Thumbing Through the Archives

Having peeked at all of the available information concerning Collins’s trial, including the tricky jury selection and testimony from over 50 people, we're giving our final words on the Michigan Murders. In the years following his conviction, he has maintained his innocence and contact with both women and family members outside of the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility. Next time, we're going t...

Today’s episode features all of the details surrounding the jury selection, testimony, and the defense's case in relation to the Michigan Murders. Collins ended up changing his lawyers twice during this process with the results of his polygraph test having altered the stakes of the trial and his defense. As a sneak peek into our final part on this case, we’ll be discussing the aftermath of the tri...

What started in July of 1967 would go on to last nearly three years, culminating in the conviction of John Norman Collins on August 19, 1970. Even before the death of 18-year-old Karen Sue Beineman, John Norman Collins was on police's radar, having been identified as the last person with Beineman prior to her murder. He was ultimately arraigned on August 1, 1969, resulting in a trial that was anyt...

On our last episode, we headed across the country to California, touching upon the murder of 17-year-old Roxie Phillips and her possible ties to this case. With over two years of dead ends and false leads, the last two months of police investigation were some of the busiest for detectives, resulting in the crucial break that they needed.

A brief reminder that listener discretion is advised due to the graphic nature of this case. We spoke extensively about Alice Kalom and her death in June of 1969 last time, along with the chaos felt by Washtenaw County’s colleges in light of the murders. This time though, we’re going out-of-state and retracing some of the final months of police investigation leading up to Collins’s capture.

As this is the third part in our longest series to date, we recommend starting from the beginning if you're just joining us. With less than a month between the murders of 16-year-old Maralynn Skelton and 13-year-old Dawn Basom, police must account for a confusing timeline and a growing number of victims. How does "in loco parentis" tie into everything, and what did this mean for the surrounding co...

We’re back with our second part on our deep dive on the Michigan Murders. Last time we focused our attention on the murders of Mary Flezar in 1967 and Joan Schell in 1968. We'll be covering the death of a third victim by the name of Jane Mixer in March of 1969--a year that would see the killings of at least four other women. This episode has a content warning due to its subject matter. If you are...

From 1967 to 1969, one person terrorized southeastern Michigan, leaving five (or potentially six) victims in their wake. Join us as we unravel the many details of one of the most infamous murder trials to have ever occurred in Michigan. The likes of which may have impacted California, as well. Due to the timespan and nature of these events, this is the first of eight episodes on the Michigan Murde...

A very early (or late) Happy Halloween! On this special episode, we’ll be exploring the haunted tales of two semi-famous Michigan sites: the Loop-Harrison Mansion and the Bruce Mansion. They’re so creepy, you just might want to visit them.

As we near the end of our first three-parter, there are still several questions left remaining in this confusing case . . . and several loose ends that need tying up. Those questions (and more) to be answered as the police close in on the Lord brothers. Be sure to stay tuned for next week's episode, where we'll be moving on from Charles Lord and tackling an even more obscure topic.

Last time we left off, the Lord brothers had fled from the scene of the crime, leading to a country-wide goose chase. With the police left searching for answers and the community still reeling from the events that had transpired, it seemed like the case was as good as unsolved. The brothers weren’t content staying out of the limelight for long, though.

The Lord family arrived in Elk Township around 1899, almost three decades after the Thumb’s first towns had already been established. Well-liked, well-renowned, and well-known–all that would change after a grisly murder (and robbery) rocked the family to their core. What shocked everyone, however, was that the perpetrator may have also been part of the family.

Come discover the origins of Snover, a place often overlooked in Michigan’s history. With a population of 300 in 2020, this community might seem sleepy, but its story is certainly not a snoozer. What lies hidden beneath its surface? Stay tuned to find out more!

Pinkertons, the Matteson brothers, and hidden crimes--oh my! We might be wrapping up our investigation into the Morris Murders, but there are still plenty of surprises left on this wild trail. Some residents even claim that the nearby graveyard remains haunted, particularly following the fire that burned down the farmhouse, but more on that later.

One family above all others remains tangled up in Decatur's past. The Morrises were considered the village darlings, but that all came to an end in September of 1879. In one foul swoop, their lives were snuffed out and the murderer lost to the pages of history. With the sheer number of suspects involved, this case remains unsolved--even over a century later.

James Jesse Strang, otherwise known as the "King of Beaver Island," was a Mormon polygamist. Even though he passed away at the age of forty-three, he left behind a turbulent reign. It was one that affected a community of nearly 3,000 'Strangites' on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. How did this community come about, and do they still remain on Beaver Island? Let's find out!

The death of Douglas Hendricks and (later) disappearance of Douglas Bowers seemingly happened out of the blue, sending shockwaves through Sanilac County at the time. Both cases remain unsolved, having been under active investigation since 2018. As such, while we might not have all the answers, we can certainly speculate as to what may have transpired on those fateful day(s).

We’re moving away from natural disasters and peering into the life of a self-proclaimed cult leader, Benny Evangelista, and his family--the victims of a gruesome crime that occurred in 1929. The St. Aubin Avenue Massacre is one of Michigan's most harrowing cases, and it remains unsolved. With the patriarch believing in odd things and strange practices, police aren't sure what's a clue and what’s n...

On Thursday, June 8th, almost seventy years ago, a black funnel cloud so large it tinged the sky green arrived in the little community of Beecher. In its wake, it left 116 dead, over 800 injured, and $215 million worth of damages. On this week's episode, we take a look at Michigan's Flint Beecher tornado--one of the most destructive natural disasters to have occurred in Michigan.

Everyone loves an origin story, and this week, we’re looking back on Sanilac County's local history. It all started with a horse race, a lumber baron’s grudge, and a swamp figure, but it morphed into the story of two towns fighting for the county seat. Somehow the courthouse emerged from all of this, but we're going to need to explain a few things before we get to that part.

On today's episode of Thumbing Through the Archives, we take a look at the achievements of Michigan's so-called "fastest cow." Her name is Taffy, and her former owner has plenty to tell us about this bovine's moo-ving tale. Just how fast was her record? What else is there to know?

Dive into the pages of Michigan’s history with Thumbing Through the Archives. This week's episode is all about the Edmund Fitzgerald. As one of the most popular ships to have sailed the Great Lakes, there is plenty to learn about this marvel. Buckle up and grab a snack (or two) as we uncover its mysteries and histor(y)-ies.

Just where is a church caretaker meant to turn when he discovers the fright of his life? Filled with tales of hypnotism and corpse burning, the murder that occurred at Rattle Run is a story not for the faint of heart. We advise our listeners to proceed with caution if they find discussion about such topics distressing.

Continuing our deep dive into the case of the "Dying Sparlings," we’re wrapping up the official investigation concerning (and trial for) the death of the family’s youngest son. Will justice be served, or will the lack of answers forever cloud public perceptions? Join us as we unravel the Sparling family's ties to a certain town doctor and his plans to bring about their end.

Discover the origins of one of the Thumb's greatest but relatively unknown mysteries: the Sparling Murders. This case spanned the course of several years during the 1900s, but its effects lasted much longer. Were the deaths of multiple family members a mere coincidence? Or, was there something more devious going on behind the scenes?