Part 1: In this episode of Midwest Murder Girls, we travel back to 1959 and examine the brutal murders of the Clutter family in their Holcomb, Kansas home. We explore the Clutter family’s lives, the events leading up to that fateful night, and the shocking crime that would forever change a small Kansas community and become one of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

About us | Kansas wheat | leaders in the adoption of profitable innovations for wheat. Kansas Wheat. (n.d.). https://kswheat.com/about-us

Clutter family murders | Garden City, KS. GC Police . (n.d.-b). https://www.gcpolice.org/254/Clutter-Family-Murders

Clutter family murders. (2026, July 16). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clutter_family_murders&oldid=1364358575

Clutter memorial plaque - holcomb, Kansas. HolcombKS. (n.d.). https://www.holcombks.com/pview.aspx?id=56097&catid=922

Herbert w clutter, Bonnie Clutter, Nancy & Kenyon Clutter. gccoop. (n.d.). https://www.gccoop.com/getmedia/8fc4667f-2477-42a8-9a3f-9bec4810aaf9/herbert-w-clutter.pdf

Home | GCC | garden city | dighton | ulysses, Kansas - GCC. gccoop. (n.d.-b). https://www.gccoop.com/

Ingalls, Kansas. (2026, April 13). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rozel,_Kansas&oldid=1348584457

Kaplan, J. (Director). (1996). In Cold Blood [Film]. Pacific Motion Pictures.

Keglovits, S. J. (n.d.). Volume 68 number 1 home in Cold Blood revisited: A look back at an American. US Courts. https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/68_1_7_0.pdf

Perry Edward Smith. (2026, May 10). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Perry_Edward_Smith&oldid=1353484441

Richard Hickock. (2026, January 25). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Hickock&oldid=1334796058

Rozel, Kansas. (2026, April 13). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rozel,_Kansas&oldid=1348584457

Truman Capote: Biography, writer, author, novelist. Biography.com. (2024, January 26). https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/truman-capote

In this episode, we tell the heartbreaking story of Hailey Owens, a 10-year-old girl whose disappearance from her Springfield, Missouri neighborhood sent shockwaves through the community. As investigators raced to find her, a massive search quickly unfolded, leading to the discovery of a crime that would forever change the lives of those who knew and loved Hailey.

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Hailey Owens | Greenlawn. Greenlawn Funeral Home. (n.d.). https://greenlawnfuneralhome.com/obituary/hailey-owens/

Herzog, S., & Temple, C. (2014, May 21). Westport playground to be named for Hailey Owens. Springfield News Leader. https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/05/21/westport-park-named-hailey-owens/2317678/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z113101e006700v113101d--31--b--31--&gca-ft=151&gca-ds=sophi

Keegan, H. (2019, July 12). Governor signs “Hailey’s Law” to improve AMBER alert system. Springfield News Leader. https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2019/07/12/missouri-governor-signs-haileys-law-amber-alert-system-hailey-owens/1682479001/

Murder of Hailey Owens. (2026, June 3). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Hailey_Owens&oldid=1357583939

Timeline of Hailey Owens abduction. Springfield News Leader. (2014, February 19). https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/02/20/timeline-of-hailey-owens-abduction/5613163/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115901e006100v115901d--59--b--59--&gca-ft=209&gca-ds=sophi

Wood vs. state of Missouri :: 2026 :: Supreme Court of missouri decisions :: Missouri case law :: Missouri law :: U.S. law :: Justia. Justia U.S. Law. (2026, January 13). https://law.justia.com/cases/missouri/supreme-court/2026/sc100874.html

In this episode, we unravel the shocking story of Tom Bird and Lorna Anderson, two respected members of a Kansas community whose secret relationship would become connected to a deadly web of lies, betrayal, and murder. What initially appeared to be a tragic accident and a random act of violence soon raised disturbing questions, leading investigators to uncover a conspiracy that would shock the community.

Breneman, A. (2025, October 30). Bird bridge: What lies beneath – the Bulletin. The Bulletin. https://esubulletin.com/19335/news/bird-bridge-what-lies-beneath/

Minister found guilty in Wife’s murder - UPI archives. UPI. (1985, July 23). https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/07/23/Minister-found-guilty-in-wifes-murder/3742490939200/

Mlynar, B. (2015, May 7). Lorna Anderson discharged from Parole | News | emporiagazette.com. Emporia Gazette. https://www.emporiagazette.com/news/article_3eb06f94-31f1-5944-ae6f-187b0fbedf76.html

NEW ENGLAND MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Lorna ANDERSON. Law Resource. (1989, October 16). https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F2/888/888.F2d.646.87-2883.89-3080.html

Robe, M. (Director). (1987, May 3). Murder Ordained [Film]. Braun Entertainment Group & Interscope.

Sandra Lea Stringer “sandy” 33 years old - national organization of parents of murdered children. POMC.org. (n.d.). https://www.pomc.org/murder-wall/murder-wall-stories/sandra-lea-stringer-sandy-33-years-old/

State v. bird :: 1985 :: Kansas Supreme Court decisions :: Kansas case law :: Kansas law :: U.S. law :: Justia. Justia U.S. Law. (1985, October 25). https://law.justia.com/cases/kansas/supreme-court/1985/57-592-1.html

State v. Bird. Justia U.S. Law. (1986, December 5). https://law.justia.com/cases/kansas/supreme-court/1986/58-564-2.html?__cf_chl_f_tk=1SnwjjNbmyQj5LgzO8eoCMtLyTuLVSz17uNAy3omxIU-1783367450-1.0.1.1-fqmIyaVchsf_27tsVDhoOZ60y7eHm1sw4UffVCHCfmU

State v. bird (state v. bird, 240 kan. 288, 729 p.2d 1136 (kan. 1986)) - vLex United States - vlex. vLex. (1986, December 5). https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/state-v-bird-no-886101060

In this episode of Midwest Murder Girls, we unravel the chilling story of the Staudte family murders, a case of betrayal that shattered a Springfield, Missouri household. What initially appeared to be a series of unexplained illnesses soon exposed a calculated plot driven by greed and manipulation, leading investigators to uncover a devastating truth hidden within the family itself.

Crime traveler: The chilling murders of the Staudte family. Ozarks First. (2021, October 19). https://www.ozarksfirst.com/crimetraveler/crime-traveler-the-chilling-murders-of-the-staudte-family/

Jones, J (Director). (2022, February 25). Home Sweet Murder (Season 45, Episode 18) [TV Series Episode]. Diaz J., & Sadler, T. (Executive Producer), 20/20. ABC News Productions.

Smith, J. (2016, April 15). Missouri woman recalls moment she suspected her mom tried to kill her - ABC news. ABC News. https://abcnews.com/US/missouri-woman-recalls-moment-suspected-mom-kill/story?id=38036627

Staudte Family Murders. (2026, March 4). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Staudte_family_murders&oldid=1341689437

In 2007, 18-year-old Kelsey Smith disappeared after a routine stop at a Target in Overland Park, Kansas. What began as an ordinary shopping trip forever changed one family and ultimately reshaped the way investigators use technology in missing person cases.

ABC News. (2007, June 7). Suspect charged with Kansas Teen’s abduction, murder - ABC news. ABC News. https://abcnews.com/GMA/story?id=3254107

FBI - MO. (n.d.-a). FBI — Kansas City, MO. FBI - Kansas City, MO. https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/about-us/partnerships_and_outreach/community_outreach/dcla/2009/kansascity

Find A Grave. (n.d.). Kelsey Ann Smith (1989-2007) - find a grave memorial. Find A Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19751202/kelsey_ann-smith

KMBC . (2008, September 16). Edwin Hall: “I’m so, so sorry.” KMBC 9 News. https://www.kmbc.com/article/edwin-hall-i-m-so-so-sorry/3651801

YouTube. (2019). The Teen Who Never Came Home From the Store. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kr3LiOBT9U.

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Murder of Kelsey Smith - Wikipedia. Murder of Kelsey Smith . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kelsey_Smith

In this episode of Midwest Murder Girls, we examine the mysterious death of Bethany Deaton, a young woman whose apparent suicide quickly raised unsettling questions. As investigators uncovered secrets involving religious manipulation, deception, and a web of complex relationships, the case took unexpected turns that continue to spark discussion and debate years later.

Bethany Leidlein Deaton obituary October 30, 2012 - Wade funeral home & crematory. Wade Family Funeral Home. (n.d.). https://www.wadefamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/bethany-leidlein-deaton

Curry, C. (2012, November 14). Missouri religious group investigated in slaying of Bethany Deaton - ABC News. ABC News. https://abcnews.com/US/missouri-religious-group-investigated-slaying-bethany-deaton/story?id=17719725

Kramer, N. (Writer), & Klug, R. (Director). (2016, February 7th). Fall From Grace (Season 6, Episode 66) [TV Series Video] Zirinsky, S (Executive Producer), 48 Hours. CBS News Productions.

Micah Moore. KSHB - Media Assets. (2014, October 9). https://mediaassets.kshb.com/pdf/Micah_Moore.pdf

Roberts, T. (2015, August 1). Fall from Grace - CBS News. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-the-mysterious-death-of-bethany-deaton/