Welcome to Secrets True Crime. I am your host Amber Sitten.

What is done in darkness will eventually come to light.

That is the purpose of this podcast.

To shine light on the story of Eric Cates, his beloved dog Gypsy, and the town of Empire Alabama.

Listener discretion is advised.

The subject matter may involve violence, sexual content, murder, and adult themes.

It is not suitable for younger listeners.

I know many of you are anxiously awaiting news on the murder of Eric Cates and his beloved

dog Gypsy. I don't have the news we are all waiting for yet.

But I believe for the first time since Eric's murder, we now have hard-working, honest,

and competent investigators dedicating a great deal of time to this case.

As soon as we have more information that can be shared,

we will update you.

In the meantime, we'd like to take advantage of this break we are on and use this time to shine some light on some other cases.

This is the first of two or three bonus episodes about the disappearance and death of Hayden Mayberry.

26 year old Hayden was last seen at the manufactured home he was staying at on Pine Drive in the Boldo

community of Walker County, Alabama on November 19th, 2019.

The story told is Hayden was last seen walking out the back door of the home and into the woods.

For those aware of the many missing people and suspicious deaths in Walker County, Alabama.

This tale of someone walking into the woods to never be seen again or to later be found

deceased is all too familiar.

Ill-fated stories of people walking into the woods there

...