Kara Nichols is found dead, strangled and buried alongside a horse on a property owned by her murderer's parents, several years after she has been declared missing.

Confessed killer Joel Hollendorfer is at the center of this tale that explores not just the murder itself, but its far-reaching repercussions. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack traverse the winding roads of Kara's life and the cold case that took years to solve. They discuss the forensics of strangulation, the ethics of grief, and the complexities of moral responsibility.

Dave delves into the timeline of Kara's last days, while Joseph navigates the complicated web of legal hurdles that investigators faced. This episode also questions whether it's possible to die of a broken heart, highlighting the psychological and emotional toll a murder can take on the families involved.

Mentioned Podcast:

Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum on Apple Podcasts

Time-coded Highlights:

00:00:43 — Joseph Scott Morgan discusses the theme of the episode, which is whether people can die of a broken heart, or from grief. He introduces a case where a murderer believes his father died from the shock of his confession.

00:02:03 — Dave Mack shares his philosophical views on the overwhelming power of grief.

00:03:20— Details about the murder of Kara Nichols are shared.

00:05:00—Joseph Scott Morgan talks about the emotional burden for the perpetrator's parents.

006:10, Dave questions the moral responsibility of those who know about the crime.

00:07:58—The close relationship between Kara and her brother is spotlighted.

00:08:27—The discussion shifts to the challenging circumstances of Kara's life.

00:09:14—Joe Scott Morgan reveals that persistence and hard work solved this cold case.

00:10:05 — Dave Mack expresses admiration for cold case workers like Cheryl McCollum.

00:15:05 — The movements of Kara are traced back to a specific suspect via her phone.

00:16:40 — Joel Hollendorfer’s conversation with Detective Gugliotta is discussed.

00:18:20 — The complexities of obtaining a search warrant are outlined.

00:23:11 — Morgan discusses the complexities of using ground penetrating radar in investigations.

00:24:14 — Dave Mack reveals that Joel Hollendorfer confessed to his parents about killing a young woman.

00:28:08 — Explaination of the use of lime on a body to speed up the decompositional process.

00:36:48 — Morgan explains the intricacies of strangulation and the role of the hyoid bone in determining the cause of death.

00:38:20 — The trial and conviction of Joel Hollendorfer are dissected, leaving listeners with the unsettling thought that he still has a chance at a life outside prison.

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