Murder, She Told

1937 - Mexico, Missouri

On the eve of Thanksgiving in 1937, 46-year-old Margaret Mortimer, who went by Peggy, was just steps from her front door when she was attacked and killed by an unknown assailant.

Investigators found few clues and no obvious suspects, despite a city-wide manhunt. And as early leads faded, local police turned to Ira Cooper, the St. Louis Police Department’s first Black lieutenant, hoping his sterling reputation could bring answers to a case already slipping away.

The murder shocked the industrial town of Mexico, Missouri. Peggy was well known and widely liked, with no clear enemies. But on that cold November night, someone was waiting—and the question remains: who?

Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/margaret-peggy-mortimer

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1981 - Winchendon, Massachusetts.

On January 30, 1981, 19-year-old Nancy Williams picked up a last-minute shift at the Cumberland Farms in Winchendon, Massachusetts.

Just two hours before closing, an unknown assailant entered the store, robbed it, and brutally stabbed Nancy, leaving her for dead behind the counter.

The crime stunned locals, who struggled to believe something so violent could happen in their quiet town. Even more unsettling was the thought that the person responsible may have simply blended back into the community—never identified, never held accountable.

Now, 45 years later, Nancy’s case is being revived in the hope that renewed attention, advances in forensic technology, and fresh tips can finally bring justice for Nancy.

Cumberland Farms is now offering a $25K reward for information that leads to the conviction in Nancy’s case. If you have info that can help, please contact the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit at 1-855-MA-SOLVE (1-855-627-6583) or email [email protected].

Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/nancy-williams

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1963 - Wytopitlock, Maine.

In April of 1963, a violent discovery was made inside a tiny, one-room cabin in the woods off Route 2A in Aroostook County. 68-year-old Emil Andrew Martens was found brutally beaten to death, setting off a brief and fragmented investigation that produced a swirl of suspects, rumors, and unanswered questions.

Today, Emil Martens’ name does not appear on any official unsolved case lists in Maine. His life, his death, and the circumstances surrounding a brutal crime remain largely forgotten—buried in history… until now.

This is the life and death of Emil Martens.

Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/emil-martens

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This special episode to kick off the New Year brings together fellow true crime podcasters Aaron Habel of Generation Why, and Lucy Fitzgerald from Wine & Crime for a wide-ranging, candid conversation.

We dive into our work as podcasters, the very real flaws of the justice system, debate the possibility of quantifiable alien activity, relive Kristen's hilarious and slightly surreal encounter in Ireland, and unpack what genuinely unnerves us most (spoiler: ghosts).

Learn more about Gen Why and Wine & Crime:

Gen Why: https://genwhypod.com/

Wine & Crime: https://wineandcrimepodcast.com

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Tis the season for true crime chaos! Hosts Kristen Seavey from Murder, She Told, Javier Leiva from PRETEND, and Shaun from Sins & Survivors join forces to explore Christmas crimes gone horribly wrong.

From a bath salts-fueled home decorator in suburban Ohio to a serial burglar stealing Robert De Niro's wrapped presents right from under his tree, these real-life Grinches prove that the holidays bring out the worst in some people. The hosts also dive into the disturbing case of postal workers who intercepted letters to Santa meant for underprivileged children...stealing laptops, iPads, and gift cards intended for kids in need.

But the main event is a fresh-off-the-press case from Bangor, Maine. When a couple woke up to find a stranger sleeping on their couch surrounded by their unwrapped Christmas presents. Police body cam footage reveals just how terrifying this "funny" story really was.

Follow Pretend and Sins and Survivors wherever you're listening now.

Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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