212: The Whitaker Family Slayings

212: The Whitaker Family Slayings

Author: Erica Kelley March 26, 2024 Duration: 1:02:16
In December of 2003, 23-year-old Bart Whitaker had just finished his finals and was about to graduate from college. That night, he went to dinner to celebrate with his parents, Tricia and Kent, and his younger brother Kevin. As they returned home and walked through their door, they were ambushed by a masked gunman. Initially, authorities suspected that this was a burglary gone wrong. But before the funerals had even taken place, detectives discovered that Bart had lied about graduating. And that was just the beginning. 

Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley 
Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank and Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner 
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder and Erica Kelley 
Suggested by Jessica, Donna, Michelle, and Kyle

Sources: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com/whitaker-family-massacre

This episode is brought to you by:  
  • Get your year started off right with healthy new vitamins. For 50% off your first month, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code SFTC50
  • Try the revolutionary whole body deodorant Lume. Go to Lume.com and enter code SFTC for $5 off the starter pack. 
  • Indulge in affordable luxury! Go to Quince.com and use promo code SFTC for free shipping. 
  • Sign up for Newspapers.com--your ultimate resource for exploring the mysteries of the past. Use code SFTrueCrime and get 20% off your subscription.
  • They say time waits for no one, and neither should payday--See EarnIn.com/TOS for more details.

Hosted by Tennessee native Erica Kelley, Southern Fried True Crime digs into the dark, complex, and often unsettling stories that have shaped the American South. This podcast moves beyond the headlines to examine both historical cases and contemporary crimes, all through the lens of the region's distinct culture. Erica brings a local's perspective, balancing a layer of charm with a direct, no-nonsense approach-what she aptly calls southern sass. Each episode is a deep dive into how geography, tradition, and social structures influence these events and their outcomes. You'll hear detailed narratives that reveal how the justice system operates in the Deep South, for better or worse. The show connects the past to the present, exploring how history echoes in modern courtrooms and investigations. It’s a blend of societal observation, cultural history, and true crime analysis, all grounded in Erica's firsthand understanding of the territory. Listen for thorough research presented in a conversational tone, where the setting is as crucial as the crime itself. This isn't just about the what, but the why and how, specifically within a southern context. Tune in for a compelling exploration where the stories are as layered and potent as the region's famed cuisine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Southern Fried True Crime
Podcast Episodes
Listen Now - Over My Dead Body: Gone Hunting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:56
When Mike Williams vanishes on a hunting trip, the authorities suspect he was eaten by alligators but the true predators who took Mike may lurk much closer to home. The mystery of Mike’s disappearance might have faded fr…
190: The Murder of Liz Sennett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:36
In the spring of 1988, Liz and Charles Sennett were pillars of the Colbert County, Alabama, community. 45-year-old Liz was a mother, grandmother, and homemaker. Charles was a local pastor. They were beloved and respected…
189: The Murder of Denise Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:56
21-year-old Denise Amber Lee was a happily married stay-at-home mom when her life was abruptly snatched away from her. On January 17, 2008, she was abducted from her home. Her two young sons were left sleeping in a crib…
188: The Murder of Margaret Abernathy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:52
Monday, February 4, 1991 started out as a normal day. 40 year old Priscilla Matula was rushing out the door for work. She owned and operated a car dealership with her husband, Nick. It soon became one of those days…where…
187: Lindsey Lowe Case - UPDATE (episode 119) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:47
This is a short bonus episode for July. It's about the controversial Lindsey Lowe case, so I hope you find it interesting. I had a defense attorney reach out and give me the judge's signed ruling early and also give me s…
186: Behind Closed Doors: The Janae Carroll Case [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:26
In September of 2017, 30-year-old Janae Carroll was preparing to end her longterm relationship with her boyfriend—who was also her abuser. After years of suffering, Janae had gathered the strength and the courage to leav…
Introducing Suspect: Five Shots in the Dark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:02
Leon Benson spent 24 years in an Indiana state prison for the 1998 murder of a young man named Kasey Schoen. His conviction hinged on the testimony of two eyewitnesses – but what if their memories turned out to be wrong?…
185: The Murder of Lindsey Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:51
When 31-year-old Lindsey Lee didn’t show up for work bright and early one Tuesday morning, her coworkers at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department were immediately worried. Their fears were confirmed when the deputy w…
184: The Poisoner Katie Stricklin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:56
In 1971, Sundays in Savannah, Tennessee were for two things: church and family. That was especially true for the Stricklin family. One Sunday, 66-year-old Mollie and her husband, 81-year-old William, invited their son an…
Introducing Season 2 of Alphabet Boys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:41
This week, we’re sharing an episode of Alphabet Boys. Alphabet Boys takes you inside secret investigations that the FBI, DEA, CIA, and other alphabet agencies never wanted the public to know about. These cases are both d…