396: The Party Everyone Remembers… Except the Girl Who Disappeared

399: A Cryptic Note, Voicemail & a Disturbing Scene... The Murder of Faith Hedgepeth

Jul 2, 20261h 27mSummary

In this episode of Mile Higher, the hosts delve into the haunting and long-unsolved murder of Faith Hedgepeth, a bright and beloved student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Faith, a dedicated and ambitious young woman of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe, was brutally murdered in her apartment in 2012, leaving behind a community devastated and investigators baffled for over a decade. The discussion outlines Faith’s background, highlighting her academic success and her dream of becoming a pediatrician to serve her hometown. The hosts explore the complex social dynamics surrounding her, including her living situation with her roommate, Karina, and the volatile presence of individuals within their circle. They examine the troubling events leading up to the night of the murder, including strange behavior from acquaintances and the unsettling atmosphere of the college social scene. Despite the presence of DNA evidence, the case remained cold for years until breakthroughs in genealogy technology finally led to an arrest. The hosts discuss the ongoing legal proceedings, the lingering mysteries surrounding the crime, and the pursuit of justice for Faith’s family as the case approaches trial.

398: She Drove 100 MPH Into a Building… The Crash That Became a Murder Case

Jun 25, 20262h 24mSummary

In this episode of Mile Higher, hosts Kendall and Josh dive into the disturbing and tragic case of Mackenzie Shirilla, who was convicted of murdering her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and their friend, Davian Flanagan. The case gained national attention after Shirilla slammed her vehicle into a building at 100 miles per hour, killing both passengers instantly. While the defense attempted to frame the incident as a freak accident caused by a medical emergency, the hosts analyze the chilling evidence that proved otherwise. The discussion explores the toxic and tumultuous nature of Shirilla’s relationship with Russo, highlighting a pattern of manipulation and abuse that predated the crash. A major focus of the episode is the concerning lack of accountability from Shirilla’s parents, whose permissive parenting style and dismissal of their daughter’s history of bullying and criminal behavior remain a point of frustration for the hosts. Kendall and Josh also examine the rise of "true crime" fandoms that support perpetrators, expressing deep concern over the impact this online discourse has on the victims' families. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the tragedy, the subsequent trial, and the unsettling aftermath.

397: A Devoted Wife & A Husband with Evil Intentions….

Jun 18, 20261h 17mSummary

In this episode of Mile Higher, the hosts delve into the tragic case of Allison Baden-Clay, a devoted wife and mother whose life was cut short by her husband’s calculated deceptions. On the surface, Allison and her husband, Jared, appeared to lead an idyllic life in an affluent Brisbane neighborhood, bolstered by Jared's prestigious family legacy as the descendant of the Boy Scouts founder. However, behind the carefully curated facade of their marriage, Jared led a secret life defined by infidelity, narcissism, and financial manipulation. The discussion explores the stark contrast between Allison’s character—a hardworking, family-oriented woman—and Jared’s behavior, which included long-term affairs, the use of adult dating sites, and verbal abuse toward his wife. The hosts examine how Jared’s obsession with maintaining a public image of "ethical excellence" masked his true, predatory nature. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight the heartbreaking reality of Allison’s internal struggle as she mistakenly blamed herself for the cracks in their marriage. This deep dive into the case serves as a somber look at how a seemingly perfect life can mask sinister intentions.

395: A Picture‑Perfect Marriage, a Skydiving ‘Accident' & a Husband with Murder in Mind

May 28, 20261h 5mSummary

In this episode of the Mile Higher podcast, the hosts delve into the harrowing and calculated crimes of Emil Cilliers, a man whose double life ultimately led to an attempted murder plot against his wife, Victoria Cilliers. Victoria, an experienced Army captain and avid skydiver, miraculously survived a 4,000-foot fall after both of her parachutes failed during a routine jump—a terrifying incident that revealed the extent of her husband's deception. The hosts analyze Emil’s history of serial infidelity, financial manipulation, and his pattern of gaslighting partners across multiple countries. While Victoria worked to support their family and their two children, Emil was secretly racking up massive debts to fund a lavish lifestyle and affairs with sex workers and long-term mistresses. The discussion highlights the chilling evolution of his behavior, ranging from leaving a gas valve open in their home to sabotage the property, to the eventual tampering with Victoria's skydiving equipment. This deep dive uncovers a portrait of a narcissist who was driven by greed and a total lack of empathy, illustrating the disturbing lengths one man went to in order to escape his responsibilities.

394: Trapped Underwater With A Killer: What Really Happened To Kim Wall?

May 21, 20261h 31mSummary

In this episode of Mile Higher, the hosts delve into the disturbing and widely reported case of Kim Wall, a Swedish journalist who tragically lost her life after boarding a homemade submarine in Denmark. The discussion centers on the perpetrator, Peter Madsen, a local celebrity and self-proclaimed inventor often compared to a "mad scientist." The hosts examine Madsen’s background, exploring how his upbringing, fraught with an authoritarian and potentially abusive father, shaped his obsessive and volatile personality. Throughout the episode, the hosts analyze how Madsen successfully cultivated a public image as an eccentric visionary, successfully crowdsourcing funds for his submarine and rocket projects despite lacking formal engineering qualifications. By examining his trajectory, they draw parallels between Madsen’s methods and other high-profile figures who rely on grand promises and the labor of volunteers to build a legacy. Ultimately, the podcast dissects the sinister reality behind Madsen’s charismatic façade, detailing the events that led to the death of Kim Wall and the dark nature of the man responsible for the tragedy that captivated the world.