Pushing Up Lillies
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  • Julie Mattson
  • March 11, 2026March 11, 2026
  • Podcast

The Cleveland Suitcase Murders

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we take a look at two very recent cases that highlight the severe consequences of toxic relationships and senseless violence. First, we’ll explore the tragic story of the missing Georgia firefighters who were found dead after trying to end a toxic relationship. The details of their disappearance and subsequent discovery reveal the dark side of relationships gone horribly wrong.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • March 4, 2026March 4, 2026
  • Podcast

When a Water Bottle Becomes a Weapon

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we take a look at two very recent cases that highlight the severe consequences of toxic relationships and senseless violence. First, we’ll explore the tragic story of the missing Georgia firefighters who were found dead after trying to end a toxic relationship. The details of their disappearance and subsequent discovery reveal the dark side of relationships gone horribly wrong.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • January 21, 2026January 21, 2026
  • Podcast

Spence and Mo’ Tepe: The Murdered Dentist and His Wife

On this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we’re delving into the twisted tale of David Tronnes, a Florida man whose obsession with home renovations and dreams of reality TV stardom ended in murder.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • July 16, 2025July 16, 2025
  • Podcast

People’s Choice Replay: From Bullying to Tragedy – The Heartbreaking Case of Aubreigh Wyatt

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we take a look at two very recent cases that highlight the severe consequences of toxic relationships and senseless violence. First, we’ll explore the tragic story of the missing Georgia firefighters who were found dead after trying to end a toxic relationship. The details of their disappearance and subsequent discovery reveal the dark side of relationships gone horribly wrong.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • July 9, 2025July 9, 2025
  • Podcast

Suzanne Morphew: Vanished Mom and Wildlife Drugs

In this episode, I’m digging into the unsettling story of Faye and Raymond Copeland—the oldest couple ever sentenced to death in the United States.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • October 30, 2024October 30, 2024
  • Podcast

Buried Secrets: A Deathbed Confession Unravels a 24-Year Mystery

In this episode, I’m diving into a case that stayed cold for 24 long years—until a chilling deathbed confession finally led investigators to the remains of a missing girl and her mother in West Virginia.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • July 17, 2024July 17, 2024
  • Podcast

From Bullying to Tragedy: The Heartbreaking Case of Aubreigh Wyatt

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we take a look at two very recent cases that highlight the severe consequences of toxic relationships and senseless violence. First, we’ll explore the tragic story of the missing Georgia firefighters who were found dead after trying to end a toxic relationship. The details of their disappearance and subsequent discovery reveal the dark side of relationships gone horribly wrong.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • July 10, 2024July 10, 2024
  • Podcast

Toxic Relationships and Tragic Endings: Two Heartbreaking Cases

In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, we take a look at two very recent cases that highlight the severe consequences of toxic relationships and senseless violence. First, we’ll explore the tragic story of the missing Georgia firefighters who were found dead after trying to end a toxic relationship. The details of their disappearance and subsequent discovery reveal the dark side of relationships gone horribly wrong.

Read more
  • Julie Mattson
  • June 14, 2023June 14, 2023
  • Podcast

Unveiling Tragedy: The Murder of 14 Year Old Kaytlynn Cargill

In this episode, we take a look at the tragic true crime story that rocked a community and shattered the lives of those involved. Join us as we uncover the harrowing tale of 14-year-old Kaytlynn Cargill, whose life was cut short in a horrific act of violence. Set in Texas in 2017, we explore the details surrounding her untimely death at the hands of Jordin Roache, a mere 16-year-old at the time.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • June 7, 2023June 7, 2023
  • Podcast

Australian Mom Pardoned for Death of Children After 20 Years

In this gripping episode, we delve into a heart-wrenching case that shocked Australia and sparked intense debates within the criminal justice system. Join us as we uncover the tragic tale of an Australian mother Kathleen Folbigg, who spent a harrowing 20 years behind bars for the mysterious deaths of her four children.

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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.

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Christa Pike: Failed Execution Mystery
byJulie Mattson

What happens when someone is sentenced to death, the execution goes forward, but the person doesn’t die?

This week on Pushing Up Lilies, I’m talking about Christa Pike, who was convicted of the brutal 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville, Tennessee. Pike was just 18 years old when the murder occurred, and she has spent roughly three decades on death row.

I want to start by telling you about Colleen, what happened to her, and the evidence that ultimately led to Pike’s conviction. As a former death investigator, I look at cases like this through the physical evidence, the injuries, the witness statements, and what those findings tell us about a victim’s final moments.

But there’s another side to this story that raises some serious medical questions.

On September 30, 2026, Tennessee reportedly attempted to execute Pike using pentobarbital. According to the account discussed in this episode, she survived the procedure and was hospitalized in critical condition. As a nurse, I have a lot of questions about what happened inside that execution chamber.

We’ll look at how lethal injection is supposed to work, what could potentially go wrong, and the medical and ethical questions that arise when an execution fails.

This case is disturbing on so many levels, and while the latest developments have brought renewed attention to Christa Pike, I don’t want us to forget the young woman whose murder started this entire story.

Join me as we examine the evidence, the medicine, and the unanswered questions surrounding this case.

Christa Pike: Failed Execution Mystery
Christa Pike: Failed Execution Mystery
October 7, 2026
Julie Mattson
Tasia Fortune: The Hanging That Wasn’t The Cause of Death
September 30, 2026
Julie Mattson
Burger Avenue Mystery
September 23, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Death of Barrett Walsh: Psychosis, a Murder Charge, and the Lindsay Clancy Connection
September 16, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Death of Aria Talathi: When a Drowning Scene Tells a Different Story
September 9, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Lindsay Clancy Trial: The Case Is Now in the Jury’s Hands
September 2, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Lindsay Clancy Trial: New Testimony, New Questions
August 26, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Lindsay Clancy Trial: Psychosis, Premeditation, or Both?
August 19, 2026
Julie Mattson
The Lindsay Clancy Case: Three Children, One Unthinkable Night
August 12, 2026
Julie Mattson
Grand Haven: The Karolkiewicz Family
August 5, 2026
Julie Mattson
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Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, terrifyingly true stories with a forensic twist, hosted by Julie Mattson.

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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.

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Recent Episodes

Christa Pike: Failed Execution Mystery

Dani After Dark: Julie Mattson Guest Appearance

Tasia Fortune: The Hanging That Wasn’t The Cause of Death

Burger Avenue Mystery

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