In Memoriam: The Murder of Eric Nelams

In Memoriam: The Murder of Eric Nelams

Author: The Fall Line® December 10, 2025 Duration: 39:38

We continue our coverage of the cold case of Eric Nelams, and his family's fight for justice. Army veteran Eric Nelams was shot and killed outside his Phenix City, Alabama home in 2003, just days after refusing to take blame for an embezzlement scheme. His family believes the timing was no coincidence—and 22 years later, his homicide case remains cold.

Season 24 of The Fall Line covers missing persons, unsolved homicides, and unresolved deaths across the United States.

If you have information about Eric Nelams' murder: Call Crime Stoppers of Central Alabama at 334-215-STOP (7867). There is a $15,000 reward.

The Petition in Eric's Case: https://www.change.org/topic/nelams-en-us

Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions

Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/

Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources

Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast

We have partnered with Libsyn to handle our advertising/sponsorship requests. They're great to work with and will help you advertise on our show. Please email ad-sales@libsyn.com

2025 All Rights Reserved The Fall Line® Podcast LLC


In the crowded landscape of true crime, The Fall Line: True Crime distinguishes itself by focusing intently on the cases that have slipped through the cracks. This investigative podcast, produced by The Fall Line®, dedicates its episodes to cold cases, unsolved murders, and missing persons who haven't received the sustained attention they deserve. The work goes beyond simply recounting facts; it involves deep, often years-long dives into the specifics of unsolved homicides, disappearances, and the stories of unidentified John and Jane Does. You'll hear directly from the people closest to these investigations-law enforcement officers who worked the original details, forensic experts explaining the science, dedicated victim advocates, and, most importantly, the families still living with the unresolved loss. Each season is built on meticulous research and interviews that piece together not only what might have happened, but also the complex reasons why answers remain elusive. The narrative is driven by a commitment to thoroughness and respect, aiming to bring new clarity to long-forgotten files. By listening to this podcast, you become part of a process that seeks to restore names to the nameless and pursue justice for the overlooked, all through careful, persistent storytelling that treats every case with the gravity it has always warranted.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Fall Line: True Crime
Podcast Episodes
Everything They Missed: The Wrongful Conviction of Andrew Hayes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:19
Danny Harris, a 55-year-old Air National Guard veteran, was murdered in his Tennessee apartment in 2007. Andrew Wayne Hayes, a man with an intellectual disability, confessed after a 27-hour interrogation and was sentence…
The Disappearance of Mary Shotwell Little - A New Investigation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
Mary Shotwell Little vanished from Lenox Square mall in Atlanta on October 14, 1965. The 25-year-old newlywed's car was found the next day with blood evidence and unexplained mileage, launching one of the city's most int…
Phenix City: The Murder of Eric Nelams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:14
Army veteran and father Eric Nelams, 32, was shot and killed outside his Phenix City, Alabama home on September 26, 2003. Multiple suspects ambushed Eric in his carport while he was leaving for work in what police believ…
System Stall: The Death of Shawna Toya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:36
The Toya family continues seeking answers after discovering evidence they believe was overlooked—including another woman's ID found in Shawna's car and missing rent money. MMIWR/MMIP advocate Darlene Gomez discusses syst…
Lonely Morning Hours: The Death of Shawna Toya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:53
Jemez Pueblo artist Shawna Toya was found unresponsive in her car at an Albuquerque, New Mexico park on August 1, 2021, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family discovered evidence—another person's ID in Shawna's…
Missing Twice: No Body Homicides [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:24
Forensic anthropologists Dr. Amy Michael and Dr. Jen Bengtson reveal a critical gap in missing-persons databases and unidentified-remains cases. No-body homicide victims—those identified as murdered, but without recovere…
Killer Data: Serial Killers in the Modern Age, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:35
Part 2 of our re-release of our interview with Enzo Yaksic. Atypical Homicide researcher Enzo Yaksic shares his perspective on cultural myths regarding the "average" serial killer, what—and who—has skewed our perceptions…
Listen Now: Scamfluencers "Pharmacist Femme Fatale" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:22
You never really know someone…especially online. In today's world, the power of influence can be the quickest path to money and fame, and it often ends in ruin. These are the stories of the world's most insidious Scamflu…
Killer Data: Serial Killers in the Modern Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:06
A re-release of our classic interview with Enzo Yaksic. Part two will be out tomorrow. Atypical Homicide researcher Enzo Yaksic shares his perspective on cultural myths regarding the "average" serial killer, what—and who…
Introducing: CONSPIRACY THEORIES, CULTS, AND CRIMES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:08
From Jonestown to Heaven's Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is full of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes every Wednesday as we explore th…