Episode 7: Vaughan's Lounge

Investigative producer Anna Christie and veteran journalist Thanh Truong are back with the second season of their independent true crime podcast. Season 2 of New Orleans Unsolved, The Rope Murders, begins October 11th, 2023.

Two people with intimate details of Stanley Burkhardt’s career as a New Orleans police detective are coming forward.  They both believe Burkhardt is capable of murder.  They only agreed to speak under a cloak of anonymity.   

After revealing her story about her time with Stanley Burkhardt, Kristin now is ready to detail what she knows about the death of Eddie Wells.  Her accounts seem to build a stronger connection between Burkhardt and Eddie’s mysterious death in 1982. 

A woman who has never spoken publicly about her alleged ordeals with Stanley Burkhardt finally comes forward. Her revelations about Burkhardt and Eddie Wells are shocking.  We travel to Florida to get her story.   

As the current cold case investigation into Eddie Wells’ death continues, we hear from a woman who has intimate knowledge of the man whom multiple people believe had a role in Eddie’s death in 1982.  She is also the man's niece, and a victim of his criminal side.    

In the aftermath of the prison system releasing Stanley Burkhardt multiple times, Richard decides to go on the offensive.  He begins what he calls “the crucible.”  It set off a chain of events that ultimately leads to the cold case investigation of Eddie Wells’ death.

The law catches up with Stanley Burkhardt, but not before a shocking a conversation Richard says he had with him.  That conversation supposedly took place at Vaughan’s Lounge in the Bywater, and it revolved around the death of Eddie Wells. 

The narrative shifts to New Orleans East.  Vic’s family moves to that neighborhood and he believes he can avoid Stanley Burkhardt.  He’s proven wrong and something proves to be even more chilling when he says Burkhardt shows him a set of photos.  

An already twisted situation for Richard worsens and it begins to unfold just blocks away from his home in Mid-City.  Meanwhile, Vic recalls the first time he met Eddie Wells.  All of this takes place with Stanley Burkhardt looming over their lives.  

Detailed accounts and accusations of corruption deepen.  Serious questions about a New Orleans Police Detective are swirling.  It’s the same detective who was adamant that Eddie Wells was murdered back in 1982.