March 29, 2023 • 18 mins
Shortly after the Burger Chef murders, another diner employee went missing after her shift and the culprit was allegedly seen at the aforementioned fast food joint. Are the crimes related? Is it possible we just solved a cold case? Conclusion. Originally broadcast October 14, 2020.
Written by Daniel Jones and Chelsea Bray, narrated by Schuyler Fastenau, and executive produced by Daniel Jones. Additional voices by Jordan Katcher, Rainee Blake, Tamara Perry, Matt MacNelly, Walker Barnes, Jeremy Staple, Allyn Anthony Moriyon, Daniel Jones, and Sophia Sassone. Cover artwork by Catherine Fastenau. Theme music by Tracy Zales. Sound recording by Chelsea Bray.
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Written by Daniel Jones and Chelsea Bray, narrated by Schuyler Fastenau, and executive produced by Daniel Jones. Additional voices by Jordan Katcher, Rainee Blake, Tamara Perry, Matt MacNelly, Walker Barnes, Jeremy Staple, Allyn Anthony Moriyon, Daniel Jones, and Sophia Sassone. Cover artwork by Catherine Fastenau. Theme music by Tracy Zales. Sound recording by Chelsea Bray.
Follow us on:
Check out our other shows:
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:07):
I love a good coincidence, don'tyou. It is so satisfying when the
universe throws unexpected things at you atjust the right moment. I've mentioned before
that at the start of COVID nineteenI began listening to way more audio books
Chapter one. One day I decidedto go back through the Hunger Game series.
No sooner had I finished the firstone when I learned that Suzanne Collins
(00:29):
had written a prequel, Woe Baby, I had a new book to read.
Granted, the book is still sittingon my shelf waiting for me to
start it, but it was prettyrad to learn that once I finished the
story of Panama again, I'd getto open a new chapter. Another great
series I started rereading was Harry PotterLord. Getting Ahold of those books,
(00:52):
whether audio or ebook, is damnnear impossible through my local library. I
was on a waiting list for abouta month before I could finally get the
second one. And then one day, when I went to do laundry,
I noticed that someone had left copiesof the first four in our laundry room
with a please take and enjoy signnext to them. Those puppies were in
near mint condition and I snatched themup faster than green grass through a goose.
(01:15):
Wowee, was I one happy homothat day. Sometimes, though a
coincidence doesn't happen for something fun,Sometimes a coincidence happens between two unsolved murders
in a town that most people callmister Rogers neighborhood Clayton, Indiana, a
small town beauty bunked up with herrough and tumble beast in their Midwest castle.
(01:38):
All was perfect until the day theydisappeared. Welcome too, dead time
stories, good morning, and Henna. It's Tuesday, June sixth, nineteen
(02:15):
seventy eight. The weather is turnthat shit off. Don't forget to lock
your cardoor. The sneaky are still. Twenty five year old Tim Willoughby rolled
over with the grown as his girlfriend, twenty two year old Mary Anne Higginbottom
cheerfully woke him up. Wakey,wakey, eggs and bakeykodning. How can
(02:38):
you be so fucking happy in themorning? Come on, grumpy, where's
the rest of the seven dwarves?I'll make us some breakfast, now,
skip breakfast. They normally have donutsat the shop anyway, Okay, that's
fine, Just don't forget you promisemy mom you would fix your trail light
this week. I remember a woman. Just leave me alone, Okay,
(03:00):
we'll find then. I guess I'lljust eat breakfast at the diner. Since
you clearly don't want to talk tome, Lisa, get respect there.
Marianne drove to him to his jobat the autobody shop. She took note
of new cars with no damage sittingoutside the building. New cars. Yeah,
they came off the interstate. Okay, but isn't that one of the
(03:22):
cars that's been stored. Don't askquestions, you don't want answers. To
pick me up at six sharp.I'll do my best, but my shift
isn't done till five and we haveto close up. Just be here at
six women. After that less thanpleasant interaction, Marianne made her way to
her job at Lofner's Diner and Plainesville. Little did she know that it would
(03:45):
be the last day she would evertie on her apron and swipe her badge
on the time clock. Two hikerstrekked through a nearby forest. So did
you get that job at burger Chef? Yeah? But I just don't really
want to work for the man Igot my rockstar dreams. Yeah, fuck
(04:06):
off, you're just scared of getan eighty six like those kids last year.
If you're confused about this jump backin an episode, Okay, back
to the Hikers hasn't even been ayear. Man. They never caught the
guys who did it. Nah man, Oh, it was just robbery gone
bad, the pigs saying nobody sawanything. I still think it has something
(04:29):
to do with that chick's brother andhis weed problem. Probably oh to debt.
Yeah, I don't know. Istill think it has something to do
with someone trying to hijack her newcall he dickhead. Look, Yo,
is that a keg? Fuck youbro yo, that is a keg.
The two young teenagers scurried over towhat they thought was a pot of gold
(04:51):
in the woods, but they quicklyrealized that this was no keg at all.
Using a strong tree branch, thetwo pride opened this barrel in the
woods and screamed, Oh, goodmorning, Speedway, Welcome back to the
(05:12):
morning. Eagle Eye with me Skyon one oh one point two FM.
It's a sunny eighty five degrees onthis Tuesday, June fifth, nineteen seventy
nine. It's another sad day forIndiana's youth. A missing twenty two year
old female was tragically found by hikersin White Lick Creek in Morseville. She
(05:35):
had been shot in the head executionstyle and was found shoved in a barrel.
If you ever. Marianne's mother,Norma, shuffled down the local Morgus
hallway as bravely as she could.The mortician awaited her by the door.
(05:56):
Is is she in there, missusboff? Yes, police believe it's her.
Okay, Oh oh, my baby. No, no, my baby,
no, my little little girl.I'm so strong. No, no,
(06:19):
no, don't touch me. Don'ttouch you. Kramer, Cramer,
Where's where's Kramer? One of theofficers involved on Marianne's case. Get that
side of a bitch down here now. You tell him to find the monsters
who've done this to my little girl. The police are working hard him.
Where's Tim. Mister Willoughby hasn't beenfound. Mister Willoughby. Please, I
(06:44):
know that no contraction has something todo with this. I told her.
I told Marianne to leave him andget out of Clayton. A year.
My baby has been missing for agoddamn year, roughly a year before this,
(07:05):
Norma marched down the police headquarters hallway. Marianne never came home after her
shift at the diner, end Normahope the cops would be able to find
her. Hey there, Jim,nice to see you, Norma. How's
the kids? Actually, my kidsis what I wanted to talk to you
about. Have you seen Marianne lately? Not today? No, Okay,
(07:26):
it's just she hasn't been home ina couple of days. I'm sure she's
fine. You got yourself a smartgirl, Thanks Jim. It's so sweet.
Jim. Yes, Norma, youhaven't seen Tim, have you?
Yes, Yes, I have.I saw him at the shop last week.
Okay, thank you. It's I'mjust a little mormal. Come on
(07:48):
now, we're busy over here withmurders, drug dealers, mass cult suicides.
She's probably on the back of oneof Tim's bike's halfway to California for
a long weekend. It's not likeher to not phone me, Norma.
She's fine. Sadly, even backin nineteen seventy eight, missing persons cases
(08:09):
didn't receive the attention they needed.The Hendricks County Police Department just brushed Marianne's
disappearance off and sent Norma back hometo worry. On March fifteenth, nineteen
eighty one, nearly two years afterthe hikers found Mary Anne, the Drug
Enforcement Administration and an undercover Indianapolis policeofficer arrested thirty year old James Freed on
(08:33):
charges of conspiracy to sell cocaine.All of Indianapolis was buzzing about the arrest,
suggesting that James had been involved insome way or another with the Burger
Chef murders. His sister Jane wasone of the victims, after all,
and in Ronald Reagan's America, anyonewith even the slightest contact with drugs was
obviously a scumbag murderer. Come on, freed this way? Yeah, yeah
(08:56):
too, pig, I know whereI'm going. The overzealous officers threw the
con into his cell. Well,thank you, it's gorgeous. Likes mama's
pad. The officer towered over Jameswith a condescending smile. Hey, fret,
be honest. You offer your sisterand those kids from Measley five us
(09:22):
fucking pig dick motherfucker eat shit likeyou like it. You pay some asshold.
Later that spring, while James waseating what I'm sure was a healthy
lunch. A scrappy, red headedfellow passed by him and mumbled, you
might remember this man as one ofthe callers. In the last episode.
(09:43):
Alan pruittt claimed to have seen Marianne'sboyfriends. Tim shoved Jane into the back
of his orange fan. Sorry aboutyour sister. James quickly stood up.
What did you just say, boy? I said, sorry about your sister.
We can all get That's what happenednext. The news of the jailyard
(10:05):
squabble was everywhere. Marion County Jailwas pulsating. Okay, okay, free,
come on, let's cool down.Everyone saw that everyone saw him.
Hit me first, saws ya.Allan was often dragged down to the prison
counselor's office for checkups, and mostdays he'd just sit and stare at the
counselor. Today was not like mostdays. While are we here today?
(10:28):
Alan? Alan gave his counselor theelevator eyes and chuckled, how old are
you? Oh? Look, thedead has arisen? Is that why we're
here today? Alan? Discuss myage? No, would you like to
discuss the fight you had with misterFreed? He I didn't start it.
(10:50):
I don't care what that son ofa bitch this I didn't. I never
said you did, Alan. Isimply asked if you would like to talk
about it. Yeah, he sure. Alan Pruhet dove into incredible detail how
on November seventeenth, nineteen seventy eight, he had witnessed two men abduct the
victims of the Burger Chef murders.Now, I know what you're thinking,
(11:13):
Skylar. There's no way that theseunsolved murders on young adults that took place
only a few miles away from eachother in Indianapolis six months apart, involving
cars and attractive women and missing menare related. But it makes you wonder.
Right State Troopers Jim Kramer and DonovanLindsay, investigators of the Burger Chef
murders, were notified by Marion's prisoncounselor that Alan wanted to talk to them.
(11:37):
Hello, mister Pruet, I'm OfficerLindsay, and this is Officer Kraigh.
I knows who you is. Ihear that you have some information for
us. Maybe maybe I put youback in solitary way or to begin One
(12:07):
night, Alan stumbled by the DunkinDonuts next door to the Burger Chef.
He swayed in a drunken haze andadjusted his screwed up eyes. A gaggle
of teenagers congregated outside the fast foodjoint. They was getting into an orange
van and a what vege? Ithought that he was just out party.
Don't say a fucking word to meagain, black boy. I know so.
(12:30):
Shit was going down when I sawone of them bust that black kid's
face into the side of the van. Poor kid, Mark, the boy
who was getting beat up was anemployee at the burger chef. He slumped
down outside the van. Did yousee any of their faces? If I
knew who killed them? Kids?Don't even think for a split second that
(12:52):
I wouldn't wrap them out, becauseI would. The next night, those
two dudes rolled up in their orangevan next to me. Where was this
dairy Queen? And Avon? Iwas outside playing frisbee. Avon is just
west of Speedway for those curious.They were smoking grass and chilling with his
(13:15):
nice little bunny in the back.They asked me to join their Postum.
You did it all seemed pretty group. In the back of the van,
Alan found Marianne, her boyfriend Tim, and a man named Jeff. Red.
The chick seems stoned out of hergoal. She was to the moon.
Okay was she talking? Oh godda, yeah, that's motor. The
(13:41):
van rumbled away from Indianapolis and upthrough Rule Putnam County. One hit.
Tim passed the joint to Alan,who eagerly took a long puff. Tim
and Jeff looked at each other andsmirked, you have fun last night?
Yeah, man, I was drunkas a skunk. You go by Burger
Chef often, Alan froze, confusedby the question, how do you know
(14:05):
what'd you see there last night?Well? You you saw nothing, right,
Tim and Jeff suddenly seemed very intimidating, and Alan backed down. Yeah,
yeah, nothing. As they droveon, Mary Anne started to ramble
and come too. They killed them? What they killed those kids? What
(14:26):
kids at the Burger Chef. Atthis point, Alan had no idea the
employees at Burger Chef were missing.Suddenly, this drive was the most terrifying
one Alan had ever been on.His heart pounded as Jeff drove the van
down an isolated dirt path known asDevil's Backbone and pulled over everybody out where
there's nothing around. Alan, run, they're gonna kill you too. Not
(14:50):
having to be told twice, Alanripped the van door open and bolted down
the dirt path, adrenaline up throughhis body, but that adrenaline can't see
in the moonlight. He tripped overhis feet, slid down the embankment,
and fell into the creek. WhatAlan was too afraid to even look back.
(15:15):
He waded through the shallow water untilhe could hitchhikelm Still to this day,
both the murders of marian Higginbottom andthe burger chef employees remain unsolved.
Both happened within roughly the same timeframe, in the same small town and
undersimilar circumstances. Jane and Marianne alsolooked very similar to each other. Officer
(15:41):
Kramer didn't have any reason not tobelieve Alan's story, and throughout nineteen eighty
one he had Alan repeat it overand over again. But as time passed
Alan began changing parts of it orretracting previous statements altogether. Was it because
he made them up to begin with, or was it because he was afraid
to Willoughby and Jeff Reid would findout he was riding them out and off
(16:03):
him next. I do find itsuspicious that Tim has been missing since Mary
Anne's body was discovered. For now, the cases will remain in folders collecting
dust with the cold case unit.As you might remember, the local police
in these areas have to put coldcases on the backburner until they have free
time to work on them. Now. I'm not involved with law enforcement,
but something tells me free time doesn'tcome around very often. In the meantime,
(16:26):
if you have any new information onthese murders, please reach out to
Investigators at three one seven, eightnine, nine eighty five ten or Crime
Stoppers of Central Indiana at three oneseven, two three two tips. Beauty
(16:48):
and a Barrel was written by DanielJones and Chelsea Bray and narrated and edited
by Meat Skyler Fastonel. Daniel Jonesproduced the episode and Chelsea Bray served as
the recording engineer. Voice talent wasprovided by Jordan Catcher, Rainy Blake,
Tamra Perry, Matt McNelly, WalkerBarnes, Jeremy Staple, Alan Anthony Morion,
(17:10):
Daniel Jones, and Sophia Sasne.Thank you for joining us for the
second episode. Of our yearly Halloweenseries. If you liked what you've been
listening to, leave us a fivestar review and a rating on your podcasting
app to help other true crime fanaticsfind our show. It helps us out
more than you can imagine. Ihave the best news of twenty twenty four
(17:30):
you. The original Deadtime Stories isnow live on Patreon, and we have
some amazing gifts for those of youwho subscribe to our Patreon page. I'm
talking completely ad free episodes, earlyaccess to new episodes, entry into the
Deadtime Stories of vaults, and ofcourse everyone's favorite thing, merchandise. A
(17:51):
complete breakdown is available on our Patreonand the link to that is in the
episode description, so go ahead andcheck it out today and us always thank
you so much for supporting independent artists. We are truly nothing without you.
If you want to learn more aboutthe case that we just didn't have time
to cover today, meet the cast, or learn what we've been up to
in our free time, follow ourYouTube, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook accounts.
(18:15):
The links to all of those arein the episode description. We'll be
back in one week's time with anothernineteen eighties slasher themed episode. I'm sorry
someone picking cookies or am I havinga stroke? I don't know. Wait,
burnt toast is a sign of astroke anyway, until then, stay
safe out there. I don't wantyou to become the next chapter's topic.
(18:37):
On the original Dead Time stories,
I love a good coincidence, don'tyou. It is so satisfying when the
universe throws unexpected things at you atjust the right moment. I've mentioned before
that at the start of COVID nineteenI began listening to way more audio books
Chapter one. One day I decidedto go back through the Hunger Game series.
No sooner had I finished the firstone when I learned that Suzanne Collins
(00:29):
had written a prequel, Woe Baby, I had a new book to read.
Granted, the book is still sittingon my shelf waiting for me to
start it, but it was prettyrad to learn that once I finished the
story of Panama again, I'd getto open a new chapter. Another great
series I started rereading was Harry PotterLord. Getting Ahold of those books,
(00:52):
whether audio or ebook, is damnnear impossible through my local library. I
was on a waiting list for abouta month before I could finally get the
second one. And then one day, when I went to do laundry,
I noticed that someone had left copiesof the first four in our laundry room
with a please take and enjoy signnext to them. Those puppies were in
near mint condition and I snatched themup faster than green grass through a goose.
(01:15):
Wowee, was I one happy homothat day. Sometimes, though a
coincidence doesn't happen for something fun,Sometimes a coincidence happens between two unsolved murders
in a town that most people callmister Rogers neighborhood Clayton, Indiana, a
small town beauty bunked up with herrough and tumble beast in their Midwest castle.
(01:38):
All was perfect until the day theydisappeared. Welcome too, dead time
stories, good morning, and Henna. It's Tuesday, June sixth, nineteen
(02:15):
seventy eight. The weather is turnthat shit off. Don't forget to lock
your cardoor. The sneaky are still. Twenty five year old Tim Willoughby rolled
over with the grown as his girlfriend, twenty two year old Mary Anne Higginbottom
cheerfully woke him up. Wakey,wakey, eggs and bakeykodning. How can
(02:38):
you be so fucking happy in themorning? Come on, grumpy, where's
the rest of the seven dwarves?I'll make us some breakfast, now,
skip breakfast. They normally have donutsat the shop anyway, Okay, that's
fine, Just don't forget you promisemy mom you would fix your trail light
this week. I remember a woman. Just leave me alone, Okay,
(03:00):
we'll find then. I guess I'lljust eat breakfast at the diner. Since
you clearly don't want to talk tome, Lisa, get respect there.
Marianne drove to him to his jobat the autobody shop. She took note
of new cars with no damage sittingoutside the building. New cars. Yeah,
they came off the interstate. Okay, but isn't that one of the
(03:22):
cars that's been stored. Don't askquestions, you don't want answers. To
pick me up at six sharp.I'll do my best, but my shift
isn't done till five and we haveto close up. Just be here at
six women. After that less thanpleasant interaction, Marianne made her way to
her job at Lofner's Diner and Plainesville. Little did she know that it would
(03:45):
be the last day she would evertie on her apron and swipe her badge
on the time clock. Two hikerstrekked through a nearby forest. So did
you get that job at burger Chef? Yeah? But I just don't really
want to work for the man Igot my rockstar dreams. Yeah, fuck
(04:06):
off, you're just scared of getan eighty six like those kids last year.
If you're confused about this jump backin an episode, Okay, back
to the Hikers hasn't even been ayear. Man. They never caught the
guys who did it. Nah man, Oh, it was just robbery gone
bad, the pigs saying nobody sawanything. I still think it has something
(04:29):
to do with that chick's brother andhis weed problem. Probably oh to debt.
Yeah, I don't know. Istill think it has something to do
with someone trying to hijack her newcall he dickhead. Look, Yo,
is that a keg? Fuck youbro yo, that is a keg.
The two young teenagers scurried over towhat they thought was a pot of gold
(04:51):
in the woods, but they quicklyrealized that this was no keg at all.
Using a strong tree branch, thetwo pride opened this barrel in the
woods and screamed, Oh, goodmorning, Speedway, Welcome back to the
(05:12):
morning. Eagle Eye with me Skyon one oh one point two FM.
It's a sunny eighty five degrees onthis Tuesday, June fifth, nineteen seventy
nine. It's another sad day forIndiana's youth. A missing twenty two year
old female was tragically found by hikersin White Lick Creek in Morseville. She
(05:35):
had been shot in the head executionstyle and was found shoved in a barrel.
If you ever. Marianne's mother,Norma, shuffled down the local Morgus
hallway as bravely as she could.The mortician awaited her by the door.
(05:56):
Is is she in there, missusboff? Yes, police believe it's her.
Okay, Oh oh, my baby. No, no, my baby,
no, my little little girl.I'm so strong. No, no,
(06:19):
no, don't touch me. Don'ttouch you. Kramer, Cramer,
Where's where's Kramer? One of theofficers involved on Marianne's case. Get that
side of a bitch down here now. You tell him to find the monsters
who've done this to my little girl. The police are working hard him.
Where's Tim. Mister Willoughby hasn't beenfound. Mister Willoughby. Please, I
(06:44):
know that no contraction has something todo with this. I told her.
I told Marianne to leave him andget out of Clayton. A year.
My baby has been missing for agoddamn year, roughly a year before this,
(07:05):
Norma marched down the police headquarters hallway. Marianne never came home after her
shift at the diner, end Normahope the cops would be able to find
her. Hey there, Jim,nice to see you, Norma. How's
the kids? Actually, my kidsis what I wanted to talk to you
about. Have you seen Marianne lately? Not today? No, Okay,
(07:26):
it's just she hasn't been home ina couple of days. I'm sure she's
fine. You got yourself a smartgirl, Thanks Jim. It's so sweet.
Jim. Yes, Norma, youhaven't seen Tim, have you?
Yes, Yes, I have.I saw him at the shop last week.
Okay, thank you. It's I'mjust a little mormal. Come on
(07:48):
now, we're busy over here withmurders, drug dealers, mass cult suicides.
She's probably on the back of oneof Tim's bike's halfway to California for
a long weekend. It's not likeher to not phone me, Norma.
She's fine. Sadly, even backin nineteen seventy eight, missing persons cases
(08:09):
didn't receive the attention they needed.The Hendricks County Police Department just brushed Marianne's
disappearance off and sent Norma back hometo worry. On March fifteenth, nineteen
eighty one, nearly two years afterthe hikers found Mary Anne, the Drug
Enforcement Administration and an undercover Indianapolis policeofficer arrested thirty year old James Freed on
(08:33):
charges of conspiracy to sell cocaine.All of Indianapolis was buzzing about the arrest,
suggesting that James had been involved insome way or another with the Burger
Chef murders. His sister Jane wasone of the victims, after all,
and in Ronald Reagan's America, anyonewith even the slightest contact with drugs was
obviously a scumbag murderer. Come on, freed this way? Yeah, yeah
(08:56):
too, pig, I know whereI'm going. The overzealous officers threw the
con into his cell. Well,thank you, it's gorgeous. Likes mama's
pad. The officer towered over Jameswith a condescending smile. Hey, fret,
be honest. You offer your sisterand those kids from Measley five us
(09:22):
fucking pig dick motherfucker eat shit likeyou like it. You pay some asshold.
Later that spring, while James waseating what I'm sure was a healthy
lunch. A scrappy, red headedfellow passed by him and mumbled, you
might remember this man as one ofthe callers. In the last episode.
(09:43):
Alan pruittt claimed to have seen Marianne'sboyfriends. Tim shoved Jane into the back
of his orange fan. Sorry aboutyour sister. James quickly stood up.
What did you just say, boy? I said, sorry about your sister.
We can all get That's what happenednext. The news of the jailyard
(10:05):
squabble was everywhere. Marion County Jailwas pulsating. Okay, okay, free,
come on, let's cool down.Everyone saw that everyone saw him.
Hit me first, saws ya.Allan was often dragged down to the prison
counselor's office for checkups, and mostdays he'd just sit and stare at the
counselor. Today was not like mostdays. While are we here today?
(10:28):
Alan? Alan gave his counselor theelevator eyes and chuckled, how old are
you? Oh? Look, thedead has arisen? Is that why we're
here today? Alan? Discuss myage? No, would you like to
discuss the fight you had with misterFreed? He I didn't start it.
(10:50):
I don't care what that son ofa bitch this I didn't. I never
said you did, Alan. Isimply asked if you would like to talk
about it. Yeah, he sure. Alan Pruhet dove into incredible detail how
on November seventeenth, nineteen seventy eight, he had witnessed two men abduct the
victims of the Burger Chef murders.Now, I know what you're thinking,
(11:13):
Skylar. There's no way that theseunsolved murders on young adults that took place
only a few miles away from eachother in Indianapolis six months apart, involving
cars and attractive women and missing menare related. But it makes you wonder.
Right State Troopers Jim Kramer and DonovanLindsay, investigators of the Burger Chef
murders, were notified by Marion's prisoncounselor that Alan wanted to talk to them.
(11:37):
Hello, mister Pruet, I'm OfficerLindsay, and this is Officer Kraigh.
I knows who you is. Ihear that you have some information for
us. Maybe maybe I put youback in solitary way or to begin One
(12:07):
night, Alan stumbled by the DunkinDonuts next door to the Burger Chef.
He swayed in a drunken haze andadjusted his screwed up eyes. A gaggle
of teenagers congregated outside the fast foodjoint. They was getting into an orange
van and a what vege? Ithought that he was just out party.
Don't say a fucking word to meagain, black boy. I know so.
(12:30):
Shit was going down when I sawone of them bust that black kid's
face into the side of the van. Poor kid, Mark, the boy
who was getting beat up was anemployee at the burger chef. He slumped
down outside the van. Did yousee any of their faces? If I
knew who killed them? Kids?Don't even think for a split second that
(12:52):
I wouldn't wrap them out, becauseI would. The next night, those
two dudes rolled up in their orangevan next to me. Where was this
dairy Queen? And Avon? Iwas outside playing frisbee. Avon is just
west of Speedway for those curious.They were smoking grass and chilling with his
(13:15):
nice little bunny in the back.They asked me to join their Postum.
You did it all seemed pretty group. In the back of the van,
Alan found Marianne, her boyfriend Tim, and a man named Jeff. Red.
The chick seems stoned out of hergoal. She was to the moon.
Okay was she talking? Oh godda, yeah, that's motor. The
(13:41):
van rumbled away from Indianapolis and upthrough Rule Putnam County. One hit.
Tim passed the joint to Alan,who eagerly took a long puff. Tim
and Jeff looked at each other andsmirked, you have fun last night?
Yeah, man, I was drunkas a skunk. You go by Burger
Chef often, Alan froze, confusedby the question, how do you know
(14:05):
what'd you see there last night?Well? You you saw nothing, right,
Tim and Jeff suddenly seemed very intimidating, and Alan backed down. Yeah,
yeah, nothing. As they droveon, Mary Anne started to ramble
and come too. They killed them? What they killed those kids? What
(14:26):
kids at the Burger Chef. Atthis point, Alan had no idea the
employees at Burger Chef were missing.Suddenly, this drive was the most terrifying
one Alan had ever been on.His heart pounded as Jeff drove the van
down an isolated dirt path known asDevil's Backbone and pulled over everybody out where
there's nothing around. Alan, run, they're gonna kill you too. Not
(14:50):
having to be told twice, Alanripped the van door open and bolted down
the dirt path, adrenaline up throughhis body, but that adrenaline can't see
in the moonlight. He tripped overhis feet, slid down the embankment,
and fell into the creek. WhatAlan was too afraid to even look back.
(15:15):
He waded through the shallow water untilhe could hitchhikelm Still to this day,
both the murders of marian Higginbottom andthe burger chef employees remain unsolved.
Both happened within roughly the same timeframe, in the same small town and
undersimilar circumstances. Jane and Marianne alsolooked very similar to each other. Officer
(15:41):
Kramer didn't have any reason not tobelieve Alan's story, and throughout nineteen eighty
one he had Alan repeat it overand over again. But as time passed
Alan began changing parts of it orretracting previous statements altogether. Was it because
he made them up to begin with, or was it because he was afraid
to Willoughby and Jeff Reid would findout he was riding them out and off
(16:03):
him next. I do find itsuspicious that Tim has been missing since Mary
Anne's body was discovered. For now, the cases will remain in folders collecting
dust with the cold case unit.As you might remember, the local police
in these areas have to put coldcases on the backburner until they have free
time to work on them. Now. I'm not involved with law enforcement,
but something tells me free time doesn'tcome around very often. In the meantime,
(16:26):
if you have any new information onthese murders, please reach out to
Investigators at three one seven, eightnine, nine eighty five ten or Crime
Stoppers of Central Indiana at three oneseven, two three two tips. Beauty
(16:48):
and a Barrel was written by DanielJones and Chelsea Bray and narrated and edited
by Meat Skyler Fastonel. Daniel Jonesproduced the episode and Chelsea Bray served as
the recording engineer. Voice talent wasprovided by Jordan Catcher, Rainy Blake,
Tamra Perry, Matt McNelly, WalkerBarnes, Jeremy Staple, Alan Anthony Morion,
(17:10):
Daniel Jones, and Sophia Sasne.Thank you for joining us for the
second episode. Of our yearly Halloweenseries. If you liked what you've been
listening to, leave us a fivestar review and a rating on your podcasting
app to help other true crime fanaticsfind our show. It helps us out
more than you can imagine. Ihave the best news of twenty twenty four
(17:30):
you. The original Deadtime Stories isnow live on Patreon, and we have
some amazing gifts for those of youwho subscribe to our Patreon page. I'm
talking completely ad free episodes, earlyaccess to new episodes, entry into the
Deadtime Stories of vaults, and ofcourse everyone's favorite thing, merchandise. A
(17:51):
complete breakdown is available on our Patreonand the link to that is in the
episode description, so go ahead andcheck it out today and us always thank
you so much for supporting independent artists. We are truly nothing without you.
If you want to learn more aboutthe case that we just didn't have time
to cover today, meet the cast, or learn what we've been up to
in our free time, follow ourYouTube, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook accounts.
(18:15):
The links to all of those arein the episode description. We'll be
back in one week's time with anothernineteen eighties slasher themed episode. I'm sorry
someone picking cookies or am I havinga stroke? I don't know. Wait,
burnt toast is a sign of astroke anyway, until then, stay
safe out there. I don't wantyou to become the next chapter's topic.
(18:37):
On the original Dead Time stories,
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