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Burden

An Investigative True Crime Podcast


Mom didn't kill herself. It was murder. That's what one daughter believes. Burden examines the suspicious death of Billie Jean Letterman near Texarkana, Arkansas in 1991. Burden is based on extensive interviews with police, forensic experts, legal experts, paramedics, Billie Jean’s family and friends, and others close to the case. The podcast, produced by Power of Pod, is co-hosted by journalist Karen Tricot Steward and attorney Stephanie Harris. 

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Major Case Update


Michael Wayne Letterman was arrested for the 1991 murder of Billie Jean Letterman in October 2025. He will stand trial in Sept. 2026.

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Burden Season 1 Trailer
Aug. 22, 2022

Burden Season 1 Trailer

Mom didn't kill herself. It was murder. That's what one daughter is out to prove. Burden is about the suspicious death of Billie Jean Letterman near Texarkana, Arkansas in 1991. The story covers the night she was shot in the ...

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Episode 1: What Happened To Billie Jean?
Sept. 30, 2022

Episode 1: What Happened To Billie Jean?

Billie Jean Letterman died of a gunshot wound to the head at her home in Texarkana, Arkansas in 1991. When paramedics arrive at the scene after she's been shot, Billie’s husband Michael Letterman is behaving suspiciously. At ...

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Episode 2: Mom Didn’t Kill Herself
Oct. 6, 2022

Episode 2: Mom Didn’t Kill Herself

Billie Jean Letterman’s daughter Ashly was in the house the night her mother was shot in the head. Ashly is Michael Letterman's step daughter. She was only six years old when her mom died. What she saw that night has been hau...

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Episode 3: The Investigation - Part 1
Oct. 13, 2022

Episode 3: The Investigation - Part 1

Police officers report what they saw at the scene the night Billie Jean was shot. Lead investigator Sgt. Don Nix talks about the case many years later and says he believes it was a homicide. He has trouble remembering some of...

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Episode 4: The Investigation - Part 2
Oct. 21, 2022

Episode 4: The Investigation - Part 2

Michael’s first wife tells police about the horrible things Michael did to her when they were married. Hospital records reveal the final moments of Billie’s life. The crime lab sends its findings to lead investigator Sgt. Don...

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Episode 5: The Lettermans
Oct. 27, 2022

Episode 5: The Lettermans

On this episode, stories of growing up in the Letterman household. We also hear from Billie's family and friends about times they were afraid of Michael Letterman and efforts to call police. Ashly’s cousin comes forward to sa...

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Episode 6: He Was A Monster
Nov. 3, 2022

Episode 6: He Was A Monster

Michael Letterman badly abused his first two wives, Gaye and Billie Jean. He beat them, choked them, and held guns to their heads. Gaye got away, but Billie Jean didn’t make it out alive. Michael married for a third time to a...

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Episode 7: Billie's Body
Nov. 10, 2022

Episode 7: Billie's Body

With all the physical evidence lost and little investigation into Billie’s case, we look to Billie’s body for clues about what happened the night she was shot. The 1991 autopsy of Billie Jean Letterman was performed by a cont...

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Episode 8: What Happens Now?
Nov. 17, 2022

Episode 8: What Happens Now?

On the season finale, a legal expert weighs in on what charges could have been filed against Michael Letterman for the role he played in the shooting death of Billie Jean. Then, a conversation with Billie Jean’s daughter Ashl...

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Introducing Ozarks True Crime
Feb. 14, 2023

Introducing Ozarks True Crime

We want to share with you a true crime podcast we think you’ll really like. It’s called Ozarks True Crime . Listen to Episode 1 of Season 2 right here. It tells the story of the Feeney family murders. On February 25, 1995, Jo...

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Reviews

Captivating and truth seeking!

"This podcast is hands down the best I have ever heard when it comes to true crime.Very often we forget that these are real people, with real families that are left reeling and grieving from their hor…"

SoulfulAdvocate | Nov. 3, 2022

Straightforward 👍

"True Crime well done. Not salacious, respectful to the family and Billie. Kept my interest. Well narrated and reported. TY!"

hazelbnr | Dec. 22, 2022

Well told

"Such a well told investigative piece."

Goude334 | Jan. 1, 2023

Good true crime podcast

"I'm always searching for a good true crime where the investigative journalist isn't making it more dramatic than reality. This one has more heart felt info and none of the fluff like some of the over…"

meganallthenamesaretaken | Feb. 15, 2023

Brilliant

"Brilliant investigative journalism! Insightful and powerful deep dive into what such have been an open and shut case. The hosts are exceptional with such attention to detail that it makes the call fo…"

ICKool | Jan. 7, 2023

Very well done

"Fantastic podcast that felt fair and reasonable even with a family member as a main source. So many times the true crime stories that are told with one family member’s perspective end up being skewed…"

Katherine P. M. | April 1, 2023
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