April 10, 2025 • 35 mins
In October of 1995, something strange was going on inside the Flick home at 302 McNabb Street in Rector, Arkansas.
This family was made up of 36-year-old David Flick, his wife 34-year-old Barbara, their daughter 11-year-old Andria Flick, and Barbara’s son 17-year-old Aaron Michael Hodge, who she had from a previous relationship.
Barbara was a nurse, and her husband David had a transmission shop that specialized in fixing transmissions. Friends and family said that they were a happy couple.
Andria played basketball and did beauty pageants. Aaron was well liked by his friends as well, and both Andria and Aaron were popular at school.
Andria, Barbara and David were planning on going to Florida to visit relatives, leaving Aaron at home. And like many teens at home alone, he threw a party.
This seems perfectly normal… except that David, Barbara and Andria never arrived in Florida. And several days laters, the police discovered their bodies, all shot to death in their house.
On the surface, this appeared to be a perfect family, but detectives quickly discovered that things behind closed doors were far from what they seemed.
What happened to turn the seemingly perfect family into a house of horrors?
If you have a case you’d like Catherine Townsend to look into, you can reach out to us at our Hell and Gone Murder Line at 678-744-6145.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
School of Humans. Helen Got Murder Line actively investigates cold
case murders in an effort to raise public awareness invite
witnesses to come forward and present evidence that could potentially
be further investigated by law enforcement. While we value insights
from family and community members, their statements should not be
considered evidence and point to the challenges of verifying facts
(01:10):
inherent in cold cases. We remind listeners that everyone has
presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Nothing in the podcast is intended to state or imply
that anyone who has not been convicted of a crime
is guilty of any wrongdoing. Thanks for listening.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
In October of nineteen ninety five, something strange was going
on inside the Flick home at three h two McNabb
Street in Rector, Arkansas. The family was made up of
thirty six year old David Flick, his wife, four year
old Barbara, their daughter, eleven year old Andrea Flick, and
Barbara's son from a previous relationship, seventeen year old Aaron
(01:52):
Michael Hodge. Aaron was never officially adopted by David Flick,
but at the time he used his last name, so
he went by Aaron flick. Barbara was a nurse, her husband,
David had a transmission shop. Friends and family said that
they were a happy couple. Andrea played basketball and did
(02:13):
beauty pageants. Aaron was well liked by his friends as well.
Both Andrea and Aaron were popular at school. Aarin would
later say. Andrea, Barbara, and David were planning on going
to Florida to visit relatives, leaving seventeen year old Aaron
at home, and, like many teens at home alone, Aaron
decided to throw a party. This seems perfectly normal, except
(02:37):
that David, Barbara, and Andrea never arrived in Florida. Their
relatives were concerned, and after a week a friend of
Barbara's called the police. She said the family never showed
up at their relative's house and that no one had
seen them in several days.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
So police did some checking.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
They found that no one in Florida had seen David,
Barbara or Andrea, nor had anyone in Rector, Arkansas. But
there was one member of the family who had been
spotted around town, Aaron Hodge.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
People had seen.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Aaron driving his stepfather's pickup truck around Paragold. That weekend
was a big weekend to be out and about in
that area. It was homecoming weekend, which is a big
deal everywhere and especially in small towns. Everyone was at
the Friday night football game. On October thirteenth, nineteen ninety five,
Aaron drove to the homecoming game and parties in David's
(03:33):
truck and was hanging out with friends there. He was
picked up by police at the homecoming festivity and taken
to the Paragold Police station. Paragold police officer Audrey Emberton
came to the station and interviewed Aarin. Officer Emberton and
another officer, Terry Prewitt, then went to the Flick family
home in the early morning hours at around one am
(03:56):
on Saturday, October fourteenth. Aaron lived in a converted garage.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
It was in the main.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Part of the house, but it was his own kind
of separate area, away from the rest of the family.
When the police asked Aaron about his family, he said
they were fine. He said he had heard from them
a couple of days earlier and they were supposed to
be back later that day, meaning later on Saturday. Police
did not buy that story. At three am, Officer Prewitt
(04:24):
went back to the home to talk to erin again.
This time Officer Prewett asked if he could get access
to the main part of the house where the rest
of the family lived. Aaron told police that the doors
were locked, so Officer Prewitt looked around. He looked in
a window of the main house and saw some sheets
on the floor. When he asked Aaron about the sheets,
Aaron said the family had been doing some remodeling. Later
(04:48):
that morning, Aaron was at the police station answering questions,
and police went back to the Flick house. Officer Prewitt
got closer to the front door and he smelled something horrible.
The stench of decomposition was so overpowering that police later
noted they could smell it when they were one hundred
and fifty feet away from the house. Officer Prewitt entered
(05:11):
the home, the smell got worse as he went further in.
He found David, Andrea, and Barbara all dead, and forensic
testing later showed they had been dead for about a week.
This episode is going to be a little bit different
from other cases we cover because this case isn't open.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
It's already been solved.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
But I thought that it was important to cover because
this is a very divisive case. There is a man
in prison for these murders, someone who claims that he
was wrongfully convicted. So was there a misunderstanding, could someone
else have been involved? Or is the right person behind
bars for killing this family in cold blood? On the surface,
(05:58):
this appeared to be a perfect family, but detectives quickly
discovered things behind closed doors were far from what they seemed.
What happened to turn this seemingly perfect family into a
house of horrors?
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I'm Catherine Townsend.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Over the past five years of making my true crime podcast,
Helling Gone, I've learned that there's no such thing as
a small town where murder never happens. I've received hundreds
of messages from people all around the country asking for
help with an unsolved murder that's affected them, their families,
and their communities.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
If you have a.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Case you'd like me and my team to look into,
you can reach out to us at our Hell and
Gone Murder Line at six seven eight seven four four six'
one four five at six seven eight seven four four
six one four, five or you can send us a
message On instagram At Helen. Gonepod this Is Helen Gone Murder.
(06:56):
Line police In. Arkansas we're interviewing seventeen year Old Aaron
(07:41):
hodge about a possible involvement the triple homicide of his entire.
Family aaron was. Crying he said he had no idea what. Happened,
meanwhile police were processing the crime. Scene inside the, house
the doorway To andrea's room was. Locked police busted it
down and found her lying in her. Bed andrea had
(08:03):
been shot in the. Head her torso was on the
bed and her feet were dangling off. It she was
wearing only her underwear and had been covered up with her.
Comforter andrea's white shorts AND t shirt were on the
floor near the. Bed her head was leaning against a
wall and her arm was up in what may have
been a defensive. Position detectives said they felt like she
(08:25):
had struggled with her, killer and that her killer had
used a pillow to muffle the noise from the. Gun
aaron lived in a converted bedroom right off the. Garage
his room was neat with no trace of. Blood police
did fine shells from a thirty eight caliber weapon In aaron's.
Room they later said that the murder weapon had been
(08:46):
a thirty eight caliber gun like the one owned By David.
Flick police followed the trail of blood down the hall
To barber's. Bedroom they found her lying on her bed
in her, nightgown with layers of bedding covering her. Body
because she was wearing her nightgown and because of the
position of her, body they felt That barbara had been
(09:07):
sleeping when she was. Attacked they Found david's body there,
too face, down at the foot Of barbara's water. Bed
he was wearing blue pants and a WHITE t. Shirt
police noted they found no signs of a struggle in this.
Bedroom police thought That david had not been shot and
killed In barbara's, bedroom but that he had been dragged
(09:29):
there from the living.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Room there were pulls of.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Blood on the living room sofa and a blood trail
down the hallway of the house that had been covered
up with. Pillows officers believed the killer had used the
pillows to muffle the sound of the, gun but there
was a lot that police didn't know because the bodies Of,
David andrea And barbara were too decomposed to know exactly
(09:52):
what happened to them or how long they had been.
There all three victims were bloated and covered in large
blisters that were filled with. Fluid all of them had
been shot in the head at close. Range barbara And
andrea had each been shot. Once david had been shot three.
Times SO i want to back up and look at
(10:14):
how long the police had been asking questions about the
family and how Long aaron had been stalling with giving
them any. Information On october, fourteenth after Officers pruitt And
imbriden talked To aaron at three am and he said
his family was, fine police went To David flick's transmission
shop to see if they could find any. Clues police
(10:35):
Asked david's employee if he had noticed. Anything he said
that a toolbox Of david's had been broken, into there
was some, money and a gun that belonged To david.
Missing police suspected that something was, wrong so by now
the police Had aaron in. Custody when they got to
the interview, Room Officer, leach the officer who was Interrogating,
(10:56):
aaron Asked aarin to tell him what he. Knew aaron
said that his family were in the, home and Then
Officer leach asked what condition they were in if they were.
Okay aaron, said they're. Dead so Then aaron told his
version of the. Story, first he said he wasn't sure
what happened to his. Family, later he completely denied having
(11:20):
anything to do with their. Deaths he basically said that
he had gotten into a big fight With david and
That david had killed his. Family one week After David,
Flick Barbara, flick And Andrea flick were supposed to arrive In,
(11:41):
florida police were Interviewing aaron at the deaths of his family,
members But erin claimed that he didn't kill his. Family
he said that his, Stepfather David, flick had Killed andrea
And barbara in a fit of rage and then turned
the gun on. Himself but it was obvious that someone
had covered up the bodies in the. Home there were, sheets, blankets,
(12:04):
pillows and rugs spread out all over the living, room
So aaron's version of the story on the, surface seemed
to make zero. Sense If david had killed his wife
and daughter and then shot, himself how could he have
shot himself three.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Times in the.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Head this would mean That aaron had found the bodies
and then moved. Them after finding the, bodies police Reinterviewed
Arin Arin now said That david had been cheating On
barbara and that they had been sleeping. Separately aaron claimed
that he told his mother about the infidelity and that
she had made a plan to Leave. David aaron claimed
(12:45):
That andrea And barbara were planning on going To florida
without him And. David he said that He, aaron was
supposed to go To florida to meet them. Later aaron
said he was supposed to stay with his grandmother until
he made the trip To. Florida then he was going
to be reunited with his mother and. Sister aarin admitted
that he did break Into david's. Store he stole his
(13:06):
stepfather's gun in, cash but he said he did that
Because david owed him. Money aaron said he and a
friend of his Named David gun had broken in To david's.
Shop after that he went. Home he had the gun
and the money with. Him he wanted to Avoid, david
so he said he went to his bedroom and locked the.
(13:27):
Door while in the, bedroom he claimed he was counting
the money and messing around with the, gun putting bullets
in it and pulling them. Out he Said david came
into his room and found him with the gun and the.
Money he said that he and his stepfather got into an.
Argument at some, point the argument spilled out into the living.
Room aaron said he Told david That barbara hated him
(13:50):
and that they were going to leave. Him aaron said
he told his stepfather he wished that he was. Dead,
Then aaron claimed that his stepfather was trying to Get
aaron to fight. Him aaron said he refused to do
that and he left the. House aaron claimed that when
he came back to the, house he heard something a,
gurgling snoring kind of noise coming From. David david was
(14:14):
on the. Couch he noticed there was blood pouring off
of the. Couch he claimed That david was already. Dead
aaron said that he was horrified to find his mother
and sister dead as. Well he said he believed That
david had killed both of them and then turned the
gun on. Himself aaron said that when he realized What
(14:35):
david had, done he shot his stepfather's body two more
times because he was so angry at. Him police Asked
daron why he hadn't called the authorities to report that
his parents and sister were. Dead he, said, basically he was.
Scared he said that he was afraid that police would
blame him for the, killings so he just shut the
(14:57):
door to the. House he went out to his own
separate area and left them, there and then he threw
a party in his part of the, house one that
didn't end for several.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Days could this be?
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Possible Could aaron have found the bodies, and in some
kind of disassociated state of, shock just Moved david into
the bedroom and then stayed away gone out with his.
Friends after the, interview detectives had to figure out If
aaron's version of events was even.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
Possible was this just.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
A terrified teen who was disassociated from reality after abuse
at home or a cold blooded. Killer in the days
between his family's deaths and police discovering the, Bodies aaron lived.
Large he drove David it's black nineteen eighty NINE gmc
pickup truck around. Town he spent the money that he
had stolen from the. Shop he also Used david's credit.
(15:52):
Cards witnesses told police That aaron spent money on clothes AT. J. C,
penny on gas and other, items and That aaron was
Signing david's name for these. Purchases one Of aaron's friends
told police he saw receipts for big amounts six hundred
to seven hundred, dollars and when friends and family members
(16:13):
would Ask arin where his parents, were he told everyone
that they were on vacation In. Florida after police Told
aaron they found the, bodies he insisted That david had murdered.
Them police talked To david And barbara's. Friends many of
them Said david And barbara had a lot of problems With,
aaron and one friend Of barbara's confessed something even more.
(16:35):
Suspicious she said Both barbara And david had been afraid Of.
Erin they said That aaron had issues at, school that
he had recently been suspended for a day for making
an obscene gesture while the class picture was being, taken.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
But things were more serious than just school.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
PRANKS a friend Of david's who worked with him at
the transmission shop told police That david had Bought aaron
A mustang for his sixteenth, birthday but that one condition
of buying the car was That aaron had to maintain good,
grades But aarin, Didn't his grades slipped and the car
was taken. Away Then arin got stopped at THE asu.
(17:13):
Campus he gave his name As Aaron flick and apparently
used a fake social security.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
Number.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Anne david also confided in his friend That arin had
choked his Sister andrea because she wouldn't give him. Money
david told his friend that he was ready to Leave
barbara because he couldn't Discipline aaron the way he wanted,
to but he said he wouldn't leave because of his.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Love for his.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Daughter so tensions were rising inside that. House but what
could have happened that led to the triple. Homicide friends
Of aaron said that he drank and took. Drugs his,
grandmother the grandmother he said he was supposed to stay,
with was the only one WHO i can find in
police interviews who actually had some nice things to say About.
(18:02):
Aaron she apparently described him as being a mild mannered.
Person in, fact things had gotten so bad Between aaron
and his parents they were planning on sending him to
a juvenile facility The Arkansas Baptist Boys ranch In, harrison
and the relationship Between aaron and his, Stepfather david was particularly.
Tumultuous police talked To aaron's, Friend David. Gunn this friend
(18:28):
later testified That aaron asked him if he would drive
erin to his stepfather's transmission shop at eleven pm On,
Sunday october, eighth nineteen ninety. Five when they got, There
aaron tried his keys in the, door but the keys didn't,
work So david said that Anir aaron broke into the
shop and then broke open a. Toolbox all there was
in there was fifty, dollars Which aaron. Stole the friend
(18:52):
testified this seemed to be kind of a surprise To,
aaron Because aaron said he expected to find more. Money
aaron's friends said That aaron also stole a pistol a
holster in shells from the. Toolbox he said That aaron
loaded five shells into that. Pistol after, That David gunn
said that he And aaron took a ride and drove
to a. Cemetery aaron got out of the car and said.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
He needed to.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Think then he came back to the. Car they drove
To aaron's. House aaron walked in carrying that stolen. Pistol
the next time he Saw aaron was when he was
at school the next day driving his stepfather's. Truck police
were trying to establish a timeline because of the fact
That aaron was driving the. Truck police believed the family
(19:37):
were killed on the night Of october, eighth nineteen ninety,
five which means they would have been lying there for
five days until the thirteenth or the early morning hours
of the, fourteenth when they were. Found more than one
person told police it was very unusual For aaron to
be driving his stepfather's. Vehicle they knew he did not
normally have permission to drive that. TRUCK a lot of
(20:00):
people told Police aaron and his stepfather did not get,
along And aaron didn't just drive the truck to school
that one. Day he drove his stepfather's truck for several.
Days he took his friends to the, Movies he drove
Around rector And paragold And jonesboro in the, truck and
he threw parties at. Home police talked to a lot
(20:21):
of teenagers who said they were drinking and smoking pot
in that apartment all. Week police also talked to a
young woman who testified she had sex With aaron in
his bedroom off the. Garage some people at the parties
said they noticed a bad smell even though the bodies
were in the main part of the. House they Said
(20:42):
aaron had excus. Uses he told them the sewer was backing.
Up he told others it was cat.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Litter he.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Said there was work and remodeling and stuff going on
in the main part of the, house so everyone just
stayed away from. It it wasn't until much later that
these teens realized with horror they had been partying next
to three dead. Bodies his friend said during that week
That aarin seemed calm and happy and, normal that he
(21:09):
told more than one person it was the best week
of his.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Life he had.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Plenty of money to spend on purchases and a nice
truck to. Drive police found bloody clothing In david's, truck
along with a pillow that appeared to have a gunshot
hole in. It that was the one they believed the
killer used as a. Silencer this didn't seem to make,
sense because If aaron's version of the story was, true
(21:34):
Then david would have to have killed his wife and,
daughter then put that bloody pillow case into the, truck
then gone, back lay down on the sofa and shot
himself in the. Head this was something That aaron never
really explained in his version of the. Story aaron told
police he did not kill his, family but he did
(21:55):
tell several different versions of the. Story at, first he
said he had no idea what happened to. Them, later
according to court, documents he said he didn't remember exactly what,
happened but that he could have done. It he admitted
to police he hated his. Stepfather he said he felt
like he was out of. Control Was aaron being abused at?
(22:16):
Home was this just a fight that got out of,
control or was this something much more. Premeditated one friend
Of barbara's Named Darlene, bolin Testified david told her specifically
that he was afraid Of erin and afraid of quote
what was going to. Happen aaron's, Friend David, gunn also
Testified aaron had been thinking about killing his. Stepfather he
(22:39):
said That aaron told him six months before the murders
that he planned to Kill David flick by hitting him
on the head with a wrench and later burying the. Body,
Then aaron's friend Said aaron planned to say that his
stepfather was. Missing police didn't Believe aaron's, story but there
was gunshot residue On David flick's.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
Hands an employee of.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
The State Crime laboratory Testified David flick's left hand tested
positive for gunshot, residue his right hand tested. Negative the
problem was most of the gunshot residue was on the wrong,
hand Because David flick was right.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
Handed when the state crime.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Expert was asked about this in, court she Said david
could have had that residue on his hands because he
had fired a weapon, recently but it also could have
been there for other. Reasons for, example it could have
rubbed off On david if his body was dragged away
by some person who had gunshot residue on their own.
Hands police were not Buying aaron's. Story aaron was charged
(23:42):
with triple capital murder for the killings Of, David, barbara And.
Andrea at, Trial aaron's defense attorneys said his, Father David,
flick was the, killer that he Killed barbara And andrea
and then shot. Himself they claimed That david shot his
wife and daughter using his left hand so his non
dominant hand to, fire and that he used the pillowcases
(24:04):
as homemade silencers to muffle the. Sounds aaron's lawyers set
in court that he was so distraught after coming home
and finding his mother and sister's bodies And david lying
on the sofa already, dead that he Shot david twice
more in the, head and that after trying to cover
up the bodies and, blood he basically disassociated with.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
Reality at, trial.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
The state and the defense painted two very different versions
of what was really going on behind closed doors inside
The flick. House there was no question there were major
problems in that. Home had hated his, stepfather and at
least one Of barbara's close friends testified That aaron's parents
were afraid of, him and there were some things that
(24:52):
police found that would seem, to at least on the,
surface back up some of the things That aaron was
saying about infidelity In barbara And david's, relationship because when
police searched the transmission, shop they found what was described
as sex paraphernalia in. There according to police, reports there
were photographs in that, shop and one of those, photographs
(25:14):
according to court, documents seemed to back up the fact
That barbara was engaged in some kind of sexual activity
and that there were images of, Her but it's really
not clear whether that was evidence of her having an
affair with someone else or whether the pictures just Showed
barbara And, honestly it's confusing because these pictures were in her,
(25:38):
Husband david's, Toolbox so it does beg the, question if
it was Showing barbara engaging in, infidelity Why david would
keep those pictures in his own. Toolbox that is still
a little bit of a. Mystery aaron's attorneys seemed to
be making the point that those photographs could have Caused
david to fly into a rage and could have led
(25:58):
to a volatle argument on the evening Of october, eighth
but those photographs were not allowed in. Court even if
there was a huge fight in the, home what would
Motivate aarin to kill his? Mother the prosecutors believe that
it was the prospect Of david's mother siding with his
stepfather and planning to Send erin away to a juvenile.
Speaker 3 (26:19):
Home but what about his Sister.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Andrea even If aaron flew into a rage and killed his,
stepfather who he admitted to people he, hated and his,
mother how could he kill his eleven year old, sister
who even those who didn't Like aaron admit.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
He seemed to truly.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Love but it turned out That aaron's relationship with his
Sister andrea was not straightforward As aaron may have told.
People remember that friend Of, david's the one who told police,
that according To, David aaron choked his sister because she
wouldn't give him. Money that same friend said That david
did not want erin in the house because he Said
(27:01):
aaron had threatened to Kill andrea if she Told david
About aaron hurting her or stealing her. Money things had
gotten so bad that in the three to five months
before the, Killings david was so worried he would not
Leave andrea alone When aarin was, there And andrea was
so scared of her brother that she would lock herself
(27:23):
in her. Room the state Claimed aaron did it because
he wanted to. Party they introduced evidence of his behavior
during the week after the murders to speak to his
state of. Mind they said he drank, smoke, pot had
sex and three, parties that he spent his stepfather's money
and stole his credit. Cards they claimed that he had
no rem and that one Of aaron's motives in killing
(27:47):
his victims was his desire to engage in a hedonistic,
lifestyle one that presumably he could not have engaged in
unless there were no adult. Witnesses Aaron hodge was found.
Guilty when asked by the judge if he had anything to, Say.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Aaron, Replied i'm not.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Guilty at the, time The Circuit court was required to
Sentence aron to the mandatory sentence life without the possibility of,
parole so in nineteen ninety, Six Aaron hodge was sent
to serve his time in maximum security at The East
Arkansas Regional unit In, marianna where he has been for
the last twenty nine. Years Aaron hodge is still in,
(28:36):
prison but he has a, Girlfriend. Jennifer jennifer Met aaron
as a. Child they reac connected much later when she
was going through a divorce in her. Forties jennifer said
she believes In aaron's.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
INNOCENCE i think we were probably about nine ten years,
old and he lived right around the corner from my,
grandma SO i saw him all the time with his,
sister and our friends were kind of all the, same
AND i mean it was just an odd, Thing LIKE
i remember. SEVENTEEN i didn't talk to him from when
he was seventeen until about about three and a half years. Ago,
NOW i guess every year that he, went you, know
(29:12):
he'd have to come over here To, johnsboro And i'm
not even really sure for, what but he would have
to come over here And i'd see him on THE
ki two would slash that picture and it just break
my heart because he just looks but that's not even
what he looks. Like for, One i'll send you a picture,
too that's not even any of the pictures you see
of me looks so scary and he's. Not he does
not even look like.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
That jennifer.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Said she And aaron started writing letters to each, other
which led to video, visits and then, eventually she said
that he opened up about what he claimed happened during
that fateful week In october in nineteen ninety.
Speaker 4 (29:46):
Seven she had cheated And aaron was going out in
his face Because aaron had gotten them and he was
a punk, kid and he'll tell you, that he, Said
but that doesn't MEAN i killed my, mom you. Know
and they were into. It she was into it with.
Him aaron left to go to his friend's, house was
gone not long at. All when he came, back he,
said he walked, in he's heard something gurgling or, whatever
(30:07):
all the exact, words but his mom and sister were
dead and his stepdad had shot himself and he put
three more rounds. In it might believe it's his, words
but again that needs to come from. Him but it's
always been the. Same it's never changed, ever not. Once
eight months in is when he started opening up about.
It and Then i'd had a teenager go through adolescents
(30:28):
who we just, had you, know just buck wild and
went through. Stuff and SO i think that's WHY i
was put in the situation to be able to understand
and hear it WHEN i, did and oh my, GOSH i,
MEAN i JUST i remember when he told this story
to me the first, time all the way, through my knee.
BUCKLED i, mean they just boockled BECAUSE i, KNEW i
knew in my heart that he was killing the.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Truth in twenty, twelve there was another strange twist in
this case because THE Us Supreme court decided that mandatory
life without the possibility of parole sentences for miners were.
Unconstitutional so that meant people under the age of eighteen
who were given a sentence of life without parole could
(31:09):
be eligible for. Resentencing this Included Aaron, hodge so this
paved the way For aaron to get another sentencing, hearing
which happened On december, sixth twenty twenty, two once again
information was presented to a jury in Craig Head. County
that jury Gave aaron a sentence of thirty, years which
(31:30):
meant that with time, Served Aaron hodge could be free
in as little as three, years which.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
Would be the year twenty twenty.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Five he was eligible for parole before and went before
the parole board in twenty twenty, three but the information
THAT i could find said that the parole hearing that
happened in twenty twenty three was. Deferred so as of,
Today Aaron hodge is still behind, bars but he could
be free very. Soon jennifer said that her family had
(32:04):
expressed concerns about her relationship With, aaron but she says
some of them now believe That aaron is a changed.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
MAN i was, like, look just go back down telling
you and he was this completely different. Person he Found,
god he you, know and everything he's saying out That he's,
LIKE i just want to have a house on the
end of the road with a dog and be able
to see a, sunset AND i see.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
It aaron continues to maintain his innocence as he has
for the past thirty, years and his girlfriend says she
believes that he should be.
Speaker 4 (32:36):
Released he talks about the sunset and goes over and,
over and he, said the first TIME i get out
of him and take a picture of the, sunset where
WERE I Whatever i'm, doing And i'm going to post
it on My facebook with my, name And i'm not gonna,
hide because you know, what everybody want to delve their,
life and they, did and they'll answer To god for.
That but this is my, turn And i'm going to
(32:58):
be exactly Who i'm going to, be And i'm going
to Thank god for it and realize how LUCKY i
am every.
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Day of, course not everyone agreed with. This family members
and people close to the victims believed the rightful killer
was and is behind, bars and that releasing him will
be dangerous to the. Community aaron has had several disciplinary
violations while incarcerated at The East Arkansas REGIONAL. MAX a
(33:24):
petition on change dot org that has been circulated by
supporters of the victims' families claimed that the rescenencing hearing
was biased Because aaron was able to, quote introduce new,
evidence and spew wise and hatred on the stand all
the while us the victims were told to either stick
with what was said in the original try or have
our victim impact statements heavily edited end quote this. Petition
(33:49):
justice for The flicks said they believe that quote the
people Of, Rector arkansas on, us the victims who were
called to retestify and or to read victim's impact statements
are all potentially in danger of his wrath once he is.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
Released end.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
Quote they have asked that people reading the petition contact
the local government representatives to voice their opinions about the
danger of Releasing. Aron so, far this petition has gotten one,
thousand two hundred.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
And sixty seven.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Signatures considering that there are only one eight hundred and
twenty three people In, Rector, arkansas two hundred and sixty
seven people signing a petition is a huge. Number many
of the people who attended parties At aaron's house during
the week That aaron was there with his family's bodies
have commented on social media that they they are afraid
(34:44):
that When aaron gets, out that he'll remember that they
talk to the. Police does the fact that he continues
to deny the killings mean that he has disassociated himself from, them.
Speaker 3 (34:56):
Or that he has no.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Remorse as the clock ticks down to his, release the
community continues to be. Divided I'm Katherine. Townsend this Is
Helen Gone Murder. Line Helen Gone murderline is a production
Of school Of humans And iHeart. Podcasts it's written and
narrated by Me Catherine townsend and produced By Gabby. Watts
(35:19):
special thanks To Amy tubbs for her research assistance and
For James wheaton for legal. Review noah camer mixed and
scored this. Episode our theme song is By Ben. Sale
executive producers Are Virginia, Prescott Brandon, barr and. L. C.
Crowley listen To Helen gone ad free by subscribing to
The iHeart True Crime plus channel On Apple. Podcasts if
(35:41):
you were interested in seeing documents and materials from the,
case you can follow the show On instagram At helen.
Gonpod if you have a case you'd like me and
my team to look, into you can reach out to
us at Our Helen Gone Murder line at six seven
eight seven four four six one four or. Five that's six,
seven eight seven four four six one four or.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
Five school Of humans
School of Humans. Helen Got Murder Line actively investigates cold
case murders in an effort to raise public awareness invite
witnesses to come forward and present evidence that could potentially
be further investigated by law enforcement. While we value insights
from family and community members, their statements should not be
considered evidence and point to the challenges of verifying facts
(01:10):
inherent in cold cases. We remind listeners that everyone has
presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Nothing in the podcast is intended to state or imply
that anyone who has not been convicted of a crime
is guilty of any wrongdoing. Thanks for listening.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
In October of nineteen ninety five, something strange was going
on inside the Flick home at three h two McNabb
Street in Rector, Arkansas. The family was made up of
thirty six year old David Flick, his wife, four year
old Barbara, their daughter, eleven year old Andrea Flick, and
Barbara's son from a previous relationship, seventeen year old Aaron
(01:52):
Michael Hodge. Aaron was never officially adopted by David Flick,
but at the time he used his last name, so
he went by Aaron flick. Barbara was a nurse, her husband,
David had a transmission shop. Friends and family said that
they were a happy couple. Andrea played basketball and did
(02:13):
beauty pageants. Aaron was well liked by his friends as well.
Both Andrea and Aaron were popular at school. Aarin would
later say. Andrea, Barbara, and David were planning on going
to Florida to visit relatives, leaving seventeen year old Aaron
at home, and, like many teens at home alone, Aaron
decided to throw a party. This seems perfectly normal, except
(02:37):
that David, Barbara, and Andrea never arrived in Florida. Their
relatives were concerned, and after a week a friend of
Barbara's called the police. She said the family never showed
up at their relative's house and that no one had
seen them in several days.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
So police did some checking.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
They found that no one in Florida had seen David,
Barbara or Andrea, nor had anyone in Rector, Arkansas. But
there was one member of the family who had been
spotted around town, Aaron Hodge.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
People had seen.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Aaron driving his stepfather's pickup truck around Paragold. That weekend
was a big weekend to be out and about in
that area. It was homecoming weekend, which is a big
deal everywhere and especially in small towns. Everyone was at
the Friday night football game. On October thirteenth, nineteen ninety five,
Aaron drove to the homecoming game and parties in David's
(03:33):
truck and was hanging out with friends there. He was
picked up by police at the homecoming festivity and taken
to the Paragold Police station. Paragold police officer Audrey Emberton
came to the station and interviewed Aarin. Officer Emberton and
another officer, Terry Prewitt, then went to the Flick family
home in the early morning hours at around one am
(03:56):
on Saturday, October fourteenth. Aaron lived in a converted garage.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
It was in the main.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Part of the house, but it was his own kind
of separate area, away from the rest of the family.
When the police asked Aaron about his family, he said
they were fine. He said he had heard from them
a couple of days earlier and they were supposed to
be back later that day, meaning later on Saturday. Police
did not buy that story. At three am, Officer Prewitt
(04:24):
went back to the home to talk to erin again.
This time Officer Prewett asked if he could get access
to the main part of the house where the rest
of the family lived. Aaron told police that the doors
were locked, so Officer Prewitt looked around. He looked in
a window of the main house and saw some sheets
on the floor. When he asked Aaron about the sheets,
Aaron said the family had been doing some remodeling. Later
(04:48):
that morning, Aaron was at the police station answering questions,
and police went back to the Flick house. Officer Prewitt
got closer to the front door and he smelled something horrible.
The stench of decomposition was so overpowering that police later
noted they could smell it when they were one hundred
and fifty feet away from the house. Officer Prewitt entered
(05:11):
the home, the smell got worse as he went further in.
He found David, Andrea, and Barbara all dead, and forensic
testing later showed they had been dead for about a week.
This episode is going to be a little bit different
from other cases we cover because this case isn't open.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
It's already been solved.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
But I thought that it was important to cover because
this is a very divisive case. There is a man
in prison for these murders, someone who claims that he
was wrongfully convicted. So was there a misunderstanding, could someone
else have been involved? Or is the right person behind
bars for killing this family in cold blood? On the surface,
(05:58):
this appeared to be a perfect family, but detectives quickly
discovered things behind closed doors were far from what they seemed.
What happened to turn this seemingly perfect family into a
house of horrors?
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I'm Catherine Townsend.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Over the past five years of making my true crime podcast,
Helling Gone, I've learned that there's no such thing as
a small town where murder never happens. I've received hundreds
of messages from people all around the country asking for
help with an unsolved murder that's affected them, their families,
and their communities.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
If you have a.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Case you'd like me and my team to look into,
you can reach out to us at our Hell and
Gone Murder Line at six seven eight seven four four six'
one four five at six seven eight seven four four
six one four, five or you can send us a
message On instagram At Helen. Gonepod this Is Helen Gone Murder.
(06:56):
Line police In. Arkansas we're interviewing seventeen year Old Aaron
(07:41):
hodge about a possible involvement the triple homicide of his entire.
Family aaron was. Crying he said he had no idea what. Happened,
meanwhile police were processing the crime. Scene inside the, house
the doorway To andrea's room was. Locked police busted it
down and found her lying in her. Bed andrea had
(08:03):
been shot in the. Head her torso was on the
bed and her feet were dangling off. It she was
wearing only her underwear and had been covered up with her.
Comforter andrea's white shorts AND t shirt were on the
floor near the. Bed her head was leaning against a
wall and her arm was up in what may have
been a defensive. Position detectives said they felt like she
(08:25):
had struggled with her, killer and that her killer had
used a pillow to muffle the noise from the. Gun
aaron lived in a converted bedroom right off the. Garage
his room was neat with no trace of. Blood police
did fine shells from a thirty eight caliber weapon In aaron's.
Room they later said that the murder weapon had been
(08:46):
a thirty eight caliber gun like the one owned By David.
Flick police followed the trail of blood down the hall
To barber's. Bedroom they found her lying on her bed
in her, nightgown with layers of bedding covering her. Body
because she was wearing her nightgown and because of the
position of her, body they felt That barbara had been
(09:07):
sleeping when she was. Attacked they Found david's body there,
too face, down at the foot Of barbara's water. Bed
he was wearing blue pants and a WHITE t. Shirt
police noted they found no signs of a struggle in this.
Bedroom police thought That david had not been shot and
killed In barbara's, bedroom but that he had been dragged
(09:29):
there from the living.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Room there were pulls of.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Blood on the living room sofa and a blood trail
down the hallway of the house that had been covered
up with. Pillows officers believed the killer had used the
pillows to muffle the sound of the, gun but there
was a lot that police didn't know because the bodies Of,
David andrea And barbara were too decomposed to know exactly
(09:52):
what happened to them or how long they had been.
There all three victims were bloated and covered in large
blisters that were filled with. Fluid all of them had
been shot in the head at close. Range barbara And
andrea had each been shot. Once david had been shot three.
Times SO i want to back up and look at
(10:14):
how long the police had been asking questions about the
family and how Long aaron had been stalling with giving
them any. Information On october, fourteenth after Officers pruitt And
imbriden talked To aaron at three am and he said
his family was, fine police went To David flick's transmission
shop to see if they could find any. Clues police
(10:35):
Asked david's employee if he had noticed. Anything he said
that a toolbox Of david's had been broken, into there
was some, money and a gun that belonged To david.
Missing police suspected that something was, wrong so by now
the police Had aaron in. Custody when they got to
the interview, Room Officer, leach the officer who was Interrogating,
(10:56):
aaron Asked aarin to tell him what he. Knew aaron
said that his family were in the, home and Then
Officer leach asked what condition they were in if they were.
Okay aaron, said they're. Dead so Then aaron told his
version of the. Story, first he said he wasn't sure
what happened to his. Family, later he completely denied having
(11:20):
anything to do with their. Deaths he basically said that
he had gotten into a big fight With david and
That david had killed his. Family one week After David,
Flick Barbara, flick And Andrea flick were supposed to arrive In,
(11:41):
florida police were Interviewing aaron at the deaths of his family,
members But erin claimed that he didn't kill his. Family
he said that his, Stepfather David, flick had Killed andrea
And barbara in a fit of rage and then turned
the gun on. Himself but it was obvious that someone
had covered up the bodies in the. Home there were, sheets, blankets,
(12:04):
pillows and rugs spread out all over the living, room
So aaron's version of the story on the, surface seemed
to make zero. Sense If david had killed his wife
and daughter and then shot, himself how could he have
shot himself three.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Times in the.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Head this would mean That aaron had found the bodies
and then moved. Them after finding the, bodies police Reinterviewed
Arin Arin now said That david had been cheating On
barbara and that they had been sleeping. Separately aaron claimed
that he told his mother about the infidelity and that
she had made a plan to Leave. David aaron claimed
(12:45):
That andrea And barbara were planning on going To florida
without him And. David he said that He, aaron was
supposed to go To florida to meet them. Later aaron
said he was supposed to stay with his grandmother until
he made the trip To. Florida then he was going
to be reunited with his mother and. Sister aarin admitted
that he did break Into david's. Store he stole his
(13:06):
stepfather's gun in, cash but he said he did that
Because david owed him. Money aaron said he and a
friend of his Named David gun had broken in To david's.
Shop after that he went. Home he had the gun
and the money with. Him he wanted to Avoid, david
so he said he went to his bedroom and locked the.
(13:27):
Door while in the, bedroom he claimed he was counting
the money and messing around with the, gun putting bullets
in it and pulling them. Out he Said david came
into his room and found him with the gun and the.
Money he said that he and his stepfather got into an.
Argument at some, point the argument spilled out into the living.
Room aaron said he Told david That barbara hated him
(13:50):
and that they were going to leave. Him aaron said
he told his stepfather he wished that he was. Dead,
Then aaron claimed that his stepfather was trying to Get
aaron to fight. Him aaron said he refused to do
that and he left the. House aaron claimed that when
he came back to the, house he heard something a,
gurgling snoring kind of noise coming From. David david was
(14:14):
on the. Couch he noticed there was blood pouring off
of the. Couch he claimed That david was already. Dead
aaron said that he was horrified to find his mother
and sister dead as. Well he said he believed That
david had killed both of them and then turned the
gun on. Himself aaron said that when he realized What
(14:35):
david had, done he shot his stepfather's body two more
times because he was so angry at. Him police Asked
daron why he hadn't called the authorities to report that
his parents and sister were. Dead he, said, basically he was.
Scared he said that he was afraid that police would
blame him for the, killings so he just shut the
(14:57):
door to the. House he went out to his own
separate area and left them, there and then he threw
a party in his part of the, house one that
didn't end for several.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Days could this be?
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Possible Could aaron have found the bodies, and in some
kind of disassociated state of, shock just Moved david into
the bedroom and then stayed away gone out with his.
Friends after the, interview detectives had to figure out If
aaron's version of events was even.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
Possible was this just.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
A terrified teen who was disassociated from reality after abuse
at home or a cold blooded. Killer in the days
between his family's deaths and police discovering the, Bodies aaron lived.
Large he drove David it's black nineteen eighty NINE gmc
pickup truck around. Town he spent the money that he
had stolen from the. Shop he also Used david's credit.
(15:52):
Cards witnesses told police That aaron spent money on clothes AT. J. C,
penny on gas and other, items and That aaron was
Signing david's name for these. Purchases one Of aaron's friends
told police he saw receipts for big amounts six hundred
to seven hundred, dollars and when friends and family members
(16:13):
would Ask arin where his parents, were he told everyone
that they were on vacation In. Florida after police Told
aaron they found the, bodies he insisted That david had murdered.
Them police talked To david And barbara's. Friends many of
them Said david And barbara had a lot of problems With,
aaron and one friend Of barbara's confessed something even more.
(16:35):
Suspicious she said Both barbara And david had been afraid Of.
Erin they said That aaron had issues at, school that
he had recently been suspended for a day for making
an obscene gesture while the class picture was being, taken.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
But things were more serious than just school.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
PRANKS a friend Of david's who worked with him at
the transmission shop told police That david had Bought aaron
A mustang for his sixteenth, birthday but that one condition
of buying the car was That aaron had to maintain good,
grades But aarin, Didn't his grades slipped and the car
was taken. Away Then arin got stopped at THE asu.
(17:13):
Campus he gave his name As Aaron flick and apparently
used a fake social security.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
Number.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Anne david also confided in his friend That arin had
choked his Sister andrea because she wouldn't give him. Money
david told his friend that he was ready to Leave
barbara because he couldn't Discipline aaron the way he wanted,
to but he said he wouldn't leave because of his.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Love for his.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Daughter so tensions were rising inside that. House but what
could have happened that led to the triple. Homicide friends
Of aaron said that he drank and took. Drugs his,
grandmother the grandmother he said he was supposed to stay,
with was the only one WHO i can find in
police interviews who actually had some nice things to say About.
(18:02):
Aaron she apparently described him as being a mild mannered.
Person in, fact things had gotten so bad Between aaron
and his parents they were planning on sending him to
a juvenile facility The Arkansas Baptist Boys ranch In, harrison
and the relationship Between aaron and his, Stepfather david was particularly.
Tumultuous police talked To aaron's, Friend David. Gunn this friend
(18:28):
later testified That aaron asked him if he would drive
erin to his stepfather's transmission shop at eleven pm On,
Sunday october, eighth nineteen ninety. Five when they got, There
aaron tried his keys in the, door but the keys didn't,
work So david said that Anir aaron broke into the
shop and then broke open a. Toolbox all there was
in there was fifty, dollars Which aaron. Stole the friend
(18:52):
testified this seemed to be kind of a surprise To,
aaron Because aaron said he expected to find more. Money
aaron's friends said That aaron also stole a pistol a
holster in shells from the. Toolbox he said That aaron
loaded five shells into that. Pistol after, That David gunn
said that he And aaron took a ride and drove
to a. Cemetery aaron got out of the car and said.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
He needed to.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Think then he came back to the. Car they drove
To aaron's. House aaron walked in carrying that stolen. Pistol
the next time he Saw aaron was when he was
at school the next day driving his stepfather's. Truck police
were trying to establish a timeline because of the fact
That aaron was driving the. Truck police believed the family
(19:37):
were killed on the night Of october, eighth nineteen ninety,
five which means they would have been lying there for
five days until the thirteenth or the early morning hours
of the, fourteenth when they were. Found more than one
person told police it was very unusual For aaron to
be driving his stepfather's. Vehicle they knew he did not
normally have permission to drive that. TRUCK a lot of
(20:00):
people told Police aaron and his stepfather did not get,
along And aaron didn't just drive the truck to school
that one. Day he drove his stepfather's truck for several.
Days he took his friends to the, Movies he drove
Around rector And paragold And jonesboro in the, truck and
he threw parties at. Home police talked to a lot
(20:21):
of teenagers who said they were drinking and smoking pot
in that apartment all. Week police also talked to a
young woman who testified she had sex With aaron in
his bedroom off the. Garage some people at the parties
said they noticed a bad smell even though the bodies
were in the main part of the. House they Said
(20:42):
aaron had excus. Uses he told them the sewer was backing.
Up he told others it was cat.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Litter he.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Said there was work and remodeling and stuff going on
in the main part of the, house so everyone just
stayed away from. It it wasn't until much later that
these teens realized with horror they had been partying next
to three dead. Bodies his friend said during that week
That aarin seemed calm and happy and, normal that he
(21:09):
told more than one person it was the best week
of his.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Life he had.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Plenty of money to spend on purchases and a nice
truck to. Drive police found bloody clothing In david's, truck
along with a pillow that appeared to have a gunshot
hole in. It that was the one they believed the
killer used as a. Silencer this didn't seem to make,
sense because If aaron's version of the story was, true
(21:34):
Then david would have to have killed his wife and,
daughter then put that bloody pillow case into the, truck
then gone, back lay down on the sofa and shot
himself in the. Head this was something That aaron never
really explained in his version of the. Story aaron told
police he did not kill his, family but he did
(21:55):
tell several different versions of the. Story at, first he
said he had no idea what happened to. Them, later
according to court, documents he said he didn't remember exactly what,
happened but that he could have done. It he admitted
to police he hated his. Stepfather he said he felt
like he was out of. Control Was aaron being abused at?
(22:16):
Home was this just a fight that got out of,
control or was this something much more. Premeditated one friend
Of barbara's Named Darlene, bolin Testified david told her specifically
that he was afraid Of erin and afraid of quote
what was going to. Happen aaron's, Friend David, gunn also
Testified aaron had been thinking about killing his. Stepfather he
(22:39):
said That aaron told him six months before the murders
that he planned to Kill David flick by hitting him
on the head with a wrench and later burying the. Body,
Then aaron's friend Said aaron planned to say that his
stepfather was. Missing police didn't Believe aaron's, story but there
was gunshot residue On David flick's.
Speaker 3 (23:00):
Hands an employee of.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
The State Crime laboratory Testified David flick's left hand tested
positive for gunshot, residue his right hand tested. Negative the
problem was most of the gunshot residue was on the wrong,
hand Because David flick was right.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
Handed when the state crime.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Expert was asked about this in, court she Said david
could have had that residue on his hands because he
had fired a weapon, recently but it also could have
been there for other. Reasons for, example it could have
rubbed off On david if his body was dragged away
by some person who had gunshot residue on their own.
Hands police were not Buying aaron's. Story aaron was charged
(23:42):
with triple capital murder for the killings Of, David, barbara And.
Andrea at, Trial aaron's defense attorneys said his, Father David,
flick was the, killer that he Killed barbara And andrea
and then shot. Himself they claimed That david shot his
wife and daughter using his left hand so his non
dominant hand to, fire and that he used the pillowcases
(24:04):
as homemade silencers to muffle the. Sounds aaron's lawyers set
in court that he was so distraught after coming home
and finding his mother and sister's bodies And david lying
on the sofa already, dead that he Shot david twice
more in the, head and that after trying to cover
up the bodies and, blood he basically disassociated with.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
Reality at, trial.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
The state and the defense painted two very different versions
of what was really going on behind closed doors inside
The flick. House there was no question there were major
problems in that. Home had hated his, stepfather and at
least one Of barbara's close friends testified That aaron's parents
were afraid of, him and there were some things that
(24:52):
police found that would seem, to at least on the,
surface back up some of the things That aaron was
saying about infidelity In barbara And david's, relationship because when
police searched the transmission, shop they found what was described
as sex paraphernalia in. There according to police, reports there
were photographs in that, shop and one of those, photographs
(25:14):
according to court, documents seemed to back up the fact
That barbara was engaged in some kind of sexual activity
and that there were images of, Her but it's really
not clear whether that was evidence of her having an
affair with someone else or whether the pictures just Showed
barbara And, honestly it's confusing because these pictures were in her,
(25:38):
Husband david's, Toolbox so it does beg the, question if
it was Showing barbara engaging in, infidelity Why david would
keep those pictures in his own. Toolbox that is still
a little bit of a. Mystery aaron's attorneys seemed to
be making the point that those photographs could have Caused
david to fly into a rage and could have led
(25:58):
to a volatle argument on the evening Of october, eighth
but those photographs were not allowed in. Court even if
there was a huge fight in the, home what would
Motivate aarin to kill his? Mother the prosecutors believe that
it was the prospect Of david's mother siding with his
stepfather and planning to Send erin away to a juvenile.
Speaker 3 (26:19):
Home but what about his Sister.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Andrea even If aaron flew into a rage and killed his,
stepfather who he admitted to people he, hated and his,
mother how could he kill his eleven year old, sister
who even those who didn't Like aaron admit.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
He seemed to truly.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Love but it turned out That aaron's relationship with his
Sister andrea was not straightforward As aaron may have told.
People remember that friend Of, david's the one who told police,
that according To, David aaron choked his sister because she
wouldn't give him. Money that same friend said That david
did not want erin in the house because he Said
(27:01):
aaron had threatened to Kill andrea if she Told david
About aaron hurting her or stealing her. Money things had
gotten so bad that in the three to five months
before the, Killings david was so worried he would not
Leave andrea alone When aarin was, there And andrea was
so scared of her brother that she would lock herself
(27:23):
in her. Room the state Claimed aaron did it because
he wanted to. Party they introduced evidence of his behavior
during the week after the murders to speak to his
state of. Mind they said he drank, smoke, pot had
sex and three, parties that he spent his stepfather's money
and stole his credit. Cards they claimed that he had
no rem and that one Of aaron's motives in killing
(27:47):
his victims was his desire to engage in a hedonistic,
lifestyle one that presumably he could not have engaged in
unless there were no adult. Witnesses Aaron hodge was found.
Guilty when asked by the judge if he had anything to, Say.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Aaron, Replied i'm not.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Guilty at the, time The Circuit court was required to
Sentence aron to the mandatory sentence life without the possibility of,
parole so in nineteen ninety, Six Aaron hodge was sent
to serve his time in maximum security at The East
Arkansas Regional unit In, marianna where he has been for
the last twenty nine. Years Aaron hodge is still in,
(28:36):
prison but he has a, Girlfriend. Jennifer jennifer Met aaron
as a. Child they reac connected much later when she
was going through a divorce in her. Forties jennifer said
she believes In aaron's.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
INNOCENCE i think we were probably about nine ten years,
old and he lived right around the corner from my,
grandma SO i saw him all the time with his,
sister and our friends were kind of all the, same
AND i mean it was just an odd, Thing LIKE
i remember. SEVENTEEN i didn't talk to him from when
he was seventeen until about about three and a half years. Ago,
NOW i guess every year that he, went you, know
(29:12):
he'd have to come over here To, johnsboro And i'm
not even really sure for, what but he would have
to come over here And i'd see him on THE
ki two would slash that picture and it just break
my heart because he just looks but that's not even
what he looks. Like for, One i'll send you a picture,
too that's not even any of the pictures you see
of me looks so scary and he's. Not he does
not even look like.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
That jennifer.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Said she And aaron started writing letters to each, other
which led to video, visits and then, eventually she said
that he opened up about what he claimed happened during
that fateful week In october in nineteen ninety.
Speaker 4 (29:46):
Seven she had cheated And aaron was going out in
his face Because aaron had gotten them and he was
a punk, kid and he'll tell you, that he, Said
but that doesn't MEAN i killed my, mom you. Know
and they were into. It she was into it with.
Him aaron left to go to his friend's, house was
gone not long at. All when he came, back he,
said he walked, in he's heard something gurgling or, whatever
(30:07):
all the exact, words but his mom and sister were
dead and his stepdad had shot himself and he put
three more rounds. In it might believe it's his, words
but again that needs to come from. Him but it's
always been the. Same it's never changed, ever not. Once
eight months in is when he started opening up about.
It and Then i'd had a teenager go through adolescents
(30:28):
who we just, had you, know just buck wild and
went through. Stuff and SO i think that's WHY i
was put in the situation to be able to understand
and hear it WHEN i, did and oh my, GOSH i,
MEAN i JUST i remember when he told this story
to me the first, time all the way, through my knee.
BUCKLED i, mean they just boockled BECAUSE i, KNEW i
knew in my heart that he was killing the.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Truth in twenty, twelve there was another strange twist in
this case because THE Us Supreme court decided that mandatory
life without the possibility of parole sentences for miners were.
Unconstitutional so that meant people under the age of eighteen
who were given a sentence of life without parole could
(31:09):
be eligible for. Resentencing this Included Aaron, hodge so this
paved the way For aaron to get another sentencing, hearing
which happened On december, sixth twenty twenty, two once again
information was presented to a jury in Craig Head. County
that jury Gave aaron a sentence of thirty, years which
(31:30):
meant that with time, Served Aaron hodge could be free
in as little as three, years which.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
Would be the year twenty twenty.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Five he was eligible for parole before and went before
the parole board in twenty twenty, three but the information
THAT i could find said that the parole hearing that
happened in twenty twenty three was. Deferred so as of,
Today Aaron hodge is still behind, bars but he could
be free very. Soon jennifer said that her family had
(32:04):
expressed concerns about her relationship With, aaron but she says
some of them now believe That aaron is a changed.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
MAN i was, like, look just go back down telling
you and he was this completely different. Person he Found,
god he you, know and everything he's saying out That he's,
LIKE i just want to have a house on the
end of the road with a dog and be able
to see a, sunset AND i see.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
It aaron continues to maintain his innocence as he has
for the past thirty, years and his girlfriend says she
believes that he should be.
Speaker 4 (32:36):
Released he talks about the sunset and goes over and,
over and he, said the first TIME i get out
of him and take a picture of the, sunset where
WERE I Whatever i'm, doing And i'm going to post
it on My facebook with my, name And i'm not gonna,
hide because you know, what everybody want to delve their,
life and they, did and they'll answer To god for.
That but this is my, turn And i'm going to
(32:58):
be exactly Who i'm going to, be And i'm going
to Thank god for it and realize how LUCKY i
am every.
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Day of, course not everyone agreed with. This family members
and people close to the victims believed the rightful killer
was and is behind, bars and that releasing him will
be dangerous to the. Community aaron has had several disciplinary
violations while incarcerated at The East Arkansas REGIONAL. MAX a
(33:24):
petition on change dot org that has been circulated by
supporters of the victims' families claimed that the rescenencing hearing
was biased Because aaron was able to, quote introduce new,
evidence and spew wise and hatred on the stand all
the while us the victims were told to either stick
with what was said in the original try or have
our victim impact statements heavily edited end quote this. Petition
(33:49):
justice for The flicks said they believe that quote the
people Of, Rector arkansas on, us the victims who were
called to retestify and or to read victim's impact statements
are all potentially in danger of his wrath once he is.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
Released end.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
Quote they have asked that people reading the petition contact
the local government representatives to voice their opinions about the
danger of Releasing. Aron so, far this petition has gotten one,
thousand two hundred.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
And sixty seven.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
Signatures considering that there are only one eight hundred and
twenty three people In, Rector, arkansas two hundred and sixty
seven people signing a petition is a huge. Number many
of the people who attended parties At aaron's house during
the week That aaron was there with his family's bodies
have commented on social media that they they are afraid
(34:44):
that When aaron gets, out that he'll remember that they
talk to the. Police does the fact that he continues
to deny the killings mean that he has disassociated himself from, them.
Speaker 3 (34:56):
Or that he has no.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Remorse as the clock ticks down to his, release the
community continues to be. Divided I'm Katherine. Townsend this Is
Helen Gone Murder. Line Helen Gone murderline is a production
Of school Of humans And iHeart. Podcasts it's written and
narrated by Me Catherine townsend and produced By Gabby. Watts
(35:19):
special thanks To Amy tubbs for her research assistance and
For James wheaton for legal. Review noah camer mixed and
scored this. Episode our theme song is By Ben. Sale
executive producers Are Virginia, Prescott Brandon, barr and. L. C.
Crowley listen To Helen gone ad free by subscribing to
The iHeart True Crime plus channel On Apple. Podcasts if
(35:41):
you were interested in seeing documents and materials from the,
case you can follow the show On instagram At helen.
Gonpod if you have a case you'd like me and
my team to look, into you can reach out to
us at Our Helen Gone Murder line at six seven
eight seven four four six one four or. Five that's six,
seven eight seven four four six one four or.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
Five school Of humans
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