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Join Joseph Scott Morgan every week as he explores a world that not many have had a chance to visit, the realm of death. Jo Scott will lead listeners on a journey through the blood soaked death scenes of America and then into the autopsy room to fully understand the science behind each case. Jo Scott is one America’s leading experts on applied forensics and is regularly featured on ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’, ‘The Piketon Massacre’, Court TV and more.

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Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

We revisit the Murdaugh trial in which South Carolina lawyer, Alex Murdaugh, is currently facing trial for the murder of his wife Maggie, and his son Paul. As the trial continues, we are learning more information about the nature of the crimes and how exactly they played out.In this episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and special guest co-host Dave Mack discuss the specifics of both Paul and Maggie’s injuries, why the prosecution uses diagrams vs. photographs when showing evidence in court, whether Paul had any defensive wounds, and much more. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Show Notes:
 
0:00 - Intro1:18 - Background and overview of the case
 
2:35 - Using diagrams in court vs. photographs
 
6:05 - Paul Murdaugh’s injuries
 
11:15 - The second shot to Paul Murdaugh’s head
 
14:50 - Paul’s face left intact
 
19:25 - Were there any type of defensive wounds on Paul?
 
20:30 - Maggie Murdaugh’s injuries
 
23:30 - Stippling around Maggie’s wounds
 
26:00 - Shot to the abdomen
 
29:00 - Was this overkill?
 
31:00 - Wrap up and outro

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The Murdaugh Trial Autopsy Review | Official Findings: The Best of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

Dead bodies and romance.....in Horry County South Carolina, Meagan Jackson is a contractor for the county delivering dead bodies to the morgue of the funeral home. She and her longtime boyfriend Gregory Rice have broken up and they are negotiating custody and support for their four children. Deputy Coroner Christopher Dontell is married to a school teacher and they have two children. The deputy Coroner and the woman bringing dead bodies to the morgue strike up a romance. When Gregory Rice goes missing and turns up dead, suspicion falls on his ex, Meagan and her new boyfriend, the very married Deputy Coroner, Christopher Dontell. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what happens in the world of death investigation and how people can grow close to their coworkers under extreme circumstances. Joseph Scott Morgan will also take a close look at Meagan Jackson and Chris Dontell - did she think Dontell, because of his occupation, would know better how to get rid of a dead body? Dave Mack will help untangle the web of lies as Joseph Scott Morgan explains why Dontell has changed his plea and what will happen when he testifies against the woman who was carrying his child when her ex-boyfriend is found dead. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transcribe Highlights
 
00:00.50 Introduction
 
03:29.84 South Carolina has rich Coroner history 
 
05:12.67 Elected Coroner in Horry County
 
10:03.41 Explaining "Livery" service
 
14:52.41 Deputy Coroner having affair with woman who delivers bodies
 
20:11.42 An affair the includes death and getting rid of body
 
24:25.02 Special training, would a deputy coroner have a better idea how to get rid of a body
 
29:57.62 Questions of a death investigator 
 
35:05.65 Digital evidence puts suspect at the scene of where body is found
 
41:08.05 Conclusion - Deputy Coroner cuts a deal and will testify for the state

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Coroner's Mistress and Her Ex's Dead Body: The Murder Trial

17-year-old Esther Gonzalez is walking from her parents house to her sister's house, and she never arrives. The next day her body is found in a snowpack on the side of the road. She has been raped and bludgeoned to death. The man who finds the body, Randy Williamson, talks to police and is described as argumentative. He ends up taking a polygraph and passes. With the only person of interest eliminated, the case goes cold. Joseph Scott Morgan explains what happens to a body over time and how the evidence gathered by detectives in 1979, made it possible to solve a cold case 44-years later. To learn about the incredible work being done by Othram labs take a look at www.othram.com. Othram: A revolution in Cold Case Resolution.

 
 
 

Transcript Highlight
 
00:01.65 Introduction
02:58.10 Geography of California
05:00.02 Snow and Surf on the same day
09:56.34 No surveillance cameras, easy dumping ground
15:01.25 Body of Esther found in snowbank
20:00.88 Why was "the finder" arguing with police?
25:18.98 Esther Gonzalez was raped and bludgeoned to death
30:00.11 The "finder" passes a polygraph test
35:44.63 Hairs that co-mingle
40:09.99 Detectives never gave up, kept investigating
44:59.73 Othram got a match to Randy Williamson. 
 
He was the killer. He died in 2014.

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The Murder of Teen Esther Gonzalez: Solved

The body of Melody Hoffman is discovered on a cold February morning. The person who finds her body calls 911 and describes her beautiful skin, she has all kinds of marks on her back, "like slashes" and her hands are curled in a way they shouldn't have been. She has been left in the freezing cold with nothing on but her underwear. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how it is possible that the 20-year-p; has slashes across her back and has lost a lot of blood, but that isn't what killed her. Dave Mack digs into the different relationships that led to the murder of a 20-year-old woman who just wanted a boyfriend to care about her.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transcript Highlights
 
00:01.16 Introduction
 
04:29.89 Melody Hoffman is missing
 
09:45.20 Melody might have been pregnant
 
14:30.41 Buy killing supplies
 
19:19.24 Picture on phone of Melody beaten, crying, tape over mouth
 
25:49.51 Murder happened February 18th, very cold
 
30:46.08 Does weather impact dead body
 
35:26.44 How much abuse had boyfriend put her through
 
39:39.14 Melody was strangled to death
 
47:58.86 Why was body left where it would be found
 
Conclusion

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Sliced, Beaten and Strangled: The Death of Melody Hoffman

A Shot in the Dark: Investigating Lincoln's Assassination and the Chilling Conspiracy | Part 1
In part one of this two-part series on Body Bags we delve into the assassination and autopsy of President Abraham Lincoln. 
Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack analyze the character and motivations of John Wilkes Booth, the layout of Ford's Theater, and the negligent behavior of John Parker, assigned to protect the president. They provide a fascinating explanation of the Philadelphia Deringer's firing mechanism, including its unique preloading process and firing sequence as well as going into Booth's meticulous planning, highlighting his knowledge of the play's comedic timing, Lincoln's potential focus on the orchestra pit, and the painstaking preparation involved in using the Deringer. Throughout this captivating episode, listeners uncover the chilling details and lasting impact of one of the most infamous moments in American history.
 
 
 
 
 
Time-codes:
00:25 - JoScott’s surprise at visiting presidential assassination locations.
01:30 - Description of Ford's Theater and the assassination scene.
02:20 - Introduction of Lincoln's assassination and autopsy topic.
06:10 - Discussion of access to the president during Lincoln's time.
07:10 - How did Booth gain access to Lincoln's box at Ford's Theater?
08:45 - Lincoln's well-publicized attendance at the theater.
10:35 - Comparison of past and present presidential security measures.
11:10 - John Parker, the inept officer assigned to protect Lincoln.
13:40 - Background on John Wilkes Booth and his Southern cause support.
16:00 - Long-lasting impact of Lincoln's assassination on the country.
18:15 - Specifics of the weapon used by John Wilkes Booth.
21:35 - Importance of caliber and limitations of Booth's weapon.
23:40 - Preloading the Philadelphia Deringer and its hammer mechanism.
24:55 - Comparison of the Deringer's firing sequence to modern weapons.
26:20 - Demonstration of the Deringer's firing sequence and sound.
27:10 - Proximity of Booth to Lincoln when he fired the weapon.
27:50 - Booth's understanding of the play's comedic timing and assassination planning.
29:40 - Discussion of Booth's planning and escape plan.
30:30 - Process of loading the Derringer and importance of seating the bullet properly.
32:15 - Please join us next time for part two!

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A Shot in the Dark Investigating Lincoln's Assassination and the Chilling Conspiracy "Best of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan"

Shamra Felkel is last seen in Hartselle, South Carolina, on September 25. On October 7, friends and family report her missing. Shamra Felkel's daughters, Karli Felkel and Kasey Wolfe begin searching right away but say local law enforcement isn't taking the case seriously. 11 weeks after she vanishes into thin air, Kasey Wolfe gets an anonymous tip that leads her to ask a close family friend to search the Ruby Road area near her mother's property. The friend discovers human remains and calls authorities. Deputies respond and rope off the area. Joseph Scott Morgan explains what condition the remains will be in after being buried near a dry well for over two months and what will be learned at autopsy. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Transcript Highlights
00:00:13.06 Introduction
00:04:55.00 We are creatures of habit
00:10:14.37 Graveyard or Cemetery
00:14:40.13 Building a well
00:19:18.58 Who found the body of Shamra Felkel
00:25:00.66 After remains are found....what happens next
00:30:13.69 Investigators haven't announced type of strangulation
00:35:21.26 Charges of murder, kidnapping, obstruction of justice
00:39:05.01 Conclusion

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The Body Near The Well: The Murder of Shamra Felkel

Luigi Mangione allegedly shot and killed CEO of United Healthcare Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. The suspect in the shooting is a 26-year-old person of means; smart, educated, and now, possibly a killer. Joseph Scott Morgan breaks down the type of weapon used and how it would function, the ammunition used, as well as the damage it could do to the intended target. Dave Mack tries to fill in the background of the story as it continues to evolve. This is Part One of Two.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Transcript Highlights
 
00:00:00.71 Introduction
 
00:00:57.91 Growing up spoiled
 
00:05:28.58 Luigi Mangione manifesto
 
00:08:55.84 Mangione creating characters on computer
 
00:12:26.42 Chronic pain in lower back 
 
00:17:38.37 Description of using 3D printed gun
 
00:24:56.27 Scheduling an event, waiting for victim
 
00:28:37.77 Suspect and weapons
 
00:33:23.74 Description of "site picture"
 
00:38:29.89 Shot and effect on body
 
00:39:01.33 Conclusion of part one

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The Public Execution of a CEO: The Murder of Brian Thompson

When Joseph Scott Morgan was on his first date with his wife Kim she asked him what he did for a living. When he responded by telling her that he worked for the Medical Examiner, essentially the coroner, examining dead bodies and performing autopsies, she looked at him with a puzzled expression…We all have aspects of our lives that are unusual, whether it’s our family, our habits, or our jobs. But when we do these things every day, they become so normal to us that we don’t even question them anymore. In this special episode of Body Bags, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan and Jackie Howard go into depth on the touchstone of forensic death investigation: autopsies. They discuss what an autopsy is, who can order one, the different kinds, and how Joe ended up in this unique profession. 
 
Show Notes
 
:0:00 - Intro
 
2:07 - What is an autopsy?
 
4:10 - Who determines when an autopsy is done? Why would you not do one?
 
7:40 - Can an autopsy be done even if the family doesn’t want it?
 
9:58 - Gloria Satterfield’s cause of death
 
12:45 - Are there different kinds of autopsies?
 
17:55 - Joe’s experience in the autopsy room
 
18:56 - What is a full autopsy and how long does it take?
 
26:50 - Can certain autopsies be prioritized?
 
30:22 - Is an autopsy considered surgery?
 
34:05 - How did Joseph Scott end up working in a morgue?
 
38:50 - Seeing bodies in all different kinds of states
 
41:40 - How does Joe’s family deal with his line of work?
 
43:45 - Joe’s take on his career
 
45:21 - Wrap up

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The Autopsy Episode - A Life Among the Dead: The Best of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

Mary Kay Heese was 17-years-old when she was murdered and dumped in a ditch in March of 1969. Mary Kay Heese did not go down without a fight, she fought back, but died from multiple stab wounds. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about how the case went cold but the family kept working the case. Year after year. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain what it took to solve a case that was cold for more than half a century, and how 55-years after her lifeless body was found in a ditch, an arrest is made in the murder of Mary Kay Heese.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transcript Highlights
 
00:00.35 Introduction - 55 year cold case
 
04:07.70 The Family keeps looking for answers
 
10:02.66 Parents have passed, but cousin fought for justice
 
15:01.01 Finding a hair and fiber evidence
 
20:07.30 Body found near home
 
25:05.68 Perp dumped body in ditch
 
30:03.39 Mary Kay Heese fought back
 
35:29.16 Two suspects, one commits suicide in 1977
 
40:06.78 A Suspect is found
 
44:08.09 Arrest is made, more to come

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Cold Case Heats Up: Arrest Made in 1969 Murder of Mary Kay Heese

In part one of this two-part series on Body Bags hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take listeners through the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and its aftermath. They describe the chaos at Ford's Theater, the attending physicians' struggles as they assessed Lincoln's condition with limited medical knowledge and tools, the removal of Lincoln's body, and the irony of increased security after the assassination. They also delve into the autopsy process, highlighting the physicians' extensive experience and the challenges they faced.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time-codes:
 
00:20 - Start of show.
 
01:35 - John Wilkes Booth's actions in the theater.
 
02:00 - Immediate response to the shooting.
 
02:35 - Lincoln's condition when the surgeon arrived.
 
03:15 - Initial confusion among the audience.
 
04:00 - Booth's calculated timing for the shooting.
 
05:30 - Surgeon realizes Lincoln's gunshot wound location.
 
05:55 - Limitations of medical knowledge and tools.
 
07:40 - Lincoln stops breathing and has dilated pupils.
 
08:10 - Surgeon removes clot, Lincoln breathes again.
 
09:20 - Difficulty transporting Lincoln to the White House.
 
09:55 - Physicians try to locate the lead ball in Lincoln's head.
 
11:30 - Attempt to drain blood and reduce intracranial pressure.
 
12:00 - Lincoln's death at 7:30 a.m.
 
13:50 - Lincoln remains unconscious throughout the ordeal.
 
16:40 - Removal of Lincoln's body from the boarding house.
 
17:15 - Absence of security and irony of increased security.
 
18:00 - Lincoln's tendency to dismiss security.
 
18:40 - Lincoln's body conveyed to White House for autopsy.
 
19:55 - Handsaw used to open Lincoln's skull.
 
21:10 - Delicate nature of dissecting the brain.
 
22:15 - Autopsy challenges: lack of electricity, reliance on touch.
 
23:00 - Physicians' extensive experience in dealing with trauma.
 
29:40 - Modern gunshot wound examination process.
 
30:30 - Role of x-rays in understanding bullet trajectories.
 
31:15 - Autopsy confirms nothing could have saved Lincoln.
 
32:55 - Limitations of 1800s medical treatments.
 
33:30 - John Wilkes Booth's autopsy.
 
34:50 - Physician's anger and resentment towards Booth.
 
35:30 - Booth's body relocation before returning to family.
 
36:05 - Outro.
 
 

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A Shot in the Dark: Investigating Lincoln's Assassination and the Chilling Conspiracy | Part 2 "The Best of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan"

A Minnesota man claims his mistress fatally shot herself with his gun. The question of Murder or Suicide plays out in this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan. Joe will walk you through all of the forensic problems with the story being told. And when everything is said and done, you decide, was it murder, or suicide?
 
 
 
Transcript Highlights 
 
00:01:20 Would a right-handed person use left hand to shoot 
 
00:02:19 Discuss murder or suicide 
 
00:04:15 Talk about “accidental” 
 
00:05:51Discuss science and determination 
 
00:11:16 How quick does a body become stiff 
 
00:13:50 Different jurisdictions 
 
00:18:25 Talk about the scene 
 
00:21:40 Difference in suicide among genders 
 
00:26:27Discuss drying blood 
 
00:29:31Discuss ER Nurse can’t do CPR 
 
00:33:14 Talk about short timeline 
 
00:38:50 Discuss can you wash away evidence? 
 
00:41:36 Talk about skin, brain, muzzle flash 
 
00:44:14 Discuss desire to help people and achieve and throw it all away 
 
 

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Murder or Suicide: The Wild Life and Sad Death of Alex Pennig

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