The Murder of Amy Schulz: Forensics, Footprints, and Cecil Sutherland

This Feels Criminal: A True Crime Podcast (Formerly Killer Queens)

This Feels Criminal | Formerly Killer Queens

Society & Culture, True Crime

4.4 • 3.1K Ratings

🗓️ 10 March 2026

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Want Exclusive Bonus Episodes, Early Access and Ad-Free content? ⁠Join our Patreon ⁠⁠ The murder of Amy Schulz remains one of the most haunting true crime cases in Illinois history. In 1987, the 10-year-old vanished during a five-minute walk in the quiet town of Kell, leading to a massive investigation and a cross-country manhunt. Discover how forensic hair and fiber analysis, a Montana "hobo camp," and a decade of legal battles finally brought Cecil Sutherland to justice. In this episode, Tyrella and Nikita deconstruct the investigation, the forensic breakthroughs that changed the case, and the enduring legacy of the Amy Center. 00:00 – The disappearance of Amy Schulz in Kell, Illinois. 06:15 – The community search and the tragic discovery in the oil field. 14:45 – Initial suspects and the mysterious lead from a Montana "hobo camp." 23:20 – Forensic Evidence: How dog hair and tire tracks identified Cecil Sutherland. 32:10 – The 1989 trial, the death penalty, and the 2004 retrial breakthroughs. 41:05 – Turning tragedy into hope: The mission of the Amy Center. Support the Amy Center: Learn how they protect and support children at ⁠amycenter.org⁠. Watch: On the Case With Paula Zahn – "From Dusk to Darkness" (S14E11). Support Our AMAZING Sponsors: First Day: Our listeners get up to 57% Off AND a Free Gift with code QUEENS at FirstDay.com. SelectQuote: Save more that 50% on term life insurance at selectquote.com/queens today to get started. IQBAR: Text QUEENS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. © 2026 Killer Queens Podcast. All Rights Reserved Audio Production by Wayfare Recording Music provided by Steven Tobi Logo designed by ⁠Ingrid at Penguin Designing⁠ Want access to our first 45 episodes? Grab em here! We've made them available for free to anyone who signs up! Remember, these episodes were recorded when we had no idea what we were doing, so just keep that in mind. The audio isn't the quality we would want to put out now, but the cases are on point! Visit killerqueens.link/og to download and binge all the archived episodes today!Connect with Us: Instagram: @ThisFeelsCriminal TikTok: @ThisFeelsCriminal YouTube: Subscribe to This Feels Criminal for video episodes and deep dives. Inside the Episode:Resources & Case Media: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:27.5	Check out Odu at O-D-O-O-O-O-D-O-com.
0:31.7	That's O-D-O-O-O-O-com.
0:35.8	What I've dedicated my life to is revenge.
0:40.3	A brand new drama based on the bestselling novel.
0:43.5	They think they're better than us.
0:44.5	Who do you think you are?
0:45.7	I'm going to prove to them that they're wrong.
0:47.5	She's punishing me.
0:48.9	You destroyed my family.
0:50.5	I will not rest until I've destroyed yours.
0:53.1	A woman of substance on Channel 4 starts tonight at 9.
1:00.6	Did you ever hear a story and think, we're not getting the full picture? That's where we start.
1:06.4	On this field's criminal, we unpack crime, corruption, and conspiracy with curiosity, context, and just a touch of chaos.
1:13.7	We step outside the timelines and ask better questions and explore the systems behind the story,
1:19.2	all in a voice that feels more like a friend than a reporter, because when you identify the patterns,
1:23.9	you can't unsee how often they show up.
1:29.3	On a summer evening in Kel, Illinois, Dennis Schultz asked his 10-year-old daughter, Amy,
	...

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