Digest

The podcast "Red-Handed" delves into the disturbing story of the Sexton family, a group of individuals who engaged in incestuous relationships and subjected their children to horrific abuse. The narrative begins with the arrest of Eddie Lee Sexton, the patriarch of the family, for turning his house into a barracks and making threats. Despite his arrest, Sexton manages to maintain control over his children, portraying himself as a persecuted father and garnering support from other parents. The podcast highlights the importance of location and context in understanding the Sexton case. The Bible Belt setting in the early 1990s, coupled with the satanic panic, created an environment where Sexton could easily exploit public mistrust of the law and sympathy for falsely accused individuals. The story unfolds through the testimonies of various individuals, including Joel Good, Sexton's son-in-law, and his aunt, Teresa. Teresa witnesses a disturbing encounter between Willie Sexton and Joel, fueling her concern for Joel's well-being. Joel eventually files for divorce from Pixie, Sexton's daughter, and his family is relieved to have him back. However, Teresa remains apprehensive about the Sextons' intentions. The podcast details the birth of Skipperly, Pixie's third child, who bears a striking resemblance to Joel. Teresa visits them with Skipperly but notices a strange smell about the baby, later learning it is the stench of neglect. The narrative takes a dark turn as Charles Sexton, Skipperly's namesake, experiences disturbing night terrors, screaming about being abused. The Sexton family, including Joel, Pixie, and their children, relocate to a campsite in Indiana, where Joel becomes the target of abuse from the Sexton boys. Lana Sexton, Eddie Lee Sexton's daughter, starts talking about the abuse she has suffered, revealing details of sexual and physical abuse, including ritualistic elements, to her foster parents. Lana's night terrors escalate, leading to her hospitalization. Her brother, James, is also hospitalized after experiencing psychotic episodes. The Sexton family moves to Florida, seeking refuge from law enforcement. They live in a cramped motorhome, where Eddie Lee Sexton continues to exert control over his children through military-style drills and paranoia. Eddie Lee Sexton records a three-hour videotape, claiming his constitutional rights are being violated and his children are being abused. Despite this, the DHS is awarded permanent custody of the Sexton children. Eddie Lee Sexton is indicted on charges of rape and sexual abuse based on Lana's testimony and Michelle's recantation. Pixie Sexton accepts a plea deal for manslaughter in the death of Skipperly and is paroled after two years. Joel Good's life becomes a living hell at the Florida campsite. He is subjected to constant abuse, including being forced to swallow a goldfish and sodomized with a funnel. Skipperly dies after Pixie smothers him while trying to silence his cries. Gail Novak, a librarian, witnesses the Sexton family's strange behavior and suspects something is amiss. She contacts security, but they dismiss her concerns. Gail observes Eddie Lee Sexton digging in the campsite and his interactions with Pixie and Willie. She slips Pixie a battered woman flyer, but Eddie Lee Sexton intervenes, silencing Pixie and threatening Joel. Willie Sexton strangles Joel in the woods, with Eddie Lee Sexton's encouragement. The Sexton family covers up Joel's death, telling authorities that he went back to Ohio with his aunt. Detective Steve Reedy receives a tip from Eddie Lee Sexton's brother, Orville, leading him to suspect that something is amiss. The Sexton family targets Ray Hessa, an elderly retiree, with a plan to kill him, steal his money and identity, and escape in his Winnebago. However, Hessa becomes suspicious and escapes their clutches. The FBI arrests Eddie Lee Sexton, Estella, Pixie, Kimberly, and Christopher at a supermarket in Sun City. The Sexton family members at Little Manatee are also brought in for questioning. Charles Sexton confesses to Joel's murder and leads authorities to the peat bog where Joel's body is found. Baby Skipperly's body is also recovered nearby. Willie Sexton confesses to killing Joel, claiming it was Pixie's idea. Pixie denies any involvement in Joel's murder but admits to giving Skipperly Nyquil. The Sexton family members face various trials and convictions. Estella Sexton is sentenced to six years in prison for evading a federal arrest warrant and later receives a life sentence for sexual abuse. Pixie Sexton accepts a plea deal for manslaughter in Skipperly's death. Eddie Lee Sexton is tried for the murder of Joel Good. He initially pleads not guilty but changes his plea after the first witness and receives a 30-year sentence. Eddie Lee Sexton is found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Joel Good. The jury deliberates on his sentence and ultimately votes for the death penalty. The Sexton family members continue to experience trauma and legal consequences. Willie Sexton is tried for Joel's murder and receives a 25-year sentence. James Sexton burns his roommate to death, and Sherry Sexton miscarries twins. Eddie Lee Sexton dies in prison from heart disease before he can be executed. The podcast concludes with a discussion of the motives behind the Sexton family's incestuous and abusive behavior, leaving many questions unanswered.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Sexton Family's Horrifying Story

This podcast explores the disturbing story of the Sexton family, a group of individuals who engaged in incestuous relationships and subjected their children to horrific abuse. The narrative begins with the arrest of Eddie Lee Sexton, the patriarch of the family, for turning his house into a barracks and making threats. Despite his arrest, Sexton manages to maintain control over his children, portraying himself as a persecuted father and garnering support from other parents. The podcast highlights the importance of location and context in understanding the Sexton case. The Bible Belt setting in the early 1990s, coupled with the satanic panic, created an environment where Sexton could easily exploit public mistrust of the law and sympathy for falsely accused individuals.

00:06:59

Joel's Abuse and the Family's Concerns

The story unfolds through the testimonies of various individuals, including Joel Good, Sexton's son-in-law, and his aunt, Teresa. Teresa witnesses a disturbing encounter between Willie Sexton and Joel, fueling her concern for Joel's well-being. Joel eventually files for divorce from Pixie, Sexton's daughter, and his family is relieved to have him back. However, Teresa remains apprehensive about the Sextons' intentions.

00:11:09

Skipperly's Birth and the Signs of Neglect

The podcast details the birth of Skipperly, Pixie's third child, who bears a striking resemblance to Joel. Teresa visits them with Skipperly but notices a strange smell about the baby, later learning it is the stench of neglect.

00:13:42

The Sexton Family's Move to Indiana and Joel's Abuse

The narrative takes a dark turn as Charles Sexton, Skipperly's namesake, experiences disturbing night terrors, screaming about being abused. The Sexton family, including Joel, Pixie, and their children, relocate to a campsite in Indiana, where Joel becomes the target of abuse from the Sexton boys.

00:22:30

Lana's Testimony and the Family's Hospitalizations

Lana Sexton, Eddie Lee Sexton's daughter, starts talking about the abuse she has suffered, revealing details of sexual and physical abuse, including ritualistic elements, to her foster parents. Lana's night terrors escalate, leading to her hospitalization. Her brother, James, is also hospitalized after experiencing psychotic episodes.

00:32:44

The Sexton Family's Move to Florida and Eddie Lee Sexton's Control

The Sexton family moves to Florida, seeking refuge from law enforcement. They live in a cramped motorhome, where Eddie Lee Sexton continues to exert control over his children through military-style drills and paranoia.

00:40:14

Eddie Lee Sexton's Indictment and Pixie's Plea Deal

Eddie Lee Sexton is indicted on charges of rape and sexual abuse based on Lana's testimony and Michelle's recantation. Pixie Sexton accepts a plea deal for manslaughter in the death of Skipperly and is paroled after two years.

00:41:44

Joel's Torture and Skipperly's Death

Joel Good's life becomes a living hell at the Florida campsite. He is subjected to constant abuse, including being forced to swallow a goldfish and sodomized with a funnel. Skipperly dies after Pixie smothers him while trying to silence his cries.

00:51:43

Joel's Murder and the Sexton Family's Cover-Up

Willie Sexton strangles Joel in the woods, with Eddie Lee Sexton's encouragement. The Sexton family covers up Joel's death, telling authorities that he went back to Ohio with his aunt.

00:55:51

The Sexton Family's Arrest and the Discovery of Joel's Body

The FBI arrests Eddie Lee Sexton, Estella, Pixie, Kimberly, and Christopher at a supermarket in Sun City. The Sexton family members at Little Manatee are also brought in for questioning. Charles Sexton confesses to Joel's murder and leads authorities to the peat bog where Joel's body is found. Baby Skipperly's body is also recovered nearby.

01:08:55

The Sexton Trials and Convictions

The Sexton family members face various trials and convictions. Estella Sexton is sentenced to six years in prison for evading a federal arrest warrant and later receives a life sentence for sexual abuse. Pixie Sexton accepts a plea deal for manslaughter in Skipperly's death. Eddie Lee Sexton is tried for the murder of Joel Good. He initially pleads not guilty but changes his plea after the first witness and receives a 30-year sentence. Eddie Lee Sexton is found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Joel Good. The jury deliberates on his sentence and ultimately votes for the death penalty.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the main factors that contributed to Eddie Lee Sexton's ability to manipulate and abuse his family for so long?

  Sexton's ability to manipulate stemmed from a combination of factors, including his understanding of the legal system, his exploitation of public mistrust of the law, his charismatic personality, and his ability to portray himself as a victim.

• How did the satanic panic of the 1980s and 1990s influence the Sexton case?

  The satanic panic created an environment where Sexton could easily exploit public fears and mistrust of the law. He used the panic to his advantage, portraying himself as a falsely accused individual and garnering sympathy from those who believed in the existence of satanic cults.

• What evidence suggests that the Sexton family's abuse went beyond sexual abuse and involved ritualistic elements?

  The Sexton children's testimonies, including Lana's descriptions of ritualistic elements in the abuse, and the discovery of pentagrams and satanic chants at the Indiana campsite, suggest that the abuse involved ritualistic practices.

• How did the Sexton family's actions impact the lives of the children who survived the abuse?

  The Sexton children who survived the abuse experienced long-term trauma, including mental health issues, such as depression, psychosis, and PTSD. They also faced challenges in the foster care system and struggled to rebuild their lives.

• What are some of the unanswered questions surrounding the Sexton case?

  The podcast leaves many questions unanswered, including the exact nature of the Sexton family's secret, the extent of the abuse, and the motives behind the incestuous and ritualistic practices.

Show Notes