Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

The now former Pueblo County Colorado Coroner, Brian Cotter,  has been replaced after an inspection of his Funeral Home found 20 decomposing bodies behind a hidden door. The bodies were supposed to have been cremated. Cotter told inspectors he gave grieving families "fake ashes". Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take a look at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado as well as similar cases where hundreds of bodies that were supposed to be buried or cremated ended up being desecrated while their loved ones became victims of fraud.          Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction 00:44.66 Hiding a crime behind a closed door  04:54.49 Pueblo County has a new Coroner 09:05.34 Smell of human decomposition  14:03.03 Why were the bodies not buried or cremated? 20:07.57 Somebody had to know something was wrong  25:03.44 Some families would never get over the trauma 29:48.35 Storing bodies without embalming 34:19.74 North Georgia, 300 bodies, not buried, not cremated 39:28.65 This is happening more often lately 42:36.80 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie Kirk was a lightning rod for many people around the world. Some people loved him, some people didn't. Kirk believed that when we stop talking, having a dialogue with those with whom we disagree, bad things happen.  Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack were called to be on the air minutes after the shooting of Charlie Kirk before his death was announced. Since then, Joseph Scott Morgan has been on at least one show each day talking about this murder in broad daylight.        Transcribe Highlights 00:13.15 Introduction 01:46.38 The Death of Charlie Kirk 05:04.66 Snyper had backpack to brace himself 09:40.54 College Campus filled with CCTV 14:00.17 Cartridges will provide info 19:54.71 Round drops as it goes down range 24:04.54 Concealed weapon used to kill Charlie Kirk 29:01.53 Description of area and crowd 33:43.00 Gun found in wooded area 39:14.10 Text messages between Robinson and boyfriend 43:36.94  ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's in a name? For Joseph Scott Morgan, it is very special, a family history, a personal story, and a challenge to make life a little less ordinary.  In this very special episode of "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Joe talks about the man he is named after as well as a family history that is very deep, very dark, and very scary, but in the end, a life filled with unicorns, daffodils, and rainbows. The story begins with his namesake, his uncle, Joseph F. Killian (1903-1951)             Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction  03:33.98 Othram determined to identify everyone 08:33.43 Joseph Killian, murdered 13:09.70 A daylight execution, 4 shots fired 19:26.89 Joseph, named after "uncle" 25:32.28 Dad moves Mom and Joe to Georgia, and leaves 30:02.29 Landed back in New Orleans, going to school 35:41.35 Autopsy on bodies so fresh, organs still warm 40:01.72 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for Travis Decker began when he failed to return his three daughters to their mother after court ordered visitation. It took less than 72 hours to find the girls bodies, suffocated with bags over their heads in the campground area their homeless father called 'home'. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack update the story as bones have been discovered "in the area" where Decker allegedly killed his daughters.             Transcribe Highlights 00:01.57 Introduction  05:05.93 Travis Decker is homeless living in a camp he made in the woods 09:30.35 The Decker girls bodies are found where there father was living 15:03.03 Bones found near Decker campsite 20:20.68 Why were bones found after three months of searching? 25:32.15 Suzanne Morphew bones were bleached white when found  30:42.68 Fractured, small parts of bone can be carried off my animals 35:22.50 Animal bones will be more robust than human bones 40:19.62 Decker used grocery bags around campsite, used to suffocate girls 45:21.88 Bones from big animals possible  49:12.12 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noah Presgrove's estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit in June naming Jack Newton, his father, Caleb Newton, and five others. So far, the only response came from Jack Newton and Caleb Newton.   The other defendants in the wrongful death suit include Avery Jo Howard, Carter Combs, Johnnie Trout Wilcoxson Jr., Stevie Howard and Logan Jernigan. Avery, Carter and Logan allegedly threw the party Noah attended on Johnnie's property, in a home owned by Stevie, according to the suit. In  the wrongful death suit, Jack Newton is alleged to have got alcohol for the party and his father, Caleb Newton, allowed them to use the vehicle that Noah rolled over. The UPDATE is the response filed by the attorney for Jack Newton (supposed to be Noah's best friend) and his father who claim Noah's death two years ago was “an unavoidable accident, casualty and misfortune" AND they blame Noah!!!!!!         Transcribe Highlights 00:00.42 Introduction 02:35.80 Noah Presgrove Horror Movie 08:12:51 Pedestrian vs Vehicle 10:20.99 Story of decapitation in car wreck 15:42.11 Injuries suffered by Noah 19:57.61 10 Broken ribs and more 25:16.27 Description of road rash 30:08.08 Skin torn to the bone 35:15.49 Were teeth knocked out or fractured 39:15.13 Was intoxicated 46:42.97 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Borden was arrested days after the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Her trial was held the following June. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack finish telling the story of what happened in the Borden home that fateful August morning and the investigation that followed. Professor Morgan explains how the heads of both victims were removed and what it took to prepare the skulls to appear in court for the trial of Lizzie Borden. It is no secret that Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the murders of her father and stepmother. The case remains an unsolved homicide.            Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction  01:10.88 Timeline of Borden murders 03:25.18 Bodies in state of decay 07:09.39 What happens to injuries one week later 12:30.25 Mr and Mrs Borden both wore dentures 17:25.23 Borden ladies familiar with hatchet 22:55.84 Who was the target?  28:36.97 Mr Borden was large man 33:52.18 Injuries were vicious 39:21.22 Conclusion   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Borden took an axe, She gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done,She gave her father forty-one. It is a gruesome school yard rhyme known by millions of people, but it is factually inaccurate. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the UNSOLVED Murder of Andrew and Abby Borden in August 1892. Lizzie Borden was arrested and charged in the double homicide and went on trial in June 1893. Many people have heard of the crime but very few know what really happened, including how the schoolyard rhyme is incorrect and how the prosecutor brought the skulls of Andrew and Abby Borden into court!         Transcribe Highlights00:00.88 Introduction  03:06.17 Fall River, Mass 05:11.48 Skulls in court  11:08.63 Faces Lab at LSU 16:08.46 Andrew Borden, tightwad 20:04.96 Andrew killed Lizzie's pigeons 24:56.48 Head injuries were bad on both 30:55.64 Jury sees the skulls 34:47.96 Conclusion part 1    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Update on Tara Baker Homicide. Tara Baker was a law student at UGA when she was murdered on January 19, 2001. Her apartment was set on fire to cover-up the murder.  It took nearly 10 years to get a death certificate and more than another 10 to arrest a suspect. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case and why the trial of Edrick Lamont Faust, scheduled to begin in October, 2025, has been moved to January 2026.                Transcript Highlights00:01.05 Introduction  02:34.58 Tara Baker, working and going to law school 05:01.75 Murders of Tara Baker and Laken Riley were less than 5 miles apart 10:08.02 Death Certificate is a "marker" 15:32.75 911 call was for an apartment fire 20:02.45 Firefighters have to be aware of their surroundings 24:56.80 Clothing might not burn - completely 29:56.47 Looking for what isn't destroyed by fire 33:17.54 Strap muscles in neck can indicate strangling 39:06.13 Fire used after the fact 43:42.43 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmanuel Haro is still missing. His parents are both in jail and charged in his death. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case as well as what Jake Haro did to his daughter when she was just 10-weeks-old.  Haro pleaded guilty and served 6-months in a work release program, but the 10-week-old is now seven and permanently bedridden because of the abuse inflicted by her father when she was an infant.         Transcribe Highlights00:01.87 Introduction 02:07.37 Emmanuel Haro update 04:30.26 Rebecca Haro "black eye"  10:02.49 Looking back at 7-year-old daughter of Jake Haro 15:10.17 Soft-spot on the head of small child 20:14.87 Jake Haro beat 10-week-old daughter 25:08.74 Emmanuel Haro body not found 29:38.69 Placing child in trash very specific 33:10.04 Abuser may doctor shop 38:36.91 Police still searching for body 41:58.28 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a mystery that has captured national attention, Washington father Travis Decker picked up his three young daughters on May 30 for a "planned visitation," and never came back. The three girls -- Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5 -- were found dead near a Washington state campground on June 2. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case that has one of the most shocking crime scenes of all time.  Professor Morgan explains the forensic evidence left behind inside the bags and the bloody handprint on the truck.  As of today, Travis Decker is still on the run, the lone suspect in the murder of his three little girls. Officials say anyone who sees Decker or knows of his whereabouts should call 911.          Transcribe Highlights00:00.88 Introduction  02:06.17 The Murder of the Decker Sisters 05:11.48 Decker picked up his girls for visitation 10:08.63 Help is a two-way street 15:08.46 Search for Decker began June 2nd 20:04.96 Bloody handprint on tailgate of truck  24:56.48 Bags don't breathe 30:55.64 Passive Homicide 34:47.96 Decker has a decent level of training 40:04.66 Decker DNA found on the bags 45:24.15 Eric Robert Rudolph 49:27.37 Conclusion    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent release of police bodycam footage from Moscow, Idaho and the interview with Dylan Mortensen answers a lot of questions for those who have followed the case. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the latest information on the case including the FBI doing something they publicly said they would never do, and how Othram helped put the monster away for the rest of his life.               Transcribe Highlights 00:00.05 Introduction  01:12.31 Show recorded on August 22, 2025 02:05.82 Discussion about DNA 05:01.99 Kohberger drove around house multiple times  09:51.40 Relating to the families involved  15:06.47 Scream "someone" is in house, mistakes Xana for Kaylee 20:00.77 Sounds made on staircase 25:13.04 DNA Scientist 30:09.48 FBI inserts the agency into the case 35:28.67 Genetic Genealogy is a game changer 42:01.94 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 12, 2025, Los Angeles Investigators take a missing person report for 33-year-old wife and mother, Sheylla Cabrera. The next day Detectives locate security footage showing Sheylla's husband, Jossimar Cabrera, dragging a "large object" wrapped in material from their apartment complex. Sheylla's body is found the day after she is reported missing wrapped in a sheet/blanket and tossed down an embankment in the Angeles National Forest. When police try to meet with Jossimar Cabrera to notify him they found his wife, deceased, they discover he has packed up their three children and headed for Peru. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case and what type of evidence investigators will find inside the wrapping around the deceased mother of three, their now empty apartment and what type of digital forensic evidence might come into play.            Transcribe Highlights  00:00.00 Introduction - Sheylla Cabrera  03:33.49 Los Angeles County is huge 05:16.89 TMZ: Thirty Mile Zone  09:30.53 Suspect possibly caught dragging wife in a bag 10:37.54 Dave Talks about Movie he was in where he drug a body 14:31.19 Dead body is really "dead weight" 19:05.83 Body of Sheylla found one day after being reported missing 23:40.11 Cabrera flees before body found 28:50.65 Sheylla filed dv charge in Peru 34:10.07 Sheet will have evidence  38:17.06 Isolated in LA 39:57.35 Conclusion   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha Nolan O'Slattarra is a business woman on the rise in the fashion world who turns up dead on a yacht in one of the richest places in the USA, Montauk in the Hamptons, New York. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the  case and what is known as of this taping but with an update coming when final toxicology results are available.              Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction  01:17.03 The song is Ripple by the Dead 04:03.73 Woman found dead on yacht 09:08.94 Finder on dock nude 14:49.84 Without obvious injury, what do you look at first? 20:43.73 Finder invested in Martha Nolan 25:34.83 The only source for info is naked guy 30:00.31 People don't snort drugs from a seat 35:11.76 Chris Durnan bit firefighter 40:24.01 Multiple agencies working the case 42:01.53 Conclusion    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forensic Odontology is much more than just "bite mark" evidence. It is an incredible science that helps identify people and provide answers to families. That said, most people hear Forensic Odontology think "Bite Mark".  "Bite Mark" evidence has been used in many criminal cases over several decades, until science started showing it might not be as conclusive as once thought.  Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about Ted Bundy leaving a bite mark on Lisa Levy's buttocks that later served to help convict and sentence him to death as well as other crimes solved and people sentenced to death using "bite mark" evidence that turned out to be something other than a bite mark.                Transcribe Highlights00:03.55 Introduction   00:50.52 Forensic Odontologist 04:31.54 Wear pattern of teeth  09:01.90 Did Kohberger study forensic odontology 14:02.90 Teeth biting sadists 20:09.39 Identifying people in a plane crash 1982 24:52.28 using saw to pop the roof of the mouth and remove teeth 30:11.52 Biting an apple 34:23.79 Girl stolen from home while mom folds clothes 39:13.61 Bite marks as a science 44:24.65 Bite mark out of a hickey 46:17.22 Conclusion  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Scott Morgan gives a master class on Crime Scene Body Examination and Assessment. Professor Morgan offers insight from being on the scene and what is truly important and what needs to be done to insure justice prevails for the person who can no longer speak for themselves. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack also discuss the shocking truth of what happened at the scene of two of the most high profile crimes of the last 50 years; Trayvon Martin and Jodi Arias victim, Travis Alexander.              Transcribe Highlights00:00.84 Introduction - Crime Scene 03:10.57 There is only one first time  05:39.41 Every site, every time 09:57.20 Different levels of comfort 15:07.57 First thing, make sure person is dead 19:37.93 Cold from a dead body 25:08.37 Suicide victim wasn't dead 30:31.89 Homicide detectives moving up  35:23.28 Everyone is watching  40:06.88 Want to transport body as if it were still at the scene 45:15.73 Trayvon Martin Autopsy report 50:07.39 Body needs to be examined at scene 52:15.60 Conclusion  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human remains were found scattered on a Georgia Hunting club property in November 2022. The remains were found in a three-mile area covering two counties, and investigators reached out to the public for help. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case that was investigated by multiple agencies, including the GBI and the FBI. They explain how the agencies came to identify the scattered remains as those of Mindi Mebane Kassotis, the wife of Nicholas Kassotis a former member of the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG).  Kassotis is on trial right now for several charges, including murder and removal of body parts from the scene of death or dismemberment.         Transcribe Highlights 00:00.00 Introduction 03:33.49 No sympathy for those who should know better 04:59.21 Body Parts found in hunting club 09:30.53 Jeffrey MacDonald Article 32 Hearing  15:11.73 Sketch Image of victim was amazing 20:10.93 DNA is great if you have a sample in the system 24:58.72 Genetic genealogy  30:52.17 Tissue on skeleton 35:27.14 Dismemberment 39:22.78 May never know how she was killed  41:12.21 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinton and Cristen Brink have recently moved to Arkansas with their daughters and decide to go for a hike in Devils Den State Park. Without warning, the family is ambushed on a hiking trail by a man with a knife. 43-year-old Clinton fights with the man as 41-year-old Cristen runs with their daughters, 9-year-old Arianna and 7-year-old Christina, until they are a safe distance away from where the attack is taking place. Cristen tells the girls to run towards where they parked their car and get help. Cristen then returns to help her husband. The girls do as they are told, and some hikers in the park find them and take them to the entrance to the park to tell a ranger what happened. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss this shocking case and break down the forensic evidence that is used to identify the suspect, Andrew McGann, and what evidence directly ties him to the crime. Transcript Highlights 00:01.22 Introduction  00:33.99 Haircuts with Pa-Paw 05:05.82 Multiple agency's involved 06:09.21 Two girls trying to find help 10:36.34 Mom gets girls to safety 14:54.34 Suspect gets out of park  18:58.82 Understanding the crime scene 24:00.80 Knife is painful way to die 29:12.39 Tracking suspect 34:14.21 Blood didn't match victims 39:26.36 Injuries on hand of suspect 44:27.28 Suspect Andrew McGann See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Patterson went hunting for special mushrooms, Death Cap Mushrooms. She needed them for a very special meal she was preparing for her soon to be ex-in-laws. Her husband Simon was invited to be at the dinner with his parents and extended family but Simon decided not to be present. He had gotten sick too many times before when he wasn't able to watch his wife, Erin, prepare the food they ate. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack are covering this story, again, because there is finally a conclusion to the case. Was Erin Patterson wrongly accused of trying to kill her husband and his family with Beef Wellington and mushrooms, or was she using this very special dish as a weapon for murder?            Transcribe Highlights  00:04.45 Introduction - Favorite meals  02:11.60 Beef Wellington used for murder 07:17.61 Toxic Mushroom - Death Cap Mushroom 11:10.88 What was to goal? 15:39.31 Patterson picked deadly mushrooms on purpose 20:03.78 Family members die, one needs liver transplant 25:35.37 Husband, Simon, nearly died multiple times 30:05.28 Symptoms are the same, food is different 35:17.86 Doctor friend tells victim to keep food journal 40:19.74 Could not solve the problem 45:11.15 Children will be scarredconclusion   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FBI's investigation into James Knott's Kentucky home reveals a shocking discovery: 40 human skulls, femurs, hip bones, and spinal cords used as decorations. In response to this disturbing find, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve deep into the complex and unsettling world of how human remains are treated, examining the blurred boundaries between respect and violation. Through personal stories, including that of a mortician's questionable actions and a chilling account of James Knott's home adorned with human skulls, the duo grapples with society's morbid fascinations. Additionally, they explore historical figures like William Burke and contemporary controversies surrounding Harvard Medical School. The episode culminates in a somber reflection on the trade of human trophies in our digital age, and discussion of ethical dilemmas surrounding these issues, prompting us to question our society's values and the importance of respecting the dignity of the deceased.       Time-codes: [00:00:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan gives an overview of his experience as a death investigator, introducing the episode's story about a man who worked for a prestigious institution and drove a car with vanity plate hinting at death [00:04:00] - Joe Scott narrates a shocking tale of a mortician's twisted expression of love, and argues that the dead are the most defenseless and that those in the mortuary industry should honor the dead. [00:06:20] - Dave Mack introduces the story of James Knott, a man in Kentucky whose home was raided by the FBI, leading to the discovery of 40 human skulls and other bones used as decorations. [00:07:44] - Insight into the intricate and complex process of dissecting human brains and spinal cords is shared. [00:10:13] - Joe's passion for history and architecture leads to a discussion on ossuaries in Portugal and Milan, Italy. [00:13:00] - Joe recounts the chilling response of James Knott to FBI agents during a warrant execution and raises questions about Knott's motives and activities, speculating on the possibility of him being a necrophile, grave robber, serial killer, or trafficker in human remains. [00:15:20] - A Harvard medical school bag's discovery thickens the plot around Knott. [00:16:37] - Dave probes the enigma of preparing human remains for display, including cleaning and sourcing the remains.  [00:19:40] - How can one acquire so many skulls? Joe presents his theories and also discusses methods of cleaning bones, including using bleach or a heating process.  [00:23:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan delves into the history of William Burke and William Hare, two serial killers known for selling bodies for medical dissections, and explains the prohibition against human dissections in medical schools during that period, leading to a market for human remains. [00:25:37] - The debate steers towards the legality and ethics of anatomical gifts, and the trust issues surrounding anatomical donations. Harvard Medical School's involvement in this case raises questions. 00:27:12] Morgan explains how certain individuals, including Cecil Lodge, former head of the Harvard Medical School Anatomical Gift Program, allegedly brokered human remains. [00:28:06] - A step-by-step journey through the body dissection process in medical schools. [00:29:38] - The morbid market of body parts as "souvenirs" is put under the spotlight. Dave highlights the modern-day horror of trading human trophies on social media. [00:32:00] - Joe Scott contemplates the future repercussions of the episode's revelations on industry regulations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A baby is dropped off at the end of a Tennessee driveway. As witnesses call 911 to report the baby, another call is coming in from a county over about a possible quadruple homicide. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the murders of Adrianna Williams, 20, James Wilson, 21, Cortney Rose,, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, and the man who was arrested for the crime after days on the lam, Austin Drummond.                Transcribe Highlights 00:00.11 Introduction  04:02.95 Infant dropped off at the end of driveway 08:15.20 Four dead, two are women 12:05.22 Posting photos on social media 16:14.68 Identification was fast 21:01.80 Possible concealment  24:20.42 Austin Drummond dated the grandmother 28:45.41 Austin Drummond prison cell  32:04.72 Austin Drummond captured 34:02.53 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.