Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"If Glenda's story is true, that means Viv was making calls like nothing happened, seven hours after she allegedly left her house and she's alive, like five hours after police believed she died by suicide, and if she's alive and making totally normal phone calls at 10 AM, where is she now? And who is she with?" — Britt
"This whole story starts with Viv breaking the wine glass and stabbing Fergus, right? That's why they go to the hospital to begin with. Britt, there is no wine glass." — Britt
"But by now, they're speaking out. And because they're speaking out, there is an inquest into Viv's death in July of 1988. Her family is hoping that at that one they can stand up advocate for her by making sure they give her a voice. And they want to make sure that the evidence against her is really sound. But their hopes are dashed when they show up at 10 a.m., which is the time everything for them is supposed to start. And they're told like, oh, no, no, sorry, the inquest is already over, you totally missed it." — Ashley Flowers
The episode dissects the murder of Beth Barnard and the disappearance of Vivian Cameron, challenging the initial theory that Vivian murdered Beth and then committed suicide. Investigators focused on Vivian's alleged suicide from a bridge, but the lack of physical evidence at the scene, such as disturbed guardrails or signs of struggle, casts doubt on this. Furthermore, a friend's account of speaking with Vivian on the phone at 10 AM, hours after she was believed to have committed suicide, adds a significant layer of confusion and suggests Vivian was alive and seemingly well long after her supposed death.
The narrative then shifts to the conflicting statements and forensic findings related to the night of the murder. Fergus Cameron, Vivian's husband and Beth's lover, provides a detailed account of the evening, including an altercation with Vivian where he was injured. However, inconsistencies arise regarding broken glass from a wine glass used in the fight, with crime scene examiners finding no evidence of it, despite Vivian's family stating it was cleaned up. Forensic tests reveal Vivian's blood at Beth's house and on items within the Cameron household, including a towel and a sponge, and Beth's blood is found on papers in the Cameron home. However, the absence of Vivian's blood in the vehicles she supposedly used, and the limited nature of the blood evidence, complicates the scenario of her being injured.
Ultimately, the episode highlights the persistent discrepancies in timelines, witness testimonies, and forensic results. The legal declaration of Vivian's death by suicide, the subsequent sale of family property, and the strong influence of the Cameron family on the island are discussed as potential factors that may have shaped the investigation and its conclusion. The hosts emphasize that despite official closure, many questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding Vivian's whereabouts and the true events of that night, leaving room for alternative theories and continued investigation by the podcast's community.