In March 1989, twenty-one-year-old University of Texas student Mark Kilroy and some friends traveled south of the border to Matamoros, Mexico to celebrate the end of spring break, along with thousands of other American students that year. After drinking all night at a bar on the night of March 10, Kilroy got separated from his friends when they decided to call it a night a little after 2:00 am. No one would see Mark Kilroy alive again.

As one of several towns bordering the United States, Matamoros was popular with American tourists; however, by the late 1980s, it was beginning to develop a reputation for drug-related crime. In fact, Mark Kilroy was just one of sixty people who went missing in Matamoros in just the first three months of 1989 alone. When Kilroy’s friends reported him missing to the Brownsville, Texas police a massive search began, with investigators fearing Mark might have been kidnapped by one of the local gangs. It turned out, the truth was far worse than anyone had feared.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Preorder our collaboration with Hunt-A-Killer THE SALEM SLICER! We are SO excited for you to help us crack the case!

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Associated Press. 1989. "Leader in cult slayings ordered own death, two companions say." New York Times, May 8: 14.

Assocoated Press. 1989. "Hypnosis tried in hunt for student." Fot Worth Star-Telegram, March 17: 24.

Bragg, Roy. 1989. "Cult 'godfather' ordered killing." Houston Chronicle, April 13: 1.

—. 1989. "Fateful party is re-enacted." Houston Chronicle, March 25: 1.

Cartwright, Gary. 1989. "The Work of the Devil." Tecas Monthly, June 1.

Douglas, Jack, and Major Garrett. 1989. "13th victim pulled from killing field." Houston Post, April 14: 1.

Garcia, Guy. 1989. "The Believers: Cult Murders in Mexico." Rolling Stone, June 29.

Humes, Edward. 1991. Buried Secrets: A True Story of Serial Murder, Black Magic, and Drug-Running on the U.S. Border. New York, NY: Dutton.

Kreps, Mary Ann. 1989. "Machete blow reportedly killed Kilroy instantly." Houston Chronicle, April 12: 1.

Mishra, Upendra Nath. 1989. "Police search properties owned by alleged cult leader." United Press International, April 20.

Perez-Trevino, Emma. 2009. "Remebering Mark J. Kilroy." Brownsville Herald, March 8: 1.

Sanders, Kathy. 1989. "Rumors of Satanists kidnapping children have parents terrified." Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 15: 1.

Schutze, Jim. 2023. Cauldron of Blood: The Matamoros Cult Killings. New York, NY: Open Road Media.

United Press International. 1989. "Parents of missing student seek help from state." United Press International, March 29.

Warren, Susan. 1989. "Kilroys say drug users 'to blame' for son's killing." Houston Chronicle, April 13: 1.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we are revisiting episode 27 with an incredible tale of survival!

Mary Vincent survived something so horrifying that most of us couldn't even conjure it up in our nightmares. Her attacker, Lawrence Singleton, could have never imagined that Mary would walk away from where he left her to die in a canyon as a symbol of strength and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds. This is a story of survival, but also one of a justice system that is in desperate need of fixing.

RESOURCES

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-01-vw-4970-story.html

https://morbidology.com/left-for-dead-mary-vincent/
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/A-victim-a-survivor-an-artist-1106335.php

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lawrence-Singleton-despised-rapist-dies-He-2886703.php

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we are revisiting an oldie! Episode 13: Torture!
It's been around since the beginning of time and it used to almost always involve a spike. Today, Alaina and Ash will discuss the various medieval methods of pain and suffering that could only come from the twisted mind of the human species. Strap in, because this is a rough one.

Mentioned in this episode

Preorder our collaboration with Hunt-A-Killer THE SALEM SLICER! We are SO excited for you to help us crack the case!

Check out Nicholas' new shirt! Available on Siriusxmstore.com and Podswag.com!

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Weirdos! We are officially teaming up with Hunt A Killer for a collaboration that’s about to drag you deep into a mystery worthy of a 3AM spiral and seventeen red-string conspiracy boards! Help us figure out the identity of THE SALEM SLICER! Preorder now at Walmart!

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When thirty-four-year-old Shanann Watts missed a doctor’s appointment on August 13, 2018, her friends reported her missing to the Frederick, Colorado Police. When officers searched the home, they found Shanann’s car parked in the garage and her belongings—including her wallet, cell phone, and medication—were found in various spots around the house, but there was no sign of Shanann or the couple’s two children anywhere.

The next day, the FBI opened an investigation into the disappearance of Shanann, Bella and Celeste and Chris took to local television to give one of the most infamous and suspicious interviews of all time. He asked anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward. The very next day however, Chris failed a polygraph exam and eventually confessed to murdering his wife, but he initially denied killing their children.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Chris Watts Discovery Documents

Denty & Shaz

Baker, KC. 2018. Pregnant Woman and Her 2 Little Girls Vanish and Could Be in Danger, Authorities Say. August 15. Accessed April 15, 2026. https://people.com/crime/colorado-pregnant-mom-daughters-vanish-medication-left/.

Glatt, John. 2020. The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, His All-American Family, and a Shocking Murder. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.

Helling, Steve. 2018. Pregnant Mom Vanishes, Husband Pleads for Help — Then 3 Bodies Turn Up: How Watts Family Murder Case Unfolded.September 18. Accessed April 15, 2026. https://people.com/crime/shanann-chris-watts-family-murder-timeline/.

McDonnell-Parry, Amelia. 2018. "Colorado man claims he killed pregnant wife after she strangled their daughters." Roling Stone, August 20.

Swanson, Sady, and Nick Coltrain. 2018. "Christopher Watts sentenced to 3 life terms for murdering pregnant wife, 2 daughters." Fort Collins Coloradoan, November 20: 1.

Chris Watts Discovery Documents

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When thirty-four-year-old Shanann Watts missed a doctor’s appointment on August 13, 2018, her friends reported her missing to the Frederick, Colorado Police. When officers searched the home, they found Shanann’s car parked in the garage and her belongings—including her wallet, cell phone, and medication—were found in various spots around the house, but there was no sign of Shanann or the couple’s two children anywhere.

The next day, the FBI opened an investigation into the disappearance of Shanann, Bella and Celeste and Chris took to local television to give one of the most infamous and suspicious interviews of all time. He asked anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward. The very next day however, Chris failed a polygraph exam and eventually confessed to murdering his wife, but he initially denied killing their children.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Get 25% off MORBID Merch on our shops on Sirius & Podswag! Catch the sale which is available until 5/11!

Buy Tickets to our LIVE SHOW at Radio City Music Hall on June 27th! We have an INCREDIBLE guest and SICK merch!

Want a signed copy of THE BUTCHER LEGACY?Click here to order from Premiere Collectibles!

Chris Watts Discovery Documents

Body Language Analysis Video

Baker, KC. 2018. Pregnant Woman and Her 2 Little Girls Vanish and Could Be in Danger, Authorities Say. August 15. Accessed April 15, 2026. https://people.com/crime/colorado-pregnant-mom-daughters-vanish-medication-left/.

Glatt, John. 2020. The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, His All-American Family, and a Shocking Murder. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.

Helling, Steve. 2018. Pregnant Mom Vanishes, Husband Pleads for Help — Then 3 Bodies Turn Up: How Watts Family Murder Case Unfolded. September 18. Accessed April 15, 2026. https://people.com/crime/shanann-chris-watts-family-murder-timeline/.

McDonnell-Parry, Amelia. 2018. "Colorado man claims he killed pregnant wife after she strangled their daughters." Roling Stone, August 20.

Swanson, Sady, and Nick Coltrain. 2018. "Christopher Watts sentenced to 3 life terms for murdering pregnant wife, 2 daughters." Fort Collins Coloradoan, November 20: 1.

Chris Watts Discovery Documents

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we are joined by the legendary Patricia Cornwell! We dive into all things Scarpetta, the highly praisedTV adaptation of her iconic book series. We also get into the evolution of forensic science in storytelling, and how Patricia basically walked so every crime show could run. Then we shift gears into her deeply personal new memoir, where she opens up about her life, career, and the experiences that shaped her storytelling. From behind-the-scenes publishing drama to the real-life inspirations for her chilling cases, Patricia gets candid in a way that is equal parts fascinating and inspiring!

Mentions in this Episode

Get 25% off MORBID Merch on our shops on Sirius & Podswag! Catch the sale which is available today until 5/11!

Get Patricia's incredible Memoir: True Crime available everywhere 5/5!

Watch the iconic series Scarpetta!

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Guys! It's that special time of the month! You know... the one that's brought to you By you FOR you and ALL ABOUT YOU! This month we're getting our bangs sky high to honor a batch of tales from the eighties! Want to see the fits? Check out the YOUTUBE version is packed with extra Nicholas footage!

If you’ve got a listener tale please send it to Deb by emailing us at Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line, and if you share pictures, please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :)

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.