Murder In America

It all started on August 23rd 1980, in the small town of Bellville, Texas. Sixteen year old Cheryl Dee Fergeson woke up that morning and was in a rush for the first tournament of the season. The volleyball team in which she was a part of had to ride the 60 mile bus ride to Conroe, Texas. The girls were excited – until Cheryl disappeared and the game was canceled. She was eventually found in the auditorium – naked and lifeless. Unfortunately, this is not the only tragedy that came from this story. The corrupt and racist investigators that investigated this crime had their eyes set on one person, and one person only: the African American high school janitor, Clarence Brandley. This story is not just about the murder of an innocent teenager, but also about an innocent man who sat on death row for 10 years for a crime he did not commit. This is the story of Cheryl Fergeson and the wrongful conviction of Clarence Brandley, and you are listening to Murder in America.-Find your inner detective and download June’s Journey, available on Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Facebook Games!-Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/mia. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!-Take the guesswork out of finding high-quality meat and seafood! Sign up today at butcherbox.com/MIA and use code MIA to get a 100% grass-fed chuck roast and a whole chicken FREE in your first box plus $20 off.-This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/MIA and use our custom code MIA for 10% off your first month of easy online therapyStay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the late hours of May 23rd, 2013, paramedics in Palmdale, California, responded to a call about an 8-year-old boy who wasn't breathing. Most parents would be in hysteria if their child were put in this situation – but Gabriel’s mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre were both agitated, repeatedly telling the first responders that it happened when the brothers were playing instead. However, the injuries on the little boy’s body told a different story. This is the story of the torture and murder of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez, and you are listening to Murder in America.-Try HelloFresh today- America's #1 Meal Kit! Just go to https://www.HelloFresh.com/state21 and use code STATE21 for 21 free meals plus free shipping!-Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 26th, 1997, the largest suicide mass on US soil was unearthed in a prestigious neighborhood of San Diego, called Rancho Santa Fe, California. To the outside, it appeared to be a mass suicide, a horrible and unfortunate event. But to the 39 people inside, it was a commencement – a graduation that their leader, Marshall Herff Applewhite, had been preaching to them for years. This is the story of The Heaven’s Gate Cult and you are listening to Murder in America. -This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/MIA and use our custom code MIA for 10% off your first month of easy online therapy-Show yourself some love this month and get 50% off your first Care/of order by going to takecareof.com and using code STATE50Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colorado is a beautiful state with incredible mountain ranges, the best sunsets, and a ton of wildlife, where many people dream of starting their own families. But Colorado also has a dark history, with the first mass school shooting in America at Columbine High School, frequent drug-related deaths, vandalism, robberies, and even murder. It seems like a coin toss on how your life could turn out after moving there. A young woman named Kelsey Berreth would soon realize this, but unfortunately, it was already too late. This is the story of Patrick Frazee, and you are listening to Murder in America.-Learn a new language and get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to babbel.com/MIA-Find your inner detective and download June’s Journey, available on Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Facebook Games!-Give your hair what it deserves! Visit vegamour.com/MIA and use code MIA to save 20% off your first order.-Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bond between a mother and child is unlike anything in this world and protecting your child from danger is a biological characteristic that humans have experienced since the beginning of time. As a parent, you not only want to protect your children from the dangers in the world, but you also want to keep them from becoming one of those dangers. And you just have to hope that you raised them well enough to make good choices and to be a good human being. For Kimberly Hill, her son Kevin was everything to her, and she was a good mother. She could never have known that the son that she loved so much that would one day bludgeon her to death, rape her corpse, and mutilate her organs with his own bare hands. This is the story of Kevin Davis and you are listening to Murder in America. Listener discretion is HEAVILY advised.-Give your hair what it deserves! Visit vegamour.com/MIA and use code MIA to save 20% off your first order-This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/MIA and use our custom code MIA for 10% off your first month of easy online therapy-Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In last week’s episode, we talked about the life of Charles Whitman, the 25-year-old ex marine and architect student at the University of Texas at Austin. After murdering his wife and mother in the early hours of August 1st, 1966, Charlie loaded his vehicle full of his weapons and supplies that he needed that day, and then he made his way over to the University of Texas at Austin. From there, he would go to the top of the UT tower, and commit one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. This is part 2 of the story of the UT Tower Shooting, and you’re listening to Murder in America. -Try HelloFresh today- America's #1 Meal Kit! Just go to https://www.HelloFresh.com/state21 and use code STATE21 for 21 free meals plus free shipping!-Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to babbel.com/MIA. -Find your inner detective and download June’s Journey, available on Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Facebook Games!-Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At approximately 11:35 am on August 1, 1966, Charles Whitman arrived at the University of Texas at Austin campus where he posed as a research assistant and told a security guard he was there to deliver equipment. He climbed twenty-eight floors of the UT tower and emerged on the observation deck where for ninety-six minutes he opened fire on innocent people below. In those ninety-six minutes, Whitman killed sixteen people, and injured thirty-one. The incident, which became known as the "UT Tower Sniper" shooting, was one of the first high-profile mass shootings in American history and sparked a national conversation about gun violence and mental health. The Texas Tower shooting remains one of the most brutal mass shootings in United States history, and was considered the deadliest on a college campus until the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007. This is the story of Charles Whitman and you are listening to Murder in America.-This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/MIA and use our custom code MIA for 10% off your first month of easy online therapy-ButcherBox: Get the New Year bundle for free plus $10 off when you sign up today. That’s a 14 oz pork tenderloin, 2 lbs of ground turkey, and 4 top sirloin steaks free in your first box. Sign up at ButcherBox.com/MIA and use code MIA to claim this offer!-Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randall Woodfield, the I-5 Killer, goes from burglaries to murder on the notorious I-5 highway. This podcast explores his crimes, including sexual assaults and terrorizing victims. It also delves into Woodfield's football career and eventual capture by the police. The episode highlights the audacity and brutality of Woodfield's crimes while providing a chilling look into the investigation.

On December 19th, 2001, the body of a small child, wearing nothing but underwear, was found in the Alesa River in the Oregon town of Waldport. Little did anyone know at the time that the little boy’s death was not the result of an accident, nor that the rest of little Zachary’s family would be found in the dark Oregon waters as well - and a family’s secrets would be revealed. This is the story of the Family Annihilator, Christian Longo, and you are listening to Murder in America.-Try Audible free for 30 days! Visit Audible.com/state or text STATE to 500500.-This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/MIA and use our custom code MIA for 10% off your first month of easy online therapy-Find your inner detective and download June’s Journey, available on Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Facebook Games!-Don’t miss your chance for massive savings on an award-winning security system. Get 40% off any new system at simplisafe.com/state today.-Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout his life, Drew Peterson was known as a womanizer, a fact that would eventually lead to the divorce from his third wife, Kathleen Savio, after his affair with 17-year-old Stacy Cales came to light. During Drew and Kathleen’s tumultuous divorce, and coincidentally right before an important court date, Kathleen was found dead in her bathtub. Initially ruled as an accidental drowning, it wouldn't be until Drew’s fourth wife - the same Stacy Cales he had an affair with - went missing that Kathleen’s death would be ruled a homicide. Follow us on this episode as we talk about Kathleen’s murder, Stacy’s disappearance, and the huge media frenzy surrounding this entire story. This is part two of the story of Drew Peterson, the killer cop of Illinois, and you are listening to Murder in America.-Don’t miss your chance for massive savings on an award-winning security system. Get 40% off any new system at simplisafe.com/state today.- Try Audible free for 30 days! Visit Audible.com/state or text STATE to 500500.-Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamericaInstagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/Facebook: (will eventually link to your Facebook Page)Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmericaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowenFeeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices