Crime Alert 06.07.23

The FBI's investigation into James Knott's Kentucky home reveals a shocking discovery: 40 human skulls, femurs, hip bones, and spinal cords used as decorations. In response to this disturbing find, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve deep into the complex and unsettling world of how human remains are treated, examining the blurred boundaries between respect and violation. Through personal stories, including that of a mortician's questionable actions and a chilling account of James Knott's home adorned with human skulls, the duo grapples with society's morbid fascinations. Additionally, they explore historical figures like William Burke and contemporary controversies surrounding Harvard Medical School. The episode culminates in a somber reflection on the trade of human trophies in our digital age, and discussion of ethical dilemmas surrounding these issues, prompting us to question our society's values and the importance of respecting the dignity of the deceased. Subscribe to Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan : Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart Time-codes: [00:00:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan gives an overview of his experience as a death investigator, introducing the episode's story about a man who worked for a prestigious institution and drove a car with vanity plate hinting at death [00:04:00] - Joe Scott narrates a shocking tale of a mortician's twisted expression of love, and argues that the dead are the most defenseless and that those in the mortuary industry should honor the dead. [00:06:20] - Dave Mack introduces the story of James Knott, a man in Kentucky whose home was raided by the FBI, leading to the discovery of 40 human skulls and other bones used as decorations. [00:07:44] - Insight into the intricate and complex process of dissecting human brains and spinal cords is shared. [00:10:13] - Joe's passion for history and architecture leads to a discussion on ossuaries in Portugal and Milan, Italy. [00:13:00] - Joe recounts the chilling response of James Knott to FBI agents during a warrant execution and raises questions about Knott's motives and activities, speculating on the possibility of him being a necrophile, grave robber, serial killer, or trafficker in human remains. [00:15:20] - A Harvard medical school bag's discovery thickens the plot around Knott. [00:16:37] - Dave probes the enigma of preparing human remains for display, including cleaning and sourcing the remains.  [00:19:40] - How can one acquire so many skulls? Joe presents his theories and also discusses methods of cleaning bones, including using bleach or a heating process.  [00:23:20] - Joseph Scott Morgan delves into the history of William Burke and William Hare, two serial killers known for selling bodies for medical dissections, and explains the prohibition against human dissections in medical schools during that period, leading to a market for human remains. [00:25:37] - The debate steers towards the legality and ethics of anatomical gifts, and the trust issues surrounding anatomical donations. Harvard Medical School's involvement in this case raises questions. 00:27:12] Morgan explains how certain individuals, including Cecil Lodge, former head of the Harvard Medical School Anatomical Gift Program, allegedly brokered human remains. [00:28:06] - A step-by-step journey through the body dissection process in medical schools. [00:29:38] - The morbid market of body parts as "souvenirs" is put under the spotlight. Dave highlights the modern-day horror of trading human trophies on social media. [00:32:00] - Joe Scott contemplates the future repercussions of the episode's revelations on industry regulations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sherri Papini admits her 2016 kidnapping was a hoax, pleading guilty. The 39-year-old,  sentenced to 18 months in prison, has been released into a residential management program. Her official release date is in October. The mom was reported missing and told investigators when she was found 22 days later that a pair of Hispanic women kidnapped her at gunpoint.  Papini said her kidnappers abused her and then shoved her out of a car. Papini was emaciated, her hair was cut shorter, and she had cuts and bruises all over her body, but prosecutors said she caused the injuries herself. The case was broken in 2020 when DNA led investigators to Papini’s ex, who told them she had been with him the entire time.  Federal prosecutors charged Papini with 34 counts of mail fraud and one count of making false statements. Papini accepted a plea deal, but didn't explain why she created an elaborate kidnapping hoax, although she apologized for her actions.  Panini's story began to unravel when investigators found male DNA on her clothing that led them to her ex-boyfriend, whom she had been staying with while she pretended to be missing. He dropped her off along Interstate 5 when she said she wanted to go back home. Investigators said that the former boyfriend said that Papini had asked him to hit her but he refused. Instead, he agreed to hold a hockey stick for her to run into and pelted her with hockey pucks. He also said he branded her at her request. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Sheriff Michael Johnson - Shasta County Sheriff's Office Matthew Mangino – Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County); Author: “The Executioner’s Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States” Dr. Angela Arnold – Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA. Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital Bill Garcia - Private Investigator: "Bill Garcia Investigative Services;'" Part of Search Team for Sherri Papini  Kristy Mazurek - Emmy Award-winning Investigative Reporter & President: "Successful Strategies"  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eight-year-old Gretchen Harrington leaves home, walking to vacation bible school at a church just a half mile from her home. Usually, Gretchen is accompanied by her two sisters, but this day, she walks alone. The older girls stay home.  It was just after  9 a.m. when Pastor Harold Harrington waved goodbye. Two hours passed before he found out Gretchen never made it to VBS. Hundreds of people took part in the search for the little girl. A police helicopter continuously flew overhead.  Teams of searchers combed the hillside of the community.  Friends and family hand out fliers with Gretchen’s picture on it. Some witnesses said they had seen Gretchen outside a car, talking to someone, but nothing came of the lead. Two months later, a jogger found the skeletonized human remains of a little girl. The Harringtons confirmed the clothing found with the body as Gretchen’s. It was only 20 minutes from her home.  Gretchen’s manner of death is ruled a homicide. The girl's skull has been fractured by multiple vicious blows. An autopsy does not reveal sex assault, but police believe that was the motive.  Now, years later, a new book leads to the capture of a murderer.  Joining Nancy Grace Today: Joanna Falcone Sullivan - Co-author: ‘Marple’s Gretchen Harrington Tragedy: Kidnapping, Murder and Innocence Lost in Suburban Philadelphia’, Editor in chief, Baltimore Business Journal; Facebook: Gretchen Harrington: Innocence Lost in Suburban Philadelphia    Jarrett Ferentino - Homicide Prosecutor, Facebook & Instagram: Jarrett Ferentino   Dr. Jeff Kieliszewski - Forensic Psychologist, Author: “Darksides;" FB: forensicsandmediapsychologist/TikTok: Dr. Jeff Kieliszewski   Brandon M. Graeff - Chief of Police with Marple Township Police Department in Broomall, PA;@marplepolice on Facebook, X, and Instagram Dr. Karl E. Williams, MD, MPH - Chief Medical Examiner for Allegheny County, PA  Audrey Conklin- Crime Reporter for Fox News Digital, Twitter: @audpants  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ex-convict murders jail buddy. Man in unusual vessel tries to cross the Atlantic.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruby Franke makes shocking claims in court. The mom accused of child abuse, claims that one of her minor children sexually abused siblings, and molested several other family members,  and children in the neighborhood, for years.  Franke alleges one of her children began looking at pornography at just 3 years old.  Franke says two children played a "patting game" with each other, but did not give details to the court about that game.  Franke provided no proof of her allegations. The judge then said that her alleged abusive child 'will then need to be placed in a home with no other children.' Joining Nancy Grace Today: Heidi Nestel - Executive Director of Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic (a non-profit legal firm that provides free legal representation to victims in the criminal justice system) and Former County Prosecutor; FaceBook: Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic, Instagram:  @utahvictimsclinic Dr. Dana Anderson – Forensic Psychologist, Forensic Expert; Twitter: @psychologydrcom, TikTok: @psychologydr Jason Jensen – Private Investigator (Jensen Private Investigations), Cold Case Expert (Salt Lake City, UT), and Co-founder: “Cold Case Coalition;” Investigations; Twitter: @JasonJPI, Facebook/Instagram: “Jensen Investigations” Brad Watts - Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (who specializes in working with families where sibling sexual abuse has occurred); Author: “Sibling Sexual Abuse: America’s Silent Epidemic;" bradwattslpc.com, Instagram: @bradwattslpc  Shelby Asher, BSN, RN, NYSAFE, SANE-P, SANE-P - Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiner and Forensic Nurse Expert with Godoy Medical Forensics (extensive background, and training in pediatric physical and sexual assault); Twitter: @godoyforensics, FB: Godoy Medical Forensics Incorporated Emily Ashcraft- Reporter, KSL.com in Utah; Twitter: @emilyjaneen3     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man tries to hit teens 'pranking' him with car. Man robs a Waffle House at 'gunpoint.' For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danelo Cavalcante has been found in a shed behind a business with a focused search area. Late last night, a DEA airplane used thermal imaging to direct police to the ground to Cavalcante's hiding place. Police announced in a press conference this morning that shortly after 8 a.m., tactical teams converged on the area, using the element of surprise. Before Cavalcante realized it, he was surrounded. The double killer began to crawl through an underbrush and a canine unit was unleashed. Cavalcante was bleeding from his head when he was taken into custody.   Joining Nancy Grace Today: Neama Rahmani– Former Federal Prosecutor, Legal Commentator, and President of West Coast Trial Lawyers; Author: “Harvard to Hashtag;” INSTAGRAM: @Neamarahmani, Twitter: @NeamaRahmaniWestCoastTrialLawyers.com, INSTAGRAM: @Neamarahmani, TWITTER: @NeamaRahmani Caryn Stark – NYC Psychologist; Twitter: @carynpsych, Facebook: “Caryn Stark"/Instagram: carynpsych Irv Brandt – Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch; Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs, US Embassy Kingston, Jamaica; Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE” – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON IN JANUARY; ALSO “FLYING SOLO: Top of the World;” Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor Douglas MacGregor – Geographic Profiler (specializes in serial and violent crime, missing persons, and locating clandestine burial sites); Twitter: @TheGeoProfiler Dr. Jan Gorniak – Medical Examiner, Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner (Las Vegas, NV), Board Certified Forensic Pathologist Eddie Kadhim – Reporter for FOX29 Philadelphia; Facebook: Eddie Kadhim Journalist/Twitter: @KadhimWrites/Instagram: eddiekadhim See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roommate beats man to death. Sheriff's deputy caught street racing.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reverse 911 warnings went out to residents in Chester County, urging people to stay inside their homes. This after escaped fugitive, Danelo Cavalcante, broke into a house and stole a gun.  Police say Cavalcante is now armed with a .22 rifle. Law enforcement sources tell Fox 29 that the homeowner fired seven times at the escaped killer. State police have Cavalcante's waterlogged and muddy sneakers.  They were found during the search of a field. Police say a pair of boots were stolen from the porch of the home. Cavalcante's green hoodie was also recovered.  An updated description issued by Pennsylvania State Police describes Cavalcante as shirtless, wearing blue pants carrying a .22 cutoff rifle, with a 10-round magazine and a scope. Insiders also say Cavalcante had access to a cellphone.  Joining Nancy Grace Today: Matthew Mangino - Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County, PA), Author: "The Executioner's Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States", Twitter: @MatthewTMangino, MattMangino.com Dr. Bethany Marshall  - Psychoanalyst https://www.drbethanymarshall.com/, Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter:@DrBethanyLive  Irv Brandt -  Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs; Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE” available on Amazon, Also "FLYING SOLO: Top of the World" Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor “Turtleman” Chris Adams - Swamp Survival Expert, Facebook: Wiregrass Ecological & Cultural Project, TikTok @GAturtleman  Dr. Michelle DuPre- (Columbia, SC) Former Forensic Pathologist, Medical Examiner and Detective: Lexington County Sheriff's Department, Author: “Money, Mischief, and Murder…the Murdaugh Saga. The rest of the story"- out the end of September. Homicide Investigation Field Guide" & "Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide", Forensic Consultant Sheryl McCollum-(Atlanta, GA) Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, ColdCaseCrimes.org, Host of new podcast: Zone 7, Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Eddie Kadhim [Cade-him], Reporter for FOX29 Philadelphia, https://www.fox29.com/person/k/eddie-kadhim, Facebook: Eddie Kadhim Journalist, Twitter: @KadhimWrites, Instagram: eddiekadhim  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man kills coworker on campus cafeteria. Driver rams into cop car in attempt to evade.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.