Digest

This episode of Small Town Murder Express delves into the perplexing murder of Michael Agitor in Maricopa, Arizona. The episode begins with a description of Maricopa, a town known for its sprawling houses and lack of attractions, and its residents' complaints about the town's lack of amenities and the dangerous 347 highway. The episode then introduces Michael Agitor, a man who moved to Arizona from Ohio in search of a new life. He met Catherine Sinkovich, a woman with a troubled past, and they began a tumultuous relationship. Catherine was controlling and jealous, and she physically abused Michael on multiple occasions. After Michael moved out of their shared apartment and into a house in Maricopa, Catherine hired a private investigator to find him and stole his dog, Darwin. She also allegedly attempted to set his house on fire. Michael obtained a restraining order against Catherine, but she continued to harass him. When Michael went to take a DNA test to determine if he was the father of Catherine's baby, he was shot and killed in his garage. The investigation led to Catherine, who was seen on surveillance footage leaving a white van parked in front of Michael's house. Despite her alibi, Catherine's history of violence and her motive to eliminate Michael made her the prime suspect. The episode continues with the investigation into Catherine's alibi, revealing that she had used her coworker's key card to leave the building and that her cell phone was turned off during the time of the murder. The police also discovered that Catherine had searched for instructions on how to make her phone untraceable. Catherine's coworker, Bridget, eventually confessed to helping Catherine create the alibi, revealing that Catherine was determined to prevent Michael from having any access to his son. Catherine was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. During the trial, a coworker testified that Catherine had joked about how much easier life would be without Michael around. Catherine was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The episode concludes with a discussion of the unsolved homicide rate in the Phoenix area and the lack of investigative journalism in the area.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast, Small Town Murder Express, and its hosts, James Petra Gallo and Jimmy Wisman. They announce that this week's episode will be about a murder in Maricopa, Arizona, a place both hosts are familiar with. They also remind listeners to check out their other podcasts, Crime in Sports and Your Stupid Opinions, and to purchase tickets for their upcoming live shows.

00:04:01

Maricopa, Arizona

This Chapter provides a detailed description of Maricopa, Arizona, a town known for its sprawling houses and lack of attractions. The hosts discuss the town's history, its population growth, and its residents' complaints about the town's lack of amenities and the dangerous 347 highway.

00:13:05

Michael Agitor

This Chapter introduces Michael Agitor, the victim of the murder in Maricopa. The hosts discuss his upbringing in Indiana, his move to Ohio, and his subsequent move to Arizona. They also discuss his career in the banking industry and his relationship with Catherine Sinkovich.

00:24:02

Catherine Sinkovich

This Chapter introduces Catherine Sinkovich, Michael Agitor's ex-girlfriend. The hosts discuss her troubled past, her controlling and jealous nature, and her history of physical abuse towards Michael. They also discuss her alleged attempt to set Michael's house on fire and her theft of his dog, Darwin.

00:33:27

The Murder

This Chapter details the events leading up to Michael Agitor's murder. The hosts discuss Michael's efforts to establish paternity of Catherine's baby, his DNA test, and his subsequent murder in his garage. They also discuss the police investigation, which led to Catherine as the prime suspect.

00:47:03

The Investigation

This Chapter describes the police investigation into Michael Agitor's murder. The hosts discuss the police questioning of Catherine and her coworker, Bridget, who owned the white van seen in the footage. They also discuss the evidence gathered by the police, including surveillance footage and Catherine's history of violence.

00:54:00

Catherine's Alibi

This Chapter focuses on the investigation into Catherine's alibi, revealing that she had used her coworker's key card to leave the building and that her cell phone was turned off during the time of the murder. The police also discovered that Catherine had searched for instructions on how to make her phone untraceable.

00:58:20

Bridget's Confession

This Chapter details Bridget's confession to helping Catherine create the alibi, revealing that Catherine was determined to prevent Michael from having any access to his son. Bridget agreed to participate in a sting operation, but Catherine refused to admit to her involvement in the murder.

01:00:05

Catherine's Arrest and Trial

This Chapter describes Catherine's arrest and trial. Catherine was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The episode concludes with a discussion of the unsolved homicide rate in the Phoenix area and the lack of investigative journalism in the area.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the name of the town where Michael Agitor was murdered?

  Michael Agitor was murdered in Maricopa, Arizona.

• What was the name of Michael Agitor's ex-girlfriend?

  Michael Agitor's ex-girlfriend was Catherine Sinkovich.

• What was the motive for Michael Agitor's murder?

  Catherine Sinkovich had a history of violence and a motive to eliminate Michael. She was controlling and jealous, and she physically abused him on multiple occasions. She also allegedly attempted to set his house on fire and stole his dog, Darwin. After Michael obtained a restraining order against her, she continued to harass him. She was determined to prevent Michael from having any access to their son.

• What evidence was found at the scene of the crime?

  The police found three casings at the scene of the crime, indicating that three shots were fired. They also found bullet holes in the rear driver's side window of Michael's car and a running car in the garage with the garage door open.

• What was the name of the white van seen fleeing the scene?

  The white van seen fleeing the scene was later determined to belong to Catherine Sinkovich's coworker, Bridget.

• What was Catherine Sinkovich's alibi?

  Catherine Sinkovich claimed that she was at work all day and that she went to Bridget's house after picking up her baby from the sitter. However, she refused to answer any further questions without a lawyer.

• What was the outcome of the police investigation?

  Catherine Sinkovich was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. She was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

• What was the name of Michael Agitor's dog?

  Michael Agitor's dog was named Darwin.

• What was the name of Michael Agitor's roommate?

  Michael Agitor's roommate was Chris Grindy.

• What was the name of Michael Agitor's sister?

  Michael Agitor's sister was named Marley.

Show Notes