Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, your Forensic Nurse Death Investigator and host of Pushing Up Lilies. This week, we’re diving into a case that stunned an entire community, Fairfax, Virginia, where a teenage boy brutally took a life in a way no one could have imagined. I’ve seen a lot in my years of working crime scenes, but when someone so young commits such a calculated act of violence, it hits differently. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the chilling details of what happened, the shocking motive behind it all, and how the community, and law enforcement, responded to the horror that unfolded. Grab a blanket, turn down the lights, and let’s talk about the teen murderer who changed everything in Fairfax. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and in this week’s episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we’re diving into a heartbreaking case of betrayal that shocked the small town of Maquon, Illinois. This is the story of 71-year-old Police Chief Richard Young, a man who served his community with integrity and compassion. Even after retirement, he remained a mentor and protector to those around him. But behind closed doors, the person he trusted most, his longtime partner of 30 years, Marcy Oglesby, was slowly poisoning him. As Richard’s health began to fail in 2021, friends noticed the changes: dizziness, fatigue, erratic heart rhythms. But Richard dismissed it, leaning on the woman he loved, who was cooking his meals and preparing his drinks... with a hidden ingredient. It turns out, Marcy was slipping tetrahydrozoline, found in over-the-counter eye drops, into his food over a period of months. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through the chilling details of this case, the toxicology behind the poison, and the shocking discovery made in a nearby storage unit that finally revealed the horrifying truth. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hi y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re diving into a shocking and heartbreaking case that’s rocked both the media and the public - former news anchor Angie Mock, is accused of the unthinkable: the brutal murder of her own mother. This 80-year-old woman, once lovingly cared for by her daughter, was allegedly stabbed to death in what investigators are calling a horrific and violent crime. The suspect? Her own daughter, a familiar face once trusted to deliver our daily news. What pushes someone over the edge? Could this tragedy have been prevented? And what signs, if any, were missed? Join me as we peel back the layers of this devastating case and explore the complexities of family, mental health, and the pressures that sometimes build silently behind closed doors. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies we’re peeling back the layers of a case that hit far too close to home, the tragic death of Carrie Zettel. On October 12, 2025 in Milwaukee, 64‑year‑old Carrie was brutally killed in her own backyard. Less than 12 hours earlier, she had called 911 and reported her daughter’s violent behavior. Join me as we navigate the heartbreaking story of domestic violence ignored for far too long, how restraining orders, mental‑health struggles, and warning signs blended into a deadly outcome. We’ll trace Carrie’s efforts to protect her family, the mounting threats she faced, and the night everything collapsed. This episode isn’t just about a murder, it’s about a mother’s final plea for help and the system’s failure to stop the carnage. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and in this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we’re diving into a heartbreaking case of love, betrayal, and murder. This is the story of Brandon and Rachel Dumovich, a couple who seemed to have it all, until their picture-perfect life took a deadly turn. What happens when the vows “till death do us part” become a grim reality? I’m walking you through the investigation, the shocking motive, and how one tragic decision shattered multiple lives. This case left an entire community stunned, and serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest danger can lie within our own homes. Join me as we uncover the truth behind the Dumovich story, piece by chilling piece. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, your host of Pushing Up Lilies, and today, we’re revisiting one of my favorite episodes to creep back into the Halloween spirit. We all know October is a magical time full of costumes, candy, and carved pumpkins... but for some families, Halloween brings tragedy, not treats. This episode kicks off a chilling series I’m doing all month long, focusing on real murders that happened on or around Halloween night. In today’s story, we take a dark look at what happens when family ties snap in the most unthinkable way, fathers killing sons... and sons killing fathers. So grab your pumpkin spice, turn down the lights, and let’s dive into the twisted true crime tales behind the masks. * Listener discretion is advised.

I get asked this all the time, how do I do what I do? How do I walk into a stranger’s home, step around a lifeless body, wade through blood, bugs, and heartbreak… and then go home and sleep at night? In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to be a Death Investigator. From the chaos of crime scenes to the quiet moments of reflection afterward, I’ll walk you through how I mentally, emotionally, and spiritually manage this work. It’s not just about what I see, it’s about what I carry. Join me as I share the tools, mindset, and stories that help me navigate this uniquely intense profession, and why, after all these years, I still feel called to it. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hi, I’m Julie Mattson, your host of Pushing Up Lilies. In this episode, we’re going back to one of the most heartbreaking and haunting cases in Texas history, the Yogurt Shop Murders. Four teenage girls, ages 13 to 17, brutally murdered inside an Austin yogurt shop in 1991. For over three decades, their families waited for answers. And now, thanks to the incredible advancements in DNA technology, we finally have a break in the case. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through the details of this chilling crime, the years of false leads, and how the truth eventually came to light. We’ll talk about how modern forensic science, something I see the power of every day in my work as a death investigator, played a key role in uncovering a serial killer who had managed to hide in plain sight. Join me as we honor the victims, examine the long road to justice, and explore how one tiny strand of DNA changed everything. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re delving into a case as haunting as it is perplexing, the death of Ellen Greenberg. Found lifeless in her Philadelphia apartment with 20 stab wounds, her death was initially ruled a homicide before inexplicably changing it to suicide. But cracks in that story began to show. We’ll trace the timeline leading up to Ellen’s death, examine the alarming inconsistencies in the investigation, and hear how her family fought tirelessly to reopen the case. With questions about forensic evidence, mysterious injuries, and a grand home full of secrets, this one is far from closed. Join me as we sift through the shadows, ask hard questions, and try to find the truth behind a death that shouldn’t have been forgotten. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson. This week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re discussing the heartbreaking murder of Iryna Zarutska, a 23‑year‑old Ukrainian refugee, stabbed to death on a Charlotte light rail train on August 22, 2025. She fled war-torn Ukraine seeking peace, only for her life to be tragically ended in a place she called home. We’ll walk through the chilling details: how surveillance captured the moments before and after the attack, her suspect Decarlos Brown Jr.’s history of arrests and struggles with mental illness, and the outcry from her family and community demanding accountability and transit safety reforms. This isn’t just a story about a crime, it’s about a young woman trying to rebuild her life, the vulnerabilities she faced, and the failures of systems meant to protect her. Grab your headphones, we need to talk about what justice looks like, especially for someone who came to escape violence, not to become a victim of it. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re unpacking a deeply unsettling story that shook a quiet New Hampshire community. On August 18, 2025, mother Emily Long allegedly committed a terrible crime after reportedly embezzling more than $660,000 from her employer, all while her husband was battling aggressive brain cancer. What drove her to make such desperate choices? How did the stress of caregiving push her to the edge? In this episode, I walk through the timeline leading up to that fateful decision, explore what we know about her motive, and discuss the emotional fallout of a family pushed too far. This case touches on grief, survival, and when the weight of responsibility becomes unbearable. Grab your headphones and let’s dig into this heartbreaking and complicated tale. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hi friends, I’m Julie Mattson, and today we’re taking it all the way back to where it all began, my very first episode of Pushing Up Lilies. Whether you're new here or you've been with me from the start, this is a special one. In this episode, I introduce myself and share how I went from being a nurse to becoming a Forensic Nurse Death Investigator and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. With more than 21 years in the field, I’ve witnessed the darkest corners of humanity, but also the strength, resilience, and stories that need to be told. I created this podcast to give you a glimpse into the world I walk through every day, one where death tells its own story. So join me as I pull back the curtain on the cases, the chaos, and the calling that led me here. This is where it all started. Listen in…

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies, I’m diving into the haunting case of Blessence Pearl, an infant whose life was tragically cut short. We’ll walk through the painful details, the investigation that followed, and the emotional journey of those left behind. As a forensic death investigator, I’m always mindful of how delicate and heartbreaking these cases are, especially when it involves the loss of a child. In this episode, we’ll explore the evidence, the challenges investigators faced, and the impact this case had on the community. This one’s heavy, but it's too important not to discuss. Join me as we seek understanding amid the tragedy and remember the precious life of Blessence Pearl. Listener discretion is advised.

Hi everyone, I’m Julie Mattson, and in this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m sharing the unforgettable and courageous story of Mary Vincent. Back in 1978, in California, 15-year-old Mary was just trying to get home when she accepted a ride from a man named Lawrence Singleton, a decision that would change her life forever. What followed was an unthinkable... Join me as we take a deep dive into the life of this courageous woman who not only survived a brutal attack, but found the strength to face her attacker in court and help change a California law to protect others. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y'all, I'm Julie Mattson, and in this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we're diving into the unsettling case of Valerie Bonner, a woman now charged with abuse of a corpse after two men were found dead in her apartment within just six months of each other. The first death raised eyebrows, but the second set off alarms, forcing authorities to look closer. Who were these men? What was Valerie’s relationship to them? And how does someone end up with two unexplained deaths in the same space, months apart? Join me as I peel back the layers of this bizarre case, where unanswered questions linger and justice may still be finding its footing. You won’t want to miss this strange and unsettling case. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re following a heartbreaking trail that leads straight into the Devil’s Den. In this episode, I’m talking about a brutal double homicide that shocked the hiking community and beyond, a married couple tragically stabbed to death while protecting their two young daughters on a scenic trail in Pennsylvania. The attack was senseless and savage, leaving behind a devastated family and a shaken public. But what’s even more chilling is the identity of the suspect, a now-arrested teacher, someone trusted in the classroom, now accused of unimaginable violence. Join me as we unravel the details of this horrifying case: the timeline, the heroism of two loving parents, and how investigators finally closed in on the man responsible. It’s a story of bravery, loss, and the pursuit of justice. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies we’re revisiting one of the most asked-about topics in my work as a death investigator: how to avoid an autopsy. This listener-favorite episode dives into the many reasons families may not want an autopsy, from religious beliefs to concerns about the body being “mutilated.” While the final decision lies with the Medical Examiner, especially in suspected suicides or homicides, I’m sharing what you can do now to minimize the chances of an autopsy later. Whether you’re new to the show or giving this one another listen, I hope it brings clarity to a subject many are curious about. Tune in! * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re setting sail into some of the eeriest and most heartbreaking stories to ever unfold at sea. From natural deaths to suspicious disappearances and full-blown disasters, cruise ships have seen more than their share of loss. We’ll talk about infamous maritime tragedies like the Costa Concordia disaster in 2012 and the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which claimed over 1,500 lives. I’ll also share stories of elderly passengers who passed away peacefully - or unexpectedly - during their vacations, and of course, the chilling and still-unsolved disappearance of Amy Lynn Bradley. Cruise ships are meant to be escapes, floating paradises. But what happens when a vacation turns deadly? Let’s explore the dangers that lurk beneath the surface, and the mysteries that remain unsolved. * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and today I’m bringing back the most listened-to episode of Pushing Up Lilies, a powerful and emotional story that resonated deeply with so many of you. This special replay revisits the heartbreaking case of 13-year-old Aubreigh Wyatt, a young girl whose life was tragically cut short by suicide after enduring relentless bullying. In this episode, we’ll explore the devastating impact of bullying on young lives, the red flags we need to watch for, and the urgent need for open conversations and intervention. Whether you’ve heard this one before or are tuning in for the first time, it serves as a sobering reminder of how critical compassion, awareness, and action truly are. Thank you for making this the most impactful episode to date. 💜 * Listener discretion is advised.

Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson. This week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re heading to Colorado to revisit the chilling disappearance of Suzanne Morphew, the mom who vanished during a bike ride on Mother’s Day 2020. For years, her case remained a heartbreaking mystery, until now. A newly released autopsy report reveals Suzanne’s death was ruled a homicide caused by intoxication from a bizarre mix of drugs-chemicals typically used to sedate wildlife. We’ll dive into what those substances are, what this means for the investigation, and why this new information raises even more questions than answers. Grab your favorite blanket and a strong cup of coffee, this case is stranger than fiction. Let’s dig in. * Listener discretion is advised.