Murder at Ryans Run: exposing the cult of John Africa

Beth McNamara
  • 4.6 (131)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • MONTHLY SERIES

A true crime investigation exposing the Philadelphia cult operating as the MOVE Organization. Told by survivors and insiders, Murder At Ryans Run reveals abuse, lies, and lost lives—plus exclusive tapes, FBI files, and real-time reporting of a daring cult escape. This is the story MOVE leaders don’t want you to hear.

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  1. We'll Burn This House Down - Ramona Africa's Letter

    EPISODE 1

    We'll Burn This House Down - Ramona Africa's Letter

    Two days before the 1985 fire that killed 5 children and 6 adults inside 6221 Osage Avenue, MOVE’s Minister of Information, Ramona Africa, sent a letter to police: “We will burn this motherf***ing house down and burn you up with us.” This handwritten letter has been publicly available for 40 years. So why is it rarely included in books, documentaries, or retrospectives—especially now, 40 years later? This episode brings her words back into the story—and asks us all to think critically about what MOVE calls “the strategy of John Africa (Vincent Leaphart)?" The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    21 min
  2. Mike Africa Jr. Version 2001 - Part 1

    EPISODE 2

    Mike Africa Jr. Version 2001 - Part 1

    In this immersive, unedited episode, you’re sitting in the basement of MOVE headquarters in West Philly—24 years ago—listening as Michael Davis (known publicly as Mike Africa Jr., and within MOVE by the nickname “Puga,” which he no longer uses - talks freely while being interviewed by longtime MOVE "supporter" Peter Gordon, aka Dubside. At 23, Mike shares a version of MOVE’s history—and his own—that directly contradicts the narrative he tells today about 1985 as a public figure and the self-annointed new leader of MOVE. This episode is part of a mini-season built around MOVE’s words—letters, recordings, and public statements—so their credibility can finally be fully examined, which is in the public interest. From Mike’s childhood outside the group to his return under Ramona Africa’s watch, this tape reveals fractured family ties, the making of MOVE’s next spokesperson, and the first signs that he was stepping toward the spotlight and seeking fame via the MOVE story.  The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    1h 3m
  3. Mike Africa Jr. Version 2001 - Part Deux

    EPISODE 3

    Mike Africa Jr. Version 2001 - Part Deux

    This is Part 2—or as they say in France (where MOVE often solicits donations for themselves and Mumia)—Part Deux. It’s not as shocking as Part 1, but it’s still never-before-heard audio from 2001, recorded in the basement of MOVE’s Philly headquarters. A 23-year-old Mike Africa Jr. (aka Michael Davis) reflects on legacy, identity, and his self-declared natural rapping talent (pro tip: double the playback speed for that section). But tucked between the repetition and self-aggrandizing are research gems—and revealing slips of the MOVE tongue—that offer a more detailed picture of life inside the organization. The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    49 min
  4. Mike Africa Jr.'s Tales of Richmond - Factchecked

    EPISODE 4

    Mike Africa Jr.'s Tales of Richmond - Factchecked

    When memoir meets mythology, what happens to historical truth? This gripping episode investigates Mike Africa Jr.'s vivid account of his childhood in Richmond, Virginia, revealing a remarkable disconnect between his published narrative and documented reality. Through painstaking research, including interviews with the retired detective who led the 1980 operation, the prosecutor who brought charges, and the attorney who represented MOVE women, we uncover the actual circumstances surrounding the removal of 14 malnourished MOVE children from a Richmond house. Medical reports, court documents, and newspaper accounts directly contradict Mike's dramatic tale of police sirens, an orphanage with cruel nuns, and a daring escape. The investigation places Mike at just 16 months old during these events, not the nearly three years he claims in his memoir. Photos taken during medical examinations show a distended belly and no dreadlocks, contradicting key elements of his story. Most significantly, there were no orphanages in Richmond at that time—the children were taken to a hospital and placed with foster families. Beyond fact-checking, this episode reveals the profound connection between this little-known Richmond chapter, a lawyer who, if he had made a different choice, might have prevented 6 children from being with MOVE on May 13, 1985.  You will hear that Pixie Africa, who escaped MOVE in 2021 with her 5 children when this podcast launched - she was not the first to attempt that - there is a woman that MOVE never speaks of because she got away and took her two children.  The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    43 min
  5. Straight Outta Holmesburg -MOVE’s Prison Recruiting—and One Inmates Encounter With Their "God"

    EPISODE 5

    Straight Outta Holmesburg -MOVE’s Prison Recruiting—and One Inmates Encounter With Their "God"

    The shadows of Philadelphia's MOVE organization stretch far beyond the infamous 1985 bombing on Osage Avenue. Through an exclusive interview with Richard Garland—a former gang member who encountered MOVE while incarcerated at Holmesburg Prison—we uncover the cult's prison recruitment tactics and the mysterious figure at its center. Garland reveals his extraordinary three-day encounter with Vincent Leapheart (John Africa) through prison cell walls, describing a "soft voice that commanded you would listen." His testimony provides rare insight into how MOVE maintained control over members, even those behind bars, through a sophisticated system of coded communications and psychological manipulation. The interview raises disturbing questions about May 13th, 1985. Was Vincent Leapheart actually in the house when police dropped the bomb? Why did MOVE members tell Garland that John Africa was "still alive" afterward? And what explains the medical examiner's notation that "Body F"—presumed to be Vincent—was missing its head, which appeared to have been "sawed" off? For decades, these questions have remained largely unanswered as MOVE members have pursued financial settlements rather than scientific verification through DNA testing. Garland's story serves as a crucial puzzle piece in understanding how MOVE functioned both in and out of the Pennsylvania prison system and how 40 years later, there are more stones to turn over in the MOVE story. As we mark the 40th anniversary of the MOVE confrontation, this episode challenges listeners to examine all aspects of this complicated story—the victims, the survivors, the uncomfortable truths that continue to haunt everyone involved, and the questions that MOVE still avoids answering. Materials for this episode are on the website - Page S3 Ep 5 Information on Holmesburg Prison: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmesburg_Prison https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/988758.Acres_of_Skin The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    43 min
  6. May 13, 1985: A Police Officer’s Account from Osage Avenue

    EPISODE 6

    May 13, 1985: A Police Officer’s Account from Osage Avenue

    The haunting story of the MOVE bombing unfolds through the eyes of Philadelphia police officer Jim Berghaier—the Stakeout Cop who rescued 13-year-old Birdie Africa, the only child to survive when authorities dropped explosives on a West Philadelphia rowhouse on May 13, 1985. Standing in the same narrow alley where it happened, Berghaier walks us minute by minute through his experience of that day. His visceral recollections take us back to the moment a satchel of explosives—meant to disable a fortified rooftop bunker—missed its mark. A fire quickly spread, engulfing the MOVE compound and surrounding homes. Through the smoke and chaos,  Berghaier spots a young boy emerging from the flames. Ignoring warnings that it might be a trap, he sprinted into the water-filled alley to save him. The emotion in Berghaier’s voice is unmistakable as he recalls Birdie’s first words: “Don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me.” Followed by the painfully ordinary: “I’m hungry. I want something to eat.” These moments cut through the political narratives that have long defined the MOVE bombing—revealing something more human, more immediate. What makes this account especially powerful is Berghaier’s candor. Officers had been told there were no children in the house. They expected the fire to be extinguished. They thought MOVE members would come out. But they didn’t. Eleven people—six adults and five children—died inside 6221 Osage Avenue. Sixty-one homes were destroyed in a predominantly Black middle-class neighborhood. This episode offers a first-hand account—but doesn’t claim to provide a definitive conclusion. Forty years later, many questions remain. But hearing directly from those who were there adds a crucial layer to understanding what happened that day. Let It Burn - Michael and Randi Boyette https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31202750-let-it-burn Temple University Archive - MOVe https://digital.library.temple.edu/digital/collection/p16002coll18 The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    37 min
  7. The Cult of Mumia: from convicted killer to campus icon using the MOVE playbook

    EPISODE 7

    The Cult of Mumia: from convicted killer to campus icon using the MOVE playbook

    A powerful moment in 1999 captures everything you need to know about how MOVE operated. When Rage Against the Machine held a benefit concert for Mumia Abu-Jamal, they didn't just pack an arena with passionate fans—they delivered approximately $75,000 straight into MOVE's coffers. The organization's leadership understood that Mumia's case was their golden ticket to Hollywood, mainstream visibility, financial support, and fresh recruits.  Here is the Howard Stern show mentioned - TC 01:30:47 -01:51:08 (thanks to listener Alex). Through meticulous research into archived recordings, Beth unveils the calculated recruitment strategy that played out when Mumia delivered a commencement address at Evergreen State College. Behind his revolutionary rhetoric was a 13-minute advertisement for MOVE and its founder, Vincent Leaphart (John Africa).  LINK TO VIDEO of Commencement The speech reveals the organization's chameleon-like ability to mirror whatever values potential recruits held most dear—a classic cult tactic that expert Dr. Janja Lalich calls "Bounded Choice." Examining Mumia's commencement speech is an opportunity to unpack the recruitment and control dynamics in MOVE - lots of word play, virtue signaling and creating alignment in order to create connections that foster support for both Mumia and MOVE.  The investigation takes a darker turn when examining how MOVE specifically targeted teens and young adults using romantic relationships to lure young men, especially those with weapons training, into Vincent's clutches. What looked like love and purpose was actually calculated grooming and for many, like Mike Davis, it would lead to decades in prison following the 1978 shootout with police. Most telling is Mumia's continued accessibility to supporters while remaining completely unavailable to those investigating MOVE's alleged abuses aka "That Beth McNamara" as MOVE refers to me. Despite reaching out multiple times, Beth has received no response from Mumia regarding the serious allegations made by former MOVE children who have come forward on this podcast. The contrast between his public persona as a revolutionary truth-teller and his silence on these matters speaks volumes. Why does this matter now? Because understanding how effective MOVE's recruitment tactics were in 1999 helps explain how MOVE and other high control groups aka cults and extremist groups continue to operate today. When someone appears to be all things to all people, mirroring your values perfectly while asking for your trust and resources, it might not be ali The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    47 min
  8. "He Said He Said" - The Confession of Mumia Abu Jamal

    EPISODE 8

    "He Said He Said" - The Confession of Mumia Abu Jamal

    Here is the very interesting Howard Stern show mentioned in previous episode about Mumia - TC 01:30:47 -01:51:08 (thanks to listener Alex). A prison friendship leads to an unexpected confession that threatens to collapse the entire Free Mumia movement. Twenty-five years after a bombshell Vanity Fair article claimed Mumia Abu-Jamal admitted to killing Officer Daniel Faulkner, the source of that revelation speaks out in his own words. Philip Bloch wasn't supposed to be part of this story. A former radical turned prison volunteer, he formed an unlikely intellectual bond with America's most famous death row inmate through philosophical conversations about justice, violence, and remorse. What transpired during those visits would eventually make national headlines and challenge everything supporters believed about Mumia's case. Bloch takes us inside the maximum-security prison where he and Mumia discussed everything from Thoreau to the Los Angeles riots, revealing the complex humanity behind the political symbol. When Bloch asked if Mumia regretted killing Faulkner, the one-word answer—"yes"—remained private for seven years until Bloch, disturbed by attacks on Faulkner's widow, decided to come forward. The aftermath was explosive: media firestorms, public smears, and Mumia's vehement denial. Yet Bloch's account defies simple categorization. Neither right-wing crusader nor attention-seeker, he maintains that Mumia is "not a monster" while standing by his account. His testimony raises profound questions about what happens when movements become more important than truth—when human beings transform into symbols that can't be allowed to show weakness, change, or express remorse. Connect with us on social media or email murderatryansrun@gmail.com with information about Mumia's case, John Gilbride's murder, or missing child Shaeida Holloway. Rate, review, and share this podcast to help others find this untold story. The producers of this podcast wish to stress that all individuals reference in this series are presumed innocent unless or until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States of America. Support the show Executive Produced, reported, hosted, and edited by Beth McNamara Additional research by Robert Helms Murder At Ryan's Run Instagram Facebook Page Podcast Press If you have questions, comments, tips, or media inquiries, please reach out on social media or via email: murderatryansrun@gmail.com All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed to be innocent unless or until they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a United States court of law.

    45 min
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A true crime investigation exposing the Philadelphia cult operating as the MOVE Organization. Told by survivors and insiders, Murder At Ryans Run reveals abuse, lies, and lost lives—plus exclusive tapes, FBI files, and real-time reporting of a daring cult escape. This is the story MOVE leaders don’t want you to hear.

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