Pushing Up Lillies
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  • Julie Mattson
  • July 24, 2024July 24, 2024
  • Podcast

Nathaniel Bar-Jonah: The Child Killing Cannibal

In today’s episode, we delve into the horrifying case of Nathaniel Bar-Jonah, a man whose name became synonymous with unspeakable evil. Known as the Child Killing Cannibal, Bar-Jonah’s crimes against children in the late 90s left an indelible mark of fear and revulsion.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • December 13, 2023December 14, 2023
  • Podcast

When Serial Killers Are Set Free

On today’s episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I delve into a bone-chilling exploration of a disturbing phenomenon in this episode: serial killers from around the world released from prison for good behavior.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • October 4, 2023October 4, 2023
  • Podcast

The Muswell Hill Murderer: The British Jeffrey Dahmer

In this bone-chilling episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I delve deep into the sinister world of one of the UK’s most notorious serial killers, Dennis Nilsen, infamously known as “The Muswell Hill Murderer.” From 1978, Nilsen embarked on a horrifying spree of murder and necrophilia, leaving a trail of more than a dozen victims in his wake while living in London.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • July 19, 2023July 24, 2024
  • Podcast

Joe ‘The Cannibal’ Metheny’s Roadside Food Truck

In this bone-chilling episode, we delve into the horrifying tale of Serial Killer, Joe Metheny. Brace yourself as we uncover the dark and disturbing story of a seemingly ordinary food vendor who harbored a deadly secret. Join us as we navigate the twisted mind of Joe Metheny, exploring the shocking details of his crimes, his methods of luring unsuspecting victims, the unimaginable horrors he committed, and the customers that unknowingly consumed human flesh from his roadside food truck.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Julie Mattson
  • April 5, 2023April 5, 2023
  • Podcast

Kendall Francois, the Poughkeepsie Serial Killer

Last week I was at advanced homicide investigation training, one of the speakers at the event worked as an investigator on the Kendall Francois case, a serial killer from Poughkeepsie, New York, convicted of killing eight women, from 1996 to 1998. Today I am going to share this story with you.

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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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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
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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

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

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© 2026 Pushing Up Lilies. All Rights Reserved.