Decapitated on the Gallows: The Eva Dugan Story

From Southern Ghost Stories by Southern Ghost Stories

June 3, 2026 · 21 min

About this episode

This episode explores the horrifying true story of Eva Dugan, the first woman executed by the state of Arizona, and the controversial murder case surrounding her.

In this episode of Southern Ghost Stories, we dive into the horrifying true story of Eva Dugan, the first woman executed by the state of Arizona. What began as the mysterious disappearance of an elderly rancher outside Tucson quickly spiraled into one of the most controversial murder cases of the twentieth century involving a lonely desert grave, a mysterious drifter known only as “Jack,” accusations of greed and manipulation, and a public execution so gruesome it shocked the entire country. We explore the murder of Andrew Mathis, Eva’s sensational trial, her strange final days on death row, the discovery that she planned to take her own life before the hanging, and the horrifying moment the execution went terribly wrong in front of horrified witnesses. Be sure to like, subscribe and leave a review! Check out Allen's books on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3HEf2u9 Got a question or comment? Hit us up on our socials! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/southernghoststories/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/southernghoststoriesonline Follow Allen on X https://x.com/ATOAllen Use code SAVE10 for 10% off your order over at https:// monstercitymadhouse.com

People in this episode

Host: Southern Ghost Stories

Topics covered

execution
murder case
trial
Arizona history
ghost stories

Keywords

Eva Dugan
Andrew Mathis
execution
Arizona
murder trial
ghost stories
death row

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Amazon