Julie Mattson

Pushing Up Lilies

Society EN ↓ 206 episodes

Dissect the science behind some of the most spine-tingling, unusual and terrifyingly true crime stories with Julie Mattson, a seasoned Forensic Nurse Death Investigator in this gripping weekly podcast. Julie's unique approach to investigations is informed by her background in nursing, which allows her to provide an in-depth analysis of the medical intricacies and physiological aspects of each case. With her compassionate storytelling and unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth, Julie takes you on a thrilling journey into the world of forensic science, shining a light on the intersection...

Author

Julie Mattson

Episodes

A Mother's Life Stolen: The Murder of Caroline Piña Cairo 08.07.2026 37:30

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies , I'm examining the heartbreaking murder of 32-year-old Caroline Piña Cairo, a mother of five whose life was taken in a brutal daylight attack that stunned the Del Rio, Texas community. When Caroline arrived at the hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds, medical teams fought to save her life. Despite their efforts, she later succumbed to her injuries. Thr...

Amy Steadman and the Mechanicville Family Deaths 01.07.2026 43:12

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m covering the heartbreaking case involving Amy Steadman and the tragic family deaths that shook the community of Mechanicville, New York. Cases involving multiple family members are among the most emotionally difficult for investigators, first responders, and the communities left searching for answers. As details emerged, investigators were faced with the c...

The Survivor Who Stopped a Serial Killer 24.06.2026 30:11

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies , I'm examining the disturbing case of Shawn Michael Grate, a serial killer whose crimes spanned a decade across northern Ohio and left multiple families forever changed. What makes this case especially unsettling is not only the length of time the murders continued, but how many opportunities there may have been to stop the violence sooner. As investigators pi...

Where It All Began: Julie's Story – Host of Pushing Up Lilies 17.06.2026 8:12

Who am I, and how did I end up investigating death for a living? In this very first episode of Pushing Up Lilies , I'm sharing my story, from my path into nursing to becoming a Forensic Nurse Death Investigator. I'll talk about what drew me to this unique profession, what it's really like to investigate deaths, and why I felt called to create this podcast. Over the years, I've responded to countle...

The State of Texas vs Karmelo Anthony 11.06.2026 30:37

In last week's episode, I explored the tragic death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf and the events that unfolded during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. This week, I'm following the case into the courtroom as we examine The State of Texas vs. Karmelo Anthony . During this episode, I'll walk through the key moments of the trial, the arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense, a...

One Final Moment: The Tragic Death of Austin Metcalf 03.06.2026 32:19

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies , I’m covering the heartbreaking case of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a high school student whose life was tragically cut short during what should have been an ordinary day at a track meet. In April 2025, a confrontation between two young men at a Frisco, Texas, athletic event ended in an act of violence that shocked a community and made headlines across the cou...

The Monster He Wanted to Become 27.05.2026 32:45

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies , I’m covering the heartbreaking case of Rachel Castillo, a young mother whose disappearance in Southern California led investigators to a devastating discovery, and ultimately, the conviction of her estranged husband, Zarbab Ali. Rachel vanished during what should have been a routine custody exchange involving her children. But almost immediately, investigator...

The Death of Spencer Irwin: Questions Left Behind 20.05.2026 30:46

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies , I’m covering the mysterious death of Spencer Irwin, a 30-year-old Fresno City College student whose body was discovered behind a business loading dock in Fresno, California, in August of 2024. What initially appeared to authorities to be a tragic but straightforward case quickly became something far more complicated. Spencer was found naked, with no obvious s...

The Shocking Torture and Murder of Sonia Exelby 13.05.2026 32:18

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies , I’m covering the tragic and deeply disturbing case of Sonia Exelby, a 32-year-old woman from Portsmouth, England, who traveled to the United States in October of 2024… and never made it home. According to investigators, Sonia flew into Gainesville, Florida, after connecting online with a man named Dwain Hall through a fetish website. She was expected to retur...

Inside the Crime that Shook a Community - Part Three 06.05.2026 33:24

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I continue Inside the Crime That Shook a Community with Part Three, focusing on the trial of the man responsible for the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand. This is the part of the story where the legal process begins… but that doesn’t make it any easier. As I walk through the courtroom proceedings, I do so with the same care and intention, because behind every...

Inside the Crime that Shook a Community - Part Two 29.04.2026 27:26

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I continue the heartbreaking case of 7-year-old Athena Strand. This is Part Two of a story that is as heavy as it is important. As we move forward, I walk through what happened after Athena’s disappearance, the investigation, the critical moments that unfolded, and the pieces that began to come together in a case that gripped so many people. This part of the s...

Inside the Crime that Shook a Community - Part One 22.04.2026 29:34

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m covering a case that is incredibly difficult to talk about, the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, and the man responsible, Tanner Lynn Horner. This is one of those stories that stays with you. Athena was just a child, full of life, curiosity, and innocence, and her disappearance quickly turned into something far more devastating than anyon...

Julie Mattson: LIVE From Beyond The Crime 2026 15.04.2026 39:53