Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

The autopsy of Noah Presgrove is released and for the first time in the history of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, Joe is going to issue you a warning for what you are about to hear. Noah Presgrove is at a birthday, end of summer, labor day party with friends all weekend. But something happened Sunday night to cause Noah to leave the party by himself. He is found the next morning at 5:53am, alone, dead, on the side of a rural highway. He is naked except for a pair of shoes, but one of the shoes isn't his, it belongs to a guy asleep at the house where the party took place. The "friends" he has known all of his life aren't talking. His brother sees teeth scattered near his brother's body and pieces of chain. Who or What killed Noah Presgrove? Will the autopsy help answer the question? Transcript Highlights 00:00:08 Introduction: Growing up in rural area 00:03:10 Talk about List of Injuries 00:05:17 Discussion of group dynamics 00:09:12 Discussion of what happens to clothing 00:12:27 Talk about social media evidence 00:16:11 Discussion of internal injuries 00:20:26 Discussion of injuries cased by falling out of a truck 00:24:14 Talk about skull fractures 00:28:32 Discussion of brain fluid 00:32:52 Discussion of broke teeth 00:36:03 Talk about animals and body on road 00:37:52 Discussion of cervical injuries 00:40:00 Discussion of abrasions 00:41:47 Talk about being hit by car 00:43:59 Discussion of data 00:44:17 Conclusion; After the autopsy we still don’t have answers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Werner Spitz is a man who spent his lifetime looking straight into the soul of man and looking death in the eye. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan gives a heartfelt tribute to a mentor he never met, a teacher that never gave him a test but one whose approval was sought in every written word and study as a death investigator. Dr. Werner Spitz passed away at the age of 97 on April 14, 2024, and this show is a special tribute to a man that actually did write the book of his profession, "Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death; Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation. Transcribe Highlights 00:33.95 Introduction to the life of Werner Spitz 05:59.93 Discussion of Spitz impact on forensic pathologists 09:53.32 Discussion of fleeing Nazi Germany 13:51.43 Talk about being the lone voice of truth that you see 17:35.73 Discussion of Mary Jo Kopechne 24:16.10 Discussion of Spitz being called into high profile situations 28:15.52 Talk about examination using photographs 31:38.41 Discussion of not being afraid to take on cases others wouldn't 36:52.60 Talk about paying for an opinion 37:01.94 Conclusion Those who fail to remember history, are doomed to repeat it See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The double homicide of Russell and Shirley Dermond rocked their gated community along Lake Oconee in Georgia.. The decapitated body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond was found in the garage and his wife of 68 years, 87-year Shirley Dermond was found in Lake Oconee weighted down with cinder blocks, 10 days after Russell's body was found. On this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan, you will learn about the evidence investigators found at the crime scene as well as what can be learned from a body that may have been in a lake for 10 days. The double homicide has gone unsolved for 10 years and the head of Russell Dermond has never been found. How was this elderly couple, married 68 years, murdered and why? Transcript Highlights 00:00:08 Introduction about murders 00:05:00 Discussion about neighbor checking on Dermond’s 00:09:34 Talk about unsolved murders, 10 years 00:14:04 Discussion about Shirley Dermond body found in lake 00:19:05 Discussion of Russell Dermond head, it’s missing 00:23:51 Discussion about Shirley was weighted down 00:28:08 Talk after 10 years, case still unsolved 00:31:39 Discussion of lack of blood at scene 00:34:52 Talk about how head was removed 00:37:57 Talk about DNA evidence 00:40:28 Conclusion: After a decade, new evidence might solve the case See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was 7-year-old JJ Vallow alive when he was buried? Was 16-year-old Tylee Ryan dismembered before her remains were burned? What does the autopsy say about the death of Tammy Daybell? On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain the forensics of all 3 victims and Dave Mack will fill in the background on the story of what really happened to JJ Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell Transcript Highlights 00:00:08 Introduction, loving arms that didn’t hold JJ and Tylee 00:04:21 Discussion of the deaths, JJ, Tylee, and Tammy Daybell 00:07:54 Discussion of bodies buried near one another 00:11:19 Discussion of death of Tammy Daybell 00:14:57 Explaining asphyxia 00:18:45 Talk about access and opportunity 00:22:58 Discussion of Dr Warren on witness stand 00:26:02 Discussion of Bones being scattered, broken up while burning 00:29:07 Talk about JJ Vallow trying to pull bag off his head 00:30:47 Conclusion: Justice, whatever that means, is coming. Justice, whatever that means, is coming and there is a reckoning coming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 12 bodies have been pulled from "Lady Bird Lake" in Austin, Texas in the last 22 months. Some can be explained as deaths that happen on or near a lake, but not all. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the difference between a regular death in a lake and a possible serial killer, while Dave Mack breaks down the stories behind the victims. Transcript Highlights 00:16.18 Introduction about water and murder 03:37.66 Discussion does Austin have a serial killer? 08:13.12 Discussion what does "serial killer" do to an area 13:22.11 Talk about other serial killers, were they really caught 17:54.47 Talk about witnessing a death on the water 22:03.17 Discussion of toxicology 27:53.13 Discussion of victims 32:38.32 Talk about water as a dumping ground 36:26.16 Discussion of decomposition in water 40:04.57 Talk about water flow 47:42.83 Discussion about rumors over fact Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother of five, Crystal Rogers is last seen July 3 by her live-in boyfriend, Brooks Houck. Crystal Rogers mother, Sherry Ballard, reports her missing on July 5. Later that day, Crystal Rogers red Chevy Malibu is found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway. The car has a flat tire, but Rogers' keys, phone and purse are still inside. 16-months later, Crystal Rogers is still missing and her father, Sherry Ballard's husband, Tommy Ballard, is murdered in the early morning hours as he prepares to go hunting on his own property with his 12-year-old grandson. Ballard is shot from an undetermined distance, but his property backs up against the Bluegrass Parkway. It's a fast getaway in either direction for a gunman. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the disappearance of Crystal Rogers and the murder of her dad, Tommy Ballard. Plus, Joseph Scott Morgan explains how prosecutors can prove Crystal Rogers was murdered, even though they haven't found her body. Transcribe Highlights 00:12.12 Introduction of growing up with PaPaw Morgan 03:34.36 Discuss Crystal Rogers missing, her father Tommy Ballard murdered 06:15.27 Discussion of Bardstown Kentucky 07:46.82 Discussion of why Brooks Houck didn't report Rogers missing 08:13.81 Talk about Crystal Rogers car found on Bluegrass parkway 15:45.34 Talk Rogers car found with flat tire, she is still missing 18:16.83 Discussion of Brooks Houck, suspect, brother is police officer 21:13.58 Discussion of police letting Houck talk to his brother on phone 26:27.16 Talk about tracking dogs pick up Crystal Rogers scent at farm, but not at her car 31:09.10. Discussion 16 months after Crystal Rogers vanishes, her dad, Tommy Ballard killed 34:36.43 Discussion of how bullet twists the skin 39:02.99 Discussion of Tommy Ballard hunting, murdered on his own property 40:52.53 Discussion of murder charges without a body 43:45.73 Conclusion - waiting for trial See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corey Micciolo did not meet his father until he was 5-years-old. Soon thereafter Corey landed in the middle of a custody battle. From the first time he was left alone with his father, Corey came home with bruises, busted lips, and more. His mother complained but nobody listened. Only now are people paying attention because of an awful video showing 6-year-old Corey Micciolo being forced to run on a treadmill and falling off, over and over. Each time he falls off the treadmill, his father puts him back on and turns the speed up, allegedly. Christiopher Gregor is on trial facing murder charges for allegedly killing his own son in what the media calls the Treadmill Abuse Trial. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what really happened to Corey Micciolo and why 6-year-olds don't drop over dead, and Dave Mack will fill in the rest of the story of how Corey was given to a father that never bonded with him while his mother begged for anyone to listen. 00:38.98 Introduction, talk about weapons 05:17.90 Discussion of exorcise as punishment 10:01.23 Talk about making 6-year-old run on treadmill 16:01.12 Discussion of bruises and injuries 21:06.32 Talk about Corey's health is fine, except for bruises 26:20.26 Talk about Corey tells doctor about football and treadmill 32:41.40 Discussion of children don't die of natural causes at 6 37:27.82 Discussion of injury to abdomen 39:12:19 Conclusion Final Diagnosis, Blunt Force impact, laceration of heart See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa and David Hernandez had been separated for a year before he starts stalking her, showing up at her job uninvited and unwelcome. He sends his estranged wife a bouquet of flowers with Lillies, "the Death Flower", knowing she is extremely allergic to them. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how someone can be killed by a blunt force instrument and a sharp-edged instrument at the same time and Dave Mack will fill in the story with the creepy stalking that David Hernandez allegedly did to his wife. Transcribed Highlights 00:02:00 Introduction of Lisa Hernandez 05:12.52 Discussion of "Death Flower" 08:50.91 Talk about a tool as a weapon 14:17.46 Discussion of skull injury 19:46.20 Discussion of suspect knowing victim allergies 24:28.29 Talk about a "staged" scene 29:19.40 Discussion of allergic reaction 32:32.27 Discussion of blunt force and sharp force 36:26.87 Talk about tossing weapon / tool into lake 41:22.33 Discussion of Searching the bottom of a lake See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 4, 2020, 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin went to the corner store in his neighborhood to try and make a little money helping people carry their groceries home. On this day, he brings his new puppy with him and many people remember seeing the boy and his puppy. But Jaylen Griffin and his puppy never makes it home that evening. It seems as though Jaylen has vanished into thin air. Neighborhood searches, flyers, reward money, nothing helps bring the boy home. Three months after Jaylen goes missing his older brother is murdered, shot dead almost in front of their Buffalo, New York home. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. In September 2023, Jaylen's mother dies, never knowing what happened to her 12-year-old son. Months after her passing, the decomposed remains of Jaylen Griffin are found in the attic of a house about 5-miles from where Jaylen lived in south Buffalo. The house was no stranger to law enforcement and many people wonder how it was possible the remains of a child could decompose in the attic of a house with many residents and nobody smelled or saw anything. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will breakdown the forensics that will help determine the cause and manner of death and try to answer questions that could lead to justice for Jaylin Griffin Transcript Highlights 00:03.10 Introduction of life, memories 01:06.13 Talk about 12-year-old boy missing 4 years 05:20.86 Talk about getting help from dentist to ID victim 07:45.26 Discussion of how to identify remains of a child 11:36.93 Discussion of "Bite" marks as evidence 17:00.65 Jaylen and the "12-year molar" 20:05.82 Discussion of weather on remains 24:45.81 Talk about the home where Jaylen's remains were found 29:22.81 Discussion of remains and smell, compare to Harmony Montgomery 33:00.68 Discussion of law enforcement, fire, rescue calls to address 37:24.74 Talk about remains having "soft tissue" 41:20.56 Conclusion will the remains lead to a murderer? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Mother's Day 2020 until September 2023, only one person really knew that Suzanne Morphew wasn't just missing, she was dead. In September 2023 the remains of Suzanne Morphew were found while investigators were working a different crime, An autopsy was done on the remains and on this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how doctors were able to create a toxicology report using only bones, and why Susanne Morphew's death has been ruled a homicide. Transcribed Highlights 00:42.91 Introduction of Suzanne Morphew 03:21.30 Talk about autopsy of bones 06:54.40 Discussion of remains 10:43.53 Discussion of Mountain Lions 14:37.94 Talk about the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew 18:16.37 Discussion of darts and animals 20:55.11 Talk about the depth of a hole for remains 26:25.13 Discussion of co-mingling of bones 30:06.14 Discussion of decomposed body 35:20.28.Talking about the bones in the arms 41:21.60 Discussion of darts and toxicology 47:03.48 Conclusion of the Suzanne Morphew See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan is a look at the death and autopsy of John Wilkes Booth. Booth shot Abraham Lincoln from behind around 10:15 pm April 14, 1865. He died the next morning, April 15, at 7:22 am. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will uncover the track that Booth took as he tried to escape, and finally being shot himself. Joseph Scott Morgan will make you feel like you witnessed the autopsy yourself as he explains, in great detail, the autopsy of John Wilkes Booth. Transcribe Highlights 00:13.63 Introduction - autopsy of John Wilkes Booth 01:45.79 Discuss Forensic expert is a history fan 05:09.53 Talk about the Booth acting family 08:22.93 Discussion of how Booth wrecked everything 12:47.62.Talk about Booth jumping to stage 18:45.53 Discussion of expectation 22:49.66 Talk about the conspiracy 27:50.24.Discussion of Booth broken leg 32:01.96 Talk about comparing Lincoln to Kennedy 38:40.42 Discussion of Booth not getting help 41:08.80 Talk about getting Booth on boat 48:59.90.Discussion of putting a door on saw horses as a table 50:03.11 Talk about Autopsy in 1800s 52:18.34 Discussion of Booth being wrapped in military blanket 56:27.97 Conclusion, Lincoln wanted the country to heal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sade Robinson is having fun on her first date with a new guy. They pose together and post the picture to social media. Sade had no idea she was taking a picture with the devil and she only had hours to live. In this episode of "Body Bags," Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how the killer sealed his fate by trying to destroy evidence with fire. Transcribe Highlights 00:22.97 Introduction Milwaukee 05:01.65. Talk about Jeffrey Dahmer 07:29.72 Discussion of dismemberment 09:53.60 Talk about getting rid of smell with tires 14:06.81 Discussion of finding leg 20:10.93 Talk about remains being compromised 25:18.19. Breaking down the timeline 30:30.67. Discussion of other women missing 34:38.48 Talk about fire inside a car 36:38.64 Discussion of witness who saw person use lighter to start car fire 39:33.42 Conclusion – how remains will tell what really happened to Sade See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boston Cop John O'Keefe and his girlfriend Karen Read go on a pub crawl before ending their the night at the home of a Boston cop friend of O'Keefe's at 12:45 am. 6 hours later, the body of John O'Keefe is found in the front yard of the house, covered in snow in blizzard conditions. He is wearing two shirts, jeans, socks and one shoe. Near his body on the snow are shards of glass and splotches of blood. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will take an up close look at the injuries and find out what really happened to John O'Keefe. Dave Mack will breakdown the story that has divided Boston and together they will try to answer the question: Who Killed John O'Keefe? . Transcribed Highlights 00:01.10 Introduction, talk about weather conditions and murder 02:05.22 Discussion of Karen Read case 05:05.56 Talk about Media coverage 09:09.25 Discussion of forensics role in investigation 14:06.82 Talk about background of relationship 16:16.35 Breaking down timeline of events 19:50.94 Discussion of physical injuries 21:07.56 Talk about Blood Alcohol 25:20.82 Talk about leaving bar, going to house party 30:09.48 Talk about Text Messages, getting directions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley vanish on their way to pick up Veronica’s children to go to a birthday party. They were supposed to meet up with Veronica Butler’s ex-mother-in-law at a closed gas station in rural Texas County, Oklahoma. But they never make it. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how evidence from blood to tire treads will help solve the mystery of the Missing Moms. Transcript Highlights 00:00:00 Introduction of shared custody 00:03:10 Discussion or relationships and death 00:06:50 Talk about terrain 00:11:03 Discussion of moms reported missing 00:14:08 Talk about how vehicle ended up where it is found 00:18:46 Discussion of evidence found at scene 00:23:21Talk about tire tread identification 00:27:47 Discussion of term “puddle of blood” 00:31:16 Discussion of meeting place 00:34:16 Talk about SWAT Teams showing up in Rural County 00:38:44 Talk about death penalty states 00:40:56 Discussion identifying body 00:42:29 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years she was labeled “Bones 20” the unidentified victim of the Green River Killer. But now, thanks to police work and Othram Labs, the victim has been named as Tammy Liles. She was from Everett, Washington, and vanished in the summer of 1983. She was only 16 years old when she became a victim of serial killer Gary Ridgeway. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will take you behind the headlines and into the lab that helped give a name to a young lady who spent decades being called “bones 20”. Transcript Highlights 00:0:16 Introduction – The Green River Killer last victim identified 00:02:28 Talk about age reference 00:06:32 Discussion of high-profile murders 00:10:48 Talk about the Green River Killer 16-year-old victim 00:15:56 Discussion of identifying remains 00:20:54 Discussion of the Green River Killer evidence 00:25:58 Talk about starting with incomplete skeleton 00:29:41 Discussion of Genetic Genealogy 00:34:51 Talking about Othram labs 00:37:39 Conclusion; might be the most noble of pursuits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Destiny Duckett’s cousin couldn’t reach her by phone, so she stopped by her apartment to check on her. The cousin knocks on the door, but Destiny doesn’t answer. The cousin can hear the baby crying and she is worried. She calls police to do a welfare check and when they enter Destiny Duckett’s apartment, her 8-week old son is on the bed, crying, and his 22-year-old mother is on the floor, dead. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will look into the mysterious death of 22-year-old new mother, Destiny Duckett and Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how fingernails play a keep part in solving the murder. Transcript Highlights 00:00:00 Introduction of case 00:02:20 Discussion of fingernails 00:05:37 Talk about cousin called police, heard baby crying 00:10:56 Discussion of protective order leading to arrest of suspect 00:15:26 Talk about leaving crying baby on the bed, alone, mother dead on floor 00:19:43 Discussion of body being the biggest evidence 00:24:16 Discussion of proving knees were on chest of victim 00:28:26 Talk about fingernail marks on the neck 00:33:55 Discussion of why suspect was already in jail 00:36:33 Conclusion – Convicted, sentencing to come See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bag with a burned, dismembered torso is found by a boy out for a horseback ride about a mile from town. The police chief says he was mowing his lawn when he got the call about the headless, armless, legless, burned torso, and from that moment on it was "chaos". On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will tell the story of the dismembered and burned torso and how, after 44-years, he was finally identified with DNA and Othram labs. Transcript Highlights 00:00:00 Introduction of episode 00:02:13 Talk about identifying Joseph Caliva 00:06:15 Discussion of years beginning in 1979 00:10:40 Talk about dismemberment 00:15:48 Discussion of what was found 00:17:39 Talk about burned remains 00:22:25 Discussion about trying to ID person 00:27:25 Talk about finding portions of the torso 00:31:54 Talk about creating a person out of evidence 00:36:34 Discussion after 44 years, victim identified See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AUTOPSY REPORT WILL NOT BE RELEASED. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what happened to Madeline Soto and Dave Mack will dig into the back story of the entire family. You will find out by the time she reached 13-years-old, Madeline Soto had already been sexually abused for years. When she was a “missing 13-year-old" from Florida, the news covered every tidbit of information about the search for the teen. One piece of evidence that made it to the press was how Madeline Soto told a friend when she turned 13, she was going to live in the woods. That is why police searched the woods for Madeline. Transcript Highlights 00:00:28 Introduction, talk about parents protecting children 00:04:28 Talk about Madeline Soto saying she wanted to live in the woods 00:05:31 Discussion of ages 12 and 13 00:09:04 Discussion of Madeline not taking cell phone 00:12:29 Talk about family being told about evidence 00:16:42 Discussion of time children go to school 00:20:07 Discussion of Madeline Soto seen in vehicle 00:21:49 Talk about being haunted by evidence 00:26:26 Discussion of Madeline Soto 00:30:26 Talk about video surveillance of suspect 00:33:22 Discussion of 60 charges against suspect 00:37:32 Discussion of evidence of previous abuse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fire department shows up at the home of one of their own and find Melissa Lamesch unconscious on the kitchen floor as her home goes up in flames around her. She is on maternity leave from her job as an EMT and is expecting her baby to be born any day. Melissa Lamesch and her unborn baby die in what authorities believe is asphyxiation from the fire. On this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack will breakdown how trying to burn evidence of a crime, oftentimes creates the evidence needed for conviction. Transcript Highlights 00:00:08 Introduction of fire set to cover-up a murder 00:01:18 Talk about fire and smoke 00:03:10 Discussion of smoke as evidence 00:05:05 Discussion of woman, 9 months pregnant, dying in a fire 00:08:35 Talk about how healing takes place after being burned 00:11:26 Discussion of hair catching fire in bathroom 00:14:43 Victim is on maternity leave from job as EMT 00:18:53 Discussion of the mother and her baby 00:22:53 Discussion of monoxide 00:28:01 Talk about suffocation 00:33:33 Discussion of fire splash patterns 00:36:55 Talk about the family talking to officials after the fire 00:40:46 Discussion of dealing with the death of pregnant mother 00:43:10 Conclusion, Matthew Plote convicted for Murder See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deborah Frazier calls 911 and tells them two burglars have shot her boyfriend, and as she is on the phone, a gunshot is heard and Frazier tells the dispatcher she has been shot in the leg by one of the burglars. Police arrive and discover the first person shot, Mr. Thomas Waddell, is in the back room of his apartment, wrapped in a blanket and a garbage bag and secured with duct tape. On this episode of Body Bags Joseph Scott Morgan will explain all of the things police will have to believe for Deborah Frazier's story to be true and Dave Mack will explain how Frazier was using a second boyfriend to con Mr Waddell out of his life savings! Transcript Highlights 00:00:42 Talk about everything that has to be believed for the story to be true 00:02:48 Discussion of not believing a story 00:04:20 Discussion of “victim” shooting her boyfriend in the head 00:05:53 Talk about cases too difficult to believe 00:10:54 Talk about self-inflicted gunshot wound 00:14:19 Discussion of the victim who just retired 00:18:54 Talk about determining how long person has been dead 00:23:19 Discuss investigation of digital background 00:28:34 Talk about GSR test 00:33:02 Discussion of police on scene, gunshot recorded 00:37:57 Discussion of what has to be believed by investigators 00:40:12 Talk about Pictures of a life shared, scattered on the floor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.