Murder in the Heartland

Murder in the Heartland

Murder in the Heartland is your podcast for small-town American crime. Each episode is told through the collective point-of-view of a Middle American town and its residents, and every story documents a town and people in the heart of the country, and the provocative crime that tore through it. The townspeople are not only the storytellers, but they also hold the clues to the crimes that have forever changed their lives, and how they understand their home. 



Also, go back and listen to episodes of Hot & Deadly. Featuring some of ID’s most salacious stories against the backdrop of coast-to-coast wetlands, the open road, and the mysteries of the deep South, Hot & Deadly is direct audio from three hit ID series: Swamp Murders, Highway To Hell, and Southern Fried Homicide. 


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Episode's summary

This episode introduces the third season of Death of an Artist, a critically acclaimed podcast from Pushkin. The series investigates the story of Petra and Michael Mathers, a beloved children's book author and documentary photographer who ended their lives together in their Oregon home in early 2024. Before their deaths, they mailed letters to friends, family, and local business owners explaining that their life had been one of exceptional happiness and that leaving the world together was a long-held plan. Narrated by journalists Leon Nafak and Alice Gregory, the podcast functions as both a mystery and a love story. Through intimate interviews with those who received the letters, the series explores complex themes of grief, aging, and the impact of profound human choices on those left behind.

Chapters

Click on a chapter to go directly to that moment

Highlights

By the time you get this letter, both Petra and I will be dead. Next stop, Wonderland.

00:01:19 · A direct excerpt from the letters sent by the Mathers to their loved ones.

Do you think of him as having killed her? Yes, I do. I hold Michael responsible for my mother's death.

00:01:47 · A powerful and controversial perspective from a family member regarding the couple's joint suicide.

Episodes

84-

Introducing Death of an Artist

This episode introduces the third season of Death of an Artist, a critically acclaimed podcast from Pushkin. The series investigates the story of Petra and Michael Mathers, a beloved children's book author and documentary photographer who ended their lives together in their Oregon home in early 2024. Before their deaths, they mailed letters to friends, family, and local business owners explaining that their life had been one of exceptional happiness and that leaving the world together was a long-held plan. Narrated by journalists Leon Nafak and Alice Gregory, the podcast functions as both a mystery and a love story. Through intimate interviews with those who received the letters, the series explores complex themes of grief, aging, and the impact of profound human choices on those left behind.

03 Sep 2026
83-

Last Shift at Pirates Cove

This episode explores the disappearance of Emily Murray from Gambier, Ohio, and the subsequent investigation that uncovered a series of grim discoveries. Following her final shift at Pirate's Cove, investigators looked into various theories ranging from kidnapping to personal connections within the small college town. The search eventually led to the discovery of Emily's body and vehicle in a trailer, alongside a second set of human remains on the same property. The investigation into these findings, including the discovery of victim Gregory Julius in a cistern, shifted focus toward Greg McKnight, ultimately revealing the actions of a serial killer and leaving a lasting impact on the community.

03 Sep 2026
81-

An Unfaithful Truth

This episode explores the tragic murder of James Nibbe in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. Following a violent crime scene that left James dead and his wife Jennifer assaulted, investigators initially struggled to find a motive, as there was no evidence of forced entry or robbery. The investigation expanded to examine Jennifer's past relationships and financial motives, including the discovery of a new life insurance policy. The case reached a resolution when detectives arrested Jennifer, leading to her confession that she shot her husband and staged the crime scene.

27 Aug 2026
80-

Orders of Protection

This episode investigates the disappearance of Rusty and Becky Porter from Willard, Missouri, beginning with the unsettling discovery of a home smelling of bleach and showing signs of a struggle. Investigators initially explored various motives, including drug debts and conflicts with family members like Rusty's uncle, Bob Campbell. The investigation eventually led to a breakthrough via a jailhouse snitch, uncovering the couple's remains in an abandoned cabin. The case concluded with Philip Friend's confession regarding his father Tony's involvement in the execution-style murders, revealing that Robert Campbell orchestrated the killings for $100,000.

20 Aug 2026
79-

Irreplaceable Gems

This episode explores the tragic murders of Karen and Jim Develbliss, well-known convenience store owners in Greenfield Township, Ohio. The investigation initially focused on the victims' grandson, Jeremy Moore, following the discovery of a ransacked home with no signs of forced entry. As detectives pursued various leads involving potential motives of inheritance and financial resentment, they eventually shifted focus from local suspects to Eric Hockman and Heidi Kidwell. Following a tip regarding blood-stained cash found by a moving company employee, authorities tracked the couple to Florida, where recovered stolen items led to confessions and convictions.

13 Aug 2026