Episode 221 - Richard Craniums - The Murder of Nicole VanderHeyden
1Digest
This episode delves into the murder of Nicole Vanderhaden, a mother of three, who was found dead in a field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The investigation initially focused on her partner, Doug Dietri, who had been out with friends the night of her death. However, Doug's alibi was corroborated by his fitness tracker, which showed he was at home during the time of the murder. The investigation then shifted to George Birch, a man with a violent criminal history who had recently moved to Green Bay. Birch's cell phone data placed him at the scene of the crime, and his DNA was found on Vanderhaden's body and clothing. Birch claimed he had met Vanderhaden at a bar and had consensual sex with her, but his story was riddled with inconsistencies. Ultimately, Birch was convicted of Vanderhaden's murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the Minds of Madness podcast and provides information on how to listen to episodes early and access exclusive content.
The Case of Nicole Vanderhaden
This Chapter introduces the case of Nicole Vanderhaden, a mother of three who was found murdered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The episode details the events leading up to her death, including a night out with her partner, Doug Dietri, and the subsequent investigation.
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Doug Dietri's Alibi
This Chapter focuses on Doug Dietri's alibi and the evidence that supported his claim of being at home during the time of Nicole Vanderhaden's murder. The episode discusses the role of Doug's fitness tracker in exonerating him.
The Discovery of Evidence
This Chapter details the discovery of evidence that led to the arrest of George Birch, including the finding of Vanderhaden's clothing and the murder weapon. The episode also discusses the role of cell phone data in tracking Birch's movements.
George Birch's Arrest
This Chapter describes the arrest of George Birch for Vanderhaden's murder and his initial refusal to speak to detectives without a lawyer present.
George Birch's Testimony
This Chapter recounts George Birch's testimony in his own defense, in which he claimed to have met Vanderhaden at a bar and had consensual sex with her. He also claimed that he was held at gunpoint by Doug Dietri, who he alleged was the real killer.
The Prosecution's Case
This Chapter outlines the prosecution's case against George Birch, highlighting the inconsistencies in his story and the overwhelming evidence that pointed to his guilt. The prosecution also presented evidence that contradicted Birch's claim of being held at gunpoint by Doug Dietri.
The Verdict and Sentencing
This Chapter details the jury's verdict finding George Birch guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and his subsequent sentencing to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The episode also discusses the impact of Vanderhaden's murder on her family and the community.
Keywords
Nicole Vanderhaden
Nicole Vanderhaden was a 31-year-old mother of three who was murdered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in May 2016. She was found dead in a field, having been severely beaten and strangled. Her murder case received significant media attention and was the subject of numerous true crime podcasts and documentaries.
George Birch
George Birch was convicted of the murder of Nicole Vanderhaden in 2018. He had a history of violent crime, including a previous murder trial in 1998. Birch's cell phone data placed him at the scene of the crime, and his DNA was found on Vanderhaden's body and clothing. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Doug Dietri
Doug Dietri was the partner of Nicole Vanderhaden and the father of their infant son. He was initially a suspect in her murder but was exonerated by evidence from his fitness tracker, which showed he was at home during the time of the murder. Dietri's alibi was crucial in shifting the focus of the investigation to George Birch.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in Wisconsin, known for its rich history, its NFL team, the Green Bay Packers, and its vibrant culture. The murder of Nicole Vanderhaden took place in Green Bay, and the case received significant local and national attention.
Fitness Tracker
A fitness tracker is a wearable device that monitors physical activity, such as steps taken, distance traveled, and heart rate. In the case of Nicole Vanderhaden's murder, Doug Dietri's fitness tracker data played a crucial role in exonerating him. The data showed that he was at home during the time of the murder, supporting his alibi.
Cell Phone Data
Cell phone data can be used to track the location of a phone and can be a valuable tool in criminal investigations. In the case of Nicole Vanderhaden's murder, cell phone data from George Birch's phone placed him at the scene of the crime, providing crucial evidence against him.
DNA Evidence
DNA evidence is a powerful tool in criminal investigations, as it can be used to link suspects to crime scenes and victims. In the case of Nicole Vanderhaden's murder, DNA evidence from George Birch's phone was found on Vanderhaden's body and clothing, providing strong evidence of his involvement in the crime.
True Crime Podcast
A true crime podcast is a type of podcast that focuses on real-life crimes, often exploring the details of the case, the investigation, and the trial. The murder of Nicole Vanderhaden has been the subject of numerous true crime podcasts, which have helped to bring the case to a wider audience.
Q&A
What evidence exonerated Doug Dietri from Nicole Vanderhaden's murder?
Doug Dietri's fitness tracker data showed that he was at home during the time of the murder, supporting his alibi and exonerating him from suspicion.
How did investigators use cell phone data to track George Birch's movements?
Investigators were able to access location data from George Birch's cell phone, which placed him at the scene of the crime, including the bar where he met Vanderhaden, the field where her body was found, and the location where her clothes were discarded.
What was the key piece of evidence that contradicted George Birch's story about the events leading up to Nicole Vanderhaden's murder?
The prosecution presented evidence that Vanderhaden's bloodstained clothing was found on her body, indicating that she was still wearing her clothes when she was murdered. This contradicted Birch's claim that they had consensual sex in his car and that her clothes were removed before the murder.
What was the sentence given to George Birch for the murder of Nicole Vanderhaden?
George Birch was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Nicole Vanderhaden.
What impact did Nicole Vanderhaden's murder have on her family and the community?
Vanderhaden's murder had a devastating impact on her family, particularly her three children. The community was also deeply affected by the crime, and the case received significant local and national attention.
Show Notes
It's the one with no eyewitnesses, right? It's the one that’s impossible to prove and might even seem a bit too convenient.
Now, picture your dread as a detective leans in across the interrogation table and asks, "Where were you on the morning of “such and such a date”, between 3 and 6 in the morning?"
Your heart sinks cause your only answer is the honest one: "I was at home, asleep all night in bed by myself."
It’s an alibi like this that can put a person in the hot seat even if they ARE telling the truth.
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Research & Writing:
Ryan Deininger
Editing:
Aiden Wolf
Sources:
Doug Detrie Full Interview
George Burch Full Interview
Nicole’s Mother Interview
Greg Mathu Police Interview
Burch Appeal
Prosecution Opening Statements
Defense Opening Statements
Trial Day 1
Trial Day 2 Part 1
Trial Day 2 Part 2
Trial Day 3 Part 1
Trial Day 3 Part 2
Trial Day 4 Part 1
Trial Day 4 Part 2
Trial Day 5 Part 1
Trial Day 5 Part 2
Trial Day 6 Part 1
Trial Day 6 Part 2
Trial Day 7 Part 1
Trial Day 8 Part 1
Trial Day 8 Part 2
Prosecution Closing Arguments
Defense Closing Arguments
Table of contents
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