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
  • July 30, 2025July 30, 2025
  • Podcast

Fan Favorite Replay: How to Avoid an Autopsy

Today I want to talk to you about one of the questions that I get asked a lot being a death investigator. And that is, how to avoid an autopsy. There are many reasons why people do not want an autopsy, reasons range from religious beliefs to not wanting the body, as they call it, mutilated.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • January 1, 2025January 1, 2025
  • Podcast

Japan’s ‘Black Widow’ Serial Killer Chisako Kakehi 

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m taking a trip across the globe to uncover the unsettling story of Japan’s “Black Widow,” Chisako Kakashi. This infamous serial killer has been accused of luring her victims into deadly traps—often using poison—as she pursued financial gain and control.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • June 19, 2024June 19, 2024
  • Podcast

The Very Suspicious Death of Noah Presgrove

In this gripping episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we delve into the very suspicious death of Noah Presgrove. As a forensic death investigator, I’ll guide you through the perplexing details surrounding Noah’s untimely demise, examining the evidence, uncovering the inconsistencies, and questioning the narratives presented.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • June 12, 2024June 12, 2024
  • Podcast

Suicides and Cold Cases: Unraveling the Mystery of Boys on the Train Tracks

Hey Ya’ll! Julie Mattson here, your host and a forensic death investigator. This week on “Pushing Up Lilies,” we’re delving into the somber reality of dealing with suicides. I’ll be sharing some of my experiences and the emotional challenges faced when investigating these tragic deaths.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • June 5, 2024June 5, 2024
  • Podcast

Accidental Poisonings and Health Maintenance

In this eye-opening episode of Pushing Up Lilies, as a forensic death investigator, I delve into the often-overlooked risks lurking in our homes. We’ll explore real cases of accidental deaths caused by common household poisons, shedding light on the hidden dangers that can turn everyday items into lethal weapons. From cleaning products to expired foods, you’ll learn how easily these substances can become deadly.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • May 29, 2024May 29, 2024
  • Podcast

Twisters and Toxins: Tornadoes, Poisons, and Date Rape Drugs

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we start with the recent devastating tornado in Texas, discussing its aftermath and the challenges it brings to death investigators. Then we will uncover the chilling reality of date rape drugs, exploring how they incapacitate victims and the forensic methods used to detect them.

Read more
  • 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 1, 2024May 1, 2024
  • Podcast

The Mysterious Death of Amanda Wienckowski

Join me as we delve into the haunting case of Amanda Wienckowski, whose tragic death in 2008 in New York has left many unanswered questions. Amanda was discovered naked, frozen, and head first in a garbage dumpster, with her death initially deemed an accident by the medical examiner.

Read more

  • 1
  • 2

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 Death of Spencer Irwin: Questions Left Behind
byJulie Mattson

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m covering the mysterious death of Spencer Irwin, a 30-year-old Fresno City College student whose body was discovered behind a business loading dock in Fresno, California, in August of 2024.

What initially appeared to authorities to be a tragic but straightforward case quickly became something far more complicated.

Spencer was found naked, with no obvious signs of trauma, and early assumptions pointed toward a drug overdose or transient-related death. But toxicology reports later came back clean. No overdose. No clear explanation. And despite the unanswered questions surrounding his death, the coroner ultimately ruled it “natural causes.”

What makes this case especially unsettling is what didn’t happen.

No autopsy was performed.
And Spencer’s body was cremated.

As a forensic death investigator, I discuss the difficult reality of cases that fall into gray areas, where evidence is limited, assumptions are made early, and families are left searching for answers long after a case is considered closed.

Because sometimes the hardest part of an investigation…
is not what we know.

It’s what we don’t.

This episode contains discussion of death, investigative uncertainty, and unresolved circumstances surrounding the case. Listener discretion is advised.

The Death of Spencer Irwin: Questions Left Behind
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
The Layover Mystery: Flight Attendant Diana Ramos
March 18, 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.