During the early 2000s, Black women began turning up dead across Missouri and Illinois. Their bodies were discovered in different jurisdictions, and for months, the connection between them remained unclear.Then, a St. Louis newspaper published a story about one of the women, Teresa Wilson. The article caught the attention of someone who claimed to be her killer—and he responded with a chilling letter, a challenge to the reporter, and a computer-generated map leading investigators to another victim.That map would eventually take authorities to Maury Travis and expose what had been happening inside an otherwise ordinary-looking home in Ferguson, Missouri.In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph walks through the investigation from the discovery of the women through the digital trail that led police directly to Travis. We also discuss the victims whose names are known, the women who remained unidentified for decades, and how three of those women finally regained their names in 2025.This story is not simply about how investigators caught a suspected serial killer. It is also about whose disappearances receive urgency, whose deaths are connected, and how vulnerable Black women were overlooked until their killer demanded attention.Content warning: This episode discusses murder, sexual violence, torture, substance-use disorder, and violence against women.Follow Murder in the Black on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Subscribe to the paid edition on Apple Podcasts for bonus episodes and exclusive content. New listeners can begin with a three-day free trial.Until next time, this is Murder in the Black.

Emani Gabrielle Moss was ten years old. Her family called her “Angelface.” She loved reading, dancing, and cooking, and her fourth-grade teacher remembered a child with a beautiful smile who always wanted to help people.But behind that smile, Emani was trying to survive. She went to school bruised and afraid. She disclosed abuse. She ran away. Teachers, relatives, police, and child-protection workers encountered pieces of her story—and still, she was returned to the home where she was being harmed.In this deeply difficult episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the warnings that came before Emani’s death, the adults and systems that had opportunities to intervene, and the family members who fought to protect her. Most importantly, this episode remembers Emani as a child: bright, helpful, loved, and deserving of the chance to grow up.CONTENT WARNINGThis episode discusses prolonged child abuse, neglect, starvation, domestic violence, the death of a child, and an attempt to conceal and destroy a child’s remains. The material is deeply distressing. Please take care of yourself while listening, and pause or skip this episode if needed.LISTENER CALL TO ACTIONIf this episode moved you, follow Murder in the Black on whatever podcast platform you use and leave a five-star review. Share Emani’s story—not because of how she died, but because of who she was. And if you know or suspect that a child is being harmed, do not assume someone else will act. Report the concern to the appropriate child-protection agency and contact emergency services if the danger is immediate.

In this Thursday episode of Murder in the Black, we cover the murder of 21-year-old Asia Adams, a West Chester University student whose life was taken inside her mother’s Germantown home in November 2004.What first looked like a house fire quickly became something else. Investigators found Asia’s body in an upstairs bedroom, but the fire was not the beginning of the story. It was the cover-up.This episode follows the investigation from the neighbor who heard the door, to the missing bank cards, the ATM withdrawals, the nickname “Napoleon,” Asia’s dorm room, the witness statements, and the courtroom testimony that led to convictions for Thomas Strode and Simeon Bozic.We also talk about Asia’s life before the crime, her mother Shelah Harper’s fight for justice, and the work that came afterward through the Asia Adams Save Our Children Foundation.At the end of the episode, we close with a True Crime in Current News segment covering recent updates in the D4vd/Celeste Rivas Hernandez preliminary hearing and the independent autopsy update in the Nolan Xavier Wells case.Cases discussed:Asia AdamsThomas StrodeSimeon BozicCeleste Rivas HernandezNolan Xavier WellsListen with care. This episode discusses domestic violence, murder, arson, sexual assault allegations, violence against a young woman, and the death of a teenager.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of William Deshaun Hamilton, a six-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were discovered in the woods of DeKalb County, Georgia, in 1999. Despite years of investigation, forensic testing, and national attention, William remained unidentified until 2022.We trace the investigation from the discovery of his remains to the courtroom nearly 25 years later, exploring how advances in forensic science, facial reconstruction, and one woman's unwavering determination helped restore William's identity. We also discuss the trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black, the verdict, and the questions that remain unanswered.William's story is a reminder that even when decades pass, every child deserves to have their name restored—and their story told.The discovery of William's remains in DeKalb County, GeorgiaThe early investigative clues—and why they led nowhereHow forensic science evolved over two decadesThe role of facial reconstructions in identifying unidentified childrenAva McNeil's determination to uncover the truthHow a single tip finally identified "Clifton John Doe"The arrest and trial of Teresa Ann Bailey BlackThe verdict, sentencing, and unanswered questions surrounding William's deathTimeLine00:05 – The evening that changed everything00:35 – A devastating discovery in DeKalb County01:16 – The first clues investigators uncovered02:21 – Why the cause of death remains unknown03:57 – The decades-long search for William's identity05:09 – Buried as "Clifton John Doe"06:15 – Forensic evidence and overlooked clues07:58 – Why investigators believed William had been abandoned09:41 – DNA testing and the limitations of the late 1990s10:55 – The importance of forensic facial reconstructions13:32 – Ava McNeil's recognition and relentless search for answers15:28 – The reconstruction that reignited the investigation16:52 – William's life before he disappeared17:53 – Leaving Charlotte and William's disappearance20:47 – The tip that finally solved the mystery22:37 – Giving William his name back23:48 – The trial of Teresa Ann Bailey Black36:31 – The verdict and sentencing41:57 – William's legacy and the search for justiceSourcesFOX 5 Atlanta. "Boy's remains found in cemetery still not identified 20 years later." Published February 27, 2019.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black murder trial: Old friend testifies against mother accused of murdering son in Atlanta." Published January 3, 2024.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Ann Black Trial: Mother accused of murdering 6-year-old son waives last chance to testify." Published January 8, 2024.FOX 5 Atlanta. "Teresa Black trial: Mother sentenced to 10 years for concealing son's death." Updated January 12, 2024.A&E Crime + Investigation. "A Decades-Old Cold Case Ends With the ID of a Young Boy, and His Mother Charged With Murder." Published December 16, 2022; updated August 27, 2025.Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) press releases and case information.DeKalb County Medical Examiner records and publicly reported court proceedings.Public court reporting and news coverage reviewed to verify the investigation timeline, trial proceedings, verdict, and sentencing.

Private First Class LaVena Johnson was just 19 years old when she died while serving in Iraq in 2005. The U.S. Army ruled her death a suicide, but her family—led by her father, John Johnson—has spent nearly two decades questioning that conclusion. In this episode, we examine the official investigation, the inconsistencies that continue to fuel public debate, and why LaVena's death remains one of the military's most discussed unresolved cases.We carefully separate documented facts from allegations and explore the competing theories surrounding her death, including the family's belief that critical questions were never answered. We also discuss the broader conversation about military accountability, violence against women in the armed forces, and what families face when they challenge official findings.In True Crime in Current News, we provide updates on the disappearance of Nolan Wells and the ongoing custody case involving Alicia Brown and her missing daughter, Aaliyah.In this episode:The life and military service of LaVena JohnsonThe Army's official ruling and the evidence citedThe Johnson family's unanswered questionsCompeting theories surrounding her deathMilitary accountability and transparencyNolan Wells case updateAlicia Brown custody and missing child updateIf you enjoy Murder in the Black, please follow the show, leave a five-star review, and share this episode with someone who values thoughtful true crime storytelling.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we look at the case of Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. and the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham.This story is not just about how Matthew was eventually caught. It is about the years before that: the college allegations, the DNA that sat without a name attached to it, the missed opportunities, and the systems that treated each warning sign like it belonged in a separate folder.Morgan Harrington disappeared in 2009 after leaving a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, Virginia. Years later, UVA student Hannah Graham disappeared after a night out in the same city. DNA evidence eventually connected Matthew to a 2005 Fairfax assault, Morgan's case, and Hannah's case.The question at the center of this episode is not only what Jesse Matthew did. It is how many times he could have been stopped before another woman was harmed.Because predators do not live in folders.This episode discusses sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, violence against women, and institutional failures around campus safety.Jesse Matthew's early background and college football yearsSexual assault allegations at Liberty University and Christopher Newport UniversityThe 2005 Fairfax assault and unmatched DNA profileMorgan Harrington's disappearance after the 2009 Metallica concertThe search for Morgan and the creation of Help Save the Next GirlHannah Graham's 2014 disappearance in CharlottesvilleHow CCTV helped identify Matthew as a suspectThe DNA links between Fairfax, Morgan, and HannahMatthew's arrest in Texas, guilty pleas, and life sentencesThe larger conversation around campus safety, DNA policy, and missed warning signsAfter the main episode, I also cover two current stories:The death of Nateal Campbell, mother of NFL player Calais Campbell, and the charges against her son Ciarre CampbellThe update in Joniah Walker's case after the Milwaukee teen, missing since 2022, was found safeJesse Matthew was eventually convicted in the murders of Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham, but this case raises a bigger question: how many times could he have been stopped before another woman was harmed?This episode looks at the college allegations, the 2005 Fairfax assault, the DNA links, the disappearances of Morgan and Hannah, and the institutional gaps that allowed warning signs to stay separated.Because predators do not live in folders.Content warning: sexual assault allegations, abduction, homicide, missing persons cases, and violence against women.If you made it this far, thank you for sitting with these stories with me. Let me know your thoughts on the missed opportunities in this case, because I really want to hear how y'all feel about that.For those of you who are like me and love to binge a story all the way through, episodes 6, 7, and 8 of What I Didn't See drop Sunday on the paid subscription, along with bonus journal entries with behind-the-scenes insight into Christina's thoughts.Thank you for the support, the comments, the shares, and the way y'all continue to show up for this space. Like, follow, and share this episode with someone who follows true crime with care. I'll see y'all in the next one.Research for this episode included public reporting from CNN, NBC News, NBC29, The Washington Post, CBS, WDBJ, and public case summaries related to Morgan Harrington, Hannah Graham, the 2005 Fairfax assault, and Jesse Matthew's convictions.Content WarningIn This EpisodeTrue Crime in Current NewsShort Spotify DescriptionListener CTASource Note For Spotify

Lisa Eatmon was a Brooklyn mother, Army veteran, and expectant mom preparing to welcome her son, Jaden Marquis. In April 2005, Lisa was found in the Hudson River, and what first seemed unclear soon became a homicide investigation.In this episode of Murder in the Black, we walk through Lisa’s life, the discovery in Manhattan, the evidence left behind at home, and the investigation that led detectives from phone records to a sanitation dock near the Hudson River.We also reflect on warning signs that can appear in relationships when pregnancy, accountability, secrecy, and control collide.Content warning: homicide, pregnancy loss, intimate partner violence, and grief involving a child losing a parent.If you or someone you love feels unsafe, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

In this episode, we revisit the tragic case of Chiquita Tate, a rising Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney whose life was violently taken inside her own law office. Chiquita was brilliant, ambitious, and building a name for herself in the courtroom when her final night at work became the center of a murder investigation.We walk through Chiquita’s life, the timeline of her last hours, the evidence found at the scene, and the courtroom battle that followed. From DNA and hair evidence to the missing wallet, blood evidence, possible staging, and the complicated personal history between Chiquita and her husband, Greg Harris, this case raises difficult questions about violence, control, justice, and legacy.This episode also includes a brief update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case, another heartbreaking story involving a young woman whose future was stolen.Key TopicsChiquita Tate’s life, career, and rise as a criminal defense attorneyThe timeline of her final night in Baton RougeThe crime scene evidence, including DNA, hair, blood evidence, and the missing walletHow the prosecution and defense interpreted the same evidence differentlyThe role of marriage, motive, life insurance, and possible separation plansGreg Harris’s trial, manslaughter conviction, sentencing, and appealsThe lasting impact of workplace and intimate-partner violenceChiquita’s legacy beyond the crime sceneTimestamps00:00 - Introduction and factual reporting note01:06 - A Baton Rouge law office becomes a crime scene02:04 - The murder of Chiquita Tate03:02 - Chiquita’s background, ambition, and legal career04:29 - Chiquita’s marriage to Greg Harris09:26 - February 19, 2009: dinner, work, and her final hours13:12 - Crime scene findings and early evidence15:59 - The suspect list and growing focus on Greg Harris17:31 - The discovery of Chiquita’s wallet19:37 - Evidence from Greg and Chiquita’s home22:17 - Possible motives: separation, control, and life insurance24:03 - A tip that redirected investigators26:41 - Sunglasses, DNA profiles, and forensic questions29:18 - Court proceedings and trial strategy36:16 - The verdict: manslaughter, not second-degree murder37:20 - Sentencing, appeals, and legal aftermath39:52 - Reflection on Chiquita’s life and legacy42:51 - Update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case47:14 - Closing message and listener gratitudeResources MentionedDNA evidence and forensic interpretationLouisiana second-degree murder and manslaughter lawCriminal appeals and post-conviction challengesThe Alexis Crawford caseIntimate-partner violence and workplace violence awarenessConnect With the HostFollow and connect on social media for case updates, episode discussions, and behind-the-scenes content.Final ReflectionThe heart of this story is not only the evidence. It is Chiquita Tate herself: a first-generation college graduate, a determined attorney, and a woman whose future was still unfolding. Her legacy reminds us to honor the lives behind the headlines and to keep speaking about violence that too often begins behind familiar doors.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, the host reflects on Latasha Harlins’ life, death, and legacy while connecting her story to racial violence, community grief, policing, and justice in America. She also shares her firsthand experience attending the Karmelo Anthony trial and examines how Black youth are viewed in courtrooms, media, and public opinion.Key TopicsLatasha Harlins’ life, family, and tragic deathSouth Central LA in the 1980s and 1990sEula Mae Love, Rodney King, and LAPD violenceBlack and Korean community tensions in South CentralThe 1992 LA Uprising and its aftermathThe O.J. Simpson trial and distrust of the LAPDCyrus Carmack-Belton and ongoing racial violenceThe Karmelo Anthony trial and courtroom experienceRace, accountability, grief, and Black childhoodTimestamps00:00 - Witnessing the Karmelo Anthony trial00:23 - Latasha Harlins’ story03:06 - Latasha’s family and move to LA05:42 - Crystal Harlins’ death09:15 - Black grandmothers and survival11:07 - Latasha’s dreams13:14 - Black/Korean tensions in South Central14:19 - Eula Mae Love and LAPD violence17:15 - Rodney King21:34 - Latasha’s murder23:22 - Sentencing and outrage26:21 - 1992 LA Uprising29:32 - O.J. Simpson and the LAPD30:24 - Cyrus Carmack-Belton31:03 - Karmelo Anthony case36:04 - Jury composition37:09 - Verdict impact42:19 - Race, grief, and accountability46:01 - James Baldwin reflectionResourcesLatasha Harlins case, Rodney King beating, 1992 LA Uprising, O.J. Simpson trial, Cyrus Carmack-Belton case, Karmelo Anthony case, James Baldwin quote.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of the Hart family murders—a tragedy that exposed serious failures within the child welfare system and challenged the carefully curated image of a family celebrated by many.What appeared to be a picture-perfect family on social media concealed years of abuse, neglect, and unanswered cries for help. Through court records, witness accounts, and investigative findings, we explore how warning signs were repeatedly overlooked and why the voices of six children were not heard until it was too late.This episode is not simply about how the Hart family died—it is about how six children lived, what they endured, and the futures they were denied.The events leading up to the deaths of Jennifer and Sarah Hart and their six adopted childrenRepeated reports of abuse and neglect that failed to result in meaningful interventionThe role social media played in shaping public perception of the familyDevonte Hart's viral image and the complex reality behind the photographThe importance of recognizing and responding to children's disclosuresThe dangers of "savior" narratives and performative activismRace, adoption, and the challenges of transracial family dynamicsSystemic failures within child welfare and protective servicesThe final investigation and evidence supporting an intentional murder-suicideThe lives, personalities, and futures of the children at the center of this caseTime Stamps : 00:00 – Introduction to the Hart family case00:25 – A hungry child seeks help from neighbors00:55 – The family's disappearance and the discovery at the California cliffside01:50 – Public perception versus reality02:29 – Devonte Hart and the image that captivated the nation03:26 – The carefully constructed narrative surrounding the family04:07 – Social media, activism, and image management05:09 – How trauma was used to explain away concerns06:28 – Priscilla Celestine's efforts to keep her family together07:19 – Family separation and contradictions within the system08:16 – Investigations, reports, and missed opportunities09:12 – Adoption history and the creation of a public success story10:33 – When trauma became a shield against accountability11:58 – The 2010 abuse allegations and legal outcomes13:39 – Continued warning signs and institutional failures15:09 – Homeschooling, isolation, and limited oversight16:21 – Narrative control and public image management17:50 – A troubling family visit in Oregon20:18 – Hannah Hart's attempt to seek help22:06 – Devonte's repeated requests for food23:39 – Escalating concerns and failures to intervene26:33 – The crash investigation and evidence of intentional family annihilation28:30 – The final days: sedatives, control, and isolation30:48 – Recovery efforts and the search for Devonte32:00 – Examining years of systemic oversight failures34:45 – The dangers of rescue narratives and public perception37:09 – The futures each child deserved38:09 – The emotional impact of the case39:36 – Looking beyond appearances and curated images40:34 – Final reflections: How many warnings are too many?Topics CoveredChild Welfare and Protective Services ResourcesInformation on Trauma and Child Abuse RecognitionResearch on Transracial Adoption and Child AdvocacyHistorical Context Behind Devonte Hart's Viral PhotographFollow the show for updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes discussions:Instagram: @murderintheblackpodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast platform.In Memory of Hannah, Markis, Abigail, Jeremiah, Sierra, and Devonte Hart.Their story reminds us that a carefully crafted image can hide painful realities. Most importantly, it reminds us that children deserve to be heard, believed, and protected.