Welcome to Secrets True Crime, the Eric Cates and Gypsy Story.

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.

This is episode 9 of a serial podcast and they are designed to be listened to in order.

Mysterious and suspicious deaths are nothing new in Walker County, Alabama.

These types of deaths and the rumors that surround them seem to be part of the fabric that is Walker County.

The night we announced that season 2 would be

about Eric Cates and Gypsy. The private messages began to pour in. We were told about so many suspicious deaths in such a short amount of time,

it quickly became overwhelming. We heard about a law enforcement officer who was under investigation by the FBI that

committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, twice, all while driving down the road to meet his son.

We heard from parents whose children's deaths had been ruled overdoses.

One of those parents sent me photos of what were clearly

ligature marks around her son's neck,

but she was denied an autopsy.

Others contacted us and told us about their children being murdered.

There were witnesses, but their child's death was ruled suicide, despite the witnesses.

And then we began to receive emails from first responders and those in the medical

field in Walker County. They described seeing deaths with very suspicious

...