Death X Southwest: True Crime

In July 2015, a beloved and seemingly healthy chiropractor suddenly fell ill and within 24 hours, was dead.  At first, doctors were stumped. But as strange details began to emerge, the case took a chilling turn and what started as a medical mystery soon unraveled into something far more disturbing. This is the story of Mary Yoder. xoxo,  Margot 💀✨😘 Come for the true crime, stick around for the...

It started like any other early morning in Westwood—quiet, a little hazy, the air still heavy with sleep. But by the time the sun rose over UCLA’s sorority row on September 21, 2015, the neighborhood was in chaos. An apartment was on fire. A young woman was missing. And within hours, it became clear—this wasn’t an accident. It was a murder, hidden behind the smoke. This is the story of Andrea DelV...

On April 16, 2023, 22-year-old Mercedes Vega walked into her apartment complex’s parking garage in Tempe, Arizona—looking down at her phone, unaware she was about to be ambushed. Hours later, her body was found in the backseat of a burning car in the Arizona desert. In today’s episode, we tell the full story—from who Mercedes was, to the chilling details of her murder, to the recent arrest that fi...

🚨 BONUS EPISODE ALERT! 🚨 Okay, so there’s no true crime in this episode—unless we count what Big Pharma is doing to people who rely on GLP-1 medications (which, honestly, might be criminal). But first, let’s talk about something beautiful, life-changing, and deeply moving—The Biggest Little Farm. If you haven't seen this documentary, stop what you're doing and watch it immediately. I had the abs...

In the early morning hours of October 13, 1984, 20-year-old Angela Samota, a bright and ambitious college student, was brutally murdered in her off-campus apartment. Her killer vanished into the night, leaving behind a crime so horrific, it would haunt investigators for decades. For years, the case went cold—until one determined woman refused to let Angela be forgotten. A relentless pursuit of jus...

In this mini crime story, we’re diving straight into one of the most disturbing and baffling murder cases you've probably never heard of: the Dardeen family massacre. No long intro here—less than four minutes of my usual rambling before we get right to it. Picture this: a quiet, small town in Illinois, the kind of place where doors are left unlocked and crime is practically unheard of. Until Novem...

Today’s case… it’s a twisted one. And I know, I say that a lot—because, well, true crime is a dark, tangled web of human chaos. But this case? This one is unsettling for many reasons but one is because it starts off so… normal. A teenage girl. A babysitting job. A late-night check-in with a friend. And then… nothing. She just…vanishes. But what makes this case even more disturbing is who ends up b...

She had big dreams. A bright future. And in the early morning hours of September 7, 2012, that future was stolen from her in a way so brutal, so haunting, that it has left a community—and an entire nation—searching for justice. Today, we’re diving into the chilling case of Faith Hedgepeth, a 19-year-old college student found murdered in her Chapel Hill apartment. A crime so savage, yet so baffling...

Imagine a man convinced he's being hunted, embarking on a frantic journey across countries. He traverses thousands of miles, carrying a fortune in cash and valuables, only to be found dead in a Tennessee parking lot, half-naked and surrounded by his own riches. No signs of robbery, no clear motive, just a trail of puzzling actions leading to an unsolved mystery. Join us as we unravel the perplexin...

If you're here for murder and mystery... well, not today, friends! This bonus episode is a true crime free zone. Instead, I'm taking you on a deep dive into Mark and my recent trip to Flagstaff—Nordic baths, the Grand Canyon, Crumbl cookies, and a tipsy grocery shopping adventure that may or may not have ended in some questionable purchases. I also get into the ups and downs of weight loss, unexpe...

Some stories haunt you, and this is one of them. A girl goes for a bike ride… and simply never comes back. No evidence of a struggle. No witnesses stepping forward. No body. And then, nearly a year later, a chilling photograph surfaces in a parking lot almost 1,500 miles away. Was it her? Is she still alive? And why, after decades, do the pieces of this puzzle still not quite fit? This is the stor...

Hey, friends! Just popping in with a little check-in—because I was hoping to have a bonus episode for you this week, but life had other plans. It’s been a wild one, and despite my best efforts, I just couldn’t squeeze it in. I hate missing an episode, and I truly appreciate you all for being so understanding. But! In lieu of a new bonus episode, I am sharing a fun one I recorded with Branden over...

In July of 2011, 32-year-old Rebecca Zahau was found dead at the historic Spreckels Mansion in Coronado, California—a massive, oceanfront estate owned by her boyfriend, pharmaceutical tycoon Jonah Shacknai. Rebecca’s body was discovered hanging from a balcony, bound at the wrists and ankles, a cryptic message scrawled on the bedroom door. Authorities ruled it a suicide… but did she really do this...

A quiet Texas town, a locked house, and a chilling crime that made no sense. When 14-year-old Tristan Dilley was found shot to death in her own home in 2017, the mystery seemed impossible—no sign of forced entry, no obvious suspects, and a timeline that left investigators baffled. But as they dug deeper, hidden truths began to surface, leading to a revelation that no one saw coming. Who had access...

In this special mini-crime story, we take a brief detour from the Southwest and head straight into the heart of the Midwest—Michigan, to be exact. But before we dive into this chilling case, I spend the first six minutes talking about my dad (because I need advice!!).  Then, we shift gears and unravel the story of Tara Grant—a woman who seemingly had it all until her life took a dark and unexpecte...

A dark, empty church. A masked figure dressed in police SWAT gear, casually strolling through the halls, smashing windows. And a woman—completely unaware—that she’s walking straight into her own murder. This is the story of Missy Bevers… a case filled with eerie surveillance footage, cryptic clues, and a suspect that, to this day, has never been found. SWAT GEAR PERSON IN CHURCH: https://www.youtu...

In December 2020, 21-year-old Jason Landry vanished without a trace while driving home for winter break. His car was found abandoned on a desolate Texas road, the engine still running and personal belongings scattered nearby—but Jason was nowhere to be found.  In this episode, we dive straight into the facts of this perplexing case, exploring the eerie details and unanswered questions surrounding...

In this bonus episode of Death X Southwest, I’m in Mark’s kitchen whipping up a cozy pot of white chicken chili while serving you a heaping side of life updates. From the saga of my busted tire to modeling my Halara leggings, it’s a mix of the random and relatable. I also dive into my thoughts on Landman, share a bittersweet roadrunner moment, and, of course, sprinkle in plenty of laughs and overs...

In this week’s episode, we’re heading to New Mexico to uncover the deeply unsettling case of Sasha Krause, a devout Mennonite woman whose quiet life came to a violent and senseless end in 2020. From a mysterious disappearance to a chilling discovery hundreds of miles away, this story unravels with shocking twists, leaving us questioning the true nature of the human psyche. As always, I kick things...

In this bonus episode, I’m tackling a few Look-Up List questions from last week’s Episode 90! Plus, I’m spilling all the details about my weekend adventures, which included bowling, New York sausage, and a spontaneous trip to Tombstone. But wait—there’s more! I’m also dishing on some new products I’m trying, sharing some listener emails (because you’re all way more interesting than me), and, as al...

In this episode, we delve into the chilling case of Dana Clair Edwards, a vivacious 32-year-old whose life was brutally cut short in 2008 in San Antonio, Texas. The tragic circumstances surrounding her death have captivated the city and left her family and friends searching for answers. Who would want Dana Clair dead? Was it a crime of passion? A betrayal by someone she trusted? Or something even...

Welcome to 2025, friends! I’m kicking off the year with a mix of heavy and light. First up, the devastating LA Fires—my heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy. Sending love, strength, and prayers to all the families, first responders, and animals in harm’s way. Stay safe.❤️🙏 Then, we’re diving into a holiday recap: my aunt’s visit to Tucson (spoiler alert: so much fun and a good amou...

In this episode, special guest co-host Mark joins me as we dive straight into the chilling story of Susan Powell—no chitchat, no detours, just the case. Susan, a devoted mother of two, vanished without a trace from her home in West Valley City, Utah, on a cold December day in 2009. What began as a missing person case quickly unraveled into a web of secrets, disturbing behaviors, and ominous clues...

This bonus episode of Death X Southwest is a little different! I’m jumping straight into a mini-crime story for your listening pleasure with no rambling or life anecdotes—just pure true crime! Today, we’re diving into the chilling 1999 case of Carla and Stephen Barron, a Christmas tragedy that left more questions than answers. We'll explore the peculiar circumstances surrounding their deaths, the...

On a quiet December day in 2009, Steven Koecher—a 30-year-old devout Mormon with no known enemies—vanished without a trace in the Las Vegas Valley. His abandoned car and a haunting video of his final known steps only deepened the mystery surrounding his disappearance. In this episode, I take a brief but immersive dive into the setting, painting a picture of the sunny streets and suburban sprawl th...