Murder in Illinois

Murder in Illinois

In 2007, Chris Vaughn was arrested during a funeral for his wife and three children. He would be tried and convicted of their murders. To this day he maintains no memory of what occurred that tragic day 20 years ago. Murder in Illinois follows the complicated circumstances that led to Vaughn’s conviction, as well as the forensic evidence his supporters believe proves his innocence- in attempt to answer one question: Who killed the Vaughn family?

Episodes

December 23, 2025 41 mins

Sarah Marshall knew from only a few months into her fourth daughter Phoebe's life that something was definitely wrong. By the time Phoebe was six, Sarah began to fear for her daughter's life. She underwent countless tests, dozens of surgeries, and was in and out of the hospital for years. Phoebe’s health was declining and no one could tell their family what was wrong. Desperate for answers and unwilling to give up on her daug...

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Michelle Shapiro had built a career helping others get healthy when she was hit with a debilitating health crisis. Doctors were unable to identify the cause of her symptoms - no matter how hard Michelle pushed for answers. So unwell that she could barely function - Michelle made it her mission to get to the bottom of what was going on only to find that the condition she was experiencing is still being understood by the medical comm...

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December 9, 2025 43 mins

What began as intermittent rashes that popped up years apart turned into excruciating, long term flare ups with no reprieve for Kristen Willard. Unable to sleep, shower, or even put on pants - Kristen’s quality of life plummeted. With no common trigger to explain the debilitating flares, she was forced to endure for months on end without relief. After decades and at the end of her rope, Kristen seeks answers one last time.&nb...

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December 2, 2025 40 mins

Rockstar Casey McPherson and his family were shocked to the core when his daughter Rose was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation that has no known treatment. Faced with the possibility of losing his daughter, the front man of the Flying Colours dropped everything to devote his life to trying to find a cure before time runs out.

We want to hear from you! Share your own medical mystery or tell us about the episode you connected wit...

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November 25, 2025 41 mins

For as long as Cienna Ditri can remember, she has had random bouts of “heavy legs”and loss of vision. As she got older - that sensation grew into episodes in which she could not move altogether. Cienna was passing out multiple times a day and frequently losing vision. After a slew of misdiagnoses - she was unsure she would ever understand the cause…until one doctor found the needle in the haystack.

 

We want...

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November 18, 2025 47 mins

Ian Stedman suffered 32 years with full body rashes, debilitating headaches, joint pain and hearing loss without a clear diagnosis. His Mother Barb had gone over 60 years with the same symptoms. After hundreds of doctors visits and decades of frustration - they had resigned to believe there were no answers. That is until Ian’s daughter, Lia was born covered in that all-too-recognizable rash. Ian re-ignited his search for answ...

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November 11, 2025 42 mins

From the moment Hailey got her period, she could tell that something was different about her. Suffering debilitating menstrual cramps and a flow so heavy she would pass out from blood loss…Hailey spent half of every month fighting to stand up. When she joined the Air Force as a medic, Hailey did not predict how agonizing her symptoms would become… and how harrowing her journey to a diagnosis would be as a woman in a m...

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November 4, 2025 39 mins

Nika spent half her life battling a shape-shifting condition that plagued her in various ways for nearly two decades. Fighting chronic pain, fevers, fatigue, and even strokes. In her 30s, after a series of lymphoma scares, Nika thought she was going to die without answers. But, 17 years, 26 doctors and 37 procedures later - Nika was finally able to name her faceless foe.

 

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October 28, 2025 2 mins

New season. New mysteries. Host Lauren Bright Pacheco returns to uncover the hidden truths behind chronic and rare illnesses. These are the stories of symptoms that defy explanation and the people who refuse to give up. Look out for new episodes of Symptomatic starting November 4th!

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We’re celebrating Dr. David Fajgenbaum and revisiting one of our most impactful stories. David was just named to the TIME100 Health list and has a powerful new TED Talk—milestones that reflect the empathy, curiosity, and determination at the heart of his work.

Once a college quarterback and competitive weightlifter, David became critically ill at 25. When standard treatments failed to keep him out of the ICU, he and his...

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March 6, 2025 42 mins

The final episode, subject to future updates, of Murder on Songbird Road invites listeners and former interviewees to reflect on their thoughts and opinions regarding the case against Julia Bevely. Additionally, Bevely's legal team provides an update on the current status of her appeal process.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com

CONTACTS:

The Illinois Attorney Gene...

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February 27, 2025 42 mins

Bob and Lauren return to Marion, knocking on doors once again. This time, however, they uncover crucial footage that reveals significant flaws in the investigation’s hasty rush to judgment.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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February 20, 2025 46 mins

The infamous Huck’s footage exposes critical flaws in the prosecution’s theory, reinforced by a criminologist’s analysis of stabbing murders—setting the stage for Innocence activist Jason Flom to intervene and alter the course of Bevely’s legal battle.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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February 13, 2025 45 mins

The access to the interrogation video and the collection of Bevely’s DNA raise concerns about official protocol and the broader objectives of the investigation. Additionally, the prosecution’s influence on the case comes under scrutiny.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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February 6, 2025 42 mins

The State’s Attorney claimed Bevely’s account of encountering an armed assailant was proven false within days of the murder but a closer look into call records raises questions about other possible suspects.

Wrongful Conviction Podcast Episodes:

Julie Rae

Michelle Murphy

Melissa Lucio

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com

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January 30, 2025 45 mins

The family of Jade’s father share their remembrances of a life tragically ended and thoughts on the woman they believe took it. Speculation as to what could have motivated the murder takes an unlikely turn, leading to Salem, Massachusetts.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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January 23, 2025 42 mins

Weeks after she was arrested for the murder of her step-daughter, Julia Bevely realized she was expecting her fourth child. Her subsequent treatment during pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a pre-trial detainee remain, next to the murder, the most disturbing aspects of the case.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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January 16, 2025 40 mins

The day of the sentencing, Bob and Lauren retrace the route Julia Bevely claims to have taken the morning of the murder with surprising results. Her increasingly polarizing fate is then decided in a packed Marion courtroom filled with contrasting emotions.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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January 9, 2025 38 mins

Bob and Lauren connect in Marion, Illinois for Julia Bevely’s sentencing. Through a jailhouse visit with Bevely- and interviews with her family- a narrative emerges that is at odds with key elements of the prosecution theory in terms of the murder and the woman convicted of having committed it. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

 

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January 2, 2025 36 mins

Just days after the murder, the Williamson County State’s Attorney announced the death of Jade Beasley- and the arrest of Julia Bevely- in the same press conference. He claimed a thorough investigation had already been conducted, but glaring questions remain to this day. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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