#503 - My Dead Mother Told Me To - Ontario, Oregon
#503 - My Dead Mother Told Me To - Ontario, Oregon
8Digest
This episode of Small Town Murder delves into the life of Anthony "Tony" Mont Wheeler, a man with a complex and troubled past. Tony's story begins with his birth to a 21-year-old mother and a 59-year-old father, a con man who later murdered Tony's mother. Tony's childhood was marked by instability and trauma, leading him to join the Marines and later become a corrections officer. However, Tony's life was plagued by violence and instability, culminating in the disappearance of his wife, Rosa Carasco, and their three-year-old son, Emilio, in Ontario, Oregon. The episode explores Tony's troubled past, his relationships, and the events leading up to the disappearance of his family, leaving listeners to wonder about the truth behind the case. The episode then details Tony's arrest for kidnapping, arson, and theft, and his subsequent commitment to the Oregon State Hospital. The episode explores the complexities of the mental health system and the challenges of dealing with individuals who have committed crimes while suffering from mental illness. The episode also highlights the impact of Tony's actions on his family and the community, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of justice and the complexities of human behavior.
Outlines
Introduction and Overview
This Chapter introduces the podcast "Small Town Murder" and its hosts, James Petrogallo and Jimmy Wiseman. They discuss the upcoming episode, which will focus on a murder that rocked a small community in Ontario, Oregon. They also encourage listeners to check out their website and Patreon for merchandise, live show tickets, and bonus content.
Ontario, Oregon: A Small Town with a Big History
This Chapter dives into the history and demographics of Ontario, Oregon, a small town located on the Idaho border. The hosts discuss the town's founding, its growth during World War II, and its current population and demographics. They also explore the town's crime rate, which is surprisingly high, particularly for property crime. The hosts highlight the town's unique character and its connection to the nearby prison, which has contributed to the town's high crime rate.
The Troubled Past of Anthony "Tony" Mont Wheeler
This Chapter introduces Anthony "Tony" Mont Wheeler, the central figure in the episode's mystery. The hosts delve into Tony's troubled childhood, marked by his mother's murder and his father's instability. They explore Tony's subsequent life, including his time in the Marines, his marriage to Rosa Carasco, and his various jobs. The hosts highlight Tony's history of violence and his tendency to disappear for extended periods, raising questions about his character and his potential involvement in the disappearance of his family.
The Disappearance of Rosa Carasco and Emilio
This Chapter focuses on the disappearance of Tony's wife, Rosa Carasco, and their son, Emilio. The hosts recount the events leading up to the disappearance, including Tony and Rosa's agreement to meet in a parking lot to discuss a divorce. They describe Tony's sudden change of plans, his 15-hour drive to his brother's house in Baker City, Oregon, and the subsequent disappearance of Rosa and Emilio. The chapter leaves listeners with a sense of mystery and suspense, as the truth behind the disappearance remains unclear.
Tony's Descent into Madness
This Chapter details Tony's increasingly erratic behavior, including his strange phone calls to the afterlife, his physical abuse of Rosa, and his attempts to control her every move. The chapter highlights Tony's mental instability and the growing danger he poses to Rosa and Emilio.
The Escape Plan and the Standoff
This Chapter describes Rosa's desperate attempt to escape Tony's control with the help of her brother, Javier. The chapter details the confrontation between Tony and Javier, which culminates in a dramatic standoff with the police. Tony's actions, including firing warning shots and setting his truck on fire, demonstrate his complete mental breakdown.
Tony's Arrest and Commitment
This Chapter recounts Tony's arrest for kidnapping, arson, and assault. The chapter explores the complexities of the mental health system and the challenges of dealing with individuals who have committed crimes while suffering from mental illness. The chapter also highlights the impact of Tony's actions on his family and the community, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of justice and the complexities of human behavior.
Life in the Oregon State Hospital
This Chapter details Tony's commitment to the Oregon State Hospital, a notorious institution known for its poor conditions. The chapter explores the challenges of mental health care in the United States and the impact of inadequate funding on the lives of individuals with mental illness. The chapter also highlights the irony of Tony's situation, as he is confined to a place that is itself a source of trauma and instability.
Tony's Life After Commitment
This Chapter describes Tony's life in the Oregon State Hospital, where he continues to engage in criminal activity, including loan-sharking, selling contraband, and inciting a riot. The chapter highlights the challenges of managing individuals with mental illness in a confined setting and the difficulty of predicting their behavior.
Tony's Release and Continued Criminal Activity
This Chapter details Tony's release from the Oregon State Hospital and his subsequent return to Ontario. The chapter explores the complexities of the mental health system and the challenges of reintegrating individuals with mental illness into society. The chapter also highlights the ongoing danger Tony poses to the community, as he continues to engage in criminal activity, including arson and theft.
Tony's Relationships and Manipulation
This Chapter describes Tony's relationships with women, including his romantic involvement with Roberta Chandler, a fellow patient at the Oregon State Hospital. The chapter highlights Tony's manipulative nature and his ability to exploit the vulnerabilities of others. The chapter also explores the challenges of forming healthy relationships when one is suffering from mental illness.
Tony's Marriage and Family Life
This Chapter details Tony's marriage to Katie Gill and the birth of their two children. The chapter highlights the complexities of Tony's life, as he juggles his responsibilities as a father with his ongoing criminal activity and mental health struggles. The chapter also explores the impact of Tony's actions on his family and the challenges of raising children in a chaotic and unstable environment.
Tony's Relationship with Anita Harman
This Chapter describes Tony's relationship with Anita Harman, a woman he meets at Walmart. The chapter highlights Tony's manipulative nature and his ability to exploit the vulnerabilities of others. The chapter also explores the challenges of forming healthy relationships when one is suffering from mental illness.
Tony's Business Ventures
This Chapter details Tony's business ventures with Anita, including their scrap metal business, Northwest Materials Management Services. The chapter highlights Tony's entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to find opportunities even in the most unlikely of places. The chapter also explores the challenges of running a business when one is suffering from mental illness.
The Scrap Metal Scam
This Chapter describes Tony and Anita's involvement in a scrap metal scam, where they steal metal from the Hyple family and sell it for profit. The chapter highlights Tony's criminal tendencies and his willingness to exploit others for personal gain. The chapter also explores the consequences of Tony's actions, as he is arrested and indicted for aggravated theft.
Tony's Trial and Verdict
This Chapter details Tony's trial for aggravated theft and his subsequent conviction. The chapter explores the complexities of the legal system and the challenges of proving insanity as a defense. The chapter also highlights the impact of Tony's actions on his family and the community, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of justice and the complexities of human behavior.
Keywords
Anthony "Tony" Mont Wheeler
The central figure in the episode's mystery. Tony is a man with a troubled past, marked by his mother's murder and his father's instability. He has a history of violence and instability, including a hit-and-run incident and a period of disappearing for extended periods. Tony's past and his actions raise questions about his potential involvement in the disappearance of his wife and son. He is later diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression and is committed to the Oregon State Hospital for 70 years. Despite his mental illness, Tony continues to engage in criminal activity, including arson, theft, and manipulation of others.
Ontario, Oregon
A small town located in Eastern Oregon, known for its proximity to the Idaho border and its unique character. The town has a history of being a destination for displaced Japanese Americans during World War II and currently has a population of around 11,465 people. Ontario is also known for its high crime rate, particularly for property crime, which is attributed in part to the nearby prison. The town is also home to the Oregon State Hospital, a notorious institution known for its poor conditions.
Rosa Carasco
Tony's wife, who disappeared along with their son, Emilio, in Ontario, Oregon. Rosa described Tony as handsome, charming, and a tireless worker, but she also noted his tendency to disappear for hours at a time. Rosa's disappearance remains a mystery, and the episode explores the events leading up to it, raising questions about Tony's potential involvement. Rosa is a victim of Tony's abuse and manipulation, and her desperate attempts to escape his control highlight the dangers of domestic violence.
Emilio
Tony and Rosa's three-year-old son, who disappeared along with his mother in Ontario, Oregon. Emilio's disappearance is a tragic event, and the episode explores the circumstances surrounding it, leaving listeners to wonder about the truth behind the case. Emilio is a victim of Tony's instability and violence, and his fate remains unknown.
Oregon State Hospital
A state-run psychiatric hospital located in Salem, Oregon. The hospital is known for its poor conditions and its history of abuse and neglect. The hospital is the primary filming location for the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Tony is committed to the Oregon State Hospital for 70 years after being found guilty but insane for kidnapping, arson, and assault. The hospital is a symbol of the challenges of mental health care in the United States and the impact of inadequate funding on the lives of individuals with mental illness.
Psychiatric Security Review Board
A state agency in Oregon that oversees the release and supervision of individuals who have been found guilty but insane of crimes. The board was created in 1977 to provide a middle ground between prison and no treatment for individuals with mental illness. The board's oversight includes regular case manager check-ins, drug and alcohol screening, subsidized housing, mental health care, and work placement. The board's goal is to ensure the safety of both the offenders and the community.
Scrap Metal
Metal that is no longer useful in its original form and is collected and recycled. Scrap metal is a valuable commodity, and it is often collected and sold by individuals and businesses. Tony and Anita's scrap metal business, Northwest Materials Management Services, is a middleman between people with scrap metal and recycling facilities. The business is a source of income for Tony and Anita, but it also becomes a vehicle for their criminal activity, as they steal scrap metal from the Hyple family and sell it for profit.
Domestic Violence
Violence that occurs within a family or intimate relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. Rosa is a victim of Tony's domestic violence, and her experiences highlight the dangers of this type of abuse. Tony's behavior is a pattern of control and manipulation, and his actions demonstrate the destructive nature of domestic violence.
Mental Illness
A condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, or behavior. Mental illness can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and trauma. Tony is diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, and his mental illness plays a significant role in his criminal activity. The episode explores the complexities of mental illness and the challenges of dealing with individuals who have committed crimes while suffering from mental illness.
Insanity Defense
A legal defense that argues that a defendant was not criminally responsible for their actions because they were mentally ill at the time of the crime. The insanity defense is a complex legal issue, and it is often difficult to prove. Tony uses the insanity defense in his trial for aggravated theft, but he is ultimately found guilty. The episode explores the challenges of proving insanity as a defense and the complexities of the legal system.
Q&A
What is the background of Anthony "Tony" Mont Wheeler, the subject of this episode?
Tony's life has been marked by tragedy and instability from a young age. His mother was murdered by his father, a con man, when Tony was only six years old. He later joined the Marines and worked as a corrections officer, but his life was plagued by violence and erratic behavior. These events raise questions about his potential involvement in the disappearance of his wife and son. He is later diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression and is committed to the Oregon State Hospital for 70 years. Despite his mental illness, Tony continues to engage in criminal activity, including arson, theft, and manipulation of others.
What happened to Rosa Carasco and Emilio, Tony's wife and son?
Rosa and Emilio disappeared after Tony abruptly changed plans during a meeting with Rosa to discuss a divorce. Tony drove 15 hours to his brother's house in Baker City, Oregon, leaving Rosa and Emilio behind. Their disappearance remains a mystery, and the episode explores the events leading up to it, leaving listeners to wonder about the truth behind the case. Rosa is a victim of Tony's abuse and manipulation, and her desperate attempts to escape his control highlight the dangers of domestic violence. Emilio's fate remains unknown.
What makes Ontario, Oregon, such a unique setting for this story?
Ontario is a small town with a big history, having been a destination for displaced Japanese Americans during World War II. The town also has a surprisingly high crime rate, particularly for property crime, which is attributed in part to the nearby prison. This unique combination of factors creates a backdrop for the episode's mystery, highlighting the complexities of small-town life and the potential for darkness to lurk beneath the surface. The town is also home to the Oregon State Hospital, a notorious institution known for its poor conditions.
What are some of the key themes explored in this episode?
The episode explores themes of family, trauma, violence, and the search for truth. Tony's troubled past and his actions raise questions about the nature of violence and the impact of trauma on individuals. The disappearance of Rosa and Emilio highlights the fragility of family and the potential for darkness to lurk within seemingly ordinary lives. The episode also emphasizes the importance of seeking answers and uncovering the truth, even in the face of uncertainty. The episode also explores the complexities of the mental health system and the challenges of dealing with individuals who have committed crimes while suffering from mental illness. The episode also highlights the impact of Tony's actions on his family and the community, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of justice and the complexities of human behavior.
What is the Oregon State Hospital, and why is it significant to the story?
The Oregon State Hospital is a state-run psychiatric hospital located in Salem, Oregon. The hospital is known for its poor conditions and its history of abuse and neglect. The hospital is the primary filming location for the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Tony is committed to the Oregon State Hospital for 70 years after being found guilty but insane for kidnapping, arson, and assault. The hospital is a symbol of the challenges of mental health care in the United States and the impact of inadequate funding on the lives of individuals with mental illness.
What is the Psychiatric Security Review Board, and what is its role in Tony's case?
The Psychiatric Security Review Board is a state agency in Oregon that oversees the release and supervision of individuals who have been found guilty but insane of crimes. The board was created in 1977 to provide a middle ground between prison and no treatment for individuals with mental illness. The board's oversight includes regular case manager check-ins, drug and alcohol screening, subsidized housing, mental health care, and work placement. The board's goal is to ensure the safety of both the offenders and the community. The board plays a significant role in Tony's case, as it is responsible for his release from the Oregon State Hospital and his subsequent supervision in the community. The board's decision to release Tony despite his history of criminal activity highlights the challenges of managing individuals with mental illness in a confined setting and the difficulty of predicting their behavior.
What is the scrap metal scam that Tony and Anita are involved in?
Tony and Anita's scrap metal business, Northwest Materials Management Services, is a middleman between people with scrap metal and recycling facilities. The business is a source of income for Tony and Anita, but it also becomes a vehicle for their criminal activity, as they steal scrap metal from the Hyple family and sell it for profit. The scam is uncovered when Eric Hyple, a member of the Hyple family, reports the theft to the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The investigation reveals that Tony and Anita have stolen over 250 tons of scrap metal, worth over $13,000. The scam highlights Tony's criminal tendencies and his willingness to exploit others for personal gain.
What is the significance of Tony's mental illness in his case?
Tony is diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, and his mental illness plays a significant role in his criminal activity. The episode explores the complexities of mental illness and the challenges of dealing with individuals who have committed crimes while suffering from mental illness. Tony's case highlights the difficulty of proving insanity as a defense and the complexities of the legal system. The episode also explores the challenges of managing individuals with mental illness in a confined setting and the difficulty of predicting their behavior. The episode also highlights the impact of Tony's actions on his family and the community, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of justice and the complexities of human behavior.
What are some of the challenges of dealing with individuals who have committed crimes while suffering from mental illness?
The episode explores the complexities of the mental health system and the challenges of dealing with individuals who have committed crimes while suffering from mental illness. The episode highlights the difficulty of proving insanity as a defense and the complexities of the legal system. The episode also explores the challenges of managing individuals with mental illness in a confined setting and the difficulty of predicting their behavior. The episode also highlights the challenges of reintegrating individuals with mental illness into society and the ongoing danger they may pose to the community. The episode also explores the impact of inadequate funding on mental health care and the consequences for individuals with mental illness.
What is the ultimate fate of Tony Mont Wheeler?
Tony is ultimately found guilty but insane for kidnapping, arson, and assault. He is committed to the Oregon State Hospital for 70 years. Despite his mental illness, Tony continues to engage in criminal activity, including arson, theft, and manipulation of others. The episode ends with Tony still in the Oregon State Hospital, highlighting the challenges of managing individuals with mental illness in a confined setting and the difficulty of predicting their behavior.
Show Notes
This week, in Ontario, Oregon, a man with a dark past, which included his father killing his mother, seems to be adjusting to the world, then appears to go permanently off the rails. He can't stop getting arrested, or getting married, or having the voice of his dead mother telling him to do things. After kidnapping his wife, and shooting at the police, he gets a new start. Only this start would end in an even darker place, with multiple people dead, in a horrible way!
Along the way, we find out that you have to be a felon to stand the smell of an onion processing plant, that super heroes & super villains have similar origin stories, and that if you can't even decide if you're legally insane, it's not very easy for anyone else to figure it out, either!!
Hosted by James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman
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damn, dude couldn't even take her to LaGrande, stuck her in Baker City lol
love that #503 was an Oregon episode, that's one of the area codes!