Morning Cup of Murder

July 5th: Thad Reynolds Killed (2004)

Sometimes there are secrets hidden behind even the happiest of marriages. On July 5th 2005 a beloved member of a tight knit community was brutally killed. A family man in a loving marriage whose life ended all because of a secret someone in his life was keeping.

https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-unforgettable/crime-news/scotty-harper-michelle-reynolds-thad-murder, https://murderpedia.org/female.R/r/reynolds-michelle.htm, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna37321880, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13717339, https://accesswdun.com/article/2005/7/143315, https://thecinemaholic.com/thad-reynolds-murder-how-did-he-die-who-killed-him/
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July 4th: Helmuth Schmidt Born (1876)

Some people are so desperate to get what they want they don’t care what they have to do to get it. On July 4th 1876 a man was born who would hurt many to get what he wanted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_Schmidt, https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_Schmidt, https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/schmidt-helmuth.htm, https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/gaylord/2014/03/25/orthern-michigans-infamous-serial-killer/45957501/
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July 3rd: Annette Schnee's Body Found (Barbara Jo Oberholtzer) (1982)

You never know what will connect two cases. What small piece of evidence, no matter how innocuous, will forever cement two strangers together. On July 3rd 1982 a woman’s body was found and, on her body, was a single clue that connected her and another woman together forever. 

*Suggested by Jennifer Vicars

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July 2nd: Tommy Zeigler Convicted (Zeigler Furniture Store Murders) (1976)

Some cases are incredibly confusing. And, even with forensics, it remains confusing. On July 2nd 1976 a man was convicted for a murder he claimed he did not commit. One that is filled with a lot of he said, he said, and not even the DNA seemed to clear anything up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Zeigler_case, https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Zeigler_Furniture_Store_Murders, https://www.wesh.com/article/william-zeigler-murder-case/43015536,https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/who-is-tommy-zeigler-man-challenging-murder-convictions,https://www.tommyzeiglerisinnocent.com/, https://www.orangeobserver.com/news/2025/jan/29/is-tommy-zeigler-innocent/, https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2025/01/18/long-awaited-dna-analysis-proves-zeigler-innocent-1975-murders-lawyers-say/, https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/01/22/tommy-zeiglers-defense-bolstered-by-new-dna-evidence-in-1975-murder-case/
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July 1st: John Bittrolff Born (1966)

The quiet and unassuming ones are the hardest to reconcile with when their crimes are revealed. On July 1st 1966 a man was born who would shock everyone with his crimes. A man who claims he is innocent and that another more prominent killer is actually the one to blame.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bittrolff, https://apnews.com/article/gilgo-beach-killings-rex-heuermann-john-bittrolf-eb7dc3c07639f77493d4f01a2c29ea7e, https://pix11.com/news/local-news/long-island/convicted-long-island-murderer-not-connected-to-gilgo-beach-killings-da/, https://www.oxygen.com/true-crime-buzz/who-is-john-bittrolff-and-is-he-connected-to-gilgo-beach-killings, https://apnews.com/general-news-a5454665731248018bc0815e8fb8f4c1, https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/john-bittrolff-gets-maximum-50-to-life-in-double-murder-f41071, https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2024/09/122174/bittrolff-convicted-in-double-murder-seeks-exoneration/, https://nypost.com/2024/09/16/us-news/convicted-long-island-killer-john-bittrolff-calls-on-da-to-review-case-after-rex-heuermann-charged-in-eerily-similar-killing/
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