BONUS AUDIO: SHARED WITH PERMISSION FROM ALLIE’S FRIEND BONUS AUDIO: SHARED WITH PERMISSION FROM ALLIE’S FRIEND What happens when a young, healthy woman is found dead in her own home… and the questions begin long before the investigation has answers? This week on Pushing Up Lilies, I’m taking a closer look at the life and death of Alexandra “Allie” Hummel, a 36-year-old licensed nurse from Missouri whose unexpected death remains under investigation. Based on publicly available information, I walk through the timeline of events leading up to her death, including a documented domestic violence incident that occurred less than a year earlier and why that history is significant in any death investigation. From the 911 call to the pending toxicology results, I’ll explain what investigators look for when responding to an unexpected death in the home, how prior incidents become part of the investigative process, and why every piece of evidence matters. As a forensic death investigator, I also share my professional perspective on scene documentation, autopsy findings, toxicology testing, and the importance of remaining objective while allowing the facts to determine the outcome. Most importantly, this episode is about Allie, a dedicated nurse, mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose loved ones continue to seek answers. While this investigation is still ongoing, her story also shines a light on the realities of domestic violence, the challenges victims often face, and why support systems are so important. Next week, I’ll be joined by Allie’s close friend, Kelsey, who will share personal memories of Allie and offer additional insight into the woman behind the headlines. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, please know that help is available. You are not alone. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: 00:06 Welcome to Pushing Up Lilies. I’m your host, Julie Mattson. Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, and terrifyingly true stories from my perspective as a forensic death investigator and a sexual assault nurse examiner. 00:24 Do I have some stories for you? Are you ready? Hey guys, welcome to another episode of Pushing Up Lilies. I’m coming to you this week from Deadwood, South Dakota. I don’t know how many of you have been here before, but it is such a beautiful countryside. 00:44 We flew into Rapid City yesterday and we’re here for a couple of days. Then we’re going to go visit my husband’s family farm in Rock Lake, North Dakota. And then we’re going to go to Minot and spend a day at the fair, I believe, before we go home. 01:03 So just needed a little opportunity to get away. School is still schooling. I guess next week is my last week of this semester. So, I’ll be taking my final exam, which I’m extremely nervous about for this clinical. 01:19 And I have one more clinical day, and I will have my 180 hours and 180 patients in for this semester. And then we’re going to do the same thing next semester, but next semester is going to be pediatrics and family medicine. 01:34 And then my last semester is the same. So, I will be doing those rotations in Louisville as well. So, I should be done in March, y’all. So, I’m just hoping that everything goes smoothly. School is hard when you’ve been out for 30 years. 01:52 It’s really hard to try to go back. And my memory’s not what it used to be. I think I’ve told you all that before. When you’re 58, you just don’t remember things like you should. And so, it’s more difficult, even if it’s something that’s instilled in your brain that you’ve been doing for 30 years. 02:07 But today we are dedicating a full episode to the life and death of Alexandra, also known as Allie Leanne Barton Hummel. She was a 36-year-old licensed nurse from New London, Missouri. And Allie was found unresponsive in her home on June 23rd of this year, 2026. 02:31 And her death remains under investigation. Now, again, as I’ve told y’all before, this is a fully factual account based on public records, news reports, court documents, family statements, statements from friends that I have spoken to, and official statements that have been made public since the middle of this month. 02:58 There is no speculation here beyond what’s reported. I’m just going to stick to the facts. But Allie’s story is one of a dedicated healthcare professional, a sister, a friend, and a mother, and a woman whose final chapter has left her loved ones in her community seeking answers. 03:18 This is a story very similar to ones that we hear every day and very similar to ones that I have worked in the death investigation field. Now, later in this episode, I’m going to give you some professional insights into the death investigation process in cases like this. 03:38 And I’m going to announce next week’s episode. That’s going to be an interview with Allie’s friend Kelsey, who will share her perspective and memories surrounding her friend’s life and passing. Now, Alexandra, or we’ll just call her Allie. 03:55 Allie Hummel was born on July 7th of 1989. So, she would have turned 37 just two weeks after her death. She grew up in Missouri area and pursued a career in nursing, and she became a licensed nurse in that state. 04:16 She is remembered by those who knew her as a caring individual with passion for helping others. Now, Allie worked as a nurse, and we all know this is a demanding profession that often involves long hours. 04:29 It’s a lot of stress, and it has a profound impact on patients’ lives, which is why we love it. But colleagues and friends who interacted with her professionally described her positively following her death. 04:43 She was very well loved. Now, she married Dr. Andrew Michael Hummel, who was an anesthesiologist, and he operated Northern Ozark Anesthesia Solutions, which is his own
The Vanished Remains: The Julie Mott Story
What happens when someone disappears… after they’ve already died? In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m exploring one of the most unusual and heartbreaking cases I’ve ever researched, the disappearance of Julie Mott’s remains from a San Antonio funeral home following her memorial service. Julie was just 25 years old when she passed away after a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. Her family gathered to honor her life, believing they would soon receive her ashes after cremation. Instead, they were met with an unimaginable nightmare: Julie’s embalmed body had vanished. I’ll walk you through the timeline of events, from Julie’s courageous life and memorial service to the shocking discovery that her remains were missing. We’ll examine the police investigation, the role of a former boyfriend who became a person of interest, the civil trial that revealed serious security concerns within the funeral home, and why this mystery remains unsolved nearly a decade later. As a forensic death investigator, I’ll also share my professional perspective on the handling of human remains, chain of custody, funeral home security, and why cases like this are extraordinarily rare. We’ll discuss what the evidence tells us, what it doesn’t, and why preserving the dignity of the deceased is one of the most important responsibilities in death care. No one has ever been criminally charged in connection with the disappearance, and Julie’s remains have never been found. This episode is a sobering reminder that even after death, families deserve answers, transparency, and the assurance that their loved ones will be treated with dignity and respect. Join me as we examine one of the most perplexing and emotionally devastating mysteries in modern death investigation. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: 00:06 Welcome to Pushing Up Lilies. I’m your host, Julie Mattson. Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, and terrifyingly true stories from my perspective as a forensic death investigator and a sexual assault nurse examiner. 00:24 Do I have some stories for you? Are you ready? Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of Pushing Up Lilies. I’m your host, Julie Mattson. School, y’all, is kicking my butt. It is so hard to go back to school when you’re in your late 50s. 00:44 My memory is just not what it used to be. I mean, kudos to all of you who have done this because I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. I never really realized how much time it was going to require. 00:57 In high school, it wasn’t that difficult for me. I just have not struggled really with school. And I’m not struggling now. It’s more of a time issue because, you know, when you’re an adult and you have a family and you have a granddaughter and you have a job and you own a business and you have a podcast, it’s very difficult to figure out how you’re going to squeeze everything in. 01:22 I’m like guest host on four different podcasts this month. I have a couple of trips planned. I have a leadership meeting this weekend on Friday. I have a three-day conference in September. I’m just so glad that this semester is over on July 31st and I can actually take off a month and a half until the next semester starts. 01:48 And I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bit nervous about my final exam. It actually requires being on video with my instructor and you have very little time to actually do your assignment behind the scenes before you’re being videoed. 02:05 So that makes me extremely nervous. I know I’ve been a nurse for 30 years, but the context is so different. Like to actually diagnose and treat somebody with a medication and to be responsible for what you give them and make sure it works is completely different than graduating with your RN degree. 02:27 It’s a little bit, I don’t know, it’s kind of scary, but I love it. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love it. I know I’m completely capable, but it is a little bit difficult when you get this age because my memory, again, I think I’ve told y’all before, it’s just not what it used to be. 02:45 And so if I was in my 20s, I’d be spitting this stuff back out so fast, it’d be crazy. But now I’m like struggling to remember. Anyway, this week I want to talk to you about a detailed look at one of the most disturbing cases involving the post-death handling of human remains I’ve ever researched. 03:06 This story actually centers on the Julie Mott case. She’s a young woman who fought a long battle with illness only for her remains to disappear from a funeral home in circumstances that remain unresolved years later. 03:21 Now we’re going to cover her life, her death, the memorial service, the shocking discovery, the police investigation, the extensive civil trial with all its revelations, the family’s ongoing search for closure, and the forensic insights into what this case reveals about vulnerabilities in death care facilities. 03:44 Now, this is a thorough examination, and I will pause at key points to allow the weight of the facts to settle. Listener discretion is strongly advised because this episode actually discusses death from chronic illness, profound grief, and the desecration and loss of human remains, and the lasting trauma to surviving family members. 04:10 All information presented is drawn directly from publicly available court documents, police statements, and credible journaling reporting. I know I’ve told y’all before, I’m not making this stuff up. 04:24 No speculation beyond what has been officially documented. If you’re experiencing grief or emotional distress, again, please reach out to professional support resources in your area. We’re going to spend significant time on each phase
A Mother’s Life Stolen: The Murder of Caroline Piña Cairo
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m examining the heartbreaking murder of 32-year-old Caroline Piña Cairo, a mother of five whose life was taken in a brutal daylight attack that stunned the Del Rio, Texas community. When Caroline arrived at the hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds, medical teams fought to save her life. Despite their efforts, she later succumbed to her injuries. Three women were arrested and charged with her murder, but many questions surrounding the case remain unanswered as the investigation continues. As a forensic death investigator and former emergency room nurse, I walk through what happens in the critical moments after a stabbing victim arrives at the hospital, why injuries like these can be far more severe than they first appear, and how investigators begin reconstructing a violent crime through witness statements, surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and medical findings. I also discuss why it’s so important to separate verified facts from speculation while a case is still unfolding. But more than anything, I want to remember Caroline. She wasn’t simply the victim in a headline. She was a mother, a friend, and someone remembered for her generosity and the kindness she showed others, even during difficult times in her own life. Behind every investigation is a family whose world has been forever changed, and five children who will grow up without their mother. This episode contains discussion of homicide, stabbing violence, and death. Listener discretion is advised. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:
Amy Steadman and the Mechanicville Family Deaths
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m covering the heartbreaking case involving Amy Steadman and the tragic family deaths that shook the community of Mechanicville, New York. Cases involving multiple family members are among the most emotionally difficult for investigators, first responders, and the communities left searching for answers. As details emerged, investigators were faced with the complex task of piecing together what happened inside a home where several lives were lost, while loved ones struggled to make sense of an unimaginable tragedy. As a forensic death investigator, I discuss the investigative process behind cases like this, the importance of carefully documenting the scene, evaluating the evidence without assumptions, and understanding how investigators work to reconstruct the events that led to such devastating outcomes. I also explore the emotional toll these cases can have, not only on surviving family members, but on the professionals responsible for uncovering the truth. But beyond the investigation, I want to remember the people at the center of this story. Behind every report are individuals whose lives mattered, families forever changed, and a community left grieving. Every death investigation is about more than determining what happened, it’s about honoring those who can no longer speak for themselves and seeking answers with compassion, professionalism, and respect. This episode contains discussion of family violence, homicide, and death. Listener discretion is advised. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: 00:06 Welcome to Pushing Up Lilies. I’m your host, Julie Mattson. Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, and terrifyingly true stories from my perspective as a forensic death investigator and a sexual assault nurse examiner. 00:24 Do I have some stories for you? Are you ready? Welcome to another episode of Pushing Up Lilies. I’m so happy that y’all joined us today. Still recovering from all the CrimeCon stuff. My items that I had there were boxed up and shipped back to me, and I just got them all back. 00:46 So, I’m trying to get them into my store at the Mercantile in Krum. Thank you for being patient with me. My plan was to try to do that today, but I ended up having to make a doctor’s appointment. So, it’s been kind of crazy. 00:58 Clinical tomorrow and then meds fall, med spa, and, you know, the routine. Trying to keep my head afloat while I’m finishing school. I’ve got one month left of this semester. So, I get a month and a half off and then I have two more small three-month semesters finished or left. 01:18 So hopefully it will go quickly. It seems like so far away, but I know that these days’ time flies super-fast. I want to make sure that y’all have a super safe 4th of July. I know at the medical examiner’s office, we would always frequently have drownings during the holidays when everyone’s at the lake and having their hold my beer and watch this moment. 01:41 So, keep a close eye on your friends. And my biggest thing is don’t always assume that your friends that can swim don’t still need to be watched because if they’re drinking or if they’re not super healthy, they could have a medical emergency in the water. 02:02 There are, in many cases, free life jackets available at the lakes. So, everyone in your boat should have one. There’s just a lot of ways to think ahead about how to be safe and prevent accidents and injuries and deaths. 02:19 Just kind of keep that in your head when you’re going to the lake or even when you’re just outside in the heat. Take water. Stay hydrated. We don’t want a bunch of heat strokes going on. Think about your health and the health of the others with you. 02:32 And that will help tremendously in preventing deaths and accidents and injuries. So, okay, that’s my spiel. Gonna get into this week’s episode. This week, I want to talk to you a little bit about the case regarding Amy Steadman, and this is the Mechanicville family deaths. 02:51 Now, this happened on June 23rd, so it wasn’t that long ago. This year, police in Mechanicville, New York responded to a wellness check at an apartment on Harris Avenue. Now, a neighbor had grown worried. 03:05 The family had not been seen, and the air around the apartment smelled wrong, and flies were gathering. And we’ve talked about this before when someone’s in their home, haven’t been seen in a while. They call the police for a welfare check, and it smells bad. 03:23 I mean, you’ve smelled an animal that has been decaying in the road or in the ditch, and it’s just not a pleasant smell. Those details actually matter in death investigation. Odor and flies, they tell you, obviously, that time has passed. 03:40 They tell you that something inside has changed, and they tell you that the body or bodies are no longer in an early stage of death, but they are decomposing. So, when officers actually entered Amy Steadman’s apartment, they found six people dead. 03:58 Amy Steadman was 64. Her daughter, Sarah Myers, was 44. Sarah’s daughter, Harper Harmon, was 13. Sarah’s son, Hudson Harmon, was 11. And Sarah’s 10-year-old twins were Gavin Harmon and Gracelyn Harmon. 04:17 So, all six were found inside Amy’s apartment. And even though Sarah and the children actually lived in a separate unit in the same apartment complex. Police later said that the deaths appeared criminal and evidence suggested intentional poisoning. 04:35 Investigators also said that one of the children had suffered fatal sharp force injuries. So, a handwritten note found inside the home strongly pointed towards Amy Stedman. According to the police, that’s just what they said. 04:51 Toxicology results and final medical examiner findings were still pending when these details were released. Today we’re talking about what police believe Amy Steadman did. So, we’re talking about the crime scene and the poisoning, sharp force injury,
