Burden

Behind-the-Scenes Bonus Content on Patreon

An Investigative True Crime Podcast

Mom didn't kill herself. It was murder. That's what one daughter believes. Season 1 of Burden examines the suspicious death of Billie Jean Letterman near Texarkana, Arkansas in 1991. It covers issues surrounding domestic violence and the high price of failing to hold abusers accountable.

Burden is based on extensive interviews with police, forensic experts, legal experts, paramedics, Billie Jean’s family and friends, and others close to the case. The podcast, produced by Power of Pod, is co-hosted by journalist Karen Tricot Steward and attorney Stephanie Harris.

Follow Burden in your favorite podcasting app and on social media, or sign up for our e-mail list to get the latest updates.

Aug. 22, 2022

Burden Season 1 Trailer

Mom didn't kill herself. It was murder. That's what one daughter is out to prove. Burden is about the suspicious death of Billie Jean Letterman near Texarkana, Arkansas in 1991. The story covers the night she was shot in the ...

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Sept. 30, 2022

Episode 1: What Happened To Billie Jean?

Billie Jean Letterman died of a gunshot wound to the head at her home in Texarkana, Arkansas in 1991. When paramedics arrive at the scene after she's been shot, Billie’s husband Michael Letterman is behaving suspiciously. At ...

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Oct. 6, 2022

Episode 2: Mom Didn’t Kill Herself

Billie Jean Letterman’s daughter Ashly was in the house the night her mother was shot in the head. Ashly is Michael Letterman's step daughter. She was only six years old when her mom died. What she saw that night has been hau...

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Oct. 13, 2022

Episode 3: The Investigation - Part 1

Police officers report what they saw at the scene the night Billie Jean was shot. Lead investigator Sgt. Don Nix talks about the case many years later and says he believes it was a homicide. He has trouble remembering some of...

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Oct. 21, 2022

Episode 4: The Investigation - Part 2

Michael’s first wife tells police about the horrible things Michael did to her when they were married. Hospital records reveal the final moments of Billie’s life. The crime lab sends its findings to lead investigator Sgt. Don...

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Oct. 27, 2022

Episode 5: The Lettermans

On this episode, stories of growing up in the Letterman household. We also hear from Billie's family and friends about times they were afraid of Michael Letterman and efforts to call police. Ashly’s cousin comes forward to sa...

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Nov. 3, 2022

Episode 6: He Was A Monster

Michael Letterman badly abused his first two wives, Gaye and Billie Jean. He beat them, choked them, and held guns to their heads. Gaye got away, but Billie Jean didn’t make it out alive. Michael married for a third time to a...

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Nov. 10, 2022

Episode 7: Billie's Body

With all the physical evidence lost and little investigation into Billie’s case, we look to Billie’s body for clues about what happened the night she was shot. The 1991 autopsy of Billie Jean Letterman was performed by a cont...

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Nov. 17, 2022

Episode 8: What Happens Now?

On the season finale, a legal expert weighs in on what charges could have been filed against Michael Letterman for the role he played in the shooting death of Billie Jean. Then, a conversation with Billie Jean’s daughter Ashl...

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Feb. 14, 2023

Introducing Ozarks True Crime

We want to share with you a true crime podcast we think you’ll really like. It’s called Ozarks True Crime . Listen to Episode 1 of Season 2 right here. It tells the story of the Feeney family murders. On February 25, 1995, Jo...

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Reviews

Ready

"Ready to here the rest"

Julieb1219 | Sept. 17, 2022

Excited 😆

"I’m excited for the rest but the preview sounds good."

charlie ank | Sept. 26, 2022

Looks good

"This looks good. I am patiently waiting for a new investigation podcast series. The one episode true crime podcasts just aren’t good. I need the suspense of a full season. Let’s go!!! Anyways…I rate…"

Mr_Vandervoort | Sept. 28, 2022

Loved it!

"Great job!👏🏼 I can’t wait to hear more…😉"

Courtney Wallace | Oct. 3, 2022

True crime and public accountability together!

"Great quality. Variety of voices. Compelling story. Important cause."

TrueCrmejunkie | Oct. 4, 2022

Excited

"Looking forward to the upcoming episodes!"

Srsmith87 | Oct. 4, 2022

Tragic but True

"This is a horribly tragic story that needs a resolution."

Dnaylll | Oct. 7, 2022

Justice for Billie Jean

"Praying for justice!!"

Razor2003 | Oct. 11, 2022

Compelling!

"Well researched and well produced. Amazing details. I listen to it on my drive to work and end up sitting in the parking lot, just to finish the episode. Worth the wait each week! Looking forward to …"

Sweed404 | Oct. 20, 2022

Riveting story!

"Truly enjoying the podcast, and I look forward to each episode!"

ClinResearch | Oct. 21, 2022

Amazing podcast!

"Thank you for covering this story! Praying for Justice for Billie Jean!"

Ashley Rose Rhea | Oct. 31, 2022

Burden

"amazing. Cant wait for the next week!"

MGMMama | Oct. 31, 2022

Justice

"Hearing this, I realize how corrupt my hometown is. It’s sad but I have such high hopes that after all these years, Billie can get some type of justice and her family can finally have peace. The podc…"

Kay Looney | Nov. 2, 2022

It’s a great podcast

"These podcasts are great. I love how they expose these men with fragile masculinity and how they can only take their fragile masculinity on people weaker than themselves. If this man is still alive, …"

scrote mcgoat | Nov. 3, 2022

Captivating and truth seeking!

"This podcast is hands down the best I have ever heard when it comes to true crime.Very often we forget that these are real people, with real families that are left reeling and grieving from their hor…"

SoulfulAdvocate | Nov. 3, 2022

Straightforward 👍

"True Crime well done. Not salacious, respectful to the family and Billie. Kept my interest. Well narrated and reported. TY!"

hazelbnr | Dec. 22, 2022

Well told

"Such a well told investigative piece."

Goude334 | Jan. 1, 2023

Good true crime podcast

"I'm always searching for a good true crime where the investigative journalist isn't making it more dramatic than reality. This one has more heart felt info and none of the fluff like some of the over…"

meganallthenamesaretaken | Feb. 15, 2023

Brilliant

"Brilliant investigative journalism! Insightful and powerful deep dive into what such have been an open and shut case. The hosts are exceptional with such attention to detail that it makes the call fo…"

ICKool | Jan. 7, 2023

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