Crime To Burn

In part 2 of the Benson Car Bombing Case we dive into the Benson family's history to understand the dynamics at play so we can better understand who they were and who might want to hurt them. 
 
For a detailed list of sources, please refer to the show notes for Episode 11: The Benson Car Bombing Case Part 1. 
 
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We're back after a very long hiatus with a new co-host and a new horrific case. In July 1985, a widowed tobacco heiress and her three children were preparing to leave for an errand when their Chevrolet Suburban exploded in their driveway, killing Margaret Benson and her son, Scott and severely injuring her daughter, Carol Lynn. Unraveling this case exposes the soft white underbelly of a wealthy yet dysfunctional family including dark family secrets, decades of manipulation, and a cancerous greed. But who could hate the Bensons enough to want the entire family dead? 
 
Sources: 
Mewshaw, M. (2001). Money to Burn, The True Story of the Benson Family Murders. Touchstone
Greenya, J. (1987). Blood Relations, The Exclusive Inside Story of the Benson Family Murders. Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch; Blook Club Edition
State of Florida vs. Steven Wayne Benson Case Number 85778CFA31HDH court records from Collier County Circuit Court in Collier County, FL.
Stauffer, C., (1987, July 23, updated 1987, July 27). The Bensons: Lancaster family ripped apart by greed and murder 30 years ago. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-bensons-lancaster-family-ripped-apart-by-greed-and-murder-30-years-ago/article_f83a6526-312e-11e5-833e-479fc52b5ae4.html
Bovsun, M., (2022, July 2). Justince Story: Greed leeds to tobacco heiress fiery death. https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/07/02/justice-story-greed-leads-to-tobacco-heiresss-fiery-death/
Stauffer, C., (2015, July 27, updated 2015, July 28). Anger and lonliness: Steven Benson's life in prison after he killed his family members. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/danger-and-loneliness-steven-bensons-life-in-prison-after-he-killed-his-family-members/article_4a499c3c-31fd-11e5-834c-674601e629e0.html
Batten, B., (2016, April 1). Medical Examiner says Benson was stabbed to death in prison. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2016/04/01/medical-examiner-says-benson-was-stabbed-to-death-in-prison/85873180/
Greenya, J., (1986, August 8). Benson Found Guilty of Murder.  The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/08/08/benson-found-guilty/4d1327bc-9329-48a1-88b4-80b4614adfe2/
Hardy, J., (1986, July 28). Benson murder trial is soap opera material. UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/07/28/Benson-murder-trial-is-soap-opera-material/4992522907200/
Myers, B., (2023, Feb 23). Steven Benson's Motivation for Blowing Up His Mother, Tobacco Heiress Margaret Benson. Grunge. https://www.grunge.com/1208374/steven-bensons-motivation-for-blowing-up-his-mother-tobacco-heiress-margaret-benson/
Florida Man Murders, Season 1, Episode 3 on Oxygen. https://www.oxygen.com/florida-man-murders/season-1/episode-3/videos/investigators-recall-benson-family-murders-crime
Greenya, J., (1986, Aug 6). In Florida murder most malevolent. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/08/07/in-florida-murder-most-malevolent/3c1c9fb0-560b-4b40-8185-fc701724d936/
Saunders, S., (2020). Reason First: American Car Bomb - The Steven Benson Murders. Criminal. https://vocal.media/criminal/reason-first-american-car-bomb-the-steven-benson-murders
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District., (1989, Sept. 1). In re Estate of Benson. Casetext. https://casetext.com/case/in-re-estate-of-benson
Burchett, C., (2018, Oct. 20). State's misstep triggers mistrial. Perry News-Herald. https://medium.com/@cait.burchett/so-there-is-no-way-to-prove-you-did-not-do-it-correct-2b01be15e9c6
Crimebox., (2022, Jun 7). The Murder of Margaret Benson [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Eebt9XTkU
Stauffer, C., (2015, Jul 17). Man who blew up his tobacco heiress mother and brother dies in Florida prison. Lancaster Online. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/man-who-blew-up-his-tobacco-heiress-mother-and-brother-dies-in-florida-prison/article_7070299a-2bd0-11e5-b3a0-eb16fc0eb50a.html
Nordheimer, J., (1986, Aug 7). Florida Murder Trial that Bared Secrets of the Rich Nears End. NY Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/07/us/florida-murder-trial-that-bared-secrets-of-the-rich-nears-end.html
Hardy, J. (1986, Jul 24). Tobacco heiress Margaret Benson had 'heated discussions' with her... . UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/07/24/Tobacco-heiress-Margaret-Benson-had-heated-discussions-with-her/1629522561600/
(1986, Aug 18). All in the Family. Time. https://time.com/archive/6706871/all-in-the-family-8/
(1985, Jul. 11). Murder of 'Quiet' Heiress, son stuns exclusive area. Sun Sentinel. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1985/07/11/murder-of-quiet-heiress-son-stuns-exclusive-area/
Nordheimer, J., (1985, July 15). Florida Resort Shocked over Car-Bomb Slayings. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/15/us/florida-resort-shocked-over-car-bomb-slayings.html
Cottrill, C., (2016, Aug 3), 30 years ago: Sensational Benson murder trial garnered headlines. Naples Daily News. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/communities/the-banner/2016/08/03/30-years-ago-sensational-benson-murder-trial-garnered-headlines/87953310/
Bearak, B., (1986, Jun 30)., Tobacco Heir Charged in Bombing Deaths of Relatives., Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-30-mn-19-story.html
United Press International., (1986, Aug 5). Defense Rests in Benson Murder Case After Golfer Testifies. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-05-mn-1395-story.html
Contributed Content., (1988, Apr 13)., Chidren of Mother-Killer Inherit Heiress' Estate. Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/04/13/children-of-mother-killer-inherit-heiress-estate/
(1987, May 29). Woman Loses Child's Claim to Benson Estate. Orlando Sentinel. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1987/05/29/woman-loses-childs-claim-to-benson-estate/
TFIGlobal News Desk., (2021, Dec 14). Carol Lynn Benson sent her brother to justice. TFIGlobal News. https://tfiglobalnews.com/2021/12/14/carol-lynn-benson-sent-her-brother-to-justice/
Superior Court of Pennsylvania., (1992, Nov 6) In re Benson, Casetext. https://casetext.com/case/in-re-benson-30 

Join us for the highly anticipated conclusion to the case of the Steamboat Sultana. This week we return to the Mississippi River for the investigations that followed the explosion, fire, and sinking of the Steamboat Sultana that was carrying over 2,000 Union POWs following the Civil War. Was this negligence? Was it a terrible accident? Or was it sabotage and intentional murder? We'll give you the evidence for you to decide. 
Visit the Sultana Museum and consider contributing to their current brick drive here: https://www.sultanadisastermuseum.com/
 
Book Sources:
Sultana, A Case for Sabotage by D. H. Rule
The Sultana Tragedy by Jerry O. Potter
Loss of the Sultana and Reminiscences of Survivors compiled by Rev. Chester D. Berry. 
Documentary Sources:
History Detectives Special Investigations: Civil War Sabotage (PBS)
In Search of History - Sultana: Mississippi's Titanic (The History Channel)
 
 

Join us as we step back in history to the close of the US Civil War when one of the largest maritime disasters in US history claimed the lives of 1,800 people on the Mississippi River. The tragic explosion and subsequent fire on the Steamboat Sultana was so greatly overshadowed by other events at the time, that less than 2% of Americans surveyed knew about the disaster. However, this story includes criminal negligence, bribery, and corruption that leads all the way to the front door of the White House. In addition, there are even allegations of sabotage. How did such a massive tragedy become just a footnote in American History? We'll explain. 
 
Book Sources:
Sultana, A Case for Sabotage by D. H. Rule
The Sultana Tragedy by Jerry O. Potter
Loss of the Sultana and Reminiscences of Survivors compiled by Rev. Chester D. Berry. 
Documentary Sources:
History Detectives Special Investigations: Civil War Sabotage (PBS)
In Search of History - Sultana: Mississippi's Titanic (The History Channel)
 
 

We're finally back with the incredibly tardy conclusion to the John Orr case (aka: the Frito Bandito or the Pillowcase Pyro). If you haven't listened to parts 1 and 2, go do that before you listen to this part. But we owe you a huge apology. April's husband spent the summer without the use of one of his legs and as the only adult in the house with two working legs while undergoing a home renovation project and working a full time job, April had to put the pod on hold for a couple months. But we are back! Thanks for being so patient with us, we can't wait to get back into the swing of things!

This week we continue our series on the prolific arsonist once known as the Frito Bandito or the Pillowcase Pyro that terrorized California in the late 1980s. This week's episode brings you a plot twist as the investigators struggle to bring this horrific arsonist to justice. 
Sources will be released with the last episode of the series. 
Want to support the podcast? You can buy us a coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/crimetoburn 

What started as a normal day in October of 1984 quickly turned to horror as a serial arsonist claimed 4 lives in a fire he set at an Ole's Hardware store in California. In Part 1, we'll cover his most deadly fire and how he achieved such nicknames as "The Pillow Pyro" and "The Frito Bandito." Will he be caught? Will all his crimes catch up to him? Listen to find out. Welcome to Crime to Burn created and hosted by Jenny and April.
Sources will be posted with part 2 so as not to reveal any spoilers. 
 

In part 2 of this series dedicated to the memory of Reno Firefighter Mike Lackore, we get into the investigation and criminal trial following the Mizpah Hotel Fire in Reno, NV. Mike was on one of the first responding units to the Mizpah Hotel fire that occurred on Halloween night in 2006 in Reno, NV. This multi-fatality fire had a profound mental impact on the firefighters that reported to the scene and Mike Lackore’s good friend Battalion Chief Roger Mooney shared with me that he and Mike were forever changed by the horrific events of that night. Mike passed away in 2011 but this fire always stayed with him and so we dedicate this episode to Mike Lackore’s memory. Join us now as we dive into the Mizpah Hotel Fire including the first hand perspective of Chief Roger Mooney. This is Crime to Burn. 
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2006/nov/01/reno-arson-suspect-served-prison-time-for-murder/
 
https://ijret.org/volumes/2014v03/i23/IJRET20140323014.pdf
 
https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/reno-hotel-fire-suspect-to-stand-trial-on-12-counts-murder-arson/
 
http://www.iklimnet.com/hotelfires/hotel_fire_news_29.html
 
https://www.foxnews.com/story/woman-accused-of-setting-reno-hotel-fire-that-killed-6-served-time-in-prison-for-murder
 
https://www.essaytown.com/subjects/paper/mizpah-hotel-fire-reno-nevada/617038
 
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16711174
 
https://www.deseret.com/2006/11/2/19982906/suspect-in-reno-hotel-fire-once-convicted-of-murder
 
https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2007/03/17/woman-to-serve-12-life-terms-for-setting-reno-fire/
 
http://justicedenied.org/issue/issue_67/kirstin_lobato_attacked_jd67.pdf
 
https://apnews.com/article/0c51752acbb1fa24e0f928ba6f2a2819
 
https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/2006-oct-31-arson-fire-mizpah-hotel-on-north-lake-street-reno-nv-12/
 
 
 

This week’s episode is dedicated to the memory of Reno Firefighter Mike Lackore. Mike was on one of the first responding units to the Mizpah Hotel fire that occurred on Halloween night in 2006 in Reno, NV. This multi-fatality fire had a profound mental impact on the firefighters that reported to the scene and Mike Lackore’s good friend Battalion Chief Roger Mooney shared with me that he and Mike were forever changed by the horrific events of that night. Mike passed away in 2011 but this fire always stayed with him and so we dedicate this episode to Mike Lackore’s memory. Join us now as we dive into the Mizpah Hotel Fire including the first hand perspective of Chief Roger Mooney. This is Crime to Burn. 
Sources will be provided with Part 2 of this episode. 

In our continuation of the investigation of the horrific fire that took the lives of three toddlers in Corsicana, TX, we really pick apart the investigation and the conviction of Cameron Todd Willingham. So, was an innocent man sentenced to death for a tragic accident or was it arson? Join us as we dig deeper into this case. 
Sources:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/07/trial-by-firehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Todd_Willingham
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Hurst
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2014/08/03/did-texas-execute-an-innocent-man-willingham
 
https://innocenceproject.org/the-texas-forensic-science-commission-and-the-willingham-case/
https://innocenceproject.org/cameron-todd-willingham-wrongfully-convicted-and-executed-in-texas/