#513 - Music Box Murder - Agawam, Massachusetts

Update: 2024-08-01

Digest

This episode of "Small Town Murder" delves into the chilling case of Lisa Ziger's murder in Agawam, Massachusetts. The hosts, James Petra Gallo and Jimmy Wiseman, begin by introducing the town, highlighting its quirky charm and its history, including its unusual purchase price from the original tribe. They then introduce Lisa, a vibrant young woman who worked as a teacher's assistant and Sunday school teacher, and detail her life, her hobbies, and her unsettling feeling of being watched. The episode then recounts the events leading up to Lisa's disappearance, including her last known interactions with friends and family, the discovery of her belongings left behind at the gift shop where she worked, and the police investigation, which initially focused on a possible kidnapping. The discovery of Lisa's body in the woods marks a tragic turn in the investigation, and the hosts discuss the witness accounts, including a woman who saw a struggle in a car near the crime scene. The police widen their search for clues, exploring the possibility of a connection to a previous attempted kidnapping in a nearby town. The town is in a state of panic after Lisa's murder, and the police use DNA technology, still relatively new at the time, to eliminate suspects. The episode introduces Gary Shara, a former classmate of Lisa's friend, Noelle De Lories, who becomes a suspect after his ex-wife, Joyce, accuses him of the crime. Joyce provides details about Gary's behavior and past actions that raise serious concerns, including his unusual obsession with the case and his suspicious behavior. The police investigate Gary, but they lack sufficient evidence to obtain a search warrant or subpoena. The episode delves into Joyce's history of alcoholism, highlighting several incidents, including a fall from a balcony while drunk and her eventual death from alcohol-related problems. The episode discusses the impact of Unsolved Mysteries on the case, noting that while it generated tips, none led to a breakthrough. The police also explored psychological profiles of potential suspects, but these proved to be vague. The episode highlights the emotional toll the case takes on Lisa's mother, Diane, and the $100,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest of Lisa's killer, which fails to generate any significant leads. A new detective, Mark Pafau, takes over the case after the original lead investigator retires. He is determined to revive the investigation and bring fresh eyes to the case. Gary is questioned by the police in 2002 and again in 2008, but he maintains his innocence and refuses to provide a DNA sample. His odd behavior and attire continue to raise suspicions. The episode explores Gary's life after Lisa's disappearance, his various jobs, and his friends' descriptions of him as a docile and kind person. Diane campaigns for the passage of a victims' rights amendment to the US Constitution, arguing that the current system focuses too heavily on the rights of the accused. Lisa's family becomes increasingly impatient with the lack of progress in the case. The police are able to create a digital composite image of the killer based on his genetic material. They focus their attention on 11 suspects who match the composite and refused to provide DNA samples. Gary is on the list of 11 suspects. The police visit Gary's apartment but find him gone. He calls Noelle and asks to stay at her place for the night, claiming there is heavy traffic due to a fair. Gary arrives at Noelle's house and leaves a letter for her confessing to the abduction, rape, and murder of Lisa. He expresses remorse and says he will either take his own life or face the consequences. Gary explains in his letter that he was fascinated by abduction and bondage from a young age. He says he did not intend to kill Lisa but events spun out of control. Noelle initially doubts Gary's confession, believing he is having a psychotic breakdown. She takes the letter to the police, who are stunned by its contents. The police track Gary down to a hospital in Connecticut, where he is having his stomach pumped after attempting suicide by taking ibuprofen. Gary is arrested and charged with Lisa's murder. The police search his apartment and Noelle's house, finding evidence that confirms his confession. Gary is sentenced to life in prison without parole. The episode concludes with reflections from Lisa's mother, Diane, and Noelle, who both express a sense of relief but also a feeling of being let down. The hosts wrap up the episode, thanking listeners for their support and encouraging them to leave reviews, follow on social media, and visit their website. They also promote their other podcasts, Crime in Sports and Your Stupid Opinions, and highlight the benefits of becoming a Patreon supporter. They preview the upcoming episodes of both Crime in Sports and Small Town Murder.

Outlines