Murder In The Black

Steph and M.D.

M.D. and STEPH are sisters who share a passion for true crime. ​They are committed to highlighting stories within the black community that often do not receive the attention they deserve. This has led them to create a platform where these stories can be shared on a weekly basis through their podcast. Drawing on her legal expertise, M.D. provides the legal context of each case, while Steph delves into the details concerning the victims and occasionally the perpetrators. By tuning in weekly, listeners can expect to learn about lesser-known crime cases and gain a deeper understanding of the cases

  1. 4 days ago

    Predators Don’t Live in Folders | Jesse Matthew Jr.

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, we look at the case of Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. and the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham. This story is not just about how Matthew was eventually caught. It is about the years before that: the college allegations, the DNA that sat without a name attached to it, the missed opportunities, and the systems that treated each warning sign like it belonged in a separate folder. Morgan Harrington disappeared in 2009 after leaving a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, Virginia. Years later, UVA student Hannah Graham disappeared after a night out in the same city. DNA evidence eventually connected Matthew to a 2005 Fairfax assault, Morgan's case, and Hannah's case. The question at the center of this episode is not only what Jesse Matthew did. It is how many times he could have been stopped before another woman was harmed. Because predators do not live in folders. This episode discusses sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, violence against women, and institutional failures around campus safety. Jesse Matthew's early background and college football yearsSexual assault allegations at Liberty University and Christopher Newport UniversityThe 2005 Fairfax assault and unmatched DNA profileMorgan Harrington's disappearance after the 2009 Metallica concertThe search for Morgan and the creation of Help Save the Next GirlHannah Graham's 2014 disappearance in CharlottesvilleHow CCTV helped identify Matthew as a suspectThe DNA links between Fairfax, Morgan, and HannahMatthew's arrest in Texas, guilty pleas, and life sentencesThe larger conversation around campus safety, DNA policy, and missed warning signsAfter the main episode, I also cover two current stories: The death of Nateal Campbell, mother of NFL player Calais Campbell, and the charges against her son Ciarre CampbellThe update in Joniah Walker's case after the Milwaukee teen, missing since 2022, was found safeJesse Matthew was eventually convicted in the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham, but this case raises a bigger question: how many times could he have been stopped before another woman was harmed? This episode looks at the college allegations, the 2005 Fairfax assault, the DNA links, the disappearances of Morgan and Hannah, and the institutional gaps that allowed warning signs to stay separated. Because predators do not live in folders. Content warning: sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, and violence against women. If you made it this far, thank you for sitting with these stories with me. Let me know your thoughts on the missed opportunities in this case, because I really want to hear how y'all feel about that. For those of you who are like me and love to binge a story all the way through, episodes 6, 7, and 8 of What I Didn't See drop Sunday on the paid subscription, along with bonus journal entries with behind-the-scenes insight into Christina's thoughts. Thank you for the support, the comments, the shares, and the way y'all continue to show up for this space. Like, follow, and share this episode with someone who follows true crime with care. I'll see y'all in the next one. Research for this episode included public reporting from CNN, NBC News, NBC29, The Washington Post, CBS, WDBJ, and public case summaries related to Morgan Harrington, Hannah Graham, the 2005 Fairfax assault, and Jesse Matthew's convictions. Content WarningIn This EpisodeTrue Crime in Current NewsShort Spotify DescriptionListener CTASource Note For Spotify

    54 min

  2. 25 Jun

    The River Did Not Keep Her | The Murder of Lisa Eatmon

    Lisa Eatmon was a Brooklyn mother, Army veteran, and expectant mom preparing to welcome her son, Jaden Marquis. In April 2005, Lisa was found in the Hudson River, and what first seemed unclear soon became a homicide investigation. In this episode of Murder in the Black, we walk through Lisa’s life, the discovery in Manhattan, the evidence left behind at home, and the investigation that led detectives from phone records to a sanitation dock near the Hudson River. We also reflect on warning signs that can appear in relationships when pregnancy, accountability, secrecy, and control collide. Content warning: homicide, pregnancy loss, intimate partner violence, and grief involving a child losing a parent. If you or someone you love feels unsafe, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

    41 min

  3. 18 Jun

    The Lawyer Who Became the Case: Murder of Chiquita Tate

    In this episode, we revisit the tragic case of Chiquita Tate, a rising Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney whose life was violently taken inside her own law office. Chiquita was brilliant, ambitious, and building a name for herself in the courtroom when her final night at work became the center of a murder investigation. We walk through Chiquita’s life, the timeline of her last hours, the evidence found at the scene, and the courtroom battle that followed. From DNA and hair evidence to the missing wallet, blood evidence, possible staging, and the complicated personal history between Chiquita and her husband, Greg Harris, this case raises difficult questions about violence, control, justice, and legacy. This episode also includes a brief update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case, another heartbreaking story involving a young woman whose future was stolen. Key Topics Chiquita Tate’s life, career, and rise as a criminal defense attorneyThe timeline of her final night in Baton RougeThe crime scene evidence, including DNA, hair, blood evidence, and the missing walletHow the prosecution and defense interpreted the same evidence differentlyThe role of marriage, motive, life insurance, and possible separation plansGreg Harris’s trial, manslaughter conviction, sentencing, and appealsThe lasting impact of workplace and intimate-partner violenceChiquita’s legacy beyond the crime sceneTimestamps 00:00 - Introduction and factual reporting note 01:06 - A Baton Rouge law office becomes a crime scene 02:04 - The murder of Chiquita Tate 03:02 - Chiquita’s background, ambition, and legal career 04:29 - Chiquita’s marriage to Greg Harris 09:26 - February 19, 2009: dinner, work, and her final hours 13:12 - Crime scene findings and early evidence 15:59 - The suspect list and growing focus on Greg Harris 17:31 - The discovery of Chiquita’s wallet 19:37 - Evidence from Greg and Chiquita’s home 22:17 - Possible motives: separation, control, and life insurance 24:03 - A tip that redirected investigators 26:41 - Sunglasses, DNA profiles, and forensic questions 29:18 - Court proceedings and trial strategy 36:16 - The verdict: manslaughter, not second-degree murder 37:20 - Sentencing, appeals, and legal aftermath 39:52 - Reflection on Chiquita’s life and legacy 42:51 - Update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case 47:14 - Closing message and listener gratitude Resources Mentioned DNA evidence and forensic interpretationLouisiana second-degree murder and manslaughter lawCriminal appeals and post-conviction challengesThe Alexis Crawford caseIntimate-partner violence and workplace violence awarenessConnect With the Host Follow and connect on social media for case updates, episode discussions, and behind-the-scenes content. Final Reflection The heart of this story is not only the evidence. It is Chiquita Tate herself: a first-generation college graduate, a determined attorney, and a woman whose future was still unfolding. Her legacy reminds us to honor the lives behind the headlines and to keep speaking about violence that too often begins behind familiar doors.

    50 min

  4. 11 Jun

    Latasha Harlins, Karmelo Anthony, and the Question of Black Childhood

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, the host reflects on Latasha Harlins’ life, death, and legacy while connecting her story to racial violence, community grief, policing, and justice in America. She also shares her firsthand experience attending the Karmelo Anthony trial and examines how Black youth are viewed in courtrooms, media, and public opinion. Key Topics Latasha Harlins’ life, family, and tragic deathSouth Central LA in the 1980s and 1990sEula Mae Love, Rodney King, and LAPD violenceBlack and Korean community tensions in South CentralThe 1992 LA Uprising and its aftermathThe O.J. Simpson trial and distrust of the LAPDCyrus Carmack-Belton and ongoing racial violenceThe Karmelo Anthony trial and courtroom experienceRace, accountability, grief, and Black childhoodTimestamps 00:00 - Witnessing the Karmelo Anthony trial 00:23 - Latasha Harlins’ story 03:06 - Latasha’s family and move to LA 05:42 - Crystal Harlins’ death 09:15 - Black grandmothers and survival 11:07 - Latasha’s dreams 13:14 - Black/Korean tensions in South Central 14:19 - Eula Mae Love and LAPD violence 17:15 - Rodney King 21:34 - Latasha’s murder 23:22 - Sentencing and outrage 26:21 - 1992 LA Uprising 29:32 - O.J. Simpson and the LAPD 30:24 - Cyrus Carmack-Belton 31:03 - Karmelo Anthony case 36:04 - Jury composition 37:09 - Verdict impact 42:19 - Race, grief, and accountability 46:01 - James Baldwin reflection Resources Latasha Harlins case, Rodney King beating, 1992 LA Uprising, O.J. Simpson trial, Cyrus Carmack-Belton case, Karmelo Anthony case, James Baldwin quote.

    47 min

  5. 4 Jun

    The Children Behind the Smiles : The Hart Family Murders

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of the Hart family murders—a tragedy that exposed serious failures within the child welfare system and challenged the carefully curated image of a family celebrated by many. What appeared to be a picture-perfect family on social media concealed years of abuse, neglect, and unanswered cries for help. Through court records, witness accounts, and investigative findings, we explore how warning signs were repeatedly overlooked and why the voices of six children were not heard until it was too late. This episode is not simply about how the Hart family died—it is about how six children lived, what they endured, and the futures they were denied. The events leading up to the deaths of Jennifer and Sarah Hart and their six adopted children Repeated reports of abuse and neglect that failed to result in meaningful intervention The role social media played in shaping public perception of the family Devonte Hart's viral image and the complex reality behind the photograph The importance of recognizing and responding to children's disclosures The dangers of "savior" narratives and performative activism Race, adoption, and the challenges of transracial family dynamics Systemic failures within child welfare and protective services The final investigation and evidence supporting an intentional murder-suicide The lives, personalities, and futures of the children at the center of this case Time Stamps : 00:00 – Introduction to the Hart family case 00:25 – A hungry child seeks help from neighbors 00:55 – The family's disappearance and the discovery at the California cliffside 01:50 – Public perception versus reality 02:29 – Devonte Hart and the image that captivated the nation 03:26 – The carefully constructed narrative surrounding the family 04:07 – Social media, activism, and image management 05:09 – How trauma was used to explain away concerns 06:28 – Priscilla Celestine's efforts to keep her family together 07:19 – Family separation and contradictions within the system 08:16 – Investigations, reports, and missed opportunities 09:12 – Adoption history and the creation of a public success story 10:33 – When trauma became a shield against accountability 11:58 – The 2010 abuse allegations and legal outcomes 13:39 – Continued warning signs and institutional failures 15:09 – Homeschooling, isolation, and limited oversight 16:21 – Narrative control and public image management 17:50 – A troubling family visit in Oregon 20:18 – Hannah Hart's attempt to seek help 22:06 – Devonte's repeated requests for food 23:39 – Escalating concerns and failures to intervene 26:33 – The crash investigation and evidence of intentional family annihilation 28:30 – The final days: sedatives, control, and isolation 30:48 – Recovery efforts and the search for Devonte 32:00 – Examining years of systemic oversight failures 34:45 – The dangers of rescue narratives and public perception 37:09 – The futures each child deserved 38:09 – The emotional impact of the case 39:36 – Looking beyond appearances and curated images 40:34 – Final reflections: How many warnings are too many? Topics Covered Child Welfare and Protective Services Resources Information on Trauma and Child Abuse Recognition Research on Transracial Adoption and Child Advocacy Historical Context Behind Devonte Hart's Viral Photograph Follow the show for updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes discussions: Instagram: @murderintheblackpodcast Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast platform. In Memory of Hannah, Markis, Abigail, Jeremiah, Sierra, and Devonte Hart. Their story reminds us that a carefully crafted image can hide painful realities. Most importantly, it reminds us that children deserve to be heard, believed, and protected.

    46 min

  6. 28 May

    Keeshae Jacobs: The Silence Toni Knew Was Wrong

    In this episode, we revisit the disappearance of Keeshae Jacobs, a 21-year-old woman from Richmond, Virginia, whose mother, Toni Jacobs, knew from the beginning that something was wrong. Keeshae’s case is not just about one missing person investigation. It is about family intuition, delayed urgency, forensic evidence, unanswered questions, and the pain of a mother forced to keep fighting through unimaginable grief. Toni searched for Keeshae while later having to bury her son, DaeVon, and even after a major break in the case, the justice her family deserved still feels incomplete. We walk through Keeshae’s life, the day she disappeared, the early police response, the evidence connected to Otis Tucker, his later conviction for the murder of Ashley Fowler in Florida, and the 2024 confession that brought answers without full accountability. This episode also looks at the larger issue of missing Black women and the families who are too often left to advocate, investigate, and demand urgency on their own. Key Topics Keeshae Jacobs’ life, family, and close bond with her mother, ToniWhy Toni knew Keeshae’s silence was not normalThe early police response and misconceptions around missing adultsThe role of family intuition in missing person casesOtis Tucker’s changing timeline and history of violenceForensic evidence recovered from Tucker’s residenceThe emotional impact of DaeVon Jacobs’ murder on Toni and her familyHow misinformation, rumors, and scams affect missing familiesMedia disparities in coverage of missing Black womenTucker’s later murder conviction in Florida for Ashley Fowler’s deathThe 2024 confession, immunity agreement, and why charges were not filedThe difference between answers, closure, and justiceWhat Keeshae’s case reveals about urgency, accountability, and advocacy00:23 - Why Keeshae’s story is being revisited 03:00 - Keeshae’s life, family, and bond with Toni 08:12 - The night Keeshae was last seen 11:21 - Toni’s search and the early police response 14:40 - Keeshae’s last known location and Otis Tucker’s timeline 17:31 - Forensic evidence and Tucker’s violent history 19:54 - Delays, missed urgency, and systemic challenges 22:11 - Foul play suspected and barriers to prosecution 25:55 - DaeVon Jacobs’ death and Toni’s compounded grief 28:38 - Rumors, media coverage, and advocacy for missing Black women 29:57 - Tucker’s Florida conviction and Ashley Fowler’s murder 30:56 - The immunity agreement and 2024 confession 35:24 - Why charges were not filed 36:24 - Toni’s fight, grief, and the meaning of justice 38:21 - Reflection, listener takeaway, and closing CTA Resources & Links Black and Missing FoundationNCIC Missing Persons StatisticsRichmond Police DepartmentCBS 6/WTVR reporting on Keeshae JacobsCoverage on Otis Tucker and Ashley Fowler’s case Closing Note Keeshae Jacobs was loved, known, and missed from the very beginning. Her story is a reminder to listen when families say something is wrong, to share missing person cases with care, and to keep pressure on the systems responsible for responding with urgency.

    41 min

  7. 21 May

    Natise Johnson and Oliver Wendell Munson: The Cost of Doing the Right Thing

    A 21-year-old pregnant woman is murdered inside her father’s Philadelphia home just days before giving birth. A Maryland teacher disappears three days before he is set to testify in court. In this episode of Murder in the Black, we discuss the murder of Natise Johnson and the unsolved disappearance of Oliver Wendell Munson, two cases connected by haunting questions about loyalty, vulnerability, and what it can cost to do the right thing. Natise’s case is a devastating story of obsession, control, and retaliation. Oliver’s disappearance remains one of those deeply unsettling unsolved cases where the timing alone makes it impossible to ignore what may have happened. This episode contains discussions of murder, gun violence, abuse, witness vulnerability, and the death of an unborn child.

    40 min

  8. 14 May

    The House in Crescentville

    In 2003, a Philadelphia neighborhood was shaken by the murders of Patricia, Nikki, and James inside their own home. What investigators found at the scene — an untouched slice of pizza, an extra Coke can, and victims covered after death — pointed toward something more personal and psychologically unsettling than a random act of violence. In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the investigation, the behavioral clues uncovered inside the home, and how the case ultimately shifted toward Sean Brown. The episode also explores the role of community observations, family persistence, and evolving forensic evidence in solving violent crimes. Later, Steph discusses ongoing updates in the cases of Vontisha “Sway” Williams and Celeste Hernandez, reflecting on how digital evidence and modern investigative techniques continue reshaping true crime investigations today. Topics Covered The murders of Patricia, Nikki, and JamesCrime scene behavioral analysisThe significance of the extra Coke can and covered victimsSean Brown’s arrest and confessionCommunity involvement and investigative breakthroughsPatterns of escalation and warning signs in violent offendersUpdates on Vontisha Williams and Celeste HernandezTimestamps (00:00) — The Philadelphia triple homicide(05:11) — The crime scene details investigators focused on(11:24) — Early theories and suspect developments(17:34) — Fingerprint evidence and Sean Brown(24:31) — Violence disrupting ordinary life(28:22) — Updates on Vontisha Williams and Celeste Hernandez(38:33) — Final reflections + What I Didn’t See Resources & Further Reading Philadelphia homicide investigation archivesPublic court records related to Sean BrownCommunity memorial pages for Vontisha “Sway” WilliamsOngoing public updates surrounding the Celeste Hernandez investigationConnect With Murder in the Black YouTube: Murder in the BlackTikTok & Instagram: @MurderintheBlackSubstack: Murder in the BlackEmail:murderintheblackpodcast36@gmail.com

    41 min
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Trailer

About

M.D. and STEPH are sisters who share a passion for true crime. ​They are committed to highlighting stories within the black community that often do not receive the attention they deserve. This has led them to create a platform where these stories can be shared on a weekly basis through their podcast. Drawing on her legal expertise, M.D. provides the legal context of each case, while Steph delves into the details concerning the victims and occasionally the perpetrators. By tuning in weekly, listeners can expect to learn about lesser-known crime cases and gain a deeper understanding of the cases

Information

  • Creator
    Steph and M.D.
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    313
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Steph and M.D.
  • Show Website
    Murder In The Black

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