Banjos, Bombs, and Bathtub Drownings: A Tour of Arkansas Crime

Send us Fan MailEver wondered what dark secrets lurk beneath the surface of America's quiet small towns? In this episode, Paul and Andrea pull back the curtain on two shocking criminal cases from Northwest Arkansas that time has nearly forgotten.The conversation begins with a puzzling 1972 case where Lieutenant Carl Martins, a young Springdale police officer, survived when a bomb detonated under his car right at the police station. Despite involvement from the FBI, ATF, and even a grand jury investigation, the case went cold with surprising speed. Why would someone attempt a mob-style hit in a town of barely 30,000 people? And why did the story fade from newspapers after just six mentions? The hosts theorize about possible motives while planning to file Freedom of Information Act requests to uncover the truth behind this mysterious attempted murder.Even more disturbing is the 1974 murder spree of Shirley Marie Curry, a mother who, enraged over losing custody of her children, embarked on a killing rampage across multiple towns. In a single evening, she murdered her two sons, her ex-husband, her daughter, and her ex-husband's half-sister before attempting to kill a sixth victim. When captured, her chilling question to officers—"I missed the sixth one, didn't I?"—revealed her calculated bloodlust. Despite the severity of her crimes, she was initially declared mentally ill and legally irresponsible before eventually spending the remainder of her life in prison.These forgotten cases reveal how even seemingly quiet communities harbor dark histories that rival more notorious crime capitals. Join Paul and Andrea as they resurrect these cold cases and discuss what they tell us about America's hidden criminal past. Have stories like these been buried in your hometown too? Visit paulgnewton.com for more content as they continue their investigation into these Arkansas mysteries. “Thank you for listening to Things I Want to Know. You want these stories, and we want to bring them to you — so hit the support link and keep this circus, and the mics, alive. Then do us a favor and rate and subscribe; it helps the show find more people like you — the ones who like their mysteries real and their storytellers unfiltered. And if you want to wear a little of this madness, grab some Andrea-approved gear at paulgnewton.com. We make tBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showThings I Want To Know If you enjoy the show, or you just like supporting people who refuse to shut up, grab some merch at PaulGNewton.com. It keeps the lights on and the caffeine flowing.