Murder Coaster

BONUS: The Pill Mill Killer an Interview with Author Philip Eil

We are thrilled to have award-winning journalist Philip Eil on the show today to discuss his debut true crime book Prescription for Pain, the story of the Pill Mill Killer Paul Volkman.
Responsible for up to 34 deaths according to the DEA, this remorseless doctor, both an MD and PhD, was blinded by greed and in 2004 was the biggest purchaser and prescriber of Oxycodone in the nation, in the end he prescribed over 3 million pills, and ended up receiving four life sentences in prison.
 
PRESCRIPTION FOR PAIN: How a Once Promising Doctor Became the “Pill Mill Killer” by Philip Eil is available everywhere fine books are sold including Amazon: Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the "Pill Mill Killer": EIL, PHILIP: 9781586423827: Amazon.com: Books
 
Philip Eil Links:
Website: www.philipeil.com
Instagram: Instagram
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
#truecrime #philipeil #christacarmen #paulvolkman #pillmill #pillmillkiller #oxycontin #prescriptionforpain

Episode 92: James Earl Ray and the Assassination of Martin Luther King Part Two

Welcome back to part two of the story of James Earl Ray and the assassination of Martin Luther King.
 
When we left you last, the intersection of these two men, one filled with hate and anger, the other with hope and love, came to be, in Memphis Tennessee.
 
And it is here in Memphis that we continue.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
References:
 
Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin by Hampton Sides. Doubleday; 1st edition April 27, 2010. ISBN-13 : 978-0385523929
 
Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference by David J. Garrow. Open Road Media, February 17, 2015. ISBN-13 : ‎978-0060566920
 
Truth At Last: The Untold Story Behind James Earl Ray and the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. by John Larry Ray and Lyndon Barsten. Lyons Pess, April2008. ISBN13: 9781599212845
 
THE INVADERS 2015 documentary film directed by Prichard Smith.
 
https://www.smartcitymemphis.com/2016/11/the-invaders-a-uniquely-memphis-story/
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
“Abiding” by Kelly Latimore courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
##martinlutherking #mlk #martinlutherkingjr #blackhistorymonth #truecrime #jamesearlray #memphis #history #blacklivesmatter #blm

Episode 91: James Earl Ray and the Assassination of Martin Luther King Part One

The assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King in 1968 was one of the greatest of American tragedies, a truly horrific moment in time when a man of nonviolence and love, a man who’d fundamentally changed the world for the better, was gunned down before his 40th birthday.
 
Today we tell the tale of his killer, James Earl Ray, a sad and pathetic excuse of a man, as mysterious as he was confoundingly odd and sociopathic, his very motive up for debate and swollen with conspiracy theories, some of which have yet to be disproven. But today we’re going to mostly skirt the speculation and inuendo to bring you the cold hard facts in the strange tale of how the tragic intersection of these two men came to be. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, the truly bizarre and fundamentally American story of James Earl Ray and the assassination of the Reverand Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
References:
 
Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin by Hampton Sides. Doubleday; 1st edition April 27, 2010. ISBN-13 : 978-0385523929
 
Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference by David J. Garrow. Open Road Media, February 17, 2015. ISBN-13 : ‎978-0060566920
 
Truth At Last: The Untold Story Behind James Earl Ray and the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. by John Larry Ray and Lyndon Barsten. Lyons Pess, April2008. ISBN13: 9781599212845
 
THE INVADERS 2015 documentary film directed by Prichard Smith.
 
https://www.smartcitymemphis.com/2016/11/the-invaders-a-uniquely-memphis-story/
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
 
“Memphis Tennessee” by The Gulf Coast Seven courtesy of the Free Music Archive. CCO/Public Domain.
 
“Little Wooden Church” by The Trumpeteers courtesy of the Free Music Archive. CCO/Public Domain.
 
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST MARCH: crowd-protest-blm-toronto-tr2-06-05-20-mp3 by Geldart -- https://freesound.org/s/521318/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
 
240818_2822-2_FR_Applause_in_reverberant_church by kevp888 -- https://freesound.org/s/759167/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
 
#martinlutherking #mlk #martinlutherkingjr #blackhistorymonth #truecrime #jamesearlray #memphis #history

Episode 90: Melinda Loveless and the Horrible Murder of Shanda Sharer

Happy Valentine's Day, ladies and gentlemen!
 
To celebrate we bring you one of the most disturbing and bizarre love stories in the history of true crime, a case exceptional because of both the sheer inhumanity, and the very, very young ages, of everyone involved in this horrendous and horrible love triangle.
 
It’s a tale Shakesperean in many ways, the young star-crossed lovers of Romeo and Juliet, followed by the blinding jealousy of Othello, and the bloodthirstiness of Tamora in Titus Andronicus, yet it’s a tale callously nineteen-nineties as well, indicative of the culture of the times, the materialism of Madonna and the nihilism of Marilyn Manson, that nineties grunge culture of MTV.
 
And in the end, it’s a story so horrendous and gut wrenching it’s hard to believe it’s true. But true it is, all too true.
 
It is the story of Melinda Loveless and the horrible murder of Shanda Sharer.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
REFERENCES:
 
CRUEL SACRAFICE: Teen Girls, Mean Girls, Killer Girls by Aphrodite Jones. Independently published, March 30, 2017.  ISBN-13: ‎979-8377439189
 
LITTLE LOST ANGEL: The True Story of the Teenage Conspiracy to Kill Twelve-year-old Shanda Sharer by Michael Quinlan. Gallery Books, June 23, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1451698794
 
Last of 4 women charged as teens in torture slaying released | AP News Published 2:14 PM PST, September 5, 2019
 
Melinda Loveless in prison being told Shanda Sharer’s mother forgave her: Melinda Loveless Interviews
 
Hope Rippey Interview + Confrontation With Shanda's Mother
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
 
“Caligulated Litigant” from Dagwood Donkey Cock by Donkey Cock, used with permission and many thanks. Caligulated Litigant | Donkey Cock
 
“Phosphate” and “Shit the Bed” by Gagmesharkoff. Courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
“You Will Fall” by Austin Moffa. Courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Ode to Diving Pelicans (Reprise)” by Kelly Latimore. Courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Sassy Jazzy” by LaFaena. Courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Ruins of Faith” “Shallow Grave” “Outro II” and “Ceremony” by Mother Witch. Courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“On The Alamo” by Isham Jones; Harry Raderman's Orchestra Edison (50963-L) Publication date 1922
 
#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #melindaloveless #shandasharer #laurietacket #morbid #valentinesday

Episode 89: The Happy Face Killer Part Two

Part Two of the Happy Face Killer.
 
Today we see long-haul truck driver Keith Jesperson evolve into a full-blown serial killer, his murders rising in brutality and horror until he spins completely out of control.
 
Brace yourself for a savage tale, listener discretion advised.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
 
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
References:
 
Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter by Melissa G Moore. Cedar Fort, Inc.; September 8, 2009. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1599552385
                          
Happy Face: A Family of Monsters by Nicole D. Phoenix and Keith H Jesperson. Published by Crimson Cult Media January 21, 2025. ISBN: 979-8894670232
 
"I": The Creation of a Serial Killer by Jack Olson. St. Martin's Press; August 18, 2003. ASIN: B000FA5TLA
 
Dangerous Ground: My Friendship with a Serial Killer by M. William Phelps. Kensington; July 25, 2017. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1496709523
 
The Happy Face Murderer: The Life of Serial Killer Keith Hunter Jesperson by Jack Smith. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; February 19, 2016. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1530140978
 
Happy Face Podcast by Melissa Moore Happy Face (Podcast Series 2018– ) - IMDb
 
Featuring the songs:
“All The Ugly Space Folk” by HoliznaCC0 courtesy of the Free Music Archive.
 
“Leaving Rooms” by Kelly Latimore courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Canonical URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
“Abiding” by Kelly Latimore courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Canonical URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
#keithjesperson #keithhunterjesperson #smileyfacekiller #thesmileyfacekiller #truecrime #truecrimepodcast

BONUS: An Interview with HAPPY FACE A FAMILY OF MONSTERS author Nicole D. Phoenix

We are delighted to have author Nicole D. Phoenix on the show to discuss the chilling and disturbing books she wrote with the Happy Face Killer Keith Jesperson: HAPPY FACE: A Family of Monsters.
 
HAPPY FACE: A Family of Monsters is out now and available everywhere fine books are sold, including:
 
Amazon: Happy Face: A Family of Monsters (Straight from a Serial Killer): Phoenix, Nicole D., Jesperson, Keith H, Lestrange, Marie, Borowski, John: 9798894670232: Amazon.com: Books
 
Barnes and Noble: Happy Face: A Family of Monsters by Nicole D. Phoenix | eBook | Barnes & Noble®
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
#keithjesperson #keithhunterjesperson #happyfacekiller #thehappyfacekiller #happyfaceafamilyofmonsters #nicolephoenix #nicoledphoenix #truecrime #truecrimepodcast

Episode 88: The Happy Face Killer: Keith Jesperson Part One

Keith Hunter Jesperson was a long-haul truck driver and serial killer who became known as the Happy Face Killer because of the graffiti he scrawled in bathroom stalls and the letters he wrote to the press in the early 1990s.
 
Join us as on a dark and sinister journey as we explore the life and times of this savage and terrifying monster.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
 
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
References:
 
Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter by Melissa G Moore. Cedar Fort, Inc.; September 8, 2009. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1599552385
                          
Happy Face: A Family of Monsters by Nicole D. Phoenix and Keith H Jesperson. Published by Crimson Cult Media January 21, 2025. ISBN: 979-8894670232
 
"I": The Creation of a Serial Killer by Jack Olson. St. Martin's Press; August 18, 2003. ASIN: B000FA5TLA
 
The Happy Face Murderer: The Life of Serial Killer Keith Hunter Jesperson by Jack Smith. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; February 19, 2016. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1530140978
 
Happy Face Podcast by Melissa Moore Happy Face (Podcast Series 2018– ) - IMDb
 
Featuring the songs:
 
“Time”, “Chill Out Theme” and “Save me from my prison, heroic principal character” by Komiku courtesy of the Free Music Archive.
 
“Old Small Car Race” by milch of source courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Canonical URL https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sound
 
#keithhunterjesperson #keithjesperson #happyfacekiller #thehappyfacekiller #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #truecrimestories #scary

Episode 87: Isreal Keyes Part Two

Welcome back to Part Two of our series on Israel Keyes.
 
Today we cover his capture, the infamous FBI interviews, other potential crimes, his death and the mysterious clues he left behind.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
References:
American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st
Century (2019) by Maureen Callahan. New York: Viking. ISBN 978-0-525-42864-0.
 
Devil in the Darkness: The True Story of Serial Killer Israel Keyes (2016) by JT Hunter  Pedialaw Press. ISBN 978-0-578-70996-3.
 
TRUE CRIME BULLSHIT PODCAST hosted by Josh Halmark True Crime Bullsh**
 
SOMEWHERE IN THE PINES PODCAST hosted by Joshua and Dakota Somewhere in the Pines
 
FBI INTERVIEWS:
Israel Keyes Interview, November 29, 2012
Israel Keyes Interview, May 29, 2012
Israel Keyes Interview, May 24, 2012
Israel Keyes Interview, July 26, 2012
 
Featuring the songs:
“Nackskott” and “Freezing Moon” by Satiada. Used with permission and many thanks.. Listen to Satiada on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2iQx74ZNp9vXZVfjKZBkcT
 
“Bad Debt File” by Skeptic? www.skepticmusic.com Used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Skeptic? on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/665gxem306dmldd8RxOmmK
 
“Hombre Sin Nombre” by Chris Jeffries/Homeless Romantic. Used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Chris Jeffries on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pK2x732HntZv7JmyR1H2o
 
#israelkeyes #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #truecrimebullshit #somewhereinthepines #christacarmen #matthewbrockmeyer

Episode 86: Israel Keyes Part One

The FBI called Israel Keyes the most meticulous serial killer in American History.
 
Raised by survivalists deep in the forest, trained by the military, proficient with any number of weapons or tactical gear, he killed men, women, young, old, all chosen at random, most thousands of miles away from each other, using kill kits he’d buried years earlier full of guns, money, garrotes, ropes and zip ties, sometimes bringing along a camping stove he’d use to torture his victims.
 
Hear the bizarre and disturbing origin story of this terrifying monster here with Part One of our series: Crazy White People with Guns.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
 
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
References:
 
American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century (2019) by Maureen Callahan. New York: Viking. ISBN 978-0-525-42864-0.
 
Devil in the Darkness: The True Story of Serial Killer Israel Keyes (2016) by JT Hunter  Pedialaw Press. ISBN 978-0-578-70996-3.
 
TRUE CRIME BULLSHIT PODCAST hosted by Josh Halmark True Crime Bullsh**
 
FBI INTERVIEWS:
 
Israel Keyes Interview, November 29, 2012
 
Israel Keyes Interview, May 29, 2012
 
Israel Keyes Interview, May 24, 2012
 
Israel Keyes Interview, July 26, 2012
 
Featuring the songs:
 
“I’ll Show You,” by Witchgaze used with permission and many thanks. You can listen to Witchgaze on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ouJQ5Fg3miczPHfTLTlNd
 
“Necrocannibal” by Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th, listen to them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6rxJEViNLRBlPBlXHPw9p2?si=UE69Q2J4ThaQoEr793WHNw
 
“Every Time” by Katy Kirby courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Brother John” and “Highway Fever” by HoliznaCC0 courtesy of the Free Music Archive
 
“Amazing Grace” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Artist: http://audionautix.com/
 
Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sound and the YouTube Audio Library
 
#israelkeyes #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #truecrimebullshit

Episode 85: Edgar Allan Poe Part 4

Welcome back to our fourth and final episode on the tragic life and mysterious death of Edgar Allan Poe.
Today we plunge into the downward spiral of the poet’s mysterious death, exploring the many theories, dismissing those we can, and offering our own, never heard before explanation as well.
Thank you so much for taking this journey with us, we hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed producing it.
 
MURDER COASTER PODCAST
 
Hosted by Christa Carmen and Matthew Brockmeyer
Website: www.murdercoasterpodcast.com
Facebook: Murder Coaster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murdercoasterpodcast/
 
Buy Christa’s new book: Amazon.com: Beneath the Poet's House: A Thriller: 9781662513275: Carmen, Christa: Books
 
Creepy Amusement Park theme by Brandon Fiechter and Derek Fiechter, used by permission and with many thanks.
 
REFERENCES:
 
A Mystery of Mysteries by Mark Dawidziak
 
The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder by Daniel Stashower
 
Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy by Jeffrey Meyers
 
Edgar A. Poe: A Biography by Kenneth Silverman
 
In Search of Edgar Allan Poe documentary written and directed by Andrew D. Kaplan
 
FEATURING THE MUSIC:
 
“Schmetterling” by Kevin MacLeod courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Tiny Fugue” by Kevin MacLeod courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Ludwig van Beethoven: Sinfonia Number 5” by Kevin MacLeod courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
 
“J. S. Bach: Chromatic Fantasia BWV 930” by Kevin MacLeod courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Waltz” by Unknown artist performed by Joseph R. Lilore - Free Music Archive courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
 
“Dialogue #5 Flute & Guitar” by Joseph R. Lilore courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
 
“J. S. Bach: Cello Suite #1 in G (on Dulcimer) – Prelude” by Kevin MacLeod courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Orchestral Miniatures #30 "Europa"by Joseph R. Lilore courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Gagool” by Kevin MacLeod courtesy of the Free Music Archive https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
CRWDBatl_Crowd Commotion, Battle, Riot_ShaneVincent_GSC24_SpacedOmni-MK012.wav by ShangusBurger -- https://freesound.org/s/764265/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
 
Featuring music by stripedgazelle courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Also featuring music from Epidemic Sound and the YouTube Audio Library.
 
#edgarallanpoe #theraven #christacarmen #beneaththepoetshouse #truecrimepodcast