Missouri Mayhem: Mystery & Murder with Mindy & Megan!

Megan Owens & Mindy Johnson
  • 4.7 (27)
  • True Crime

🎙️ Welcome to Missouri Mayhem: Mystery & Murder! We’re your hosts, Megan and Mindy — sisters, storytellers, retired educators, and lifelong lovers of true crime and all things mysterious. From chilling cold cases to strange small-town secrets, we’ll dig deep into the stories that keep you up at night… especially the ones hiding right here in the heart of Missouri. Our podcast launched Fall 2025, and we are excited to take you on a journey through the twists, turns, and mayhem that make our state’s history both fascinating and frightening. If you have a case or topic suggestion, please email the sisters at missourimayhemsisters@gmail.com. 🕵️‍♀️🔍 All are welcome! Thank you for listening, subscribing, and reviewing our podcast! We appreciate you!

  1. 1d ago

    The Disappearances of Gary McCullough & Lena Chapin - Cassville (1999) & Steelville (2003), Missouri

    This Missouri Mayhem episode follows two connected missing persons cases from rural Missouri, and the family history that sits at the center of both. It traces the years of instability, alleged abuse, a recorded confession, a recantation, and a later civil verdict that found two people liable for Gary McCullough’s death. Megan and Mindy walk through the complicated relationships between Sandy, Gary, Albert, Chris, and the six daughters caught in the middle, including Lena Chapin, whose own disappearance years later transformed the case again. Official Missing Person Databases The Charley Project Profiles: View the specialized case profiles detailing timeline anomalies for both Liehnia "Lena" May Chapin and Gary G. McCullough. [1, 2]The Doe Network: Review the physical characteristics, medical markers, and investigative details on The Doe Network Case 3754DFMO. Documentary & Media Overviews Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries: Watch the official streaming episode covering their cases titled "Missing Witness" on Netflix via Unsolved Mysteries. The Trail Went Cold Podcast: Listen to an in-depth chronological true crime breakdown of the family dynamics and legal outcomes on Spotify's The Trail Went Cold Episode 345.Oxygen True Crime: Read a detailed follow-up report tracing the updates on family members and the civil case outcome at the Oxygen True Crime Hub.Local Journalism & Case History The Salem News: Read the deep-dive reporting regarding the initial confessions, search barriers, and statements from family advocates via The Salem News Feature Article.Cassville Democrat Archives: Browse historical archives covering Gary McCullough's disappearance and the subsequent $7 million civil wrongful death lawsuit on the Cassville Democrat Wayback Machine Archive.

    The Disappearances of Gary McCullough & Lena Chapin - Cassville (1999) & Steelville (2003), Missouri

  2. 6d ago

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Bianca Piper (2005) & Timothy Hall (1998)

    This episode of Missouri Mayhem’s Still Missing and Unsolved covers two Missouri cold cases: the 2005 disappearance of 13-year-old Bianca Noel Piper in Lincoln County and the 1998 murder of former NFL player Timothy Hall in Kansas City. Host Megan focuses on what is known, what investigators have revisited in recent years, and why both cases remain open.We discuss Bianca’s vulnerability, the search that covered hundreds of square miles, and the renewed investigation in 2025. Then we shift to Timothy Hall’s life, football career, the shooting that killed him, and the unanswered questions surrounding the intended target. Resources for Bianca Noel Piper (Foley, MO – 2005) Official Missing Person Poster: View the age-progressed profile and vital details on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) database. [1]Local Law Enforcement Hub: Review official reporting channels and regional data on the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Missing Persons Directory. “The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has launched a comprehensive, new investigation into the disappearance of 13-year-old Bianca Piper 20 years ago.” -- First Alert 4 Resources for Timothy Hall (KCMO – 1998) Investigative Journalism: Read the long-form retrospective on the unsolved homicide via The Kansas City Star Cold-Case Review. “Tim Hall, a former Raiders' running back, was murdered back home in Kansas City in 1998 in a drive-by in which he was the passenger in a car that was in the wrong place at the wrong time, according to cops.” -- The Kansas City StarArchived News Bulletins: Review the original 1998 media dispatches published by SFGATE Initial Press Coverage and The Press Democrat Sports Archives.

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Bianca Piper (2005) & Timothy Hall (1998)

  3. Sep 14

    Fairyland Amusement Park - Kansas City, Missouri 1923-1977

    Fairyland Park: Kansas City’s Million Dollar Playground, Jazz Stage, and Civil Rights Battleground Megan and Mindy dig into the complicated history of Fairyland Park at 75th and Prospect in Kansas City, a long-gone amusement park that was once a major summer destination and a significant jazz venue. The story spans thrills, music, segregation, activism, and the eventual decline of the park as Kansas City changed around it.They also trace how Fairyland fit into a larger local tradition of amusement parks, why its music mattered, and how Black Kansas Citians fought to end its discriminatory admission policies. Archival Collections & Primary Documents Kansas City Public Library (Missouri Valley Special Collections): Houses the extensive Mrs. Sam Ray Postcard Collection featuring vintage, aerial, and entrance views of the park. It also holds critical civil rights artifacts, including the SC63 Fairyland Park collection which archives a 1961 single-page protest flyer distributed by the NAACP Youth Council. The 1940 Tax Assessment Photograph Collection: Accessible via KC-1940, this rare collection includes 10 surviving property appraisal folders containing precise structural photographs of the main entrance hall, the early Sky Rocket roller coaster, and individual park attractions located between 75th and 77th Street. LaBudde Special Collections (UMKC): Holds the rare, original 1927 sheet music for the park's official promotional anthem, "Fairyland Park and You," written by William R. Clay and Ned Underhill. American Jazz Museum: Preserves historic photographs of seminal Black jazz ensembles—including the Bennie Moten Orchestra (1931) and Thamon Hayes' Kansas City Rockets (1932)—who performed at the park's pavilion despite the era's segregation laws. 📰 Media, Audio, & Investigative Reports KCUR (NPR Kansas City): Features detailed historical audio packages and investigative articles. Notable reports include Laura Ziegler’s “Years Ago, Summer Meant (Almost) Everyone Headed To Fairyland Park” and the deep-dive uncovering the origins of the park's forgotten 1920s theme song. Flatland KC (curiousKC): Offers an in-depth investigative piece, “Winning Access to Fairyland Park,” detailing the 1960s boycotts spearheaded by student Gloria Newton, CORE, and the NAACP, which ultimately led to the city's 1964 public accommodations ordinance. [

    Fairyland Amusement Park - Kansas City, Missouri 1923-1977

  4. Sep 9

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Desirea Ferris (2017) & Teresa Hilt (1973)

    Missouri Mayhem Presents: Still Missing and Unsolved This debut episode covers two Missouri cases separated by nearly 40 years: the disappearance of Desirea Ann Ferris in Liberty and the 1973 murder of Teresa “Tess” Hilt in Maryville. It focuses on what is known from records and reporting, why both cases still matter, and what unanswered questions remain for investigators and families. In this episode, Megan introduces the new weekly format and walks through the final known movements, phone activity, and case status in Desirea's disappearance before turning to the crime scene, investigation, and evidence loss in Tess Hilt’s unsolved murder. Official Law Enforcement Contacts & Tip Lines Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers: You can submit an anonymous tip by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477) or by reporting online through the Kansas City Police Department Anonymous Tip Portal. A cash reward of up to $2,000 is available for anonymous tips leading to an arrest. Liberty Police Department: To speak directly with the primary investigating agency, contact detectives at 816-439-4701.Missouri State Highway Patrol Missing Persons Clearinghouse: Information can also be reported directly to the state clearinghouse at 1-800-877-3452 or 573-526-6178. Family-Operated Private Tip Line: Out of frustration with early leads, Desirea’s family established their own private tip line at 816-945-2722. [Case Overviews & Advocacy Communities Bring Desirea Ferris Home (Facebook): Run by her family, this support and advocacy group has thousands of members who keep her face in the public eye. You can follow updates via the Bring Desirea Ferris Home Facebook Page.Missouri Cold Cases & Solve the Case Database: Detailed descriptions of Desirea's appearance, vital statistics, and timeline are chronicled on the Solve the Case Profile for Desirea Ferris.Official Law Enforcement Contacts & Tip Lines Maryville Public Safety: The lead investigative agency continues to accept community tips. You can contact Director Keith Wood or Detective Ryan Glidden directly at 1-660-562-3209. Dedicated Case Email Hotline: A private, confidential tip line specifically dedicated to Tess’s case accepts emails at Tips4Tess@aol.com. A cash reward of up to $15,000 has been historically compiled for information leading to an arrest and conviction. [Case Overviews & Advocacy Communities Justice For Tess Website: This dedicated hub contains comprehensive case archives, timelines, and links to submit confidential tips. You can review the evidence at JusticeforTess.com.Teresa Sue "Tess" Hilt Tribute Page (Facebook): Established by independent investigators and loved ones to share memories and preserve public awareness, tips can be messaged to administrators via the Teresa Sue "Tess" Hilt Facebook Page.

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Desirea Ferris (2017) & Teresa Hilt (1973)

  5. Sep 9

    PART TWO: The Times Beach Environmental Disaster - Times Beach, Missouri 1970's

    PART TWO: This episode follows the fallout at Times Beach after officials confirmed severe dioxin contamination. Flooding spread contaminated soil through the town, and residents were told they could not safely return home. The federal government eventually bought out the community, relocating most families and dismantling the town.The episode covers the painful aftermath for homeowners, the final mayor who stayed through the town’s closure, and the years-long cleanup effort that demolished buildings and incinerated contaminated soil. It also returns to the people and companies tied to the original contamination, highlighting how little accountability many residents felt there was. It closes on Times Beach’s larger legacy: the disaster helped shape America’s response to hazardous-waste sites through Superfund, while leaving behind a lasting story of shortcuts, government delay, and an entire community forced to disappear. Government Profiles & Technical Data EPA Times Beach Superfund Site Profile: This live federal database hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contains technical cleanup reports, legal consent decrees, engineering milestones, and the formal Record of Decision regarding the transportable soil incinerator. EPA Feature: A Town, a Flood, and Superfund: A comprehensive historical retrospective compiled by the EPA Region 7 Office, featuring a detailed timeline of events from the 1960s production of Agent Orange in Verona up to the modern deletion of Times Beach from the National Priorities List. Historical & Community Archives Route 66 State Park Visitor Center: Located in Eureka, Missouri, the park’s visitor center is housed in the historic Bridgehead Inn, the only physical building from the town of Times Beach left standing. It functions as a mini-museum containing historical photographs, newspapers, and physical memorabilia from the town's resort era up to its disincorporation.

    PART TWO: The Times Beach Environmental Disaster - Times Beach, Missouri 1970's

  6. Sep 7

    PART ONE: The Times Beach Environmental Disaster - Times Beach, Missouri 1970's

    PART ONE - Times Beach, Missouri. A quiet Missouri town became one of the most infamous environmental disasters in American history because of dust control. What started with cheap road oil, horse stables, and one waste hauler's side hustle ended with an entire community being bought out, demolished, and erased from the map. Megan and Mindy trace the shocking chain of events that begins at a horse stable near Moscow Mills and leads all the way to Times Beach, where families lived for years on contaminated ground without knowing it. The story reveals how Russell Bliss's oil spraying tied together multiple sites across Missouri, why animals started dying and children became ill, and how a toxic chemical called dioxin eventually forced the federal government to relocate an entire town. You'll discover: How a simple dust-control solution turned into a contamination nightmareWhy Judy Piatt and Frank Hampel became the first people to connect the dotsThe role of NEPACCO in creating the dangerous chemical waste known as still bottomsHow Times Beach grew from a newspaper promotion into a real town of homes and businesses.Government Profiles & Technical Data EPA Times Beach Superfund Site Profile: This live federal database hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contains technical cleanup reports, legal consent decrees, engineering milestones, and the formal Record of Decision regarding the transportable soil incinerator.EPA Feature: A Town, a Flood, and Superfund: A comprehensive historical retrospective compiled by the EPA Region 7 Office, featuring a detailed timeline of events from the 1960s production of Agent Orange in Verona up to the modern deletion of Times Beach from the National Priorities List.Historical & Community Archives Route 66 State Park Visitor Center: Located in Eureka, Missouri, the park’s visitor center is housed in the historic Bridgehead Inn, the only physical building from the town of Times Beach left standing. It functions as a mini-museum containing historical photographs, newspapers, and physical memorabilia from the town's resort era up to its disincorporation.Documentaries & Academic Reviews The Times Beach Dioxin Disaster Documentary: A film tracking the physical shift of the 480-acre floodplain from a 1920s newspaper subscription resort gimmick into a low-income suburb, highlighting video footage of the 1982 flood, evacuations, and interviews with former residents.A Midwestern Ghost Town Engineering Study: Published via the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), this academic review explores the early remediation failures, safety mechanics of the thermal cleanup, and the legislative impacts on the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

    PART ONE: The Times Beach Environmental Disaster - Times Beach, Missouri 1970's

  7. Aug 31

    The Infamous Female Serial Killer - Bertha Gifford: The Angel of Mercy - Morse Mill & Catawissa, Missouri 1920's

    This Missouri Mayhem episode covers the disturbing case of Bertha Gifford, one of the earliest women in the United States to be labeled a serial killer. It follows how a trusted caregiver in rural Missouri built a reputation for compassion, then became the center of a decades-long poisoning investigation.We discuss the small-town setting of Morse Mill and Catawissa, the pattern of sudden illnesses and deaths under Bertha’s care, and how arsenic, exhumations, and a public trial eventually brought the case into focus. Dedicated True Crime Books Missouri's Murderous Matrons: Emma Heppermann and Bertha Gifford: Written by Victoria Cosner and Lorelei Shannon, this book offers a complete history of Gifford’s time in Catawissa and compares her actions to those of money-driven black widow killers. It can be purchased online through retailers such as Walmart and Barnes & Noble. Tainted Legacy: The Story of Alleged Serial Killer Bertha Gifford: Written by S. Kay Murphy, Gifford's great-grandmother, this deeply personal account explores family perspectives and wrestles with whether Gifford was a well-meaning caregiver or a calculating monster.Primary Sources & Archives The Bertha Gifford Case Study Site: A specialized research database containing deep-dive timelines of the Catawissa community during the 1920s. It features digitized copies of the official Missouri Certificates of Death for her alleged victims, including the Shamel boys and Edward Brinley. St. Louis Public Library Research Guide: A structured historical directory curated by the St. Louis County Library that aggregates localized archival links to Newspapers.com and the historical St. Louis Post-Dispatch database to track live reporting from her 1928 trial. Jefferson County Library Local History Articles: A collection of preserved regional newspaper clippings and historical documents detailing her early life in Morse Mill, Missouri. Ancestry Historical Records: Provides a portal to audit public lineage records, primary marriage certificates, and census rolls mapping out her family tree.

    The Infamous Female Serial Killer - Bertha Gifford: The Angel of Mercy - Morse Mill & Catawissa, Missouri 1920's

  8. Aug 24

    The Tragic Murders of Missionaries Davy & Natalie Lloyd and Judes Montis - Haiti 2024

    This Missouri Mayhem episode tells the story of Davy and Natalie Lloyd and Judes Montis, their work with Missions in Haiti, and the conditions in Haiti that shaped their lives and the events of May 23, 2024. It explains why the couple stayed committed to ministry despite escalating danger, while also tracing the history of Haiti and the long-term impact of colonial debt, instability, and gang violence.We also hear how Davy’s childhood in Haiti, Natalie’s Missouri roots, and their shared calling to service brought them together. The episode closes by reflecting on their legacy through family, faith, memorial programs, and the continuing work connected to their ministry. Investigative Journalism & Timelines BBC News Report: Provides an immediate structural breakdown of the two distinct armed groups that ambushed the compound. The Associated Press Feature: Details the geopolitical context of the Lizon community and the initial updates provided by local police unions. CNN International Repatriation Coverage: Documents the complex logistical and security operations managed by the U.S. Embassy to recover their remains amid the airport lockdown. Media Outlets Covering Live Communications ABC 7 News Timeline: Tracks the text-by-text updates posted live to social media by Missions in Haiti, Inc. as the compound was being breached.Relevant Magazine Deep-Dive: Examines the exact phone call transcripts between Davy and his father during the ransom negotiations. First-Hand Testimonies & Books Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) Radio Interview: Features audio and transcribed testimony from parents David and Alicia Lloyd regarding what compound eyewitnesses overheard during the final moments of the standoff. Strong to the End Book Profile: Provides biographical essays and review notes on the official book published by the Lloyd family regarding the couple's ministry history.

    The Tragic Murders of Missionaries Davy & Natalie Lloyd and Judes Montis - Haiti 2024
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About

🎙️ Welcome to Missouri Mayhem: Mystery & Murder! We’re your hosts, Megan and Mindy — sisters, storytellers, retired educators, and lifelong lovers of true crime and all things mysterious. From chilling cold cases to strange small-town secrets, we’ll dig deep into the stories that keep you up at night… especially the ones hiding right here in the heart of Missouri. Our podcast launched Fall 2025, and we are excited to take you on a journey through the twists, turns, and mayhem that make our state’s history both fascinating and frightening. If you have a case or topic suggestion, please email the sisters at missourimayhemsisters@gmail.com. 🕵️‍♀️🔍 All are welcome! Thank you for listening, subscribing, and reviewing our podcast! We appreciate you!

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