Murder Coaster

Episode 111: Shelly Knotek and the Raymond, Washington Torture Killings

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, one of the wildest and strangest tales of gaslighting, manipulation, abuse, torture and murder in modern history.
A tale too crazy to be believed, so weird police refused to even investigate it for years, allowing the insanity to continue undaunted, though they were contacted many, many times.
The tale of a mother so cruel and unfeeling as to be a literal monster, a psychopathic and murderous redheaded beast cunning enough to fool nearly everyone and appear for all to see as an all-American mom in white-bread suburbia.
It is the story Michelle “Crazy Shelly” Knotek, America’s Most Evil Mother, and the Raymond, Washington Torture Killings.
 
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:
IF YOU TELL: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen.  Published by Thomas & Mercer December 1, 2019. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542005234
 
OXYGEN TRUE CRIME December 2, 2019 by Gina Tron. Michelle Knotek's Daughters Warn She's Still A Danger As Prison Release Nears
 
Daily Mail, April 29, 2023 By ANDREA CAVALLIER America's 'most evil' mother Shelly Knotek is released from prison | Daily Mail Online
 
MEAWW.COM  April 30, 2023 by SRINIJA GRANDHI 'Evil is out and amongst us': Outrage as serial killer Shelly Knotek released from prison after serving sentence - MEAWW
 
Michelle Knotek - Wikipedia
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
“Charleston Rag” by Eubie Blake, Public Domain, courtesy of Gathacol Radio and the Internet Archive. Free 20s Jazz Collection : Gathacol Radio : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
 
“Forever Alive” by Eric Fornholm, courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Eric Fornholm on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4vDSR2tAbwnkWK93cwvfhr
 
“Dust and Rain” by Victor Lundberg, courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Victor Lundberg on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3aPt0ITiKD1r1GXV3RvOUh
 
#shellyknotek #michelleknotek #americasmostevilmom #truecrime #podcast #truecrimepodcast #raymondwashington #raymondwashingtontorturekillings #raymondtorturekillings #torturekillings #murdercoasterpodcast

Sideshow Act: MINE

Due to technical difficulties we have to rerecord the episode scheduled for today, but we wanted to give you some content, so Matthew will read his short story “Mine” from his collection UNDER ROTTING SKY.
Enjoy! See you next week.
 
Matthew’s website: www.matthewvbrockmeyer.com
Buy UNDER ROTTING SKY: Under Rotting Sky: Stories: Matthew V. Brockmeyer: 9781733778336: Amazon.com: Books
 
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.
 
Featuring the song “Burn Outs for Lucifer” by Donkey Cock, used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Donkey Cock on Band Camp: ▶︎ Burnouts for lucifer | Donkey Cock
 
#matthewbrockmeyer #underrottingsky #shortstory #horrorstory #horrorshortstory #humboldtlycanthrope

Episode 110: Ronald Gene Simmons and the Mockingbird Hill Massacre

Ladies and gentlemen, we must warn you, the story you are about to hear is one of the most disgusting and horrible in the history of true crime, a tale so foul and loathsome that it is often shunned and is little known, despite the fact that sixteen innocent people lost their lives.
It is a story of savage manipulation and abuse, incest, family annihilation and spree killing, including one of the most horrifying acts of domestic violence ever recorded in American history.
Please be prepared, and forewarned, as we tell you the story of the horrible Ronald Gene Simmons and the Mockingbird Hill Massacre.
 
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:
 
ZERO AT THE BONE: The True Story of the Ronald “Gene” Simmons Christmas Family Massacre by Bryce Marshall and Paul Williams. Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, 1991. ISBN: 0-671-68511-2
 
Ronald Gene Simmons - Wikipedia
 
Bynum, John. “Case Notes on State of Arkansas vs. Ronald Gene Simmons.” Pope County Historical Association Quarterly 28 (March 1994): 29–38.
 
“The Devil of Pope County: America’s Worst Family Massacre.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette podcast. https://the-devil-of-pope-county-americas-worst-family-massat2h.castos.com/ (accessed November 27, 2023).
 
“Ronald Gene Simmons <31.” Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/simmons131.htm (accessed January 17, 2023).
 
#ronaldgenesimmons #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #podcast #mockingbirdhillmassacre #familyannihilation #ronaldsimmons

Episode 109: Randall Woodfield the I-5 Killer

Randall Woodfield was many things to many people: a star athlete and high school jock who was drafted into the NFL and played for the Green Bay Packers, a devout Christian involved in prayer groups and fellowships, an all-American son and brother, a charming and good-looking guy who sought to model in Play Girl Magazine.
He was also a sexual sadist, a thief, a rapist, a necrophiliac and psychopathic serial killer.
Despite these many contrasting personas, he is now known to history under one name: the 1-5 Killer.
In 1980 and 1981 Randy Woodfield terrorized residents of Washington, California and Oregon as he roamed an 800 mile stretch of a highway on a horrible spree of robbery, rape and murder, he is linked to 18 murders and is suspected of killing as many as 44 women.
Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the savage and horrible story of Randy Woodfield, the dreaded and disgusting 1-5 Killer.
 
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:
The I-5 Killer by Ann Rule. Berkley, March 1,1984. ISBN-13 ‏:‎ 978-0451165596
 
KGW8, May 11, 2012 DNA ties 'I-5 Killer' to 3 Portland murders | kgw.com
 
The Oregonian March 1, 2006 DNA links 'I-5 killer' to 1980 slaying - oregonlive.com by Maxine Bernstein
 
Randall Woodfield - Wikipedia
 
All That’s Interesting, June 7, 2021 Randall Woodfield: The Football Player Turned Serial Killer by Danielle Tinning
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
“Birds at Sea” by Cellophane Sam courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“5 Hot Mittens” by Bucktown, circa 1920, Public Domain courtesy of Gathacol Radio and the Internet Archive.
 
“Wendigo” by Carvings, courtesy of Epidemic Sound, listen to Carvings on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1adE3YunlSFueF7Y1PHQKS
 
#randallwoodfield #randywoodfield #i5killer #thei5killer #truecrime #podcast #truecrimepodcast #murdercoasterpodcast #christacarmen #matthewbrockmeyer

Episode 108: Claude Dallas Modern American Outlaw

Claude Lafayette Dallas is considered by many a living embodiment of the American West.
Even his name rings of a wild west novel, a name teeming with outlaw bravado, conjuring images of a lone cowboy wandering the desert, surviving off his wits and the fat of the land.
But this is no fictional cowboy, Claude Dallas is the real deal, a buckaroo and trapper, a modern-day outlaw, and cold-blooded murderer. But did he kill out of necessity, or was it a sense of wild west justice, or, was it some sick sociopathic need for control and dominance?
Is Claude Dallas a psychopath or heroic gatekeeper of the pioneer spirit?
You tell us. This is his story.
 
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.
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
 
“Some Kind of Morning” by Austin Moffa courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Unto the Coven (Gemini Sun)” by Plasticine Cowboy courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Every Cowboy” and “Run Hound” by Cellophane Sam courtesy of the Free Music Archive. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Arbitrary Laws” by No Sons of Mine Courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to No Sons of Mine on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6QfLlpyGYVqMEPsOtMDEJV
 
“In Darkness” by Sightless in Shadow courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to Sightless in Shadow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lgpW7hh6xtnhsQ1HWeThQ
 
“Utah Carrol” by Cartwright Brothers  Public Domain Bill from Ellerslie's record collection courtesy of the Internet Archive
 
“Sleep Noble Hearts” Performed by Lyric Quartette 5/9/1912 Public Domain courtesy of digital history.oh.edu
 
REFERENCES:
 
Give a Boy a Gun: The True Story of Law and Disorder in the American West by Jack Olsen. Independently published ‏ : ‎ March 24, 2019 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1091410657
 
Outlaw: The True Story of Claude Dallas by Jeff Long. ‎ William Morrow & Co, January 1, 1984. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0688041656
 
Los Angeles Times Sept. 5, 1987 Dallas Acquitted of Escape; Said He Feared Death - Los Angeles Times
 
Los Angeles Times Sept. 5, 1987 Claude Dallas, a mountainman folk hero who escaped almost... - UPI Archives
 
The Spokesman Review Feb. 7, 2005 Convicted killer Claude Dallas released from prison
 
War on the West April 2, 2017 Sheriff Tim Nettleton, Talks About the Claude Dallas Story - War on the West
 
Idaho Statesman February 1, 2022 How did notorious Idaho outlaw, Claude Dallas, escape? | Idaho Statesman
 
COWBOY SHOWCASE: Basque Ranching Culture in the Great Basin - COWBOY SHOWCASE
 
#truecrime #podcast #truecrimepodcast #claudedallas #claudelafayettedallas #outlaw #cowboy #idaho #nevada #oregon #ion

Episode 107: The Tragic Death of Two Spirit Fred Martinez

Fred Matinez was a Navajo teenager who identified as a traditional nádleehi, one born as a male but whose gender is fluid and often functions in the role of a woman. Because of this entwining of male and female spirits, the term “two spirit” is often used as well by indigenous LGBTQ+ peoples.
On June 16, 2001 Fred Martinez was brutally murdered, just a quarter of a mile from his home, becoming one of the youngest victims of a hate crime in modern history.
This is his story.
And from all of us here at Murder Coaster, we wish everyone a Happy Pride Month.
 
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.
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
“Navajo Night” by Jason Shaw courtesy Free Music Archive Deed - Attribution 3.0 United States - Creative Commons
 
“A Hard Rain Is What The Land needs” and “Ballad Of Christ” by HoliznaCC0 courtesy of Free Music Archive.
 
“native_american_flute.wav” by ChromeLibrarian -- https://freesound.org/s/59484/ -- License: Sampling+
 
“Native American flute de-noised and de-breathed” by Petrucio -- https://freesound.org/s/276977/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
 
Jesse Walter Fewkes field recordings of the Passamaquoddy Indians. (1890) Native Americans on the Recording Registry | Registry Titles with Descriptions and Expanded Essays | Recording Registry | National Recording Preservation Board | Programs | Library of Congress
 
VA State Fair # 11 (Rodeo Announcer w Crowd Noise).wav by Smokey_B -- https://freesound.org/s/98226/ -- License: Attribution 3.0
 
REFERENCES:
TWO SPIRITS 2011 documentary directed by Lydia Nibley Two Spirits | Native American Gender Diversity | Independent Lens | PBS
 
ADVOCATE November 17, 2023 Murders of LGBTQ+ People Often Go Unsolved by Alex Cooper
 
NAVAJO PEOPLE March 12, 2011  Navajo creation story – The First World “Nihodilhil” (Black World) by Harold Carey Jr
 
THE DÎNÉ: ORIGIN MYTHS OF THE NAVAHO INDIANS by AILEEN O'BRYAN Origin Myths of the Navaho Indians: The Creation | Sacred Texts Archive
 
The Durango Herald, Friday, Sep 6, 2019 Bret Hauff Staff reporter Man who murdered LGBTQ teen in Cortez is released from prison - The Durango Herald
 
THE CINEMAHOLIC May 9, 2023 Fred Martinez Murder: Where is Shaun Murphy Today? by Sounak Sengupta
 
SPL Center September 7, 2022 Hate crime laws, explained
 
SF GATE August 25,2001 Remembering a slain son / Mom to lead vigil for her 16-year-old By Christopher Heredia,Chronicle Staff Writer
 
#twospirit #twospirits #fredmartinez #navajo #nadleehi #lgbtq #pride #pridemonth #truecrime #podcast #truecrimepodcast

BONUS: CULT FOLLOWING an interview with J.W. Ocker

We are thrilled to have Edgar Award Winning author and weird history expert J.W. Oker on the show to discuss his newest book Cult Following: The Extreme Sects That Capture Our Imaginations―and Take Over Our Lives an insightful yet quirky and often times amusing look at thirty different cults, from heavy hitters like the Manson Family, Jim Jones and Aum Shinrikyo, to lesser known groups you may have never heard of like the Divine Order of the Royal Arms of the Great Eleven and the John Frum Cargo Cult.
 
Links to J.W. Ocker’s
Website: OTIS (Odd Things I've Seen)
Instagram: J.W. Ocker (@jwocker)
Buy his books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00912M0K6
 
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.
 
#jwocker #cultfollowing #cult #cults #charliemanson #anthillkids #cultbook #truecrime #podcast #truecrimepodcast

Episode 106: Wayne Nance the Missoula Mauler

Wayne Nance, the Missoula Mauler, was a serial killer, wannabe sorcerer and bumbling occultist who found Wild West justice in the Rocky Mountains of Montana.
 
Hear the horrible tale of the Missoula Mauler today on Murder Coaster.
 
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.
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
“Small Doses” by Chris Jeffries, The Homeless Romantic, used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Chris on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pK2x732HntZv7JmyR1H2o
 
“True to the Flag” by United States Marine Corps Band courtesy of the YouTube Audio Library
 
“Go to War” by No Sons of Mine courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Listen to No Sons of Mine on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6QfLlpyGYVqMEPsOtMDEJV
 
REFERENCES:
 
To Kill and Kill Again: The Terrifying True Story of Montana's Baby-Faced Serial Sex Murderer by John Coston. Open Road Media, October 18, 2016. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1504041294
 
This American Life Episode 618:  Mr. Lie Detector - This American Life
 
FORENSIC May 12, 2021: Remains of Suspected Third Victim of Wayne Nance ID'ed after 36 Years
 
Daily Mail May 11, 2012: Remains of mom-of-one, 23, found in Montana in 1985 identified through DNA | Daily Mail Online
 
THE MISSOULIAN May 30, 2025: Nance victim named/21 years after remains found, woman identified
#waynenance #missoulamauler #themissoulamauler #montana #missoula #missoulamontana #truecrime #podcast #truecrimepodcast

Episode 105: The Satanic Panic and Tommy Sullivan

Today we cover a crime so horrific, horrible and brutal, and committed by such a young offender, a boy only fourteen years old, that many believed it had to have been of supernatural means, and to this day it is cited as definitive proof of demonic possession.
Ladies and gentleman, we present the story of Thomas Sullivan Junior and the Satanic Panic.
 
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.
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
 
“You’re Going to Die, Too” by Chris Jeffries The Homeless Romantic, used with permission and many thanks. Listen to Chris on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pK2x732HntZv7JmyR1H2o
 
“Sad walk with sad melodica” by Komiku  CCO Public Domain, courtesy of the Free Music Archive
 
“Halloween” by HoliznaCC0 CCO Public Domain, courtesy of the Free Music Archive
“I Despise” by No Songs of Mind courtesy Epidemic Sound, listen to them on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6QfLlpyGYVqMEPsOtMDEJV
 
REFERENCES:
Los Angeles Times January 11, 1988 Satanist Teen Uses Scout Knife to Kill Mother, Self - Los Angeles Times
 
Geraldo Rivera 1988 Television Special DEVIL WORSHIP: EXPOSING SATAN’S UNDERGROUND. Watch on Geraldo’s website: Exposing Satan's Underground - Geraldo and on YouTube: DEVIL WORSHIP: Exposing Satan's Underground
 
BBC NEWS April 11, 2014: The great 1980s Dungeons & Dragons panic - BBC News
 
NJ.COM Feb. 15, 2017: A history of the Ku Klux Klan in N.J. - nj.com
 
Alma Bridwell White - Wikipedia
 
National Library of Medicine Epub Sep 3, 2020: Wrestling-related concussions and closed head injuries predominantly occur in high school age athletes - PubMed
 
National Library of Medicine: Traumatic brain injury: a potential cause of violent crime? - PMC
 
THE DEVIL WITHIN PODCAST Written and narrated by Brandon Morgan, Calvary Productions May 2021 The Devil Within Podcast | Wondery
 
Reddit Reviews: The Devil Within. Meh : r/TrueCrimePodcasts
 
#truecrime #tommysullivan #thomassullivan #satanism #satan #satanicpanic #geraldorivera #podcast #truecrimepodcast #murdercoasterpodcast #morbid #thedevil #demon #possession

Episode 104: Jenelle Potter and the Facebook Murders

Internet bullying, cat fishing, cyber-sex, myspace, Facebook, CIA assassins and cold-blooded murder.
Ladies and gentlemen, this week we have one of the strangest and most unbelievable cases you probably never heard of: the story of Jenelle Potter and the Facebook murders, a tale of loneliness and group psychosis taken to extraordinary levels of madness.
Step right up, step right up, and hear all about it.
 
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.
 
FEATURING THE SONGS:
 
“Lonely” by Tinyfolk  courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Canonical URL 
 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Lonesome Liar Dancing Up in the Trees” by We Is Shore Dedicated courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Canonical URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 
“Recluse” byHoliznaCC0 courtesy of the Free Music Archive
 
As well as songs by Kylie Daly (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0lC97iGj9XViueKd9WERw4)
and Roy Williams (https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yvhrxxALTG86T5IEocn4Z) courtesy of Epidemic Sound.
 
REFERENCES:
 
Too Pretty to Live: The Catfishing Murders of East Tennessee by Dennis Brooks, Diversion Books, February 9, 2016. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1682301999
 
TIMES NEWS August 26, 2021 Reversal in Facebook Murder Case: New Trial for Mother | | timesnews.net
 
LAW AND CRIME November, 11, 2021 Barbara Potter Pleads Guilty in ‘Facebook Murders’ Case
 
THE SUN Apr 5, 2024 Where are Marvin, Jenelle, and Barbara Potter now? | The US Sun
 
#jenellepotter #facebookmurders #thefacebookmurders #truecrime #podcast #truecrimepodcast #murdercoasterpodcast #morbid #creepy #facebook #socialmedia #tennessee