After years of adventure on their dream yacht, a retired couple decides to sell it and move closer to their grandchildren. The buyers—a charming young couple with a toddler—seem perfect. They don’t haggle on price; their only request is to take a trip on the yacht together so the sellers can show them the ropes. But after that outing, the retired couple vanishes without a trace.
Former Orange County DA Matt is called in to uncover the truth, and what he finds is both shocking and devastating. This twisted case is filled with loose ends, and it’s up to Matt to untangle the mystery before it’s too late.
Matt Murphy is a legal analyst for ABC News and an attorney in private practice in Southern California. He was a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County California. Matt Murphy spent 21 years assigned to the sexual assault and homicide units where he prosecuted some of the most notorious murder cases in the state of California. He completed 132 jury trials in his career as a prosecutor, including 52 while he was assigned to the homicide unit. He worked as an adjunct professor of law for 7 years. In addition to his work for ABC news, Mr. Murphy is in
private practice representing victims of sexual abuse and some select criminal defense cases.
He has also been regularly appearing on NewsNation with Elizabeth Vargas, Chris Cuomo and Ashleigh Banfield providing analysis on Criminal cases in the news. Matt published his first book, The Book of Murder: A Prosecutor's Journey Through Love and Death, in 2024, which was an instant Best Seller, and is working on his next book proposal.
For bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, join the SuperFam community at smalltowndicks.com/superfam
--------
53:21
S16 Ep2: Justice for Carla, Part 2
In the conclusion of this two-part case, Paul Holes turns to DNA evidence in the search for Carla Walker’s real killer. But decades-old lab errors and missing samples threaten to derail the investigation. Despite the obstacles, the case finally reaches a definitive conclusion—answering the question once and for all: Who killed Carla Walker?
Paul Holes is a bestselling author, podcaster, television host and retired cold-case investigator with the sheriff’s and district attorney’s offices in California’s Contra Costa County. During his 27 years as an investigator, Holes used his behavioral and forensic expertise in such notable cases as the Zodiac murders, Golden State Killer, and Jaycee Dugard kidnapping. In May 2022, Holes published Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases – which became an instant New York Times bestseller. Paul teamed with the FBI and Sacramento DA to help identify Joseph DeAngelo as the Golden State Killer, the most prolific serial predator in U.S. history. In 2019, he teamed up with Oxygen to host ”The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes” and in November he’s launching a new original series with HLN called, ”Real Life Nightmare with Paul Holes.”
For bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, join the SuperFam community at smalltowndicks.com/superfam
--------
55:17
S16 Ep1: Justice for Carla, Part 1
In part one of this two-part case, our very own Paul Holes explains how a cold case from 1974 landed on his desk. Seventeen-year-old Carla Walker was brutally murdered on her way to a dance, and suspicion quickly fell on her boyfriend as his story kept changing. But when Paul conducts a revealing interview, the investigation takes a shocking turn. Could the real killer have been overlooked for decades? Who killed Carla Walker?
Paul Holes is a bestselling author, podcaster, television host and retired cold-case investigator with the sheriff’s and district attorney’s offices in California’s Contra Costa County. During his 27 years as an investigator, Holes used his behavioral and forensic expertise in such notable cases as the Zodiac murders, Golden State Killer, and Jaycee Dugard kidnapping. In May 2022, Holes published Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases – which became an instant New York Times bestseller. Paul teamed with the FBI and Sacramento DA to help identify Joseph DeAngelo as the Golden State Killer, the most prolific serial predator in U.S. history. In 2019, he teamed up with Oxygen to host ”The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes” and in November he’s launching a new original series with HLN called, ”Real Life Nightmare with Paul Holes.”
For bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, join the SuperFam community at smalltowndicks.com/superfam
--------
53:12
S16: Small Town Dicks Returns April 18
The wait is over. Season 16 of Small Town Dicks will kick off on April 18th.
Join our SuperFam to get early and ad free episodes, exclusive bonus content and access to our SuperFam community. www.smalltowndicks.com/superfam
--------
1:32
S16: Pokerface
Retired Detective Constable Ron is called to the scene of a fatal car accident. At first, the driver was nowhere to be found. Then suddenly, a man with marked "prison swagger" appears on the scene...or reappears, as it were. As Ron works to build a case against this driver, he reveals just how far quiet confidence will go when it comes to wrapping up a case.
The detective: Detective Constable Ron
Detective Constable Ron retired after 32 years of policing. He spent 20 years in patrol, which included 15 years being part of the Emergency Response Unit (SWAT). He also worked as a detective and crisis negotiator, and held many other roles. One of the biggest highlights in his career was helping organize and taking part in the annual Police Memorial Bicycle Ride to Remember which finishes at the Nations Capital the day before the annual Police Memorial Service. He continues to take part in this ride every year! He is currently a Professor in a College Policing Program as well as a Personal Fitness Trainer.
To enjoy bonus content like this while in between seasons, become a member and support the Small Town Team by clicking https://smalltowndicks.supportingcast.fm/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Small Town Dicks takes you behind the scenes of small town crime cases with the real detectives who investigated them. Hosts Yeardley Smith, twin detectives Dan and Dave, and forensic expert Paul Holes ask the essential questions and offer their own insights so the stories always hit close to home. All seasons are available for streaming.