Up and Vanished Weekly – "Bone Valley Season 3: GRAVES COUNTY"

Release Date: January 19, 2026
Host(s): Maggie Freleng, Payne Lindsey
Producer: Tenderfoot TV

Episode Overview

The opening chapter of "Graves County" takes listeners deep into the heart of a small-town Kentucky murder case that stunned a community, went unsolved for years, and ultimately exposed deeper cracks in the foundations of justice. The focus is on Susan Galbraith, an unlikely amateur sleuth whose obsession with the case of Jessica Curran’s 2000 murder pushed her into the national spotlight and raised difficult questions about how justice is pursued—and at what cost.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Mayfield, Graves County (00:01–01:00)

• Atmosphere: The episode opens with a dark portrait of Mayfield, Kentucky, where a horrific crime will test the boundaries of truth and justice.
• Theme Introduced: "A half truth is a whole lie," setting up the exploration of the blurry line between fact and fabrication.

2. The Crime and Its Aftermath (00:31–01:42)

• The Case:
  • On August 1, 2000, Jessica Curran—a young mother and daughter of a local firefighter—was found dead, beaten and set on fire.
  • For six years, the case remained unsolved; it devastated the community and left her family without answers.
• Community Impact: The gravity of the crime shakes the small town, where everyone seems to know each other.

3. Susan Galbraith’s Unlikely Role (01:04–02:34)

• Who is Susan?
  • A homemaker with no experience in law enforcement.
  • Became obsessed with the case after learning about the murder by chance.
  • "Galbraith was a housewife, married three times and drifting. She had no law enforcement training and she'd never even met Jessica Curran." (C, 01:30)
• Recognition:
  • Honored by both the Kentucky Attorney General and the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation for her efforts.

4. Digging Deeper: The Myth and the Media (02:34–04:32)

• Media Narrative:
  • The story of an ordinary woman solving a murder captures attention, but the podcast hints it’s "maybe too good to be true."
  • Deeper complexities and problematic methods are suggested.

"This story will go beyond one woman. It's about the lengths our legal system, our communities and the press will go in order to find someone to blame. And it's about the tales we tell and choose to believe in pursuit of justice." (A, 02:34)

• Host’s Perspective:
  • Maggie Freleng introduces herself, noting her own background in criminal justice and the work she did to research Susan’s contribution.

5. Susan’s Backstory & Motivation (04:32–05:49)

• Personal Loss:
  • Recently lost her brother, father, and mother within a short span.
  • Felt adrift—Jessica’s case gave her new purpose.

"I think that I've always felt that I was meant to be there the day that they found Jessica's body. And I often refer to it as through her, I somehow got my purpose back because it was a real rough year in 99." (B, 05:31)

6. The Investigation Begins—A Relentless Pursuit (05:49–07:09)

• How Susan Operated:
  • First encountered the case at a diner by overhearing chatter.
  • Became compulsive in her quest—combing for rumors, sending out emails to anyone who might help (even Oprah and Julia Roberts).
  • Initially, her pleas went unanswered.

7. The Unlikely Partnership with Tom Mangold (07:12–08:34)

• Connection:
  • After seeing British reporter Tom Mangold on TV, Susan reached out, sparking a cross-Atlantic partnership.
• Unique Collaboration:
  • The two teamed up: "We were an odd duo," Susan notes, describing Tom as "prim and proper… like he had a stick up his ass" (B, 08:13).
  • Tom describes Susan admiringly: "She's chubby, lively, great sense of humor, sexy, deep voice and passionate about the one thing she needed to be passionate about. The murder of Jessica Curran." (D, 08:22)
• Method:
  • Tom helps Susan distinguish gossip from fact as together they chase leads and build the case.

8. Break in the Case: The Key Witness (08:34–10:43)

• Victoria Caldwell:
  • Identified as a key witness after Susan and Tom’s investigations.
  • Victoria, only 15 at the time, came forward about her role as an accomplice and participant in the events surrounding Jessica’s murder.
• Testimony:
  • Victoria’s statements become the backbone of the prosecution.
  • She describes the night’s events in graphic detail, including drug use and the violence that led to Jessica’s death.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motivation:

  "Somebody had to do something. And if somebody was me, so be it."
  — Susan Galbraith (B, 01:42)

• On her connection to the case:

  "I think that I've always felt that I was meant to be there the day that they found Jessica's body... through her, I somehow got my purpose back."
  — Susan Galbraith (B, 05:31)

• On working with Mangold:

  "When I first met Tom, I thought he was prim and proper. Like he had a stick up his ass… he was just really formal, you know."
  — Susan Galbraith (B, 08:13) "She's chubby, lively, great sense of humor, sexy, deep voice and passionate about the one thing she needed to be passionate about. The murder of Jessica Curran."
  — Tom Mangold (D, 08:22)

• On the broader meaning of the case:

  "This story will go beyond one woman. It's about the lengths our legal system, our communities and the press will go in order to find someone to blame..."
  — Maggie Freleng (A, 02:34)

• Victoria's Stark Testimony:

  "Quincy started passing out the drugs… then when we got to the driveway of Jeff's house, Quincy, he wrecked under the seat and he had a bat and he hit her in her head."
  — Victoria Caldwell (E, 10:13; 10:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01 — Episode opens, dark tone, introduces Graves County
• 00:42 — Jessica Curran’s body is discovered
• 01:04–02:34 — Introduction of Susan Galbraith & her impact on the case
• 04:32–05:49 — Susan's personal losses and motivation explored
• 05:49–07:09 — Susan’s grassroots investigation
• 07:12–08:34 — The partnership with Tom Mangold
• 08:59–10:43 — Introduction & account from key witness Victoria Caldwell

Episode Tone, Style, and Final Thoughts

"Graves County" launches not just as a whodunit but as an urgent re-examination of the stories we build around tragedy and the fallibility of justice systems. The tone is classic true crime—haunting, thoughtful, and rich with detail—while also unafraid to question prevailing narratives. Through the voices of Maggie Freleng, Susan Galbraith (often in her own words), and others, the episode powerfully introduces a case that promises no easy answers, only more hard questions to come.