44 episodes

Welcome to Appalachian Mysteria, a true-crime podcast series focused on crimes committed in the hills and hollers of Appalachia. Hosted by Kendall Parkinson and Sarah James McLaughlin. Check out past seasons: Mared and Karen WVU Coed Murders, Big Savage The Death Of Alexander Stevens, Outlandish, and our new season dedicated to stories brought to us by our listeners.

Appalachian Mysteria Jam Street Media

    • True Crime
    • 4.8 • 2.5K Ratings

Welcome to Appalachian Mysteria, a true-crime podcast series focused on crimes committed in the hills and hollers of Appalachia. Hosted by Kendall Parkinson and Sarah James McLaughlin. Check out past seasons: Mared and Karen WVU Coed Murders, Big Savage The Death Of Alexander Stevens, Outlandish, and our new season dedicated to stories brought to us by our listeners.

    Burning Questions

    Burning Questions

    A WVU alum working for the state prosecutor’s office suddenly finds herself on the scene of a very personal tragedy that could be much more sinister. Much to her dismay, her forensic investigation training is not being employed by authorities in the real world. Meanwhile, the victim’s sister is conducting her own investigation, releasing all of her findings to the public. Was the death of Amber Whitelaw a case of accidental fire or murder? Welcome to the first episode of Season 4! The full season launches in April.
    Justice for Amber Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/justiceforamber2.18.18

    1:35 – Highland County & Amber Whitelaw
    4:36 – Wearing a Wire?
    11:04 – One and One on the Side
    13:00 – Night of the Incident
    15:17 – The 911 Call
    25:02 – 8 Red Flags
    41:25 – Not Having Closure

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    • 52 min
    Unattended Death, Part 1

    Unattended Death, Part 1

    This two-part special introduces the life and death of Arthur Bagenda, an international student at WVU who drowned in a ditch within sight of the Morgantown Police station.
    In this first episode, we visit the Walnut Street bridge, where a long-time local explains her problems with hard drug users at the site of Arthur's death. We review forensic photographs from the scene, hear from Arthur’s mother about the 19-year-old son she lost, and explain the first 72 hours following the discovery of his body.
    Over the course of two episodes, Unattended Death will examine police reports, drone footage, forensic photographs, surveillance video, audio of police questioning, and interviews with those involved to craft a previously-untold West Virginia story.
    ###
    We have been trying to report this story for a long time. After covid interrupted our interview process, we decided to focus on other work, but three years later we’re finally ready to share the case of Arthur Bagenda.  
    Unattended Death is the third Morgantown-centered story produced by Appalachian Mysteria (WVU Coed Murders / Cradle Will Rock).
    The last known sighting of Arthur Bagenda was made by a video surveillance camera mounted in front of the Morgantown police station. He would be found drowned alongside Morgantown’s recreational Rail Trail – within sight of the MPD building – a few hours later.
    The group of people who appear on camera seconds before Arthur seem to be carrying items found at the scene of his death, but were they involved? A private investigator hired by Arthur’s mother thinks so, but police have ruled out foul play. Like all the stories we cover, a definitive truth seems just out of reach.

    [00:03:14] A WVU student's death.
    [00:07:19] Under the Walnut Street Bridge.
    [00:08:15] Arthur's body found beside pipe.
    [00:14:01] Homelessness and drug addiction.
    [00:18:00] A suspicious backpack.
    [00:21:33] Crime scene photographs.
    [00:23:28] The pain of losing a son.
    [00:27:13] Meth-making materials found.
    [00:32:28] Cause of death was drowning.

    Thank you to our sponsor Factor75! Use code mysteria50 for 50% off ready to eat fresh meals!
    Thank you to our sponsor Brilliant Earth! Check out all of their beautiful pieces on their website!
    Thank you to our sponsor Seeker's Notes! Keep Your Mind Sharp! Download Seekers Notes Now!
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    • 40 min
    Unattended Death Part 2

    Unattended Death Part 2

    This episode contains detective interviews with three students who headed out on the town with Arthur the night he died. After speaking to each of them, a Morgantown detective feels confident that Arthur’s death was primarily due to his intoxication.
    Two months later, Arthur’s phone turns on. After tracking the GPS coordinates, police arrive at the home of a bouncer who threw Arthur out of a club just before his death. While the detective tries to figure out whether this was a coincidence, Harriet decides she is unsatisfied with the work being done by police, and hires a private investigator.
    The investigator has questions about the five people who walk by the police station surveillance camera just before Arthur. One of them appears to be carrying the backpack full of meth-making equipment found under the bridge, but the detective and prosecutor don’t agree.
    We delve into the details of all these issues in this hour-long episode of Unattended Death.
    Resources and Links:

    Appalachian Mysteria Facebook Page -- Here you can find the video and images that accompany this episode, including the backpack comparison photo made by Larry Peters, and the police surveillance camera footage of Arthur (and the group of people with the backpack) the night he died.

    “Strange Creatures” – The book/zine by Larry Peters about his unusual experiences decades ago.

    Thank you to our sponsor Factor75! Use code mysteria50 for 50% off ready to eat fresh meals!
    Thank you to our sponsor Brilliant Earth! Check out all of their beautiful pieces on their website!
    Thank you to our sponsor Seeker's Notes! Keep Your Mind Sharp! Download Seekers Notes Now!
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 58 min
    Season Three Trailer - Outlandish

    Season Three Trailer - Outlandish

    A lesbian couple is found brutally murdered near the Appalachian Trail. As authorities build the first federal hate crime prosecution in the nation's history, a web of horrific crimes creeps down the Blue Ridge mountains into the heart of Virginia. A special agent who has been on the case for twenty five years uncovers details. Season 3 of Appalachian Mysteria explores the terrifying characters and narratives that weave through these stories, culminating in the violent death of a serial killer.
    Download June’s Journey free today on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Download Switchcraft for free and unlock the magical mystery! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    • 1 min
    Raveling Out

    Raveling Out

    The unsolved murder of a young couple in Shenandoah National Park shakes the gay and lesbian communities. One year later, a bicyclist is assaulted in the same area, and authorities begin to suspect him of serial murder.
    Resources and Links: "Murder on the Mountain" (1996) — Barry Yeoman's article quoted and discussed in this episode. Trail map of Shenandoah National Park — Julie and Lollie were killed just off the Skyland / Big Meadows Horse Trail, not far from Skyline Drive.
    Interviewees: Yvonne Malbasha — A Canadian paramedic and cyclist, enjoying a ride along picturesque Skyline Drive in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. Yvonne does not realize she is being stalked by a man named Darrell Rice, who eventually tries to abduct her. Yvonne tells a harrowing story about the man who will soon become a suspect in multiple homicides. Barry Yeoman — A journalist teaching at Duke and Wake Forest universities. Barry wrote the best existing article on the lives of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans, the lesbian couple whose murder this whole season revolves around. Barbara Nordin –– A former reporter for The Hook who covered the Shenandoah murders and their aftermath, as well as Malbasha’s case against Rice.
    06:05 – Canadian Bicyclist — Yvonne Malbasha
    09:56 – Former Reporter for The Hook— Barbara Nordin
    17:46 – Former Special Agent — Tim Alley
    26:14 – Journalist Professor — Barry Yeoman
    Thank you to our sponsor June's Journey. Download June’s Journey free today on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    • 50 min
    It Felt Like The World Exploded

    It Felt Like The World Exploded

    A massive hunt for Julie & Lollie's killer begins. Some demand a hate crime investigation, drawing parallels to the attack of another lesbian couple hiking the Appalachian Trail. A lesbian defense lawyer finds herself arguing for the prosecution.
    Resources and links: "Panic Defense" — Podcast episode from Criminal with Phoebe Judge explaining the fascinating history of the gay/trans panic defense. "In the Hollow" — 15-minute documentary/short film featuring Claudia Brenner returning to the scene of Rebecca Wight's murder for the first time in decades. Supplemented with scene reenactments. The Claudia Brenner Papers — Tons of resources on the Brenner/Wight story from the Cornell University Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Interviewees: Abbe Smith — Director of the Criminal Defense and Prisoner Advocacy Clinic, Co-Director of the E. Barrett Prettyman Fellowship Program, and Professor of Law at Georgetown University. (Importantly for our story, she was also the personal lawyer for Claudia Brenner during the prosecution of Stephen Roy Carr.)
    3:25 – New evidence on Lollie & Julie case
    13:00 – Steven Roy Carr’s arrest
    16:30 – Claudia Brenner explains the encounter with Steven Roy Carr
    21:00 – Abby Smith: personal lawyer of Claudia Brenner
    26:40 – Trial in court
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    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
2.5K Ratings

2.5K Ratings

Alexa 0780 ,

The most artistic podcast ever

I’ve been an avid listener of true crime podcasts for 8 years. I’ve heard them all but this Appalachian Mysteria, season 2 has stood out as the most well-composed of them all. The story is fascinating and promotes lively debate with a foggy conclusion. But the most impressive part is the choice of descriptive and even poetic language in reference to the nature paired with the subtle yet powerful eerie music. The hosts’ intentional word choice, dictation and wary delivery just adds to the brilliant capture of misty Appalachia. So many twists and turns you can listen over and over again and catch something new every time. Masterful!

Gem610 ,

Must listen!

Great podcast!!

Yve1789 ,

Turned in to a Jerry Springer ep

This had been my fave podcast, but S4 has started off horribly. There is no mystery. Just screwed up family, addicts and bad judgement.

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