Murder In The Black

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we examine the heartbreaking 1987 murder of Anna Mae Florence—a case that remained unsolved for decades before modern forensic technology finally uncovered the truth. What began as a brutal attack investigation evolved into a complex story involving unreliable witnesses, false identities, overlooked evidence, and the persistence of investigators who refused...

Christina thought she understood exactly who she was and the life she was supposed to want. But as her wedding approaches, two men force her to confront the parts of herself she has spent years refusing to see. What I Didn’t See is a psychological thriller about love, denial, self-deception, and the truths that circle us long before we are ready to name them. Listen & Subscribe

The Murder of Carlnell Walker | Riverdale, Georgia In 2006, college student Carlnell Walker was found dead under deeply disturbing circumstances—his body discovered in the trunk of a car in Clayton County, Georgia. What initially appeared to be a missing persons case quickly evolved into something far more complex. In this episode, we examine how perception, identity, and image —both online and in...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we examine the devastating murders of Gloria Short, her son Caleb, and her granddaughter Gianna—a case that forces us to confront what happens when violence comes not from strangers, but from within trusted circles. Through forensic evidence, investigative breakthroughs, and reflection, we explore how care, access, and familiarity were manipulated in one of...

The disappearance and murder of Michael Giles is a case built on manipulation, deception, and a trail of circumstantial evidence that couldn’t be ignored. In this episode, we break down how Kwaneta Harris constructed narratives, controlled perceptions, and left behind patterns that investigators couldn’t overlook. From a suspicious backyard slab… to financial records, false alibis, and forged docu...

This episode explores the case of Ciara Ingram—a mother, nurse, and veteran whose life was cut short just as she was preparing to start over. What begins as a tragic discovery inside her Columbus, Georgia apartment quickly unfolds into a layered investigation marked by conflicting accounts, shifting timelines, and unanswered questions. As the case develops, attention turns to the people closest to...

Episode Breakdown: What happens when silence isn’t just fear—but culture, history, and survival? In this episode, we unpack the murder of Rene Charles—a case that sat in the shadows not because there were no answers, but because the truth lived inside a community that wasn’t quick to speak. This story forces us to look at how loyalty, fear, and unspoken rules can shape justice—and delay it. This e...

Dawnia DaCosta was just minutes away from where she was supposed to be. What started as a routine night—a late prayer vigil, a familiar drive—turned into something far more unsettling. Within a matter of hours, Dawnia would vanish, leaving behind a trail of questions, conflicting witness accounts, and a case that wouldn’t fully come together until years later. In this episode, we walk through the...

Discover the heartbreaking case of April Lynn Holt , a young woman whose life was tragically cut short amid emotional manipulation, unanswered questions, and a justice system that left her family fighting for more. In this episode of Murder in the Black , we walk through April’s story — from her vibrant life as a beauty entrepreneur and social media influencer to the disturbing details surrounding...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we explore the heartbreaking story of 14-year-old Nacole Smith , a young girl with dreams of becoming a pediatrician who never made it to school on the morning of June 7, 1995. What began as a devastating crime in an Atlanta neighborhood would become a case that stretched across decades. Despite eyewitness descriptions, community efforts to identify a suspe...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we examine the heartbreaking murder of Kenyadda Patterson , a 31-year-old mother whose life was taken in Charlotte, North Carolina. When her body was discovered behind a church, investigators were faced with a disturbing crime scene and very few answers. As detectives began piecing together Kenyadda’s final hours, suspicion initially fell on people close to...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we examine the chilling Seminole Heights serial shootings in Tampa, Florida — a case that left a neighborhood paralyzed by fear and ultimately led to the arrest of Howell Donaldson III. Four strangers. No connection. No clear motive. Just proximity. We break down the victims’ stories, the psychological layers behind violence without motive, the investigativ...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we examine two intentional homicide cases connected by a deeper pattern of proximity, access, and life transition. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 19-year-old Sade Robinson disappeared after a first date. Her dismembered remains were later discovered near Lake Michigan. Investigators arrested Maxwell Anderson , who now faces charges including first-degree intentio...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we examine the devastating loss of LoLetha Hall — a woman simply doing her job who became entangled in a deadly situation fueled by fear, misinformation, and an AI-driven scam. As technology evolves, so do the dangers surrounding it. Steph and Maia unpack how impersonation scams are changing the landscape of crime, the legal complexities of self-defense in...

When Jermaine Ross stopped answering his phone and missed his barber appointments, concern quickly turned into something far more disturbing. On October 3, 2018, Jermaine was found dead inside his home on Elm Street in Cahokia, Illinois. At first, investigators believed his death may have been natural. But forensic findings, an autopsy, and unsettling details inside the home revealed the truth—Jer...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , we unpack the heartbreaking story of Kim Groves —a Black woman, community advocate, and mother whose decision to report police misconduct in 1994 set off a chain of events that would change everything. What began as one woman speaking up against abuse of power quickly revealed something much bigger: a deeply corrupted system inside the New Orleans Police De...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , hosts Steph and Maia examine the heartbreaking case of Damilola Taylor , a 10-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short in London. What initially appeared to be an isolated act of violence revealed deep systemic failures within public housing, community safety, and institutional accountability. Steph and Maia explore the investigation into Damilola’s...

Summary In this gripping episode of Murder in the Black , host Steph examines a devastating series of arson fires that shattered a neighborhood in Akron, Ohio. The story begins with a late-night blaze that claimed the lives of Gloria Hart and Lindell Lewis , quickly raising suspicions that the fire was anything but accidental. As investigators dig deeper, a troubling pattern emerges—earlier incide...

In this episode of Murder in the Black , hosts Steph and Maia tell the story of Erica Vassel , a vibrant 21-year-old from Clewiston, Florida , whose life was cut short just days after Super Bowl Sunday in February 2011. Known as America’s Sweetest Town , Clewiston sits on the edge of the Everglades, surrounded by sugar cane fields and built on familiarity and trust. But when Erica failed to come h...

Summary This conversation delves into the tragic story of Derwin Brown, a visionary police officer in DeKalb County, who was assassinated shortly after winning the sheriff election against Sydney Dorsey. The discussion covers the corruption within the police department, the election dynamics, the investigation into Brown's murder, and the subsequent trials of those involved. It highlights the...

In this rebroadcast of Murder in the Black , the hosts revisit the haunting case of Gregory Agnew and the unresolved disappearance of his former girlfriend, Tammy Niver . The story unfolds in Ypsilanti , a vibrant college town whose familiar streets hide a far darker history. Tammy vanished shortly after ending a volatile relationship with Gregory—one marked by control, intimidation, and escalatin...

The episode unpacks the complex dynamics of control, manipulation, and power within relationships, while drawing unsettling parallels to the disappearance of Taalibah Islam, another woman connected to the same man. Through these cases, Steph challenges listeners to reflect on the role of witnesses, the warning signs of abuse, and the lasting impact unanswered questions leave on families. As the se...

In this episode, host Steph examines two deeply unsettling true-crime cases that reveal how pressure, secrecy, and fractured relationships can shape devastating outcomes. We begin with the disappearance of Harmahn Smith in 2005, a case that unraveled into a web of complex relationships, community pressures, and the vulnerabilities that young people often carry silently. From there, Steph turns to...

In this episode, Steph explores a real-life case that feels eerily similar to A Thin Line Between Love and Hate — except this story ends in tragedy, not movie credits. When Memphis police officer Tony Hayes goes missing after Labor Day 2006, his family immediately senses something is wrong. Their search leads detectives straight to his girlfriend, Monique Johnson , a corrections officer whose jeal...

In this deeply moving episode, we explore the life, loss, and legacy of Ben “Benji” Wilson —the nation’s #1 high school basketball player in 1984 and the pride of Chicago’s South Side. What began as a typical school day spiraled into tragedy when Benji was shot just steps from Simeon High School. We walk you through the events leading up to the shooting, the emotional weight carried by his family...