Murder In The Black

For the finale of Murder in the Black: Unsolved Mysteries, Steph examines two cases in which recovering a person’s body did not answer the most important question: What happened to them?Ricky McCormick was found dead near a Missouri field in June 1999. Inside his pockets were two pages covered in handwritten letters, numbers and symbols. More than a decade later, the FBI publicly released the pages after its own cryptanalysts were unable to decipher them. But members of Ricky’s family questioned whether he could have written the notes at all.Were the pages connected to Ricky’s death, a private form of shorthand—or simply an unexplained distraction from the investigation?Sixteen years later, Henry McCabe disappeared after spending an evening with friends in Minnesota. During his final known hours, Henry’s wife received a disturbing voicemail filled with unusual sounds and fragmented speech. His body was eventually recovered from Rush Lake, but the discovery did not explain how he got there or what happened after he was dropped off that night.The coded pages and unsettling recording have become the most recognizable details in these cases. But neither provides a complete story.In this episode, Steph separates what is documented from what has been repeated online and returns to the question still facing both families: How did Ricky McCormick and Henry McCabe get from their final known locations to the places where they were found?Timestamps00:01 — Ricky McCormick’s mysterious handwritten pages01:01 — Introducing the Unsolved Mysteries finale02:29 — Why Ricky’s cause of death remained undetermined03:27 — Reconstructing Ricky’s final movements05:48 — Ricky’s family questions whether he wrote the pages06:16 — Addressing Ricky’s criminal history07:11 — The Florida trip and concerns that Ricky was afraid08:38 — Hospital visits, Ricky’s final call and his last reported sighting09:37 — Aunt Gloria remembers the last time she saw Ricky11:52 — Decomposition and the limitations of the autopsy13:16 — The FBI’s description of the mysterious pages15:32 — Repeated characters, possible patterns and the absence of a translation17:40 — The FBI asks the public for help19:58 — Ricky’s relatives challenge the coded-writing narrative22:08 — Investigative leads that never produced conclusive evidence23:55 — How the notes became the center of Ricky’s story26:41 — Introducing Henry McCabe27:40 — Henry’s life, family and career29:06 — The night out and the disputed gas-station drop-off31:33 — The disturbing voicemail33:36 — Search efforts and changes to the public timeline35:31 — Henry’s body is recovered from Rush Lake36:30 — Probable drowning without a complete explanation38:50 — Questions about the drop-off, Henry’s keys and his wallet41:43 — Remembering Henry beyond the recording43:10 — Parallels to other unexplained deaths45:03 — Closing the Unsolved Mysteries seriesIf you have informationIf you have information concerning Ricky McCormick’s death, contact Crime Stoppers at 866-371-8477.When discussing Ricky’s handwritten pages, focus on genuine handwriting samples or recognizable habits rather than unsupported online theories. A proposed translation is not evidence unless it can be independently verified.Do you believe Ricky’s notes were connected to his death? What do you hear when you listen to Henry’s final recording? And which case from this three-part series stayed with you the most?Follow Murder in the Black:Instagram: @murderintheblackFacebook: Murder in the Black PodcastEmail: [email protected] Steph on Instagram: @stepher_Join the conversation

A little girl disappears from her bedroom. A mother is killed while her children sleep. Decades later, their families are still fighting for answers.Steph opens the Unsolved Mysteries series with two cases: the unsolved murder of 4-year-old Dannarriah Finley in Orange, Texas, and the arrest nearly 27 years after Bridget Lockhart’s 1999 killing in Atlanta.Through the searches, physical evidence, unanswered questions, and a daughter’s determination to revisit her mother’s case, this episode explores what keeps an investigation alive—and what it takes to move it forward.Dannarriah’s case remains unsolved. In Bridget’s case, Janarra Sherrer has been charged but has not been convicted. An arrest begins a legal process; it does not establish guilt.In this episodeDannarriah’s disappearance and the community search to find her.The discovery on Pleasure Island and the clues investigators recovered.Circumstantial evidence, DNA testing, and the challenges of aging evidence.Bridget’s killing and her daughter Elandra’s efforts to get answers.The renewed investigation, arrest, and questions about evidence handling.Why both families’ searches for justice continue.Follow Murder in the Black, leave a review, and share this episode to help keep these stories in the conversation.Connect with usInstagram: @murderintheblackFacebook: Murder in the Black PodcastEmail: [email protected] more episodes, explore our paid subscription with a 3-day free trial.

Between 1979 and 1981, Black children, teenagers and young adults disappeared across Atlanta. As fear spread, grieving families organized searches, challenged city leaders and demanded that the cases be treated as a coordinated emergency.In this special episode, Steph examines the victims, the community’s fight for answers and the controversial case against Wayne Williams.Williams was convicted of murdering two adult men, Jimmy Ray Payne and Nathaniel Cater. He was never tried for the children’s murders, yet authorities attributed more than twenty additional deaths to him and closed those cases.We examine the Jackson Parkway bridge encounter, fiber and dog-hair evidence, disputed witnesses, Williams’s changing explanations, racial and political pressure, possible Klan involvement, and the differences among the victims that continue to raise questions.Was Wayne Williams responsible for every murder attributed to him, only some of them, or was one conviction used to provide Atlanta with an ending it desperately needed?Content warning: This episode discusses the murders of children and young adults, racial violence and disputed allegations.Remember the victims as individuals—not simply as evidence for or against Wayne Williams.

On December 6, 1975, Wesley Diggs returned to his home in Teaneck, New Jersey, and discovered his wife, Jean, and their four children—Audrey, Allison, Wesley Jr., and five-year-old Roger—shot to death.There was no obvious forced entry. Nothing appeared to have been stolen. Neighbors reportedly heard nothing, despite more than twenty shots being fired.In this episode, Steph examines the crime scene, Wesley’s business connections, the Harlem leads, three potential suspects, an informant’s account, and the controversial theory that Jean may have killed the children. We also consider whether race affected the investigation and why, after fifty years, no one has been held responsible.Someone entered—or was allowed into—the Diggs home that night. The question is: who, and why?Content warning: This episode discusses the murder of children, family homicide, gun violence, and descriptions of a crime scene.Follow Murder in the Black, leave a five-star review, and share the episode. Paid subscribers receive additional cases and exclusive episodes, with a three-day free trial available. Follow the podcast on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Steph sits down with MD to break down the Karmelo Anthony evidentiary hearing and what Judge Chitty was actually being asked to decide.This was not a new determination of guilt or innocence. Anthony’s appellate team was requesting a new trial based on alleged errors and constitutional violations connected to the original proceedings.Steph and MD discuss the alleged “gentleman’s agreement,” whether the defense relied on it when making critical trial decisions, and why the defense needed to prove that this reliance affected the outcome. They also examine the due-process arguments, Anthony’s right to present a complete defense, and the Waller test involving the right to a public trial.MD explains why appellate relief is difficult to obtain and why the public-trial claim may be the defense’s strongest argument. The episode closes with Steph and MD discussing why the trial can still raise serious fairness concerns—particularly regarding venue, jury selection, and public access.Timestamps00:31 – Steph introduces MD02:22 – What Judge Chitty had to decide04:17 – The alleged gentleman’s agreement08:10 – Proving breach and prejudice09:10 – How the agreement may have shaped trial strategy17:54 – The constitutional arguments18:49 – Due process and fundamental fairness21:26 – The Waller test and public-trial issue28:28 – Why damaging information may be inadmissible33:14 – How appellate courts evaluate errors35:11 – The defense’s strongest appellate argument37:05 – Why MD believes the trial was unfair39:00 – Closing thoughts and listener feedback

On November 7, 2013, 28-year-old physical therapist Alfred Wright experienced car trouble along a rural highway near Hemphill, Texas. While waiting for his parents to pick him up, Alfred suddenly ran from the area. During his final phone call, his wife said he sounded distressed.His clothing and personal belongings were later discovered scattered across the surrounding countryside—but the official search ended without finding him. Eighteen days after Alfred disappeared, his family organized another search and found his body in the same general area authorities had already searched.The official autopsy concluded that Alfred died accidentally from combined drug intoxication. Investigators uncovered toxicology evidence and messages connecting him to a cocaine supplier. Alfred’s family, however, questioned the search, the condition of his body, and whether the official conclusion explained everything that happened.In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the documented evidence, the Wright family’s concerns, the region’s racial history, and the rumors that have complicated Alfred’s story.What happened between the moment Alfred ran from that store and the moment he died in the East Texas woods?Follow Murder in the Black and join the conversation.Content warning: This episode discusses drug use, decomposition, postmortem injuries, racism, and disturbing descriptions of human remains.

Emani Gabrielle Moss was ten years old. Her family called her “Angelface.” She loved reading, dancing, and cooking, and her fourth-grade teacher remembered a child with a beautiful smile who always wanted to help people.But behind that smile, Emani was trying to survive. She went to school bruised and afraid. She disclosed abuse. She ran away. Teachers, relatives, police, and child-protection workers encountered pieces of her story—and still, she was returned to the home where she was being harmed.In this deeply difficult episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the warnings that came before Emani’s death, the adults and systems that had opportunities to intervene, and the family members who fought to protect her. Most importantly, this episode remembers Emani as a child: bright, helpful, loved, and deserving of the chance to grow up.CONTENT WARNINGThis episode discusses prolonged child abuse, neglect, starvation, domestic violence, the death of a child, and an attempt to conceal and destroy a child’s remains. The material is deeply distressing. Please take care of yourself while listening, and pause or skip this episode if needed.LISTENER CALL TO ACTIONIf this episode moved you, follow Murder in the Black on whatever podcast platform you use and leave a five-star review. Share Emani’s story—not because of how she died, but because of who she was. And if you know or suspect that a child is being harmed, do not assume someone else will act. Report the concern to the appropriate child-protection agency and contact emergency services if the danger is immediate.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of William Deshaun Hamilton, a six-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were discovered in the woods of DeKalb County, Georgia, in 1999. Despite years of investigation, forensic testing, and national attention, William remained unidentified until 2022.We trace the investigation from the discovery of his remains to the courtroom nearly 25 years later, exploring how advances in forensic science, facial reconstruction, and one woman's unwavering determination helped restore William's identity. We also discuss the trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black, the verdict, and the questions that remain unanswered.William's story is a reminder that even when decades pass, every child deserves to have their name restored—and their story told.The discovery of William's remains in DeKalb County, GeorgiaThe early investigative clues—and why they led nowhereHow forensic science evolved over two decadesThe role of facial reconstructions in identifying unidentified childrenAva McNeil's determination to uncover the truthHow a single tip finally identified "Clifton John Doe"The arrest and trial of Teresa Ann Bailey BlackThe verdict, sentencing, and unanswered questions surrounding William's deathTimeLine00:05 – The evening that changed everything00:35 – A devastating discovery in DeKalb County01:16 – The first clues investigators uncovered02:21 – Why the cause of death remains unknown03:57 – The decades-long search for William's identity05:09 – Buried as "Clifton John Doe"06:15 – Forensic evidence and overlooked clues07:58 – Why investigators believed William had been abandoned09:41 – DNA testing and the limitations of the late 1990s10:55 – The importance of forensic facial reconstructions13:32 – Ava McNeil's recognition and relentless search for answers15:28 – The reconstruction that reignited the investigation16:52 – William's life before he disappeared17:53 – Leaving Charlotte and William's disappearance20:47 – The tip that finally solved the mystery22:37 – Giving William his name back23:48 – The trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black36:31 – The verdict and sentencing41:57 – William's legacy and the search for justiceSourcesFOX 5 Atlanta. "Boy's remains found in cemetery still not identified 20 years later." Published February 27, 2019.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black murder trial: Old friend testifies against mother accused of murdering son in Atlanta." Published January 3, 2024.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black Trial: Mother accused of murdering 6-year-old son waives last chance to testify." Published January 8, 2024.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Black trial: Mother sentenced to 10 years for concealing son's death." Updated January 12, 2024.A&E Crime + Investigation. "A Decades-Old Cold Case Ends With the ID of a Young Boy, and His Mother Charged With Murder." Published December 16, 2022; updated August 27, 2025.Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) press releases and case information.DeKalb County Medical Examiner records and publicly reported court proceedings.Public court reporting and news coverage reviewed to verify the investigation timeline, trial proceedings, verdict, and sentencing.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we look at the case of Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. and the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham.This story is not just about how Matthew was eventually caught. It is about the years before that: the college allegations, the DNA that sat without a name attached to it, the missed opportunities, and the systems that treated each warning sign like it belonged in a separate folder.Morgan Harrington disappeared in 2009 after leaving a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, Virginia. Years later, UVA student Hannah Graham disappeared after a night out in the same city. DNA evidence eventually connected Matthew to a 2005 Fairfax assault, Morgan's case, and Hannah's case.The question at the center of this episode is not only what Jesse Matthew did. It is how many times he could have been stopped before another woman was harmed.Because predators do not live in folders.This episode discusses sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, violence against women, and institutional failures around campus safety.Jesse Matthew's early background and college football yearsSexual assault allegations at Liberty University and Christopher Newport UniversityThe 2005 Fairfax assault and unmatched DNA profileMorgan Harrington's disappearance after the 2009 Metallica concertThe search for Morgan and the creation of Help Save the Next GirlHannah Graham's 2014 disappearance in CharlottesvilleHow CCTV helped identify Matthew as a suspectThe DNA links between Fairfax, Morgan, and HannahMatthew's arrest in Texas, guilty pleas, and life sentencesThe larger conversation around campus safety, DNA policy, and missed warning signsAfter the main episode, I also cover two current stories:The death of Nateal Campbell, mother of NFL player Calais Campbell, and the charges against her son Ciarre CampbellThe update in Joniah Walker's case after the Milwaukee teen, missing since 2022, was found safeJesse Matthew was eventually convicted in the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham, but this case raises a bigger question: how many times could he have been stopped before another woman was harmed?This episode looks at the college allegations, the 2005 Fairfax assault, the DNA links, the disappearances of Morgan and Hannah, and the institutional gaps that allowed warning signs to stay separated.Because predators do not live in folders.Content warning: sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, and violence against women.If you made it this far, thank you for sitting with these stories with me. Let me know your thoughts on the missed opportunities in this case, because I really want to hear how y'all feel about that.For those of you who are like me and love to binge a story all the way through, episodes 6, 7, and 8 of What I Didn't See drop Sunday on the paid subscription, along with bonus journal entries with behind-the-scenes insight into Christina's thoughts.Thank you for the support, the comments, the shares, and the way y'all continue to show up for this space. Like, follow, and share this episode with someone who follows true crime with care. I'll see y'all in the next one.Research for this episode included public reporting from CNN, NBC News, NBC29, The Washington Post, CBS, WDBJ, and public case summaries related to Morgan Harrington, Hannah Graham, the 2005 Fairfax assault, and Jesse Matthew's convictions.Content WarningIn This EpisodeTrue Crime in Current NewsShort Spotify DescriptionListener CTASource Note For Spotify

In this episode, we revisit the tragic case of Chiquita Tate, a rising Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney whose life was violently taken inside her own law office. Chiquita was brilliant, ambitious, and building a name for herself in the courtroom when her final night at work became the center of a murder investigation.We walk through Chiquita’s life, the timeline of her last hours, the evidence found at the scene, and the courtroom battle that followed. From DNA and hair evidence to the missing wallet, blood evidence, possible staging, and the complicated personal history between Chiquita and her husband, Greg Harris, this case raises difficult questions about violence, control, justice, and legacy.This episode also includes a brief update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case, another heartbreaking story involving a young woman whose future was stolen.Key TopicsChiquita Tate’s life, career, and rise as a criminal defense attorneyThe timeline of her final night in Baton RougeThe crime scene evidence, including DNA, hair, blood evidence, and the missing walletHow the prosecution and defense interpreted the same evidence differentlyThe role of marriage, motive, life insurance, and possible separation plansGreg Harris’s trial, manslaughter conviction, sentencing, and appealsThe lasting impact of workplace and intimate-partner violenceChiquita’s legacy beyond the crime sceneTimestamps00:00 - Introduction and factual reporting note01:06 - A Baton Rouge law office becomes a crime scene02:04 - The murder of Chiquita Tate03:02 - Chiquita’s background, ambition, and legal career04:29 - Chiquita’s marriage to Greg Harris09:26 - February 19, 2009: dinner, work, and her final hours13:12 - Crime scene findings and early evidence15:59 - The suspect list and growing focus on Greg Harris17:31 - The discovery of Chiquita’s wallet19:37 - Evidence from Greg and Chiquita’s home22:17 - Possible motives: separation, control, and life insurance24:03 - A tip that redirected investigators26:41 - Sunglasses, DNA profiles, and forensic questions29:18 - Court proceedings and trial strategy36:16 - The verdict: manslaughter, not second-degree murder37:20 - Sentencing, appeals, and legal aftermath39:52 - Reflection on Chiquita’s life and legacy42:51 - Update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case47:14 - Closing message and listener gratitudeResources MentionedDNA evidence and forensic interpretationLouisiana second-degree murder and manslaughter lawCriminal appeals and post-conviction challengesThe Alexis Crawford caseIntimate-partner violence and workplace violence awarenessConnect With the HostFollow and connect on social media for case updates, episode discussions, and behind-the-scenes content.Final ReflectionThe heart of this story is not only the evidence. It is Chiquita Tate herself: a first-generation college graduate, a determined attorney, and a woman whose future was still unfolding. Her legacy reminds us to honor the lives behind the headlines and to keep speaking about violence that too often begins behind familiar doors.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of the Hart family murders—a tragedy that exposed serious failures within the child welfare system and challenged the carefully curated image of a family celebrated by many.What appeared to be a picture-perfect family on social media concealed years of abuse, neglect, and unanswered cries for help. Through court records, witness accounts, and investigative findings, we explore how warning signs were repeatedly overlooked and why the voices of six children were not heard until it was too late.This episode is not simply about how the Hart family died—it is about how six children lived, what they endured, and the futures they were denied.The events leading up to the deaths of Jennifer and Sarah Hart and their six adopted childrenRepeated reports of abuse and neglect that failed to result in meaningful interventionThe role social media played in shaping public perception of the familyDevonte Hart's viral image and the complex reality behind the photographThe importance of recognizing and responding to children's disclosuresThe dangers of "savior" narratives and performative activismRace, adoption, and the challenges of transracial family dynamicsSystemic failures within child welfare and protective servicesThe final investigation and evidence supporting an intentional murder-suicideThe lives, personalities, and futures of the children at the center of this caseTime Stamps : 00:00 – Introduction to the Hart family case00:25 – A hungry child seeks help from neighbors00:55 – The family's disappearance and the discovery at the California cliffside01:50 – Public perception versus reality02:29 – Devonte Hart and the image that captivated the nation03:26 – The carefully constructed narrative surrounding the family04:07 – Social media, activism, and image management05:09 – How trauma was used to explain away concerns06:28 – Priscilla Celestine's efforts to keep her family together07:19 – Family separation and contradictions within the system08:16 – Investigations, reports, and missed opportunities09:12 – Adoption history and the creation of a public success story10:33 – When trauma became a shield against accountability11:58 – The 2010 abuse allegations and legal outcomes13:39 – Continued warning signs and institutional failures15:09 – Homeschooling, isolation, and limited oversight16:21 – Narrative control and public image management17:50 – A troubling family visit in Oregon20:18 – Hannah Hart's attempt to seek help22:06 – Devonte's repeated requests for food23:39 – Escalating concerns and failures to intervene26:33 – The crash investigation and evidence of intentional family annihilation28:30 – The final days: sedatives, control, and isolation30:48 – Recovery efforts and the search for Devonte32:00 – Examining years of systemic oversight failures34:45 – The dangers of rescue narratives and public perception37:09 – The futures each child deserved38:09 – The emotional impact of the case39:36 – Looking beyond appearances and curated images40:34 – Final reflections: How many warnings are too many?Topics CoveredChild Welfare and Protective Services ResourcesInformation on Trauma and Child Abuse RecognitionResearch on Transracial Adoption and Child AdvocacyHistorical Context Behind Devonte Hart's Viral PhotographFollow the show for updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes discussions:Instagram: @murderintheblackpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast platform.In Memory of Hannah, Markis, Abigail, Jeremiah, Sierra, and Devonte Hart.Their story reminds us that a carefully crafted image can hide painful realities. Most importantly, it reminds us that children deserve to be heard, believed, and protected.

A 21-year-old pregnant woman is murdered inside her father’s Philadelphia home just days before giving birth. A Maryland teacher disappears three days before he is set to testify in court. In this episode of Murder in the Black, we discuss the murder of Natise Johnson and the unsolved disappearance of Oliver Wendell Munson, two cases connected by haunting questions about loyalty, vulnerability, and what it can cost to do the right thing.Natise’s case is a devastating story of obsession, control, and retaliation. Oliver’s disappearance remains one of those deeply unsettling unsolved cases where the timing alone makes it impossible to ignore what may have happened.This episode contains discussions of murder, gun violence, abuse, witness vulnerability, and the death of an unborn child.

Christina believed she understood exactly who she was and the kind of life she was building. But as wedding plans move forward, a quiet conversation and an unexpected new presence begin to disturb the certainty she has spent years protecting.In this first episode of What I Didn’t See, Christina introduces the world she thought was stable, the man she believed made sense of it, and the first subtle crack in the life she thought she wanted.What I Didn’t See is a psychological thriller about love, denial, self-deception, and the truths that begin circling us long before we are ready to name them.In this episode:Christina reflects on the life she thought she was buildingSamson appears as the kind of man who fits the future she has always imaginedJames enters the story as a quiet but unsettling new presenceA simple evening begins to expose the difference between safety and certaintyTo hear the next chapter, subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for premium episodes, bonus material, and Christina’s private journal entries.Start now with 3-day free access.Episode 1 & 2 AVAILABLE NOW