Watch short video snapshots from the Hometown Murders & Mysteries collection, featuring true stories, local history, unsolved questions, and remembered cases from Pulaski County, Kentucky, and the surrounding region.
Somerset Waitress Murder
A brief look at one of Somerset’s remembered murder cases, told through local history, available records, and the circumstances that kept the story alive in community memory.
Kentucky & Pulaski County: Dark History
A little Kentucky history to make you think twice before breaking the law. Before lethal injection, Kentucky used hanging. Later came the electric chair at Eddyville, known as “Old Sparky.” It is dark history, but it is still our history.
Stay safe, make good choices, and watch for our upcoming Hometown Murders & Mysteries Dark History Short.
Burnside: Troubled Waters
A summer story from Pulaski County’s past, connecting local history, lake-season memory, and a case that still raises questions about justice, loss, and the people left behind.
Shopville Area: Sheriff McHargue
A sheriff shot down near his own barn, two suspects taken from the county jail before trial, and a community left with questions that were never fully answered. Sheriff John McHargue's story is the oldest fallen-officer case from Pulaski County that we have found, so far.
Mt. Victory: Dead-Eye Bolton
In the late summer of 1903 in southern Kentucky, what should have been a Sunday service at the Mount Victory Camp Meeting became the setting for the end-of-watch story of Pulaski County Constable William “Dead-eye” Bolton. It is a piece of local history marked by faith, violence, duty, and a community forever changed.
The Unwritten Law of Flatrock
An ambush. A woman and her children accused. And a community left asking whether the “unwritten law” had gone too far.
Burnside: Tiger by the Tail
Two fallen officers were struck down by a fellow officer. This is a story of a blind tiger stand in Burnside, Kentucky.
Fate in Fifteen Minutes
FOLLOWER REQUEST!
In 1929, McKinley Hardwick shot his estranged wife, Rosella, and killed Elmer Dick in Covington, Kentucky. Less than a year later, after prominent Pulaski County officials traveled north to testify to his character, a jury acquitted him in fewer than fifteen minutes. Fifteen years later, Hardwick shot Rosella again.
Wayne County: Buck Creek Murders
Beware even those who sit at your table. Familiar faces do not always bring friendly intentions, and sometimes the greatest danger comes from those already welcomed through the door. Hey, Wayne County—this one is for you. But the Buck Cabin murders reached far beyond the Lake Cumberland region, capturing attention well beyond the mountains where the tragedy began.
East Somerset: Deadfall Hollow
Long before Somerset had the Urban Stillhouse and Horse Soldier Farms, another stillhouse a few miles outside of town sat at the center of a murder mystery that may never be solved.
Somerset: Dinner, Movie, & Murder
A Sunday movie. Somerset’s Virginia Theater. A fatal shooting in the lobby, and the woman holding the gun was her husband’s former wife. Even more surprising? It wasn’t the first time Eva had shot Marie.
Buncombe: Leaving Little Queen City
Noble "Red" Holt was a Buncombe boy who rode the rails and ended up riding the lightning in Ohio. When he returned, thousands came out to say goodbye.
Buncombe: Three Sisters & A Secret
Three sisters were jailed after a Pulaski County murder in 1876. Two went home. One disappeared from the court record—and resurfaced years later in a place no one expected
Somerset: Deed, Divorce, & Death
A deed, a divorce, & a death. When a prominent Somerset attorney died, suspicion soon fell on his housekeeper. Prosecutors claimed poison. Others believed his death may have resulted from natural circumstances. What did the jury believe? Watch to find out.
No Time for Mercy: Greasy Creek Justice
Vigilante justice cannot be defended under the rule of law. Even so, there is no denying that it sent a strong message to others. We are left asking ourselves, if there was more of this, would there be less of that...
Laurel County: Marymount Angel of Death
Some, to this day, call it Murdermount Hospital. It has been more than 50 years since a serial killer worked with the most vulnerable patients and determined their fate. Most of us already try to stay out of the hospital, but after this story, you may never check in alone again!
Southern Railroad: Blood on the Crescent & Queen
Blood on the Queen & Crescent looks back at the violence, fear, and conflict that erupted along the rails through southern Kentucky and into Tennessee during one of the most turbulent labor disputes in our local history.
Unity Hill: The Great Yarb Doctor
Who was Dr. James Anderson really? What drew people to his sanatorium on Unity Hill? Today, several have talked about strange happenings around the old sanatorium grounds. For several amazing photographs regarding this story, go over and check out the Pulaski County, Kentucky Facebook Group: "Dr. J. S. Anderson"
The Ferguson Medicine Man
Who was Doctor Pylap Medekle?
Where did he come from?
What really happened to the Indian Sick Home?
Pulaski & Cumberland Counties: Two Sides of the Law
The newspapers called John Norfleet a “fearless officer” leading a “clean-up campaign.” But by then, he seemed to be stackin' 'em up like cordwood with three men down, and two others lucky to have escaped alive. Was Norfleet a fearless lawman, or had the law finally gone too far?
Somerset: What about Linda & Cody
Thirty-two years later, the murders of Linda Gibson and four-year-old Cody Garrett remain unsolved.
We considered producing an episode of our own. Then we went back to Jessica Brown’s nearly hour-long investigation, a researched account that offers a bold and, at times, pointed perspective on the case.
Before we tell this story again, listen to this one: Link to Spotify: Kentucky Gone Cold
The Piney Grove Jane Doe
Christie Denise York Witcher. That is her name.
For nearly 25 years, she was listed as Victim: “Name Unknown.” Then, in 2020, DNA gave her back her name and left behind even more questions.
Somerset: Death Alley
According to old records, Somerset once had a "Death Alley." The alley was overtaken by the new judicial center more than 15 years ago, but most of us still have memories of that little back street off the square.
When this was recorded, we had not yet found any deaths recorded, but we have since found a few. For more about that, find us at Lake Cumberland Tactical Innovations on Facebook.
Tateville: The Dinner Guest
Status: Recorded! Coming Soon... 2026
Pulaski: DeBeauchery & Rough Justice
FOLLOWER REQUEST!
Status: Recorded! Coming Soon... 2026
SPECIAL: Shadows of Pulaski
Status: Recorded! Holiday edition.
Coming Soon... 2026
Burnside: The Forgiven
Burnside Marshal John C. Coomer served his community for 18 years before dying from wounds received in the line of duty in 1913. This is the story of his final arrest, the manhunt that followed, and the remarkable request he reportedly made before his death.
Ballots & Bullets
Status: In Research. Coming Soon... 2026
A special election edition dedicated to every stolen election and every political casualty in southern Kentucky!
Vigilante Justice: The Robe Before the Jury
Status: In Research. Coming Soon... 2026
The Harpe Brothers
Status: In production! Coming Soon... 2026
Special edition for the squad!
Upper Cumberland:
The War Was Over. The Killing Was Not.
Status: In production! Coming Soon... 2026
For the Civil War history buffs!
Adair & Russell: The Mystery Man of 1936
A 50-mile manhunt in 1936 began in Adair and ended in Russell County. The man at the center of the story may still yet remain unnamed.
Tateville: The Benediction
Status: Follower Request - Coming Soon!
Rockcastle County: The Scarlet Woman of Roundhouse
Status: Recorded! Coming Soon... 2026
Ashes of Promise: A Case of Double Jeopardy
FOLLOWER REQUEST!
Status: Recorded! Coming Soon... 2026
Rockcastle County: Blue Heaven Killings
Follower Request!
Status: Written! Coming Soon... Fall of 2026
Somerset: The Last Game
Status: Recorded! Coming Soon... 2026
A Christmas Murder at Pulaski County Park
Status: Recorded! Coming Soon... 2026
Tateville: The Dead Man's Alibi
Status: Recorded! Coming Soon... 2026
Notable Mentions
Status: Coming Soon... 2026
Cracker's Neck: Swear No Lies
Status: Written. Coming Soon... 2026
The Research Continues...
Lake Cumberland Tactical Innovations
The Hometown Murders & Mysteries Snapshots videos are created for historical, educational, and informational purposes. The stories are based on available records, published accounts, local history, and research conducted at the time of production. Some details may reflect historical reporting, allegations, unresolved questions, or period language and should not be understood as current findings of fact. No statement is intended to accuse, defame, or harm any individual, family, organization, or community. Viewer discretion is advised. If you have any updates to these stories or documented clarification, please contact us at lctillc@outlook.com