Missing Magnolias

Scarlett Davis
  • 4.5 (23)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Missing Magnolias tells the stories of the murdered or missing but certainly not forgotten. Too often we sensationalize the offender and undermine the victim. This true crime podcast combats the norm by offering a curation of interviews with victims, criminologists, experts, and truth- seekers who begin the dialogue: what is the "real true crime experience?" 

  1. JAN 14

    The Carpool Detectives: Six Feet Apart, Fifteen Years Deep

    Four women. One ravine. A cold case that refused to stay buried. Joining us are Marissa, Jeannie, Samira, and Nicole—the investigators behind The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case by Chuck Hogan. What began during the isolation of the COVID lockdown as curiosity—sparked by a grainy video of a car being pulled from a ravine after what was ruled an “accident”—evolved into a years-long investigation uncovering financial irregularities, resurrected cell phones, institutional resistance, and evidence pointing to a double homicide. Hovering just out of frame is Michelle McNamara, another Southern California mother whose legacy looms large in this work—proof that amateur sleuths can help move cold cases when official systems stall. But as these women note, McNamara carried the emotional toll largely alone; they carried it together. Though the case did not end with arrests and ultimately intersected with unsettling hints of organized crime, their work gave the family something they had been denied for over a decade: truth, validation, and answers. On the horizon, the team looks ahead to their next case—a series of Jane Doe murders from the 1970s and 1980s, where untested DNA may finally give names back to the forgotten. Be sure to purchase The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case by Chuck Hogan. And follow the team on their Insta !

    45 min

  2. 10/22/2025

    Class, Let's Tap into the Hive!

    Can a high school class crack a serial killer case? In Elizabethton, Tennessee, sociology teacher Alex Campbell and his students did just that. What began as a lesson in victimology became the Redhead Murders project, where students assembled thefirst behavioral profile of the offender who targeted red-haired women along southern highways in the 1980s and ultimately renamed him the “Bible Belt Strangler.”  The class collaborated with FBI profilers, cold case experts, podcasters, and social media. Their groundbreaking work, not only pointed to long haul trucker Jerry Johns, who died in prison in 2015 but also definitively linked six of the victims— whom the class calls the ‘Six Sisters.” Their dedication even led to the identification of Tina farmer, the only victim officially tied to Johns through DNA evidence. The project reshaped how we think about true crime, proving that ‘hive knowledge,’ grassroots efforts, and social media, are valuable tools in solving cold cases.  There’s still a lot of work to be done in the redheadmurders investigation, but the class has since expanded their efforts. With support from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, the students created JusticeForTracySue.com and established a tip line (1-800-TBI-FIND) for more information about Tracy Sue Walker.  Be sure to listen to Alex’s acclaimed ten-episode podcast series with iHeartRadio: Murder 101

    40 min

  3. 10/15/2025

    You Can't 'Un-dig' a Hole: Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Erin Kimmerle

    Esteemed forensic anthropologist, Dr. Erin Kimmerle, founder and executive director of the Institute of Forensic Anthropology at the University of South Florida, joins us to discuss her groundbreaking investigations into the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. Dating back to the early 1900s, the Dozier School, once a juvenile reform institution in Florida; its reputation is now synonymous with the counts of horrific abuse, neglect, and torture suffered by the boys sent there, many of whom were Black and committed only minor offenses like truancy and trespassing. Many never returned home, dying while trying to escape or from forced labor and mistreatment. When the school was officially shut down in 2011, families and descendants of the boys sought answers about who was buried in its unmarked cemetery. With 81 recorded deaths but half the burial sites missing, Dr. Erin Kimmerle led a four-year investigation that combined archaeological excavation, cemetery exhumation, and criminal inquiry. Using ground-penetrating radar, DNA testing, forensic art, and historical records, she helped uncover one of America’s darkest and most shameful chapters, while drawing attention to the injustices juveniles still face today. We also explore the broader pursuit of historical justice, connecting the Dozier investigation to similar mass graves—such as those tied to Canada’s Indigenous residential schools and the Tuam Mother and baby home in Ireland. And yes, there’s even time for Amelia Earhart!  Be sure to purchase Dr. Erin Kimmerle's book, We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys!

    33 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    Revisiting New Iberia’s Oldest Open Cold Case: Yolanda Broussard

    In 1989, 22-year-old Yolanda Broussard was shot in her home in Lydia, Louisiana. Decades later her daughter, Seneca, is still searching for answers. In New Iberia—a town of just 30,000—she’s even crossed paths with the man long suspected of her mother’s murder but never charged. Seneca, who was only three-year-old when the murder occurred, opens up about her fragile memories of that period, being raised by her grandparents, and the lasting impact of growing up without answers.  Now a mother with daughters of her own, she shares how this case has become both a family legacy of pain and perseverance.   Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact : The New Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (337)-369-3714.

    20 min

  5. 06/25/2025

    Minisode: Pistol Shots to Pill Counts

    The first rule of FIGHT CLUB is: you don't talk about FIGHT CLUB. But on this minisode, we're breaking some rules to bring you a dose of Louisiana lore you won't want to miss! Our special guest, Gerald Dupre, is here to share a rich and tangled family history. His grandfather may have fired the opening shots of the last legally sanctioned duel in Louisiana. That's right, we're talking about "I challenge you, sir!" with the slap of a glove and all the drama that entails. This same ancestor wasn't just a duelist; he was also an avid farmer with possible ties to the Cajun Mafia—spooky! But Gerald, our guest, followed a distinctly different path. He spent over sixty years in the pharmaceutical industry, witnessing incredible changes and blessings throughout his long career. So, to recap: Duels Mafia Drugs (the pharmaceutical kind, of course!) Oh, and the cotton gin! Most importantly, lots of laughter along the way!

    54 min

  6. 03/27/2025

    Confronting Goliath: A Repository for the Mississippi Missing

    Dr. Jesse Goliath, a forensic anthropologist and Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University, established the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons in 2023 after discovering the lack of a comprehensive state database. Using technology like ground-penetrating radar, his team identified Felecia Cox's remains, highlighting the need for better resources. The repository, containing over 1,600 missing persons' profiles and 220 unidentified remains, aims to address the underreporting of BIPOC cases, particularly in rural areas and reservations. Dr. Goliath emphasizes the disparity in how these cases are handled, the vulnerability of runaway youth and marginalized groups, and the importance of geospatial mapping to understand contributing factors like infrastructure and mental health access. As he highlights, "There are people dying because this work is not being done." We hope spreading awareness will ultimately help in advocating for increased funding, legislative changes, and further community engagement. Get in-touch with Dr. Jesse Goliath on his website Donate to the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons And Follow on: Facebook Instagram UPDATE: the case of Jimmie Jay Lee has been closed. Please keep the friends and family in your thoughts.

    38 min

  7. 02/19/2025

    Framing Hope: Samuel Easterling

    With little help from the New Orleans Police Department, parents Scott and Sandy Easterling, hired their own P.I. to investigate what happened to their son, Samuel Easterling, who has been missing for over six months. Samuel (31) whose nickname is "Saint" is a professional photographer who was last seen walking alone in the Bywater area on August 29th, 2024, leaving Po Boys Bar around 4:44 AM. He was reported missing by a close contact on September 2nd. Video footage was not obtained soon enough, so anyone with information is encouraged to come forward. He had sustained an ankle injury and may or may not have been using crutches at the time of his disappearance. New Orleans Police Department 504-658-6229 MPIA Database Entry # I-01384-24

    26 min

  8. 02/05/2025

    This Girl's a Killer (and a Bestseller!)-Are Women Better at Crime in Fiction and IRL?

    Are women better at crime-ing? Experts have noted that female serial killers are the least studied and possibly the most prolific. Joining us is debut author and Louisiana native, Emma C. Wells, here to discuss her novel, This Girl's A Killer, a USA Today bestseller, which follows Cordelia Black, a pharmaceutical rep with an affinity for Louboutin heels and killing the bad men of Baton Rouge. A true "girl's girl," she cares about her friends, she's organized, she has a "workstation" and a curated playlist, and she's been getting away with her crimes rather successfully. There's a lot to unpack here! *Be sure to purchase your copy of This Girl's A Killer . Also follow Emma on her website and socials! Instagram TikTok Facebook

    28 min
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Trailer

4.5
out of 5
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About

Missing Magnolias tells the stories of the murdered or missing but certainly not forgotten. Too often we sensationalize the offender and undermine the victim. This true crime podcast combats the norm by offering a curation of interviews with victims, criminologists, experts, and truth- seekers who begin the dialogue: what is the "real true crime experience?" 

Information

  • Creator
    Scarlett Davis
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Scarlett Davis
  • Show Website
    Missing Magnolias

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