Pushing Up Lillies
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
    • YouTube Channel
  • Events
    • CrimeCon 2026: Las Vegas
    • Women In Podcasting Cruise
    • Beyond the Crime Convention
    • Global Webinar on Forensic Science
    • True Crime Club
    • The Bearded Monk – True Crime Panel
  • Murder Merch
  • Serial Box
  • Media Kit
    • Sponsor
  • Extras
    • Be A Guest
    • Suggest A Case
    • Contact Me
  • Julie Mattson
  • May 22, 2024May 22, 2024
  • Podcast

Bitter Almonds: Deaths By Cyanide Poisoning

In this gripping episode of Pushing Up Lilies, join me, Julie Mattson, as we dive into the chilling world of cyanide poisoning. Known for its bitter almond smell, cyanide is one of the most deadly and fast-acting poisons. I’ll share haunting real-life cases where this lethal substance was used to end lives, exploring the science behind how it works and why it’s so deadly.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • May 15, 2024May 22, 2024
  • Podcast

Silent Killers: When Family Turns Toxic

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I delve into the chilling world of slow poisoning deaths carried out by family members. Join me as I unravel the harrowing tales of trust betrayed and lives snuffed out by those closest to the victims. I’ll guide you through the unsettling patterns and psychological motivations behind these sinister acts.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • May 8, 2024May 8, 2024
  • Podcast

Deadly Elixir: Antifreeze Murders

Join me as we uncover chilling cases where individuals have been fatally poisoned by this seemingly innocuous substance. We’ll delve into the motives behind these crimes, the methods used to administer antifreeze, and the challenges faced by investigators in solving these perplexing cases.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • May 10, 2023May 10, 2023
  • Podcast

The Hart Family Murder-Suicide

On today’s episode, we explore the heartbreaking story of the Hart family murder-suicide. On March 26th, 2018, the family’s SUV was found at the bottom of a cliff in California, with the bodies of all eight family members inside.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • May 3, 2023May 3, 2023
  • Podcast

Inside the Minds of Women Who Marry Serial Killers

On today’s episode, we will explore the psychology behind the relationships and examine the motivations of individuals who write to and marry serial killers behind bars.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • April 26, 2023April 25, 2023
  • Podcast

Head Trauma: From Infants to Seniors to Criminal Behavior

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the physical and neurological signs of head trauma and the ways in which they can manifest in different age groups, from babies to the elderly. We also explore head trauma and the connection to criminal behavior, taking a closer look at the scientific evidence and the real-life case of the Louisville shooter, Connor Sturgeon.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • April 19, 2023April 18, 2023
  • Podcast

Serial Killers Who Suffered Head Trauma

Join me as we unravel the mysteries of the human mind and seek to understand the complex interplay of factors that may contribute to the making of a serial killer.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • April 12, 2023April 12, 2023
  • Podcast

Head Trauma and Homicide: Exploring the Louisville Shooter and WWE Superstar Murders

In this gripping episode, I delve into the disturbing connection between head trauma and homicide, specifically examining the cases of the Louisville Shooter and a WWE Superstar, Chris Benoit.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • March 29, 2023March 29, 2023
  • Podcast

Buster Murdaugh and the Mysterious Death of Stephen Smith

This week I want to talk about Stephen Smith’s death. Stephen Smith, he was the young man, 19 years old, that was found dead in the middle of a rural road, not really anything indicative of a hit and run. However, his death was determined to be vehicular manslaughter. Eight years later, it’s being investigated as a homicide, with all eyes on Buster Murdaugh.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • March 22, 2023March 22, 2023
  • Podcast

Hidden Graves: True Stories of Victims Buried Under Homes

Over the years, I’ve always said that the perfect way to hide a body would be to bury it under a house that was under construction. I guess I always said that because years ago when I first started as a death investigator, we had a case like that in the Houston area. Listen in today as I share about that case and a few more that involved victims being buried under homes and in basements.

Read more

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

Pushing Up Lilies

Pushing Up Lilies
Pushing Up Lilies

Dissect the science behind some of the most spine-tingling, unusual and terrifyingly true crime stories with Julie Mattson, a seasoned Forensic Nurse Death Investigator in this gripping weekly podcast.

Julie’s unique approach to investigations is informed by her background in nursing, which allows her to provide an in-depth analysis of the medical intricacies and physiological aspects of each case.

With her compassionate storytelling and unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth, Julie takes you on a thrilling journey into the world of forensic science, shining a light on the intersection of medicine, justice and criminal investigation.

In “Pushing Up Lilies,” Julie’s expert medical analysis will captivate your imagination and challenge your understanding of the human body’s role in solving the most complex and enigmatic criminal case.

Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnGoogle PodcastsListen OnSpotify

Podcast Subscription Menu

  • Catalog
  • Catalog
  • Career Resource Center
  • Career Resource Center
  • Hiring Partners
  • Hiring Partners
  • Student Success
  • Student Success
  • Udacity Connect
  • Udacity Connect
  • Udacity Talks
  • Udacity Talks
  • Scholarships
  • Scholarships
The Monster He Wanted to Become
byJulie Mattson

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m covering the heartbreaking case of Rachel Castillo, a young mother whose disappearance in Southern California led investigators to a devastating discovery, and ultimately, the conviction of her estranged husband, Zarbab Ali.

Rachel vanished during what should have been a routine custody exchange involving her children. But almost immediately, investigators began uncovering signs that something was terribly wrong. What followed was an intense investigation involving surveillance footage, blood evidence, digital tracking, and a search that ended with Rachel’s body being found buried in a remote area.

As a forensic death investigator, I walk through how cases like this begin to unfold behind the scenes, how small pieces of evidence start forming a timeline, how investigators interpret behavioral patterns, and how critical those early investigative decisions become when someone suddenly disappears under suspicious circumstances.

This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, homicide, and burial concealment. 

Listener discretion is advised.

The Monster He Wanted to Become
The Monster He Wanted to Become
May 27, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Death of Spencer Irwin: Questions Left Behind
May 20, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Shocking Torture and Murder of Sonia Exelby
May 13, 2026
Julie Mattson
Inside the Crime that Shook a Community – Part Three
May 6, 2026
Julie Mattson
Inside the Crime that Shook a Community – Part Two
April 29, 2026
Julie Mattson
Inside the Crime that Shook a Community – Part One
April 22, 2026
Julie Mattson
Julie Mattson: LIVE From Beyond The Crime 2026
April 15, 2026
Julie Mattson
Pedro Rodrigues Filho: The Man Who Killed Killers
April 8, 2026
Julie Mattson
Walter Carl Kenney: Twice a John Doe
April 1, 2026
Julie Mattson
A Case That Still Hurts: Revisiting Aubreigh Wyatt’s Story
March 25, 2026
Julie Mattson
Search Results placeholder

Help Kick Off the Podcast With a Bang!

Please Rate + Review on Apple

Trending Topics

Cannibal Case Cases Children Crime Scene Dead Death Death Investigator Deaths Deceased Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence Drugs Family Forensic Forensic Evidence Forensic Investigator Forensics Homicide Investigation Investigator Julie Mattson Killed Killer Medical Examiner Missing Mom Mother Murder Murderer Podcast podcasting Pushing Up Lilies Relationships Scene Serial Killer Sexual Assault Stories Suicide Texas True Crime True Crime Podcast Victims Violence Wife

Episode Air Dates

May 2026
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Apr    

Don't Forget to Visit Our Murder Merch Store! Thanks for Tuning in!!!

Shop Here

Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, terrifyingly true stories with a forensic twist, hosted by Julie Mattson.

Subscribe to Podcast

  • Apple Podcast
  • Amazon Music
  • Stitcher
  • Spotify
  • iHeart Radio
  • Pandora
© Copy 2026. Pushing Up Lilies. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
footer-logo

Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, terrifyingly true stories with a forensic twist, hosted by Forensic Nurse Death Investigator, Julie Mattson.

Facebook Youtube

Recent Episodes

The Monster He Wanted to Become

The Death of Spencer Irwin: Questions Left Behind

The Shocking Torture and Murder of Sonia Exelby

Inside the Crime that Shook a Community – Part Three

Subscribe to Podcast

  • Apple Podcast
  • Amazon Music
  • Spotify
  • iHeart Radio
  • Pandora
© 2026 Pushing Up Lilies. All Rights Reserved.