Crime in the Coalfields

Mazie Mae Sigmon-Palmer and John Eric "Jay" Farley met up to spend time with each other for a night of fun on July 14, 1979. After a curious set of circumstances, by the night's end, it seemed as though the pair had simply vanished. Join Brandi and Humera as they explore the puzzling case of Mazie and Jay.

At just 13 years old, Barbara was a girl who was described by those that loved her as responsible and considerate, despite experiencing a somewhat turbulent life. In the winter of 1995, she mysteriously vanished. Join Brandi and Humera as they explore the details of the disappearance of Barbara Ann Barnes.

Sue Roop vanished without a trace in February of 1979 following a series of curious circumstances. Join Brandi and Humera as they delve into the mysterious case of West Virginia's "Missing Valentine."

In 1977, the disappearance of Margaret Dodd in Raleigh County, West Virginia left the local community shaken. Join Brandi and Humera as they explore the fascinating case of Margie and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the intriguing investigation that ensued.

2026 makes twenty years since the city of Richmond was rocked by a shocking string of homicides. Join Brandi and Humera as they delve into a case that resulted in the deaths of seven people, including a beloved local musician.

On this week's Crime in the Coalfields, Julia, Brandi, and Humera dive into the disturbing case involving Donald Lantz and Jeanne Whitefeather, adoptive parents who perpetuated horrific abuse on the children they adopted. The case was historic in the Mountain State, the first of its kind in a West Virginia court.

One man, yet so many victims: how did he manage to swindle people with his fraudulent scheme? In this episode, Julia and Brandi explore the story of the Wolf of West Virginia, a crime that came to prominence earlier this year.

A sixteen-year-old boy allegedly murdered his family in 2020, and was convicted of the crime in 2022. However, an order was issued earlier this year, vacating the verdict, putting the tragedy in the spotlight once more. On this week's episode, Julia and Brandi explore the tragic story of Gavin Smith.

On this episode of Crime in the Coalfields, Julia and Brandi dive once more into the case of Monica Hartwell, a woman serving 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Michael Walker. This time, however, they hear directly from Monica herself, detailing the experience written in her own hand. Does this answer lingering questions or bring more to the surface?

In the early 1900s, the brutal murder of 18-year-old Rosa White rocked Logan County. The crime was surrounded by mystery and intrigue, nearly working the local community into a frenzy, calling for justice. In this episode, Julia and Brandi explore the curious circumstances surrounding the case of Rosa White in 1904 that left her loved ones looking for answers.

In a case that began 5 years ago this month - we return both in coverage and in reality. This year, an appeal was made in April - the same appeal made when the case was originally happening in July of 2025. Monica Hartwell is embroiled in the murder of Michael Walker in her own home But did she do it? and were her rights honored during the investigation? Listen in with Julia and Harper.

The story of Anita Price remains unfinished. She disappeared in 1974, and the case went cold until the 2000s. Her car was abandoned, and a cursory investigation left her children unsatisfied and looking for answers to this day. Join Harper and Julia to see how this case remains alive even now.

Some missing people are never found - but others are found too late. The recent case of Christa Merrill, whose body is found at the home of a known sex offender after being missing since August of 2024 - inspires a deep dive into the progression of missing persons cases. This episode, join Julia and Harper as they provide a baseline for understanding the search for the missing everywhere.

A woman named Wanda Palmer - beaten and left inches from death in her mobile home - is left in a coma for two years. Left in a comatose state from 2020 to 2022, she had enough strength to wake up after those years and identify her attacker. This episode, Julia and Harper remember her story.

Three people shot multiple times on a day that was supposed to be full of love. Instead, Valentine's day 1998 ended with a family dead in a mansion on a hill. This is the case of David, Janette Henderson, and Martha Barber - known as the Maybeury Mansion Murders. Did the main suspect Tony Allen commit the crime? and what is the mansion like now, after playing host to such a tragedy? Julia and Harp...

A murdered teenager found near a bus route in 1970s Putnam County. Danny Collins' case is sparse, but just an hour away - another case with a similar method was brewing. A connection was drawn to another case of attempted murder. Four boys survived an encounter to help implicate the suspect - but it's unknown if the criminal in question ever met with justice - for what was done to the four boys, o...

A strange creature with glowing red eyes and a wingspan to boot. Was it responsible or connected to the tragic deaths of 46 people? Or does folklore color history in the modern world? Returning to the world of cryptozoology again by popular demand, tonight's episode of Crime in the Coalfields focuses on the most well-known Cryptid in the Mountain State. Julia and Harper discuss the history and cul...

Leah Hickman had a bright future, cut short by the hands of an assailant never found to this day.  When she went missing, the entire community rallied to find her. When she was found dead, her workplace honored her and paid for the funeral. The 21-year-old was a journalism student at Marshall University in Huntington, dreaming of a TV news career. In tonight's episode, Julia and Harper retell the...

The body of Michael Craig Phillips found 16 years ago still leaves a case unresolved - but a similar case - involving a dead woman is closed after 14 years. Both cases have their similarities, and their disparities. Two young people, both bludgeoned to death and covered up in hopes of never being found. In this episode, Julia and Harper cover two cold murder cases in McDowell County. One that rema...

Cassie Sheetz went hiking with two men near Spruce Knob three and a half years ago - and never re-emerged. She was last seen on March 11, 2021.  It's taken this long to find her believed remains, and even now the case is at a standstill. Will it be closed with no charges filed? In this episode, 59News Anchor Julia White and Producer Harper Emch detail the case of Cassie Sheetz, and discuss how...

A brutal stabbing - one swift strike for every year of the woman's life. This was the untimely demise of 52 year old Irene Wilson. In this episode - Harper and Julia delve into Calhoun County - 1963. In the small town of Broomstick, the grisly murder is discovered by two teen girls - while Irene's husband is on a night watch miles away. How does a murder like this affect a rural West Virgi...

The murder of both Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers in 1920 - committed in Broad Daylight, with witnesses and family present. This episode sees Julia and Harper visiting another infamous Courthouse. This site is the stage of the notorious double-murder, sometimes known as the McDowell County Courthouse murders - responsible for inciting the historic Battle of Blair Mountain. Listen to how this Crime I...

Seven veterans dead in the same hospital. Seven life sentences waiting for a culprit to take the blame - and the responsibility. Tonight, Julia and Harper delve into the case of the nurse behind seven serial killings in Clarksburg, West Virginia; Reta Mays. What motivated her to do this? What makes a killer?

Courthouses are intended to be places of law at the center of a town or city. But sometimes they draw crime and law together; especially in rural America. In this episode, Julia and Harper discuss some of the notable stories about crime surrounding the Wyoming County Courthouse during the 20th century.

Tonight's episode focuses on the recent history of the death penalty. Julia and Harper take a look at how public and private executions have changed since the beginning of the country's history, both in and outside of the Coalfields. The depth and breadth of cases involving execution is huge, but a historic perspective goes a long way.