, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud. What a story it was."

3. Enter Donna Herring: The Overbearing Manipulator [05:00 – 14:00]

Donna Herring, the wife of Doug Herring who owns the local pest control business, quickly becomes the central figure in the aftermath of Matt's death. Portraying herself as a supportive figure, Donna's true intentions begin to surface as Matt's family grows wary of her intrusive behavior.

• Quote [03:06]: Patrick Hines: "Donna Herring, she's like the star of this thing. She sucks."

4. The Fraudulent Will Unveiled [14:00 – 29:00]

Months after Matt's death, a new will surfaces—crafted online just five days posthumously, leaving Matt's substantial estate to Donna and her daughter, Alex Peterson. Tax attorney Adam Reed's forensic analysis exposes the will's fraudulent nature, revealing that it was created using a dubious online template and forged with Matt's signature.

• Quote [26:19]: Patrick Hines: "She made a fake will and used one of Matt's signatures that she had from when he bought the house."

5. The Mysterious Death of Jimmy Davis [29:00 – 35:00]

Adding layers to the intrigue, Jimmy Davis, Matt's colleague at the pest control business, dies under suspicious circumstances—an apparent accidental drowning found beneath a bridge. The proximity of his death to Matt's fuels speculations of a connected conspiracy.

6. FBI Intervention and Exhumations [35:00 – 58:00]

FBI Special Agent Tanya is brought in to investigate the irregularities surrounding the deaths and the fraudulent will. Her investigation leads to the exhumation of Matt's body, aiming to uncover hidden truths beneath the surface.

• Quote [53:27]: Jillian Betzavali: "It's unbelievable."

7. The Downfall of Donna Herring [58:00 – 76:00]

As evidence mounts, Donna faces multiple charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Her eventual guilty plea to wire fraud results in a 41-month prison sentence, while her daughter Alex is also implicated for obstruction and other charges. The financial spoils intended for Alex are quickly dissipated on lavish expenditures, estranging her further from the grieving family.

• Quote [73:11]: Patrick Hines: "Donna, we don't believe you. We don't believe you."

8. Lingering Mysteries and Unanswered Questions [76:00 – End]

Despite Donna's incarceration, questions linger about the true extent of her involvement in the deaths of Matt Jacobs and Jimmy Davis. The mysterious suicide of Lori Skin, another key figure connected to Matt, adds another layer of complexity and suspicion, leaving the community and Matt's family searching for answers.

• Quote [82:01]: Patrick Hines: "So Jordan got almost all of his dad's estate, the money, three houses."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [02:21] Patrick Hines: "Southern fried lies. This is on Peacock and Oxygen. I'd never seen a case like this. Money laundering, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud. What a story it was."

• [03:06] Patrick Hines: "Donna Herring, she's like the star of this thing. She sucks."

• [14:12] Patrick Hines: "He was looking for a place to, 'like, come and have that kind of relationship.'"

• [26:19] Patrick Hines: "She made a fake will and used one of Matt's signatures that she had from when he bought the house."

• [35:21] Patrick Hines: "It was treated like a homicide. So we learn the eyewitnesses statements say he was at a convenience store on Cash Road and purchased beer, which was not uncommon. He left the convenience store and was walking back to his house, and then disappeared."

• [53:27] Jillian Betzavali: "It's unbelievable."

• [73:11] Patrick Hines: "Donna, we don't believe you. We don't believe you."

Conclusion

"Southern Fried Lies" masterfully weaves a tale of ambition, manipulation, and the quest for truth. Jillian and Patrick guide listeners through a maze of deceit orchestrated by Donna Herring, whose actions not only defrauded Matt Jacobs' family but also led to a series of unexplained deaths. The episode highlights the devastating impact of greed and manipulation, leaving audiences questioning the true cost of deceit in a tightly-knit community.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the main narrative and key developments of the episode.