Morbid

The story of the Purrington murders is so horrific it sounds like something out of a movie. James Purrington seemed to have plans of killing himself after suffering from what was likely undiagnosed mental illness. When one of his children brought this to the attention of their mother and his wife, he said he had no intention of killing himself at all, just typical worries about his family after a long grueling summer and a bad drought. His wife seemed to be settled for the time being, but soon almost the entire family would be found axed to death in their home, and James Purrington would be discovered lying dead on the kitchen floor.



Sources to check out:

A Midwife's Tale by Laura Thatcher Ulrich



Return to Smuttynose Island and other Maine Axe Murders by Emeric Spooner



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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is the story of Phil Hartman and the episode is a little different than some we’ve done in the past. We all know Ash loves an “Old Hollywood” kind of case, this one while not very old at all fits under the umbrella. Phil Hartman was one of the most beloved comedians of all times, often referred to as, “The Man of 1000 voices.” When you dive into his life as a whole you find all kinds of hidden gems, like the fact that Phil had a run in with Jimi Hendrix, and so many more little anecdotes like that! Unfortunately, Phil was taken from this world far too soon and in such a horrific way.



You Might Remember Me by Mike Thomas



Live from New York: The Complete Uncensored History of Saturday night Live as told by its stars writers and guests (James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales)



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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brought to you by you, for you, from you, and all about you it is Listener Tales # 35!!!!! We have all kinds of craziness going on in this installment. There’s a tale of the clingiest Danish ghost there ever was, but don't get too excited we’re not talking about the ghost of a delicious pastry. We’ve also got a beautiful tribute to Alaina’s Bailey, a John Wayne Gacy connection and a listener tells us of a sign from beyond. You guys always slay the game with these listener tales, if you’ve got one to send it can be sent to [email protected] and make sure you include “Listener Tales” in the subject line! 





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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is the tale of Helen Ruth Spence, who grew up with the River People on The White River in Arkansas. When Helen was just 17 years old her father was shot and killed in front of her and her stepmother was beaten and assaulted by the same man. Helen had her own way of carrying out justice which landed her in and out of prison. The prisons at this time were deplorable and we don’t even know about all of the punishments Helen underwent. What we do know will shock you to your core. Helen's story is truly unlike any other.  

Amazing Book:

Daughter of the White River by Denise White Parkinson 

Avenging Angel by Sean Clancy 

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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Y’all Pamela truly goes all out in part two. We don’t want to say too much because of all the twists and turns this episode is about to take but we will tell you that you’ll hear some good news about Russ and that two more people associated with Pamela Hupp either died or were killed under mysterious circumstances. Hold onto your butts! 



https://www.stlmag.com/longform/pam-hupp/



Also our friend Keith has a whole podcast series on this case!!! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thing-about-pam/id1479234915



As always, thank you to our sponsors:



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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Betsy Faria was known to her friends and family as such a beautiful soul. She had life-long friends who just loved to be around her because she always loved to have a good time and make those around her feel happy and loved. In addition to all those amazing friends, Betsy had a husband and two beautiful daughters who loved her endlessly. When she was diagnosed with Cancer all of those friends and family banded around her to make sure she had all the support she needed. One of those friends, Pam Hupp, took a special interest in taking care of Betsy. In fact, she was the last person to see Betsy alive. Not because Betsy had passed from Cancer, but because two days after Christmas on December 27, 2011, Betsy Faria was found stabbed to death in her own home.



Article that Ash mentioned and used during the research process: https://www.stlmag.com/longform/pam-hupp/ written by  Jeannette Cooperman



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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Suspicion in the case starts to fall on Derek and Nancy’s daughter Elizabeth and just when the police focus in on her and her boyfriend, they bail. They make their way over to the UK and start living a quiet life where no one would ever find them. Just kidding, they get caught in one of the dumbest ways possible. Hold onto your butts!



Beyond reason: The True Story of a shocking double murder, a brilliant beautiful Virginia Socialite, and a Deadly psychotic obsession. Written by Ken Englade
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Reason-Brilliant-Beautiful-Socialite/dp/B08XLX55YR

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ash has got a two parter for you guys this holiday week! Let us first say though, how incredibly thankful we are that this group of lovely weirdos banded around us in SUCH a time of grief and uncertainty. All of the kind words and messages we’ve been getting from all of you mean so much to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 



This is part one of two that we’ll be doing on the murders of Derek and Nancy Haysom. This case has tons of twists and turns and we’ll even find ourselves in another country in part two. Buckle up and hold onto your butts weirdos!



https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Reason-Brilliant-Beautiful-Socialite/dp/B08XLX55YR



^ The True Story of a shocking double murder, a brilliant beautiful Virginia Socialite, and a Deadly psychotic obsession. Written by Ken Englade



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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dorothea is back back back again and she’s eviler than ever. She’s befriending people only to murder them slowly, she’s pretending to fall inlove with a man from her actual prison cell only to murder him and throw him in a river bank. BUT have no fear because this woman does get caught, and she gets got in a pretty poetic way if you ask us!



For anyone with information regarding Michael Vaughan’s disappearance

Call Fruitland PD Dispatch 2086426006

OR

Email: [email protected]



Some fascinating books used:

The Bone Garden by William P. Wood

Buried Beneath The Boarding House by Ryan Green

Corpse Collector by Genova Ortiz



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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alaina brings us part one of Dorothea Puente, possibly one of the most evil humans who has ever walked the earth. Dorothea had an incredibly sad childhood, but then grew into this terrible woman who lied, cheated and scammed her way through just about everything. You will be shocked to hear how many times she got away with actual law breaking offenses, Ash actually lost count halfway through the episode. And guys, this is only part one!!



Some fascinating books used:

The Bone Garden by William P. Wood 

Buried Beneath The Boarding House by Ryan Green 

Corpse Collector by Genova Ortiz 



As always, thank you to our sponsors:





Stamps.com: Sign up with promo code MORBID for a special offer that includes a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale.





Skylight Frame: Now, as a special offer, you can get $10 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com and enter code MATCP



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Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.