Mississippi’s first responders are pushing back as lawmakers debate the future of public employee retirement during the current legislative session. In this episode of Investigation: Homicide, we sit down with Reservoir Fire Chief Josh Swales to break down what Tier 5 of the Public Employees’ Retirement System really means for those on the front lines. Set to apply to new hires beginning March 1, 2026, Tier 5 requires 35 years of service for full retirement and replaces a traditional pension with a hybrid plan that includes a smaller guaranteed benefit and a market-based investment account. First responder organizations warn the changes could worsen recruitment and retention problems and ultimately impact public safety. Swales also responds to recent remarks by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann suggesting first responders live longer because they “stay healthy,” a claim law enforcement and fire leaders say ignores the medical realities of high-risk professions. This conversation explores the facts behind Tier 5, the concerns being raised by police and fire leadership across Mississippi, and what’s at stake as the Legislature considers the future of retirement benefits for those who protect and serve. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, host Therese Apel and Nicole Kral are joined by veteran Memphis-area journalist Ron Maxey to revisit one of the most haunting and high-profile cases in the Mid-South: the 2014 murder of Jessica Chambers.   Both Apel and Maxey covered the case from its earliest days, when the Panola County teenager was found burned alive on a remote rural road — a crime that drew national and international attention and stunned even seasoned investigators and reporters. The case went to trial twice, ending in hung juries both times, leaving Jessica’s murder officially unresolved.   Now, more than a decade later, the story has taken several chilling and devastating new turns. District Attorney John Champion, Investigator Tim Douglas, and now DOJ Analyst Paul Rowlett have all died in the years that have followed, in addition to other key figures in the case, and the man accused in the Chambers case is facing trial in Louisiana in another brutal homicide, raising new questions about whether justice delayed may still be justice pursued.    In this episode, Apel and Maxey discuss with Kral what it was like reporting on the Chambers case as it unfolded, what the trials revealed and failed to resolve, and how the latest developments may reshape the public’s understanding of one of Mississippi’s most disturbing unsolved murders. Investigation: Homicide examines the cases that leave lasting scars and the questions that refuse to go away. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

It’s a day Mississippi will never forget. October 1, 1997, a nerdy teenager walked into a high school and changed everyone’s life forever. We talk with Greg Eklund, who was an investigator with the Rankin County Sheriffs Dept at the time. Eklund takes us through the events leading up to that day and what the ripple effect has been over time.       This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In the inaugural episode of Investigation Homicide, Therese and Nicole explore the case of an intelligent and manipulative teenager who killed her mother in cold blood through the eyes of Assistant District Attorney Michael Smith, who was tasked with prosecuting her. The Investigation Homicide team examines this sensational case beyond the national headlines. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

For nearly four decades, the murder of Shondra May has haunted central Mississippi—until now. In this powerful new episode of Investigation: Homicide, Sheriff Mike Lee and Chief Deputy Brad Ellis return to the studio to sit down with Therese Apel and walk us through the shocking arrest of Rubin Weeks, a former suspect who had vanished into the shadows… until justice came knocking. Weeks, found living in Madison, was previously imprisoned in Missouri for a crime eerily similar to Shondra’s case. From early suspicions to groundbreaking developments, discover the behind-the-scenes strategies, gut instincts, and relentless pursuit that finally brought a suspect into custody. Join us live at 5 and bring your questions—this is one case you don’t want to miss. #ColdCaseSolved #ShondraMay #RubinWeeks #ScottCountySheriff #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeForShondra #ColdCaseBreakthrough #ThereseApel #MississippiCrime #HomicideInvestigation This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

This week on Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Nicole Kral sit down with Sheriff Tyree Jones, who takes us back to his days as a Jackson Police Department detective working the 2007 murder of Lyneil Deshun Vaughn. Vaughn, who was disabled, was found burned and rolled up in a blanket — the tragic end to a horrific crime that began as a kidnapping. Three suspects were ultimately charged, but the case would test the resolve, instincts, and teamwork of the detectives who worked it. It’s a story that not only reveals the dark side of human nature but also the strength of those who stand against it. The investigation into Lyneil Vaughn’s murder became a defining moment for a group of detectives who are now leaders across the Jackson metro area — including Sheriff Tyree Jones himself. 🎧 Join us as we revisit a case that still haunts those who worked it, and hear how it helped shape the future of law enforcement in Mississippi.   Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments!   #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrimePodcast #JacksonMS #SheriffTyreeJones #LyneilVaughn #MississippiJustice #LawEnforcementStories #TrueCrime   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Tonight on Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel, Nicole Kral, and Amanda Johansson welcome former Jackson detective Charlie Smith for an in-depth look at one of Jackson’s most haunting cases: the 1987 kidnapping and death of Mildred Spires.    On a warm July afternoon in 1987, 22-year-old Mildred left her family’s home after a brief phone call with her mother’s estranged husband — a conversation about a “pipe” in the garage that no one fully understood. Dressed in Calvin Klein jeans and a t-shirt, Mildred told her sister she was heading out to get gas and would bring back Doritos Ranch chips. She never returned.     In this episode, the team retraces the chilling timeline of Mildred’s last known hours, explores the behavior of those closest to her, and examines the desperate search that followed. Detective Smith shares first-hand insights from the original investigation: the missing car, the unanswered calls, and the clues that pointed to something far more sinister.     It’s a story of suspicion and mystery that still casts a long shadow nearly four decades later.     This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy.

When 73-year-old Dee Eady was found dead in her home in Forest, Mississippi, on December 30, what began as a quiet Saturday turned into one of the most intense manhunts in Scott County history. Soon after, authorities charged Sammy Patrick with capital murder, armed robbery, sexual assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.   In this episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson sit down with Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee to take listeners inside the case — from the first call to the exhaustive search that spanned counties. Sheriff Lee shares how investigators tracked their suspect, the teamwork that brought the case to a close, and what justice means for a small community shaken by violence.   Listen as we go behind the badge for an unflinching look at how one investigation unfolded — and what it takes to bring answers to a grieving town. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Nicole Kral talk with retired Ridgeland Police Chief John Neal about the murder of Bobby Adams, the Party City manager whose life was taken during a robbery that shocked the community.   Chief Neal walks through the investigation that led detectives to identify and arrest Joshua Archie and what it meant to finally bring justice in a case that hit close to home for everyone involved.   Listen to Investigation: Homicide, produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy, wherever you get your podcasts.

Tonight on Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson sit down with Vicki Moak, founder of Warriors of the Badge — a Mississippi nonprofit born from unimaginable loss and a mother’s enduring love. Vicki’s son, Cpl. Zach Moak, was killed in the line of duty with the Brookhaven Police Department in 2018. In the wake of his death, Vicki turned her grief into purpose, creating Warriors of the Badge to support families of fallen and injured first responders across Mississippi. In this powerful episode, Vicki shares her son’s story, the pain of that day, and how she’s found strength by helping others who walk the same difficult road. Tonight we honor those who serve, remember those who’ve fallen, and talk about how one mother’s mission is changing lives.   This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy.   #InvestigationHomicide #WarriorsOfTheBadge #VickiMoak #MississippiHeroes #TrueCrimePodcast #FirstResponders #LawEnforcementFamily

On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Nicole Kral welcome Bubba Holifield, a current detective with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department and former investigator and polygraph examiner with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. With years of experience on some of the state’s most complex cases, Holifield has seen firsthand how the polygraph can shift the course of an investigation.   Together, they’ll unpack cases where the polygraph played a pivotal role—sometimes confirming suspicions, sometimes clearing the innocent, and often opening doors to critical breakthroughs. Listeners will get an insider’s view into how this controversial but powerful investigative tool is used, what it can and can’t prove, and why it still matters in the pursuit of justice. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson speak with Bo Bertling, a licensed professional counselor with the Texas Department of corrections. Having spent years working with some of the most dangerous offenders in the Texas prison system, Bertling shares a rare perspective on the psychology of a violent criminal – how the mind develops, and what Law Enforcement and society need to understand in order to confront, prevent, or maybe even correct it. This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On tonight’s episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson sit down with Sgt. Jordan Jones, an Army Green Beret and special forces medic, to discuss the lasting impact of 9/11 on the world and his career. Sgt. Jones shares powerful stories from his time in the military, reflections on patriotism, and his personal journey from the battlefield to his latest venture—HOLOS, a wellness and performance optimization company dedicated to military personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and high-stress professionals. Don't miss this deep conversation about resilience, service, and what it means to truly give back to those who serve. This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy.

This week on Investigation: Homicide, co-hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson dig into the chilling case of Miguel Oros — a suspected serial predator whose crimes stretched across Mississippi and Louisiana, leaving elderly victims in fear for years. After vanishing across international borders, Oros was finally tracked down and brought back to face justice. Joining us is MBI Lt. Col. Jimmy Herzog, one of the investigators who worked the case, to share how law enforcement pieced it all together and what it took to capture him.   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this episode of Investigation: Homicide, Nicole and Amanda sit down with Robert Latham, retired Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), to reflect on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina; a storm that forever changed the Mississippi Gulf Coast.   Robert shares his perspective on the monumental challenges faced by first responders, local leaders, and everyday citizens in the days and weeks following the storm. From coordinating emergency response efforts amid unprecedented destruction to addressing the overwhelming needs of displaced families, he provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to hold communities together in the face of crisis.   This conversation explores not only the devastation left in Katrina’s wake but also the resilience and determination of Mississippi’s people. Robert discusses the lessons learned, the importance of preparation, and the spirit of unity that emerged when neighbors, volunteers, and responders came together to rebuild.   Through stories of heartbreak, heroism, and hope, this episode offers a powerful reminder of the impact Katrina had on the Gulf Coast and the lasting legacy it left behind.   Many thanks to Tim Dillard at Line Shot Photography for making today’s episode possible! To book your session, visit www.LineShotPhotography.com or email Tim@LineShotPhotography.com   This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson of Audio Alchemy

A missing man. A burned-out car. And a quiet Mississippi county holding its breath.   Gregory Varnado vanished in August 2024. Weeks later—his remains were found in the ashes of his burned-out vehicle.   Now, Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett takes us inside the investigation… and the unanswered question: What happened to Greg Varnado?   #InvestigationHomicide #TrueCrimePodcast #GregoryVarnado #LawrenceCounty #MississippiCrime #UnsolvedMystery #HomicideInvestigation #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimePodcast #AudioAlchemyProductions #TrueCrimeAddict #CrimeStory #MurderMystery #TrueCrimeJunkie #CrimeCase #SheriffInterview #TrueCrimeMississippi This is Investigation: Homicide. New episode streaming now, brought to you by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.

On May 24, 1992, 39-year-old nurse and mother of two, Gail Mosby, was found dead in her bathtub in Jackson, Mississippi. Initially believed to be a suicide, the scene raised red flags—shallow water, blood in the tub, and a small bruise on her body. Investigators soon uncovered a chilling truth: Gail's death wasn’t self-inflicted but the result of a deadly conspiracy.     Our friend, Retired JPD Detective Charlie Smith, joins us to discuss this case that was featured Sunday on Oxygen's "Snapped," and to give us the story behind the story.   This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this episode of Investigation: Homicide, Nicole and Amanda sit down with Captain Christian Vance of the Jackson Police Department, a dedicated law enforcement leader passionate about reducing crime and strengthening ties between officers and the community they serve.   Captain Vance shares his insight on the challenges facing Jackson, Mississippi, including rising crime rates, youth involvement in criminal activity, and the importance of early intervention. He discusses innovative youth outreach initiatives, community-driven policing strategies, and the vital role of trust between citizens and law enforcement in solving crimes and preventing violence.   From personal stories in the field to practical solutions aimed at steering young people away from dangerous paths, this conversation offers a unique look at how collaboration, empathy, and proactive policing can help make our communities safer.   This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson of Audio Alchemy Productions.

This week, join the ladies of Investigation: Homicide as they sit down with Walthall County Detective Justin Dyar to dig into the chilling case of Yerby Hughes, the man who murdered Chad Bryant and then vanished into the woods of rural Mississippi. How did Hughes slip through law enforcement’s fingers after leaving the scene in his victim’s truck? And what led to his dramatic capture in an abandoned shed—just 48 hours after the crime? Investigator Dyar recounts the twists, the tracking, and the team effort that brought a killer to justice. This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.

Oxford is a college town full of all kinds of people from all over the state. Sometimes that can make certain crimes harder to investigate in the cross-section of Mississippi humanity. Tonight, Therese Apel and Nicole Kral look into the investigation led by Oxford Police Department’s Lt. Mark Hodges, who found himself unraveling a case of attacks, burglaries, and other odd occurrences in Oxford and neighboring Union County. Wayne “Kysten” Fiddis of Holly Springs appeared to be just an average guy, fairly unassuming, and mostly off the radar. But when police realized the connections between several burglaries and assaults in 2020, one victim’s razor-sharp memory and the work of a gifted police sketch artist set the case into motion. As Lt. Hodges and his team followed the trail, DNA evidence and a pattern of similarities across cases began to emerge. Join us as we explore how persistence, intuition, and a few key breakthroughs led authorities to uncover the truth behind the man who could easily disappear into the background. This podcast is produced by Daniel Anderson and Audio Alchemy Productions.