Missouri Mayhem: Mystery & Murder with Mindy & Megan!

Megan Owens & Mindy Johnson
  • 4.7 (28)
  • 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. 2d ago

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Ricky McCormick (St. Louis, MO 1999) & Branson Perry (Skidmore, MO 2001)

    This Still Missing & Unsolved episode covers two Missouri mysteries that still resist a clean explanation: the death of Ricky McCormick, whose body was found with unreadable handwritten notes, and the disappearance of Branson Perry, who vanished from a family property in Skidmore in 2001. The episode matters because both cases show how a few surviving clues can be more frustrating than having none at all. Ricky McCormick Case Resources Official Law Enforcement Files:FBI Vault – Ricky McCormick Case Files: Access the fully digitized, primary documents from the FBI Laboratory's Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU). This file contains high-resolution copies of the actual encrypted notes (labeled Q1–Q3), investigative reports, and the bureau's formal standard analysis documentation.Case Overview & Public Cryptography Portals:Wikipedia – Ricky McCormick's Encrypted Notes: Provides a highly detailed breakdown of the timeline, the layout of the 30 rows of code, the internal contradictions regarding McCormick's literacy, and a comprehensive summary of how the case transitioned into a public-facing cryptography puzzle. Media Coverage & Investigative Deep Dives:CBS News Investigative Profile: Detailed national coverage highlighting the FBI’s rare decision to lift case restrictions to request amateur crowd-sourced cryptanalyst support.WNYC Studios – "Takeaway" Interview: An interview segment from April 2011 breaking down the unique nature of the cipher and why standard military-grade code-breaking mechanisms completely failed. Branson Perry Case Resources Official Databases & Case Tracking:Uncovered Case Profile – Branson Perry: A dedicated chronological visualization platform that tracks all known names, entities, and geographic points of interest tied to the 300 block of W Oak St. in Skidmore, MO. Recent Investigative Tracking & Local Reporting:FOX4 KC – FBI Joint Investigation Report: Details regarding the FBI bringing specialized tools to northern Missouri, specifically documenting the physical tracking, excavation, and sonar examination of the remote well location in Quitman, Missouri.KQ2 News St. Joseph – 25th Anniversary Reward Release: Local news coverage highlighting the 25th anniversary developments, including the active $100,000 cash reward criteria set by his brother Phillip, and the distribution of the Missouri Department of Corrections' 2026 Cold Case Playing Cards initiative (featuring Branson on the 2 of clubs).

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Ricky McCormick (St. Louis, MO 1999) & Branson Perry (Skidmore, MO 2001)

  2. 4d ago

    The Life of Missouri Native: Walt Disney - Marceline & Kansas City, Missouri

    This Missouri Mayhem episode traces Walt Disney from his Missouri childhood to the creation of Disneyland, showing how his early years in Marceline and Kansas City shaped his imagination, work ethic, and vision for entertainment. It also examines the complicated parts of his legacy, including labor conflict, political controversy, and racist material in some of his work, to separate myth from documented history. Official Archives & Foundations D23 Official Walt Disney Biography – The official Disney fan club provides a structured overview of his 43-year Hollywood career, including key studio developments and personal milestones. The Walt Disney Family Museum Timeline – A highly detailed, downloadable chronological record tracking Walt from his birth in Chicago to his early work in the American Ambulance Corps. Documentaries & Biographical Profiles PBS American Experience: Walt Disney – An in-depth, multi-part biographical milestone breakdown detailing his studio layout, his nervous breakdown in 1931, and his eventual House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) testimony in 1947. Regional Historical Registries State Historical Society of Missouri: Historic Missourians – Focuses heavily on his formative midwestern roots, detailing his childhood on a farm in Marceline, Missouri, which famously inspired Main Street, U.S.A..The Pendergast Years: Kansas City Animation – Explores his early professional struggles, including the spectacular financial failure of his first corporate venture, Laugh-O-gram Films, Inc., on 31st Street in Kansas City. Invention & Technical RecordsLemelson-MIT Disney Inventor Profile – Highlights his technical legacy, including U.S. patent #2,201,689 granted for the revolutionary multiplane animation camera used in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

    The Life of Missouri Native: Walt Disney - Marceline & Kansas City, Missouri

  3. Oct 7

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Kristina Bishop (Columbia, MO 1994) & Ryan Weeks (Smithville, MO 2022)

    In this episode of Missouri Mayhem Presents: Still Missing and Unsolved, Megan examines two Missouri cases that continue to leave families searching for answers. First, she explores the 1994 disappearance of 13-year-old Kristina Renae Bishop, who vanished while walking to school in Columbia after reportedly getting into a car with an unknown man. Then, the episode follows the case of Ryan L. Weeks, who disappeared from the Smithville area in 2022; although his remains were later identified, the circumstances of his death remain under investigation. Two different cases, two families, and one shared call for answers. Kristina Bishop Investigation Resources Official Database Profiles & Case Profiles:View her active profile on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which features an age-progressed image.Review behavioral data and physical identifiers on her Uncovered Case Profile.Track her official entry via the Missouri State Highway Patrol Missing Juvenile Database. Media Coverage & Deep Dives:Read the 30-year retrospective report by ABC 17 News KMIZ highlighting the shifting details of the investigation.Explore early regional historical context via the KRCG TV Archive. Where to Submit Tips:Contact the Columbia Police Department directly at 573-874-7652 (Reference case #94-021025).Submit an anonymous tip through Columbia CrimeStoppers at 573-875-TIPS (8477). Ryan Weeks Investigation Resources Official Law Enforcement Statement:Review the full press release and official timeline directly on the Smithville Police Department Facebook Page. Where to Submit Tips:Anyone holding details regarding Ryan Weeks' final locations or acquaintances is urged to call Detective Knowles at the Smithville Police Department at 816-532-0500 (Reference case number 12200196).

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Kristina Bishop (Columbia, MO 1994) & Ryan Weeks (Smithville, MO 2022)

  4. Oct 5

    The Kansas City Butcher - Serial Killer Robert Berdella - Kansas City, MO 1984-87

    This Missouri Mayhem episode covers one of Missouri’s most infamous serial killer cases, centered on the house at 4315 Charlotte Street in Kansas City. It traces Robert Andrew Berdella Jr.’s childhood, the development of his violent fantasies, and the murders that came to light only after a survivor escaped and alerted police. Mindy and Megan guide the story with a mix of case details and commentary, and they also pause to emphasize the cruelty of targeting vulnerable people and the importance of the survivor’s escape. Books & Written Deep-Dives Robert Berdella: The True Story of the Kansas City Butcher by Jack Rosewood: An in-depth historical profile of Berdella’s crimes, detailing how he operated out of his unassuming home and utilized a 720-page confession to reveal his methodology. Robert Berdella: The True Story of a Man Who Turned His Darkest Fantasies Into a Reality by Ryan Becker: Part of the Real Crime By Real Killers series, this brief book analyzes how his dark, sadomasochistic fantasies developed into horrific acts. ThoughtCo Profile: A comprehensive, accessible web-based overview written by true crime historians detailing his early life, his shop "Bob's Bazaar Bizarre," and his eventual capture. Murderpedia & Criminal Minds Wiki: Extensive databases that compile timeline entries, victim profiles, court documents, and historical local news reporting from the case. Podcasts UNMARKED: A True Crime Podcast – "Bob Berdella: The Confession No One Heard": A detailed multi-part investigative series featuring recovered police files, interviews with original detectives, and audio reconstructions of his extensive, detailed confession. Serial Killers (Spotify Studios) – "The Kansas City Butcher": A deep clinical dive examining Berdella’s psychological transformation from a quiet student at the Kansas City Art Institute into an obsessive control killer. Murmur Murders – "Robert Berdella": An episode tracking his obsession with the 1965 film The Collector and how it heavily influenced his real-life containment and torture methods.

    The Kansas City Butcher - Serial Killer Robert Berdella - Kansas City, MO 1984-87

  5. Sep 30

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Jason Mark Huff (Cameron, MO 2020) & The John Ave Triple Homicide (St. Louis, MO 2017)

    In this episode of Missouri Mayhem Presents: Still Missing & Unsolved, Megan examines two cases that continue to leave families searching for answers. First, she tells the story of Jason Mark Huff, a 47-year-old veteran and corrections officer who disappeared after leaving home to run errands in November 2020. Surveillance footage traced his movements through northern Missouri, and his car was later found abandoned on a rural road—but Jason was never located. The episode then turns to the 2017 killings of Reeba Moore, Dominique Lewis, and Chanice White in St. Louis. The three friends were shot and killed after fleeing an apparent home invasion, and despite the passage of years, no one has been publicly identified as responsible. Through both cases, this episode honors the people at the center of these stories and highlights the unanswered questions that remain. Resources: Jason Mark Huff Disappearance (Cameron, MO – 2020) The Charley Project Database – Detailed background on his timeline, physical description, vehicle details, and law enforcement contact info. Missouri State Highway Patrol Active Missing Persons – The official state-level clearinghouse record confirming his missing status. Missing People in America Profile – Summary of his last known surveillance sightings in St. Joseph and Dearborn, Missouri. /r/UnsolvedMysteries Community Discussion – Public timeline aggregation and community theories regarding his background as a prison guard. John Ave Triple Homicide (St. Louis, MO – 2017) The Marshall Project Feature Report – An in-depth investigative feature detailing the timeline of the shooting, family advocacy efforts, and breakdowns in the detective work.APM Reports Case Analysis – Data-driven overview contextualizing the John Avenue homicide within a broader radius of unsolved violent crime in the Fairground neighborhood.St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR) Audio & Article Coverage – Local public media reporting tracking the community fallout, lack of trust, and witness fear surrounding the John Avenue case.

    Still Missing & Unsolved: Jason Mark Huff (Cameron, MO 2020) & The John Ave Triple Homicide (St. Louis, MO 2017)

  6. Sep 28

    The Suspicious Death of Thomas Swope - Independence, Missouri 1909

    This Missouri Mayhem episode explores the suspicious deaths tied to the wealthy Swope family of Kansas City and the doctor at the center of the accusations, Bennett Clark Hyde. It follows the case from the autumn of 1909 through multiple trials, showing how inheritance, medicine, and public suspicion collided in one of Missouri’s most infamous murder mysteries. Megan and Mindy guide listeners through the people inside the Swope mansion, the illness that spread through the household, and the forensic questions that kept the case alive for years. It is part history, part true crime, and part courtroom drama. High-Quality Digital Archives & Primary Sources KC History (Kansas City Public Library): Read the detailed historical essay Dr. Hyde and Mr. Swope, which highlights the $3.5 million inheritance motive, prosecutor James A. Reed's strategy, and the cyanide capsule evidence. Jackson County Historical Society (JCHS): Explore the JCHS E-Journal on Swope Mock Trials for unique archival photographs and a look back at the modern mock trials held at UMKC Law School to re-examine the century-old forensic evidence. Kansas City Yesterday: Dive into a deep narrative breakdown via The Story of the Murder of Thomas Swope, detailing Swope’s final violent illness and how he lay in state at the public library. Multimedia & Audio Features KCUR’s A People’s History of Kansas City: Listen to the gripping audio documentary Kansas City's Great Unsolved Murder Mystery, featuring localized commentary from historians, deep-dives into life inside the 26-room estate, and a breakdown of why Dr. Hyde ultimately walked free after three trials. KCTV5 Local History Spotlight: Watch the broadcast segment Mansion Veiled in Tragedies, which covers Swope's transition from a 1855 real estate investor at Westport Landing to a historic philanthropist. Physical Landmarks & Memorials The Thomas H. Swope Memorial (Swope Park): View the structural layout and history of his final resting place at the Kansas City Parks & Recreation Swope Memorial Page. Designed by George Kessler, the Greek Doric mausoleum features a central bronze plaque of Swope and guardian lions.The Clio Historical Guide: Use the Clio Thomas H. Swope Memorial Guide to find exact map coordinates, historical context regarding the day the city's schools and businesses closed for his funeral, and details on his delayed 1918 interment

    The Suspicious Death of Thomas Swope - Independence, Missouri 1909

  7. Sep 23

    Still Missing & Unsolved: The Missing Six - Berkeley, Missouri 2023

    This Still Missing & Unsolved episode follows the disappearance of six people tied together by an online spiritual community and a shared move into a house in Berkeley, Missouri. It matters because the case combines a highly unusual living situation, troubling allegations around their online influence, and the disappearance of two young children along with four adults. Megan walks through how the group formed, what investigators found at the Berkeley house, and why the trail goes cold after the six check out of a hotel in Florissant. Direct Reporting & Official Bulletins FBI Missing Persons Portal: The FBI maintains an active kidnapping and missing persons file for this specific case. Tips can be submitted online through the FBI Wanted Directory or by contacting the FBI St. Louis Field Office at (314) 589-2500. [1, 2]Local Law Enforcement: The Berkeley Police Department is the leading local agency on the case. You can reach their investigative division directly at (314) 524-3311 or (314) 524-3700. [1, 2]National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): For the two young children involved, case details and reporting mechanisms can be verified at NCMEC.Case Tracking & Databases Missouri State Highway Patrol Clearinghouse: You can track active missing persons profiles and state statistics through the Missouri State Highway Patrol Database.National Missing and Unidentified Persons System: Case data for the adults is accessible via NamUs.

    Still Missing & Unsolved: The Missing Six - Berkeley, Missouri 2023

  8. Sep 21

    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
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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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