Hard Times and True Crimes

Darlene Hildreth and Melody Gwyn
  • 4.7 (62)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Listen to two Southern, Christian women tell each other historical true crime stories. 

  1. Jul 15

    128: Who Killed Tupac and Biggie? The Murders That Changed Hip-Hop Forever

    The murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. remain two of the most infamous unsolved cases in music history. Decades later, questions still linger: Were the murders connected? Was it really East Coast vs. West Coast? And what evidence has emerged over the years?  In this episode, we take a deep dive into the lives of Tupac and Biggie, the legendary rivalry that captivated the hip-hop world, the events leading up to their deaths, and the investigations that followed. We separate fact from fiction, explore the conspiracy theories that refuse to die, and examine what we actually know today.  Whether you're a longtime hip-hop fan or simply fascinated by unsolved true crime, this episode uncovers the twists, suspects, and unanswered questions behind two of the most shocking murders in entertainment history.  Narrator: Jay (Jericho Stone) Robinson - Darlene's Brother You can find his music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6K5x7XzQuGQdmmrEWPgdzC?si=DZ0zZpx-RdCxy9XPrEvY4A&utm_source=copy-link Intro and Outro Music: Isaiah Hildreth Sources: Roku Doc: 2002 Documentary - Biggie and Tupac - Nick Broomfield Podcast: Stuff You Should Know Podcast, The Ballad of Biggie and Tupac, Jan 22, 2026 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Notorious_B.I.G. https://www.google.com/search?q=when+did+tupac+get+his+thug+life+tattoo&sca_esv=f39b2fa0409e051b&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1055US1057&sxsrf=APpeQnvDa6VOt8Sh_xVOZEOf3Calk-rSCQ%3A1783376046420&ei=rihMapiZGcfn5NoPpYmyqAE&biw=1366&bih=599&ved=0ahUKEwiYqP29ib-VAxXHM1kFHaWEDBUQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=when+did+tupac+get+his+thug+life+tattoo&gs_lp=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_C6BgYIARABGAGSBwYxLjM3LjGgB53jAbIHBjAuMzcuMbgHoCvCBwkyLTE2LjIyLjHIB_0CgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:d8649a34,vid:sBoKzkTiKIc,st:0 Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

  2. Jul 1

    127. Remember Sally Horner

    In 1948, eleven-year-old Sally Horner was kidnapped by Frank La Salle after he pretended to be an FBI agent and threatened to send her to reform school. For twenty-one months, he took her across the country, convincing others she was his daughter while she endured manipulation, isolation, and abuse. Although Sally was eventually rescued, her story was largely forgotten—even as another name became famous. Sources Books Sarah Weinman, The Real Lolita: The Kidnapping of Sally Horner and the Novel That Scandalized the WorldVladimir Nabokov, LolitaPrimary & Historical Sources Contemporary newspaper coverage (1948–1952), including The Camden Courier-Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Associated Press, and other regional newspapers.Court records and legal proceedings involving Frank La Salle.FBI historical records and publicly available case information.Online Resources Find a Grave – Florence “Sally” Horner MemorialWikipedia – Kidnapping of Sally HornerNewspapers.com (archival newspaper research) Photo: Sally Horner on a swing, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Narration: Curtis Hildreth Original Music, Mixing & Mastering: Isaiah Hildreth Skip the grocery store and support local North Carolina farmers. Shop the Randolph County Food Hub, operated by the local nonprofit NC Rooted Community Agriculture.  Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

  3. Jun 17

    126. The Devil in Pew Number 7: A Murder in Rural North Carolina

    In this episode, we discuss The Devil in Pew Number 7 by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo, a powerful true story set in rural North Carolina that explores tragedy, faith, fear, and forgiveness.  We dive into the shocking events that unfolded in the small community of Sellerstown, NC, the devastating impact they had on one family, and the remarkable journey that followed. This story raises difficult questions about evil, resilience, and what it really means to forgive when the unthinkable happens.  Sources: Alonzo, Rebecca Nichols, and Robert G. DeMoss. The Devil in Pew Number Seven. Tyndale House Publishers, 2010. Today's Nashville episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wbxLxuR6auk?si=IgOXrK2CifQ4T-ai Dr. Phil Show Behind the Scenes: https://youtu.be/ty0H2z7Quys?si=1YO5fdf8gPHYPaiZ Dr. Phil Clip on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SYVls2tCVtU?si=va37N_d5GBfzH9-J Intro Music: Sweet By and By - played by Sherri White (Darlene's mother) Intro and Outro: Curtis Hildreth Outro Music: Isaiah Hildreth Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

  4. Jun 3

    125. Buried Near the Cabin: The Annville Murders of 1887

    In May 1887, two little boys vanished from their grandfather’s home in South Annville, Pennsylvania. What followed was a community search, a shocking discovery buried near a log cabin, and one of the most notorious murder cases in Lebanon County history. Sources Primary research for this episode came from historical newspapers accessed through  Newspapers.com, including coverage from: * Lebanon Daily News * Lebanon Daily Times * Pottsville Republican * Harrisburg Telegraph * Philadelphia newspapers of the period * Additional Pennsylvania newspapers reporting on the investigation, trial, and execution Additional research and reference materials: * Lykens Valley: William Showers Murders His Grandsons, 1887   * Murder by Gaslight – William Showers   * Pennsylvania Oddities Podcast: Grandpa on the Gallows   * Find A Grave * Executed Today: William Showers, "Pathetic Soul"   Music By Isaiah Hildreth Male Narrator Curtis Hidreth Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

  5. May 20

    124. The Murder of Isabel Hussey | A North Carolina Hitchhiking Tragedy

    In Moore County, North Carolina, sixteen-year-old Isabel Hussey was traveling from Robbins to Asheboro. She accepted a ride from a stranger and never made it home. What began as a seemingly ordinary decision ended in a brutal murder that devastated a family and shocked the community. In this episode, we examine the life and tragic death of Isabel Hussey, the disturbing background of the man responsible, and the troubling pattern of repeat offenses that raises difficult questions about the justice system — both then and now. We also reflect on the vulnerability and confidence of youth, the risky decisions many teenagers survive by sheer luck, and the heartbreaking reality that Isabel did not. If you enjoy Hard Times and True Crimes, please consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others interested in true crime history and unsolved mysteries. Narrator: Curtis Hildreth Intro and Outro Music: Don't Steal My Heart - Everet Almond. Royalty Free rights. Sources for this episode: Ricky Allred, a loyal supporter of our show who provided his research. https://www.newspapers.com/image/938858376/?match=1&terms=isabel%20hussey https://www.newspapers.com/image/938858376/?match=1&terms=isabel%20hussey https://www.newspapers.com/image/938857907/?match=1&terms=isabel%20hussey https://www.newspapers.com/image/938884020/?match=1&terms=isabel%20hussey https://www.newspapers.com/image/1282931740/?terms=isabel%20hussey Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

  6. May 6

    123. Jimmy Dale Hudson: The Greensboro Dentist Who Killed His Family

    In March of 1986, Greensboro, North Carolina was shaken by a brutal crime.  On the surface, Dr. Jimmy Dale Hudson appeared to have the perfect life. He was a respected dentist, a UNC supporter, a husband, and a father. But behind the image of success was a marriage unraveling, emotional instability, jealousy, and a darkness no-one saw coming. When police arrived at a quiet apartment complex on Farmington Drive, they discovered a horrifying scene that would leave investigators stunned. Inside were 36-year-old Kathryn “Kay” Hudson and 3-year-old Wilma Dale Hudson. Waiting at the police station was Kay’s husband, Dr. Jimmy Dale Hudson, covered in blood and claiming he could not remember what had happened. Sources: Greensboro News & Record archivesThe Charlotte Observer archivesThe High Point Enterprise archivesThe News and Record newspaper archivesNewspapers.comJustia LawNorth Carolina Supreme Court records (State v. Hudson)Find A GravePublic records and historical archivesPodcast Credits: Hosted by Darlene Hildreth and Melody Gwyn Male Narration by Curtis Hildreth Music by Isaiah Hildreth Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

  7. Apr 22

    122. Emily Anderson: The Full Story (What Happened After Part 1)

    Some stories don't feel finished - and this is one of them. In 2005 and 2006, in Caldwell County, NC, the story of Emily Anderson began to unfold - one that would leave more questions than answers.  Some listeners may have heard part of this case before. But if you've ever found yourself wondering what happened next, this episode takes a deeper look.  We walk through the full timeline - from the early details to the key moments that shaped the case - bringing together everything we could find to present the complete story in one place.  This is the case of Emily Anderson.  Narrator: Curtis Hildreth Intro and Outro Music: Isaiah Hildreth Sources: https://murderinsawmills.blogspot.com/2007_06_03_archive.html https://www.cdpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/INTERACTIVE-CDPL-REPORT.pdf https://www.newspapers.com/image/631989921/?match=1&terms=emily%20anderson https://www.newspapers.com/image/979182565/?terms=jerry%20anderson https://www.newspapers.com/image/1007435469/?match=1&terms=emily%20anderson%20 https://www.newspapers.com/image/979182285/?terms=jerry%20anderson Southern Fried True Crime Podcast - episode 221 Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

  8. Apr 8

    121. Reverend: The Case That Drew Harper Lee

    Beginning in 1972, a series of suspicious deaths in rural Alabama left a community fearful, divided, and searching for answers. At the center of it all was a man known simply as “The Reverend,” whose life seemed marked by tragedy, rumor, and lingering suspicion. Whispers of voodoo, insurance payouts, and unanswered questions spread quietly through the region — eventually capturing the attention of one of America’s most celebrated authors, Harper Lee. What followed would become one of the South’s most unsettling true crime stories… a haunting case that blurred the lines between faith, folklore, justice, and revenge. Sources Primary Book Sources •Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee — Casey Cep •Biographical research regarding Harper Lee and her work Historical Records & Research Materials •newspapers.com   •Court records and legal reporting related to the proceedings •Findagrave.com Podcast Credits Hosted by Darlene Hildreth & Melody Gwyn Narration by Curtis Hildreth Music by Isaiah Hildreth Send us Fan Mail If you want fresher, healthier groceries while supporting your neighbors, check out NC Rooted. It’s an online food hub in Randolph County, North Carolina that lets you shop fresh produce, meats, honey, and baked goods from nearly twenty local farms—all in one single order. There are no membership fees, and ordering is simple. Just place your order online between Thursday and Sunday, then pick it up on Wednesday at the Ag Center in Asheboro. Eat fresh, support local, and head o Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

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4.7
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About

Listen to two Southern, Christian women tell each other historical true crime stories. 

Information

  • Creator
    Darlene Hildreth and Melody Gwyn
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hard Times and True Crimes
  • Show Website
    Hard Times and True Crimes

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