Investigation: Homicide

On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Nicole Kral welcome Bubba Holifield, a current detective with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department and former investigator and polygraph examiner with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. With years of experience on some of the state’s most complex cases, Holifield has seen firsthand how the polygraph can shift the course of an investigation.   Together, they’ll unpack cases where the polygraph played a pivotal role—sometimes confirming suspicions, sometimes clearing the innocent, and often opening doors to critical breakthroughs. Listeners will get an insider’s view into how this controversial but powerful investigative tool is used, what it can and can’t prove, and why it still matters in the pursuit of justice. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson speak with Bo Bertling, a licensed professional counselor with the Texas Department of corrections. Having spent years working with some of the most dangerous offenders in the Texas prison system, Bertling shares a rare perspective on the psychology of a violent criminal – how the mind develops, and what Law Enforcement and society need to understand in order to confront, prevent, or maybe even correct it. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On tonight’s episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson sit down with Sgt. Jordan Jones, an Army Green Beret and special forces medic, to discuss the lasting impact of 9/11 on the world and his career. Sgt. Jones shares powerful stories from his time in the military, reflections on patriotism, and his personal journey from the battlefield to his latest venture—HOLOS, a wellness and performance optimization company dedicated to military personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and high-stress professionals. Don't miss this deep conversation about resilience, service, and what it means to truly give back to those who serve. This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy.

This week on Investigation: Homicide, co-hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson dig into the chilling case of Miguel Oros — a suspected serial predator whose crimes stretched across Mississippi and Louisiana, leaving elderly victims in fear for years. After vanishing across international borders, Oros was finally tracked down and brought back to face justice. Joining us is MBI Lt. Col. Jimmy Herzog, one of the investigators who worked the case, to share how law enforcement pieced it all together and what it took to capture him.   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this episode of Investigation: Homicide, Nicole and Amanda sit down with Robert Latham, retired Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), to reflect on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina; a storm that forever changed the Mississippi Gulf Coast.   Robert shares his perspective on the monumental challenges faced by first responders, local leaders, and everyday citizens in the days and weeks following the storm. From coordinating emergency response efforts amid unprecedented destruction to addressing the overwhelming needs of displaced families, he provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to hold communities together in the face of crisis.   This conversation explores not only the devastation left in Katrina’s wake but also the resilience and determination of Mississippi’s people. Robert discusses the lessons learned, the importance of preparation, and the spirit of unity that emerged when neighbors, volunteers, and responders came together to rebuild.   Through stories of heartbreak, heroism, and hope, this episode offers a powerful reminder of the impact Katrina had on the Gulf Coast and the lasting legacy it left behind.   Many thanks to Tim Dillard at Line Shot Photography for making today’s episode possible! To book your session, visit www.LineShotPhotography.com or email Tim@LineShotPhotography.com   This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson of Audio Alchemy

A missing man. A burned-out car. And a quiet Mississippi county holding its breath.   Gregory Varnado vanished in August 2024. Weeks later—his remains were found in the ashes of his burned-out vehicle.   Now, Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett takes us inside the investigation… and the unanswered question: What happened to Greg Varnado?   #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrimePodcast #GregoryVarnado #LawrenceCounty #MississippiCrime #UnsolvedMystery #HomicideInvestigation #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimePodcast #AudioAlchemyProductions #TrueCrimeAddict #CrimeStory #MurderMystery #TrueCrimeJunkie #CrimeCase #SheriffInterview #TrueCrimeMississippi This is Investigation: Homicide. New episode streaming now, brought to you by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.

On May 24, 1992, 39-year-old nurse and mother of two, Gail Mosby, was found dead in her bathtub in Jackson, Mississippi. Initially believed to be a suicide, the scene raised red flags—shallow water, blood in the tub, and a small bruise on her body. Investigators soon uncovered a chilling truth: Gail's death wasn’t self-inflicted but the result of a deadly conspiracy.     Our friend, Retired JPD Detective Charlie Smith, joins us to discuss this case that was featured Sunday on Oxygen's "Snapped," and to give us the story behind the story.   This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this episode of Investigation: Homicide, Nicole and Amanda sit down with Captain Christian Vance of the Jackson Police Department, a dedicated law enforcement leader passionate about reducing crime and strengthening ties between officers and the community they serve.   Captain Vance shares his insight on the challenges facing Jackson, Mississippi, including rising crime rates, youth involvement in criminal activity, and the importance of early intervention. He discusses innovative youth outreach initiatives, community-driven policing strategies, and the vital role of trust between citizens and law enforcement in solving crimes and preventing violence.   From personal stories in the field to practical solutions aimed at steering young people away from dangerous paths, this conversation offers a unique look at how collaboration, empathy, and proactive policing can help make our communities safer.   This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson of Audio Alchemy Productions.

This week, join the ladies of Investigation: Homicide as they sit down with Walthall County Detective Justin Dyar to dig into the chilling case of Yerby Hughes, the man who murdered Chad Bryant and then vanished into the woods of rural Mississippi. How did Hughes slip through law enforcement’s fingers after leaving the scene in his victim’s truck? And what led to his dramatic capture in an abandoned shed—just 48 hours after the crime? Investigator Dyar recounts the twists, the tracking, and the team effort that brought a killer to justice. This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.

Oxford is a college town full of all kinds of people from all over the state. Sometimes that can make certain crimes harder to investigate in the cross-section of Mississippi humanity. Tonight, Therese Apel and Nicole Kral look into the investigation led by Oxford Police Department’s Lt. Mark Hodges, who found himself unraveling a case of attacks, burglaries, and other odd occurrences in Oxford and neighboring Union County. Wayne “Kysten” Fiddis of Holly Springs appeared to be just an average guy, fairly unassuming, and mostly off the radar. But when police realized the connections between several burglaries and assaults in 2020, one victim’s razor-sharp memory and the work of a gifted police sketch artist set the case into motion. As Lt. Hodges and his team followed the trail, DNA evidence and a pattern of similarities across cases began to emerge. Join us as we explore how persistence, intuition, and a few key breakthroughs led authorities to uncover the truth behind the man who could easily disappear into the background. This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.

Jackson, Mississippi — a city long marked by both triumph and turbulence — has seen its share of highs and lows. At the heart of its evolving story stands the Jackson Police Department, an institution as tested as the city itself. After years of strain under a troubled administration that many within law enforcement say pushed the department to the brink, a new chapter is underway at City Hall.   With the retention of Chief Joseph Wade at JPD, optimism is cautiously building Chief Wade has been tasked with — and is succeeding at — restoring stability to the department, rebuilding morale, and addressing a growing need for accountability and public trust.   Tonight, on Investigation: Homicide, Chief Wade sits down with us to talk about his plans to recruit new and veteran officers, strengthen partnerships with neighboring agencies, and reestablish confidence in Jackson’s police force.   As the city looks to the future, the question remains: can one strong leader bring lasting change to a department — and a community — in need of both? This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this true story from Rankin County, Mississippi, Chief Medical Examiner David Ruth tells us how a decades-old mystery was finally solved through groundbreaking forensic genetic genealogy. Follow the harrowing 1990 case of a young waitress known as “Jane,” whose courage helped crack open a serial rapist’s identity after years of silence. Discover how science, perseverance, and a fight for justice converged to bring resolution to a survivor and accountability to a predator. Also, we find out how it's connected to the infamous Shondra May case. Justice may be delayed, but it isn’t denied.   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In 2018, a peaceful afternoon inside a Starkville, Mississippi Walmart turned into a nightmare. Dr. Shauna Witt, a beloved optometrist, was gunned down while seeing a patient in her clinic just shortly after ending her relationship with William “Tommy” Chisholm.   In this episode, we sit down with Sergeant John Michael Lay, the lead investigator who supervised the scene and directed the collection of key evidence that helped secure a capital murder conviction. He walks us through the critical first moments after the shooting, how the crime scene was processed, and the chilling timeline that unfolded inside those Walmart walls.   It took jurors just 26 minutes to return a guilty verdict. But behind that swift justice was a meticulous investigation and a story of heartbreak, obsession, and a woman who tried to move on.   This case is as public as it is personal. And it’s one Mississippi won’t forget.   #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrimePodcast #ShaunaWitt #JusticeForShauna #StarkvilleMS #DomesticViolenceAwareness #HomicideInvestigation #WalmartShooting #CapitalMurder #MississippiCrime This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of vehicles travel Mississippi’s interstates. Most of them are occupied by honest, well-meaning citizens, but a small percentage contain cartel drugs, kidnapped minors, and wanted suspects. The members of the Madison Rankin County Criminal Interdiction team encounter them all. Well, what they do is largely misunderstood; it is vital. Today Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson talk with members of the team about what a normal day looks like. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In 2007, a chilling discovery shook Jackson, Mississippi. The body of Mary Heather Spencer was found inside a home on Trawick Drive, a property tied to her boyfriend’s family. What began as a tragic crime scene quickly unfolded into a high-profile homicide investigation that would become a landmark case in the conversation around domestic violence. In this episode, we sit down with former JPD Homicide Investigator Derrick Jordan, the man who helped bring the truth to light and put Heather’s killer behind bars. He takes us through the intense investigation, the key moments that broke the case, and the legacy Heather left behind through the work of “Heather’s TREE,” a group that continues to raise awareness about domestic violence today. This story is gripping, heartbreaking, and deeply important. #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrimePodcast #HeatherSpencer #DomesticViolenceAwareness #JusticeServed #JacksonMississippi #HomicideFiles #ColdCaseCracked #HeathersTREE This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

The situation is chilling: A suspect has barricaded himself in a building and he has hostages. Law enforcement need to resolve the problem quickly and without any injuries, but it seems a daunting task. Today, Therese Apel talks to co-host Amanda Johansson and Sgt. Terri’s Thomas about the work they do on the Crisis Intervention Team — the job more commonly known as “The Negotiator.”   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this riveting episode of Investigation: Homicide, District Attorney Brendon Adams joins us to discuss a case that rocked Lincoln County to its core. Corey Godbolt went on a killing spree during the memorial Day weekend of 2017, and by the time he was done, 8 people were dead, including Lincoln County Deputy William Durr. But before the day was over, he confessed to Durr’s murder on Therese Apel‘s camera. Godbolt got what was coming to him at trial in 2020, ending up being sentenced to four life sentences and four death sentences. Adams walks us through that harrowing weekend and the impact of those events on the community.   https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/06/06/see-uncut-footage-arrest-alleged-spree-killer-cory-godbolt/375399001/   https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/05/28/man-sought-death-lincoln-deputy-multiple-others-allegedly-has-16-year-old-hostage/352133001/   https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ms-supreme-court/115910331.html   https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/05/30/mississippi-shooting-hero/353528001/   https://www.wlbt.com/2020/02/25/closing-arguments-happening-today-godbolt-trial/?outputType=amp This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions

May 15 marks National Peace Officers Memorial Day—a time set aside to honor those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. In this special episode, retired Jackson Police Department Detective Charlie Smith sits down with hosts Therese Apel and Nicole Kral to reflect on what it truly means to serve and protect. From high-stakes investigations to the personal toll that comes with wearing the badge, Detective Smith shares powerful stories from his decorated career and the deeper cost of standing in the gap between right and wrong. This episode is a tribute not just to the fallen, but to every officer who answers the call with courage and commitment. #InvestigationHomicidePodcast #PeaceOfficersMemorialDay #LawEnforcementLife #TrueCrimePodcast #BehindTheBadge #JacksonMS #DetectiveCharlieSmith #PoliceStories #ThinBlueLine   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this gripping episode, Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson sit down with Madison/Rankin County DA Bubba Bramlett and Assistant DA Scott Rogillio to unravel the chilling case against Walter Simpson. Driven by rejection and resentment, Simpson’s carefully crafted alibi couldn’t withstand the relentless detective work that exposed his involvement in the 2018 murders of Falonda Jobe-Simpson and her daughter Davonda Washington. Join us as we delve into how justice was served through dedication and skilled investigation.   Click HERE for all podcast and social media links! https://linktr.ee/investigationhomicide   #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrime #WalterSimpson #FamilyTragedy #Justice #CrimePodcast #MurderCase #DetectiveWork #LegalJustice #TrueCrimeCommunity This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions. 

For nearly four decades, the murder of Shondra May has haunted central Mississippi—until now. In this powerful new episode of Investigation: Homicide, Sheriff Mike Lee and Chief Deputy Brad Ellis return to the studio to sit down with Therese Apel and walk us through the shocking arrest of Rubin Weeks, a former suspect who had vanished into the shadows… until justice came knocking. Weeks, found living in Madison, was previously imprisoned in Missouri for a crime eerily similar to Shondra’s case.   From early suspicions to groundbreaking developments, discover the behind-the-scenes strategies, gut instincts, and relentless pursuit that finally brought a suspect into custody.   Join us live at 5 and bring your questions—this is one case you don’t want to miss.   #ColdCaseSolved #ShondraMay #RubinWeeks #ScottCountySheriff #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeForShondra #ColdCaseBreakthrough #ThereseApel #MississippiCrime #HomicideInvestigation This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.