In 1990, high schooler Jennifer McWhorter Taylor's life turned upside down when she learned her "Aunt Bet" (Betty Jones) had been brutally murdered in Starkville, Mississippi while visiting a friend. For nearly 30 years, her aunt's killer remained a mystery, until cold case investigator Bill Lott (fmr. Starkville Police Department) made it his mission to find the person responsible.

Leaning on advancements in DNA technology, and the revolutionary concept of genetic genealogy, the dogged investigator soon homed in on 52-year-old Michael Wayne DeVaughn - ending three decades of pain end heartache for Betty's family.

Today, MU is joined for a conversation by both Jennifer McWhorter Taylor and Homicide investigator Bill Lott - who have developed an unbreakable bond through this violent tragedy. Hear Jennifer discuss her emotional journey as Bill details his quest for justice.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight while breaking down the barrier between fan and creator.

FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557418124048

Insta - https://www.instagram.com/murderunscripted/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@murderunscripted

#laborday #murderunscripted #starkville #mississippi #truecrimepodcast

After covering the case for a soon-to-air spinoff of A&E's Cold Case Files, producer Ed Hydock tells the very personal tale of the murder of Betty Jones and sexual assault of Kathryn Crigler.

Labor Day evening, 1990, Starkville, Mississippi-native, Betty Jones, heard a knock at the door. She'd been staying with her friend, 81-year-old amputee, Kathryn Crigler, to help her through some health issues. When Betty answered the door, she was immediately met by a fierce attack. The suspect, a young man with spiked blonde hair and a "swarthy" complexion,

proceeded to slit Betty's throat before raping Kathryn Crigler and disappearing into the balmy Mississippi night. The brutal attacks sent shockwaves through the peaceful, tight-knit community.

For nearly three decades, the killer eluded police, until DNA technology and a dogged cold case investigator caught up with him. In 2018, 52-year-old Michael Wayne DeVaughn was arrested and charged with capital murder and sexual assault in connection with the crimes.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557418124048

Insta - https://www.instagram.com/murderunscripted/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@murderunscripted

#laborday #murderunscripted #starkville #mississippi #truecrimepodcast

In episode 24 (BLOCK: "Friends Til the End"), the MU team dives into a tragic local case which rocked the close-knit community of Fishtown - a blue collar Philadelphia neighborhood.

No one should have to die the way Jason did...especially in an area like that. Our hearts go out to his friends, family, and loved ones.

R.I.P. Jason Keel Sweeney

1986 - 2003

In 2003, 16-year-old Jason Sweeney was working for his father, a contractor, on a building project in Philadelphia. He recently met a girl he liked, 15-year-old Justina Morley, with whom he had a date on the evening of Friday, May 30th. Unbeknownst to Sweeney, Morley had been engaging in sexual relations with two other 16-year-olds, Nicholas Coia and Eddie Batzig Jr. Batzig was Sweeney's best friend since the fourth grade. Nicholas Coia and his 17-year-old brother, Domenic, were also friends with Sweeney.

With the promise of sex, Morley lured Sweeney to "The Trails," a wooded area of Fishtown near the Delaware River, where Batzig and the Coia brothers were lying in wait. There, they brutally murdered Jason using multiple deadly weapons - stealing $500 from his wallet. After a short investigation, police charged all four suspects with Jason's murder, citing jealousy and robbery as the motives.

Tune in every Tuesday as your hosts, veteran true crime producer (Ed) and true crime super fan (Melissa), dive into the cases that keep you up at night - offering behind-the-scenes insight into what it takes to bring the headlines to life on the small screen.

FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557418124048

Insta - https://www.instagram.com/murderunscripted/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@murderunscripted

#justinsweeney #murderunscripted #philadelphia #fishtown #truecrimepodcast