MURDERED: Mary Yoder Part 2
In July 2015, Mary Yoder, a healthy 60-year-old chiropractor, went to work as usual. Later that day, she began feeling sick. Within 48 hours, she was dead.
At first, her sudden decline seemed like a medical mystery. But investigators soon uncovered evidence of poisoning, launching a murder investigation that divided her family and the community.
What appeared to be a clear path forward quickly grew more complicated. Detectives uncovered a digital trail they believed tied office manager Katie Conley to the purchase of the poison, setting off a high-stakes legal battle and creating new rifts among those closest to Mary. As people pointed fingers and different theories took hold, the case only grew more complicated, leaving questions about what really happened.
Katie Conley
Credit: Facebook
The colchicine bottle found in Adam’s Jeep
Courtesy: Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
The colchicine receipt found in Adam’s jeep
Courtesy: Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
The letter of intent used to purchase the colchicine
Courtesy: Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
Adam Yoder at Katie’s trial
Courtesy: Micaela Parker/Observer-Dispatch -USA TODAY NETWORK
The Yoder family at Katie’s trial
Courtesy: Sarah Condon-USA TODAY NETWORK
A sign outside of Janine King’s house in November 2022.
Credit: Audiochuck staff
Timeline:
The email account, “[email protected],” is created using the IP address at the Yoders’ chiropractic office.
A credit card is opened in Mary Yoder’s name, listing Katie Conley’s cell phone number as the contact.
A prepaid credit card is used in an unsuccessful attempt to purchase colchicine online.
A second prepaid card is used to successfully purchase 1 gram of colchicine from a California supplier. The order includes a letter of intent listing Adam Yoder as the buyer.
The colchicine is shipped to the Yoders’ chiropractic office, addressed to Adam Yoder and signed for by office manager Katie Conley.
Around 1 to 1:30 p.m
Prosecutors theorize Mary Yoder is poisoned at the chiropractic office.
Mary Yoder dies less than 48 hours after first becoming sick.
Anonymous letters are sent to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the medical examiner.
During a recorded interview, Katie Conley admits deleting the Gmail account and says she wrote the anonymous letter, but claims Adam confessed to poisoning Mary.
In a follow-up interview, Katie Conley admits she purchased the prepaid credit cards used in the colchicine transaction.
A grand jury indicts Katie Conley on charges including second-degree murder, falsifying business records, second-degree forgery and petit larceny.
Katie’s first trial begins in Oneida County Court.
A mistrial is declared after the jury reports being deadlocked.
Katie’s second trial begins.
The jury finds Katie Conley not guilty of second-degree murder but guilty of first-degree manslaughter.
Katie Conley is sentenced to 23 years in prison.
An appellate court overturns Katie’s conviction, ruling the search of her phone was illegal. She is released from prison after nearly seven years.
A hearing is scheduled as prosecutors attempt to move forward despite sealed records and questions about key evidence.
Chiropractic Office, Utica, New York
The former location of the practice that Mary and Bill co-owned and where Kaitlyn worked as the office manager.
The Yoder Residence
The approximate location of the home of Mary and Bill Yoder.
Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
The law enforcement agency that received an anonymous letter.
Hospital, Utica, New York
Where Mary Yoder was admitted after becoming violently ill. She was moved to the ICU and later died.
Oneida County Court, Utica, New York
Where Katie Conley’s 2017 trials were held.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Nina Schutzman
- Oneida County District Attorney records
- Oneida County Sheriff’s Office records
- Oneida County Court records
- facebook.com/FreeKaitlynConley
- Cleaver, Jolene. “Conley Stoic as Guilty Verdict Read.” Observer-Dispatch, 6 Nov. 2017. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
- “Family Split on Kaitlyn Conley’s Conviction of Mary Yoder’s Poisoning Murder.” Crime Watch Daily, 21 Mar. 2018. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
- Little Miss Innocent: Passion. Poison. Prison. ABC News Studios, 20 Sept. 2024. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
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MURDERED: Mary Yoder
In the summer of 2015, Mary Yoder, a healthy 60-year-old chiropractor, went to work as usual. Later that day, she began feeling sick. Within two days, she was dead. At first, her sudden decline seemed like a medical mystery. But investigators soon uncovered evidence of poisoning, launching a murder investigation that divided her family and the community.
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