
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark 518 - Live at the San Diego Civic Theatre (San Diego Night 1)
Feb 5, 2026
Live show stories include a 1920s Pentecostal preacher's dramatic disappearance and the swirling scandal around her return. A separate true crime thread follows an undercover wildlife agent infiltrating an illegal butterfly and exotic animal trafficking ring. Interwoven are tour anecdotes, airport mishaps, and a hometown retelling of a local 1983 murder.
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Episode notes
Charity Restores Public Trust
- Despite scandals, McPherson rebuilt public goodwill through charity and institutional legacy.
- Her humanitarian work and media savvy softened criticism and ensured long-term influence.
Undercover At The Bug Fair
- Karen introduces Special Agent Ed Newcomer's first case at the LA Bug Fair investigating illegal butterfly trade.
- She frames his undercover start and passion for protecting wildlife as the origin of a unique law-enforcement career.
Smugglers Often Talk Themselves Up
- Yoshi's bragging about evading customs and investigators became self-incrimination through recorded conversations.
- Overconfidence by traffickers can create the case-closing evidence agents need.


