Episode 100: The Redhead Murders/The Bible Belt Strangler

The Redhead Murders, spanning 1978 to 1992, involve a series of unsolved homicides of white women found along highways in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, with victim counts ranging from 5 to 14. While some cases may be linked to a serial killer dubbed the "Bible Belt Strangler," inconsistencies in victim profiles—such as hair color, cause of death (strangulation or blunt force trauma), and state of dress—leave uncertainty about whether all are connected. Many victims, often transient, hitchhikers, or sex workers estranged from family, remained unidentified for decades, complicating investigations during an era when serial killer profiling was nascent. Key victims include Lisa Nichols, Tina Farmer, Tracy Sue Walker, Michelle Inman, and Espy Pilgrim, with identifications often delayed until 2018 or later. Jerry Leon Johns, a trucker convicted of kidnapping survivor Linda Schacke, was linked to Farmer’s murder via DNA in 2016 and is the primary suspect, though he died in 2015. A significant breakthrough came in 2018 when Elizabethton High School students, led by teacher Alex Campbell, analyzed the cases, identified six potential victims, and implicated Johns through their podcast, Murder 101, though they received no official credit. The case underscores the marginalization of victims and the power of community efforts, with ongoing victim identifications offering hope for justice.

 

Murder 101 Podcast

 

went to town on June 6. 1984, they had no way of knowing the tragedy that would be awaiting them. While Raymond handled some business at the bank, Sherry walked to a gas station to buy a sod and was never seen again. With little clues, the case went cold rather quickly but in recent years has garnered new attention with the help of an unlikely team. In today's bonus episode, we will tell you the facts of Sherry's case and then share with you a compelling conspiracy theory that might just hold the answers to what happened to Sherry Lynn Marler.

 

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Dark Oak

01:15 100th Episode Celebration

09:00 The Redhead Murders

01:09:40 The Branch of Hope

 

 

Sources:

Paoletti, G. (2019, May 1). The unsolved mystery of the Redhead serial murders. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/redhead-murders

Ubiera, C. R. (2024, January 26). ‘Redhead’ serial killer case ‘is solved by high-schoolers’ during class project with same suspect now named. . . The US Sun. https://www.the-sun.com/news/10193888/redhead-murders-teenagers-solve-mystery-true-crime/

Frankie, C. (2023, May 22). The 'Redhead Murders': Are we any closer to solving the mysterious cases? A&E. https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/redhead-murders

Jun 26, 1985, page 17 - The Tennessean at Newspapers.com. (n.d.). https://www.newspapers.com/image/112755748/?match=1&terms=redhead%20murder

Nov 09, 1985, page 20 - Messenger-Inquirer at Newspapers.com. (n.d.). https://www.newspapers.com/image/378780385/?match=1&terms=redhead%20murder

Apr 25, 1985, page 12 - Intelligencer Journal at Newspapers.com. (n.d.). https://www.newspapers.com/image/563469082/?match=1&terms=redhead%20murder

Naves, A. (2022, October 19). Who is the Killer in the Redhead Murders? - A.W. Naves - Medium. Medium. https://medium.com/@awnaves/who-is-the-killer-in-the-redhead-murders-f1143a7f4c9a

North, J. (2020, June 3). Appalachian Unsolved: The trucker who liked redheads. wbir.com. https://www.wbir.com/article/news/investigations/appalachian-unsolved/appalachian-unsolved-the-trucker-intrigued-by-serial-killers/51-624ef38c-0372-42a4-8bee-25b2b1647c95

Ubiera, C. R. (2024, January 26). ‘Redhead’ serial killer case ‘is solved by high-schoolers’ during class project with same suspect now named. . . The US Sun. https://www.the-sun.com/news/10193888/redhead-murders-teenagers-solve-mystery-true-crime/

Murder 101 | iHeart. (n.d.). iHeart. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-murder-101-140096221/

 

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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep