Digest

The episode delves into the chilling case of Lynn Matchham Thomas, a woman found murdered and decapitated in a park in Illinois. The podcast begins with the discovery of her burned body by two witnesses, Todd Bordell and Tammy Jet, who stumbled upon a fire while trying to extinguish the flames. The autopsy revealed the victim was murdered and decapitated, but no signs of trauma were found on the body. Investigators initially struggled to identify the victim, but eventually, through fingerprint analysis, they discovered her true identity as Lynn Matchham Thomas, a missing woman from St. Louis. Suspicion quickly fell upon Lynn's estranged husband, Curtis Thomas, due to his lack of emotional response to the news of her death and his frequent contact with authorities, offering information about a man named Martin Plummer. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of control and abuse in Lynn and Curtis's relationship, including a restraining order Lynn obtained against Curtis due to physical and emotional abuse. Curtis's inconsistent statements, history of domestic violence, and refusal to allow police to search his basement further fueled suspicions. Deborah Claybrook, Curtis's former lover, provided crucial information, claiming Curtis confessed to the murder and disposal of Lynn's body. Despite legal technicalities and the lack of physical evidence, Curtis was found guilty of concealing his wife's remains in Illinois and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was later tried and convicted of first-degree murder in Missouri, receiving a life sentence without parole.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Murder of Lynn Matchham Thomas

This episode introduces the case of Lynn Matchham Thomas, a woman who was found murdered and decapitated in a park in Illinois. The host, Delia DeAmbra, discusses the brutality of the crime and the challenges faced by investigators in identifying the victim.

00:00:49

Discovery of the Body and Initial Investigation

The episode details the discovery of Lynn's body by Todd Bordell and Tammy Jet, who found her burned and decapitated in a picnic area at Lake Lou Yeager. The autopsy reveals the victim was murdered and decapitated, but no signs of trauma are found on the body. Investigators determine the victim was likely a white female between 35 and 39 years old. They release information to the public, but no credible leads emerge.

00:13:32

Identifying the Victim and Suspect Emerges

A detective working on the case discovers the victim's true identity as Lynn Matchham Thomas, a missing woman from St. Louis. The identification is confirmed through fingerprint analysis. Investigators focus on Lynn's estranged husband, Curtis Thomas, as a potential suspect. They note his lack of emotional response to the news of Lynn's death and his frequent contact with authorities, offering information about a man named Martin Plummer.

00:22:18

Curtis's Suspicious Behavior and Relationship with Lynn

The episode explores Curtis's suspicious behavior, including his inconsistent statements and history of domestic violence with Lynn. Investigators delve into their relationship, uncovering a disturbing pattern of control and abuse. They learn about a restraining order Lynn obtained against Curtis due to physical and emotional abuse.

00:31:08

Curtis's Trial and Conviction

Curtis is indicted for first-degree murder in both Missouri and Illinois. He is arrested and his house is searched, but no substantial evidence is found. Deborah Claybrook provides crucial information, claiming Curtis confessed to the murder and disposal of Lynn's body. Due to legal technicalities, prosecutors in Illinois are forced to drop the first-degree murder charges against Curtis and proceed with concealing a homicide. The trial focuses on proving Curtis's manipulative and abusive nature, but the lack of physical evidence presents challenges. Curtis is found guilty of concealing his wife's remains and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He continues to deny any involvement in Lynn's death. He is later tried and convicted of first-degree murder in Missouri, receiving a life sentence without parole.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Lynn Matchham Thomas's body?

  Todd Bordell and Tammy Jet discovered a fire in a picnic area at Lake Lou Yeager. While trying to extinguish the flames, they found a charred arm and eventually uncovered the burned body of a naked woman. The victim's head was missing.

• How was Lynn Matchham Thomas identified?

  A detective working on the case discovered the victim's true identity as Lynn Matchham Thomas, a missing woman from St. Louis. The identification was confirmed through fingerprint analysis.

• What evidence led investigators to suspect Curtis Thomas?

  Curtis's inconsistent statements, history of domestic violence with Lynn, and refusal to allow police to search his basement raised suspicions. Deborah Claybrook also provided crucial information, claiming Curtis confessed to the murder and disposal of Lynn's body.

• What were the challenges faced by prosecutors in the trial against Curtis Thomas?

  Due to legal technicalities, prosecutors in Illinois were forced to drop the first-degree murder charges against Curtis and proceed with concealing a homicide. The lack of physical evidence connecting Curtis to the murder also presented challenges.

• What was the outcome of Curtis Thomas's trials?

  Curtis was found guilty of concealing his wife's remains in Illinois and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was later tried and convicted of first-degree murder in Missouri, receiving a life sentence without parole.

Show Notes