Across the DinerVerse

The fourth installment in this true-crime series of episodes originating from the Anvil Bar & Grill in Curtis, Ne. Podcast host John Murphy dives into the criminal investigation of the gruesome murders of Edwin and Wilma Hoyt after a menage' a trois love affair involving their daughter, Kay Hein, and a married couple, Harold and Ena Nokes ended badly.
Murphy interviews lead investigator Lannie Roblee, Frontier County Sheriff at the time, about the challenges of trying to prove the Nokes' guilt when there was little evidence that pointed directly to them. Nebraska State Patrol investigator Jack Sexton and "In Cold Storage" book author, James Hewitt, also provide commentary and insight into the case.
The episode begins with details from the first interviews with Harold and Ena who categorically deny any involvement or knowledge about what happened to the Hoyt's on the night of September 23rd, 1973. But later, Harold confesses he and Ena made a plan to visit the Hoyt's at their rural farm to discuss the difficulties they were having with Kay. Harold admits bringing a .22 caliber Ruger pistol with him in case things got out of hand.
Sheriff Roblee (retired) explains how, for the first time in Nebraska law enforcement history, eavesdropping devices were used to listen in on the Nokes' conversations as a way to help build the case against them--and it didn't run too smoothly.
Roblee also shares how a Denver psychiatrist concluded Harold was extremely vulnerable and probably very stressed about what they had done and could be broken if he was arrested and separated from his wife. Which is what Roblee did. They also learned from the recorded tapes the Nokes' made a suicide pact which was foiled.
Everything builds toward next week's final episode when Harold Nokes' full confession on how the Hoyts were killed and dismembered is made available to the general public for the first time ever.
Show Notes:
IN COLD STORAGE
In Cold Storage: Nebraska Press (unl.edu)
Also available on Amazon.
The Anvil Bar & Grill
223 Center Ave.
Curtis, Ne. 69025
308-367-5119
https://anvilbarandgrill.com

The third installment of this true-crime series about one of the most infamous murder cases in Nebraska history--the killing and butchering of beloved farm couple, Edwin and Wilma Hoyt. Originating from the Anvil Bar & Grill in Curtis, Ne., retired Frontier County Sheriff, Lannie Roblee, takes podcast host John Murphy through the ins and outs of the investigation.
The episode also features key highlights from official interrogations/depositions of the Hoyt's daugher, Kay Hein, and the man convicted of the murders, Harold Nokes.
Kay and Harold were engaged in a long-term affair until Harold's wife, Ena, became a third participant in the relationship during the swingin' 70's, when pretty much any and everything was fair game in the bedroom.
The menage' trois soon fractured and Kay cut ties with the Nokeses, but Harold wouldn't let her go. Kay was so harassed and bullied by the couple she tried to take her own life. Edwin and Wilma came to Kay's defense and pushed back against Harold and his wife. When Kay ended it for good, the harassment escalated when road signs painted with vulgar comments about Kay's sexual exploits started showing up around town.
Then, the unthinkable happened. The Hoyts suddenly disappeared and days later, human body parts stated floating on the surface of a nearby lake. Kay and the local cops had a good idea who did it, but they had no way to prove it. It was going to take something unique to break the case.

The second installment in this true-crime series of podcasts surrounding the brutal murders of Edwin and Wilma Hoyt in McCook, Nebraska in the fall of 1973.
Originating from the Anvil Bar & Grill in Curtis, Nebraska, as well as the Hi-Way Diner in Lincoln, host John Murphy shares for the first time, exclusive audio from taped interviews with the key people involved in the case: confessed killer, Harold Nokes, his lover and daughter of the murdered couple, Kay Hein, and lead investigator, former Frontier County Sheriff, Lannie Roblee.
Murphy also speaks with clinical and forensic psychologist, Dr. Mario Scalora, PhD., about the interpersonal dynamics and possible state of mind that put Kay, Harold, and his wife, Ena, on a journey of sexual exploration that descended into obsession and murder. Murphy questions Scalora on the possibility of all three being undiagnosed sex addicts--which wasn't even on the map of psychological study at the time.
You will hear from Harold and Kay directly on how they met, became lovers, and turned their affair into a three-way relationship with Harold's wife, Ena--an arrangement that couldn't withstand the emotional pressures of sharing physical love and living a double life.
This episode also features thoughts and comments from James Hewitt, a retired attorney and author of the book about the case, "In Cold Storage."
Show Notes:
IN COLD STORAGE
In Cold Storage: Nebraska Press (unl.edu)
Also available on Amazon.
The Anvil Bar & Grill
223 Center Ave.
Curtis, Ne. 69025
308-367-5119
https://anvilbarandgrill.com
The Hi-Way Diner
2105 Nebraska Parkway
Lincoln, Ne. 68502
(402) 423-6066
www.hiwaydinerlincoln.com

The title harkens back to the 1930 classic painting, "American Gothic" by Grant Wood which is displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago. Intended to convey a positive image of rural American values, this episode (and future episodes) leans into the other meaning of "gothic", in this instance, relating to something mysterious, grotesque or horrific.
Podcast host, John Murphy, travels back to his hometown of McCook, Nebraska to explore the infamous Hoyt murders from fifty years ago that erupted after a three-way love affair soured, resulting in the killing and heinous butchering of Edwin and Wilma Hoyt, the parents of a daughter entangled in the relationship.
For the first time, recorded interviews of those involved are revealed, as well as detailed and explicit documents from the once sealed case files.
Murphy also interviews lead investigator Lannie Roblee, forensic psychologist, Dr. Mario Scalora PhD, and the author of a detailed book about the crime entitled, "In Cold Storage."
The grisly events played out across three counties in southwest Nebraska during the fall of 1973.

This is kind of a surprise bonus episode. I've been working for months on a true-crime series of podcasts from my hometown of McCook, Nebraska, where a heinous double murder was committed out of a love-triangle gone bad--and the people killed had no direct involvement with this salacious three-way affair. It's a bonkers story.
I not only interviewed the lead investigator of the case, but I also talked with the author of a book about it (IN COLD STORAGE, University of Nebraska Press), and will include audio from official police interviews and the murderer's confession.
I wanted to include a forensic psychologist on the podcast to bring some clinical insight into the mindset of the people involved and how normal, everyday people go off the rails and do things they would never rationally do under normal circumstances--and I found one, Dr. Mario Scalora, PhD, from the University of Nebraska. Listen for him on upcoming episodes about this jaw-dropping case.
But I also started talking to Mario about our nation's collective mental health right now and what the hell's been going on with the insane number of mass shootings, the uptick in violent and overall crime, divisiveness and just how people seem really pissed off and angry about everything.
This episode is a result of that extended conversation which I thought was pretty interesting and I hope you do to.
Recorded at the Hi-Way Diner in Lincoln, Nebraska. Go Big Red!