10 episodes

Mom didn’t kill herself. It was murder. That’s what Billie Jean Letterman's daughter is out to prove.
Season 1 of Burden examines the suspicious death of a young mother in Arkansas and the dangers of not holding abusers accountable.
Hosted by attorney Stephanie Harris and journalist Karen Tricot Steward.
Get bonus content on Patreon.
Burden is a production of Power of Pod, a podcast production company that uses the power of podcasting to help us better understand our world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burden Power of Pod

    • True Crime
    • 4.6 • 269 Ratings

Mom didn’t kill herself. It was murder. That’s what Billie Jean Letterman's daughter is out to prove.
Season 1 of Burden examines the suspicious death of a young mother in Arkansas and the dangers of not holding abusers accountable.
Hosted by attorney Stephanie Harris and journalist Karen Tricot Steward.
Get bonus content on Patreon.
Burden is a production of Power of Pod, a podcast production company that uses the power of podcasting to help us better understand our world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What Happened To Billie Jean?

    What Happened To Billie Jean?

    Billie Jean Letterman died of a gunshot wound to the head at her home in Texarkana, Arkansas in 1991. Her husband Michael said she shot herself.
    When paramedics arrive at the scene, Michael is behaving suspiciously. At the hospital, medical staff also notice some concerning behavior. 
    Police interview Michael to try to understand what happened to Billie Jean but are quick to appease him when he becomes nervous and can’t get his story straight.
    Bonus content available on Patreon.
    Visit BurdenPod.com for more information on this show. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 26 min
    Mom Didn’t Kill Herself

    Mom Didn’t Kill Herself

    Billie Jean Letterman’s daughter Ashly was in the house the night her mother was shot in the head. Ashly is Michael Letterman's step daughter. She was only six years old when her mom died. What she saw that night has been haunting her ever since. 
    Ashly’s father Topper Letterman, who is also Michael Letterman’s older brother, talks about his relationship with Michael and what he thinks happened the night Billie Jean was shot.
    Bonus content available on Patreon.
    Visit BurdenPod.com for more information on this show. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 25 min
    The Investigation - Part 1

    The Investigation - Part 1

    Police officers report what they saw at the scene the night Billie Jean was shot. Lead investigator Sgt. Don Nix talks about the case many years later and says he believes it was a homicide. He has trouble remembering some of the details, though, and contradicts himself numerous times.
    Ashly speaks publicly about her mom’s case and is told what she is saying only proves that Michael is telling the truth.
    Bonus content available on Patreon.
    Visit BurdenPod.com for more information on this show. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 24 min
    The Investigation - Part 2

    The Investigation - Part 2

    Michael’s first wife tells police about the horrible things Michael did to her when they were married. Hospital records reveal the final moments of Billie’s life. The crime lab sends its findings to lead investigator Sgt. Don Nix. And, five years after she died, the investigation into Billie’s death is reopened.
    Bonus content available on Patreon.
    Visit BurdenPod.com for more information on this show. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 30 min
    The Lettermans

    The Lettermans

    On this episode, stories of growing up in the Letterman household. We also hear from Billie's family and friends about times they were afraid of Michael Letterman and efforts to call police.
    Ashly’s cousin David Wayne comes forward to say he has information about the night Billie Jean died that he’s never revealed.
    And, a reflection on the violent past of a man elected prosecuting attorney in Miller County around the time that Billie died, Brent Haltom. He went on to be elected as a judge.
    Bonus content available on Patreon.
    Visit BurdenPod.com for more information on this show. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 37 min
    He Was A Monster

    He Was A Monster

    After Billie Jean died, Michael Letterman married for a third time to a young woman named Ginna. This is Ginna’s story about her 15-year marriage to Michael, the man she calls a monster. We hear how she eventually got away from him and the lingering questions she has about the death of his second wife. 
    Bonus content available on Patreon.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
269 Ratings

269 Ratings

jprabbit12 ,

Highly recommended

Praying there is justice for Billie Jean. Thank you for sharing this story. Great reporting and analysis. Kept me wishing we could turn back time to make the initial investigation more thorough.

Taralainee ,

Recommended💔

Although it is rough to listen to but very
Good storytelling. Really enjoyed the journalism.

Baphomet985 ,

Earnest

A respectful telling of an unsolved crime. I don’t usually leave reviews but I wanted to show my support to you all.

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