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Dive into Sooner State crime stories, Tulsa film sites, Dust Bowl history, and eerie prairie legends.
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Open Trip Plannerome tragedies are remembered by everyone. Others sit quietly in old newspaper pages, court records, and the memories of the people who lived through them. The Star Elementary School explosion is one of those stories. On January 19, 1982, children at Star Elementary School in Spencer, Oklahoma, were eating lunch when a hot water heater…
Origins and Grand Opening (1922–1923) George W. Sparks had a vision in 1922: a classy, three?story brick hotel in downtown Okmulgee. Built by architect/contractor J.F. Montgomery, materials came from local legends like Home Lumber, Reynolds Electric, and Francis?Vitric Brick Co. Of Boynton. Furnished by Okmulgee Furniture Co., the hotel had 21 rooms with gas?powered Quick…
Sean Richard Sellers was a notable American figure, known for his intriguing yet controversial life story that captured public attention. Born on June 8, 1969, in Oklahoma City, he became widely recognized not only for his early life challenges but also for his conviction in a high-profile murder case at a young age. Sellers’ complicated…
In the turbulent years of the Great Depression, a wave of outlaw violence swept across the American Midwest and South, as economic hardship and weakened law enforcement allowed criminals to operate with unprecedented boldness. Among the most feared of these Depression-era bandits was Wilbur Underhill Jr., a man whose violent life, remarkable escapes, and dramatic…
Edmond, OK – In the early hours of Tuesday, July 29, local law enforcement responded to reports of a stabbing at the SureStay Plus Hotel. Officers arrived on the scene at approximately 3:30 a.m., where they found 33-year-old Nathan Roy Richard suffering from multiple stab wounds. Emergency responders transported Richard to a nearby hospital for…
On May 16, 1992, a quiet neighborhood near NE 50th Street and Spencer Road, on the far northeastern edge of Oklahoma City, became the scene of one of the city’s most shocking and brutal crimes. Inside a modest house at 11315 NE 50th Street, police discovered the bodies of five women, all bound, gagged, and…
Undated photograph of Sarah Renee Patrick — a young woman whose life was tragically cut short, leaving behind unanswered questions and a lasting impact on all who knew her. Victim and Crime Scene Overview Samantha Renee Patrick, 22, was found stabbed to death on September 12, 2002 in Yukon, Oklahoma. Her body was discovered in a grassy alley…
On the morning of July 28, 1984, 28-year-old Judy Weichert left for a 16-mile training run. She lived in the Surrey Hills neighborhood of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Judy was preparing for an upcoming marathon. She left her house around 7:30 a.m. Her husband, Steve, decided to sleep in that morning. The dedicated runner had planned…
A Relationship in Trouble On November 20, 2001, Rob Andrew, an advertising executive and church deacon in Oklahoma City, was found fatally shot in his garage. The incident also left his estranged wife, Brenda Andrew, with a minor gunshot wound to her arm. According to police reports, Brenda Andrew initially stated that two masked assailants…
Griffin Memorial Hospital, located in Norman, Oklahoma, has a rich and complex history that intertwines with the evolution of mental health care in the state. Established in 1890 as High Gate College, a girls’ school, it was repurposed in 1895 by the Oklahoma Sanitarium Company into a mental health institution. In 1915, the State of…
Sarah Cox, a 20-year-old retail worker, disappeared after finishing her shift at a 7?Eleven in Oklahoma City. According to reports, her vehicle was later found abandoned at Earlywine Park, a discovery that added urgency to the subsequent investigation. Her body was discovered in a rural area a few days later, and the cause of death…
Jo’s Parents House Bill and Melissa are Introduced Bill and Jo almost wreck while driving Wakita Water Tower Aunt Megs House Morning after the storm Chasing Storms Is it a bird? is it a plane? Nope, its just Jo’s truck Arriving to get divorce papers MORE LOCATIONS TO BE ADDED SOON Check out all the…
In a crime that shocked the Tulsa community and the state of Oklahoma, 77-year-old Mary Agnes Bowles was kidnapped from the Promenade Mall in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A retired banker and dedicated volunteer, Mary was known for her warmth and faith. Her life was brutally cut short by two armed men—George John Hanson and Victor Cornell…
Tucked away in the small town of Blackwell, Oklahoma, the abandoned Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway depot stands as a silent witness to the town’s rich railroad history. Constructed in the early 20th century, this brick depot once served as a bustling hub for travelers and freight, connecting Blackwell to regional and national rail…
What started as a routine traffic stop in Catoosa, Oklahoma quickly turned into something straight out of a crime drama—with a fast food twist. On the morning of September 18, 2023, Catoosa Police officers pulled over a vehicle for a couple of seemingly minor infractions: the driver had failed to stop at a traffic light…
For decades, no one knew the true identity of Sharon Marshall. She was beautiful, intelligent, and full of dreams. Yet her life ended tragically in her early twenties, surrounded by mystery and lies. It would take more than twenty years to uncover the truth—Sharon Marshall was actually Suzanne Marie Sevakis. This revelation exposed a devastating story of abduction, abuse, and stolen…
In the dusty heat of August 1932, a small Oklahoma town became the unlikely backdrop for a deadly encounter. This event would set the tone for one of America’s most infamous crime sprees. The town was Stringtown, and the outlaws were Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow — two names that would soon strike fear across…
Geronimo bank murders were a tragic and brutal crime that occurred on December 14, 1984, in Geronimo, Oklahoma. Jay Wesley Neill entered the First Bank of Chattanooga armed with a pistol and a knife. He forced the three bank tellers—Kay Bruno (42), Jeri Bowles (19), and Joyce Mullenix (25, who was six months pregnant)—into the…
The Oklahoma City bombing occurred on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It was a domestic terrorist attack that remains one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in U.S. history. Timothy McVeigh, an American extremist, detonated a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which housed several federal agencies.…
Nannie Doss, also known as “The Giggling Granny,” was a notorious American serial killer who terrorized the nation in the mid-20th century. Born on November 4, 1905, in Blue Mountain, Alabama, Nannie Doss led a seemingly ordinary life as a wife and grandmother, concealing her dark and sinister tendencies behind a facade of kindness and…
Death of Gloria Leathers Seven years after the tragic death of Dedra Pettus, Wanda Allen resided with her girlfriend Gloria Jean Leathers. Their relationship, which began in prison, was characterized by turmoil and violence. On December 2, 1988, a domestic event unfolded as Leathers, aged 29, was shot in front of The Village Police Department…
Haunted by a harrowing encounter with a tornado, Kate Cooper finds herself drawn back to the open plains by her friend, Javi, to field test a revolutionary new tracking system. Along the way, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens, a charismatic yet reckless social media sensation who revels in documenting his storm-chasing escapades. As storm…
The Osage Indian murders, also known as the Osage Reign of Terror, were a series of brutal killings that targeted members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma during the 1920s. The Osage people had become incredibly wealthy due to the discovery of oil on their land, which led to their being dubbed the “richest people…
In The Beginning The Barker–Karpis Gang was one of the longest-lived criminal gangs during the Depression Era, spanning from 1931 to 1935. The gang was founded by Fred Barker and Alvin Karpis and later joined by Fred’s brother Arthur “Doc” Barker. Along with the three core members, the gang’s network spanned up to 25 members…
Belle Starr, born Myra Maybelle Shirley on February 5, 1848, in Carthage, Missouri, was an infamous American outlaw of the Old West. She is often referred to as the “Bandit Queen.” Belle Starr is remembered for her association with notorious outlaws and her own criminal activities, which included horse theft, robbery, and consorting with other…
On July 26, 1973 at 01:00am 38-year-old Veda Woodson left her janitorial job at First National Bank in Tulsa, heading for her residence in Sperry, Ok. At 02:00 AM Woodson’s vehicle, a 1958 Chevrolet was found by Sperry Police at 8800 N. Cincinnati with the lights on and the driver’s door open. Woodson’s body was…
Tragedy in Oklahoma City: The Sirloin Stockade murders refer to a tragic incident. This event occurred on May 20, 1978, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It took place at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant. It involved a mass shooting perpetrated by four armed robbers. During the robbery, the perpetrators, armed with shotguns and handguns, entered the restaurant…
In 1992, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken in Tulsa, Oklahoma, became the grim backdrop for a chilling homicide that shook the city to its core. The tranquility of a typical day at the restaurant was shattered when four employees, whose names have been lost to time, were brutally slain during their evening shift. FROZEN IN FEAR…
During the tumultuous period spanning 1973 and 1974, the city of Oklahoma City found itself in the grip of an alarming phenomenon—an unprecedented surge in targeted assaults specifically directed at members of the white community residing within its borders. These unprovoked attacks, which struck fear into the hearts of residents and left an indelible mark…
Shirley Vian was a mother of five who was brutally murdered in her home in Wichita, Kansas, on March 17, 1977. On that day, Dennis Rader broke into Shirley Vian’s home and attacked her. He bound her hands and strangled her to death. Vian’s three children, who were present in the house at the time,…
Michael and Robert Bever were two brothers involved in a horrific and widely publicized crime in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, in 2015. The brothers, aged 18 and 16 at the time of the incident, conspired to murder their family members. Their plan was chillingly detailed and included ambushing their parents and siblings in their home. The…
Dana Plato was an American actress. She is best known for her role as Kimberly Drummond on the popular 1980s sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes.” She was born on November 7, 1964, in Maywood, California. Unfortunately, Dana Plato passed away on May 8, 1999, at the age of 34. Plato’s life was marked by personal struggles and…
UNSOLVED At approximately 9:00pm on June 6, 1998, 16-year-old Dena Dean left from Marvins Food Store in the Town West Shopping Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was not seen alive again. Her body was discovered 6 days later a short distance away. Marvins Food Store Arby’s where Dena Dean worked Body of Dena Dean found…
George “Machine Gun” Kelly Barnes (1895-1954) was an American gangster and bank robber during the Prohibition era. He was born on July 18, 1895, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Machine Gun Kelly gained notoriety for his involvement in various criminal activities, including bootlegging, kidnapping, and armed robbery. He earned the nickname “Machine Gun” due to…
Located in northeastern Oklahoma, Pitcher was once a thriving mining town nestled in the heart of the Tri-State Mining District. Its story is one of prosperity followed by environmental devastation, leading to its ultimate abandonment. Established in the early 20th century, Pitcher flourished primarily due to the extensive lead and zinc deposits found in the…
The Marcus Garvey Charter School, once a beacon of educational opportunity and community empowerment, now stands as a solemn testament to abandonment. Located in [insert location], the school was founded with the noble mission of providing quality education to underserved communities, inspired by the vision and principles of Marcus Garvey. However, over time, dwindling enrollment,…
The local sheriff announced a discovery. While searching a rural Oklahoma property for two missing teenagers, they uncovered the bodies of seven individuals. The remains included the two missing teens. A convicted sex offender, who had been sought alongside them, was also among the deceased. Additionally, a woman later revealed that her daughter and three…
The day began like any other. Postal workers were beginning their morning routines—sorting mail, making plans for their deliveries. But the usual hustle and bustle of an average workday was soon to be shattered. Patrick Sherrill, a part-time mail carrier known to his fellow mail carriers as “Crazy Pat,” was about change the lives of…
Karen Silkwood was a dedicated lab technician and outspoken union activist at Kerr-McGee’s plutonium processing plant in Crescent, Oklahoma, during the early 1970s. Her story is a significant case of whistleblowing, highlighting serious concerns about worker safety and ethical practices within the nuclear industry. Career and Union Involvement: Silkwood began working at the Kerr-McGee plant in…
Amber and Josh Hilberling were a young couple from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They gained national attention in 2011 following a tragic incident. Amber Hilberling was accused of pushing her husband Josh Hilberling out of their 25th-floor apartment window during an argument. Josh fell to his death, and Amber was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The…
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