Digest

The episode delves into the double murder of Diane and Charlie Parker, Sr. in Nixonville, South Carolina, a small town near Myrtle Beach. The hosts explore the victims' lives, the discovery of their bodies, and the complex family dynamics surrounding the murders. The investigation initially focused on Diane's boyfriend, Richard Gagnon, but later shifted to Bruce Hill after a DNA match from the crime scene. The podcast details the arrests, trials, and convictions of both Gagnon and Hill, highlighting the evidence presented, the defense strategies employed, and the testimonies of key witnesses. The episode also explores the case of Richard Gagnon, who was wrongfully convicted of murdering his parents, and the subsequent discovery of new evidence that led to his release. The podcast concludes with a discussion of the unanswered questions surrounding the Parker murders and the ongoing legal battles surrounding the convictions.

Outlines

00:04:21

The Parker Murders in Nixonville, South Carolina

The episode introduces the double murder of Diane and Charlie Parker, Sr. in Nixonville, South Carolina, a small town near Myrtle Beach. The hosts discuss the town's history, demographics, and attractions, setting the stage for the investigation.

00:24:51

The Victims: Diane and Charlie Parker

The hosts delve into the lives of the victims, Diane and Charlie Parker, Sr., exploring their backgrounds, relationships, and involvement in the community. This provides context for the tragedy and the impact it had on their families and friends.

00:52:17

The Discovery of the Bodies

The episode details the discovery of the bodies of Diane and Charlie, including the events leading up to the discovery, the crime scene, and the evidence found. This sets the stage for the investigation and the subsequent search for the perpetrators.

00:37:54

Family Drama and Suspicions

The episode explores the complex family dynamics surrounding the murders, focusing on the strained relationship between Diane and her daughter, Bambi, and the allegations of drug abuse and erratic behavior made against Bambi. This highlights the potential for family involvement in the crime.

00:48:32

Bambi and Dickie Gagnon's Relationship

The hosts discuss the relationship between Bambi and her boyfriend, Dickie Gagnon, including their living situation, conflicts with Bambi's parents, and Dickie's criminal history. This provides insight into the potential motives and involvement of Dickie in the murders.

00:50:52

The Steven Stanko Manhunt

The hosts discuss the Steven Stanko manhunt, which was taking place in the area at the time of the murders. Stanko was a dangerous criminal wanted for multiple crimes, including sexual assault and murder. The hosts speculate on whether Stanko could be connected to the murders, but no concrete evidence is presented.

00:57:19

The Investigation Begins

The podcast discusses the investigation into the murders, focusing on the initial suspicion surrounding Richard Gagnon and the subsequent discovery of evidence that he was not in South Carolina at the time of the murders. This highlights the challenges faced by investigators in identifying the true perpetrators.

01:03:12

Bambi's Inheritance and Suspicious Behavior

The podcast explores Bambi's inheritance of her parents' property and business, and the police interviews with individuals who place Bambi and Richard at the Parker's home the night before the murders. Forensic evidence found at the scene suggests that Bambi and Richard were present at the time of the shootings.

01:07:47

Bambi and Richard's Arrest

The podcast details the arrest of Bambi and Richard for the murders, focusing on the discovery of blood on Richard's shoe that matches Charles Parker's DNA. Richard claims he got the blood on his shoe while closing the blinds to keep Bambi from seeing the blood in the bathroom.

01:11:55

Bambi's Release and Richard's Trial

The podcast discusses Bambi's release from jail after six months due to a lack of DNA evidence and Richard's trial, where the prosecution presents evidence that Richard had knowledge of the crime scene that only the killer would know.

01:21:54

Richard's Mother Testifies Against Him

The podcast describes Richard's mother, Ava May Offerman, testifying against her son, revealing that Richard called her on the day of the murders to tell her about the deaths and that he asked her who was in charge of the Parker's estate.

01:26:24

Richard's Testimony and Conviction

The podcast recounts Richard's testimony in his own defense, where he claims he was discombobulated upon learning of the Parker's deaths and that he doesn't know how he knew the intimate crime scene details. He is found guilty of two counts of murder and first degree burglary.

01:42:33

A New Suspect Emerges: Bruce Hill

The podcast reveals that a DNA match from the blood drops found at the crime scene leads police to a new suspect, Bruce Antoine Hill, who is currently serving a sentence for a home invasion in Tennessee.

01:45:27

The Connection Between Richard and Bruce Hill

The podcast explores the connection between Richard and Bruce Hill, focusing on the prosecutors' refusal to describe any association between the two men before the crime, but stating that Hill's charges will have no effect on Richard's conviction.

01:48:04

Bruce Hill's Trial and Conviction

The podcast details Bruce Hill's trial, where the prosecution presents evidence that Hill's blood was found at the crime scene. The defense argues that Hill did not know the Parkers and could not have been at their home. Hill is found guilty of two counts of murder and first degree burglary.

01:55:50

The Aftermath and Unanswered Questions

The podcast discusses the aftermath of the trials and the unanswered questions surrounding the case, including the prosecutor's belief that Richard's conviction is strengthened by Hill's conviction and Richard's lawyers' pursuit of a new trial.

01:59:53

The Case of Richard Gagnon: Wrongful Conviction

This chapter delves into the case of Richard Gagnon, who was wrongfully convicted of murdering his parents. It explores the testimony of a cellmate who claimed Gagnon confessed to the crime, and the subsequent discovery of new evidence that led to Gagnon's release.

02:10:04

Bruce Hill's Appeal

This chapter focuses on the appeal filed by Bruce Hill, arguing that the court erred in prohibiting any mention of Gagnon's prior conviction, claiming it prejudiced his case.

02:19:40

The Other Richard Gagnons

This chapter reveals the existence of other individuals named Richard Gagnon who were involved in criminal activities, including murder. It highlights the case of a Richard Gagnon in Texas who was convicted of killing a man in 2013.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main story of the episode?

  The episode focuses on the double murder of Diane Parker and her husband, Charlie Parker, Sr., in Nixonville, South Carolina.

• Who are the main suspects in the murders?

  The main suspects in the murders are Richard Gagnon and Bruce Hill.

• What is the significance of the Steven Stanko manhunt in the context of the episode?

  The hosts speculate on whether Stanko, a dangerous criminal wanted for multiple crimes, could be connected to the murders. However, the transcript does not provide any concrete evidence to support this theory.

• What is the relationship between Bambi Bennett and Dickie Gagnon?

  Bambi and Dickie are in a romantic relationship. They met after Dickie got a job working for Bambi's parents at MirrorTech.

• What is the nature of the family drama surrounding the murders?

  The episode highlights the complex and often strained relationships within the Parker family, including Bambi's drug addiction, Diane's attempts to gain custody of her grandsons, and the ongoing conflicts over property ownership.

• What evidence led police to initially believe that Richard Gagnon was the perpetrator of the murders?

  The police found blood on Richard's shoe that matched Charles Parker's DNA. Richard claimed he got the blood on his shoe while closing the blinds to keep Bambi from seeing the blood in the bathroom.

• Why was Bambi released from jail after six months?

  The prosecution lacked DNA evidence linking Bambi to the murders. The only evidence they had was that she was with Richard, but they did not have any physical evidence on her.

• How did Bruce Antoine Hill become a suspect in the case?

  A DNA match from the blood drops found at the crime scene led police to Hill. Hill was serving a sentence for a home invasion in Tennessee.

• What is the connection between Richard Gagnon and Bruce Antoine Hill?

  The connection between the two men is Khalil Moore, a former employee of Charlie Parker's Mirror Tech business. Moore was in a vehicle stop with Hill in Myrtle Beach in April 2005, the same time the murders occurred.

Show Notes