Hard Times and True Crimes

Darlene Hildreth and Melody Gwyn

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

  1. 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 Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    37 min

  2. 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 Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    1h 20m

  3. 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 Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    56 min

  4. 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 Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    1h 17m

  5. MAR 18

    120. MJ Auman: Suicide or Murder? The Heather Hicks Auman Trial in Randolph County, NC

    In this episode of Hard Times & True Crimes, we take a deep dive into a local Randolph County case that captured the community's attention - the trial of Heather Auman, accused in the death of her husband, MJ, a local firefighter.  After attending the trial in person, we walk you through the case from beginning to end - starting with the events leading up to that day at the lake, the 911 call, and the questions that quickly followed.  Heather claimed that MJ died by suicide. But as investigators began to examine the scene, and as testimony unfolded in court, a different narrative began to emerge.  This episode is based on testimony, evidence, and firsthand observations from inside the courtroom.  This case hits close to home for many in Randolph County, and throughout this episode, we aim to tell MJ's story with care, clarity, and respect.  If you followed the daily trial updates on TikTok, this is the full story - everything you didn't see in those short recaps.  Follow us for more true crime stories. Join our Facebook group for discussion and updates. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Narrator: Tim Gwyn Intro & Outro Music: Isaiah Hildreth Send us Fan Mail Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    1h 7m

  6. MAR 4

    119. The Murder of Bridget Cleary: The Irish Fairy Burning of 1895

    In March of 1895, a young Irish woman named Bridget Cleary was brutally murdered by her husband and several relatives in the small village of Ballyvadlea in County Tipperary. For several days, Bridget was subjected to interrogations, forced herbal mixtures, and violent rituals meant to “drive out” the fairy believed to be inhabiting her body. On the night of March 15, 1895, she was burned to death in the family home. Sources Books The Burning of Bridget Cleary – Angela BourkeIrish Superstitions – Lady WildeMeeting the Other Crowd: The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland – Eddie Lenihan & Carolyn Eve GreenHistorical Newspaper Archives Irish Times historical archives (1895 coverage of the trial)Freeman’s Journal trial reportingThe New York Times international coverage of the caseBritish Newspaper Archivenewspapers.comOnline Historical Resources Smithsonian Magazine – Article on the Bridget Cleary caseIrish Central – Historical features on the Cleary murderHistory Ireland – Research articles on Irish folklore and the caseNational Folklore Collection – Documentation of Irish fairy and changeling traditionshttps://philcleary.com.au/bridgetcleary/https://grokipedia.com/page/Death_of_Michael_Leahyhttps://www.digitalmedievalist.com/people/bridget-cleary-sex-death-fairies-and-other/https://brehonacademy.org/changelings-fairies-and-witchcraft-the-full-unsparing-account-of-bridget-clearys-murder-in-march-1895/wikipedia.comMusic:  “The Parting Glass – Royalty Free Vocal Version” by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. “Long Road Ahead B” by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Source: Incompetech.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    55 min

  7. FEB 4

    118. Bitter Blood (Part 2): The Collapse of a Southern Dynasty — Re-Released in Memory of Jerry Bledsoe

    In Part 2 of our Bitter Blood series, we continue the shocking true story made famous by North Carolina author Jerry Bledsoe in his bestselling book Bitter Blood. What began as a volatile marriage spiraled into paranoia, obsession, and a custody battle that would end in one of the most devastating family murder-suicides in North Carolina history. We re-released this series in memory of Jerry Bledsoe, who passed away in December 2025. His reporting preserved this case with depth, compassion, and journalistic integrity — and without his work, many details would have been lost to time. 🎙️ Episode Credits Researched and Written by: Darlene Hildreth & Melody Gwyn Male Narration: Curtis HildrethOriginal Music: Isaiah Hildreth 📚 Sources Jerry Bledsoe, Bitter BloodContemporary newspaper archives via Newspapers.comMemorial records via Find a GraveCourt records and historical reporting from North Carolina regional outlets Send us Fan Mail Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    1h 29m

  8. JAN 27

    117. Bitter Blood Pt. I (Re-Release) | In Memory of Jerry Bledsoe | North Carolina True Crime

    Jerry Bledsoe, North Carolina’s #1 New York Times bestselling true crime author, passed away on December 31, 2025, in Asheboro, NC. In honor of his life and legacy, we are re-releasing our two-part episode on Bitter Blood — the book that brought national attention to one of the most disturbing murder cases in North Carolina history. Sources We researched and built this episode using: Bledsoe, Jerry. Bitter Blood (book)Newspapers.com (archived newspaper reporting, obituaries, and contemporary coverage)FindAGrave.com (burial records and memorial details) Credits Hosted by: Darlene Hildreth & Melody Gwyn Male Narration: Curtis Hildreth Original Music: Isaiah Hildreth Send us Fan Mail Support the show hardtimesandtruecrimes.com                    buymeacoffee.com/hardtimesTC

    1h 10m
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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
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hard Times and True Crimes
  • Show Website
    Hard Times and True Crimes

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