Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

Imagine a very large, very old, decomissioned sewage tank buried underneath the grounds of a long since demolished home for unwed mothers that may contain the remains of nearly 800 babies and small children. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the story of the "Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home" in Tuam, Ireland....providing shelter for young women from 1925 until it closed in 1961. Nearly 800 children died at the facility run by Nuns but there are only one or two actual burial records, the rest may have been tossed into an old septic tank buried on the property and turned into a mass unmarked grave. Professor Morgan explains how the tank would have been tested, the condition of the remains, and the daunting task to identify and properly bury the children who were tossed away like rubbish. Transcribe Highlights 00:05.83 Introduction "Bon Secours" means "Safe Harbor" 03:23.12 Homes for "single mothers" 05:00.85 Historian research indicates nearly 800 babies died, only one burial record 09:59.19 Death certificates were found 14:43.31 Bones sticking up from ground 20:12.78 Description of septic type system used at the time 25:09.84 Opening on top referred to as a "Thief Hatch" 30:07.44 The nuns are not the only ones responsible 35:02.15 Using methane probes in very small area 40:04.25 Permission has been give for full excavation 44:36.01 Need help with DNA and identifying the remains. Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 3:42 a.m. on February 17, 1970, Green Beret Doctor Jeffrey MacDonald makes an emergency phone call from his base housing at 544 Castle Drive at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The dispatcher hears the faint message, a call for help, "Stabbing! Hurry!" Inside the residence, MacDonald's wife, Colette, 26, and five months pregnant, lies dead on the floor of the master bedroom, their daughters, Kimberley, 5, and Kristen, 2, are found dead in their respective beds. Jeffrey MacDonald suffered minor injuries, compared to his wife and daughters. MacDonald claims 4 hippies, 3 men and a woman, came into his home, killed his family and knocked him unconscious. MacDonald says the woman with long blond hair was wearing a white floppy hat and holding a candle while chanting "Acid is groovy, kill the pigs." The case has been turned into books, movies, articles, and lawsuits. MacDonald was convicted for the murder of his wife and daughters and sentenced to life in prison. Jeffrey MacDonald claims he was wrongly convicted and has never wavered from his claims that hippies murdered his wife and daughters. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case and the injuries suffered by Colette, Kimberley, Kristen, and Jeffrey Macdonald, and compare the forensic facts to the story told by the one person who survived. Transcribe Highlights 00:00:01.45 Introduction 00:00:17.91 Killer on the loose in LA 00:03:06.24 Jeffrey MacDonald story 00:05:26.19 Victim recounting traumatic event 00:09:10.74 MacDonald tells his version of events 00:14:09.09 Four Hippies get on military base housing 00:19:10.31 Tearing down location of homicide 00:24:07.38 Officers explaining crime scene 00:29:36.21 Motive doesn't matter at a crime scene 00:33:55.42 MacDonald was the ONLY threat, he survives 00:38:43.83 Wounds on Colette 00:43:09.00 Comparing injuries suffered by girls and MacDonald 00:48:13.19 Injuries suffered by Kimberly, 5-years-old 00:52:21.98 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of information has come out about the victims in Moscow, Idaho, and the condition of their bodies as well as location and injuries. Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabutt made many public comments in the first days of the investigation that in retrospect might have been misguided, at best. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case, the evidence, and what was stated as fact early in the investigation that doesn't match up with current facts. Joe Scott Morgan explains the forensics of death, Livor Mortis, Rigor Mortis, as well as PMI, Post Mortem Interval, and how the delay in reporting the bodies could be problematic for the prosecution in the upcoming trial of Brian Kohberger. Transcribe Highlights 00:00.19 Introduction 01:48.68 Decomposition - PMI 03:32.16 Elderly people are cold when it is hot 07:00.30 Rigor Mortis, Livor Mortis 11:48.60 Environmentally dependent 15:33.11 Stiffening of jaw 19:56.67 Latah County Coroner said Idaho students killed in their sleep 23:19.82 Strength of Rigor Mortis 28:22.59 Using digital turkey thermometer to get body temp from liver 32:54.33 Assuming room temperature 38:11.60 Latah County Coroner told family member about injuries 43:00.35 Removing stomach and collecting contents 49:49.70 Gastric content 53:08.10 Post Mortem lividity 58:25.86 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Fertility Clinic Bomber's Manifesto Mentions Staged Suicide Murder 1,200 Miles Away. Lars Nelson calls 911 to report the suicide of his girlfriend, Sophie Tinney. He gives the 911 operator a lot of information and is standing outside to talk to police. When officers arrive they notice that 27-year-old Sophie Tinney is dead from what appears to be a gunshot wound. But they aren't sure it is a suicide. It appears she has three bullet wounds to her head. 1200 miles south of Fox Hollow Island Washington is Palm Springs, California, home to a fertility clinic where 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, tries to "live stream" his bombing of the clinic. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about the staged suicide death of Sophie Tinney, her boyfriend, Lars Nelson, as well as Guy Edward Bartkus who left a manifesto behind that mentions the death of Sophie Tinney. The time has come to answer the question; what or who is an "Anti-Natalist"? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of tourist flock to Paris every year to visit the Louvre or see the Eiffel Tower up close. While tourists take photos on the city streets, under their feet, lining the walls of nearly two hundred miles of tunnels lie the skeletons of 6 MILLION people. Joseph Scott Morgan recounts his recent visit to the tunnels under the "City of Light" and explains how the area became the final resting place for millions of people. And in a shocking turn, the Professor finds a skull that appears to have a gunshot wound to the head! Transcribe Highlights 00:01.76 Introduction 02:26.06 Handrail phobia 05:00.55 Church and alter made from bones 09:48.76 Touring Notre Dame 15:19.56 A mantel made of stone 19:30.53 Bones stacked according to type 25:11.72 WW2 - Nazi's in one place, French resistance in another 30:08.31 Looking for trauma on the bones 35:44.67 Skull showed trauma 38:17.26 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Scott Morgan puts on his teachers cap and explains Decompositional changes and what really happens in the first minutes, hours, and days after death and tells the story of a rookie cop doing a simple welfare check calls for backup after finding a victim dead in his tv chair. The still wet behind the ears cop thinks the victim was killed with a hatchet, but all of the blood and body fluid appearing on the victims' shirt is not from a hatchet, the man had a heart attack. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about the disintegration of body tissues after death, known as decomposition as well as the two processes of Decomposition and how important these processes will be in the upcoming trial of Bryan Kohberger for the murders of four college students in Idaho. Transcript Highlights 00:03.14 Introduction 01:34.93 Professor Morgan is ready to teach 04:44.28 Reason for understanding decomposition 09:51.60 Can't always see it, but you can smell it 14:43.12 People dying on toilets 19:01.43 Disintegration, breaking down what is organic 24:31.13 Autolysis and Putrefaction 29:35.64 Body decomposing 34:59.98 Rigor mortis leaves, body becomes flaccid 40:12.40 Toes and fingers dry out 44:32.69 Natural Death looks like a murder 45:35.23 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death of Ellen Greenberg was initially ruled a homicide, but without warning or explanation, Doctor Marlon Osbourne changed the ruling to suicide. Ellen's parents have spent the last 14 years trying to have it changed back to homicide, or undetermined. The Greenberg's have two civil suits about the case, one headed for the state supreme court later this year, but on the first day of jury selection for the other case, a settlement is reached. Doctor Marlon Osbourne, who conducted the autopsy on Ellen Greenberg as the former assistant medical examiner with the ME's office, signed a sworn verification statement in which he says he now believes Ellen's manner of death should be designated as something other than suicide. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case and breakdown how this change impacts the case today and in the future. Transcribe Highlights 00:00:00 Introduction 03:29.50 Dr. Osbourne changes ruling from homicide to suicide 07:23.79 The life of Ellen Greenberg 12:21.71 location of injuries 17:19.04 Joe talks about autopsy 22:22.18 Greenberg had active day, no issues 27:36.97 Classification of "manner of death" 32:45.96 Giving a statement to police 37:06.32 Steps in death investigation 42:48.71 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two of "Manner, Cause, Mechanism of Death", the death rulings of John O'Keefe, Virginia Giuffre, Dana Plato, Heidi Planck and others including one where a burglar is sent to prison for murdering someone who wasn't shot, stabbed, strangled, or even touched by the suspect who was robbing the place, and who will possibly spend the rest of his life in prison. The Karen Read Case is also discussed as to the Manner, Cause, and Mechanism of death of John O'Keefe. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about cases when no body is found but evidence found at the scene is "incompatible with life" and how this is used in an investigation. Joseph Scott Morgan goes deep into death investigation and what really matters, breaking down the four questions of Death Investigation: How? What? When? Why? Transcribe Highlights 00:02.88 Introduction 00:56.30 Cause and Effect, Mechanism 05:00.66 Suicide Ruling in overdose death of Dana Plato 09:55.12 Needle still in the arm of overdose victims 15:58.79 Manner of death 19:02.38 Coroner decides to rule overdose deaths as homicides 23:59.02 Elderly Man Dies from heart attack meeting robber in Kitchen - Robber sent to prison 28:03.94 Heidi Planck missing, evidence found is incompatible with life 34:15.80 John O'Keefe Manner of death 39:05.80 Brain expands with no place inside skull to go 41:56.73 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The judge in the Bryan Kohberger trial is still searching for the person or persons who leaked info to Dateline that was used in NBC’s 2-hour special on the Idaho Student Murders, “The Terrible Night on King Road” revealing new details and never before seen video that may be key evidence in the state’s case. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about the latest news in the case and JSM breaks down some issues with how forensic evidence was moved from the scene, how the entire crime scene was treated in the days following the murders, as well as what the coroner did or did not do that could create problems at trial. No matter what happens in court or in the media, there are still four young adults who were murdered, and they must be remembered. They deserve justice. Remember the Victims: Ethan Chapin, 20 Xana Kernodle, 20 Kaylee Goncalves, 21 Madison Mogen, 21 Transcribe Highlights 00:13.15 Introduction - Part 2 - Kohberger Case 01:46.38 Judge is displeased with the leak in the case 05:04.66 Risk at trial, slipshod manner the way the trial claimed 09:40.54 Implies some kind of trace element left behind on 14:00.17 Evidence: a mattress was driven down the road in the back of a truck 19:54.71 Kohberger lawyer previously represented mother of victim, Xana Kernodle 24:04.54 Judge is completely aware 29:01.53 Does the defense have a suspect other than Kohberger? 33:43.00 Timeline is going to be very important 39:14.10 Not all testimony will be available to public, some will not be streamed 43:47.94 Whoever did this quadruple murder is/was a monster 44:11.81 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Scott Morgan spends hours talking about crime scenes and forensics in the media and in the classroom. Today he explains everything from a "Natural Death" to "Russian Roulette". The key is to determine "How the Cause Came About". Natural Deaths: Death as a result of a normal biological process. Accidental Deaths: Death that results from misadventure without assignment of blame to another by the certifier of death. Undetermined Deaths: The causative factors surrounding the death cannot be established. Homicidal Deaths: A death that is at the hand of another. Suicidal Deaths: Death at one's own hand Transcribe Highlights 00:02.88 Introduction 00:56.30 More than just a "death investigator" 05:00.66 Teaching Forensics while covering crime 10:05.12 Cases thrown out due "dry labbing" 15:00.79 Determinations of how someone died 20:02.38 Manner of Death explained 24:59.02 Medical Legal ruling of Manner of death in Russian Roulette 30:03.94 The term "Cause of Death" 35:04.21 Death at ones own hand Conclusion of Lesson One See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birmingham, Alabama, has experienced a killing spree unlike any seen before. In a Body Bags episode April 16, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack covered the alleged Mass Killer / Serial Killer / Hitman, Damian McDaniel, who had been charged with 14 murders in 14 months. McDaniel has now been charged with 4 more homicides bringing the total to 18 in14 months. In this update episode, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the timeline of events, the difference between a "Mass Shooting" and a "Serial Killer" as well as the accusation that McDaniel was also a hired "hitman". Joe also explains what has to happen with each crime scene, even if the scene includes double-digit victims. Transcribe Highlights 00:00.53 Introduction 02:33.65 Damian McDaniel charged with 4 more homicides 05:03.41 McDaniel is suspected of Serial killings as well as Mass killing 10:17.73 McDaniel is also accused of being a Hired "Hitman" 15:00.71 Additional charges for McDaniel - and possible partner in crime 20:36.12 Question about weapon or weapons used 25:25.57 Going down the list victims and locations 30:19.08 Second Mass shooting - McDaniel a suspect in shooting 35:07.54 Investigators are drowning in data 37:14.04 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November 1987 cops in Humbolt County, California, received a package in the mail. The package was mailed from San Francisco and contained partial skeletal remains. A typed letter was included in the package with directions to more skeletal remains. More skeletal remains were recovered but what was found was still an incomplete set of remains. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss a case that includes a missing teacher, a husband on a business trip, and bones found in multiple locations in Northern California - and how the incredible work of Othram helped identify the partial set of human remains nearly 40 years after they first arrived at the Sheriff's office Transcribe Highlights 00:03.47 Introduction 01:12.55 Influence of teachers at an early age 04:56.32 1987-husband comes home from business trip, wife is gone 09:39.08 Some mailed skeletal remains to police 14:39.11 Partial skeletal remains 19:51.97 Map to more remains included with remains 24:00.63 Typed letter still has "evidence" 29:27.66 Note and remains mailed from San Francisco 34:48.40 Othram brought in to identify the skeletal remains 39:14.34 Victim lived in an isolated area 43:29.15 Othram has to crowd fund to be able to work on a case Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Three were doing drugs and having sex with one another. Jamie Carrol goes to get more drugs, when he comes back, Jeffrey Mundt and Joey Banis, kill Carrol and take his money and drugs. Mundt and Banis then dig a hole in the basement of the Mansion and bury the body of Jamie Carroll. The couple gets away with murder.....until seven months later, police respond to a 911 call about domestic abuse. Jeffrey Mundt says his boyfriend, Joey Banis is going to kill him. When cops arrive on scene they take Joey Banis into custody and leave Jeffrey Mundt at the house. As police take Banis to jail, he begins telling them a story of drug, sex, and a body buried in the basement. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the murder of one man, and the lies of the two that tried to blame each other for a murder they almost got away with.....almost. Transcribe Highlights 00:14.75 Introduction - Holding on to the past 01:47.61 Case involves a bit of digging 03:57.84 Completely nude man, running in a hotel hallway, jump out a window 05:14.22 Brain in the hot tub. Had to use skimmer net 09:54.57 Cops aren't sure where they are supposed to go 15:03.97 Too much money, too much time on their hands 20:17.42 When do police realize the story they are being told might seem strange, but it is real 25:32.77 Older homes with basement hard pack 30:00.25 Killers best plan to put body into rubber tub is to use a sledge hammer to break up the body 35:18.84 Joey and Jeffrey were a couple 40:36.57 Body produces decomp fluid 45:40.59 Post mortem x-ray of a body 50:12.66 One man murdered for his drugs and money 51:11.40 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15-year-old Karen Stitt was stabbed to death 100 yards from the bus stop where she was headed to catch a bus to take her back home. She suffered nearly 60 stab wounds, 18 to the heart, and there is blood evidence all over the crime scene. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case that has so much evidence it is shocking how it went cold, and only got colder as the years went by. The murder happened in 1982 and it took until the last few months to get a conviction. Is justice delayed, justice denied? Transcribe Highlights 00:00.65 Introduction 02:08.90 Grisly murder, blood saturated crime scene 04:59.07 Close to 380 episodes of Body Bags 09:42.63 Event occurred 100 yards away from bus stop 14:56.13 Killing took place behind a wall 20:03.83 Making castings of shoe imprints 25:28.74 Volume of blood can change color of clothing, more than 59 stab wounds 30:04.66 18 wounds to the heart 34:57.38 Boyfriend was suspect, but never charged, he didn't do it 39:29.99 DNA - Genetic Genealogy leads to suspect 41:01.64 Gary Ramirez pleads "no contest" sentenced to life with possible parole after 25 years See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A one-year-old boy, Kahleb Collins,, is discovered to be "Missing" when he isn't found in the wreckage of a car crash that kills his father, Steven Collins, 40, and older sister, Ryleigh Collins, 2, and lands his mother, Pam Bailey, 23, in the hospital in critical condition. Investigators looking for Khaleb don't find him in the wreckage but learn his grandfather, John Elton Bailey, has custody of the baby. When Bailey is interviewed he tells investigators he hasn't seen Kahleb since September. It is now December 17 and an Amber Alert is issued for Kahleb Collins. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the case from what happened in the car wreck to a burn pile found on the Collins family property where human remains have been discovered. Transcribe Highlights 00:00.07 Introduction, burn piles 04:55.58 Fatal family car wreck leads to missing baby 10:16.20 Grandfather has custody of baby, but lives with the family 15:33.76 Was driver trying to commit suicide? 20:10.03 Difference between looking for decaying body of baby and adult 25:05.93 Human remains found in burn pile 30:37.56 Children not as resilient as adults when subjected to elements 35:03.84 The child has not been identified 40:02.17 Father is alleged to have abused one-year-old 42:25.42 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the leaks in the Bryan Kohberger case and what new information is now in the public. The Dateline show with information not released by the public has the judge in the case investigating the leak. Joseph Scott Morgan also looks at the ghastly injuries done to Ethan Chapin that were allegedly done while he was asleep Transcript Highlights 00:00.03 Introduction 01:15.89 Joseph Scott Morgan is being viewed by Kohberger 06:46.56 Is there any way to get death penalty off the table 10:13.55 Realizing a killer has been listening 15:44.22 Dateline sharing leaked info 20:13.79 Investigators don't always get it right 25:11.68 Sinister pictures, don't look at his eyes 30:02.54 Timeline in Idaho is a 20 minute window 35:05.07 What else haven't we seen? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mikal Mahdi was just 21-years-old when he began a crime spree that spanned four states and included two murders. One of the victims was James Myers, a 56-year-old Police Captain with the Orangeburg Public Safety Department in South Carolina. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the crime spree and the murders that landed Mahdi a date with the executioners and how the firing squad, that seemed like such a good idea compared to other methods of death, didn't work out as planned. Did three shooters ALL miss the mark on Mikal Mahdi or was the "mark" missplaced? Transcript Highlights 00:02.40 Introduction 01:13.17 A botched execution 05:18.91 Mikal Mahdi killed South Carolina Public Safety Officer James Myers in 2004 10:08.71 Mikal Mahdi ended writhing in pain while strapped to a chair 14:40.64 French Guillotine - used as a deterrent 19:55.79 Electrocution of Ted Bundy 25:05.72 Prison Employees volunteer to carry out execution 30:15.15 Three shooters, two bullet holes, not one heart hit 35:10.71 Static Target from 5 yards away 39:48.66 Was this a "botched execution"? 45:02.64 Was the "marker" misplaced? 47:02.47 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A beloved pastor and Vietnam War Vet is murdered in his own home and his body is "staged" with his arms spread out and his hands pinned to the wall to resemble crucifixion. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the murder of 76-year-old William Schoneman. Who would want Schoneman dead? Lovingly called "Pastor Bill" by the community, he had been the pastor at New River Bible Chapel for 25 years. Who would kill a pastor loved by all and why the elaborate staging? Answers are tough to come by and law enforcement isn't sharing info. Transcript Highlights 00:12.53 Introduction - Confession 02:16.95 Killer on the loose on Carefree Highway 05:08.34 Pastor murdered, body staged 09:17.30 Killer needed privacy and time 14:14.36 Law Enforcement says Public is "safe" 19:13.12 Torture involved in murder, hands "pinned" to wall 23:06.75 Pastor was loved and respected by the community 27:07.79 Moving body without destroying evidence 32:12.98 Mattress holds evidence 35:39.52 Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just before midnight on January 31, 1977, Jeanette Ralston leaves the Lion's Den bar in San Jose, California. She never arrives home and the next morning her body is found wedged in the back seat of her VW Beetle in a carport of an apartment complex not far from the bar. She had been strangled and possibly sexually assaulted. Investigators found evidence and a sketch of a possible suspect was done, but the case went unsolved and ran cold. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss the murder of this single mom and how investigators eventually located a possible suspect in 2024 using a thumbprint found on a carton of cigarettes at the scene of the crime in 1977. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qaadir Lewis and Naazir Lewis are twins scheduled catch a 7am flight to Boston from Atlanta Hartsfield International airport on Friday March 7. The 19-year-old twins take an Uber from their home in Lawrenceville to the airport, but they arrive late and miss their flight. 29 hours later, just after 11am on Saturday March 8, two hikers at the Summit of Bell Mountain, find the twins dead, both suffering gunshot wounds. Bell Mountain is 90 miles away from their home in Lawrenceville, and the family says they were not hikers and had never been to Bell Mountain. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss a case with more twists and turns then the roads that lead to Bell Mountain. Did the Lewis twins enter into a murder/suicide pact as some investigators suggest? An why was a volunteer fire fighter arrested after being one of the first on the scene when the bodies were found? Transcribe Highlights 00:00.00 Introduction 02:42.78 Bell Mountain, 36o degree view 06:09.83 10 minute hike, half mile hike to summit 11:06.77 Lake Lanier area, where Ozark was filmed 15:11.39 Volunteer fireman took pictures of the twins and posted online 25:36.67 Gunfire related murder/suicide 30:39.13 Evidence on body can determine range of fire 35:19.02 Family says the twins hate to spend money on gas Conclusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.