Chapter 1 | Mad Dogs

Chapter 1 | Mad Dogs

Author: Radio Vérté | Cory Zimmerman February 12, 2024 Duration: 50:08

Radio Vérté Presents SPOON RIVER GOTHIC - Season Two: Death Rides the Highway - A Thrill Ride of Murder & Terror!

 

This season, we will unravel the captivating story of four vastly different individuals and how they all came together to embark on a cross-country crime spree marked by violence and tragedy.

In our inaugural episode, we explore the vast expanse of the American landscape, where ribbons of asphalt traverse the American heartland, as we immerse ourselves in the story of the United States Interstate Highway System. Born out of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, this network of interconnected veins was envisioned to propel the nation into a new era of economic growth and national defense.

But as the first stretches of asphalt were laid in the late 1950s, the highways became more than just conduits of transportation; they became the lifeblood of a changing America. Over 46,000 miles of sleek, blue, and red-shielded arteries cut through the heartland, connecting cities and towns, bringing promises of progress and prosperity. Yet, as we delve into the annals of this colossal engineering marvel, a darker narrative emerges. Whispers of unintended consequences murmur through the small towns that line the highways.  

The same accessibility that promised interconnectedness and convenience has also opened the door to a new breed of murder & terror, unleashing a tidal wave of blood to spill upon the Heartland.

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Writer, Samantha Thomas.

Contact SRG @ cz@studios.works

Visit SRG @ www.spoonrivergothic.com

Instagram: @srg.podcast

Facebook: /Spoon.River.Gothic.Podcast

YouTube: @Spoon.River.Gothic.Podcast


In the shadows of small towns and along forgotten backroads, stories linger. The Spoon River Gothic Podcast, from Radio Vérté and Cory Zimmerman, unearths these true crime narratives, giving voice to tales that are often whispered but seldom fully told. Each episode is a carefully crafted journey, written and narrated by Zimmerman himself, whose delivery sets a distinctive, atmospheric tone. The work is rooted in detailed research provided by Rachel Laubis, Moira King, and Allison Hester, ensuring every narrative is built on a foundation of factual depth. This isn't just a recitation of events; it's an immersive audio experience designed to pull you into the heart of each mystery. For those who want to delve even deeper, Samantha Thomas provides extended written analysis on the blog, and supporters can access The Spoon River Gothic case file for exclusive bonus episodes and additional investigative material. This podcast lives in the space where the ordinary meets the ominous, exploring the unsettling truths that define the genre. Listen for stories that stick with you, long after the episode ends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Cross-Examination | The Passage of Arms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:58
In today’s gripping episode, we delve deep into the heart of the chaos that unfolded on February 13, 1985, as we listen to the brave officers’ firsthand accounts that granted an intimate glimpse into that climactic showd…
SRG - Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20
Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - A Literary True Crime Podcast.Think, feel, understand. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!Seasonal | Long Form | WeeklyExecutive Producer Cory Zimmerman.W…
Chapter 2 | God's Country [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:48
In the wake of a harrowing crime spree that left rural Kansas reeling in 1985, a somber analogy emerged from the lips of a local gas station owner near the junction of Kansas 25 and I-70: "You just don’t know what’s comi…
Ch. 69 - Season Finale: Part III - "Dear Donna..." [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:38
A heart-wrenching narrative-- Through a poignant exploration of Donna Tompkin’s perspective, we relive the ordinary moments of the day before and the aftermath of the devastating fire that claimed her and her three-year-…
Ch. 68 - Season Finale: Part II - "The Beautiful Victim" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:55
Nearing the end of our journey-- We hint at additional potential affairs and emotional motives by exploring alternative theories involving suspects, scrutinizing timelines for inconsistencies, and delving into the comple…
Ch. 67 - Season Finale: Part I - "Slug Bug" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:55
Twists & turns--We zoom out and plunge into the chilling mystery surrounding the double homicide of Donna and Justine, meticulously revisiting key suspects and challenging established narratives. Listeners are guided on…
Ch. 65 - The Actual Innocence of Donnie Bull [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:36
Recap-- As we revisit the key details in this chilling case, we are confronted with much information we did not have at the start of our journey. The inconclusive autopsy results are discussed, as the perplexing circumst…
Ch. 64 - The "Cop Drama" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:27
A Candide conversation-- Rusty Graham divulges insights into the enigmatic controversies surrounding the Canton Police Department. The conversation kicks off with revelations from a departmental meeting led by Chief Elam…
Ch. 63 - The "Grocery List" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:27
An anonymous letter-- August 1, 1998, was a day that sparked a cascade of investigations into the Canton Police Department's Chief of Police, Michael Elam. The anonymous letter signed by “The Honest Police Officers of Ca…