MURDERED: The Feeney Family
When the family of a beloved high school teacher is brutally killed, investigators race to make sense of a chaotic crime scene that defies simple explanation. They find themselves asking: was the whole thing staged? And if so, who staged it and why?
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Timeline:
AM
Jon hangs out with his children while Cheryl runs errands. They have lunch together, then do yard work.
PM
Jon has dinner with Pam before the teacher conference. He later gets pulled over for speeding with Pam in the car.
PM
Jon calls home to confirm he arrived safely, and he and Cheryl have a conversation.
10:30pm
Jon goes to the Osage Police Department to pay his speeding ticket.
6:59am
Jon goes to a McDonaldโs near the resort.
Late AM
Jon plays golf with some colleagues, followed by a conference session, and then lunch.
4pm
Jon attends another conference session, which he leads.
5pm
Jon calls home, but no one answers.
PM
Jon attends a conference social event.
11pm
Jon calls home again, but still, no answer.
9am
Cheryl Feeney is a no-show at work, and her coworkers attempt to get in touch with their babysitter and Jon.
Cherylโs friend and coworker, Theresa, checks on the Feeney house with the police. The house has been ransacked, and the bodies of Cheryl, 6-year-old Tyler, and 18-month-old Jennifer are found inside.
Jon is indicted on three counts of first-degree murder.
Jonโs trial begins.
Jon is found not guilty on all counts.
Tan-Tar-A Resort
Where Jon Feeneyโs teacher conference was held.
Springfield, MO
Where the Feeneys live.
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If youโre a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if youโre looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Not just dead, but killed, by Ron Davis and Kerry G. Bodenhausen. Published April 23, 1995. Accessed January 14, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207823159/
- Ozarks True Crime Season 2: The Feeney Family Murders (Podcast Series). https://www.anneroderiquejones.com/season-2-the-feeney-family-murders
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): โI didnโt believeโ my family was dead, by Ron Davis and Kerry G. Bodenhausen. Published April 24, 1995. Accessed January 14, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207832919/ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Pressure is building on Major Case Squad, by Robert Keyes. Published March 3, 1995. Accessed January 13, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208840172
- The Springfield News Leader (Springfield, MO): Mom, two kids found killed in beds/Trauma wounds apparent, and the home southwest of Springfield was a wreck, by Robert Keyes Published February 28. 1995. Accessed January 13, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208789290ย
- Fox 2 Now (St. Louis, MO): Who killed them? Missouriโs Feeney family murders remain unsolved, by Chris Six. Published October 21, 2021. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/who-killed-them-missouris-feeney-family-murders-remain-unsolved/
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Signature on policy scrutinized, by Ron Davis. Published October 3, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208170221
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Police seek jogger in Feeney case, by Robert Keyes. Published April 25, 1995. Accessed January 14, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207834697ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Authorities piece together case, by Robert Keyes. Published April 23, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208177787ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Crime scene likely staged, investigators say, by Ron Davis. Published May 8, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207962691/ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Feeney jury to hear of motives, character, by Ron Davis. Published September 30, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208217209
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Feeney thanks all whoโve offered help, by Robert Keyes. Published March 6, 1995. Accessed January 13, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208853699ย
- The New York Times (New York, NY): Man Acquitted Of Killing Wife And 2 Children, by Associated Press. Published October 7, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/07/us/man-acquitted-of-killing-wife-and-2-children.htmlย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Medical examiner reveals deathsโ details, by Ron Davis. Published October 3, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208170221ย
- The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, MO): Three found slain, by Lane Beauchamp. Published February 28, 1995. Accessed January 13, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/683680384ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Feb. 27: Crime-scene tape circles Feeney home, by Ron Davis. Published February 27, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208119508ย
- The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, MO): DNA, fiber seen as key evidence in murder trial, by A Scharnhorst. Published September 28, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/684703412ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Break in Feeney case expected Friday, by Ron Davis. Published April 11, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208135154ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Feeney Hearing centers on sighting, by Ron Davis. Published May 8, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207962691/
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Defense suggests new hole in Feeney case, by Ron Davis. Published June 22, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208263479/ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Feeneyโs ex-lovers take the stand, by Ron Davis. Published October 1, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208165284ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Rumors keep case squad hopping, by Chris Bentley and Robert Keyes. Published March 31, 1995. Accessed January 14, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208946927ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): State ready to wrap up case, by Ron Davis. Published October 2, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208167364ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Feeney likely to take Fifth today, by Ron Davis. Published February 15, 1996. Accessed January 14, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208077831
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Feeney Arrested, by Ron Davis. Published April 23, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208177787/ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): Silence builds as trial nears, by Ron Davis. Published September 22, 1996. Accessed January 15, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208162699ย
- The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, MO): State to portray Feeney as diabolical, by Ron Davis. Published September 27, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025 via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/208178500/
- The New York Times (New York, NY): Man Acquitted Of Killing Wife And 2 Children, by Associated Press. Published October 7, 1996. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/07/us/man-acquitted-of-killing-wife-and-2-children.html
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