552 - She Was Such A Cat

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

This episode transitions from lighthearted banter about sound bathing and geodesic domes to the harrowing details of the unsolved 2008 Lane

Key takeaways

• The 2008 Lane Bryant murders in Tinley Park left six women dead and remains an unsolved cold case despite DNA evidence.
• One survivor of the Lane Bryant shooting provided a highly detailed physical description of the assailant, including specific hair bead details.

Main topics

• Lane Bryant murders
• Houston Chicano Squad

Notable quotes

She was such a cat.

Conclusion

A heavy but informative exploration of how community engagement can tr

Transcript preview

Speaker 2 (0:01) This is exactly right. Speaker 1 (0:24) Welcome to my favorite murder. That's Georgia Heartstar? That's Karen Kilkeriff. Real deep for some reason. Yeah, Speaker 2 (0:29) I went all the way down to the basement. Wow. Because I'm going to bring up a case of good times in podcasting. Are you ready? Yes, crack me a cold one. I'm going to put on my bathing suit and we're going to have a party in the basement. Speaker 1 (0:42) A Speaker 2 (0:43) bathing suit in the basement? Listen. That sounds dirty. It is. I'm not trying Speaker 1 (0:47) to be dirty. It's just gross, not like dirty. Oh, dirty in the basement. Speaker 2 (0:51) Like dusty. Someone needs to Speaker 1 (0:52) clean Speaker 2 (0:53) down here. Like put Speaker 1 (0:53) more clothes on. Speaker 2 (0:54) That's what you think. But once the bathing suit's on and the party begins, you don't care. Is there like a pool in the basement? Not Speaker 1 (1:02) in mine. Okay. Have Speaker 2 (1:04) you ever seen that viral picture of the people who have the above ground pool in a basement? No. It's so funny. They have a light hanging directly over the top. Because Speaker 1 (1:14) you could Speaker 2 (1:14) do that. You can, but you could easily be electrocuted Speaker 1 (1:17) terribly. Speaker 2 (1:18) Oh, that. Speaker 1 (1:18) Right. Or have Speaker 2 (1:19) any number of, like, there's a reason they have those rules, Speaker 1 (1:23) I think. Indoor pools have always kind of creeped me out because I'm from the, Speaker 2 (1:27) where am I from? Southern California. Southern Speaker 1 (1:29) California. I was like, east, west, that we don't have them. Speaker 2 (1:34) Right. So Speaker 1 (1:34) you go to like a hotel in the Midwest or someone's house even that has an indoor pool. It's like, this is weird. Why is their carpet so close to fucking water? What Speaker 2 (1:43) are you Speaker 1 (1:43) swingers up to? That's what Speaker 2 (1:44) it all is about, is this is Swinger's casserole time. Speaker 1 (1:48) There Speaker 2 (1:48) was a lot of those in Northern California because we're a lot colder up Speaker 1 (1:52) there. Speaker 2 (1:52) But also there's a lot of hippie geodesic domes that Speaker 1 (1:56) would Speaker 2 (1:56) just be out in like a field. And then I remember finding out that my friend to this day, Craig Machado, his family had an indoor in-ground pool. Richie Rich. Inside this geodesic dome that I just. What kind of family owns a geodesic dome? Well, it looked much more like people had it there for farm reasons or for, like, Speaker 1 (2:19) building reasons. Okay, it's like a weather situation. Speaker 2 (2:22) It was, like, half. Half dome like on the ground. Okay. As opposed to like I think you're thinking of like it wasn't like up in the air. Okay. Like Joshua Tree, like sound Speaker 1 (2:32) bath style. No, that's what I'm thinking. Did you go to that Speaker 2 (2:35) thing? I've never been to the Integratron. The Integratron. Speaker 1 (2:37) Somehow I've skipped it. We went. How was it? Amazing. Tell people what it is. It's like this geodesic fucking dome. It's Speaker 2 (2:44) finally I get to talk about geodesic domes the way I've been trying to. That's Speaker 1 (2:47) why I said. It's your new podcast. Speaker 2 (2:49) What if that's how. I have a weird thing where I'm trying to flex by knowing what geodesic domes are. And knowing, like, a lot about them. And 1929 was their big Speaker 1 (2:59) year for— Speaker 2 (2:59) They built this one in Joshua Tree. There's one in Joshua Tree that a man built. I think I was going to cover— Speaker 1 (3:05) Of course, a Speaker 2 (3:05) man built it. A man built it. What else are they doing besides building geodesic Speaker 1 (3:10) domes Speaker 2 (3:10) and sound-bathing people against their will? So he built it because he had a feeling he maybe would be able to— communicate with maybe outer space. Oh. And he disappeared. And all of his studies and writings disappeared. Stop Speaker 1 (3:26) it. Speaker 2 (3:27) Along with him disappearing. And I was going to cover it when we did Pasadena. No. On our tour. But that's kind of the whole story I just told. Like Speaker 1 (3:35) there's nothing Speaker 2 (3:35) more Speaker 1 (3:35) to Speaker 2 (3:35) it. There's a little more to it. Yeah. Speaker 1 (3:37) Not enough. Wow. Okay. And you can go there Speaker 2 (3:40) now and get wonderful sound bathing done. Okay. I've never done sound bathing Speaker 1 (3:44) as a sensory gal. Speaker 1 (3:48) Everything's a little too loud for me. I don't care how loud it is. It's just fucking a little too loud. I don't think I want to do it. So Speaker 2 (3:54) this past 10 years has been living hell for you. Speaker 1 (3:56) It's been Speaker 2 (3:56) really Speaker 1 (3:56) bad. It's so loud. Hold on. What are you doing? I Speaker 2 (4:00) need Speaker 1 (4:00) a tissue. My nose is running just from the thought of it. Do you have one over there? They got lost in the remodel. In the rebrand? Oh, they're in the corner Speaker 2 (4:06) here. Keep them close. I've got a spill coming on. Back to Speaker 1 (4:09) geodesic domes and sound bathing. And we're back. Murderinos, are you into sound bathing? Speaker 2 (4:16) Write our Gmail at soundbath.net. Here's the experience I had with the sound bathing. I knew I had tension to release and like this will help me. The first, I would say, seven minutes, pure torture because everyone else is into it. And I'm like, why can't I just be into things the way other people are into things? Yeah. Totally. Speaker 1 (4:38) 20 minutes Speaker 2 (4:39) later, I don't know where I am. Oh. Like it takes over you. Because it's sound waves and it's like doing something to you. It Speaker 1 (4:46) really like Speaker 2 (4:46) bathes your brain. I found that it did. Okay. I'll try Speaker 1 (4:50) it. Speaker 2 (4:50) I really liked it. I'll Speaker 1 (4:51) try it with earplugs. And on Speaker 2 (4:55) your Kindle. That's Speaker 1 (4:55) right. Speaker 2 (4:56) Yeah. Cool. Speaker 1 (4:57) What were we talking about? We were talking about bathing suits in the basement. That's where it started. What else? Speaker 2 (5:03) But re-watching The Sopranos. No, that was Speaker 1 (5:05) you. Speaker 2 (5:05) I'm saying. What? Speaker 1 (5:07) I'm answering my own question. I Speaker 2 (5:08) thought you Speaker 1 (5:08) said. You Speaker 2 (5:09) went like this. I thought you Speaker 1 (5:10) said, were you watching The Sopranos? And I was like, Speaker 2 (5:13) no. I'm like, dash re-watching The Sopranos. Re Speaker 1 (5:16) -watching The Sopranos makes more sense than were you watching The Sopranos. Yeah. Speaker 2 (5:20) When I know for a fact I did and you didn't. Speaker 1 (5:22) That's like what a true Speaker 2 (5:23) narcissist would Speaker 1 (5:24) do Speaker 2 (5:24) in conversation. So Speaker 1 (5:25) we're all watching The Sopranos, right? Speaker 2 (5:28) Everybody, right. Oh, you're Speaker 1 (5:29) not anyway. Are you going to do the Lizzie Borden biopic, do you think? Speaker 2 (5:33) Sure. I'll do it too. Speaker 1 (5:35) Okay. Let's do it together. Teen. That was placed for Speaker 2 (5:39) half an Speaker 1 (5:40) hour before this recording Speaker 2 (5:41) started. Speaker 1 (5:42) Is it a movie or TV? It's TV. It's, you know, Ryan Murphy monster kind of a thing. Oh. Speaker 2 (5:47) Like that. Some sort of a watch-along? Speaker 1 (5:50) Yeah, like the Dahmer one. Right, right. But I'm saying, should we do a watch-along? Will we? I think by the time this episode comes out, there's going to be... Do they all come out at once? Speaker 2 (5:59) No, I don't think they let Ryan Murphy do that. By the Speaker 1 (6:01) time we come Speaker 2 (6:01) back Speaker 1 (6:02) next Speaker 2 (6:02) week, Speaker 1 (6:02) let's have watched both of the episodes. Speaker 2 (6:04) But let's not talk about it. Let's do not talk about it. Speaker 1 (6:08) That's the rule of our watch game is... Is drop it. It's just like a series of winks and nods. But ixnay on the... Pockingtay. E-watch ray. Speaker 2 (6:18) Hey, Georgia. All episodes of Lizzie Borden are out. So a lot of homework for you two. Speaker 1 (6:23) Okay, this just in. Thanks, Molly. All the episodes. Brian Murphy has gotten the green light to release all the episodes of Lizzie Borden, whatever it's Speaker 2 (6:33) called. Molly, has it been going or did they do a mass release? I think a big release. Yeah. Speaker 1 (6:40) So we'll watch it. next week. Speaker 2 (6:43) Should we get to business? Sure. Because I Speaker 1 (6:45) have nothing else. Speaker 2 (6:45) Oh, I got a manicure. Speaker 1 (6:47) Congratulations. But I'm not trying to brag. Clearly you are. I have that horrible thing where when you get a gel manicure but like can't bring yourself to go back to the place so you just have... You're peeling it slowly? No, Speaker 2 (6:58) it just looks terrible. Oh, yeah. Speaker 1 (7:00) But let's see how long it lasts. I know. Could go months. Well, listen, while the world is still turning, we have a podcast network out there. Let's focus on the fundamentals. That's right. It's called Exactly Right Media. Here are some highlights. Speaker 2 (7:12) So this is very exciting. Our own Roz Hernandez, host of Ghosted by Roz Hernandez, is hitting the road and bringing the paranormal straight to a city near you. So head to rozhernandestour.com for dates and tickets. And if you think that's exciting, grow up. Speaker 1 (7:30) Because last week, Roz was the guest host on The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie Mattel. You can watch it on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Such a gem, all of them. Truly love Speaker 2 (7:42) that show. Love Trixie. Love Katya so much. This just popped into my head. But one day after I figured out and learned who Trixie and Katya were, however many years ago, I was still on Twitter. It was that long ago. I remember looking on my phone and looking it up and Katya was already following me. Oh, Speaker 1 (8:02) my God. Speaker 2 (8:03) That's one of those like you step into a world where you're like, I didn't know what this world was. This Speaker 1 (8:07) whole time I've been popular and I didn't even know it. Popular to the one person who matters. Now, here's more exciting news. Speaker 2 (8:15) Two of our hottest podcasts, Buried Bones and Disgraceland, will be heading out to sea this March for Virgin Voyages. True Crime Voyage. How fun. They're taking it out onto a cruise ship. Have you ever wanted to talk to Paul Holes over a big plate of shrimp at the buffet? Well, now's your chance. Booking is open at virginvoyages.com. That's going to be a riot. That's going to be nutso. Just like a ton of true crime devotees on a very fancy boat. Speaker 1 (8:42) Who's going to know the most about true crime? Paul Speaker 2 (8:44) Holes. Speaker 1 (8:46) And tomorrow on My Favorite Murder, we've got a special Cars.com bonus advice episode where we just fucking give you guys advice. We just give advice. It's coming to your audio feeds and the fan cult members can watch the exclusive video at fancult.supercast.com. I Speaker 2 (9:01) mean, we are sincerely trying to help people. Yeah, we would never steer you wrong Speaker 1 (9:05) on purpose. We're really earnest. So you're going to love it. We are. Then Speaker 2 (9:09) over in Merch Corner, we just premiered our brand new You're Gonna Love It. MFM animated merch. Check this out. Nick Terry has made us this beautiful design, which is a lineup design of all the characters you've ever loved from a Nick Terry animated video. They're in a lineup. Me and Georgia are bookending everybody. It's just so good. Just looking at it. It's just so delightful. So there's this tote. Speaker 1 (9:37) There is a mug, of course, a beautiful large mug for people who really drink coffee like myself. Wrap around, which I like because you don't have to decide which way you're going to drink it from. No, Speaker 2 (9:46) and Speaker 1 (9:46) you can just hold Speaker 2 (9:47) it up and stare at it. I actually, Nicole, I would love to steal this at the end of this record. And then, of course, there's one of them slap koozies. Okay, this is so Speaker 1 (9:55) cool. Someone gave us one of these when we were on tour. I didn't know they existed yet because of my small cans of rosé that I don't drink anymore. But you can just put it on any size. Can. Yes. Which is so genius. And you Speaker 2 (10:08) get to slap it Speaker 1 (10:09) around. I'm just Speaker 2 (10:10) going Speaker 1 (10:10) to fucking wear this. Yeah. Yeah, Speaker 2 (10:13) Wonder Woman. So go to theexactlyrightstore.com to get any and all of these wonderful pieces of merch. And check out the newest MFM animated episode and the entire catalog of MFM animated clips over at myfavoritemurder.com. MFM animated. Smash. Speaker 1 (10:32) What if I just. You make incredible. Speaker 2 (10:35) Rip that slap koozie in half. Wonder Woman. Speaker 1 (10:39) All right. That's it. We've done it. Speaker 1 (10:44) I know I'm first because mine is a rough one. Okay. And it's one I feel like I've been waiting to do for a long time because, well, let's get into it. Okay. Here, Speaker 2 (10:57) I'm Speaker 1 (10:58) going to tell you Speaker 2 (10:58) this. What? One of our clips came up organically on my TikTok. Uh-huh. Very jarring. Don't love it. Don't love it. You can block us. That's my world. Yeah. And all of a sudden. We're coming into it. But you were the first person in the clip and you had your glasses on. And I was like, those do look cute on her. Speaker 1 (11:17) Yes. They're super cute. You doubted Speaker 2 (11:20) my adorableness and glasses? Well, it's hard to see sometimes from inside the machine. Sure. But I was out there, Joe Lunchpail, watching TikTok like anybody. Speaker 1 (11:30) And I Speaker 2 (11:30) was like, Speaker 1 (11:31) who's Speaker 2 (11:32) this Speaker 1 (11:32) bespectacled gal? How do you feel about being on a Lunchpail? I couldn't be prouder. So let's get all the... All that out of the way? Yep, it's out. This story can be grouped in with some of the stories that we've covered in the past, including the 1991 yogurt shop murders in Austin, Texas, and the 1993 Brown's chicken murders in Palatine, Illinois. Those were episodes 70 and 263, respectively. In both those cases, and the one I'm going to tell you today, employees and customers were shot and killed by an unknown gunman, and the cases went cold. And while both of those cold cases... were finally solved, giving some modicum of relief for the victims' families, the one I'm going to tell you today is still waiting for answers. And that's one of the reasons I haven't covered it is because it totally, I've been expecting it to be solved since we started this podcast. Yeah. This is the story of the Lane Bryant murders. I've never heard of that. The main source for the story is reporting from the Chicago Tribune, and the rest of the sources can be found in the show notes. There's also a documentary about it called Who Killed These Women? So it's February 2nd, 2008, and we're in Tinley Park, which is a Chicago suburb southwest of the city, like 30 miles out of the city. Have you heard of it? No. Tinley Park. So I know when we say like it's a suburb of some city, we always kind of imagine like if it's a suburb of Detroit or Chicago or Los Angeles, you think to yourself, well, there's got to be a little bit of rough and tumble going on because those can be dangerous cities, big cities like that, right? That's not this. That's like if we went to the valley. in Encino, and it's like, it's a suburb of Los Angeles, but it's really completely different from Los Angeles. Just like a nice little town. A nice little town. And it's considered extremely safe, and in fact, a short time after the story takes place, Tinley Park will be named as the best place in America to raise a family by business week. Wow. So that's how safe it is, how unbelievable it was to everyone who lived there that this happened there. So it's about 10.40 a.m. on a chilly Saturday morning. When a 911 dispatcher takes a call, the caller whispers into the phone and says, quote, Lane Bryant. And the dispatcher asks, quote, where at? And the caller whispers, quote, Tinley Park, hurry. And you can listen to the 911 call. No, I cannot. I know. Speaker 2 (13:50) 911 dispatch operators are some of the bravest people there are. Yeah. Speaker 1 (13:55) Because you are first there for a person in a horrible situation. And every word matters. Like you have to pick up