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[The TikTok Suitcase Murders: A Tragic Discovery and the Dark Reality of Michael Lee Dudley]-[Episode 249: The Horrific Murders of Austin Wenner & Jessica Lewis]

Morbid · B2 · 2021-07-25

True crime
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📋 Summary

The TikTok Suitcase Murders: A Morbid Discovery

In a case that blurs the lines between digital culture and true crime, the tragic murders of Jessica Lewis (35) and Austin Wenner (27) gained global notoriety after a group of teenagers discovered their remains while using the app Randonautica. The app, which generates random coordinates based on a user's "intention," led the group to Alki Beach in Seattle, where they stumbled upon a black suitcase. While initially hoping to find something "inspiring" or even money, the discovery turned into a nightmare when the "worst smell they had ever smelled" revealed human remains.

The Victims and the Suspect

Jessica and Austin were described as "good-hearted people" who were deeply in love. Jessica, a mother of four, worked two selfless jobs in nursing and assisted living. They were renting a room in Burien, Washington, from 62-year-old Michael Lee Dudley. The living situation was fraught with tension; Dudley was charging them $1,500 for a single room, and relations had soured significantly. Witnesses reported that Austin had been threatened by local individuals over "COVID-19 relief cards" or a "check thing," and had even received a bullet left in the mailbox—a chilling omen of the violence to come.

The Crime and the Investigation

On the night of June 9, 2020, neighbors heard a man pleading, "Please don't do this, just let me leave," followed by multiple gunshots. Despite police responding to the call, no one answered the door, and they left the scene. It would be 10 days before the victims' dismembered remains were found in bags in the water.

Forensic evidence found inside the home included bullet holes in the walls, blood in the bedroom, and a "fresh coat of paint" applied shortly after the murders. Perhaps most bizarrely, investigators found "animal feathers" on the bodies; Dudley kept chickens on the property, and it was documented that they had previously entered the house through windows.

The Dark History of Michael Lee Dudley

Michael Lee Dudley appears to be a man with a long history of violence and abuse. His ex-girlfriend, Meryl Gordon, detailed past physical assaults, while a 2018 restraining order filed by his own daughter alleged nine years of sexual assault and threats with a firearm. Tragically, the legal system failed his daughter, as she was told to file as a "domestic violence report" rather than a sexual assault report, leaving the predator free to continue his path of destruction. Further reports indicated that Dudley had even killed a dog with a hammer in front of Jessica and Austin to intimidate them.

The Ethics of Digital Consumption

When the teenagers who found the suitcase uploaded a video of the discovery to TikTok, it went viral, garnering over 30 million views. Despite pleas from the victims' families to remove the graphic content, the video persisted. This sparked a massive debate regarding digital ethics. As the hosts noted, the lack of immediate action from social media platforms highlighted a disturbing trend where "celebrity status" and viral engagement are prioritized over basic human respect for the deceased.

Conclusion

Michael Lee Dudley remains in custody, having pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, with bail set at $5 million. As the case remains ongoing, the families of Jessica and Austin continue to advocate for the victims to be remembered for their "humanity and kindness" rather than the horrific circumstances of their deaths. This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of modern "true crime" voyeurism and the importance of maintaining decency in the digital age.

🎯Key Sentences

1
That actually happened to me the other day.
2
Who doesn't love that?
3
Don't miss it.
4
Well, you just made me sound a lot cooler than I am.
5
I just started saying the things that nobody says.
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📝Key Phrases

1
lean into
2
take off
3
long story short
4
it takes two to make a baby
5
follow up on
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📖 Transcript

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