The Murder of Amy Schulz: Forensics, Footprints, and Cecil Sutherland

The Murder of Amy Schulz: Forensics, Footprints, and Cecil Sutherland

Author: This Feels Criminal | Formerly Killer Queens March 11, 2026 Duration: 47:12
Want Exclusive Bonus Episodes, Early Access and Ad-Free content? ⁠Join our Patreon ⁠⁠ The murder of Amy Schulz remains one of the most haunting true crime cases in Illinois history. In 1987, the 10-year-old vanished during a five-minute walk in the quiet town of Kell, leading to a massive investigation and a cross-country manhunt. Discover how forensic hair and fiber analysis, a Montana "hobo camp," and a decade of legal battles finally brought Cecil Sutherland to justice. In this episode, Tyrella and Nikita deconstruct the investigation, the forensic breakthroughs that changed the case, and the enduring legacy of the Amy Center. 00:00 – The disappearance of Amy Schulz in Kell, Illinois. 06:15 – The community search and the tragic discovery in the oil field. 14:45 – Initial suspects and the mysterious lead from a Montana "hobo camp." 23:20 – Forensic Evidence: How dog hair and tire tracks identified Cecil Sutherland. 32:10 – The 1989 trial, the death penalty, and the 2004 retrial breakthroughs. 41:05 – Turning tragedy into hope: The mission of the Amy Center. Support the Amy Center: Learn how they protect and support children at ⁠amycenter.org⁠. Watch: On the Case With Paula Zahn – "From Dusk to Darkness" (S14E11). Support Our AMAZING Sponsors: First Day: Our listeners get up to 57% Off AND a Free Gift with code QUEENS at FirstDay.com.  SelectQuote: Save more that 50% on term life insurance at selectquote.com/queens today to get started. IQBAR: Text QUEENS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping.  Message and data rates may apply. © 2026 Killer Queens Podcast. All Rights Reserved Audio Production by Wayfare Recording Music provided by Steven Tobi Logo designed by ⁠Ingrid at Penguin Designing⁠ Want access to our first 45 episodes? Grab em here! We've made them available for free to anyone who signs up! Remember, these episodes were recorded when we had no idea what we were doing, so just keep that in mind. The audio isn't the quality we would want to put out now, but the cases are on point! Visit killerqueens.link/og to download and binge all the archived episodes today!Connect with Us: Instagram: @ThisFeelsCriminal TikTok: @ThisFeelsCriminal YouTube: Subscribe to This Feels Criminal for video episodes and deep dives. Inside the Episode:Resources & Case Media: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You might remember Tyrella and Nikita from their previous work as the Killer Queens. After eight years and hundreds of cases covered, their perspective has fundamentally shifted, leading to a thoughtful evolution of the true crime conversation. This new chapter, titled This Feels Criminal: A True Crime Podcast (Formerly Killer Queens), is for an audience that has matured alongside them, moving beyond the straightforward narrative to ask deeper, more difficult questions about the stories we think we know. Grounded in a shared history of growing up with Dateline and the early internet, the hosts now approach each case with a deconstructed viewpoint, examining the societal and human layers often glossed over. The podcast delves into the historical context surrounding crimes, exploring how time and place shape tragedy. Listeners will hear nuanced discussions that prioritize perspective over sensationalism, focusing on the complex "why" behind the "what." It’s a natural progression for hosts and audience alike, offering a more considered space within a crowded genre. Each episode of this podcast builds on a foundation of extensive research and lived experience, aiming to understand the full weight of the story, because there’s always more to it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

This Feels Criminal: A True Crime Podcast (Formerly Killer Queens)
Podcast Episodes
The Murder of Sandra Birchmore- Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:08
In February of 2021, police officers performed a welfare check on 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in Canton, Massachusetts. When they gained entry to her apartment, they found the young teacher's aide dead in her bedroom fr…
The Murder of Sandra Birchmore- Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:37
In February of 2021, police officers performed a welfare check on 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in Canton, Massachusetts. When they gained entry to her apartment, they found the young teacher’s aide dead in her bedroom fr…
The Kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard: 18 Years Hidden in Plain Sight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:47
In 1991, 11-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard was abducted on her way to the school bus in South Lake Tahoe, California. What followed was one of the most shocking and heartbreaking cases in modern true crime—eighteen years of…
The Kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard: 18 Years Hidden in Plain Sight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:16
In 1991, 11-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard was abducted on her way to the school bus in South Lake Tahoe, California. What followed was one of the most shocking and heartbreaking cases in modern true crime—eighteen years of…
Taylor Swift vs DJ David Mueller Groping Trial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:11
In 2015, a former Denver radio DJ filed a civil suit against our queen, Taylor Swift, claiming that she'd ruined his career. Taylor immediately countersued the DJ, alleging that not only had he ruined his OWN career, he'…
Taylor Swift vs DJ David Mueller Groping Trial [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:40
In 2015, a former Denver radio DJ filed a civil suit against our queen, Taylor Swift, claiming that she’d ruined his career. Taylor immediately countersued the DJ, alleging that not only had he ruined his OWN career, he’…
The Cardi B Trial Was ICONIC- Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:42
Part 2 of 2 When the plaintiff's expert is a plastic surgeon who couldn't rule out a dwarf with razor-sharp toenails for the scratches, this trial felt less like Law & Order and more like Real Housewives: Beverly Hills C…
The Cardi B Trial Was ICONIC- Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:11
Part 2 of 2 When the plaintiff’s expert is a plastic surgeon who couldn’t rule out a dwarf with razor-sharp toenails for the scratches, this trial felt less like Law & Order and more like Real Housewives: Beverly Hills C…