Episode 4: A Shoe in the Unnamed Creek

Episode 6: Case No. 666

In this sixth episode of Crooked Tree, Kristin Rich and Paul Day dive even deeper into the chaotic day the bodies of Michael Moore, Christopher Byers, and Stevie Branch were discovered in the unnamed creek. What began as a missing persons case instantly transformed into a high-profile triple homicide when West Memphis PD assigned the ominous case number 93-05-0666. The hosts examine the crime scene in detail: the mysterious “slicked-off bank,” footprints, a fingerprint left by someone standing in the Unnamed Creek, unusual sticks (one with a shirt wrapped around it), the children’s clothing, and the striking absence of blood at the scene. They discuss critical evidence that was collected—and the frustrating items that weren’t, including sticks, a floating glass bottle, and more. Kristin and Paul also cover the immediate police response: rapid ACIC broadcasts with sensitive (and sometimes inaccurate) details, appeals for help on transients and hitchhikers, early rumors of devil worship in Robin Hood Hills, and the media frenzy that exploded almost instantly. From neighborhood tips and the bloody man at Bojangles to the pressure mounting on investigators, this episode captures the frenzied first hours and days as the case captured national attention. A gripping look at how a small-town investigation spiraled into one of the most infamous cases of the 1990s. New listeners and longtime followers alike will find fresh insights and thought-provoking questions.  Tune in for “Case No. 666.”

Episode 5: Horror Behind the Blue Beacon

In this deeply emotional and difficult episode of Crooked Tree: A West Memphis 3 Podcast, hosts Paul Day (forensic geologist and victim advocate) and Kristin Rich (criminologist and victim advocate) confront the heartbreaking reality at the heart of the case—the discovery of the bodies of Christopher Byers, Stevie Branch, and Michael Moore. This episode takes listeners into the wooded area near Robin Hood Hills and the unnamed creek on May 6, 1993. Paul provides a detailed, vivid breakdown of the challenging terrain—from the pipe bridge and Turtle Hill to the crooked tree, triple tree, ivy tree, and hollow tree—helping you visualize exactly where and how the search unfolded. Through crime scene audio, officer accounts, and careful narration, Paul and Kristin walk through the grim discoveries made by Detectives Mike Allen and Bryn Ridge, the coroner’s on-scene observations, the recovery of the boys’ bicycles from the bayou, and the devastating moments when the families learned the truth. This is the episode the hosts have been dreading most. They approach the subject with respect, humanity, and raw honesty, acknowledging the lasting trauma inflicted on the families, first responders, and the entire community. No detail is shared gratuitously, but nothing essential is avoided—the horror must be confronted to truly understand the case. A heavy, essential listen for anyone seeking the truth about what happened to these three boys. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Crooked Tree is dedicated to honoring the victims and seeking justice for Christopher, Stevie, and Michael. Support the families and the continued fight for answers.

Bonus Q&A for Episodes 1-4

Welcome to the first bonus Q&A episode of Crooked Tree! Kristin Rich and Paul Day dive into your questions from the Facebook group, tackling key details from the West Memphis case. In this episode: A deep dive into Officer Regina Meek’s timeline on May 5, 1993 (including the mosquito incident, dispatch logs, and trial testimony), Christopher Byers’ “white lie” about where Stevie Branch lived, the history of Robin Hood Hills, why the floating shoes and Cub Scout cap weren’t spotted earlier, the flow of the unnamed creek, Steve Branch’s biological father during the searches, curfews and the boys’ final hours, the Bojangles suspect, and more. We also address popular theories like bite marks and the manhole cover, discuss challenges with eyewitness memory, and respond to your thoughts on the search efforts the night the boys disappeared.  Listener questions drive the conversation — thank you for being part of it! New to the case? We’ve included a spoiler warning for future episodes. Join the discussion in our Facebook group and submit your questions for the next Q&A.  Crooked Tree is an independent examination of the 1993 West Memphis murders. New episodes drop regularly — subscribe and never miss one.

Episode 4: A Shoe in the Unnamed Creek

On the morning of May 6, 1993, exhausted and terrified parents in West Memphis, Arkansas, resume their desperate search for three missing eight-year-old boys—Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch—who vanished the evening before. With no meaningful help from law enforcement overnight, the families, joined by friends and community members, scour the bayous, woods, and bridges near Robin Hood Hills by first light. As frustration mounts, Mark Byers pushes hard—alerting Search and Rescue, calling the media, and demanding action. Meanwhile, the West Memphis Police Department finally mobilizes, saturating Robin Hood Hills, the Blue Beacon woods, the 10-Mile Bayou, and surrounding areas. A helicopter thumps overhead, a search and rescue boat glides down the bayou, and volunteers on foot, bikes, and three-wheelers comb the terrain. Parents stand vigil at the pipe bridge, haunted by questions of how the boys could have crossed with their bikes—and whether the dark stains in the water are oil… or something far worse. Then, as the search stretches into the afternoon, juvenile officer Steve Jones makes a chilling discovery while walking a remote gully: a small white shoe floating in an unnamed creek. Nearby, more shoes and a Cub Scout cap drift in the murky water. What began as a frantic hunt for missing children takes a devastating turn. In this episode, we follow every tense step of that pivotal day—the community’s overwhelming response, the parents’ raw fear, and the moment that shifted the search from rescue to something much darker. The discovery in the creek changes everything.

Episode 3: Searching Robin Hood

In this gripping continuation of the West Memphis Three case timeline, Paul Day and Kristin Rich dive deep into the chaotic night of May 5, 1993, after Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch disappeared. From the moment the sun sets under a massive, bright waxing gibbous moon, the episode follows the desperate searches by the families and police. Paul and Kristin reconstruct key moments in detail: Pam Hobbs learning her son is missing while at work at Catfish Island, Officer John Moore taking reports, frantic foot searches in Robin Hood Hills and Devil’s Den, and the memorable “mosquito incident” at the pipe bridge. You’ll hear about Jackie Hicks Sr.—Stevie’s grandfather, an expert hunter and Army veteran—rushing from Blytheville without socks, tracking bicycle trails by moonlight, and the chilling “evil presence” felt by multiple searchers in the woods. The episode explores family panic attacks, Terry Hobbs and David Jacoby’s nighttime searches behind Blue Beacon, Mark Byers’ calls for help, and shocking police miscommunications during the critical overnight hours. With emotional firsthand accounts, precise timeline anchors, and analysis of how these overlooked evening events shaped the entire investigation, this episode sheds new light on the fear, confusion, and urgency of that fateful night. A must-listen for anyone following the case, true crime fans, or those interested in victim advocacy and investigative breakdowns.