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
Inside the Crime that Shook a Community – Part Three
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I continue Inside the Crime That Shook a Community with Part Three, focusing on the trial of the man responsible for the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand. This is the part of the story where the legal process begins… but that doesn’t make it any easier. As I walk through the courtroom proceedings, I do so with the same care and intention, because behind every testimony, every piece of evidence, and every legal argument is a family still living with unimaginable loss. Trials are meant to bring answers.They’re meant to bring accountability. But they don’t always bring peace. From an investigative perspective, I also share insight into what happens when a case moves from the scene into the courtroom, how evidence is presented, how timelines are reconstructed, and how the justice system works to piece together the truth in a way that can be understood by a jury. And while this part of the story focuses on the trial…I want to be very clear about something. This is not about the man who committed the crime. It is still about Athena. Her life.Her memory.And the impact she left behind. This episode contains discussion of child violence, courtroom testimony, and sensitive details surrounding the case. Please take care of yourself while listening, and step away if you need to. 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. This is your host, Julie Mattson. I can’t even tell you how excited I am about CrimeCon. I have never been as a spectator, an exhibitor, or a creator. 00:47 So, I’m super excited to get to go this year. I’m an exhibitor. I could not get on Creator’s Row. I understand that that’s rather difficult. And so, I’m going as an exhibitor, kind of get my foot in the door. 00:58 And I’m hoping to go to Crime Cruise also in November, which travels out of Florida. So if you are planning on going, stop and see me. I would love to visit with you. I’ll have all my merch there. We’re going to do the canvas bags, pens, stickers, t-shirts, hoodies, and poker chips. 01:18 My chips are clay. I think I told y’all I ordered the clay ones. I wanted it to be like a real souvenir and not something that was easy to throw away and super lightweight. So anyway, they’re clay. I’m excited about those. 01:32 They’re cute. They’ve got like my QR code on the back. So, you can go straight to my website. But my merch will be available on the website soon. It’s all new designed stuff that will be available at CrimeCon. 01:46 The first time it’s been available was at Beyond the Crime when we went to New Mexico last month. So, it’s all kind of new design and we sold a lot of merch at Beyond the Crime. So that was so much fun. 01:59 I’m really looking forward to Crime Con. Three days, I think last year they said 6,000 people attended Caesar’s Palace and it’s May 29th through 31st and so super excited. Look forward to seeing you there. 02:13 This week, I want to talk a little more about the Athena Strand case. Again, it’s not one that I really wanted to cover, but I wanted to make sure that I covered just the facts, not guessing what’s happening or guessing what’s going on in people’s heads, but just kind of covering the story and what’s going on. 02:34 So, this episode is a heavy one. And before I get into it, again, I want to say out loud that there are a lot of cases that I cover and you just move on. And there are ones that kind of stay with you even after I stop recording. 02:48 And this is one of those because at the center of everything, we’re about to talk about, it’s not just a case and it’s not just evidence and it’s not just a defendant sitting in the courtroom. It’s a little girl. 02:59 Athena was only seven. What we’re walking through today is the sentencing phase of Tanner Horner’s trial. Now, he already pled guilty, so there’s no question about whether or not he did this. That part is done. 03:12 So now the jury is left with one decision. And it’s one of the hardest decisions any jury will ever have to make. Is he going to get life in prison without parole or the death penalty? And to get there, unfortunately, they had to sit through days of testimony and listen to witnesses who reminded the courtroom who Athena was. 03:36 Some of them walked through exactly what happened and others kind of tried to explain who Tanner Horner is and how he became the person sitting at the defense table. Now, I want to cover a little bit about like what happened during the trial days because like me, I work. 03:55 I can’t sit and watch the trial all day long. I would love to because it’s super interesting. And I did watch the O.J. Simpson trial. I remember back in the day, but that was before life started lifing. 04:09 On the first day, the tone was set pretty much. Tanner Horner stood up. He pleaded guilty. There was no drawn out trial over guilt and no uncertainty at all. It was just acknowledgement, basically. In a way, that shifts the entire weight of the trial because now the jury’s not trying to figure out if he did it. 04:31 They’re just trying to figure out what to do with the truth.
Inside the Crime that Shook a Community – Part Two
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I continue the heartbreaking case of 7-year-old Athena Strand. This is Part Two of a story that is as heavy as it is important. As we move forward, I walk through what happened after Athena’s disappearance, the investigation, the critical moments that unfolded, and the pieces that began to come together in a case that gripped so many people. This part of the story brings more clarity, but it also brings a deeper understanding of just how quickly lives can change forever. I approach this episode with the same care and intention, honoring Athena, respecting her family, and being mindful of the weight this story carries for listeners. From an investigative standpoint, I also share insight into how cases evolve once key information is uncovered, how law enforcement works against time, how decisions are made in real-time, and how those early hours can shape everything that follows. But even as more details emerge…I want to keep the focus where it belongs. On Athena. On her life, her light, and the love that surrounds her. This episode continues discussions of child abduction and violence. Please take care of yourself while listening, and step away if you need to. 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, Julie here with Pushing Up Lilies. We’re back for part two of the story of Athena Strand. It’s one week closer to Chrome-Con. I’m so excited. I am getting ready to start shipping my stuff. 00:46 I decided we’re going to fly instead of drive. Obviously, I can’t get it all in my suitcases. So, I’m going to have tons of pens and stickers and the special bloodbath soaps made just for us by Soaping Up Life here in Crumb. 01:07 She’s amazing. All of her soaps are handmade, hand-poured, and they smell delicious. This is lavender and lemongrass, and you’re going to love it. And then also I’m going to have the hoodies and the T-shirts and the canvas bags and our special poker chips. 01:25 And these are clay poker chips. So, they’re heavy. They’re great keepsakes. And I think I decided I’m going to go around to all the podcasters and collect their pins. That’s kind of something I think that I can put in my office. 01:38 It’s going to be super cool to collect. It’s just going to be fun. I have never been even as a spectator. So, I’m excited to see what it’s all about. And maybe next year I can get on Creator’s Row. I’ve applied for about three years and haven’t been able to get on, but they swear there’s no rhyme or reason that they choose podcasters, not based on how long they’ve been podcasting, but just kind of randomly. 02:07 So, I don’t know how that works. Evidently, there is no secret, but we’ll just cross our fingers for next year. I’m super excited. So, I can’t wait to go again at Caesar’s Palace, May 29th through 31st. 02:22 If you don’t have a ticket, you should go online and get it now and meet me there. So, this week again, we’re going to talk about Athena Strand. And as we know, this case is still unwinding. I do also want to cover the days in court and what has taken place during the courtroom testimony. 02:45 Again, I think when we left off, we were talking a little bit about autopsy findings and how critical that information is for prosecutors. It definitely supports the charges and clarifies the timeline and helps juries to really understand the physical reality of the crime that was committed. 03:06 Medical testimony often becomes one of the most influential elements in a trial. That’s because when the pathologist gets on the stand, they can actually describe the injuries and explain the possible cause. 03:23 News of Athena’s death spread very quickly, and the community of Paradise responded obviously with shock and sorrow. There have been a lot of vigils held to honor her memory and families gathering to support one another. 03:38 And of course, the schools have offered counseling services for the students and the staff there. But the case also received national attention because media outlets reported on the investigation and the arrest and also on the impact on the community. 03:55 Conversations about child safety and the screening of delivery drivers and community awareness emerged across the country. Public attention can bring support and pressure. Families often receive messages of sympathy, but of course they also face scrutiny. 04:18 And so, investigators have to balance transparency with the need to protect the integrity of the case. Now, following this investigation, prosecutors charged Tanner Horner with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. 04:34 And these charges reflected the severity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding Athena’s death. Capital murder – let’s talk a little bit about that. It’s one of the most serious charges in the criminal justice system. 04:49 It carries the possibility of life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. Now, the case moved through the legal process, including hearings and evidence review and preparation for trial. Prosecutors gathered all the information and documentation, witness testimony, forensic findings, all the things. 05:12 Defense attorneys examined the evidence and prepared their arguments. And then from a forensic perspective, the transition from investigation to courtroom is a very important phase. Evidence has to be organized and presented clearly because every detail from photographs to laboratory reports has to withstand legal scrutiny. 05:36 Now, as the months turned into years after Athena’s death, the legal process moved forward, seemed slow, but it was deliberate. That pace can be frustrating for
Inside the Crime that Shook a Community -Part One
In this episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I’m covering a case that is incredibly difficult to talk about, the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, and the man responsible, Tanner Lynn Horner. This is one of those stories that stays with you. Athena was just a child, full of life, curiosity, and innocence, and her disappearance quickly turned into something far more devastating than anyone could have imagined. What makes this case even more unsettling is how ordinary the circumstances seemed at first… and how quickly everything changed. As I walk through the timeline of what happened, I do so with great care, for Athena, for her family, and for anyone listening who may find this story especially heavy. This episode is not about sensationalizing tragedy. It’s about acknowledging it, understanding it, and honoring a life that should have had so much more time. From an investigative perspective, I also touch on how cases like this unfold, how quickly information moves, how critical those first hours are, and the realities behind scenes that most people never see. But at the center of this episode is not the perpetrator.It’s Athena. Her story matters. Her life matters. This episode contains discussion of child abduction and violence, and I encourage you to take care of yourself while listening. 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. This is your host, Julie Mattson. I still can’t get over how much fun I had last week at Beyond the Crime. 00:41 And I am really looking forward to CrimeCon. I have so much new merchandise that y’all are going to love. And so, if you get a chance, I’m an exhibitor. Stop by and visit with me and get your pushing up lilies poker chip. 00:57 I want to talk this week about a case that is here in Texas. I know that y’all have heard about it. It’s been all over the news. It’s been on Court TV, and it’s definitely been talked about here because it’s literally right down the road from me. 01:13 I want to start this episode by being completely honest with you. I was not planning to cover this story. In my work as a forensic nurse death investigator, I encounter many cases. A lot of them are widely known and others never make the headlines. 01:31 But over time, you kind of learn to be a little selective about which stories you share publicly, especially when they involve children. Because those cases stay with you in a different way. They’re a lot heavier, they’re harder to talk about, and they require a level of care and respect that really goes beyond ordinary storytelling. 01:54 The reality is that this trial is being broadcast live on court TV, and I know that many people are following this case very closely. Conversations about Athena Strand are happening everywhere, online, in workplaces, in homes, and across the country. 02:13 And when a case involving a child reaches this level of public attention, it really becomes important to discuss the facts very clearly, responsibly, and with professional context. And that’s why I made the decision to cover this story. 02:30 As a forensic nurse death investigator, my role in real life is to examine deaths that occur under suspicious, sudden, or violent circumstances. And so, I’ve worked very closely with law enforcement and prosecutors. 02:48 My job is to document what happened and maybe collect evidence and help determine the cause and manner of death. And it’s very detailed and it’s also very emotional. And it’s work that requires a lot of objectivity and compassion and precision. 03:07 And so, when I talk about this case today, I’m not speaking as a sensational storyteller. I’m speaking as a professional who understands how investigations unfold and how evidence is actually gathered and how the justice system evaluates what happened. 03:26 And more importantly, I’m speaking as someone who understands the impact that cases have on families and communities. So, this episode is going to walk through the full story of Athena Strand, who she was, what happened on November 30th, 2022, how investigators responded, and what jurors are now considering as they decide the sentence for this man who pleaded guilty to her murder. 03:55 Everything discussed here is based on reported facts from news coverage and court proceedings. So, my goal is actually to provide clarity, context, and understanding while also honoring the life of a child whose future was taken far too soon. 04:13 So, before we talk about crime scenes and investigations or courtrooms, we talk a little bit about Athena, because every case begins with a person and not just a headline. Athena was only seven. So many of us can relate. 04:29 We’ve got kids or grandkids her age. She was a first grader. She lived in Paradise, Texas, which is a very small rural community northwest of Fort Worth. And people who knew her described her as energetic, curious, and talkative. 04:47 She loved animals very much. She loved school. She loved learning. And like many kids her age, she had big dreams and a very vivid imagination. She was at a stage in life filled with discovery, reading new books and building friendships and looking forward to the holidays. 05:07 And in late November of 2022, when this was all happening, Christmas was approaching. Now, for children, Christmas carries a special kind of excitement. Now, if you’re like me, it carries an excitement for me, and I’m 58. 05:21 But it represents magic and anticipation and possibility. Athena was no different. Her stepmother had ordered a Christmas present
Teen Murderer: The Case That Shook Fairfax
Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, your Forensic Nurse Death Investigator and host of Pushing Up Lilies. This week, we’re diving into a case that stunned an entire community, Fairfax, Virginia, where a teenage boy brutally took a life in a way no one could have imagined. I’ve seen a lot in my years of working crime scenes, but when someone so young commits such a calculated act of violence, it hits differently. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the chilling details of what happened, the shocking motive behind it all, and how the community, and law enforcement, responded to the horror that unfolded. Grab a blanket, turn down the lights, and let’s talk about the teen murderer who changed everything in Fairfax. * 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? Hey guys, welcome back. We’re here for another week and it’s been kind of a, I don’t want to say it too loud, a slow week at work so far. I mean yesterday was a little bit… a little bit busy. 00:46 We had a couple hospital deaths, some hospice deaths. Those you would think would be super quick, but many times a hospice death can take just as long as a case. I mean, there’s a lot of information to get. 01:02 It’s not always easily accessible, especially when the person is new to hospice. Many times, they’ve barely been admitted before they pass because, I mean, their prognosis is not good, right? So, we don’t expect them to live a lot longer, but sometimes they’re barely placed on hospice before they’re pronounced. 01:26 It’s always still sad though, because it’s close to the holidays and you know, you know that these families are going to be struggling to be without their family members for the holidays. So even though it’s expected, I know it doesn’t make it any easier for these families. 01:43 So, we just always try to remember that, you know, it’s every death is a loss of a person, and the families still have to survive. And it’s not always easy. Anyway, I’m so glad. that you’re here with me today you’re gonna hear one of the most shocking cases to come out of Ohio in years, and this is the murder of Sheila Tenpenny. 02:12 Sheila was only 64 years old she lived in Fairfax and she was very loved by her family. She was a second mother to her nieces and nephews, and she was known as someone who showed up for people and cared about people and we should all be that way but not everyone is. 02:36 Sheila was loved is what it sounds like. Her death was very sudden, her death was violent and it was carried out by a boy who lived nearby but the really sad part I mean it’s all sad, but he was only 13. 02:54 The case is disturbing and it raises real questions about premeditation at a very young age. It raises questions about warning signs, and it raises questions about what justice looks like when the suspect is a juvenile. 03:16 And it’s scary that kids think the way they think sometimes. And a lot of it could be related to social media and a lot of it could be related to what they’ve seen on television or just curiosity. But I want to walk you through this story step by step because you will hear what happened inside her home. 03:39 You’ll hear how investigators solve the case, what the boy researched before the murder. And you will hear the fear expressed by the lead investigator and also the pain carried by her family. Take a deep breath if you need it because this case might stay with you. 04:03 Sheila Tenpenny lived on Germania Street in Fairfax, Ohio. Sheila was 64 years old, very young as I get closer to that age. She was a sister. She was an aunt. And again, her family described her as nurturing. 04:24 Her nieces and nephews called her their second mother. She lived a very quiet life. She kept a peaceful home. There were no signs of turmoil, no disputes with her neighbors, nothing about her background, really put her at risk for being a murder victim. 04:45 Her home became the location of a brutal homicide, the kind of homicide that leaves the whole community shaken. This is the interesting part. The suspect lived nearby. He was only 13 at the time of this murder, and he was a juvenile with no criminal history at all. 05:08 His mother had concerns, she kept a journal, and she wrote that he was interested in serial killers. She sensed that something was not quite right, something was wrong, but she did not realize how far he’d gone. 05:27 Investigators later found out that he had spent months researching violent topics. So, he was looking at things like how to strangle someone. He looked at how to find the perfect victim. He searched for guidance on how to defeat a police interrogation. 05:48 Now that’s really scary too, because not only is he trying to find ways to do it, he’s asking for help finding a victim and ideas on how to trick the police. His online activity revealed deliberate planning. 06:06 It was not impulsive. It was not sudden. He obviously prepared for this. So, the night of the murder, this was February 2nd, between 2 and 5 in the morning, he entered Tenpenny’s home and he went through the front door. 06:25 She was asleep in her bed, and I know that I’d talk to y’all about the importance of locking
The Dark Legacy of Child Killer Mary Bell
On today’s episode of Pushing Up Lilies, I delve into a chilling chapter of true crime history: the disturbing case of Mary Bell from 1968. At the tender age of 10, Mary shocked Newcastle, England, when she committed unthinkable acts of violence against two innocent children.
