Digest

This episode of True Crime Bullshit delves into the discovery of a local newspaper, the Malone Telegram, dated February 10, 2004, found in Israel Keyes' Constable Cabin. This finding prompts a re-evaluation of Keyes' Utah trip in February 2004, particularly as it relates to Maura Murray's disappearance on February 9th, 2004. The episode explores the FBI's timeline of Keyes' Utah trip, highlighting inconsistencies and assumptions made in its construction. The episode also examines the potential significance of the newspaper's presence in the cabin, considering various scenarios for how it might have gotten there. The episode concludes with a discussion about the impact of media coverage on Maura Murray's case and the importance of empathy in true crime storytelling. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to continue sharing Maura's story and to avoid harmful speculation and misinformation.

Outlines

00:00:00

Announcement Regarding Season Finale

This Chapter begins with an announcement that the episode will be the penultimate episode of part one of season six due to the host's need to prioritize his cat Beatrice, who is entering end-of-life palliative care.

00:01:16

Introduction and Guest

This Chapter introduces the episode's guest, Julie Murray, sister of Maura Murray, who disappeared in 2004. The host discusses his first meeting with Julie at the True Crime Podcast Festival in Dallas and the impact of her panel discussion on the negative impacts of true crime media on families of victims.

00:08:40

The Malone Telegram Newspaper

This Chapter focuses on the discovery of a local newspaper, the Malone Telegram, dated February 10, 2004, found in Israel Keyes' Constable Cabin. The host discusses the significance of the newspaper's presence in the cabin, considering various scenarios for how it might have gotten there.

00:13:22

Examining Keyes' Utah Trip

This Chapter delves into the FBI's timeline of Keyes' Utah trip in February 2004, highlighting inconsistencies and assumptions made in its construction. The host discusses the lack of flight records for the trip and the reliance on rental car records and other circumstantial evidence.

00:21:31

Keyes' Life in Early 2004

This Chapter provides context for Keyes' Utah trip by examining his life in early 2004, a period marked by personal turmoil, including the death of his father and marital problems.

00:23:58

Analyzing the Rental Car Mileage

This Chapter analyzes the mileage on Keyes' rental car during his Utah trip, suggesting that he may have traveled to other locations beyond those documented in the FBI's timeline.

00:29:31

Re-Examining Maura Murray's Disappearance

This Chapter revisits Maura Murray's disappearance, highlighting details that raise red flags in light of the new information about Keyes' potential presence in the area.

00:31:35

Reaching Out to Julie Murray

This Chapter describes the host's decision to reach out to Julie Murray with the new information about Keyes and the newspaper. The host discusses his conversation with Julie and her decision to allow him to report on the findings.

00:34:21

New Information About the Cabin

This Chapter reveals new information about the Constable Cabin, including the discovery of a previous tenant who lived there in October 2003. The host discusses his conversation with the tenant and the implications for the newspaper's presence in the cabin.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the significance of the Malone Telegram newspaper found in Israel Keyes' Constable Cabin?

  The discovery of the Malone Telegram newspaper, dated February 10, 2004, in Keyes' cabin is significant because it raises questions about his potential presence in the area around the time Maura Murray disappeared on February 9th, 2004. The newspaper's presence in the cabin, despite Keyes' alleged trip to Utah during that time, suggests that he may have been in the area or that the newspaper was left there by someone else.

• What are some of the inconsistencies and assumptions in the FBI's timeline of Keyes' Utah trip?

  The FBI's timeline of Keyes' Utah trip is based on limited evidence, including rental car records and a few credit card transactions. The timeline lacks flight records, and the FBI appears to have made assumptions about Keyes' travel patterns, such as assuming he flew directly to Salt Lake City from Seattle and returned directly to Seattle. The host argues that these assumptions are flawed and that Keyes may have traveled to other locations during the trip.

• What are some of the details about Maura Murray's disappearance that raise red flags in light of the new information about Keyes?

  Several details about Maura Murray's disappearance, including the presence of a mysterious man driving a red pickup truck, Maura's interest in buying a used car, and a call to her phone from an unknown caller in the late afternoon hours of February 9th, suggest a potential connection to Keyes. These details, combined with the discovery of the Malone Telegram newspaper, raise questions about Keyes' possible involvement in her disappearance.

• What is the importance of empathy in true crime storytelling?

  Empathy is crucial in true crime storytelling because it allows creators and consumers to understand and share the feelings of victims and their families. By approaching true crime stories with empathy, we can avoid harmful speculation and misinformation, and we can ensure that victims are not reduced to mere characters in a narrative. Empathy helps us to remember that these are real people with real lives and real losses.

• What can people do to help in unsolved cases like Maura Murray's?

  The best thing people can do to help in unsolved cases is to keep talking about the victim and keep their story in the public consciousness. This helps to ensure that the case is not forgotten and that new information may come to light. People should also avoid harmful speculation and misinformation, as this can retraumatize victims and their families.

• What is Julie Murray's perspective on the media coverage of Maura's disappearance?

  Julie Murray believes that the media coverage of Maura's disappearance has been harmful to her family, as it has spread misinformation and retraumatized them. She emphasizes the importance of empathy in true crime storytelling and the need to focus on the victim's humanity rather than sensationalizing the case.

• What is the significance of the conversation between Josh Hallmark and Julie Murray at the True Crime Podcast Festival in Dallas?

  The conversation between Josh Hallmark and Julie Murray at the True Crime Podcast Festival in Dallas is significant because it highlights the importance of empathy and responsible storytelling in true crime media. Julie's panel discussion on the negative impacts of true crime media on families of victims underscores the need for creators and consumers to approach these stories with sensitivity and respect.

• What is the significance of the new information about the Constable Cabin and its previous tenant?

  The new information about the Constable Cabin and its previous tenant, who lived there in October 2003, is significant because it casts doubt on the possibility that the Malone Telegram newspaper found in the cabin was left there by Keyes. The tenant's account suggests that he and his wife may have returned to the cabin to collect their belongings after moving out, potentially bringing the newspaper with them.

• What is the significance of the host's decision to reach out to Julie Murray with the new information about Keyes?

  The host's decision to reach out to Julie Murray with the new information about Keyes is significant because it demonstrates his commitment to ethical storytelling and his respect for victims and their families. The host's willingness to share the information with Julie and to allow her to decide whether or not to report on it underscores the importance of transparency and collaboration in true crime investigations.

Show Notes