Chronicle 34 - Part 2: "Murder in Laramie: Matthew's Story"

Chronicle 34 - Part 2: "Murder in Laramie: Matthew's Story"

Author: Nicole Turner July 4, 2022 Duration: 27:37
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). On Oct. 7, 1998, a teenager was riding his mountain bike in some fields just outside of Laramie, Wyoming, when he discovered what he thought was a scarecrow that had fallen off its post. Or, perhaps it was some type of Halloween gag, a dummy lying on the ground, maybe? It WAS October, after all. But when the teen got closer, he realized it was a person. The person was still alive, but barely breathing. It was 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming freshman, and he had been tortured and tied to a log fence with a rope. He had been there, left to die in the frigid cold temperatures, for at least 18 hours before the teen discovered him. This is the story of one of the nation’s most heinous and unprecedented anti-gay hate crimes. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nicole Turner has spent her career within the walls of academia, and now she brings that unique perspective to Campus Crime Chronicles. As both a professor and an administrator, she understands the complex ecosystem of a college campus-the rhythms of student life, the pressures, the closed communities, and the specific vulnerabilities that can exist. This podcast digs into cases that occur in these unique settings, from long-unsolved mysteries in campus libraries to modern-day digital crimes that spread through university networks. Each episode is built on meticulous research, examining not just the "what" of a crime, but the "why" these environments can become a backdrop for tragedy. You'll hear about cases that made national headlines alongside obscure incidents that reveal deeper systemic issues, all analyzed through Nicole's informed lens. The goal isn't just to recount events, but to explore the lasting impact on victims, families, and the very idea of a campus as a sanctuary. For anyone fascinated by true crime but weary of the same well-trodden stories, this series offers a distinct and thoughtful niche. Tune in for a compelling blend of investigative narrative and institutional insight, where every story begins at a place meant for learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Campus Crime Chronicles
Podcast Episodes
Campus Crime News: Demartravion "Trey" Reed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:07
Introducing Campus Crime News! On the morning of Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, the body of a Black male was found hanging from a tree on the campus of Delta State University near the pickle ball courts. At a press conference l…
Chronicle 103: "Hiding in Plain Sight" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In February of 1980, Katherine Foster, an 18-year-old freshman attending the University of South Alabama in Mobile, was found shot to death in a wooded area next to…
Chronicle 102: "The Fake Interview" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:52
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the summer of 2012, 24-year-old nursing student Megan Sharpton was standing at the edge of a bright future. Just months away from graduation, she was eager to ste…
Chronicle 101: "Hot Tub Tragedy" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). On the night of May 11, 2019, three friends met for what was supposed to be a relaxed evening by the pool and hot tub — laughing, drinking, and soaking in the music.…
Chronicle 100: "Death By Hazing" (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 100: "Death by Hazing" (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 100: "Death by Hazing" (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In the spring of 2017, Timothy Piazza was like many college sophomores — eager to find his place, to build lasting friendships, and to be part of something bigger th…
Chronicle 99: "Buried Alive" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). Brandy Stevens-Rosine was a bright 20-year-old college student with a passion for understanding human behavior. Studying psychology and sociology at Youngstown State…
Chronicle 98: "A Deadly Custody Exchange" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). It was supposed to be routine — just another custody handoff between two parents in rural Madison County, Tennessee. Tyeasha Starks, a bright young student at Austin…
Chronicle 97: "A Ride with a Stranger" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:13
This episode is rated a 5 (on my Serious Crime Scale). In June 2017, Yingying Zhang — a 26-year-old Ph.D. student and visiting scholar from China — vanished after being seen at a campus bus stop at the University of Illi…