Case 140
Richmond Hill
Just after midnight on November 10 2012, a loud and frightening sound erupted in the Indianapolis subdivision of Richmond Hill. The force was so powerful that it registered on a regional earthquake sensor and homes were left rattling from the impact. Emergency services raced to the scene but were unable to save the lives of two residents, Dion and Jennifer Longworth.
The explosion appeared to have originated from the home of Monserrate Shirley and her partner, Mark Leonard. As investigators sorted through the wreckage of the once picturesque neighbourhood, the question arose – was the Richmond Hill Explosion a tragic accident or part of a deliberate attack?
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Elsha McGill
Creative direction – Milly Raso
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Love and Greed in the Heartland: The Richmond Hill Murders – by Robert L. Snow and Russ McQuid
COURT DOCUMENTS:
Mark Leonard VS State of Indiana – October 26, 2017
Mark Leonard VS State of Indiana – May 2, 2017
ARTICLES:
The Night the Sky Caught Fire: The untold stories of the Richmond Hill Explosion – The Indy Channel
The odd boardings of Snowball – The Indy Channel
Richmond Hill: The scars still remain – The Indy Star
Explosion rips through homes – News.com.au
Fourth suspect’s arrest provides details in alleged scheme in Richmond Hill explosion – The Indy Star
Firefighter trying to rescue Richmond Hill victim: I could ‘grasp his hand’ – WishTV.com
Funeral arrangements set for couple killed in Indianapolis explosion – WTHR
Mark Ray Leonard back in court for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill Richmond Hill witness – The Indy Channel
Hit man revelation upends Richmond Hill trial jury selection – The Indy Star
Richmond Hill resident says blast ‘felt like the end of the world’ – Fox59
Hard-up couple’s gas insurance explosion scam gone wrong left 2 dead and a neighbourhood in shock – The Mirror UK
Mark Leonard sentenced to 50 years in hit-man scheme – The Indy Star
Man convicted on 53 counts for role in deadly house blast – CBS News
Richmond Hill explosion mastermind Mark Leonard dies – Indy Star
Richmond Hill explosion culprit Mark Leonard dies at Indy hospital – Fox59
Bob Leonard says ‘good riddance’ to dead brother in Richmond Hill case – Fox 59
Irsay gives to award named for Indy blast victims – The Herald Bulletin
OTHER:
Dion and Jennifer Longworth’s obituary – Legacy.com
Jennifer and Dion Longworth Memorial Award
‘Devastating crime scene photos from the Richmond Hill explosion’ – CNBC
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Article – Get $50 off your first order of $100 or more
Quip – Get your first refill pack FREE with a QUIP electric toothbrush
Mejuri – Get 10% OFF your first order