Ep 19: American Gothic: Love & Murder Part 4
Explicit content warning
04/11/23 • 49 min
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 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
Previous Episode
Ep 18: American Gothic: Love & Murder Part 3
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.
Next Episode
Ep 20: American Gothic: Love & Murder Part 5
The FINAL Installment of this true-crime series of podcasts originating from the Anvil Bar & Grill in beautiful downtown Curtis, Nebraska. A heinous double homicide as told by the confessed killer, Harold Nokes.
A secret love affair turned into a battle for Harold's affections between two women, his wife, Ena, and his mistress, Kay Hein. But it was Kay's parents who were shot and killed and butchered in the basement of the Nokeses home in McCook, Nebraska fifty years ago.
In his own words, Harold explains how and why Edwin and Wilma Hoyt were murdered. Your job is to listen carefully and determine for yourself if his story is true or total bullshit--perhaps he and his wife Ena did it in cold blood to get Kay's parents out of the way in hopes of reviving their passionate menage' a trois.
We also hear from former Frontier County Sheriff, Lannie Roblee, and the author of the book on the case, "In Cold Blood", Mr. James Hewitt.
Even by today's standards, this story is haunting, grotesque and hard to imagine. That's why the series is entitled, "American Gothic."
I've uploaded lots of actual case files, transcripts, letters and photos on my Patreon page. Get access for as little three-bucks--and thanks for subscribing and listening.
Show Notes:
Patreon Page
www.patreon.com/dinerverse
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
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/across-the-dinerverse-253426/ep-19-american-gothic-love-and-murder-part-4-29470419"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to ep 19: american gothic: love & murder part 4 on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy