State of Murder Amber Ratzlaff & Celina Cooper

This week we are in the bluegrass state of Kentucky and we decided to start this episode off with a pizza ranking! Don't ask why just enjoy! Then listen to Amber share about an increasing epidemic of domestic violence and how Louisville is trying to a make a change with its Domestic Violence Prevention Coordinating Council.  This council was formed due to the murder of Pam Fortney by her estranged husband when it was discovered that the system did not help them. Amber also shares about Amanda Berry and how the DVPCC is still working on holding the system accountable for not helping victims of domestic violence. Finally, hear Celina tell the story of Katie Autry, a young college student that made friends with just about everyone she met. After a fun night out with her roommate and friend Danica, she would get a ride home from a young frat brother. Little did Katie know that the other passenger in the truck would change her life forever. 

Join us this week as we travel to the country music capital, Tennessee! First, Amber shares the story of a country music legend Stringbean Akeman.  After playing at the Grand Ole Opry, he and his wife make their way back to their small cabin and are surprised to find their front door open and two murderers inside.  Then listen as Celina shares about Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, two young college students who are going out together to get some food and then meet up with their friends, when suddenly they are carjacked and kidnapped.  What would happen to them during that night would lead to their bodies being discovered days apart in horrible ways. Don't forget to check out www.stateofmurder.com for bonus content after the episode!

This week we have traveled to the southern state of Alabama. First, Amber shares about Shae Graham and how her murder shocked the whole town, as the person they least suspected was found guilty of orchestrating her murder. Then hear Celina share the horrifying story of the Tuskegee Experiments, a 40 year “medical” study that was focused specifically on black men and the unfortunate side effects of syphilis. 

Happy Labor Day from State of Murder! In honor of the holiday this week we are not in any specific state, instead we are celebrating the resiliency of the American worker. This episode is all about the crime and murder that haunted the beginnings of the labor movement. First hear Amber tell about how the mafia in Chicago has always had a hand in the Teamster Union.  When the mafia's number one assassin took out Union leader Billy Logan, we found out just how corrupt the Chicago court system was. Then listen to Celina tell all about how corruption in the United Mine Workers of America lead to the murder of Jock Yablonski and his family forever changing the union as we know it. 

We've made it halfway through the USA! This week we are in Mississippi, does anyone else sing a song to make sure they spell this state name right? No? Just us? Awesome. First listen to Amber talk about the Jackson family.  In 1990, Regina was home with her two daughters and 4 nieces and nephews, when there was a knock on the door.  When she went to answer it, there stood her older brother. Little did she know that she would be letting a monster into her home. *Warning* Details of Amber's case include some graphic descriptions so if you would like to skip past that, the time stamp is 12:38-18:08. 

Then listen to Celina share about the murder of Jessica Chambers, an All-American cheerleader from Courtland, Mississippi, who went out to grab something to eat and clean her car but would never return. When volunteer firefighters received a call about a car fire that same night it would turn this whole town on its head. 

This week we are in the state of Illinois the land of Lincoln or as Celina and Amber like to call it the wonderful state that created Michelle Obama.  In Chicago in the 70's and 80's one police precinct was getting a lot of confessions from their prisoners.  This area was in the south side of Chicago and specifically Area 2.  When one prisoner stated that he had been tortured into confessing it, all of a sudden over 118 African American men shared very similar horror stories of what happened to them.  

Celina shares about Kyrian Knox a sweet two year old little boy from Rockford whose body was found dismembered in the Garfield Park Lagoon in Chicago.  His mother had left him in the care of  Kamel Harris who said two strangers came and picked up the little boy for Ms. Knox.  With little evidence and a jail house confession, there was little justice for Kyrian. 

*Correction: Celina pronounces Kyrian's name incorrectly throughout the episode as Kear-e-an instead of Ky-ren and is incredibly sorry. And update will be in the next episode with the correct pronunciation.