Texas Monthly True Crime: The Problem With Erik

After the Austin auto executive's conviction in a murder-for-hire conspiracy, a judge had ordered a retrial due to procedural errors. Now an appeals court has determined the errors don't warrant a new trial. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join.

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2026

The Texas Monthly audio team has a new listener survey out — we want learn what you like best, and what you want more of. Your feedback will help guide our next steps here in the studio. The survey takes about four minutes, and we'd appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Check it out here: http://txmnth.ly/3XzbIFb Thanks for listening!

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2025

With news of a break in the notorious Austin cold case of the "yogurt shop murders," we're sharing this episode of Texas Monthly's weekly subscriber-only podcast "TM Out Loud." Here, staff writer Michael Hall—who first covered the case in 2001—talks with host Katy Vine about the significance of this new DNA evidence. Read more in Michael Hall's 2001 story about the case, "Under the Gun": https://www.texasmonthly.com/true-crime/under-the-gun/ To hear more "TM Out Loud," and get early access to Texas Monthly podcasts plus exclusive bonus episodes, become a Texas Monthly Audio subscriber at texasmonthly.com/audio.

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2025

A woman’s search for her father—a pilot who disappeared during a mission in Vietnam—collides with the fight over what we owe those who never returned from war. From the producers of "White Hats," "America's Girls," and "Tom Brown's Body," and hosted by Texas Monthly writer Josh Alvarez, "The Final Flight of Captain Forrester" is out now. Texas Monthly Audio subscribers get early access to the show, plus bonus episodes and more subscriber-only audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to learn more.

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2025

Subscribe to Texas Monthly Audio today for access to exclusive new audio productions based on the latest issue of the magazine, in our new podcast feed TM Out Loud. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio for more.

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2025

Introducing a new season of "One By Willie," hosted by John Spong and now produced by PRX in partnership with Texas Monthly. Episodes of One by Willie are available across all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Overcast. Or visit texasmonthly.com/onebywillie to listen and read transcripts.

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Introducing the latest podcast from Texas Monthly, "Viva Tejano.” Latin music is ascending in the U.S., and, in some surprising ways, much of the story behind the trend begins in Texas. On Viva Tejano, host J.B. Sauceda talks with legendary tejano artists and well-known tejano music fans about how the music has shaped their lives. It’s a nostalgic journey and a close look at the influences behind many of today’s biggest acts in música Mexicana. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can listen to episodes one week early, and get access to exclusive bonus material. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to learn more.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024

After the verdict in the Erik Maund murder-for-hire trial, this bizarre story finally seemed to have reached an end: Maund and his co-defendants all faced mandatory life in prison. But this week, some surprising news came from the federal court in Nashville: Erik Maund may be getting a new trial.

Transcribed - Published: 20 September 2024

Katy Vine tells us about a new Texas true crime podcast you won't want to miss from our friends at Free Range called "The Unforgotten".

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2024

As investigators close in, they set a trap to see how far Erik will go to maintain control of the situation. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join.

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2024

Red agrees to a risky operation to help the investigation: going undercover to get Adam Carey and Bryon Brockway talking about the murders while the FBI listens in. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join.

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2024

With little to show for their time in Nashville, the team on the ground proposes a radical escalation: For a premium, they can fix Erik’s problem permanently. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join.

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2024

Facing the blackmail threat, Erik Maund decides not to pay up or go to the police. Instead, he turns to Gil Peled, a security guy at the Maund family car dealership who seems qualified to solve sensitive problems. Built like a bodybuilder, Peled claimed to have experience in the Israeli special forces, and had spent years in Hollywood protecting Charlie Sheen. But Gil Peled isn’t quite the success story he pretends to be. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join.

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2024

Bill Lanway met Holly Williams through mutual friends in the Nashville EDM scene. Soon after they started dating, he moved into her apartment. It was only then, after snooping around on her phone, that he discovered Holly was an escort. Bill reacted with jealousy and violence against Holly, but the scheme he hatched next put them both in peril. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2024

In early 2020, Erik Maund—an executive at one of the top Toyota dealerships in the country, founded by his grandfather—had a problem. A stranger was blackmailing him for having an extramarital affair. Erik’s response to the threat set off a series of fateful decisions that left two people dead. One of those victims was Holly Williams, a Nashville woman who trained as an esthetician, loved to party in the local EDM scene, and also worked as an escort. After months in an abusive relationship, she’d been trying to get her life on track when Erik requested a date. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2024

Erik Maund had it all. A wife and kids, a mansion by the Austin Country Club golf course, and an executive position with his family’s car dealership. But in March 2020, a message from a stranger put everything at risk. Someone knew Erik had an affair with an escort, and wanted money to keep quiet. Erik didn’t pay the money, though. He didn’t go to the cops, either. Instead, he paid Charlie Sheen’s former bodyguard and a couple of special ops-trained security contractors to confront the blackmailer. Things didn’t go according to plan. In “The Problem with Erik,” host Katy Vine and producer Ana Worrel tell the twisted story of what came next: a perfect storm of secrets, mistaken identities, and tragic miscommunications that left two people dead. It's the latest true crime series from the Texas Monthly team behind “Tom Brown’s Body,” “Stephenville,” and "Shane and Sally," coming July 2. For more Texas Monthly productions, visit texasmonthly.com/podcasts

Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2024

Sharing White Devil, a new podcast from our friends at Campside Media. Late at night in May of 2021, a single gunshot shattered the silence along the beach at Belize’s luxurious Alaia resort. In White Devil, Josh Dean dives into one of the biggest, splashiest, and most perplexing crime stories you’ve never heard: The shooting death of renowned cop Henry Jemott by a Canadian property developer. In investigating, the craggy depths of Belize are brought to the surface: Its quirks, its corruption, and the all pervasive influence of one family in particular. You can binge the rest of White Devil https://link.chtbl.com/texasmonthlywhitedevil

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2024

In the final episode of Shane and Sally, victims in a series of unsolved attacks at the lakes surrounding San Angelo wonder if their assailants were also the ones who killed Shane Stewart and Sally McNelly. Investigators discuss the possibility that someone in law enforcement could know more about the murders than they’ve let on. And we explore how new DNA technology, and a new cold case investigative unit, could finally bring fresh leads in the case. Get 18 Free Meals, plus Free Shipping on your first box, and Free Dessert for Life, at HomeChef.com/TEXASCRIME.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2024

In this episode, we explore the last of four suspects investigators have named in their investigation into Shane Stewart and Sally McNelly’s murders. In the eighties, Heath Davis was a violent drug dealer with a tough reputation around town, who associated with other main suspects in this case. Davis says he’s turned his life around today and that he has been unfairly targeted by investigators. But a witness in the investigation tells us there’s more about Heath’s past that he hasn’t answered for, and she says it’s time for the truth to come out. Get 18 Free Meals, plus Free Shipping on your first box, and Free Dessert for Life, at HomeChef.com/TEXASCRIME.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2024

The investigation continues with a look at a third suspect, Jimmy Burnett, who appears to have written his own notes as he tried to solve the murders of Shane Stewart and Sally McNelly. But his ex-girlfriend Laura says he knew more than he let on. In this episode, we take our investigation halfway around the world to track down Burnett, who, according to the authorities, moved to the Philippines and then faked his own death. Get 18 Free Meals, plus Free Shipping on your first box, and Free Dessert for Life, at HomeChef.com/TEXASCRIME.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2024

In this episode, we take a closer look at two of the investigators’ suspects: Steve Schafer and John Gilbreath. Witnesses told authorities that Schafer was the leader of a local Satanic group whose members included Shane and Sally, though Schafer says he was never part of the group. Gilbreath is the man who, in 2017, was found to have suspicious evidence in his home, including a lock of hair, a fingernail, and notes about Shane and Sally's murders. While authorities have since found that the DNA from this evidence doesn’t match Shane or Sally, Sheriff Nick Hanna says Gilbreath's behavior after the murders—repeatedly claiming to know details about the killings—still arouses suspicion. Get 20% off any new SimpliSafe system when you sign up for Fast Protect Monitoring. SIMPLISAFE.com/texascrime.

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2024

Rob D’Amico and Karen Jacobs, hosts of "Shane and Sally," reconvene in the podcast studio to dive deeper into questions surrounding the 1988 cold case murder of two West Texas teenagers. With every new episode of the podcast, Rob and Karen give additional commentary in bonus videos, examining exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, images, and interviews with subjects involved in the case. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/shaneandsally

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2024

In this episode, investigators Larry Counts and David Jones detail their initial steps in trying to solve the case—and share the story of how Shane and Sally started speaking with the authorities just months before they were killed. Then, officials at the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office today share their frustrations with the initial investigation, and detail the surviving evidence from the crime scene.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2024

On July 4, 1988, sixteen-year-old Shane Stewart and eighteen-year-old Sally McNelly went out for the night in their West Texas hometown of San Angelo. They watched the fireworks, stopped for burgers, and drove out to the lake outside of town. They were never seen alive again. That summer, as their parents waited for news from the authorities, Shane’s father Marshall began an investigation of his own, discovering the teens may have been swept up in the town’s darkest of undercurrents. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/shaneandsally  Get 18 Free Meals, plus Free Shipping on your first box, and Free Dessert for Life, at HomeChef.com/TEXASCRIME.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2024

In the fall of 1987, Shane Stewart and Sally McNelly met through mutual friends and began dating. Shane was tall and confident. Sally loved to be the center of attention and moved easily between groups of friends.  Later that year, the two began spending more time with a group of teenagers who met up to practice occult rituals. Some friends say the group's activities were just games, but by the summer of 1988, something had changed. Sally told one friend that she and Shane were leaving San Angelo to get away from the group. That was just before the two of them disappeared. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/shaneandsally  Get 18 Free Meals, plus Free Shipping on your first box, and Free Dessert for Life, at HomeChef.com/TEXASCRIME.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2024

On July 4, 1988, 16-year-old Shane Stewart and 18-year-old Sally McNelly went out for the night in the West Texas town of San Angelo. They watched the fireworks, stopped for burgers, and drove to the lake outside of town. They were never seen alive again. For 35 years, their murders have haunted their family and friends, and frustrated generations of investigators from the local police to the FBI. Hosts Rob D’Amico and Karen Jacobs take listeners behind the scenes of the cold case investigation, interviewing witnesses and following the twists and turns that have confounded authorities—including accusations about corruption, occult rituals, and a hunt for one suspect halfway around the world—tracking down new leads in the hope that someone may come forward to finally help solve the case. From the Texas Monthly team behind “Tom Brown’s Body” and “Stephenville” comes another true story of crime, suspicion, and life and death in small-town Texas. Coming March 19. For more Texas Monthly productions, visit texasmonthly.com/podcasts

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2024

In the series finale, Scott Hatley’s journal tells the story of how he built a new life on the run from police. And when the truth comes out, people in Stephenville must confront how little they knew about the man who killed Susan Woods. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/stephenville

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2023

Lt. Don Miller discovers the hand-written life story of the man who killed Susan Woods. The murderer, it turns out, wasn't a stranger or an outsider to Stephenville, but a local boy nobody suspected. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/stephenville

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2023

In 1988, Shannon Myers survived a brutal attack by Joseph Scott Hatley, the man whose fingerprints were also present at the scene of Susan Woods’s murder. Her statement to police—which included his chilling confession—created an opportunity to put Hatley behind bars for both crimes. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/stephenville

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2023

Nearly twenty years after Susan Woods's murder, Stephenville Police Lieutenant Don Miller takes up the case. And with Michael Woods's cooperation, and help from new technology, Don finally makes a break in the case. But what he uncovers raises even more questions about why Susan was killed—and how her killer evaded justice for so long. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/stephenville

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2023

After Susan Woods was killed, just about everyone in Stephenville—including the police—figured they knew who’d done it. Her estranged husband, Michael Woods, was a long-haired biker who smoked pot and played rock music—a complete misfit in the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/stephenville

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2023

In the summer of 1987, 30-year-old Susan Woods was living alone in her hometown of Stephenville, Texas, piecing her life back together after being abandoned by her husband. Then, one sweltering July evening, Susan’s father came to check on her. For more on this and every episode, visit texasmonthly.com/stephenville

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2023

From the moment Susan Woods was found dead at home in the summer of 1987, everyone in Stephenville, Texas—including the police—was certain she’d been killed by her estranged husband. That left the real culprit free to prey on others. In "Stephenville," best-selling author Bryan Burrough returns to his small-town Texas roots to explore a murder case that went cold for nearly two decades. Only now, after discovering a voice from beyond the grave, can the whole story finally be told—a story about the secrets that got buried, and how some folks in this town helped keep them that way. From the Texas Monthly team behind "Tom Brown’s Body" comes another true story of crime, suspicion, and life in small-town Texas. Coming June 20.

Transcribed - Published: 13 June 2023

"I'll never lose that hope. It could be five years from today. The door is always open at our office for anything that will bring resolution to this case."

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2022

There have finally been a couple of developments in the case. But will they lead to the truth about what happened to Tom?

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2021

"I'm definitely more paranoid wherever I go. I definitely watch my back more and pay attention to what's going on around me."

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2020

"The people of the town are calling us and saying, 'Do we have a monster that lives in our community?' I wish I could give them Solace."

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2020

"I'm like, 'What the heck is that?' So, I walk around some shrubs, and as I get closer I can see that it kind of looks like bone."

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2020

“It's kind of strange that your investigator calls this search, and lo and behold, right after he starts the search, a cell phone is found.”

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2020

"I'm sitting there thinking, 'Oh God, I'm so scared right now.' I couldn't convince them. And so I just let them hammer me."

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2020

"Makes you want to go to the church, get on your knees and say a few words, right?

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2020

"My gut tells me he hasn't left Hemphill County. I think he's here somewhere, and I don't know if he intends to come out in the next day or two."

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2020

“Someone is lying. And it’s hard to know who’s lying and who’s not.”

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2020

null

Transcribed - Published: 14 September 2020