Appalachian Mysteria

The unsolved murder of a young couple in Shenandoah National Park shakes the gay and lesbian communities. One year later, a bicyclist is assaulted in the same area, and authorities begin to suspect him of serial murder. Resources and Links:  "Murder on the Mountain" (1996) — Barry Yeoman's article quoted and discussed in this episode.  Trail map of Shenandoah National Park — Julie a...

A lesbian couple is found brutally murdered near the Appalachian Trail. As authorities build the first federal hate crime prosecution in the nation's history, a web of horrific crimes creeps down the Blue Ridge mountains into the heart of Virginia. A special agent who has been on the case for twenty five years details his own recollections.  Season 3 of Appalachian Mysteria explores the terri...

The conviction of Glen Woodall begins to look suspicious as a rookie lawyer ushers West Virginia into a new era of DNA testing. Prosecutors fight the new forensic method tooth and nail, but the results will uncover a trail of crime unprecedented in U.S. history. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@m...

As ice storms sweep over Huntington, WV, a masked rapist is stalking the mall. After two abductions, suspicion falls on a nearby grave-digger with a checkered past. As evidence begins piling up, a forensic science superstar helps set the stage for a court case that will echo through West Virginia history more than anyone can possibly know.  (This episode does not contain graphic details of sexual...

After the Mysteria crew receives a concerned email from a professional working on sexual assault issues, we invite her on the show to critique Season 2, Big Savage. What follows is a discussion of Megan Shaffer’s poor defense, the biological response to trauma, how the absence of expert testimony may have worked against her, and some ways that language affects how we perceive issues surrounding ra...

A lot has happened since the season finale of Big Savage, including Megan Shaffer’s appeals, the unfortunate death of Alexander’s father, and a scandal involving the judge who presided over Megan's trial. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

A stranger approaches Teresa as the jury deliberates. The verdict is finally delivered, and we speak with two jurors about the discussion and debate that went on behind closed doors. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

Two medical examiners take the stand. Megan finally takes the stand to testify about the entire ordeal, closing out the trial. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

Kromatic Media sets legal precedent in Maryland by obtaining Megan's 911 call from the morning Alex was found dead. Jay and Tristan – Alex's father and sister – take the stand.  Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

Sarah and Kendall get personal, Alex's therapist takes the stand, and a stranger testifies about finding Alex on her doorstep one week before High Rock.  Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

Three defense witnesses all make a claim that could swing the jury's opinion. But is there any evidence? One of those witnesses helps to arrange a third police interview with Megan, only 48 hours after Alex is found dead. Megan's story has one more important change.  Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Tra...

The trial of Megan Shaffer begins with testimony from Steven Moon.  We examine Megan's slightly shifting story of what happened that night.  Sarah, Kendall and Teresa each make a visit to High Rock -- bringing a realization to all that only confuses the story more. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Cha...

In this episode, we try to find out who Alex & Megan really were. The second case file discovered by reporters makes the whole situation even more confusing. Pretrial hearings set the stage for an unusual prosecution.  Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kroma...

Two “extremely close friends” perform a ritual on a clifftop in Savage River Forest.  By  morning, only one is still alive.  Big Savage: The Death of Alexander Stevens is an 8-part investigation into the baffling trial of a young woman charged with murder and assisted suicide for the same death. In this opening episode, we follow the early investigation of reporters Teresa McMinn and Michael Sawye...

This episode is the last of a three-part update on Appalachian Mysteria Season 1 — Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. Without a doubt, these three episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.In this episode, Devona Coffey — formerly Devona Daft — finds out about the existence of Geoff and Sarah’s book, and one paragraph in particular makes her blood b...

These three episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.In this episode, we’re reintroduced to Danny Strakal, host of the YouTube series Spirit Walk Paranormal. Danny’s history with the spirit realm began in his childhood, but his full-scale investigations began after the release of our first podcast season. A viewer of Danny’s channel connects him with Dav...

This episode is the first of a three part update on Appalachian Mysteria Season 1 — Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. Without a doubt, these two episodes will be the most important updates since the season finished airing in 2018.   In this episode, we’re reintroduced to Albert “Rod” Everly, a National Guardsman who was one of the first people on the scene when the bodies of Mared & Kar...

As the true-crime world revels in the decoding of a cipher written by the infamous Zodiac Killer, the team at Appalachian Mysteria have unearthed a discovery of their own.  With the help of Dr. Korshi Dosoo, Sarah has decoded the mystical copper plate first introduced to our story in episode two. We discover the real story behind the plate and learn more about the mystical Morgantown figure who cr...

In this, the final episode, we talk to a forensic pathologist about the state of the bodies, several characters from Parade of Horribles come back into play, Geoff reveals the identity of his top suspect, and Sarah offers an alternative theory. And finally, we hear how the case may soon be solved. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalac...

In Episode 7, we flash forward to 2006 when a new investigation begins. We discover that the case affected those involved so strongly, they could not let it go. And we update listeners on where the case stands now. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Medi...

The final chapter of Clawson's story. We take a close look at his trials, his multiple confessions, and his potential innocence. We also see how Mared and Karen live on, even almost 50 years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on A...

In this episode, a hard-working state trooper is fired, the governor lashes out at the press, a lost form of media is revisited, and we finally meet the man convicted of killing Mared & Karen. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

In Episode 4, we examine just a few people on the long, deplorable list of suspects in the murders of Mared & Karen. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

In Episode 3, the unidentified man at Mared & Karen's makeshift grave is investigated, Triangle is finally revealed, and panic hits WVU.  Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media

In Episode 2, the headless bodies of Mared & Karen are finally discovered, a crusading newspaper man is forced into retirement, and the murders take on a decidedly mystical tone. Sarah & Geoff's book about the WVU Coed Murders (available on Amazon) Kendall's Appalachian Motorcycling Travel Channel (@motoappalachiadiscovery on YouTube) Kromatic Media