"The implication feels clear to Janine in that moment. And the whole drive home, her mind is just spinning. And that's when something hits her. Bill Yoder, Mary's husband, had her cremated just days after she died, even though no one knew what killed her." — Brit
"She was pronounced dead at 2:54 PM on Wednesday, July 22nd. So to some of Mary's sisters, Bill's lack of urgency. The fact that you don't make sure your phone is right next to you while your wife's in the hospital. That you aren't rushing out the door when troopers have to wake you up about your wife's condition, it feels wrong to them." — Ashley Flowers
"We got this letter, claiming that you poisoned your mother with colchicine and that the bottle is still in your Jeep. And right away, Adam denies it all." — Ashley Flowers
The episode begins with the hosts discussing the sudden and unexplained death of Mary Yoder, a seemingly healthy 60-year-old chiropractor. Initial assumptions pointed to a severe medical issue, but her rapid decline and death within 48 hours raised alarms. Her sister, Janine, became suspicious when Mary's doctor expressed confusion about the initial diagnosis and questioned the husband's actions, particularly the hasty cremation of Mary's body before toxicology results were complete. A pathologist's examination revealed discoloration of organs and signs of a toxic attack, eventually leading to the identification of colchicine overdose as the cause of death.
The investigation initially focused on accidental exposure, with possibilities like contamination of supplements or ingestion from Mary's garden being explored. However, these were ruled out, shifting suspicion to intentional poisoning. Mary's husband, Bill, became a primary focus due to his proximity and the sisters' doubts about the state of their marriage, citing financial stress and Bill's solo trips. Further complicating matters, four months after Mary's death, Bill announced he was in love with Kathleen, one of Mary's sisters, raising further suspicions about the timeline and motives.
The case took another dramatic turn with the arrival of an anonymous letter implicating Mary's son, Adam Yoder, in her poisoning. The letter detailed how Adam allegedly administered colchicine and where he disposed of the container. While Adam denied the allegations, a subsequent search of his Jeep uncovered a bottle of colchicine and a receipt matching the description in the letter. Despite this, investigators found the evidence almost too convenient, leading them to question if Adam was being framed. The investigation then turned to Adam's ex-girlfriend, Katie Conley, the office manager at Yoder's practice, who also shared suspicions about Adam's behavior and revealed past allegations against him. However, investigators became suspicious of Katie herself, noting the uncanny similarity between her statements and the anonymous letter, suggesting she might be the author and that the case might be far from resolved.